Diets (spaniels)

[Liam]

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/choosing- ... -food-ash/

However.................... remember the ash content is the total of all minerals, so I am not sure that the word "ideal" is the appropriate one........?

What I meant was, according to the above link, the average ash content is 8%. I now understand that you won't know what % of minerals etc make up that 8%. But for the average owner looking to buy a dried dog food, what is the best % of ash content to aim for? 8%? Or a higher % or indeed a lower %?

Liam

[Megsdad]

confusing sometimes innit

Why aren't you out training dugs? Still feeding yours out of date digestives and tesco gravy I'll bet!

[vicky payne]

Ash is an irrelevant stat for owners to look at! It only allows you to work out how much carbohydrate is there as this is never stated! Ash is minerals but it's all the minerals! You need the right amount of a variety of different minerals and crude ash doesn't tell you this. Short answer....dog food labelling is crap.
When buying a dog food you can assume it will contain the right balance of vitamins and minerals. Worry much much more about the quantity and quality of the MEAT that goes into it! Dogs run of protein and fat. end of.

[Liam]

Ash is an irrelevant stat for owners to look at! It only allows you to work out how much carbohydrate is there as this is never stated! Ash is minerals but it's all the minerals! You need the right amount of a variety of different minerals and crude ash doesn't tell you this. Short answer....dog food labelling is crap.
When buying a dog food you can assume it will contain the right balance of vitamins and minerals. Worry much much more about the quantity and quality of the MEAT that goes into it! Dogs run of protein and fat. end of.

Thank you for that answer. Now I know what's what

[Allyson]

Ash is an irrelevant stat for owners to look at! It only allows you to work out how much carbohydrate is there as this is never stated! Ash is minerals but it's all the minerals! You need the right amount of a variety of different minerals and crude ash doesn't tell you this. Short answer....dog food labelling is crap.
When buying a dog food you can assume it will contain the right balance of vitamins and minerals. Worry much much more about the quantity and quality of the MEAT that goes into it! Dogs run of protein and fat. end of.

Thanks Vicky, always good to get the vet perspective and confirmation of info.

[Tumbledog]

Hi, my ESS puppy is 6 months. She has been VERY sickly, last night it started at 2am and she didn't stop D and V until 5. Poor thing. She has been to the vets loads, vet said she has had a bladder infection and has completed a course of antibiotics and anti inflamatory's.
But, still she gets these tummy upsets. I think it is diet related. I am feeding her nature diet (puppy), as she was on this from the breeder. Years ago I had a JRT and she was only fed a raw food diet, generally chicken wings. I am in a quandary about starting Tumble on the same diet, but concerned she might struggle given her "jippy tummy"!
DOes anyone have any experience of feeding an ESS on raw food? If so what did you use, has anyone experienced Nature diet and had the same experience as Tumble? She is currently on boiled chicken and rice (again!), at least shel ikes this!
I so hope I can get the diet right, not sure I can cope with D and V on and off for her whole life!!!! Cheers

[LJR]

Hi, my ESS puppy is 6 months. She has been VERY sickly, last night it started at 2am and she didn't stop D and V until 5. Poor thing. She has been to the vets loads, vet said she has had a bladder infection and has completed a course of antibiotics and anti inflamatory's.
But, still she gets these tummy upsets. I think it is diet related. I am feeding her nature diet (puppy), as she was on this from the breeder. Years ago I had a JRT and she was only fed a raw food diet, generally chicken wings. I am in a quandary about starting Tumble on the same diet, but concerned she might struggle given her "jippy tummy"!
DOes anyone have any experience of feeding an ESS on raw food? If so what did you use, has anyone experienced Nature diet and had the same experience as Tumble? She is currently on boiled chicken and rice (again!), at least shel ikes this!
I so hope I can get the diet right, not sure I can cope with D and V on and off for her whole life!!!! Cheers

Hi, I feed all my dogs a raw diet, which includes two springers.

They usually have chicken wings/thighs in the morning and then minced meat in the evening - I get my mince from Manifold Valley Meats.

The mince comes in frozen sausage form - lamb/pork/chicken/tripe - which I slightly defrost in the microwave and then chop and maybe add a little warm water.

Probably twice a week I will add some oily fish. Also any left over pheasant carcasses this time of year.

The springers look fantastic on this diet and have held their weight throughout this season, averaging 3/4 days a week.

It won't be the cheapest diet you will find, however it is a diet much closer to what they were designed to eat. I refuse to pay through the nose for a cereal based diet.

[Tumbledog]

she started raw food yesterday, after finishing her chicken and rice diet.. so far so good, although tonight, she had her "orange poo" again! What is wrong with this puppy!!

[Nette]

Tumbledog I would be adding probiotics for several weeks to build up the good bacteria in her gut. I used this when my young cocker was very poorly at 81/2 weeks http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Probiotic-Pl ... fo/PROBD/b I also would suggest if your pup is on AB's wait until they are finished.

[Tumbledog]

thank you very much, ABs finished weks ago, I had her on chicken and rice for a week this time in the hope it would cleanse her. I will try the probiotics. How long was it before before your Cocker recovered? Tumble been not right for 6 weeks or so!