#2385243 - 08/22/08 10:06 AM
Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
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DakotaDeer
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When is the best time of day to feed a hunting dog like my new Brittany? Once a day or twice, morning or night or both?
Is "lamb & rice" dry dog food really any better for her than a corn-based product?
Is high-protein 27% any better or necessary than 21% regular?
Sorry for all the questions, but we always just had farm hunting dogs and they got whatever was leftover whenever. I want to treat this new dog a little better.
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#2385331 - 08/22/08 10:48 AM
Re: Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
[Re: DakotaDeer]
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keephuntin
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Glad to hear you are giving this new dog a little more TLC. I feed mine twice a day obvoiusly morning and evening. Lamb and Rice is typically for dogs with allergy issues. Regarding protein issues I believe it is the source of protein that is important. Try to stay away from meat byproducts and feed a food that has more real meat in it. I feed mine Blackwood and they do great on it. Most of your foods from the grocery store are junk. A hunting dog is a performance dog and should be fed accordingly. Eukanuba is another great food. If you can find Blackwood in your area try the 2000 if you are working your dog regularly, otherwise the 1000 is o.k.
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#2385688 - 08/22/08 02:22 PM
Re: Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
[Re: DakotaDeer]
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nighthawk
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Something to consider is gastric torsion where the stomach twists, sorta flips over. Here's one of about a bazillion articles you'll find if you Google "dogs gastric torsion" so I won't repeat it. Link It's a true emergency.
Bottom line, Brittanys are not particularly susceptible but it can happen. More likely with exercise on a full stomach. Prevention is feed other than one big daily meal, avoid exercise for about 2 hours after a meal, provide plenty of water, discourage rapid eating (good luck!).
My guys like the taste of lamb and rice and it may be more easily digested but they do just fine on any of the dry Purina brands (substitute your favorite QUALITY brand). They seem to appreciate an occasional change in flavor and I've never had a problem when switching between like-assay Purina feeds. They get regular stuff usually and high-protein if heavily worked, else the high protein stuff leads to "gas attacks." Feed to maintain ideal body weight, recommendations on the back of the bag are pretty close for starting out.
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#2386109 - 08/22/08 06:21 PM
Re: Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
[Re: nighthawk]
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moosemuncher
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We've been feeding Innova and due to my wife being at home, we feed 3 times a day currently. I was told to look for foods that did not have corn as one of the top 3 ingredients. I do wait at least 2 hours after he eats to try and avoid any stomach torsion issues. Good luck with your Brittany, they are great dogs.
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#2386153 - 08/22/08 06:38 PM
Re: Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
[Re: moosemuncher]
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HuntBoykins
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Nighthawk I agree with a lot of what you said but I have always been told to get a dog on a food and keep them there for life. I am told that switching between foods is disruptive to their system. I don't know how to discouage fast eating. You should see a Boykin eat, it is just ridiculous!
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#2386574 - 08/22/08 09:43 PM
Re: Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
[Re: HuntBoykins]
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toltecgriz
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Switching foods is no big deal if you do it gradually.
After the puppy stage I feed once a day unless hunting hard, then I will give a small feeding in the morning.
lamb and rice is my favorite. I don't like corn, especially if I'm riding in the car with them. 21% is usually fine. Pay attention to the fat content more, especially in the off season.
You'd be amazed what some companies put in their dog food, everything from sand to that poisonous imitation protein from China. (May they die a thousand deaths.)
_________________________
"Be sure you're right. Then go ahead." Fess Parker as Davy Crockett
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#2386630 - 08/22/08 10:43 PM
Re: Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
[Re: HuntBoykins]
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nighthawk
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I've been told that too about not switching foods - happens to me too, like genuine Mexican when I've been away from it for a while. 
I got on the Purina site and found that their standard products are similar in content assay, fat, moisture, etc. So I began blending on a food switch, eventually just switching. Even switched to a similar assay Science Diet the vet gave me (they sell it), ok but it was a bit richer and the dogs were a little loose for a few days. (Switched back slowly though, nothing more pathetic than watching a constipated dog.) Worked for me for three dogs now. Trick is I'm switching among very similar stuff.
Not plugging Purina particularly, but they have a good reputation for a wide range of animal feeds, make their own stuff, and I don't think the guys could've done better with a premium brand. But they're not worked nearly as hard as, say, game preserve dogs.
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#2386744 - 08/23/08 03:44 AM
Re: Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
[Re: nighthawk]
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battue
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Not sure about young dogs that are still maturing, but unless your hunting your dog hard be careful of a constant diet of the high protein feeds.
Dogs that are not being worked hard do not need that much protein in their diet and after awhile it can wear down the kidneys especially in older dogs.
I feed twice daily with additional supplements when dog is working harder.
Battue
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#2388024 - 08/23/08 07:05 PM
Re: Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
[Re: battue]
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BOBBALEE
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Just something to peruse, http://www.muenstermilling.com
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#2389101 - 08/24/08 11:25 AM
Re: Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
[Re: BOBBALEE]
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DakotaDeer
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So, it sounds like she should stay on 21%.
She should be fed twice a day at least, but not within 2 hours of heavy exercise.
Nobody likes to feed the dogs corn products.
Follow-up questions: How do you go hunting early in the morning for a long hunt if you can't feed the dog then exercise them? What's actually wrong with the corn products for dog's health?
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#2389206 - 08/24/08 12:30 PM
Re: Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
[Re: DakotaDeer]
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toltecgriz
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You get up early or you give food during lunch break if it's long enough. And I don't feed heavy in the morning anyway, if i do it at all.
Corn is for horses and cows.
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"Be sure you're right. Then go ahead." Fess Parker as Davy Crockett
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#2390795 - 08/25/08 08:57 AM
Re: Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
[Re: toltecgriz]
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DakotaDeer
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On the farm growing up, our dogs ate a lot of grain by their own choice. It never seemed to harm them. Am I missing something?
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#2391187 - 08/25/08 12:06 PM
Re: Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
[Re: DakotaDeer]
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toltecgriz
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Do what you want.
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"Be sure you're right. Then go ahead." Fess Parker as Davy Crockett
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#2391224 - 08/25/08 12:21 PM
Re: Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
[Re: DakotaDeer]
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nighthawk
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On the farm growing up, our dogs ate a lot of grain by their own choice. It never seemed to harm them. Am I missing something?
I don't get it either, other than individual dogs having problems digesting corn. Some people do too. Example of effective marketing?
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#2391437 - 08/25/08 01:57 PM
Re: Feeding morning, night, or both? Corn or meat dog food?
[Re: DakotaDeer]
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battue
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Corn equals carbohydrates equals sugar.
A lot of sugar is not good for people or dogs.
Carbohydrates in and of themself are not bad. However simple carbs such as corn after being digested are very similiar to raw sugar in nutritional value.
Battue
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