FEEDING THE PUPS

I’ve read so many articles on feeding dogs: different brands, ingredients, organic, raw, grain-free, prescription, low gluten…It’ll make your head spin. Veterinary opinions differ on whether a raw or dry food diet is better.  It’s about 60/40 – with dry food first.

I’m not ready to go raw, I’d be afraid they wouldn’t get all of the right nutrients and when you have senior dogs, you have to take that into consideration. So for the time being (not saying I won’t change again), I’ve decided to feed them a combination of Avoderm Senior and Blue Wilderness Grain Free. All of them but Jazz will be over 8 this year. I also cook for them but more about that later.

The Avoderm Senior is great w/plenty of antioxidants, avocado, no by-products, and quite a bit of the Omegas and Glucosomine/Chondroitin. Very important for an aging pooch (very important for an aging anything).  Avoderm is made by Breeder’s Choice and they have never had any class action suits or recalls. Surprising how many pet food companies have.  My vet suggested that I try Hills J/D (Joint Disease) for Mac to see if it improves his mobility and I might (even though it has by-products), but I want to wait until the Adequan has a chance to work so I will know where any improvement comes from.

At first, I was hesitant about grain free, even though most of the reviews and articles are so positive. I was afraid it would be all protein, which can be hard on a senior dog’s kidneys.  They need extra fiber for gastrointestinal health. But the Grain-Free Healthy Weight Chicken is 9% fiber.  Most commercial brands only have 4 or 5% fiber. 

The fiber comes in the form of carrots, parsley, blueberries, cranberries, barley grass, sweet potatoes, peas and the list goes on.  It doesn’t have any by-products and the first 2 ingredients are meat.  Always a good sign with dry dog foods.