My last three dogs have been exclusively fed Science Diet... plus, of course, bites of what Cliff and I are eating. Mandy and Sadie always turned up their noses at any other brand of dog food, for instance when Hawkeye was visiting and they had access to his food.
I'm a follower of the website Seriously Free Stuff, and often get samples of pet treats and food. Yesterday I received a sample packet of Purina One from Walmart. I offered Iris a bite of it from my hand and she actually tasted it; that was a real surprise considering how finicky she usually acts if you try and feed her anything out of hand.
So, I went ahead and poured the entire contents of the packet into her dish, on top of the Science Diet that was already in there. She went to her dish and carefully ate the Purina One, making sure she didn't accidentally eat any of her regular fare, Science Diet.
Now what should I do? Give her the one she obviously prefers, or continue to feed her Science Diet, the brand veteranarians and pet shelters recommend?
HERE COMES ANOTHER STORY OF MY DOG ANI WHEN LIVING UP IN THE SANGRI DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS.
ReplyDeleteBEFORE GETTING ELECTRICITY, NO FRIDGE, MY BIG LOVING DOG 'BEAR', RED BIRD DOG, ALWAYS RAN TO MEET ME, HEARING THE PICKUP, KNOWING THERE WOULD BE ICE CREAM THAT WOULD BE MELTING AND KNEW SHE WOULD GET HER SHARE.
LICKED THE CARTON CLEAN AND ANY SPILLED ON THE WOODEN PORCH.
THE JOY AND THE BIG WAGGING TAIL.
TREAT HER TO WHAT SHE LIKES. sam loves you regardless.
They say to take a look at the ingredients. #1 will always be what that food is mostly made of. There are other dog foods less expensive but not always as good. I'm one that loves sweets, but I wouldn't want a steady diet of it because it's not good for me.
ReplyDeleteYou have to give them what they'll eat and save yourself extra frustration. Tell your vet what the deal is and he'll probably tell you the same.
ReplyDeleteToon, she eats Science Diet just fine, but she obviously prefers Purina One. The first ingredient on the label of Purina One is meat, which I would assume is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteMy two get the Kirkland brand from Costco. I am amazed at the variety of dog foods carried at Petco. Royal Canin even has breed specific kibble. I can't feed mine one brand one day and something else the next without their intestines revolting. I have to gradually switch over by adding a little of the new food to the old. If Iris doesn't have that problem, maybe you could alternate food?
ReplyDeleteIf you'd rather feed the Purina, no reason not to. She likes it, it is Made in the USA, and is less expensive (only by a little). Just ease her off the Science Diet and onto Purina One over time. Look for skin and coat changes, prolonged soft or liquid stools, a lackluster demeanor from previous levels as indications she cannot tolerate the food full-time. Otherwise, you have a winner.
ReplyDeleteFor what it is worth, I've fed Purina feeds exclusively to all of our kennel dogs, except those actively showing. They got a liver, kidney and heart supplemental addition for more beef fat and protein. Then again, we're talking working German Shepherds. My pet, Iggy the Schipperke, eats Purina Beneful Healthy Radiance because it's the only thing I have found on which his coat thrives.
i have always fed my dogs purina 1, just recently i switched to purina 1 special blend. my dogs have always enjoyed the brand, & my vets have all said the 3 top dog foods are iamms, purina 1, & science diet. i always wanted a food i could pick up easily at any gro, & not have to go to a pet store or vet office for, also something relatively inexpensive but with good ingredients. a pat to iris, a hig to you, & my girls say "woof woof keep you paws up". ;)
ReplyDeleteWil and Sugar, you have eased my mind. As soon as this latest bag of Science Diet is gone, I am buying Purina One!
ReplyDeleteYou know how picky I am about my fubabies... And, I feed Morgan, our Corgi, Purina Beneful. She likes it, our vet approves of it, and it fits in all of her 'treat' balls well. I've always trusted Purina brands, and my horse eats Purina Omolene 100. The only reason the cat eats Science diet is that it is what she was eating when we got her, she does well on it and likes it. She recently turned 1 year old and we just moved her from the kitten brand to the adult brand. I think as long as you feed a good quality food and they eat it well you are good to go :)
ReplyDeleteDonna, I say let Iris have the Purina One when the Science Diet is gone of course. lol..
ReplyDeleteGabrielle
donna, don't wait till it's all gone. get a bag of the purina 1, & mix 1/2 & 1/2, for about a week. then switch on over to it. many times when switching to a new food, the dog will get diarrhea, better to gradually introduce it. even then, may have softer than normal stools for several days but should get back to normal shortly. ;)
ReplyDelete