Feeding tips? - Exclusively Setters2024-03-28T18:59:14Zhttp://irishsetters.ning.com/forum/topics/feeding-tips?commentId=865021%3AComment%3A542872&feed=yes&xn_auth=noMy old fellow eats healthy Or…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-05-10:865021:Comment:5671812011-05-10T03:06:54.945ZDudley Duke of Lancesterhttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/DudleyDukeofLancester
My old fellow eats healthy Orijens all fish kibbles. That would be boring & too dry but I chop up canned salmon, chicken or 'doggy bag' meat from my restaurant meals and mix in. Adding something fresh always entices Dudley. Also elevating the bowl facilitates eating. Because Dudley 'wolfs' down his food I bought a bowl with 3 obstacles in the middle so he has to chase food with his nose (eating as play) & tongue, which delights him. Also helps avoids the bloat. My problem is how to…
My old fellow eats healthy Orijens all fish kibbles. That would be boring & too dry but I chop up canned salmon, chicken or 'doggy bag' meat from my restaurant meals and mix in. Adding something fresh always entices Dudley. Also elevating the bowl facilitates eating. Because Dudley 'wolfs' down his food I bought a bowl with 3 obstacles in the middle so he has to chase food with his nose (eating as play) & tongue, which delights him. Also helps avoids the bloat. My problem is how to keep the tall boy from stealing foodstuffs off my kitchen countertops while I'm away, including a whole loaf of bread! Hi Silvia, so glad Oberon lik…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-05-09:865021:Comment:5667072011-05-09T15:55:30.276ZChristine Pullenhttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/ChristinePullen
Hi Silvia, so glad Oberon liked the lily's kitchen, yes it is expensive but good for a special treat sometimes maybe!!?? Mine have now moved onto Nature's menu!!! It seems as if these red dogs like a bit of variety!! It is a good price as you say and seems to keep them full and happy, I do add a bit of Symply (dry kibble) as well but at the moment I am getting polished bowls and waggy tails so must be enjoying it!! I have found that you have to be a bit careful when you buy it as sometimes the…
Hi Silvia, so glad Oberon liked the lily's kitchen, yes it is expensive but good for a special treat sometimes maybe!!?? Mine have now moved onto Nature's menu!!! It seems as if these red dogs like a bit of variety!! It is a good price as you say and seems to keep them full and happy, I do add a bit of Symply (dry kibble) as well but at the moment I am getting polished bowls and waggy tails so must be enjoying it!! I have found that you have to be a bit careful when you buy it as sometimes the cartons can be "blown" and you can tell if the top is puffed out, it's something to do with the seal and Natures menu stopped production last year for a bit to rectify this, it is mainly the sensitive one with prawns in which one of mine adores but the meat ones see ok. Hi Christine
just saying I tr…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-05-09:865021:Comment:5663862011-05-09T07:13:13.318Zsilviahttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/silviamarco
<p>Hi Christine</p>
<p>just saying I tried this lily's kitchen tin yesterday.. Oberon wolfed everything in one go: I never seen such iper-enthusiastic reaction from him with any other food!! Down is the cost: at 2.20£ a tin I dont think I will go for this brand for normal-everyday use.. maybe is good for people with smaller dogs.. Wondering: did you (or anybody else) heard about natures:menu? It looks less expensive, I am wondering if anybody had experience with this</p>
<p>best, silvia</p>
<p>Hi Christine</p>
<p>just saying I tried this lily's kitchen tin yesterday.. Oberon wolfed everything in one go: I never seen such iper-enthusiastic reaction from him with any other food!! Down is the cost: at 2.20£ a tin I dont think I will go for this brand for normal-everyday use.. maybe is good for people with smaller dogs.. Wondering: did you (or anybody else) heard about natures:menu? It looks less expensive, I am wondering if anybody had experience with this</p>
<p>best, silvia</p> I agree completely with your…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-05-04:865021:Comment:5627712011-05-04T19:34:29.704ZJohn Bell Young - Mike Connollyhttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/JohnBellYoung
