I am in the process of trying to find out a food for my flat coats that has a higher meat content than Burns which is what they're currently fed on.  I am after something with high meat content, few grains etc, but these are considerably more expensive.  Someone suggested to me that if I am wanting to feed something better, I could add veg to it to bulk it out and give them less kibble or some brown rice, rather than giving them the full amount, I could add veg or brown rice to the food and give them less kibble. 

Opinions?  Anyone do this?  If so, what veg do you add and how much do you feed in relation to the amount of kibble?

I only add veg [green beans] when I want to fill the dogs stomach as part of a weight loss regime and reduce the amount of kibble.

I'd say your rather defeating the object of buying the high meat content kibble if you then bulk it out.

Better buy a good mid range kibble with at least 25 - 30% meat/fish by dry weight (meal, not amount of fresh meat which will be 2/3d's less once dry).

My own choices would be Arden Grange, Simpson's, Proplan, Autarky etc.

This assume your dogs don't have grain sensitivities.

Alternatively go for meat and veg vacuum packed complete or go Raw, and add the veg and balance other nutrients by feeding variety

Have you tried Eden, a UK produced grain-free food (80% meat) which is very reasonably priced when compared to other grain-free's? A 15kg bag is just under £50.

One of my puppy owners uses this for the Elkhound pup and a Victorian Bulldog, both look great on it.

Ok, If I were to instead add some Naturediet to their kibble, how much would I add?  If I was to keep them on Burns Fish and Brown rice and add (260g each DAILY normal amount - 130 per meal) some ND, how much should I give them to keep it balanced?

Well as both are supposed to be completes it's up to you.

What are you trying to achieve? 

Burns tends to keep dogs rather lean, and if given in larger quantities either the dogs get loose or just can't seem to eat enough to hold weight, good if you have dogs who tend to fat, but not for those growing over lean types, so doesn't suit some.

The one is pretty lean and has very little extra body weight.  The other isn't lean but not fat either - about right. 

I want to add some variety, bulk the food out a bit and provide some extra meat.

I fed my two GR's Burns for most if their lives. They were both speyed and I needed to keep their weight down, but the main reason was that it suited one of the dogs as it was one of the few (at the time) that was additive free and it was likely that additives were making her itchy. The other one did get quite thin for a time mainly because she was on the go so much, a bit more lead walking and less running her socks off, bought her back to a sensible weight for her frame. As they became older rather then move them to a different food that had a senior range, I kept them on Burns, but added veg, which they adored, to bulk it out. That was due to their age, the fact they were speyed and a tendency for GR's to run to fat if overfed.
If you think that one of your dogs is a bit lean, it may well be a good idea to try a higher protein food.

Have considered raw instead of kibble?

I have done yes, but I have no spare freezer space and no room for another freezer.  If I had the space, they would be on it already :)

understood , I have now got two dog freezers as well as the human one they kind of creep up on you !
With regard to kibble it often works out cheaper overall to by one of the grain free dearer ones as you dont feed as much. I agree with brainless I wouldnt add veg dogs dont digest raw veg too well so yes you are adding bulk but as they are carnivores more meat would be better in the form of a grain free kibbble imo

I give mine sardines or eggs in with their kibble to make it a bit more interesting and if we have any leftover veg it is added in with their tea. It can be a slippy slope with Flatties as one of mine just looks at his dish now if I only put the kibble down and it takes him a while to start eating it as he is waiting on the goodies!!

> I am after something with high meat content, few grains etc, but these are considerably more expensive. Someone suggested to me that if I am wanting to feed something better, I could add veg to it to bulk it out and give them less kibble or some brown rice, rather than giving them the full amount

If it's a cost cutting exercise there may be other ways of achieving what you want.  How much are you currently paying for Burns?  What is your preferred "more expensive" food?  How much online shopping around have you done to find the best price?  Try buying in larger amounts, see whether you can get onto a breeders club or member prices.  This forum is a pretty good research tool if you want to compare prices - I've noticed we all use different suppliers (and foods) and can do some quick comparisons for you if you like

I have to say though that I'm not convinced about the argument to buy 'better' then feed less of it.  It's a bit like feeding a tiny steak with loads of veg rather than a large bowl of mince...   I think I know what my dogs would prefer :)

Veg and rice are ok in their place (as an extra from time to time) but aren't a good dietary swap for your dogs, and there's no point buying an expensive food with less grain, only to put it back in by adding rice.  Unless you have problems with sensitivities, skin etc that you haven't yet mentioned it sounds as if you could just as easily go with a mid range complete food.  Finally don't discount raw completely based on space.  Many companies would deliver weekly and you can buy freeflow bags of tripe for instance which would be a great addition to your dogs 'complete' foods and don't take up much room at all.

I have of late tried Forthglade they do both a complete and a complementary must say the dogs approve and it seems so do the experts see here http://www.whichdogfood.co.uk/the-dog-food-directory This has a 12 month shelf life and does not need the be frozen it does need, once opened, to be refrigerated.

I have been doing some research and I have found a possible alternative to Burns.

We are spending about £45 a month on Burns and they don't put weight on like one would expect (well Inca does, but not Jess) which is something I have heard a lot about Burns.

As we are spending that much per month, Eden dog food only works out around £3 more per month and seems considerably better and of course is grain free.

Anyone used it?  What do you think of it?

http://www.uk.edenpetfoods.com

Two of mine eat Eden and love it, they are normally picky but plates are empty with this brand, good poos and coats, however my rescue Beagle has the runny bums with this food so I have her on Arden Grange Lamb and Rice and that has sorted her problem.
It just goes to show that any food does not suit all dogs, I may try them all on Arden Grange for two reasons, a. I find it easier to feed them all the same if poss and b. it is cheaper. You asked if Eden was good, yep if your dog likes it and looks good on it.

I mentioned Eden further up the thread. :)

My lot are currently using it (alongside raw) and all are enjoying it and doing well on it. For the quality of the ingredients I think it is incredibly good value when compared to the likes of Orijen. Also the more you buy the cheaper it gets (see working dog section on their website).