Welcome to Motorhomefacts, we are a thriving motorhome community (Largest in Europe). Why Not JOIN NOW and get instant access to more of the website. It costs nothing to join and only takes a few minutes. We have 200,000 different people visiting our site monthly and this amount of motorhomers in one place guarantees a fast response to any questions you may have. We also have unique facilities not found elsewhere such as our Online Logbook, stopover tracker, Motorhome directory with Ebay type feedback and the largest repository of motorhome campsites reviews found anywhere
I have been out voted by my wife, daughter and granddaughter about having a dog free life. (we?) are now the proud owners of a Bichon Frise, (I had not heard of it either). It is a small dog. The question now arises as what to feed it on. It has been decided to use dry food (nibbles), but which brand? Obviously at first, use the one that the breeders use. Next ask the vets what they would recommend. Then in true motorhomefacts style do my own research. I came across a website which was quite an eye opener. www.dogfoodanalysis.com
There they look into different methods of dog feeding and compare brands of nibbles for suitability, don't be put off by the fact that it appears to be a site for owners of boxer dogs, the findings are general for all. The 2 brands I was looking at, came bottom of a 1 to 6 stars rating. The one recommended, and sold, by the vet also had ingredients which might be carcinogenic. I hope this site is some help to others, I (we), have yet to decide on which brand to use.
That's an American website, so immediately suspect in my (admittedly rather cynical) opinion!
A couple of points we turned up during our research - which was very extensive. Our mutt has a deformed tongue, and it was quite difficult to find a food that she can eat easily. (Won't bore you with the details. )
1). If it's heavily advertised on TV - forget it. You are paying through the nose for the adverts.
2). Check what the agility trainers use. They are the real professionals.
3). Be aware that dry food was developed for the convenience of lazy owners - without much thought for the taste buds of the poor dog. That doesn't make it bad, but it is a consideration. (John Burns is a friend of my wife's family - horse's mouth or what!! )
4). Don't necessarily take your vet's advice. They are often sponsored by certain brands, and are paid to recommend them. (Our vet admitted it! )
5). We use Autarchy, which is (as far as we can establish) just as good as the well known and heavily advertised brands, but half the price - or less. The agility trainers near us use it exclusively with their dogs, and indicate that the list of ingredients is virtually identical to the top price brands. (It is the best bite size for our dog. The tongue problem - too small and she can't hold it in her mouth. Too big and she bites it into small pieces . . . which she can't hold in her mouth. )
6). We would not feed our dog on dry food alone. We don't fancy dry lumps of chaff for every single meal of our lives, and don't see why the dog should either!!
We mix the dry food with a very small amount of . . . well, almost anything to give it a bit of flavour and appeal. Not very much though since it is already a carefully balanced diet and it would be daft to undo the balance.
The mutt likes a little taste of our food best of all, far better than tinned or pouched dog food, so she gets a small spoonfull of curry, bolognese sauce, stew, pate, fish, or anything else that's going.
Phew - sorry about the epistle, but I hope it helps.
Our two are not particularly fussy eaters,they are both adult dogs and get one meal per day in the afternoon.This consists of 90% dry food which is just covered with boiling water,mixed to release the flavour and then a small amount of tinned dog meat added on top.
They both wolf it down and look very well on it.We tend to buy complete dry food in 20kg bags from Tesco in any flavour,although they are partial to a bit of rabbit.
______________________________________________________________ cheers Steve
Thanks Dave.
I will consider your advice.
I am not too put off by the fact that it is an American site, the rationale and science behind it appears to be good. Some of the products are available here and they give the information to make an informed choice on products that they do not evaluate. But I am with you, that a healthy scepticism is always a good thing. I will continue to search, but at the end of the day a decision has to be made.
We feed our 3 Beta kibbles (size/type to suit size of dog) and HiLife morsels which they are all keen on - though addition of some of our gravy and or veg is a real treat for them.