<p>I agree completely with your thoughts here. There's really nothing common about common sense in these matters, after all, and having it is important. It's true, of course, the bottom line for dog food companies is profit, so one has to take with a grain (no pun intended) of salt what they have to say about their own foods, no matter the hype. Years ago, before the introduction of designer foods and the rest, dogs seemed to live pretty long and productive lives with fairly simple diets. It…</p>
<p>I agree completely with your thoughts here. There's really nothing common about common sense in these matters, after all, and having it is important. It's true, of course, the bottom line for dog food companies is profit, so one has to take with a grain (no pun intended) of salt what they have to say about their own foods, no matter the hype. Years ago, before the introduction of designer foods and the rest, dogs seemed to live pretty long and productive lives with fairly simple diets. It was interesting to read Paul Loeb's take on the matter, as he is more or less in favor of feeding one's dog healthy human foods (albeit, not directly off the plate or the table, of course!) The way we look at it is this: clearly, there are certain ingredients (such as road kill, feathers, hooves, formaldehyde, etc) which are best to avoid in any food, be it dog or human, if you can. As for grains and glutens, obviously it wouldn't hurt to avoid these either, if you can. (Though reading about the effect of glutens in humans, it seems that avoiding them altogether in a normal diet is not desirable, either =- as grains have other beneficial properties --but is only useful if one has celiac disease, where gluten tends to damage the villii in the stomach, and thus prevent nutrients from entering the blood stream. So, yes, there is a point at which reasonable concern becomes paranoia; after all, though some of these grains may not be the best for canine or human health, they are not exactly poison, either.</p>
<p>Bostonians have long enjoyed a reputation for laying their own eggs. Oops -- just kidding! Actually, we live in rural Boston, in the countryside, so its easy to find range eggs here, which are a bit more expensive than supermarket brands, but for the peace of mind they bring, I suppose it's worth it. These days, you can't be too careful, at least in this county. The FDA does not always do the job it is charged with doing. Just the other day, we learned that more than 50 % - that's right FIFTY percent -- of the cows in this country which are slaughtered and used to make steaks and hamburger, etc, are infected with the dangerous staph bug, MRSA. Why this has not become a major news story I have no idea, no matter that we found the story on CNN's website. .</p> Thanks John/Mike. I've had a…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-05-04:865021:Comment:5623162011-05-04T17:28:27.051ZKC and the boyshttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/Catherine_and_Errol
<p>Thanks John/Mike. I've had a look at dogfoodchat. It's a useful site but maybe less so for people here in the UK (or elsewhere in the world). There is obviously an issue with how and what we feed out pets. However, a dog trainer once gave me the following sound advice (she kept German Shepherds a breed known for their delicate stomachs): “You need to feed your dog what you can reasonably afford. By all means ensure that the food does not contain any fluorescent colourings and has a high meat…</p>
<p>Thanks John/Mike. I've had a look at dogfoodchat. It's a useful site but maybe less so for people here in the UK (or elsewhere in the world). There is obviously an issue with how and what we feed out pets. However, a dog trainer once gave me the following sound advice (she kept German Shepherds a breed known for their delicate stomachs): “You need to feed your dog what you can reasonably afford. By all means ensure that the food does not contain any fluorescent colourings and has a high meat content but don’t get seduced or made to feel guilty by the pet food lobby.”</p>
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<p>Of course if your dog is showing food intolerance and/or requires a special diet fair enough buy the prescribed stuff or prepare it yourself but I think a lot of people have the tendency to go a bit OTT because of peer pressure and advertising. I mean I’d love to eat free-range, no-GM organic all the time but can I afford it?</p>
