Sagittarian

Suggest you contact Sunday Pets to get clarification. I think you'll find that the "meat and bone meal" is actually of the lamb or beef or whichever protein source. Whilst I think that some of the packaging needs rewriting, I am satisfied that the product is what it claims to be. Not everyone markets the same way. Sags :)

We've had the loyalty envelopes for quite a few weeks. Quite a few customers using it and giving great feedback, including for the Raw Chow varieties. The SP website does include a stockist list now. Mid size bags would be great, but I guess it is one of those things that might happen if the demand is there - much like with Black Hawk. Sags :)

It isn't protein that grows a pup too fast, it is calories. Sometimes higher protein dry foods have high calories as well, so it pays to properly read labels and evaluate ingredients. I've had no issues raising giant breed pups on raw, on Royal Canin Giant Junior or on a high protein grain free food (at different times). So often people advise to avoid dry food with protein above the 20's, yet will also suggest offering bones, meat, eggs, sardines etc without thought to the protein this will add. Good book though. Sags

It most certainly is possible to properly raise a Saint pup on a fully raw diet. But, it takes a lot of work, having all the right tools, and being able to evaluate the growth on a daily basis. I do mean daily, as Saints go through such incredibly fast growth spurts that they can change shape in a day. So, observation and understanding of what you are doing are key to getting it right. It is not something I would recommend though if you a) have never raw fed, b) have not raised a giant breed. There are so many excellent options available now that offer the benefits of raw, without you having to take a chance with your precious growing bub. Holistic foods such as Canidae Large Breed Puppy or Sunday Pets Large/Giant breed puppy are excellent choices if you are wanting to avoid excessive fillers and prefer to buy a food that uses as much free range as possible. Vets All Natural Complete Mix provides the basis of a meal and you add your meat source raw. Frozen Barf already includes the crushed bone, meat, organs and more, without being highly processed. Sunday Pets RAW Chow is raw meat/bone/veges etc (no grain) that is only freeze dried. So, there are lots of ways to feed a fast growing puppy that offers more than Hills or similar foods. Please feel free to PM me if you want some raw info as well, as I have successfully raised Saint pups that way. Sags :)

Oh Cassie, so sorry to hear what you and Sumo have just been through. I've lost two from bloat so completely understand the fear that comes with it. Healing thoughts to you all. Sags

Why are you giving away 1/2 a bag of senior Sunday pets? Is your dog not doing so well on it? I have tried and tried - he's taken to licking anything remotely yummy off the kibble and spitting it out across the kitchen. Sick of stepping on it... Have you added a little warm water to it? That might tempt him?

We've now got return buyers of Sunday Pets on their 3rd and 4th bags and getting some really good feedback. What we are hearing is that dogs are enjoying the shape and feel of the food and that it is very digestible. One lady who moved from Advance to Sunday Pets has been ecstatic as her older doggie has been more mobile over the last fortnight, after changing about three weeks ago. Sags :)

Didn't think there was a fish grain free in the range?

Digest 60 - excellent product that our customers have had some great results with. We sell it, so assume any retailer dealing with PAWS can get it. Sags :D

Next Generation Petfoods are Australian owned and made and have a number of premium lines available, as well as budget food. Some overseas brands actually contain Australian Lamb. May I ask if you wish to support Aussie, or just don't want an imported food? If it is the latter, keep in mind that many Australian made foods include imported ingredients. Even Blackhawk does at times use imported minor ingredients, according to information from a rep. NZ make a number of excellent products, such as Ziwipeak, Sunday Pets and K9 Natural - all use NZ grown ingredients and are often free range. Sags :)

You are one of the strongest, most inspirational people I know. Not because of what you went through that night, and since then, but by how your spirit has continued. TBCSITW and Little Evie are merrily hunting those smurfs as we speak. They have a lab set up and are experimenting with awesome ways to feed those who newly arrive. Always here for you. Phillipa

We stock 3kg bags of Advance Dental as well as 8kg and 15kg. Small bags in anything other than large/giant breed are readily available. Alternately, you could even try any of Eukanuba range in any size bag as it contains an active dental formula.

