Asking for Advice
I need advice. I have these two cute little dogs. One has rear end issues, documented here, so he needs soft food. It’s the first time in my life I’ve fed dogs soft food. I hate it. It’s been a struggle for over a year.
Funny thing is, it’s not so much a struggle for me. Well, it is, to a degree. Finding the right food. But the struggle is for the little dogs, and for Hunny. Stay with me here, since I need you to tell me what to do.
Little Dog Problems
First I fed a canned food mixed with pumpkin and olive oil. I wasn’t overly happy with the canned food or the smell. Then I fed a high quality, popular dehydrated food. Gadget gained about a million pounds. We think he’s half Brussels Griffon, half Chihuahua, and he ballooned quickly. This is my first dog to ever gain weight like this. Poor little sausage. Turns out the dehydrated food isn’t broken down for ages and types (like pregnant or nursing dogs, puppies, seniors, etc.), so the calories are very high compared to the nutrients. *sigh*
Then I moved to a different canned food mixed with tiny dog kibble, plus pumpkin and olive oil. I have really picky dogs. They only seem to like the fattening dehydrated stuff. Of course. Of course they do. Then I switched to a raw frozen nugget thing. They LOVED that. Seriously. I’d thaw it and mix it with pumpkin (Gadget needs his fiber). They gobbled it up. And the cost of it gobbled up my wallet right quick. Last I switched to a no grain pricey kibble, still mixing with pumpkin and olive oil. Which they loved for about three days. Now they just eat the senior food for large dogs when Flash and Patches aren’t looking. Brats.
Hunny Problems
The other problem is Hunny. The sight and smell of the mixtures gross him out. That wouldn’t be a problem if the little dogs would eat their food, but sometimes I’ll make a meal and then leave it on the counter, because they refuse to eat. I cover it up, since he makes a stink. But here’s where the problem lies – I’m having surgery in three weeks.
Yeah, I won’t be able to feed the little dogs. Granted, my gracious mother has volunteered to take the little dogs while I’m in the hospital. But I foresee long term issues with me and bending. Which means that Hunny will have feeding duty at some point. And it truly does gross him out. So what I’m looking for is a solution. And I’m asking random strangers for advice, right? Help!
Actually, I think I’m going to search for a different dehydrated chunk which is easy to measure and will give Gadget the fiber he needs. I need to order it, though, since I’ve had no luck finding it locally. But I truly would welcome input from friends. Keep in mind my current limitations, with cancer and Hunny. And two other dogs in the house. I think that frustrates me as much as anything, feeding two different diets. Maybe I just need to suck it up and admit that I need to feed on schedules. We’ve always been free feeders, with food left out all day, and it’s never been an issue. I just don’t want to mess with what’s worked for very senior dogs. *sigh* I find myself sighing a lot lately. I’m heading over to Slim Doggy for advice when we’re done here, seek some expert advice.
Giveaway
Please! Click this sentence to be taken to our Heart Breakers treat giveaway, where you’ll scroll to the Rafflecopter and follow the instructions there to enter! Jones Natural Chews are all natural and all USA grown and produced. If I could just feed my dogs treats, none of this would be an issue. But hey – if I could just eat cupcakes all day … well. We won’t follow that path.
Spreading the good chews …
Flea