Best Complete Mixer For Small Dog

[funkylad20]

Does anybody have a recommendation for a complete dog food for a small JR Cross? She isn't a fussy eater, is six this year and has slightly stinky breath! She currently has a handful of Bakers Complete, some mixer and half a tin of Butchers choice meat (small square tins). I have been reading that Bakers is really bad for them, full of cereals and artificial rubbish...

[Spotty Dog]

We only ever feed Iams to our Cavaliers.Bit more expensive, but well worth it.

[RATTER15]

We feed just raw meat and bones from the butcher, it is more work and you need to be dedicated, the dogs love it and are thriving on it, it actually works out a bit cheaper if you find the right food source.

Oh and they always have an apple or two a day.

[funkylad20]

Iams, that's will have a look. Raw meat and bones won't go down too well, or an apple a day - she's too small for that! She isn't ill or anything, good weight and muscle, but her breath stinks! Had her teeth cleaned recently but don't want to keep putting her through that. Just think that a difference in diet may be needed, especially as I keep reading really negative things about Bakers Complete

[ladybirder]

Funkylad I think you are feeding your dog the worst two brands you possibly could (especially Bakers). You need to get a better quality (more expensive) food for your dog to get the nutrition she needs and deserves.The good news is you will probably not have to feed her as much of the good stuff. Put rubbish in and you'll get rubbish out. There are many excellent foods on the market, you are spoilt for choice.

[funkylad20]

Thanks ladybirder...that is the problem though, the market seems saturated and I really don't know where to begin looking!

[Ratty2E]

Do you mean mixer or complete dry food? Mixer is designed to be fed with meat and complete dry food as it says is complete and is fed on it's own. I feed my two shih tzu cross dogs mainly on dog food mince from the butchers and pedigree small bite mixer. I can't recommend a complete food as mine never really liked it and as you say it can be full of rubbish.

[RATTER15]

funkylad20: //Raw meat and bones won't go down too well, or an apple a day - she's too small for that!//

dont be silly, ive kept dogs all my life and had quite a few working jack Russells, they will eat any raw meat along with any dog, no matter how big or how small!!

Clearly it is more work though! a lot easier to just open a bag and pour.

[funkylad20]

Well she has a bit of complete and a bit of meat...the mixer is an addition to bulk it out I guess. As I say, she isn't fussy at all and will eat anything I give her, just trying to find the best one for her and if it conquers her stinky breath too then result!

[MissCommando]

I feed my dog Burns dry dog food and we sometimes give him cooked liver or chicken as well. He seems to be doing pretty well on it.

Also, my dog used to have bad breath but we clean his teeth most days now (or every other) and it's made a hell of a difference.

[margie-h]

My vet said Bakers is the most fattening! She recommended James Wellbeloved, but seemed happy for me to feed my collie (who's prone to weight gain) Pedigree - but not too much! Hope you find the right complete food.

[ladybirder]

OK, for dry food Science Plan, Burns, Iams are all better than what you are feeding your dog at present. Natures Diet is a good soft/wet food. You can cut a pack into four or six pieces and mix with the dry food to make it go further and feed in morning and again in evening.

[RATTER15]

On a "raw" diet, you will immediately cure the bad breath and the dirty teeth, they rarely fart and their poos are half the size due to being less rubbish in the diet to expel.

[MissCommando]

I've no interest in feeding a raw diet as I wouldn't fancy raw chicken being dragged around the house and I like to kiss the dog so don't fancy salmonella lol.

[funkylad20]

Thanks people...will check some of them out. Not got a problem with weight, vet is always impressed with her 'muscle definition', chunky little legs on her! She is a very fit dog, but yes, will change her diet slowly and see if it makes a difference...

[RATTER15]

lol Miss Commando, that is why ours get fed outside, like I said, it is more work and commitment but worth every minute.

[Chipchopper]

The One my GSD loves, is 'James Wellbeloved'

They produce a whole range of complete dog foods tailored for various breeds.

I'm sure if you Google the name, you should find plenty of info. Good Luck

[fairycakes69]

Mine gets Iams, he's 10 and very fussy, took us 3 years to find a food he likes , he gets 1 cup full and mixed with a tin of dog food once a day. Though Iams is supposed to be given on its own he won't eat it unless mixed with tinned. Never had health problems and everyone that sees him are surprised at his age.

[lankeela]

I have five Lancashire Heelers (size of a JRT) ranging from 13 months to 17 and a half, plus a two year old GSD. They have all been fed on Eukanuba (small breed for the littlies and large breed for the big hairy - although he will nick the small bite if they are daft enough to move away from their bowls!). I add one tin of eat between the six of them. They also get raw chicken wings for breakfast - one for the older girls, two for the younger male and female, and however many the GSD decides to eat. They all have small, hard poos and clean teeth. I have reared all my dogs/pups on it since it first came into the country back in the eighties. Having sold dog food for a living and won loads of different stuff at dog shows I would always stay with the Eukanuba. Check the ingredients - Hills for instance is supposed to be a premium quality food but has a lot of fillers. Bakers (in fact any of the flakey coloured foods usually available in supermarkets are full of colourants and additives - those green bits are not vegetables!). You can get 3kg bags from most pet shops although if you buy online its often cheaper. They utilise more of the food so there is little waste product that comes out of the other end.