There are many benefits to buying a premium dog food. If you spend a little extra on dog food, you can feed your dog less, and they will have smaller and fewer bowel movements. Avoid too many fillers, and go with food made in the U.S.A. Unfortunately, the news has shed light on dog food and treats made in in other countries that have caused major health issues for pets.
Thanks to Winnie's Foster mommy, we had a heads up about a great pet food store located very close to our home.
Mike's Natural Pet Food Store
You may have to research a good natural pet store in your area, but it's worth the effort. Grocery stores and large pet food chains are very limited in quality food. Some pet stores do have organic and natural foods, so do a little research before you go. NutriSource has a rewards program that will give you a free bag of food after buying a certain number of bags. At Mike's, I believe you get a free bag after buying ten bags. You do need to ask the store manager about these programs to make sure they are participating. When buying a premium food, it's a good idea to save money when you can.
We were gifted half a bag of NutriSource Super Premium Pet Food, Large Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Formula. The key is to look for a food that has roughly 5% fiber, 10-15% fat, 22% to 27% Protein.
It's important when switching your dog's food to mix it with a brand that it's used to at first. This can cause potty problems if a change is made too soon. We decided to stick with the brand Winnie's foster mom had been feeding her, and she hasn't had any digestion issues.
Adding Meds & Supplements
Winnie's foster mom also gave us a can of wet dog food to mix with Winnie's pain medicine she took after her spay. I wasn't sure what kind of canned food she used, but we bought Newman's Own, Chicken and Brown Rice.
Dry Skin Treatments
Winnie is still getting acclimated to Colorado's dry climate, and she has a lot of dandruff. I've been adding fish oil to her food once a day to help her dry skin issues. After two weeks it has really made a difference. I have been sharing my own Fish Oil Supplement Capsules with her. I just pierce the capsule, and mix it with a table spoon of wet food, before mixing it with her dry food. Dry food is better for her teeth, so we only add a little wet food to her meal.
Healthy Treats
We trust Newman's Own for dog treats. They are a little crumbly, but we're not worried about the massive treat recalls being made right now when we give Winnie her Turkey and Sweet Potato reward.
Food Storage
We purchased The Vittles Vault Prime Pet Food Container. It holds 40+ lbs of dog food. It comes with a little scoop to measure 1 1/2 cups of food at a time. Once you own a dog, it becomes a greater challenge to keep your place clean. This is a must have to keep dog food smell to a minimum, and it makes feeding time tidy. We can empty the food directly from the bag to this container, clip the proof of purchase from the bag, and then dispose of the stinky, bulky bag.
Meal Routines
Greyhounds love and depend on routines. If planning a walk or hike, it is important to schedule strenuous walks an hour before or after meal times. Greyhounds are susceptible to Bloat, the second leading killer in dogs!
Winnie's Daily Schedule
(Even on the Weekend)
Wake Up Time: 6 am
Breakfast: 6:30 am
Dinner: 5:30 pm
Bedtime: 10:30 pm
We have given up sleeping in on the weekends for our new little furry dependent. We are actually enjoying how great it feels to have an early morning. Goodbye weekends that fly by. Waking up early really helps your day feel longer. We need routines just as much as our furry friends.
Hope this helps give a realistic idea of a greyhounds meal routine.
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