snarferama

My heart breaks for you Kaffy. :D The photos you've posted are wonderful. He looks like he was fully of personality! Rest easy Kaden.

We've been using Dick Van Patten's Ultra Premium. But considering I've had a lot of bad run ins with Pookinuk and the only other supplier is a puppy mill I've decided to try a different brand. I've ordered a bag of Artemis Adult Mix. Sounds like a really good food and the supplier is so much nicer to deal with so hopefully it's a goer!

Hey Sandgrubber, I came across the same guy I think, he was selling at Canning Vale markets. I was curious so started asking about it. I was saying I've got a 6 month old Mastiff so I'd need a low protein food. He then started talking to me like I was a complete moron, telling me because he's a puppy he needs very high levels of protein. He offered me samples but refused to give me low-protein food and gave me a sample of the food with the highest protein. I read through the ingredients and they seem very poor for the price. Not like Eagle Pack at all unfortunately.

Hi, with giant breeds you have to be very careful with protein levels. Generally it's best to avoid all "puppy" foods (unless specified as a giand breed formula) as these tend to have a lot of protein to 'encourage' growth. You want giant pups to grow as slowly as possible. We have a Mastiff pup and he is fed Dick Van Pattens Ultra Premium kibble, plus human grade mince, greek yoghurt and some veg. When looking for a kibble for a giant breed this is the basic info you want to look for on the back of the pack: Protein (20-25%), mid range for fat (12-18%) and is well balanced for calcium and phosphorus and high in iodine (3-5%) As for corn, it's absolute rubbish! It's only a filler and will pass straight through. It is not a quality ingredient at all.

We use these: 'Canine Allwormer Tablets' Our boys will eat anything so we get them to do a sit or a drop and then their treat is the worming tablet. I'd probably feel bad if they actually realised it wasn't a tasty treat. Thankfully they gobble it down too quick to actually taste it. ;)

We feed Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance. I think it's an excellent food. They eat less. Less waste. Nowhere near as gassy (the less Mastiff farts the better! ) and the boys LOVE it. I'd also suggest Eagle Pack Holistics. I wouldn't buy the normal Eagle Pack but that's just me. ;)

Thank you so much everyone. :p It's surprising how attached you do get to the little stinkers. My very special boy, Otto, who passed away last year is what I'd call my 'heart rat'. I've never felt as loved by any pet as I did by him. I miss my boys every day without fail. I haven't put their cage in the shed yet, it feels sort of disrespectful, like I'm completely pushing them out of my life if you know what I mean?

Thanks so much everyone. :rolleyes: Fifi you're spot on. :D It's been a very hard 8 months as I've lost all my boys. Losing them so close together is just heart-breaking. The night before Gizzy passed I'd gone out and bought him lots of his favourite foods, I hope he had a good last meal. But now every time I open the cupboards and fridge I see his food and I feel like crying. :D

It is a very sad day here. Our last rattie boy passed away today. I woke up to Keith telling me that Gizmo had passed during the night/early morning. We knew he didn't have long, we were going to have him pts very shortly if he didn't pass naturally within the next few days. He was in a bad way, had lost a lot of weight and had very little quality of life. I've been teary all day and am feeling very frustrated because Keith's acting like nothing's happened and is narky because I'm not a-ok. My heart feels very heavy. All my boys are gone, it seems like only yesterday I first bought them home. I will be cleaning out their cage and putting it in the shed. I can't bear to take on more ratties any time soon. They're such special little creatures, they capture your heart and then in heartbeat they're gone. I'll miss you Gizzy Guts. You were the greediest, bossiest boy of all the ratties which was quite an achievement! I hope you're finally pain-free and stealing your brother's food again. Giz as a little baby doing what he did best: All the lads (from left to right) Gizmo, Ramekin, Otto and Bonzai: A very sorely missed sight, the rattie group nap time.

Definitely Steve Metcalfe at Applecross Vet. I'd say he's easily one of the best vets in Perth, if not the best. Both our boys and our cats go there for their routine vet care. It's a fair trek for us but it's worth it.

Ditto what Horty said!

Same here. Our cupboard's stacked full of cans of Mackerel. The dogs and cats get them. Beautiful shiny coats.

I'm looking into getting a new camera as well. I'm looking at the Canon 40D and the 400D. I'd prefer the 40D but I know the money can be better spent elsewhere. I really don't think you can go wrong with the 400D. I figure the money I save now by buying the 400D means I can spend more money later on good lenses. ETA: I plan on getting the twin lens kit with the 400D, from what I've read the standard lens leaves a bit to be desired?

Having the same problem here. Hermes was fairly clean- would never toilet in his crate. Bane our Mastiff happily pees in his crate and lays in it. We've had 6 "accidents" today. That's with me taking him out every half an hour at least, after every meal, every time he wakes up etc. I'm seriously thinking he's holding it in for when he comes back in. He did 3 enormous pees within 20 minutes. How is that even possible?! I can tell you Mastiff pup mess is not quick to clean up. It's like the room gets flooded.

I was wondering about this place as well. Now that Hermes is having a break from showing we were hoping to get involved with agility. The puppy classes sound like a good idea. I'll keep my eye on this thread!