(04-25-2012 06:27 PM)ashellab Wrote:  [quote='TigerBill' pid='7804238' dateline='1334940778']
With apologies to your cat, I'm so glad you did this. You made my day with your post.

Ha, my cats have strict rules against fraternization too.

(04-26-2012 12:44 AM)georgiatiger Wrote:  

(04-25-2012 11:07 PM)Stella Blue Wrote:  GT, It sounds like what you're feeding the dogs is quite healthy. There is nothing wrong with giving animals fruits, veggies, and lean meats cooked without spice or added fats. In fact, I know some people who home-cook all their dog's meals, and these people are experts on canine nutrition, and they use ingredients similar to what you mentioned.

Thanks. There's only the one dog now, and his late night snack (if I have one, he gets one) is a bit of cantaloupe. It's just that I know I'm feeding him too much and am curious about how much you guys feed yours. Since none of you will open up, I'll assume all your dogs are fat.

Eukanuba 30/20 is what I feed along with a touch of bacon grease or a little can food. He likes the gravy and beef chunks. About twice a month he'll get some table food like fruit, veggies, meat scrapes or whatever.
Samson, my Big guy is 110lbs at the last vet visit but as health as a ox.

(04-27-2012 08:08 PM)U of M/ND fan Wrote:  

(04-26-2012 12:44 AM)georgiatiger Wrote:  

(04-25-2012 11:07 PM)Stella Blue Wrote:  GT, It sounds like what you're feeding the dogs is quite healthy. There is nothing wrong with giving animals fruits, veggies, and lean meats cooked without spice or added fats. In fact, I know some people who home-cook all their dog's meals, and these people are experts on canine nutrition, and they use ingredients similar to what you mentioned.

Thanks. There's only the one dog now, and his late night snack (if I have one, he gets one) is a bit of cantaloupe. It's just that I know I'm feeding him too much and am curious about how much you guys feed yours. Since none of you will open up, I'll assume all your dogs are fat.

Eukanuba 30/20 is what I feed along with a touch of bacon grease or a little can food. He likes the gravy and beef chunks. About twice a month he'll get some table food like fruit, veggies, meat scrapes or whatever.
Samson, my Big guy is 110lbs at the last vet visit but as health as a ox.

That's one beautiful dog. I'm just trying to figure out how much I should be feeding a 20 pound Mini-Dachshund with diabetes.

(04-27-2012 08:15 PM)georgiatiger Wrote:  That's one beautiful dog. I'm just trying to figure out how much I should be feeding a 20 pound Mini-Dachshund with diabetes.

Your dog reminds me of a friend of mine's dog, Otis. I think he topped out at about 125. Yours is gorgeous.

GT- I would guess you're basing the amount of kibble you feed him on the feeding guidelines on the bag of Fromm's. If you're worried you're over-feeding him, cut out the egg. With the chicken, instead of giving him the meat, boil the hell out of the chicken, strain the "broth" and pour a little warm broth over his kibble. If you want to add a little something since you're kinda taking things away, you can add some carrots, chopped or shredded, although he might enjoy the crunch of chopped, and keep the green beans.

I'm not necessarily going by the guidelines. My original goal was to cut out all of the crap he was used to, and give him some healthy food (and make him regular). The vet is well aware of what I'm doing and understands the challenges I face with my elderly parents thinking I'm starving him. He is much healthier since I took him under my wing. He's 12 and has just-discovered diabetes and I give him insulin shots every morning. I'm not (yet) looking to cut back so much as I just want to compare how much food he gets to how much food everyone else feeds their dog. Thus far, none of you will tell me.

(04-27-2012 10:37 PM)georgiatiger Wrote:  I'm not necessarily going by the guidelines. My original goal was to cut out all of the crap he was used to, and give him some healthy food (and make him regular). The vet is well aware of what I'm doing and understands the challenges I face with my elderly parents thinking I'm starving him. He is much healthier since I took him under my wing. He's 12 and has just-discovered diabetes and I give him insulin shots every morning. I'm not (yet) looking to cut back so much as I just want to compare how much food he gets to how much food everyone else feeds their dog. Thus far, none of you will tell me.

I have no idea how much, but my kid has a 25 lb. min-pin who got kind of porky on 1 cup of Fromm's per day, then we cut back to about 1/2 cup and her weight has improved, if that helps.

(04-27-2012 10:40 PM)TigerBill Wrote:  

(04-27-2012 10:37 PM)georgiatiger Wrote:  I'm not necessarily going by the guidelines. My original goal was to cut out all of the crap he was used to, and give him some healthy food (and make him regular). The vet is well aware of what I'm doing and understands the challenges I face with my elderly parents thinking I'm starving him. He is much healthier since I took him under my wing. He's 12 and has just-discovered diabetes and I give him insulin shots every morning. I'm not (yet) looking to cut back so much as I just want to compare how much food he gets to how much food everyone else feeds their dog. Thus far, none of you will tell me.

