Help! Iams?

[Lucyana1129]

I'm having some serious issues with food lately. Right now I'm living with. My family while my husband is deployed. We should b going home soon but in the mean time I am at a loss as to what to do. When we got here (November) he was eating Solid Gold. He was doing fine. My family feeds their dogs purina. And there are cats in the house (yea...its been a little crazy here). All of a sudden he has decided he wants anything but what I try to give to him. I tried Wellness, Natural Choice. He simply walks away. He won't eat. As soon as the other dogs get fed he sneaks in and eats their food or the cat food. I try my best to prevent it but he does it almost every time. And if he doeesnt get their food, he won't eat. He has lost weight with me trying to get him to eat the food I got him. The easiest solution is to buy everyone Solid Gold. But these are big dogs and my family doesn't measure out the food. They just dump it in a big bowl. So it would be very expensive. I went out and bought Iams bc I figured it has to b better than purina and he needs to eat something. Well, he ate it but I've read nothing good about it. I don't know what to do. My other dog (a doxie) has gained so much weight being here and Bentley has lost some. Should I just feed everyone Iams on the basis that its better than purina or kibbles and bits? Then when we get home switch back to Solid Gold? Will all this switching hurt him? I just don't know what to do. I bought Iams Small Bites. Obviously not good for the bigger dogs but my family doesn't care like I do. Which also really annoys me. Needless to say, being here, having a baby, and dealing with all this has been rough. Next deployment I think id rather just stay home and deal with being alone. Can't wait for my hubby to be home. Anyways. That's a whole other story. Sorry this is so long. I'm just worried and confused. I want the best for my furbaby and I know Iams isn't really the best but its better than purina right? What should I do? Thanks in advance.

[ArmaniMan]

Iams and Purina are really on the same level- neither one is better or worse.

[Ellie May]

I'd sooner feed my pup Iams than Purina. That said, as long as the Yrkie is doing well on whatever your family puts down (as long as it's not super high fat or whatever), then I'd just let it go. It's not worth the stress. I'd be much more concerned about making sure the doxie doesn't continue to overeat.

Yes, in a perfect world you would feed a better food (to all the dogs). But the expense is unrealistic with larger dogs around and you can't make them schedule feed (to take the temptation away from your Yorkie), so I'd just let it go as long as the Yorkie isn't bloating on it or anything. But yes, I'd sooner buy Iams if possible. Although if you are now in that price range, then I'd look at Sccience Diet Nature's Best. The thing is, once you get to Iams and SD, the "holistic" food isn't much more expensive.

[JESSY_RN2B]

Yorkies are like human kids. We try our darnest to feed em well and as soon as they try junk elsewhere they scarf it up. Haha

[Lucyana1129]

It really is a lot of stress bc the big dogs are just in no way treated like mine are. My family thinks I'm crazy when I tell them that there's a huge difference in foods. I guess its only obvious to me looking at their dogs that have dull coats, hip problems, weight problems, and dental problems. They must think that's the norm. As for my doxie, I try and try to keep him away from it. At home he must b on a schedule bc whatever is put down, he will eat. I have just been trying to take him on more walks. I'm doing my best here but I hate feeling like I'm failing miserably. They are like my kids. Just like with my babies I hate the thought of failing them or thinking I could try harder. I keep telling myself only a few more months. My doxie has gained a good 10 pounds which is crazy. I worry so much about his back bc he's an older guy. Ill look into other foods that are a little more but with those big dogs not on any feeding schedule its tough. I've told them over and over not to free feed them. Of course I've told them over and over not to feed them from only one bowl too bc that seems dangerous. I do what I can but they always go back to what they have always done bc its easier. Ill look at Science Diet. Thanks guys. So grateful to have people that understand my concerns.

[terrilynncs]

Is there anyway you could just start to feed the big dogs on a schedule too? and as someone already pointed out.... there really isn't a huge price difference between Iams and Solid Gold, if you could give meals out instead of just a big bowl of food, I bet the SG would end up cheaper and the dogs would look so much better! I work at a doggie daycare/boarding and it's amazing to me how people will not only spend a ton of $$ purchasing a dog, spend $$ for it to go to daily day care but then turn around and feed the dog the worst food on the market! Good luck with everything..... I hope things get better.

[ArmaniMan]

Maybe you need to start confining your dogs to your room- I would be really concerned about an elderly doxie gaining ten pounds.

[yorkietg]

You are so right about the difference a quality food makes in a dog's health and general well-being. Feeding dogs the cheapest food is the equivalent of us eating spaghetti-os everyday - you miss out on essential nutrients.

We feed our mini schnauzer Sammy Snacks. It's a local company in VA, made here. We were really sold on the product when we saw a visible change in our schnauzer's coat, appearance and energy. He just looked so much better - so we switched from the food the breeder gave us (Purina Pro Plan). A large (33lb) bag is about $45. I looked online and found that Iams was selling for about $33 for a large bag. It's totally worth $12 - but I know your family not agree with that.

I suggest trying Sammy Snacks - if it doesn't fly at home, then I agree with others to just make due...and return the dog back to quality food when you get home.

Here is the website for Sammy Snacks. They sell online but have started selling in shops around the country!

Sammy Snacks | Home

[AlicetheYorkie]

Originally Posted by terrilynncs

Is there anyway you could just start to feed the big dogs on a schedule too? and as someone already pointed out.... there really isn't a huge price difference between Iams and Solid Gold, if you could give meals out instead of just a big bowl of food, I bet the SG would end up cheaper and the dogs would look so much better! I work at a doggie daycare/boarding and it's amazing to me how people will not only spend a ton of $$ purchasing a dog, spend $$ for it to go to daily day care but then turn around and feed the dog the worst food on the market! Good luck with everything..... I hope things get better.

