Feeding Kibble & Tinned Food.

[slk]

Max is still on puppy food. I'm feeding him Optimum, and a mixture of tinned and kibble. Occassionaly I stir through a tin of sardines, or a raw egg for a bit of a treat. He also has bones to chew on as well.

My questions is this - they say kibble is good for their teeth - do they get the same benefit if it's mixed in with the wet food?

[poodlefan]

Max is still on puppy food. I'm feeding him Optimum, and a mixture of tinned and kibble. Occassionaly I stir through a tin of sardines, or a raw egg for a bit of a treat. He also has bones to chew on as well.

My questions is this - they say kibble is good for their teeth - do they get the same benefit if it's mixed in with the wet food?

Not if it makes it soggy.

Tinned dog food has been described as a very expensive way to feed water. It's about 60-80% water.

Personally I'd recommend you feed some raw meaty bones like chicken wings instead of tinned food and feed kibble on its own as a separate meal.

[slk]

That's a good idea PF. I'll need to wean him onto his kibble straight - he's a wet food fan - but I could mix through sardines or the like through his kibble to entice him and just cut it down over days.

I personally don't like the tinned food but it's what he's been fed to date and when he came to his new home I didn't want to upset him by changing his diet too dramatically - but I think he's settled in enough now to deal with change

[poodlefan]

That's a good idea PF. I'll need to wean him onto his kibble straight - he's a wet food fan - but I could mix through sardines or the like through his kibble to entice him and just cut it down over days.

I personally don't like the tinned food but it's what he's been fed to date and when he came to his new home I didn't want to upset him by changing his diet too dramatically - but I think he's settled in enough now to deal with change

He's a wet food fan because its cooked and filled with things to tempt his appetite. You may find discontinuing the wet food may mean you can upgrade to a premium kibble that he likes more. Most distributors are happy to provide some free samples for you to try.

[slk]

He's on Optimum tinned and Hills SD kibble. I'll continue the Hills, we seems happy on it and I've always been happy on it. Can I go cold turkey onto a kibble only diet or best to wean him (decrease the wet while increasing the kibble?).

[poodlefan]

He's on Optimum tinned and Hills SD kibble. I'll continue the Hills, we seems happy on it and I've always been happy on it. Can I go cold turkey onto a kibble only diet or best to wean him (decrease the wet while increasing the kibble?).

I don't think you need to stage phasing out a food - just phasing one in.

I would recommend you don't feed kibble only. Add some chicken wings as a meal a few times a week.

[Dfa Dog]

I always like to make any food changes slowly. I would phase out the wet food over about two weeks as you introduce sardines into the kibble. Something else that will probably help you is adding some water to the kibble which makes it easier to digest.

[poodlefan]

I always like to make any food changes slowly. I would phase out the wet food over about two weeks as you introduce sardines into the kibble. Something else that will probably help you is adding some water to the kibble which makes it easier to digest.

How would water make kibble easier to digest?

[VJB]

If you prefer adding something, you could try Tucker Time. My dog had about 2 tablespoons with her evening kibble, as raw doesn't agree with her, and she can sometimes get a bit bored with kibble. You can purchase from the vet, and it is very reasonably priced. I cut it in slabs and freeze.

[SpikesPuppy]

Ours get a couple of tablespoons of Nature's Gift tinned a few times a week (every second day or so). I believe it to be the best tinned food available.

They get mostly kibble (Eagle Pack), with something different added each night (Nature's Gift tinned, chicken necks, raw egg with crushed shell, sardines or other tinned fish (sometimes whole fish catfood like Snappy Tom- less messy as I have a habit of 'popping' the lid off and the oil goes everywhere with sardines LOL), leftovers, Four Legs or Prime dog roll etc), plus a whole chicken frame each at least once per week as the entire meal, except my bitch gets chicken necks or wings instead 'cos she swallows the frames

They will also eat plain kibble if they have too (if we go away etc). They know if they don't eat what's offered, they go without

[slk]

I don't like making sudden changes - I know there is more than likely no harm done if I do, but I don't like to do it - not with the dog, cat, hubby or kids

I'm increasing the kibble, decreasing the tinned food and adding something in most night - either a tin of sardines, an egg or sometimes a little bit of our leftovers (not much though!).

He seems happy enough - so I'm sure in the next few weeks he'll be eating kibble + an extra (chicken neck, egg, sardines, etc).

Thanks for advice guys ;)