How to convince the hubby

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

Thanks again for all the help. I totally love it here.

[Theresa]

Just don't tell your husband

[Bugsys Mom]

Just don't tell your husband

I agree.  Or, lie about the price by half.  That's what I do. 

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

Since he is the one in charge of the $ that wont work.

I just spoke to him about it and he isnt thrilled just said that he dont see how we can afford it

[dogs4jen]

If you feed a better dog food, you will probably pay less in vet bills, and have healthier dogs-maybe that would help convince your hubby?

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

I did talk to him about diet and overall health of the Boxer since it is more prone to certain issues and a diet is important to her health.

I need to visit the tractor supply close to the pet store and check prices there on the good kibble. I did get a free discount card from the pet store to so that will help some.

[BoxerWB]

Here's a "for instance"...

The average dog on this forum eating a high quality food eats 2 cups per day (some more, occasionally less). The average dog I know of on "bad" quality food eats 4 cups (or more!) per day. A dog who would need 4 cups of good stuff would likely eat 8 cups of crap food (yikes!).

So you can feed your dog 2 cups of good stuff or 4 cups of crap - and suppose 1 cup = 1/4 pound (this is about right for California Natural, I weighed out Dash's dinner).  So you'd feed 1/2lb a day of good stuff or 1lb a day of crap.

Good Stuff:
A 30lb bag would last 60 days, and at $40, it would cost about $0.67 a day.

Bad Stuff:
A 50lb bag would last 50 days, and at $20, it would cost about $0.40 a day.

Food from Walmart is about the worst crap you could feed your dog, IMO. It's mostly factory leftovers and by-products. You'd get more poop, most likely more gas, body odor, eye boogers, shedding, and health problems.

Is about $0.27/day worth it for a healthy dog who doesn't smell up your house and make it furry? A dog who is less likely to cost you money at the vet for allergies, hot spots, etc, etc, etc? That's under $100 a year, an amount that could easily be reached by one vet visit.

[boxer pal]

If you have a Tractor Supply store, then you might also have independent farm feed stores.  I have one that carries Taste of The Wild.  It is made by Diamond Foods in south Missouri and a LOT of farm feed stores carry it.  If they don't and there is one near you, ask them to start stocking it!  I have to tell my guy to order me the 30lb. bags because he doesn't stock them but he's happy to do it!

[BoxerWB]

Oh yeah, the store locators on a lot of good food's websites is a great tool. People who think they have nothing near them often find several stores within a short drive. Even people who think they live in the Boonies!

[BoxerPerson]

I spent $40 for 40# and fed 4 (ok 3 boxers and a westie)  Now that Goofy eats only meat & veggies, I went back to home cooking for all of them.  I now spend $20 or more a week on Goofy alone!  Does it bother me...no way.  OH used to be the same way...why you feeding this and what do you mean you are feeding them this ground chuck (or whatever).  Now he is completely on-board.  He wouldn't let me fed them anything less!

[blynn03]

She *could* end up with allergies, but a lot of dogs eat food with grain in it with no issues.  That's just something you'll figure out with time - Bella didn't start presenting any allergy symptoms until she was nearly a year old.

Thats what I meant, guess I didn't phrase it right. My bad.

I know you didn't mean it that way....I just didn't want her to think her dog would DEFINITELY have allergies if she fed grain in case you didn't come back to this thread.

[BoxerIsisDreamComeTrue]

If you have a Tractor Supply store, then you might also have independent farm feed stores.  I have one that carries Taste of The Wild.  It is made by Diamond Foods in south Missouri and a LOT of farm feed stores carry it.  If they don't and there is one near you, ask them to start stocking it!  I have to tell my guy to order me the 30lb. bags because he doesn't stock them but he's happy to do it!

I am seeing some diamond brands at tractor supply site but not by the name Taste of the Wild.

[boxer pal]

If the store is carrying some Diamond Brands ask them if they would carry Taste of the Wild for you!  Then get a few friends to start buying it and spread the word!  My feed store guy said he's selling a lot more of it now that I've been telling everyone.  They sell the cat food too and he said it's selling really well now.

[boxer pal]

I forgot to mention, if you buy dog food a most 'feed stores', they won't charge you sales tax.  Well, at least here in Missouri.  I guess that's a federal thing isn't it?  No sales tax on livestock feed? 

[Got Boxer]

Food from Walmart is about the worst crap you could feed your dog, IMO. It's mostly factory leftovers and by-products. You'd get more poop, most likely more gas, body odor, eye boogers, shedding, and health problems.

Is about $0.27/day worth it for a healthy dog who doesn't smell up your house and make it furry? A dog who is less likely to cost you money at the vet for allergies, hot spots, etc, etc, etc? That's under $100 a year, an amount that could easily be reached by one vet visit.

I agree that feeding a high quality food is the best. My boyfriend's parents feed their 4 dogs (2 bloodhounds, a basset hound, and a lab) Ol Roy. All 4 of them just smell terrible from odor and gas. The one has chronic ear infections (she is a bloodhound but still). The shedding is horrible. They are all EXTREMELY over weight (but that could also be lack of proper exercise. The dogs just run in the fenced in backyard.)And they have had 2 die from cancer in the past couple of years and their current basset hound had a cancerous lump removed from her nipple. Im not completely saying that the food caused the cancer but the one was only 5 yrs old. Its really pays to feed a high quality food.
I basically told my boyfriend that we were feeding a good food and that I would never feed my dog any crap from Wal-mart. My food would suffer before I switched Remi to a low grade food.However, I do buy the food most of the time.