What Food To Use?

[ludersachi]

Hello, I've been a registered breeder of Chihuahua's for a few years now. When I bought my first Chi I was recommended to use 'Eukanuba' products. I have now been feeding all my dogs this diet for several years. I happen to mention this to my dog groomer, who has been breeding and exhibiting for around 25 years, and she JUMPED down my throat. She said that 'Eukanuba' had a product in it that extended the shelf life of the the dog food and was harmful to dogs. Apparently other brands had this product removed except for 'Eukanuba'. Does anybody know about this? I've been recommended to use 'Royal Canin' or 'Hills Science'..........What to do???

[Ozstar]

I personally would not use Eukanuba or Hills Science, to me they are just over priced low quality dry foods.

Royal Canin has a dry food designed specifically for Chi's

Royal Canin - Breed - Chihuahua 28 - Adult

Chihuahua 28 has been precisely formulated to meet the exact individual needs of the Chihuahua breed. Chihuahua 28 entices a fussy appetite and helps reduce volume and odour of stools.

The exclusively shaped kibble has been tailor made to the size, shape and texture to compliment the Chihuahua's micro jaw and also helps prevent development of tartar.

Leanne

[Dogsfevr]

I gather she means ethoxiquin (sp) which was removed years ago but is still in some of the Hills range.

We have used euk on one of our breeds for nearly 20 yrs now with no issues,if your happy with it dont panic.

Everyone has an opinoin on diet & some will agree or disagree .

We use a varying brands on the different breeds because not all suit

Edited May 7, 2010 by showdog

[ludersachi]

I personally would not use Eukanuba or Hills Science, to me they are just over priced low quality dry foods.

Royal Canin has a dry food designed specifically for Chi's

Royal Canin - Breed - Chihuahua 28 - Adult

Chihuahua 28 has been precisely formulated to meet the exact individual needs of the Chihuahua breed. Chihuahua 28 entices a fussy appetite and helps reduce volume and odour of stools.

The exclusively shaped kibble has been tailor made to the size, shape and texture to compliment the Chihuahua's micro jaw and also helps prevent development of tartar.

Leanne

Thanks Leanne! I bought that exact food today, lol. I got a small bag so I'll see how it goes. Its so hard to know what to feed the dogs when everyone has such strong opinions.

[ludersachi]

I gather she means ethoxiquin (sp) which was removed years ago but is still in some of the Hills range.

We have used euk on one of our breeds for nearly 20 yrs now with no issues,if your happy with it dont panic.

Everyone has an open on diet & some will agree or disagree .

We use a varying brands on the different breeds because not all suit

That's exactly what I was trying to remember. Its funny how I was told it was only in Eukanuba and not other brands. This is yet another issue I get confused about being a registered breeder or a breeder in general. So many stories and I just don't know who or what to believe! I think I'll just use the Royal Canin stuff and go back to Eukanuba, my Chi's just love their range. I also put my older dog onto the sensitive range and his coat and skin has never been better.

PS: My name is Craig

[Rebanne]

if you are happy with your dogs and how they have done on the food you have been feeding why change?

[Rysup]

I agree with Rebanne. It's what works for you and your dogs. Everyone is different!

[JAG]

I had used eukanuba for 9 years with no issues until recently. I noticed there was a lot more grain being used as filler by the amount that was left in my feed bin when the contents had been used, the fishy odour was no where near as strong as it used to be ( I have an older bag which I campared it to) combined with a number of my dogs starting to get gunky ears. This usually happens with too much grain in their diets I was quite upset that it had "changed" as it was great for them. They all did very well on it and their hair grew nicely. I have recently changed to Pro Plan and things are settling back sown again.

If its not broke then don't try and fix it. Meaning if your dogs are doing well on euk then continue I wouldn't have changed but for the issues I encountered.

[ludersachi]

Thank you everyone for your responses!!! I did decide to change to Royal Canin special breed for Chi's. It is working a treat and they just LOVE IT! Even my fussiest girl is eating up so fast. I find that it has also made me look at how much I was actually giving them and it was too much! I now am giving all the dogs the correct amount and all is good.........Not to say that I won't change back BUT it is working at the moment.

[choc_bordercollie]

I had just started using eukanuba for my litter born on the 3rd feb, I sent all the pups to their new homes with a sample and all but a couple decided to use royal canine and not the eukanuba puppy.

One of my puppy buyers recently informed me that there pup had a lot of diarrhea so they took him to the vet and he said that the pup seemed to have and intolerence to it. So they changed on the vets advice. the pup is now doing much better on his new diet.

[TeamSnag]

I feed royal canin and my dogs do great on it!

[ellz]

Ethoxyquin is an anti-oxidant (ie preservative) and most dog foods contain preservatives of some kind or another. It is what stops any fat content from going rancid in the packaging.