Hi all,

Looking for a bit of advice. My Samoyed bitch is 9yrs old and is very active and healthy. She is currently fed on AG lamb & rice adult, but I've noticed just recently that although her poos start off fine in the morning, by the evening she is quite loose. Its been like this for a while now and I am thinking about changing her food, I know AG do a sensitive version - has anyone tried it with their dog ?

Also Royal Canin sensitive has been mentioned on another thread so this sounds good - however my other 2 were on RC before and they didn't think much of it and they look so much better since being on AG, but I suppose each dog is different and Meg might do well on it.

Another thought is should I put her on a senior food?! Does anyone use senior instead of just normal food? There are so many options I'm a little confused !!

I use a senior food for my 14 year old cocker and have done since she was about 9 I think.  It seems to suit her very well.

I am using the AG senior for my 11 and half year old elkhound bitch.  The only thing I would say is that, because the kibble size is small, the dog may need less of it than the "standard" kibble.  Spooky has gained some weight, but that is probably to do with reduced mobility rather than the food - she's starting to get arthritis in one of her pasterns and she doesn't want to go far in wet weather.  I've got her on G&C and fish oil now, so we shall see.  Her coat is good, and the vet says she is in good nick about from that bit of extra weight.  Like dog, like owner....

Thanks Isabel & Vanhalla, thats interesting to know that both your dogs do well on senior versions. Do you think a senior version might help with the poo problem?!

Also I've read on another thread about Chappie, and I know its meant to be good for sensitive stomachs - would this be ok for a 9yr old dog?

> Chappie, and I know its meant to be good for sensitive stomachs - would this be ok for a 9yr old dog?

Yep - no problem at all. I always have a few tins in the cupboard.

I think I am going to give it a go. Do you feed it on its own, or with any sort of mixer? I've never fed tinned food before, ever !!

It's supposed to be a complete food, but I've always fed it with a handful of plain broken-biscuit mixer for a bit of crunch.

That sounds like a good idea. Where do you get yours - do you order online, or is it cheaper to buy from a supermarket/PAH?

Tesco seem to be as cheap as anywhere, with the advantage of being able to buy just a couple of tins to see how they get on with it (though I must admit I've never found any problems with acceptance of it!).

my 2 love tinned chappie, especially my boy who has never been that keen on plain kibble.  If I was to feed chappie with a bit of mixer, how much do you think a Lab would need, he weighs 30kg and is not very energetic!!

Do you think it is an acceptable food to feed all the time?  He doesn't have any health issues, just seems to prefer a wet food.

Sorry for hijacking..

>Do you think it is an acceptable food to feed all the time?

Easy question first - yes, if it suits them.

As for quantities - that's such an individual thing. The guidelines on the tins say that a 30kg dog might need up to 4 of the 412g cans per day, if it was being fed only that, without any mixer. I find my 25kg dog does fine with about three-quarters of a tin, with about the same quantity of mixer, for each meal (breakfast and dinner).

Oh no, not hijacking at all, dont worry :-)

Jeangenie, thank you for the info. I'm definitley going to try Meg on Chappie and see how she gets on.

Does anyone who feeds dry find that their dogs teeth need extra care?! I have an idea in my head that feeding dry is better for dogs teeth - dont know where I got that from though! We do brush Meg's teeth quite often, so it wont be a problem, just wondered.

Yes, 4 tins is a bit ridiculous.  I think maybe a mug of a complete food for brekkie,  then a whole tin with a bit of mixer for tea, does that sound about right?    Can't be doing with tinned stuff in the morning - way too smelly first thing!!   I might even put him on Skinners dog meal or Vitalin, I think these can be mixed up like a sort of poridge,  he definately prefers softer foods although is quite happy to have a marrow bone!

Can't be doing with tinned stuff in the morning - way too smelly first thing!!

Must admit I'm not looking forward to that at all (especially with a hangover - I cant even manage cat food if I've had a few drinks the night before!!)

I know my OH will moan if I put tinned food in the fridge - so I'm thinking of investing in a mini 'dog fridge' for the Chappie !!

>I think maybe a mug of a complete food for brekkie,  then a whole tin with a bit of mixer for tea, does that sound about right?

Sounds about right to me. :-)

>OH will moan if I put tinned food in the fridge

You can get plastic seals to put on open tins which stop the smell brilliantly.

Brilliant - I'll buy these along with the Chappie :-) Thanks JG!