Large Dog Breed Owners, Can You Help a Girl Out?

[Pigeon]

I've got a 160 lb American Mastiff. He eats about 6 cups of dry food per day, Science Diet large breed lamb and rice. Honestly, the food is a minor expense compaired to the routine vet bills, training, crates, etc. for a healthy dog. Before Gromit, we had a 70 lb Dalmatian, and I don't see any big difference expense-wise between the two.

Also, you can shop around for the food. Some of the warehouse clubs carry pretty good brands for a whole lot cheaper than the grocery store or Petsmart.

 

[LK03]

I'm currently feeding my pup Innova right now till he's one when I will switch him over to Innova EVO. Premium dog food's you would buy at a feed store have much better ingredients that you do not need to feed your dog as much as the grocery store brands. I was paying roughly the same price for Nutro as Innova but now the Innova lasts longer and his poops are smaller (who doesn't like smaller poo piles, really)

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Out of curiosity, how does everyone determine how much food they give their dog? I feed mine according to the weight guidelines, but I see others who have dogs about mines size who feed less on the same food

I base it on their weight, look, and activity level. I also keep in mind the protein %age. Right now we are at a 23% protein with the Natural Balance for my dogs.
It is still a bit too much I think, for them. They "go" twice a day.

I am still considering a BRAVO raw food diet for them. Butters has allergies and I think he would benefit from a different diet.

I haven't taken the plunge however..we will see.

 

[NikiM20]

That is one big dog! Out of curiosity, what kind is it?

Thanks for all of the input. It is helping a ton. Decisions. Decisions.

He is a Great Dane that I adopted. When I got him he weighed 110 lbs...the vet wants him up to 150 So we feed him the amount for the weight he needs to be. I cant really tell you how quickly we use dogfood for him because we have 7 dogs so we go through a 50 lb bag a week
Anyway heres a pic of Ozzy with my 7 yr old