Maybe you can convince your family that it would save them money using a better food but using a schedual and the dogs would need less of that food than they do on the Purina (as long as they weren't free fed anymore, this is true if you work out the numbers for cost per day, especially if it's a more overpriced crappy brand like purina or iams). Sometimes people don't realize that and the cost factor might be enough to change their minds. I know people can be very stuborn with things like this, but would they reconsider if you offered to be the one in charge of feeding all the dogs, including theirs? Maybe if they agreed to that, they'd see the difference in their dogs' within the few months you're there and be convinvced in the long run (killing two birds with on stone)
As Ellie Mae said, I wouldn't stress too bad about your Yorkie eating the Iams or Purina for a while, the hard part might be getting back to something holistic (those other food have additives to make it palatable and that can almost literaly be addicting to the dog taste wise - which is probably why she won't eat the regular food for you) BUT, since your Doxi has gained alot of weight, that would honestly concern me more than anything else.
If I absolutely had no choice but to choose between Iams and Purina, I'd choose Iams, but only by a very small margin. If you get into using Science Diet - that's honestly going to cost the same as something holistic, so I wouldn't even bother there. I've used (until just recently) a holistic brand called Verus that tends to run a little less than some other high quality brands. It's not super easy to find though.

[Lucyana1129]

I tried taking over the feeding schedules for everyone. My family thinks their dogs aren't getting enough and feed them more when I'm not looking. Honestly, its ridiculous and has been the cause of quite a few of our arguements. I tried confining mine while the others ate but that turned into a huge argument bc my family said it wasn't fair that I lock theirs in the kitchen while they eat. So stupid. I'm taking my doxie to the vet to discuss what we can do but I know it will involve a new food and scheduled feedings. Since yesterday after giving it some more thought and hearing ur opinions I really would just like to keep them on Solid Gold. I guess I will just need to hover over them these last couple months to make sure they aren't eating the other' food. The others aren't mine and trying to reason with my family seems like a losing battle.

[Marilize]

I really feel for you! I've been trying to convince my dad to stop free-feeding junk to his staffies, but he doesn't see the difference between Montego Classic (supermarket brand) and Orijen. Every time we visit, I have to keep my dogs away from their food bowl.

Where is the big bowl of dog food kept at your parents' house? My suggestion would be to find a way to cut your dogs off from any access to the food. That way, you won't have to stand watch all the time and they'll eat their food when they get hungry enough.

Sorry I don't have better advice. I haven't had any luck with my parents, but luckily I did manage to convert my sister to a holistic diet for her elderly lab. I think that it's really difficult to try and convince them of something they don't even think about, so don't waste your energy. Good luck!

[Lucyana1129]

I'm pretty excited right now. I put the Iams down for everyone then decided that it is ridiculous. So I picked it up and made a big to do about preparing my pups' food. I added some warm water and let them smell it while I put their fish oil in and let it cool a bit. By the time I put it down they were so excited. They ate all of it. Both were measured the right amount and after eating they are too full to think about going to eat the Iams that's down for the others. I'm sure its not great for them to have it warmed and a little soft but the nutrition is better. I used to feed them Natural Choice. To my knowlledge its not the best but its pretty good. Well, I had some left and decided id try it again bc they seem to really dislike the Solid Gold and the bites r too big for Bentley. I hope u all agree its a decent food. Id like some opinionson what u all think. I know for sure its better than Iams.

[chestermama]

Chester is on the new sundancer fron solid gold, it is their first chicken based food and he is doing great on it, it is 30% protein and is grain free and some say 1 grain, I pay 12.00 for a 4 lb bag at a pet store and at pet smart the same yucky iams is about the same price, chester has done very well on their wee bit as well bison as a protein source, solid gold is good food

[mscat]

That must be difficult to live with family members that do not share the same beliefs as you do when it comes to feeding their pets. Sounds like their are a lot od animals too. For the cats, it is easy to just place their food up high . I am wondering if you are the one who get stuck providing food for all the animals? If you only have 2 small dogs then I woukd try and feed them separate from the rest. If that means putting them in the bedroom to feed on a schedule then that is what i would do. I would go back to what I was feeding, the solid gold , for your 2. I would be extremely worried about the doxie gaining 10 pounds. They have little legs and I have heard the breed can suffer from spine and back problems. I free feed my girls , but I do not have to worry about other animals in the home either. With your situation it would be best to feed on a schedule in your room . Your doxie probably needs to be on a special diet , to lose weight.

[ArmaniMan]

Originally Posted by Lucyana1129

I'm pretty excited right now. I put the Iams down for everyone then decided that it is ridiculous. So I picked it up and made a big to do about preparing my pups' food. I added some warm water and let them smell it while I put their fish oil in and let it cool a bit. By the time I put it down they were so excited. They ate all of it. Both were measured the right amount and after eating they are too full to think about going to eat the Iams that's down for the others. I'm sure its not great for them to have it warmed and a little soft but the nutrition is better. I used to feed them Natural Choice. To my knowlledge its not the best but its pretty good. Well, I had some left and decided id try it again bc they seem to really dislike the Solid Gold and the bites r too big for Bentley. I hope u all agree its a decent food. Id like some opinionson what u all think. I know for sure its better than Iams.

At this point I wouldn't be as concerned about what they are eating, as how much they are eating- if you can find a way to limit the intake of your doxie and get him to lose weight- that is the best thing.