Looking for a New Dry Dog Food

Chazzozz on 25/04/2017 - 12:46

Okay, so I've decided that my Little Guy is not actually a dog, he's just a machine for turning food into poop - lots of it. I'm tired of picking it up all the time and Mrs. C is starting to complain that he's pooping too close to the back door, making the veranda smelly (he is nearly 12, and on cold or rainy nights he doesn't like to go too far outside to do his business).

Currently we feed him Supercoat for older dogs because that seems to agree with his tummy the best out of supermarket brands. I've read somewhere that changing to a different dry dog food with a 'high digestability' can help reduce how much end product is produced. I'm wondering what people here give to their dogs and if it's made any difference.

He's a small breed terrier-cross and, as I said above, he's elderly (although, the way he charges after a ball you wouldn't think so!). He can be a bit sensitive to some foods, therefore I want to be careful not to feed him anything that might end up giving him the runs.

Anyone have suggestions? With the endless supply on OB of stackable discounts for most pet stores I'm open to trying a more expensive brand.

Food & Grocery

Comments

  • YOTR on 25/04/2017 - 13:25
    +4

    Grain free. BlackHawk, canidae, ivory coat, wellness, etc.

  • ms_caz on 25/04/2017 - 15:37

    Black Hawk is food of choice in my household although I have noticed that the product has appeared to be a little "greasier" in the last batch or so and one of my dogs has had terrible farts for the past few days (having just started a new bag but not new to to brand - it might just be coincidence). It runs between about $80 - $100 (when on special) depending on the variety for a 15-18 kilo bag

    We used to feed Supercoat and there was a lot more pooh.

    There is a new Australian made brand called Meals for Mutts which I will look at trying in a forthcoming purchase. I buy online (free delivery) from PetCircle.

    We also buy the Costco Salmon and Sweet Potato variety when I do a Costco run a couple of times a year - if they have it. It's quite popular apparently and often sells out. It is very good value at about $60 for a big 20 kg bag.

    I have two labradors. They love food and they can produce mountains of pooh - so it is definitely worth buying a food which keeps them full and which they digest more readily therefore reducing the output.

  • oscargamer on 25/04/2017 - 16:50
    +1

    Blackhawk 50%
    Fresh meat 50%

    the excess poo you are seeing is all the cheap shit filling stuff that's crammed into supercoat and those other cheap foods

    i wouldn't feed them to my dogs !

    • Dean29 on 08/05/2017 - 15:28

      Currently feeding my dogs Blackhawk and raw mince. If you are going to changing dry food to a different brand make sure you do do it gradually eg. mixing old and new dry food together for a bit

  • Adz81 on 25/04/2017 - 17:03
    +1

    I'll feed my dog Nourish once a week or so (otherwise I cook her food myself, having ran the recipe past my vet). She seems to like it (although she's a lab and will eat anything). She's 10 and has no apparent digestive issues with the Nourish… Previously I'd used Supercoat but found that if I fed it to her more than once a week or so, she'd actually smell different to when I fed her the home made stuff (a noticeable smell of corn).

    Feed him well and give him lots of pats :)

    Dog food is pretty much the one thing (aside from toilet paper) where I hang up my OzB badge, to hell with the cost, let them eat well :D

  • Captain Howdy on 25/04/2017 - 18:25

    You may find this handy. Lots of reviews with a breakdown on ingredients, nutritional value and relative price.

    http://www.petfoodreviews.com.au/dry-dog-food/

    It seems if you want gourmet the best price to performance is the Costco Natures Domain.

  • GOFYS on 25/04/2017 - 18:43

    Cook the little guy a few meals of mince with veges, see the difference and make your own decision.

  • Chazzozz on 25/04/2017 - 18:58

    Thanks, everyone, for all the advice. I'll have a look at some of the brands suggested and see what is workable. Since he's only small a large bag would probably go stale before he finishes it but it seems like most of them come in smaller quantities, if not quite as cost-effective. Like Adz81 said, the cost is irrelevant if you can find a good product.

  • Bad Wolf on 26/04/2017 - 07:49
    +2

    Check at your closest physical pet store on their return policy on dog food, petbarn used to exchange premium bags if they didn't work out.
    Remember to slowly add new food into existing 10/90 20/80 30/70 etc To prevent stomach upset.
    Serving size might change with new food.

    Order free samples to get an idea on the size of the food, then use as treats.
    blackhawk
    ivory coat

    Our 3 (2yo 6yo 14yo) are on wellness cans for breakfast, chicken neck for lunch, blackhawk lamb and rice for dinner.

    • Elppa8 on 26/04/2017 - 09:58

      Our 3 (2yo 6yo 14yo) are on wellness cans for breakfast, chicken neck for lunch, blackhawk lamb and rice for dinner.

      Hope our 4.5kg Moodle doesn't read this, she only gets a half cup of Eukanuba senior mixed with 10% BlackHawk at 5pm and a small dog biscuit mid morning. :)

      Remember to slowly add new food into existing 10/90 20/80 30/70 etc To prevent stomach upset.
      Serving size might change with new food.

      +1 for this

    • Chazzozz on 26/04/2017 - 12:37

      Oh, cool! I didn't know you could get samples, that will be great. He's not a fussy eater, thankfully, so he should take to the taste okay. I'll remember your advice on mixing new + old.

  • Spydon on 26/04/2017 - 13:43

    mypetwarehouse and budgetpetproducts are both having specials on at the moment for Meals for Mutts among other things if you keen on buying expensive dry food, this is your chance to save some money.

  • renster72 on 06/08/2017 - 16:33

    applaws its all good is the best you can buy at a supermarket. Black Hawk is good, Chicken necks too.

  • sunnyc on 13/08/2017 - 14:55
    +1

    I recommend ziwipeak. but if you are looking for senior, i think holistic, wellness, both are same company. or royal canin.

  • Freetimefood on 27/06/2018 - 11:31

    We were previously on Black Hawk but as soon as they were brought by an international company I just felt like their quality changed. We have been through a few varieties as we have a pretty fussy dog, but have settled on a one called Glow. We feed her 50% this and then combine with 50% raw diet. I would recommend trying it out if you are still looking at it seems decent quality and it uses Australian ingredients which is a bonus. But they are annoying sized bags as I kind of prefer 20kg as opposed to buying 2 x 10kg but overall pretty decent.

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