Just as a thought, have you looked at Advance Dental? It is available for both small and large breeds and a number of our customers have found it made a big difference and was well tolerated. Should be available in most pet supplies stores and you may be able to get a sample pack to trial first. Sags :)

I imagine you will have tried this but thought it worth mentioning in case you haven't. One of our customers with a GSD with ongoing pancreas issues (to start) uses digestive enzymes with good results. It has allowed her to digest a bit more efficiently and settled the bowel. Sags :)

This is a brilliant initiative and something that we are actively seeking to do in our Sunbury store (no cafe I'm afraid, but a pop up adoption centre). It is heartening to see what the response has been for you Casowner, as cats are often forgotten. We would want to provide a space for both dogs and cats though, perhaps at different times. Good on you for your level headed approach to the protesters! Sags :)

Irradiation of cat foods no longer happens. Foods are either approved for entry into Australia, or not allowed. Dogfood and treats that are subject to irradiation (and I am not aware of any dogfood) must be labelled not suitable for cats. We are lucky to have such variety here, both imported and locally made.

Canidae Pure Sea Canidae Pure Elements Artemis Power Eagle Pack Power Royal Canin 4800 Happy to add some more when I'm at work tomorrow if you need more? Sags :)

Which variety of Canidae are you using? A quick look at some of the grain free foods at regular price provides the following costing: Holistic Select $11.67 per kg Wellness Core $11 per kg Canidae G/F varieties $10.58 per kg Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch $9.75 per kg Next Generation Petfoods Duck & Veg $4.99 per kg. Earthborn prices do vary slightly between their three grainfree varieties. If you factor in any loyalty programs (Canidae and Earthborn every 9th bag free) that will change the overall cost as well. Sags :)

an Australian one is Next Generation grain free at 20kg $105 + $10 postage Australian wide http://australianpettreatcompany.com.au/products/Australian-Holistic-%27GRAINFREE%27%27-Dog-Chicken%2C-Duck-%26-Garden-Vege-20-kg.html did not work for my boy but he is Very sensitive We sell this for $99.95 in Victoria if that helps. :-)

There are plenty of Aussie made treats available - a few have already been mentioned. Companies such as Nature's Gift, Hungry Hound and Next Generation Petfoods all will answer any queries you send them about ingredients/processing etc. Please be aware that Wanpy is an irradiated product. They weren't for a long time, but are now. Any treat or food that includes a label "Must not be fed to cats" is irradiated, and requires this label by law. That is often the only way to tell that a product is irradiated. For a pup with a sensitive tummy, a filled kong is a great option. The Kong website and facebook pages have lots of interesting ideas on filling kongs. Sags :)

Not sure where these prices are coming from? Artemis Medium/Large puppy in a 13.6kg bag is around $115 - 6.8kg is around $70. Royal Canin Maxi Junior for a 15kg bag is around $125. Those are rough retail prices so if you shop around you may get cheaper as well. A cup is about 100 grams so a 15kg bag has 150 cups - 4 cups per day will give you just over a month's food. Hope that helps as you have a gorgeous breed coming! Sags :)

Hi there New RRP for the new 10.4kg size is considerably lower than the 13.6kg was. Please do check with your retailer and if they haven't adjusted the price, let Canidae know. Sags :)

We recently trialled Earthbath http://www.earthbath.com/index.php in our Gisborne grooming salon, and our groomer (13 plus years experience with a real interest in natural products) will not use anything else now. The Mango Tango leaves a gorgeous fresh smell, and there are spritz's and wipes for between baths. It just leaves a lovely clean dog with no residue on the coat. Sags :)

Our lovely photographer suggested an Aussie Santa theme this year which we kind of like the idea of. What would you choose? Sags :)

Which Holistic Select have you used as the Grain free is very new to Oz. Also, doesn't the Blackhawk Fish and Potato have rice and oats? Just curious as you mentioned grain free food. Hi LisaCC, I have a 2.5 year old Aussie that has a tendency to get itchy too. No formal diagnosis but I have put her on a grainfree diet. I alternate between Holistic Select (anchovy, salmon etc) and Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch. I prefer the Coastal Catch (unfortunately small kibble sizes) but go with whatever is on special when I buy it. I'm really happy with both and I think Kyte is less itchy. I'm also looking at trying the BlackHawk fish and potato food next time. Same cost but for 20 kg bag rather than a 13 kg bag. I'm also in the same boat as you re: shipping. It costs $5 to get food to Perth and $56 to get food to me in the southwest! I did get some through PetStock recently and that was free shipping, even to where I live so was really happy about that. My Siberian sometimes gets infected paws due to licking too - I would highly recommend getting some sledding booties - I recommend this to EVERY dog owner. Booties are great to have in the first aid kit. Whenever my girl start licking her foot now I notice straight away. If I catch her licking it twice, then I put cortisone cream on it, add a bootie (baby socks work as well, but they aren't as tough) and then tape in on with sports/strapping tape. I also give it a rinse with some antiseptic too. She will get the bootie off eventually during the day but normally stays on all night which gives the foot a chance to heal. Goodluck with your search!