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<p>Also, no disrespect but I was wondering where Bostonians keep their eggs? ;) My family has fed our dogs and cats an egg /week for eternity and we’ve never had a Salmonella problem. In fact the only way to perk up my severely ill cat last year was to coax him back to life on an egg yolk diet… Also I understand that raw or undercooked meat carries the same risk factor for salmonellosis (all you BARF people out there take note) as does overcrowding in dog kennels, contact with faeces of virtually any animal etc etc…</p>
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<p>I think the point I’m trying to make is where does common sense end and paranoia begin?</p> Hi kate,,
My boy also think…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-05-04:865021:Comment:5619172011-05-04T14:34:06.386ZAnne Boumanhttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/AnneBouman
Hi kate,,<br />
<br />
My boy also think his food isn't interesting enough. But I found out that he is a real fish-lover. So maybe that will work for your dog as well. I buy him tuna & salmon in can (on water bases) to make his dried food a little bit more interesting. In the weekends he's getting some pasta through his dried food. He just don't want to eat the same everyday !!<br />
<br />
<br />
His coat is still very shiny, he is in great condition and his weight is just fine. So in my opinion it doesn't harm him at…
Hi kate,,<br />
<br />
My boy also think his food isn't interesting enough. But I found out that he is a real fish-lover. So maybe that will work for your dog as well. I buy him tuna & salmon in can (on water bases) to make his dried food a little bit more interesting. In the weekends he's getting some pasta through his dried food. He just don't want to eat the same everyday !!<br />
<br />
<br />
His coat is still very shiny, he is in great condition and his weight is just fine. So in my opinion it doesn't harm him at all ! Goodluck with finding your solution ! This works for me, maybe this will work for you as well.<br />
<br />
Anne We've tried our best to keep…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-05-03:865021:Comment:5612152011-05-03T18:28:44.445ZJohn Bell Young - Mike Connollyhttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/JohnBellYoung
<p>We've tried our best to keep up to date with all the data, much of it conflicting, that concerns food and diets. So far, so good. First, there's at terrific site-- <a href="http://www.dogfoodchat.com" target="_blank">www.dogfoodchat.com</a> --where you can find detailed and (presumably) unbiased reviews of dog food products. The site provides a great deal of information, too, about specific ingredients, what to look for in food, a proper and balanced diet for your dog, etc. Mind you, the…</p>
<p>We've tried our best to keep up to date with all the data, much of it conflicting, that concerns food and diets. So far, so good. First, there's at terrific site-- <a href="http://www.dogfoodchat.com" target="_blank">www.dogfoodchat.com</a> --where you can find detailed and (presumably) unbiased reviews of dog food products. The site provides a great deal of information, too, about specific ingredients, what to look for in food, a proper and balanced diet for your dog, etc. Mind you, the food reviews on this site might be more useful for Americans, as we suspect that most of the foods reviewed are available only in the USA. It also has a constantly updated list of food recalls. But you will find a great deal of useful information there no matter where you live. Generally speaking, the site advises that the first five ingredients should ideally be meat (and not meat "by-products, which, if not elaborated probably contain all manner of horrors, from road-kill carcases to animal feathers claws, and even formaldehyde) , and that grains are not a good thing, Barley and oatmeal are OK Corn is bad; dogs cannot digest it. Chicken, salmon, and biso are all excellent sources of protein. Steamed vegetables are better than raw, as dogs find these easier to digest. (Our lab has problems, though, with carrots, for some reason, even when steamed) The top rated kibbles are Orijen, Wellness Core, Merrick,and Blue Buffalo. Predictably, Eukanuba, Pedigree, Purina, Science Diet and other cheap, mass made dog foods were unanimously panned as low quality and even dangerous. We have fed our dogs Holistic Select (formerly Eagle Pack) since they were puppies, and its been fine. Recently we read a very sensible book, "Smarter Than You Think" by Paul Loeb, an animal behaviorist, who offered some very interesting, and in our view, sensible ideas about diet. Among these is the value of adding a high quality