Better diet help!

[Bessa]

Hi, I've been feeding my dogs Halo for about a month now (been feeding our chihuahua Halo for years). They came to use on Kibbles n bits, which I still feed them a bit of to get rid what's left in the bag to save money. I know it's not a good food for them (the Kibbles n bits I mean) neither are the treats we have right now (Canine Carryout) but it's what we can afford at the moment.

I'm interested in a raw food or at least a wet food mixed with kibble diet. I'm curious how to get the most nutritious food for the most affordable cost. Roughly I can spend maybe 15-20$ a month on dog food. This cuts out quite a bit of the high end foods or raw pre-packaged diets. I don't think my mom would go for a raw food diet as it can be expensive and she would view it as excessive. Right now I live at home so it would be out of the question for a 100% raw food diet unless it was cheaper and as nutritious as their dog food.

My dogs seem to have soft stool lately and one of them was expressing some anal gland scent a day ago. I've been giving them carrots as a treat or the last few days a couple pieces with their dog food as I'm trying to get them on some kind of feeding schedule so I can housetrain them easier.

If I used Fresh Pet would it be healthy for my dog if I still fed them Halo as well? Like 25% freshpet and 75% Halo to save on food costs? Or would it be a bit better since I've read that mixing raw diets with kibble is suppose to be bad for a dog? If I use canned Halo food 25% of their meal and 75% kibble. I want them to be able to have more moisture in their food so they don't have kidney or dehydration problems as I have heard this can happen with a strictly kibble diet over time. If I went the other route which I'm sort of doing and doing the recommended serving of dog food + a few veggies (carrots for now) per meal is that a decent coarse to go?

I'm just confused/concerned as I think they need more fiber (Bella and my chihuahua does as Nessi poops like a horse and always eats a lot as well yet is tiny and I can feel her bones). I'm curious if they might have a thyroid problem but right now I can't just take them to the vet because I want to so I'll have to wait till next year when they have their annual visit.

[XenaLee]

Hi there! I was feeding my dog Fromm canned (13oz) and Fromm Kibble (5lbs)... a big bag cost me like $15-$17 (will check and let you know when I get home) and the canned one is like $3... I think it's decent food but when you change foods make sure you do it slowly. You might mess their digestive system up by changing it too rapidly. I would suggest probiotics... Purina Fortiflora was given to me by the vet when my dog was having bad diarrhea.

Good luck!

[Wylie's Mom]

You can def mix kibble w/ either canned, Fresh Pet, or raw...any of those options would work.

[XenaLee]

Originally Posted by XenaLee

Hi there! I was feeding my dog Fromm canned (13oz) and Fromm Kibble (5lbs)... a big bag cost me like $15-$17 (will check and let you know when I get home) and the canned one is like $3... I think it's decent food but when you change foods make sure you do it slowly. You might mess their digestive system up by changing it too rapidly. I would suggest probiotics... Purina Fortiflora was given to me by the vet when my dog was having bad diarrhea.

Good luck!

Yes, I paid $17 but you can find the bag of Fromm between $14-$17 for a 5lb bag... They are not top quality but it seems to get great reviews. I don't know how it compares to halo but I hear that it's one of the better brands out there.

[XenaLee]

Originally Posted by XenaLee

Yes, I paid $17 but you can find the bag of Fromm between $14-$17 for a 5lb bag... They are not top quality but it seems to get great reviews. I don't know how it compares to halo but I hear that it's one of the better brands out there.

Nope!! it was $13.50 oops!! I've been trying different brands because I have a super picky eater... she likes Fromm though but since I introduced her to Primal she will not eat her kibble! haha but yes, a lot of people have told me that this is a good brand if you don't want to spend a lot... I guess others can comment if I'm wrong.