Samoyeds Diet

[sammy1]

Hello,

I have a 10 month year old samoyed. Up until now we have been feeding her a combination of dry kibble (eagle pack) and some raw bones/vegies due to her anal gland problem. I'm a bit confused as to what a samoyeds diet should consist of. Read a lot on the internet but just wanted to know what other samoyed owners feed their dogs.

Different people tell you to feed your dog a certain way. Breeder told us to give her a mixture of dry kibble, bones, eggs, milk, fish etc, while vets and pet stores have told us that good quality kibble is all they need.

Our sammy doesn't like dry kibble and often doesn't touch it.

Would appreciate any advice.

Thanks

[Stitch]

As no one else has answered you, and you are a newby, I will put forward some ideas.

I don't have samoyeds but IMO I would feed it a good quality raw food like BARF.

You can get Dr.Billinghursts BARF in various meat ingredients at most pet shops/barns.

They come frozen in meal sized pouches and are excellent.

The majority of dogs really love it.

Cut out the milk from the diet as it can upset the digestive system.

You can feed kibble - I have found Royal Canin best for most of mine however opinions will differ.

In the end you have to try what is available and choose what your dog likes best and what it does best on.

Some dry foods result in huge smelly poos, or aggrevate allergies in dogs.

It is the poos that IMO are the best indicator of how your dog is processing his food.

I am happy when they are small, dry, and well formed. :p

Raw food usually produces the best poos!!! :D

[sammy1]

As no one else has answered you, and you are a newby, I will put forward some ideas.

I don't have samoyeds but IMO I would feed it a good quality raw food like BARF.

You can get Dr.Billinghursts BARF in various meat ingredients at most pet shops/barns.

They come frozen in meal sized pouches and are excellent.

The majority of dogs really love it.

Cut out the milk from the diet as it can upset the digestive system.

You can feed kibble - I have found Royal Canin best for most of mine however opinions will differ.

In the end you have to try what is available and choose what your dog likes best and what it does best on.

Some dry foods result in huge smelly poos, or aggrevate allergies in dogs.

It is the poos that IMO are the best indicator of how your dog is processing his food.

I am happy when they are small, dry, and well formed. :p

Raw food usually produces the best poos!!! :D

Thanks for your reply. Vet suggested that because she has an anal gland problem its better if she does bigger poos so that she has to push more, therefore her glands will empty. If they are small its not too much of a struggle and the problem continues. Our sammy loves raw meat/food so we think she would love the food, but our only concern is will she get all the nutrients she needs.

[Red Fox]

If your dog has anal gland problems perhaps a natural diet might help?

There is nothing wrong with adding things like eggs, fish, bones, meat, vegies, natural yogurt, etc to your dogs kibble. What type of milk are you giving? Some dogs are okay with cows milk if they have been given it from a young age, some end up with upset bellies though. Goats milk is a better alternative.

Go with what your breeder suggests over what your local pet food store/vet's suggest (unless the vet has recommended a certain diet for medical reasons). More than likely they will simply recommend what they sell :D

eta, just read your above post. If you want to add bulk to your dogs poop try psyllium husk. Bones are good for emptying anal glands too - poop needs to be firm to do this which bones can help with :p

Edited July 6, 2010 by SecretKei

[Bjelkier]

Hey Sammy1

I have Samoyeds and feed a combination of dry kibble (Nurto) and freash meat and bones.

No issues with anal glads here so I can't really help with that, sorry. :p

My Sammies went off their kibble at that age too, we have mixed tuna brine, sardines, and meat in to make it tastier but in the end they will eat what they are given and if they don't like it, well too bad, nothing for breakfast and the same thing for dinner, the dog wont starve itself. And Sammies will push and push and push so they can get exactly what they want, stubborn little buggers.

Mine all now eat their dry bikkies :D

EDT, question already answered

Edited July 6, 2010 by Wolfsong

[Stitch]

Dr Billinghursts BARF is a complete food with all the natural vitamins and minerals.

You don't have to add anything to it.

Problem is that we have been so 'brainwashed' into believing that if we don't feed dry food that our dogs are somehow not going to get good nutrition.

Where do you think vitamins and minerals come from in the first place???

Of course they come from good quality meat and veges, etc, and that is what Dr.B's BARF has in it.

Do a google search on his food and have a look at this website, that should allay your fears.

[sammy1]

Thanks for the suggestion to giver her psyllium husk. We give her cows milk, she's been given it since a young pup and breeder said she has developed the enzymes to break down the lactose therefore we should continue giving it to her, which we do and she lovessssss it.

Thanks for the tips.

If your dog has anal gland problems perhaps a natural diet might help?

There is nothing wrong with adding things like eggs, fish, bones, meat, vegies, natural yogurt, etc to your dogs kibble. What type of milk are you giving? Some dogs are okay with cows milk if they have been given it from a young age, some end up with upset bellies though. Goats milk is a better alternative.

Go with what your breeder suggests over what your local pet food store/vet's suggest (unless the vet has recommended a certain diet for medical reasons). More than likely they will simply recommend what they sell ;)

eta, just read your above post. If you want to add bulk to your dogs poop try psyllium husk. Bones are good for emptying anal glands too - poop needs to be firm to do this which bones can help with

[sammy1]

Hey,

Yes, they certainly are very stubborn and will only eat what they like. If we only gave her dry food she would eventually get use to it and eat it because she would know that she wouldn't get anything else, however, we also give her meat, bones, eggs, fish, milk, yoghurt so she knows that she will get something better next time and will only eat the kibble if she is starving (late in the evening) or if its mixed with other food. Very clever.

Hey Sammy1

I have Samoyeds and feed a combination of dry kibble (Nurto) and freash meat and bones.

No issues with anal glads here so I can't really help with that, sorry. ;)

My Sammies went off their kibble at that age too, we have mixed tuna brine, sardines, and meat in to make it tastier but in the end they will eat what they are given and if they don't like it, well too bad, nothing for breakfast and the same thing for dinner, the dog wont starve itself. And Sammies will push and push and push so they can get exactly what they want, stubborn little buggers.

Mine all now eat their dry bikkies

EDT, question already answered