______________________________________________________________ Steve
www.travel.trainsferriesbuses.co.uk - latest updates Exbury Gardens, New Forest and Hestercombe Gardens.
www.trainsferriesbuses.co.uk - new photos of the West Somerset Railway Spring Steam Gala
Both our dogs have sensitive guts and our vet recommended Chappie. Since feeding them on this they have been well, active and have settled stomachs. I do sympathise with dog owners worrying about giving the best food but I also think we need to remember that these are dogs. Some owners are more concerned about what their dogs eat than themselves or even their children. I think in the end its about perspective. Feeding dogs with the very best food is expensive and may of us couldn't afford it. Chappie is reasonably priced, they are not over active or difficult on it (which they can be on some of the other foods e.g. Bakers) and they get a little bit of tinned food mixed in for taste (I mean a tiny bit).
By the way, if this is a puppy you are getting you will need special puppy food. Bichon Frise are very small as pups. Very cute too - and a good choice for a pet.
Enjoy!
Chudleigh's Original complete ...dry mix, just add water. A balanced dried food from a reputable company... the dog liked it too
I used to use a plastic toy box roughly 60 x 35 x 60cm deep for storage at home and bought the food in 15 kg bags.
For travelling there was a snap top plastic container that would hold the measuring cup and at least 7 days worth, for longer trips I used to re-use the original bag half filled.
The empty 15kg bags are great for garden rubble and rubbish
*** whenever there was chicken on my menu I used to cut off the bits of fat etc leaving a generous bit of flesh on them and lightly boil for the dog... she didn't need it but it pleased me
Last edited by xgx on Sat Nov 26, 2011 3:20 pm; edited 1 time in total
We used to feed our little dog on Naturediet Tray dog food from Pets at home
They do both Puppy and adult dog menu its in a tray and its like meaty brawn its advertise as being Highest quality and is passed as fit for human consumption!!! It has rice and vegetables already in so its ready to eat straight from the pack which is very handy in the motorhome and it doesnt need to be kept in the fridge untill its opened
ITS really good stuff you can warm it in the microwave
(Their recommendation ) which makes it easier to mash up
it was very popular with our fussy eater she was a pekinese pomeranian cross and was very particular when it came to food
Hope this helps
Cath
I also think we need to remember that these are dogs. Some owners are more concerned about what their dogs eat than themselves or even their children.
Spot on Mags.
I nearly said as much, but had waffled on long enough already!
Pets have become huge business and just about every aspect of their care is commercially driven, and designed to prey on our affection for the little brutes. If we are made to feel guilty about feeding them, some of us will fall for it and buy them the most expensive food we can find, thinking we are doing the best for them.
That ignores at least two issues.
1). Is the most expensive food the best? I very much doubt it - more likely it's the one marketed by the biggest company who can afford all the persuasive advertising, and pays for it by inflating the prices of the product.
2). Dogs usually have cast iron digestive systems and can eat anything natural and unprocessed (which immediately excludes some dog foods!)! You only have to look at the rubbish they try to eat on a walk, and there are much worse things than horse muck (Our little swine's favourite snack! )
Or what they bury in the garden, and dig up weeks later when it is indescribably vile, eat it, then come and breathe in your face - if you will let them near enough!!
The advice about Chappie is very sound. It is one of the simplest foods and has not been "messed about with" to make it more appealing to the owner of the dog - unlike many of the others. If a dog has a weak stomach (probably due to irresponsible breeding) it's as good a choice as any.
Our beardie seems to thrive on two meals a day of the James Wellbeloved dried food plus a few tasty scraps (whatever bits available from our meals, fish skin is a favourite). We moisten the meal and scraps with a bit of warm water or left over gravy. Kept her healthy for the past 5 years.
And you have just reminded me I was supposed to nip up the the vets to buy some more this morning - they closed 30 minutes ago
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You cannot download files in this forum
All times are GMT + 1 Hour Page 1 of 6Goto page : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6Next
France
)
)
