Food Question

Hi, new here with a question. I have a 7mo old chihuahua/jack russel mix. I wanted to know what the best food to give him is. He's had science diet, iams and purina one. I know I shouldn't keep switching his food. He was on science diet at first, then he needed food one day and I was at wal mart, who doesn't have science diet, so I grabbed iams. Then the next time he needed food they were out of the puppy small breed iams so I got the purina one puppy. But what food is best for him? Not necessarily of the 3, of all dog food. Price doesn't really matter, unless it's $50/bag, lol. Also, how much should he be eating? He weighs 5.3lbs. Right now I feed him 1/4cup of food 3 times a day, and 2/4 cup of water each time I feed him. Is this right or should he be eating more or less?

Thank in advance!

I have picky, picky pups and went through several brands before I could get them all to be happy and settle on one -- I love the Nutro brand. I have NEVER had a problem on this food and always seem to go back to it. Right now, my girls are eating the Venison and Brown Rice mix which is in the Nutro Natural Choice line. We have even had them on the Nutro Ultra line of food. The Natural Choice one works best because it helps with their allergies as well as sensitive stomach. They have been on this particular diet for over a year and still love it. I feed them strictly dry food only and go by the feeding guidelines on the bag. They eat their alloted amount and poop way less -- so I know the food is being absorbed and not just going right through them. Their coat and skin is wonderful now too -- they have a healthy shine. I hope this helps -- I feel your pain though, I really do... it's one of those "been there, done that" type of situations! Good luck!

I feed my pupster Royal Canin and I'm very happy with it. It is $15 for a 3lb bag, but I think it's worth it. Chloe is almost 3 and she doesn't have plaque on her teeth and she has never been to the dentist . The only thing she gets besides food are rawhide chew sticks, so this may help with dental hygiene as well. As far as the amount, I just go with what the bag recommends, but she doesn't usually eat all of it. I don't limit her water intake... should I?

I hope to meet you at the meeting... they are a lot of fun.

~Jessica

Science Diet is really good. So is Eukanuba. My Chi is allergic to chicken so I have to give her Natural Balance b/c that's pretty much the only one that i've found where the beef or lamb don't have chicken in it also. I've only been able to find that one @ Petco though. Natural Balance has some unusual flavors and my Chi really loves it. I actually take 2 flavors & mix them together b/c she's a really picky eater plus she's a nibbler so it gives her variety.

But yes....it is best to stick w/1 brand. maybe even mix up the flavors if you can or add can food w/it. that way he won't get bored with it. you will be able to tell if he likes it or not. it's best to start off w/the smallest bag you can find to make sure he likes it then go from there.

as far as how much to give him, and how often, it will tell you on the back of the package. my Chi is 9lbs and i give her almost 1/4c. since she's a nibbler that sometimes takes more than a day for her to finish. i also give her 2 of the Nature's Recipe venison chews every day. she really loves those too. they usually don't last long. and of course she gets a little bit of our food here & there also.

when in doubt though you can always ask your vet the proper amounts.

as far as water they should have fresh water all the time. especially now that it's starting to get hot.

if you crate your Chi when your not home they have those drinking bottles that attach to the kennel. it should be filled w/fresh water every day.

our Chi has full run of the house all day. we fill up her bowl every morning w/frehs water & also when we get home. we have a cat too & they share it. we also have another bowl upstairs they both drink out of that too.

Thanks guys, you really helped me out! Once he finishes up this bag of purina one I'll get him something better :)

I do give him a dingo beef mini bone every time I leave the house to keep him busy in his kennel, so I'm not really worried about his teeth.

The guidelines on the bag confuse me, lol. I came up with the 1/4cup on my own.

I was told by a friend that I should also feed him white rice with chicken broth in it, and little pieces of chicken in it. Is this true? I'm sure he would love it but don't want to do anything to make him sick. I occassionally give him a piece of meat from my meal if he didn't beg, lol.

Oh and Jessica, I don't know if you're supposed to limit their water intake. I do because I want to have an idea of when he'll need to go outside. He usually doesn't finish the whole 2/4cup each time. I just dump it out once I take him outside and he pees. I may stop doing this though. I started it because when we moved he started having accidents, I assume because of the change. But now he hasn't had an accident in weeks, so maybe I'll leave the water in his bowl.

yeah cooked chicken & rice is really good for them. the vet actually had us give that to lola after we had her fixed. of course that was /bf we found out she was allergic to chicken. but anyway...she wasn't eating her food or really drinking much & he said to give her that & she ate it. he also said to put a little gatoraide in her water to get her to drink it. so if you ever have a need to prompt you dog to drink that works. alot of times when they don't feel good they won't drink even though they need to.

Thanks Telisa :) Actually Cody has an appt with our local SNAP this coming Saturday to be fixed and have a microchip implanted. So I'll have the chicken and rice ready just in case he won't eat :)

I read the Purina One bag. It says that up to 5lbs at 6-9mos they should be fed 1/3cup a day, and up to 10lbs at 6-9mos they should be fed 1/2cup a day. So since Cody is a bit over 5lbs, I should do 1/2cup, right? I've been over-feeding him, because he's been getting 3/4cup a day. I guess I'll give him 1/2cup a day. I don't want to decrease his food too much and starve my poor hungry baby, lol.