Diesel and his food.

[GoocherIaM]

Ok so this is my question. I don't think Diesel has been on a steady diet of the same food or good food for that matter. I picked up a bag of the food the owners before me were feeding him "Sportmix Premium High Energy Adult Mini Chunk". It says it 26% protein and 18 % fat. I don't want to know what the 66% has in it.(I'm not a fan of artificial ingredients) I never heard of that food before and i really don't trust it. Since I've had him I can tell he doesn't like it. I want to get him on a good diet where he can continue to put on weight and have a healthy life.

Do you guys have any suggestions?

 

[Smart_Family]

I would definitely suggest changing foods, although you will have to transition over slowly from the old food to the new. Mastiffs under 2 have some rather particular dietary needs. Many have issues with chicken and/or grains so I recommend avoiding both. Also they need appropriate levels of calcium and ratio of calcium to phosphorus. Some good foods are Blue Buffalo Wilderness Duck or Salmon, Acana Pacifica, Orijen 6 Fish, or Earthborn Holistics Great Plains feast, Meadow Feast or Coastal Catch. For the transition you would want to do 3-5 days of 75% old, 25% new then 3-5 days of 50% old, 50% new followed by 3-5 days of 25% old 75% new before going entirely to the new.

 

[cwayaustx]

Earthborn holistics from mrchewy.com free shipping when you setup autoship

 

[GoocherIaM]

And how do you guys feel about going from dry food to wet food?

 

[Smart_Family]

I'm not a big fan of wet food for dogs his size. To get the nutrition he needs you're talking probably several cans a day plus the kibble is good for his teeth. If you're not a fan of kibble I would consider going raw.

 

[GoocherIaM]

I'm going to go with Great Plains Feast. I didnt want to do wet food honestly cause it stinks. I was reading up on the Raw diet but something about it I just have a issue with but that's a whole other topic.

 

[Smart_Family]

Raw isn't for everyone and that's fine. Once you fully transition onto the Great Plains Feast (go thru at least two or three big bags) you can rotate thru the other two Earthborn flavors if you'd like to give your pup some variety, without having to transition every time.

 

[GoocherIaM]

Are you using the Raw diet?

 

[Smart_Family]

I would love to but my resources right now make it difficult. My goal is to start once we buy a house the beginning of next year. Right now I use Earthborn as well.

 

[sissie20]

smart family is holisitc lamb and pearl millet a good food for mastiffs thats what i had to end up putting daphne back on if its not i wont mind switching her food...canine caviar makes it

 

[Smart_Family]

smart family is holisitc lamb and pearl millet a good food for mastiffs thats what i had to end up putting daphne back on if its not i wont mind switching her food...canine caviar makes it

Unfortunately the calcium is too high at 2.1% but the Wilderness ALS food is good.

 

[GoocherIaM]

I've been reading into the Raw diet and the more I read into it sounds pretty good. But I was always told never to give a dog raw meat. I really thinking about eventually switching Diesel over to it. Not until after I get him off this horrible food he has been on.

 

[Smart_Family]

Raw is perfectly fine and amazing if you can feed it!

 

[cwayaustx]

if you do go raw just do some research and do it right your dog will love you and your vet will hate you. but then you wont have to see him.as often if research is correct..good luck..