HILLS J/D FOOD?
Our vet is recommending the above for Rufous but was just wondering if anyone else has used this food and if so, what were the results? My thinking is that with added suppements and fish oils along with regular food, surely this must be as good? The cost of Hills is really high as well. Do vets push this for a cut of the profits I wonder? Talking of regular food, out of curiosity, what has everyone found to be the best one for their labs; although I realise every dog is different in their needs of course. Ours are currently on Wainwrights which seems to suit their needs but it is Hypo-allegenic and the vet thinks they don't really need this??? I am completely foxed now.....HELP!!! ARRHHH!!! :roll: :roll:

Hello there - yes I know Hills is very expensive isn't it! Yes we want to give our dogs the best but not if it means we live on Beans! We feed ours on CSJ - it is a Herbal dog good but mainly for working/agility dogs. It's low protein and is good for dogs with skin conditions and contains extra nutrients for joints especially important for working dogs- try a search on it CSJ - it really is cheap aswell so even if you don't get on with it, you haven't wasted too much. Willow has lost so much weight since she has been on it also!

I am a bit suspicious of the expensive foods promoted by vets. I'd suggest you look online for places selling the same brand of food cheaper, and that you also look carefully at the ingredients (also by searching online) and see if you can't replicate the ingredients with supplements such as fish oil, as you say. one of the moderators on another forum I use is a dog nutritionist and will give advice for free. If you want to go down that route, the forum is http://www.ttlntl.co.uk/forum/ and you'd need to post under health and diet good luck!

:P Thanks for the help - I am losing the plot now with so many different foods out there on the market...Have posted on TTL Elaine so hopefully might get a few ideas to chew over shortly before we take the next step!

Why is your Vet recomending it? Ben had colitus and i tried lots off diffrent foods the only one that agrees with him ic Chappie Compleat. When his Vet asked me what i was feeding him on she said its one off the best foods around.People think its rubbish because its cheap but it isnt. Bens a picture off health on it..as you can see from his pics on here :roll:

This food recommended as it is supposed to be helpful for Rufous's joint problems(ED/HD) as there are a lot of special additives. However, have to say that after 3 months of using Glyco Flex 111 suppliments, steady exercise and now cod liver oil as well, we are beginning to see some improvement. He is not as stiff after exercise or getting up after rest as he used to be and appears able to do more - ie he can now jump out of the car! Can't jump in though so we still need to lift his rear end up :roll: I am a great believer in Chappie canned food and use it as an extra in the evenings sometimes as a treat, dogs love it. Never thought about the dried food and will therefore take a look see at the ingredients. As you say, your dog looks to be the picture of health with a lovely coat toboot! My homechecker says that she always recommends hypo-allergenic type foods for labs with dicky tums and firmly believes in it as also helps with any hyper activety as well. Don't understand why the vet frowns on me feeding Wainwrights to both of mine, they are pretty good on it to my mind. Ah well, everyone to their own I suppose. Expect more from my vet really in the way of advise, might ask to see someone else next time!!

I think as your dogs are happy with what you are feeding them, you should stick with it. Willow has been on all sorts since we got her and there was only once that really didn't agree with her but we switched to agility dog feeds specifically because they contain vitamins and minerals for joints. The one we feed them both on is dirt cheap and there is a very good alternative at the local farm shop which is very similar and that's a good price. Our dogs are the picture of health, just like Jean's Ben - you don't have to go for the most expensive, just what suits your dog!

Can I ask what the make of the agility food is, just so I can make some enquiries please. Many thanks. The owner of the kennels we went to see today swears by Burns Natural dried food and gave us a bag full of samples to try. Again, this is £35 for a 15 kilo bag!! But he feeds all his dogs on it and also the boarders unless there is any reason they can't have it of course.

No probs -it's called CSJ - there are various types depending on whether the dog is pregnant, only used partly for work or used fully for working, feeding etc etc. There is a website all about it so have a look.

Feeding times
I have had numerous tit bits of advice for my two Labs as one was reducing for 5 months and the other has a dicky tummy. I used Burns as it really worked for Rosie but gave small portions with added carrots mashed to fill her tummy. Lucy has a fussy tummy and didn't like Burns so we had to play around with brands till we found James Wellbeloved's ocean fish one. She has that now or Wainwright's salmon and potato and is a happy 4 yr. ol. Rosie is on the senior Wainrights or JW depending on which is on special. She also has fish oils and glucosamine supplements for her arthitis at 9 yrs. and occasional Metacam if she has a flare up. I think it depends on your pocket as well as your conscience what you feed your dog. I occasionally give chappie as a wet treat as they both love it. I have a friend with 4 cats and I worry about HER nutrition as her cats always get the best and she has a poor diet as a consequence due to funds. Good luck with your doggy and I'm sure you're giving the best you can. Hills is for people with mega bucks or who can afford it...same for Burns and some others. Cathy x