I have no idea how much, but my kid has a 25 lb. min-pin who got kind of porky on 1 cup of Fromm's per day, then we cut back to about 1/2 cup and her weight has improved, if that helps.

Well, I did read the guidelines but it's hard to imagine that dog surviving on one cup of Fromm per day and nothing else. I thought I must be missing something. My parents used to leave whatever crap dog food they were feeding him out during the day, so he'd have something to snack on between meals. I now prepare 30 of the meals I mentioned earlier (less the Fromm) in advance and freeze them, so they have them when I'm not there. I'm fairly certain they stick to it.

(04-27-2012 10:54 PM)georgiatiger Wrote:  

(04-27-2012 10:40 PM)TigerBill Wrote:  

(04-27-2012 10:37 PM)georgiatiger Wrote:  I'm not necessarily going by the guidelines. My original goal was to cut out all of the crap he was used to, and give him some healthy food (and make him regular). The vet is well aware of what I'm doing and understands the challenges I face with my elderly parents thinking I'm starving him. He is much healthier since I took him under my wing. He's 12 and has just-discovered diabetes and I give him insulin shots every morning. I'm not (yet) looking to cut back so much as I just want to compare how much food he gets to how much food everyone else feeds their dog. Thus far, none of you will tell me.

I have no idea how much, but my kid has a 25 lb. min-pin who got kind of porky on 1 cup of Fromm's per day, then we cut back to about 1/2 cup and her weight has improved, if that helps.

Well, I did read the guidelines but it's hard to imagine that dog surviving on one cup of Fromm per day and nothing else. I thought I must be missing something. My parents used to leave whatever crap dog food they were feeding him out during the day, so he'd have something to snack on between meals. I now prepare 30 of the meals I mentioned earlier (less the Fromm) in advance and freeze them, so they have them when I'm not there. I'm fairly certain they stick to it.

The min-pin actually got fat on one cup per day, I had to cut back. I should mention that my dogs get a dollop of pumpkin on every meal.

(04-27-2012 10:37 PM)georgiatiger Wrote:  I'm not necessarily going by the guidelines. My original goal was to cut out all of the crap he was used to, and give him some healthy food (and make him regular). The vet is well aware of what I'm doing and understands the challenges I face with my elderly parents thinking I'm starving him. He is much healthier since I took him under my wing. He's 12 and has just-discovered diabetes and I give him insulin shots every morning. I'm not (yet) looking to cut back so much as I just want to compare how much food he gets to how much food everyone else feeds their dog. Thus far, none of you will tell me.

3 1/2 to 4 cups eukanuba 30/20 with about 6 oz of canned food or substituted with bacon grease or table vegs. In the winter I'll feed eukanuba retreiver blend sometimes and cut back to 3 cups just due to the fact he doesn't get worked out as much.
Samson stands 28" or so inches at the shoulders and generally weights between 107 to 111lbs.

(04-27-2012 08:15 PM)georgiatiger Wrote:  

(04-27-2012 08:08 PM)U of M/ND fan Wrote:  

(04-26-2012 12:44 AM)georgiatiger Wrote:  

(04-25-2012 11:07 PM)Stella Blue Wrote:  GT, It sounds like what you're feeding the dogs is quite healthy. There is nothing wrong with giving animals fruits, veggies, and lean meats cooked without spice or added fats. In fact, I know some people who home-cook all their dog's meals, and these people are experts on canine nutrition, and they use ingredients similar to what you mentioned.

Thanks. There's only the one dog now, and his late night snack (if I have one, he gets one) is a bit of cantaloupe. It's just that I know I'm feeding him too much and am curious about how much you guys feed yours. Since none of you will open up, I'll assume all your dogs are fat.

Eukanuba 30/20 is what I feed along with a touch of bacon grease or a little can food. He likes the gravy and beef chunks. About twice a month he'll get some table food like fruit, veggies, meat scrapes or whatever.
Samson, my Big guy is 110lbs at the last vet visit but as health as a ox.

That's one beautiful dog. I'm just trying to figure out how much I should be feeding a 20 pound Mini-Dachshund with diabetes.

Thanks GT. Something that small I would say not much. Maybe 1/2 cup cause you will give it a little something thru out the day you softy.
The other thing is how much excerise does it get?
That will govern Samson's intake.

(04-28-2012 09:19 AM)U of M/ND fan Wrote:  

(04-27-2012 08:15 PM)georgiatiger Wrote:  That's one beautiful dog. I'm just trying to figure out how much I should be feeding a 20 pound Mini-Dachshund with diabetes.

Thanks GT. Something that small I would say not much. Maybe 1/2 cup cause you will give it a little something thru out the day you softy.
The other thing is how much excerise does it get?
That will govern Samson's intake.

Actually, I've simply tried to find a happy medium. The dog is 12 years old (approximately the same age as my parents) and has been spoiled rotten. If I cut him back to what he should have been eating all along, he'd go "WTF?" and go into shock. He doesn't get near enough exercise, but I can only do so much.