wet food to the diet, which helps maintain a healthy, flake free skin, but also diminishes any allergies that human's may experience from their dogs. As one of us was in fact allergic to our setter, erupting constantly with sniffles and runny sinuses, we were amazed to find that Loeb was right; not even a week after feeding your setter wet food, the sniffling vanished. Foods that contain avocados (such as Avoderm) are suspect, no matter what their corporate websites say; we found a scientific study that disputed their claim that only the bark and exteriors of the avocado contain the poison that is deadly to dogs; in fact, the poison is an oil that leaks into the fruit, and no one really knows what the long term effect, no matter what form it is prepared as, might be on dogs. Finally, as per Loeb's advice, and a bit of common sense, too, we include steamed vegetables with our dogs meals, and a few pumps of salmon oil every morning, which really puts a splendid sheen on their coats. Dogs are susceptible to some of the same maladies as we are, including salmonella, so we do NOT feed our dogs raw eggs, ever, in spite of the enthusiastic recommendation of those who do so. With regard to kibble, here's something of interest: cheap kibble, when moistened, swells up to four times its size and weight, carrying within it lots of air, which can have an adverse effect on a dog's health, and in the worst case, can lead to bloat. Holistic Select and other high-quality foods, such as those recommended by dogfoodchat. com, do not expand at all when wet. We just discovered, too, that coffee is qite dangerous for dogs --caffeine is a poison for them -- so be sure to keep your setter far away from your morning coffee (our setter, Justice, was incorrigible when it came to a taste for coffee!) hope this helps!</p> Hehe, could have been. Think…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-04-28:865021:Comment:5559302011-04-28T18:03:00.011ZKC and the boyshttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/Catherine_and_Errol
Hehe, could have been. Think it was on telly, too. Well done Sherlock!
Hehe, could have been. Think it was on telly, too. Well done Sherlock! Fish ice lollies
Maybe this i…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-04-26:865021:Comment:5532352011-04-26T18:28:04.160ZHoward Glansfieldhttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/HowardGlansfield
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.chesterfirst.co.uk/news/90483/fish-flavoured-ice-lollies-are-new-treat-for-otters.aspx">Fish ice lollies</a></p>
<p>Maybe this is what you saw.Hope the link works.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.chesterfirst.co.uk/news/90483/fish-flavoured-ice-lollies-are-new-treat-for-otters.aspx">Fish ice lollies</a></p>
<p>Maybe this is what you saw.Hope the link works.</p> The length some of you will g…tag:irishsetters.ning.com,2011-04-26:865021:Comment:5532342011-04-26T18:20:12.239ZKC and the boyshttp://irishsetters.ning.com/profile/Catherine_and_Errol
<p>The length some of you will go to just to feed your dogs..... I can't help but think some of our four-legged friends play us like a violin! Then again, I must be really lucky. Hot day or not Errol will eat like a horse and the cat food on top. He gets breakfast and dinner after a short walk 'round the block' - which will get the digestive juices going, empty the bowels and focus his mind, well somewhat... He'll have his main run during the day so I don't need to worry about having to feed an…</p>
<p>The length some of you will go to just to feed your dogs..... I can't help but think some of our four-legged friends play us like a violin! Then again, I must be really lucky. Hot day or not Errol will eat like a horse and the cat food on top. He gets breakfast and dinner after a short walk 'round the block' - which will get the digestive juices going, empty the bowels and focus his mind, well somewhat... He'll have his main run during the day so I don't need to worry about having to feed an overheated dog.</p>
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<p>He goes mad for playing with and munching ice cubes when it gets really hot. I recently saw a fishy ice lolly, you know bits of sardines etc frozen on stick. I thought it looked rather tasty and since lots of dogs go for oily fish it's a fab idea. Did I dream this up or have I seen it on telly at some point? I really don't remember... Please don't tell me I'm cracking up. :)</p>
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