I feed my CKCS Arden Grange Prestige and Natures Menu. He has around 40g of Prestige during the day and then 1/2 pack of Natures menu in the evening - he is 10 months old, weighs 6.7kg and our vet reassured me on Wednesday that his weight is spot on for his size. We discussed his diet and when I told her what I am feeding Harvey, she told me to feed him either one or the other because feeding two different foods will unbalance the nutritional contents of each food
I have been really happy with these foods because Harvey is actually EATING which is great as he is very, very picky. I find that because he's having a dry meal and a wet meal, he's getting variety and not getting bored with the foods. I would love a second opinion?? Since being told this I have been feeding just the Prestige but Harvey is not impressed:rolleyes:
One other worry I have, Harvey was neutered on Wednesday and I am now obsessed with maintaining his weight and not letting the pounds pile on. Should I be reducing the amount of food that he's having or keep it the same? Does neutering actually slow down the metabolism, increase appetite or both? I don't feed many treats - he has about 6 little Natures menu treats per day.

Hayley

Yes, neutering does slow the metabolism, and also lowers the level of stress when there's an in-season bitch nearby, which decreases the need for energy (calories). The vets I work with advise cutting the amount of food by a quarter after neutering and be prepared to lower it further.

Thanks Jg. If his appetite stays the same, then I'm sure that cutting Harveys food back won't be a problem. If he seems hungry, I will change from Prestige to normal Arden Grange - the reason I'm feeding Prestige is because I don't need to feed huge amounts as Harvey won't eat much.

I think it is fine to feed 2 different foods, in fact beneficial.

I've always fed a different food in the morning and evening.  The way I see it is - dogs in the wild would be getting a lot of different protein sources, and varying the food helps provide that.  Especially if you are feeding different proteins morning and evening and not just different foods but the same protein (ie not just ARden Grange Prestige (chicken) and ND chicken).

It also keeps the dog's stomach used to digested a variety of ingredients so that, if you ever have to give the dog a different type of food for a few meals, it won't be upset by this as he will be used to digesting different foods.

I know a lot of people who feed dry with some ND stirred into the same meal and they don't have a problem.

Personally I don't even stick with one brand - although I do stick to what I think are the better foods and don't go feeding Bakers or Pedigree!

I wouldn't worry about it.  If he looks healthy, his poos are good and he is enjoying his food, that's the main thing.

Yes, his metabolism will slow down now he has been neutered and he will need less food.

I agree completely with onetwothree.  As long as both foods are complete, what could the problem be?

Yes I too agree with 123. BALANCED FOOD + BALANCED FOOD = BALANCED FOOD.

Dawn R.

Just go by wat your dog likes,if hes eating it gaining weight and healthy then wat you was feeding him was obviosly rite for him :) .
Ide hate it if i was just fed 1 food all the time,my vet advised me to also stick to 1 food and not feed raw but they have both and are a good weight for there breed and size :)
vets dont always know wats best,after all the majority of the time there going from wat theyve read in books,and not from experience :)

>vets dont always know wats best,after all the majority of the time there going from wat theyve read in books,and not from experience<

Completely agree :)

I'm sure they would faint if they found out i mix different protein sources with my dogs commercial food  every night,such as chicken,beef,fish,lamb AND rotate their commercial food at every bag,eg once this bag runs out i will change to another brand. My dogs "can" and "will" eat anything,they dont have dodgy tummies,nor are they the least bit finicky.The only time they go to the vets are for the annual bloods(i like to keep on top of things and make sure everything is running as it should).My vet also disagree's with feeding pets only one brand of food and never giving variety,he's of the the same train of thought as me,and that is that it is very important to give our pets a large variety of different foods,this is just as important for them,as it is for us :) Despite popular belief,vets dont always have the healthiest of dogs,their pets just have the advantage of quick diagnosis!How many times have i heard a vet say " My dogs lucky i'm a vet" :rolleyes:

>she told me to feed him either one or the other because feeding two different foods will unbalance the nutritional contents of each food<

I'm really dissapointed to hear a vet say this :(

>

Hayley,

You are feeding your dog two complete dog foods - you could feed your dog 10 different complete dog food and the end result would be the same.  Your dog would be getting a nutritionally complete diet.  I too am astounded a vet could come up with such a load of nonsense.

I'm also of the school that a varied diet is better than feeding a dog one and only one kind or brand of food.

Stacey