I have a seven month old Tibetan Terrier who was on Pedigree Chum puppy complete when she came to me. At first she ate it ravenously then gradually she started to leave loads so I added a bit of mince and she was happy but it seems to upset her tummy to have meat added, so I changed to Iams she leaves most of this so now I have James Wellbeloved which says it calms tums and itchy coat which they are prone to, she is not overly keen and only eats when really hungry. She doesn't touch it in the morning at all. So does she still need two feeds and shall I just put this stuff down in the evening and let her eat it when really hungry? I feel as though I am in a muddle with her food and have loads of complete dog food mixes in the cupboard now. Is there a general consensus on what complete food is best? The breeder said low protein is best to stop any irritation of the coat and James Wellbeloved is certainly that. Thanks Jane

Jane, I'm no expert on toys, but my breed is king of the picky feeders. You are training your pup to train you to give her a new and tasty food every time she feels like a change. Others will advise you on how often to feed, but I'm not a fan of ad-lib feeding. There is evidence that dogs fed ad-lib are inclined to put on weight and to be less active. Put a down a little (less than she usually eats) of what you want her to eat, at the time you want her to eat it and leave it for 15 minutes. Then take it way. If she eats it all, increase the amount by a little the next time. If she doesn't eat it all give her the same amount as before at the next meal. She will soon work out that this is the only food she is going to get, and will eat as much of it as she needs. As long as she is healthy, she won't starve herself to death, no matter how convincing an impression she gives. If you don't take a hard line, you will soon run out of dog food brands, and before you know it, you will find yourself gong to the Chinese restaurant for her dinner one night, and the Indian the next. I've been there, done that, and got a drawerful of teeshirts - and let me tell you, you drive long and fast to get a chinkie home warm enough to suit the discerning dog in this neck of the woods :-)

Sharon, while you are there, Ill have numbers, 7, 15 and 32, while you are ordering lol

.... one bird's nest soup, one beef with black bean sauce, and one flied lice - that'll be £7.98 please Madam :-)

Think I should be on commision for yet another Nutro plug. ;)
Try Nutro Choice Mini for younger small breed dogs. Nutro is a 'skin & coat' food so should help your dog. Try putting it in a microwaveable bowl and put iit in the micro for 10 secs to warm it through (This tip was from my dog food distributor, Brian). I've found a little raw minced tripe added, works wonders too! :)

Thanks for replies. I have tried to find that Nutro food but it doesn't seem to be widely available, I have looked in our local pet shop and garden centres to no avail.Cheers Jane

You could email them to find your local stockist :-) [email]sales@nutro.co.uk[/email]

Or phone them on Freephone 0800 068 0608 - ask them to send you some samples :)
I get mine over the phone for next day free delivery.

Thanks will do that tomorrow.

Hi Jane,
I also think that puppys and dogs have times where they don't really feel like eating that much. Too hot outside, just exercised, pause of a growth spurt: but it doesn't mean there is something wrong with them. They won't starve themselves, so I wouldn't worry. With Chienne, she eats considerably less in the summer than the winter time, despite not really changing her activity level.

I also firmly believe that the pet manufactures like to put on the "reccomended daily food amount" higher than it should be. If I fed a cup and a half of food to Samma, she'd be a huge 22 pound slug again. She's just over 15 pounds and very happy with the 3/4 cup she gets. The vet was overestimating her and told me to feed her just over a cup of food of this special diet....her tummy was hard and she was sluggish until the next meal. Sometimes I wish that they'd put Calorie amounts along with all of the protein and other content info for us non-techie people. Sure be easier to compare dog foods sometimes ;) :D

But these are just my humble opinions and not a drip of scientific proof behind them ;)
toodles

You can get the calorific value, and more importantly the ME metabolzable (sp) energy (meaning that which can be assimilated) from some of the dog food companies, if you ask! I wish it were standard, and would also show whether a cheaper food actually was per feeding! (usually not).

If they can't get shoe sizes standardized between brands, I don't think they'll ever manage it on food ;) :D :D

I don't look at the feeding guides anymore... I feed my 21 month old more Nutro than it states on the guide and she is still fit looking, not fat.... Whereas the ex-Nutro rep in this area couldn't feed his Goldens the recommended amount because they went grossly overweight.....!

I couldn't agree more...the recommendations are only a guide and shouldn't be religiously followed - and I know some who do. Representatives from these companies have also been known to state that feeding more than the recommended amount just leads to the dog not digesting it and the food being pushed through! What a load of *******!!!
Nutro took Iams to court over misleading feeding guides on their packaging after they conducted a test feeding the recommended amount which they abandoned after two weeks due to the dogs dramatic weight loss.
Metabolic rates differ in animals in the same way they differ in humans. I often have people asking me how I manage to stay so slim when they see what I eat! I also know a few fat buggers that pick miserably at salads!!

Jane. I'm reading all the messages regarding TTs. If it helps I fingd the Burns food excellent.Mel