Expert: Delores Beck - 9/22/2010

Question
QUESTION: My cockapoo currently is fed Royal Canin Adult 25.  He eats when he is hungry, but he loves his daily 2 Romaine lettuce leaves (center ream). He also loves meat, chicken, string beans, potatoes, eggs (all given sparingly).  
Is Royal Canin as good a quality food as Life's Abundance, Innova, California Natural. Also, since he is a Cockapoo, should he eat a food for cockers or poodles instead of generic?  Thank you.

ANSWER: No, Royal Canin is most definitely not as good.


There's no harm at all in feeding extra of what you describe...as long as the meat/chicken is cooked properly (never fried - always simmered, no skin/bones).

Veggies can be given raw as treats but dogs really can't digest raw veggies whole so they should either be lightly cooked (boiled) or run through your food processor if you're adding to the diet in larger amounts.

Eggs - only scrambled - use no oil, no milk.

I don't like an all-kibble diet and would add a good canned food to the mix and do use a variety of proteins.  Merrick canned is quite good and canned food is higher in protein and far less processed.

Better still are the newer raw, dehydrated foods like Addiction, Sojo's Complete or NRG.

I'm happy to discuss this in more detail but need to know how old your pup is - activity level - health issues.


















---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for answering so quickly.  I'm not too sure about a raw diet, but of the above mentioned kibble, which would you recommend.  Also, I will consider using a combo of canned & kibble and will look for Merrick.  Thank you so much.

Answer
There's a big difference between what you know as a "raw diet" and feeding raw "dehydrated" food.  I'm more than happy to discuss that further but right now..kibble..I like Innova Evo red bites - California Natural Lamb & Rice (and the large bites are great & make the dog actually chew it) - Orijen has several good formulas too.

Mix those proteins - don't pick one and feed it forever.  So if one month you're feeding EVO red bites (red meat) as the kibble part of the diet, go for lamb, chicken, turkey etc. in the canned part.
Variety is key.

I hope this helps and don't hesitate to write again.  And go slow transitioning to a better food.  Add a little more each day.