[Missy]

Which is best for our beagles?

I am usually for dry dog food however there are times when I'm tempted to buy canned dog food.

There are also dog owners who add water to dry kibbles to moisten and soften the food.

Any enlightening inputs here?

Thanks

 

[Aarooogh!]

I don't know how enlightened this is, but in my opinion dry is best, and it doesn't need to be moistened (unless there's a specific medical reason for it). Dogs' teeth build up plaque and tartar, and this eventually leads to gum disease and tooth lose if not cleaned. Dry dog food and regularly chewing on more challenging things, like toys and, um, shoes, helps keep their teeth (and their breath) clean.

I think people sometimes tend to project their own preferences onto their dogs. Humans might not enjoy a steady diet of dry, crunchy food pellets, but dogs are just fine with it. It always amuses me to go to the store and see rows of canned dog food with flavors that are meant to appeal to humans instead of dogs. After seeing what dogs eat by choice, I'm pretty sure their taste's don't exactly match up to our own. I mean, beagles are notorious for eating their own poop when they're young.

 

[BadgersMom]

I mix a little wet food in his dry food, usually 1 can lasts me 3 nights because I don't give him a whole lot. I just started him on the canned food about 2 months ago as a recommodation from our trainer because he wasn't eating a whole in the day time. He loves it!

 

[Joanna]

I don't really think dry or wet matters, what matters more is the quality of the food which you are feeding them. I feed our 2 Arden Grange, purely because of it's nutrional value. But I also feed them left-overs I know I shouldn't becuase they get everything they could possibly need from their said food but what harm can a few fresh veggies & roast meat do lol!?!

 

[CharliesPapa]

I've given Charlie wet food, mixed it in...the end result was a mess...when it came time to potty. Tried it again with dry food & rice...mess again...tried it again...same thing...so for my Beagle, it didnt work well...I feed him Blue Buffalo dry food and he's addicted...he use to eat Professional brand and when I had some left over, he wouldn't even sniff it.

 

[sr41056]

I feed mine a raw diet. Check it out here:

http://www.freebeagletraining.com/go/deliciousdogdiet/

They are thriving on it and are the most healthy dogs you've ever seen. I wish I would have discovered this method of feeding about 30 years ago.

 

[_kayla]

We feed our dog puppy chow (dry) mixed with 1 tbsp of wet dog food. She used to be fine eating just dry food, but she ate some of a friend's dog's food when we visited recently and since then she won't eat her food without something else in it.

 

[Greta]

I agree with Aarooogh! regarding dry food. I use Hills dental dog food as treats--large kibble. I used to use Natural Balance, but I now have 3 Beagles and am on a fixed income. I checked Kirkland's Chicken and Rice (Costo's brand at $23. for 40#'s) and it is ranked almost as high as Natural Balance on The Puppy Place. It is ranked 4 star on other sites. Our oldest Beagle used to have loose stool on Natural Balance, but has firmed up on the Kirkland Chicken.

 

[BadgersMom]

I took Badger off the wet food because he was gaining to much weight, and really the vet said he didn't need it...

 

[DAWNDY]

yuppers raw is the only way to go! its hw their digestive systems are set up when they were made...to eat MEAT and raw meaty bones (never ever cooked they splinter) My sophie Girls gets k9natural raw some of natures variety raw (she no longer sheds and coat mega thick and silky) and raw chicken back raw necks raw beef ribs raw beef marrow bones and lamb bonesQ! nothing is more satisfying then seeing your dog eat the way they were intended :O)
people have amyth that dry food is good for their teeth but during extensive research that is completely false. its like saying crunchy pretzels are good for our teeth! theres is tons of starch and carbs in dry food which converts into sugar which rots their teeth. and its super processed food if anything canned is better over dry because doesnt have the starch unless loaded with potatoes or pasta and a lot less carbs! dogs systems are not meant to digest grains at all. they get soft stools bellly aches and a lot of gas. when fed raw thei stool are hard firm and small and no smell because no junk in it. the more poop thats comes out means tons of yak put in the less is better means all nutrients are going into their systems.
theres plenty of complete frozen raw food thats all balanced. ive used them all and k9 natural (sold at bestbullysticks.com) and natures variety is the best. trust me ive spent 2 yrs doing EXTENSIVE research......
Raw is by far the best for your precious companians :O)

 

[sr41056]

I agree totally with what DAWNDY said. The benefits of kibble are myths perpetuated by guess who? The people that manufacture them. They are loaded with ingredients that you would never want your dog to eat and would never add yourself. Wild dogs don't go on the hunt for kibble, the go on the hunt for good raw meat. If you feed your dog a raw diet he will thrive and live a much longer life.

If interested, here's a book on the subject:
http://www.freebeagletraining.com/go/deliciousdogdiet/

 

[lukehogg]

I think this is the thought about the food for the dogs which is good for them or it is unhealthy too.I think for the dog the dried food is healthy because in the dried food they would like to eat and as well as it is easy to digest too.