(04-28-2012 07:15 PM)georgiatiger Wrote:  

(04-28-2012 09:19 AM)U of M/ND fan Wrote:  

(04-27-2012 08:15 PM)georgiatiger Wrote:  That's one beautiful dog. I'm just trying to figure out how much I should be feeding a 20 pound Mini-Dachshund with diabetes.

Thanks GT. Something that small I would say not much. Maybe 1/2 cup cause you will give it a little something thru out the day you softy.
The other thing is how much excerise does it get?
That will govern Samson's intake.

Actually, I've simply tried to find a happy medium. The dog is 12 years old (approximately the same age as my parents) and has been spoiled rotten. If I cut him back to what he should have been eating all along, he'd go "WTF?" and go into shock. He doesn't get near enough exercise, but I can only do so much.

At that age, food is probably the best pleasure he has left anyway.

(04-28-2012 07:15 PM)georgiatiger Wrote:  

(04-28-2012 09:19 AM)U of M/ND fan Wrote:  

(04-27-2012 08:15 PM)georgiatiger Wrote:  That's one beautiful dog. I'm just trying to figure out how much I should be feeding a 20 pound Mini-Dachshund with diabetes.

Thanks GT. Something that small I would say not much. Maybe 1/2 cup cause you will give it a little something thru out the day you softy.
The other thing is how much excerise does it get?
That will govern Samson's intake.

Actually, I've simply tried to find a happy medium. The dog is 12 years old (approximately the same age as my parents) and has been spoiled rotten. If I cut him back to what he should have been eating all along, he'd go "WTF?" and go into shock. He doesn't get near enough exercise, but I can only do so much.

GT, it sounds like you're doing a lot, and everything you're doing does balance out to that happy medium. You're helping him become healthier, while not making him [or your parents] feel like he's being totally deprived.
In terms of what I used to feed my girl, she was a much bigger dog, but I always used the guidelines on the package as a general rule of thumb---2 1/2 to 3 cups of kibble. I'd add some fresh fruits or vegetables and sometimes little pieces of fish, because I wanted her spoiled rotten, but in a healthy way. She never had a problem with her weight. She did get a lot of exercise, but a 12 year old dog, especially a smaller breed, can't take too much, anyway.

(04-28-2012 07:48 PM)Stella Blue Wrote:  

(04-28-2012 07:15 PM)georgiatiger Wrote:  

(04-28-2012 09:19 AM)U of M/ND fan Wrote:  

(04-27-2012 08:15 PM)georgiatiger Wrote:  That's one beautiful dog. I'm just trying to figure out how much I should be feeding a 20 pound Mini-Dachshund with diabetes.

Thanks GT. Something that small I would say not much. Maybe 1/2 cup cause you will give it a little something thru out the day you softy.
The other thing is how much excerise does it get?
That will govern Samson's intake.

Actually, I've simply tried to find a happy medium. The dog is 12 years old (approximately the same age as my parents) and has been spoiled rotten. If I cut him back to what he should have been eating all along, he'd go "WTF?" and go into shock. He doesn't get near enough exercise, but I can only do so much.

GT, it sounds like you're doing a lot, and everything you're doing does balance out to that happy medium. You're helping him become healthier, while not making him [or your parents] feel like he's being totally deprived.
In terms of what I used to feed my girl, she was a much bigger dog, but I always used the guidelines on the package as a general rule of thumb---2 1/2 to 3 cups of kibble. I'd add some fresh fruits or vegetables and sometimes little pieces of fish, because I wanted her spoiled rotten, but in a healthy way. She never had a problem with her weight. She did get a lot of exercise, but a 12 year old dog, especially a smaller breed, can't take too much, anyway.

Well, to my credit, everyone seems to agree that the little feller would have kicked it a while back without my involvement. Dad, too.

(04-28-2012 07:24 PM)TigerBill Wrote:  At that age, food is probably the best pleasure he has left anyway.

Why are you dragging me into this??

(04-30-2012 08:59 AM)BartlettTigerFan Wrote:  

(04-28-2012 07:24 PM)TigerBill Wrote:  At that age, food is probably the best pleasure he has left anyway.

Why are you dragging me into this??

I didn't actually use your name.

Y'alls discussion on dog food reminds me of my neighbor, Bubba.

I was talking to Bubba one day, and he was complaining about the high cost of dog food. He said "I just bought a bag of Old Roy down at the Dollar Store, and it was over $10. I am going to look for a cheaper way to feed my coon hounds."

So, a couple of months later I saw Bubba and I asked him how he was doing finding a cheaper dog food.

Bubba says "Well, I've gone to feeding my dogs on chopped cardboard. I get these cardboard boxes from the dumpster at Wal-Mart and then I just shred them up and feed them to my dogs."

So I say "How's that working out for ya?"

Bubba replies "Well, I ain't too sure. They really resist eating it at first and about the time I get one trained to eat it pretty good, he dies."