The labrador I've recently homed has been fed on IAMS. I am newly aware of the cruelty that IAMS are becoming known for, and obviously I don't want to buy any of their product. What is the closest alternative though that would be easiest for the dog to adapt to? She's a purebred labrador. Thanks.

Hi, I found IAM's to be very rich on my pups tummies, so changed to James Wellbeloved, haven't had any upset tummies or problems since!

I should have added that my labrador is nearly 5yo & she's been having IAMS for a long time, if not always. She has done remarkably well on them as she is in lovely condition. I would continue the same feeding for her were it not for the cruelty aspect associated with their production.

Labradors are the canine dustbins of this world and as such will eat just about anything! So saying, some do have a weak tummy and seem to eject anything which does not agree with them, with other, what goes down sinks without trace!

Try a food. Mix a little with your existing food to start with gradually adding to the new food and reducing the old until it is all new. Dont worry to much at first about the dog having slightly loose movements, the change of diet would be enough to cause that but it should not go on for too long.

Once the dog has settled on the new food, check the stools. They should be nice and firm and not too many of them. Compare the amount you are picking up now with the amount you were picking up when he was on the old food. More means he is not getting so much value from the new food and less means he is converting more of it into fuel for the body. Generally, the less stools produced the less food is needed to maintain body weight.

Best wishes, John

I wouold givew Arden Grange a try. It is to all intents and purposes ver similar to Eukanuba
http://www.ardengrange.com/site2.htm

As is Oscar petfoods, www.oscars.co.uk They deliver direct to you, and the food seems good...I'm raising my pups on it. Having said that I have my adults on Dr Johns Gold, which is a working food so no VAT, and it has a protein level of 20%, so not too high.

Grace

I have all three of my Bullmastiffis on Dr Johns' Silver, again very low in protien 18%, all are very well on it, i change to this after Chester had a skin complaintand have had no proplems since then, i have been on using thiis food for 4yrs now. As puppies they were all fed James Wellbeloved.
Both good foods. Karen.

just read your note about feeding your three bullmastiffs just wondering how you cope with three and what sex they are oh and how old ? i have two ,male and female and they take alot of time,worth it though iwouldnt change them for the world debb

Thanks. I've spoken to them and they're sending me a sample and all the info.

I have recently changed my dogs onto Nutro not to easy to get hold off but brillant a little cheaper than Iams as well.

Sorry to seem a bit dim, but what is the IAMS cruelty thing?

Not dim at all, I only discovered by accident. Do a search on IAMS Cruelty and you'll see loads of links for information about it.

Thanks; I can't believe any pet food brand would do that . . . certainly not feeding my new pup IAMS now!
Bridget