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Topic Dog Boards / Feeding / another orijen question
- By PippaJ [gb] Date 08.03.10 14:55 UTC
We changed our 2 GWPs onto Orijen about 8 months ago and they have the recommended amount on the bag split into 2 feeds.
The older one (both bitches) never had a good appetite but always eats her orijen, the pup will eat anything and has to have a Brakefast bowl to slow her down!
They both look really well, full of energy, bright eyes, shiny coats and at a recent vet visit we were told that Mum doesn't need to be any fatter and pup is slightly over weight.
So here is where I need help....they are both constantly looking for food and begging. They eat any old rubbish they can find in our fields (sheep food, horse food and both varieties of poo!). I have chatted to my supplier who thinks orijen is the absolute best and she said I shouldn't even be feeding the quantity that I am. So what do I do? Change them back over onto a different food? Feed more and risk weight gain? Add something? Ignore them?
Any help appreciated, thanks!
- By mastifflover Date 08.03.10 15:02 UTC
Don't up thier food intake, it's not worth them getting fat.

I've never used Orijen, but have read that you don't need to feed much of it, that's great for fussy eaters but there is no way my dog would be happy on a very small portion, he wouldn't consider the nutritional content of his bowl, he likes to feel that he has eaten a good sized meal!

Eating rubbish is pretty common for any dog to do, but if it has got worse since feeding Orijen then perhaps they feel hungry.

Seems a shame to change from Origen as it's had such a positive effect on your dogs. Maybe you could bulk up thier meals with some veg?
- By PippaJ [gb] Date 08.03.10 15:39 UTC
Thanks for your reply. I do give them raw carrots as well but would you suggest cooked veg in with their ration? I think the older dog is definitely hungry, the small portion is not filling her belly I guess because there is so little carbohydrate in the food.
- By Pedlee Date 08.03.10 15:45 UTC
Are you feeding it soaked or dry? I know it doesn't swell very much when soaked but that small amount may be enough to make them feel fuller? Definitely don't increase the amount or you'll end up with roly-poly dogs. It may just be they are scroungers and will beg even when not hungry (I've got a Dobe like that!).
- By PippaJ [gb] Date 08.03.10 16:27 UTC
I will try soaking it thanks. I don't think Pippa is a scrounging dog, shenever was before the orijen!
- By Pedlee Date 08.03.10 17:05 UTC
What were you feeding before?
- By PippaJ [gb] Date 08.03.10 18:45 UTC
Just before they were on Challenge for about 6 months but Pippa didn't really like it and used to walk away hence the change. She has never really been that keen on her food till the orijen which she always cleans up but always seems hungry.
- By ali-t [gb] Date 08.03.10 21:27 UTC
I feed one of mine oriijen and know what you mean as it is very dense in calories for the volume required is minimal.  I also feed some raw and there are usually bones lying about too so although breakfast and tea are very quick meals my boy usually has a recreational bone to munch on too.  I have also put his tea in treat balls if I want him to take a while to eat is so I can have some peace!
- By dogs a babe Date 08.03.10 21:43 UTC
As others have said - it's probably best to try a few things:

Slow their eating down a bit - put kibble in a treat ball for one meal
Make the meal 'seem' bigger - soak half the kibble to swell the volume (half and half is good to keep some crunch)
Add some veg - it's not really necessary but might just make the meal go further!

How old is your pup?  They definitely go through phases of convincing you they are half starved.  If you are training with treats too she'll keep an eye on you and expect food to come out of your pockets all the time.  I found that it wears off as they get a bit older but I'm not sure what mum's excuse is!!  :)
- By dvnbiker [gb] Date 09.03.10 12:56 UTC
my youngster is fed on orijen as it is the only complete that she will eat like she enjoys it, she looks great on it but is only on 150g per day, she currently weighs 14.4kg and is a BC.  I have upped it recently as she did need to lose a bit a weight, she is active as we do agility but we are still nowhere near the recommended feeding amounts.  I just weigh the dogs once a month to keep an idea on their weight and whether I need to up or reduce their feed.
- By NDQ [gb] Date 09.03.10 17:40 UTC
I would also do as suggested, add some water and add some veg. You can add raw veg which better for them, we find they prefer it if it's blitzed up in a food processor. We give ours Carrot, apple, peppers, broccoli, swede, spinach etc... and add it to their food. When we switched on to raw, our dogs seemed constantly hungry - they weren't- they were just enjoying their food so much they wanted it all the time! :-D
Topic Dog Boards / Feeding / another orijen question

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