Kibble + ?

[McPatrickClan]

I have a 2-year-old GSD that is a great dog. We have made the mistake of feeding him Iams and Purina dog food, but he has handled them perfectly, never showing any signs of discomfort. We are not ready to transition him to a totally raw diet because of kennel visits (what would they feed him?) and cost (we are kind of broke). But we want to give him a kibble base plus add some variety/raw food to his diet.

I have found quite a few really good dry dog foods, so I am thankful for that. But how do I know how much extra food, on top of the kibble, is too much?

For example, if I gave him a raw egg with his food every night, would that be too much? Or should I give him dry-only once a day and then mix in something else at night?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[LaRen616]

I feed my dogs Wellness and every other night I add either an egg or green tripe in it.

[Doc]

How much does your dog weigh? One option is to feed raw in the morning and kibble at night. I wouldn't give raw eggs every night - maybe once or twice a week. i would go with Chicken leg quarters for the raw or whatever you can find on sale and afford.

[McPatrickClan]

Simba (our GSD) weighs about 72 lbs. I guess my concern is overfeeding him? Is it just a trial & error process?

[Lilie]

Originally Posted by Doc

How much does your dog weigh? One option is to feed raw in the morning and kibble at night. I wouldn't give raw eggs every night - maybe once or twice a week. i would go with Chicken leg quarters for the raw or whatever you can find on sale and afford.

This is exactly what I do...(think I learned it from you, Doc!) I feed raw chicken in the morning and kibble at night. Since I started this my dog eats like there is no tomorrow. He is healthy, great fur, great poop (small quanty and always solid) and no longer picks at his kibble.

I also throw in chicken feet & necks as well as turkey necks for treats. Still very affordable.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by McPatrickClan

Simba (our GSD) weighs about 72 lbs. I guess my concern is overfeeding him? Is it just a trial & error process?

Just figure 2 - 3 % of adult body weight and divide it 2. I would see if 2 pounds of food per day would be a start. A chicken leg quarter - average size - weighs about a pound. Feed a leg quarter in the morning then maybe 2 cups of kibble at night. If you dog gains weight and you see him getting plump, then cut back on the kibble. So yes trial and error with a starting poit

[McPatrickClan]

That's great advice guys- thank you!

[McPatrickClan]

So can I basically feed him safe fruits, vegetables & raw meat as long as I watch his behavior and limit the frequency/amount?

[WVGSD]

My 95 pounds GSD (30 inches tall) eats one turkey neck or chicken leg/drumstick with each meal. He has inflammatory bowel disease and, if given just kibble of any kind, is a very picky eater. One piece of raw chicken or turkey with his kibble is all that is takes to get him eating regularly and with more gusto than previously.

I have found that, if my dogs eat broccoli, they have very pungent intestinal gas. I was told that this is due to the high sulfur content in broccoli. Just check out veggies and fruits. My dogs love carrots, green beans, apples and banannas. In the summer, I even mix in other seasonal fruits and veggies in small quanitities with their kibble just to give them some variety.