Hi, My retriever is normally fed Burns but I didnt realise how low we had got and when I went to order some more and saw that Burns are not delivering now until the new year...as the nearist stockists is about 50 miles away I thought it would be ok to get her a bag of JWB and gradually mix it in to what we have left to bulk it up a bit to see us through...so while I was at the pet shop I saw a brand called Vitalin...I read the ingredients and all sounded well (to my inexperienced eye anyway!) so I was comparing the JWB and they sounded pretty similar, but the vitalin was half the price (I though maybe because they are not as well known?)...they also had a 'sensitve stomach' version in stock (they didnt have 'sensitive' JWB) which I thought would be best because of the change in food...has anyone heard of it?? Im just wondering as maybe if she does well on it and enjoys it I may consider taking her off burns anyway, as she is constantly hungry (I know she IS a retriever) and her coat has suddnely gone very thin and dry...(although Im not sure that that is down to the burns as she has been on it for about 10 months and this is the first time her coat has looked SO bad) any thoughts would be appreciated...many thanks

whoops...Ive just done what I should have done...and did a search on it...sooooo I see most people say its horrible and some say its ok...hmmm...everso confused now as the ingredients sounded so similar in and in similar quantities...I suppose you get what you pay for, and I should have probably stuck to getting the Jwb...ah well, Im sure it wont do her too much harm to mix in to her burns for a week or so....

I may be wrong but I believe Vitalin looks a bit like rabbit food - seem to remember it from years ago. I think they do different versions of it now, sorry I can't be more helpful as I've never fed it. Our 7 month pup was on Burns & I ran out (stupidly!) at the weekend. I had to give him what my other dog was having - some butcher's tripe (the only tinned food I ever feed) & chappie complete (dried version). I must say although it is probably not the best diet for a pup, he absolutely loved it & has had no digestive problems at all - he had really smelly wind & sometimes very soft stools on Burn's. He also lost a lot of weight. Like you I'm wondering what to feed now. OH says leave him on the tripe & chappie since it obviously suits him but he's still a pup so I'm not sure. I have contacted Trophy for some samples & am looking into Autarky as well.
Good luck, hope someone can advise you on Vitalin
Regards

rabbit food you say..? uuurgh! havent gone as far as opening the bag yet...maybe I should take it back and swap it...but nooooo....cant face another trip into town....

Yes, it does look like rabbit food,  my mother used to feed her GSD Amber on it. (Always loved a bargain) She always added water to it as it is quite dry. She swore by it, and her dog was very healthy, so I guess I can not say anything bad about it. GSD's have difficult tummies, and this food worked for her, I also used it from time to time (had to test it out) found no adverse effects at all. If it works for your dog all well and good. Don't be put off by the look of it. :-D

I used to feed the Lamb and Rice to my bitch as it was wheat and gluten free - we also used to keep it at the boarding kennels for any dog that had a tummy upset as they seemed to settle on it   I am not sure about other versions however I know it was great for my GSD that had a serious tummy problem......more than settled on it - like a small dark biscuit, not rabbit type however the other ones may well be?

Hope that helps :)

Just done a search to find the one I thought looked like rabbit food. There are 3 - Royale Daily Pet, Original Muesli Working & Gold Menu Fussy Eater. Blimey, didn't realise they did so many others as well!

My 2 boxer girls look fab on Vitalin Bitch diet

yes, Ive just nipped to their website..and have seen the ones that look like rabbit food!!...some of them sound awful (and I probably wouldnt even feed them to my rabbit) and some sound quite good, the 'sensitive diet' and the 'bitch diet' being two of them.

well, I feel slightly better about using it for a bit now...phew!

fed my boxer on vitalin  .he lived till 15  so it worked for him . sometimes mixed in gravy and or butchers as it did look pretty boring.

Vitalin is an old established pet food manufacturer who make a variety of dog foods.  I have just changed my dogs over from Burns to their new Senior/Lite Mature or weight watcher diet, and it has suited them fine, and also a lot cheaper.  As I have a dog with pancreatic insufficiency and also 4 veteran dogs, it has been ideal.  It is based on salmon and potato and brown rice.