we still have "butchers" here in Australia. these are usually local shops, that sell meat. After they have cut up the large sides of beef, they are left with some bones. The bones you are after are the breast bone, which is usually discarded as waste, but is good for dogs. Get them to cut the bone (which is about 1 metre (about 1 yard) long), into the size that is good (mine are cut into chunks about 7.5cm (about 3 inches)) or whatever size you want. The cutting is done on a bandsaw so no effort on their behalf. The advantage is that there is no debris left for the motor mower to fling at your windows, or for insects to settle on. Even at the supermarkets there are some to be had, but find out from the meat section when they get deliveries. You will pay more at the supermarkets, but you should not pay more than necessary.
What should i be feeding my basenji?
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After much debate– we have decided to change food. We are currently on Blue Buffalo. I have read on the links you have-- DogFoodAnalysis.com-- and looked into EVO or Orijen. We went to a speciality dog food store and found both products. Granted, they are TWICE the price of Blue Buffalo, we bought EVO Red Meat Small Bites to try out. The owners of the store really seemed to want to push the RAW diet-- they had an entire freezer section of raw foods that were all pre-measured for convenience, but I'm not sure we're ready to jump into that boat just yet.
Right now we free feed and it works well for the dogs. Both are at a healthy weight and are in good condition. The reason we thought about changing is because Blue Buffalo has pieces in it called "Life Pellets". The dogs will actually pick these out and spit them into the living room. Holy annoying. I have to vacuum AT LEAST once a day because there are life pellets everywhere!! It's been driving me nuts so that's why we looked into something else. Conveniently, you all posted the link that helped us find our way. I think my main concern right now is if they really like EVO, that they will still self regulate and not over eat. We'll have to see how this goes. We might have to resort to two dishes and meal times-- which I just don't prefer.
Anyway, thanks to all who have contributed to this thread. We will keep you posted on the progress of the transition.
BDawg…I think your kids will really like the EVO. Ruby was on the red meat EVO, but for her, the small bites weren't keeping her teeth clean enough and I couldn't get the larger bites locally. Ruby (who is somewhat crate phobic) would run into her crate and sit and wait for me to put the EVO down for her. When I added Grizzly Salmon Oil (every other day), she would sing, then run into her crate and wait for dinner! That was success so IMO I think Lexi & Miles will love it!
I switched to Timberwolf because the bit size was better for Ruby, it was available locally and it was fish based and Ruby definitely LOVES fish!
Now I've changed to Orijen because of the Timberwolf ingredient change made Brando go on a hunger strike and he refused to eat it. Both kids run into their crates and wait for Orijen. Holy cow is Orijen expensive though...15lb bag for $42.
Anyway, you folks that live in bigger areas are lucky, because finding good foods consistently has been quite the challenge. I was a little worried because only one place locally sold Orijen, but because of Timberwolf changing ingredients and my favourite store (Planet Dog) yanking it off their shelves...because my 2 dogs were affected, I got to vote on what food to replace it and they are replacing it with Orijen. And they told me that if they ever stopped carrying it, they would always special order it. I love Planet Dog!!!!
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hahaha… well- this just in: I have created little monsters. I opened the bag of EVO and took out two pieces of kibble for the dogs to sniff and try.
They both turned their noses up at it. Oh greeeeaaaaat, I thought. I guess I'll have to see if they take returns... After MUCH encouragement... I got Miles to try a bite. Success. And of course if Miles eats something, Lexi doesn't want to be left out so she tried it. Miles then dove into the bag of EVO!! I had to pull him out!! hahahahah
I mixed a scoop into their Blue Buffalo food to start the transition and put their bowl down... And guess what? Now not only did they pick out the life pellets, but they spit out the Blue Buffalo too!! Little monsters!!
But looks like this might be successful!!
Question: Do you think I should have gotten the big bites instead of the smaller kibble?
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I have ever found that the "size" made much of a difference… but I like the size of the Wellness Potato and Duck... and in fact I am just now trying the Wellness Core...
There are all kinds of thoughts on the kibble size... some say they will get more benefit out of chewing... others will say... not the case... The only time I would worry about the size is for the elders... they do have problems sometimes chewing especially if they have lost teeth over the years....
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I mixed a scoop into their Blue Buffalo food to start the transition and put their bowl down… And guess what? Now not only did they pick out the life pellets, but they spit out the Blue Buffalo too!! Little monsters!!
But looks like this might be successful!!
Question: Do you think I should have gotten the big bites instead of the smaller kibble?
Ha, ha, ha…sounds like exactly what Ruby did when I switched her old food to EVO & now Timberwolf to Orijens...so much for trying to switch slowly when they won't eat the old food and only pick out the new food! Hope you didn't have too much of the Blue Buffalo left
:D.p.s. I even thought I could use the rest of the Timberwolf in their Busy Buddies & Kongs, and they won't touch it...the kids are too damned smart!!!
I wouldn't worry about the size of the kibble...from everyone I've talked to, it sounds like Ruby might have been an exception.
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Switching to Orijen (what I REALLY wanted the first time, but had to compromise)… Miles is already picking them out and eating them first over the EVO! The pellets are bigger in the Orijen. I'll keep you posted...
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BDawg…Which Orijen...Adult or 6 Fresh Fish?
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We did the Adult. Price check: $59
Fresh Fish was $66
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IMO.. I think this is a great website to look at foods to feed
I have rather suddenly switched my dogs to Taste of the Wild w/roasted wild fowl –- I didn't plan to, but the store where I buy my Merricks is extremely inconsistent and I haven't been able to get it for a week and literally ran out of food this morning, so chose a food that they seem to always have in stock --and I can't find the roasted fowl variety on this list.
The prairie and pacific varieties get good ratings though, so is it relatively safe to assume the roasted fowl is probably good?I am sooo frustrated with Pet Town right now!!
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I have fed the wild foul (poultry) version of Taste Of The Wild, and like it just fine. I have fed all 3. I know we have mentioned it a time or two on the list. Probably most of the time we're not mentioning the specific flavor though?
When you see Prairie mentioned, it might be referring to a different brand, aka Nature's Variety. Prairie is their main line of food. Instinct is the grain free line.
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I have fed the wild foul (poultry) version of Taste Of The Wild, and like it just fine. I have fed all 3. I know we have mentioned it a time or two on the list. Probably most of the time we're not mentioning the specific flavor though?
When you see Prairie mentioned, it might be referring to a different brand, aka Nature's Variety. Prairie is their main line of food. Instinct is the grain free line.
Thanks. The dogs seem to like it well enough. One of my kids just came in and said there's evidence of diarrhea in the yard:(, but have no idea from which dog. Could be the sudden food change for any of them, or Gypsy having problems. I need to watch more closely when they go out again.
The prairie I mentioned was TOTW - the one w/bison.
I went back through several posts on feeding but couldn't find any thing specific on TOTW, but got tired of looking so asked.
Thanks again for getting back to me. -
We feed a mixture of Evo and Purina One.
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I feed www.vetschoice.com
The food I like is the Holistic Health Extension Little Bites and you can order it online and have it shipped directly to you.
