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Recs for a new food
I want to switch Bella's food, as she's eating crap right now. She was having recurring staph infections for a while, so her derm put her on Royal Canin hypoallergenic (2 star according to DFA...blech). I left her on it long enough to make sure that it wasn't food allergies (turns out it was mostly a rat infestation in my old house that I didn't know about).
So now, I want to get her on a good food again. I was feeding Canidae ALS before, but I wasn't sure if there's a better food for giant breeds that I should switch to. I was thinking I would try Blue Buffalo or TOTW. Any suggestions? She's about 4.5, great dane mix, around 120 lbs (she needs to drop a little bit of weight...maybe 5-7 lbs). Also, any suggestions on the amount to feed a dog her size on these foods would be great...I know the "serving sizes" on the bags are usually way off. TIA!!
Re: Recs for a new food
If you've checked DFA, then you know Canidae ALS, Blue Buffalo, and TOTW all rate highly. I'd lean toward the Canidae or TOTW personally (I think BB tends to be a little overpriced?). Can't go wrong with grain free, but just try one and see which Bella prefers (if she even has a preference).
For giant breeds, I think a giant breed formula is more important in the puppy stage than feeding it to adults, but don't quote me on that.
As for servings, start a little lower than the daily amount recommended by the food (considering you want her to lose a little weight). If she doesn't start dropping some pounds, then reduce it a little more (and you can add green beans to the meal so she still feels like she's getting more food, but you're not adding a ton of calories).
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
I am *so* sorry about your rat infestation. Gloria and I got sick from them when she was a puppy (the first apt we moved into in LA was badly infested). It was miserable. We spent all night at the ER and the next day at the vet. :S
G loves her TOTW (Pacific something - the fish kind) and it helped her lose weight (though we were feeding purena before so I'm pretty sure anything would have made her lose weight). No clue how much you should feed.
At least you can make it a small bag and know that she's going to be eating better!
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
To get weight off my dogs I switch to Wellness CORE Reduced Fat for a few months. Then I go back to Acana.
From personal experience, my cats won't eat/don't like the "diet" formulations of foods. It's easier to just feed a little less of your usual food, and add in some green beans to bulk out the meal without the calories so your dog doesn't feel starved.
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
Please forgive me for how dumb this question might be...how do you feed the green beans? I've never done that before. Raw, cooked, canned?
However you feel like! If you buy canned, just rinse them and dump them in with the kibble. You can get fresh green beans from the produce dept, too, and either feed them washed and raw or give them a quick steam (which helps start to break down the cell walls so more nutrients can be extracted, but just a short steam! don't overcook). I've never had to do it with Zoey, but a few of the girls on the board have done it.
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
Thank you! I'll get her settled in to the TOTW, then I'll try to green beans. I don't want to throw too much on her tummy at once...a great dane with an upset tummy is no fun for anyone!