Just a few questions: (: - YorkieTalk.com Forums

iamamandaneal · 12-18-2013, 03:57 PM

It's been awhile since I have posted, but I had a few questions and where else would I ask and get great feedback? I love this site!
I have had Paisley and Pilot for almost a year. They are 3 and 4! They were on Iams or something like that but when I got them I switched them to Blue Buffalo but then I wanted to try out this Halo brand that the guy at Petco praised on. There was no problem with the switch. They are currently still on Halo, but last night at Petco I bought Blue Buffalo again.

My question(s):
1. I know these are good foods, but is one better than the other? I'm leaning towards Blue but maybe that is because Halo is so new and I don't hear much on it.
2. If, which I'm sure I will, stick with Blue, is it horrible to try the other flavors of Blue? I've only used the chicken and rice but they have lamb and yada yada yada.

Paisley and Pilot were free fed(same dish) at their previous owners, mainly because they worked and went to school and weren't there much, which is why they rehomed them to me, a stay at home mom. I use the same bowl for them. One is water, the other is food. I've been giving them 1/2 cup in the morning(between 7-8am) and 1/2 cup in the evening(between 4-5pm). My husband took them to the vet yesterday just for a check up to see if they look good and such. Paisley is 4.0 pounds and Pilot is 5.0 pounds.

My questions:
1. Should I feed them separately to make sure I know which one is eating what? Should Paisley get less than Pilot with that 1 pound weight difference? Paisney is NOT active AT ALL. The is my little lap girl. Pilot cannot be active enough. He is ready to play fetch or tug-a-toy any time.

2. Am I over feeding them????? The reason I ask is because at their most recent vet check up before I got them Paisley was 3.9pounds and had a very full coat and Pilot was 4.3 pounds according to the vet paper I received with them.

Lastly, I HATE crating them at night but anytime I leave them out I almost always find a poo pile somehwere. Is this normal? They like to sleep with my kids and my husband and I. They go back and forth through out the night. Haha!!

Here are my two cuties!! We LOVE them!!

Charlies Mamma · 12-18-2013, 07:22 PM

They are adorable!!!

I can suggest only a couple things.

I think it would be best to choose one food and not keep switching them. I have not heard of Halo but my son feeds his furbaby Blue buffalo and he does really well on it. (My Charlie has to eat a special diet)

Charlie is as you called it "free fed" I leave his bowl out all the time and there is always food in it for him however Charlie is trained to go potty outside and I always let him out at 10pm and he is good then until 6am. If you dont want to crate your babies at night because of possible poo

you might try pulling the food up at 7 or 8 at night and let them out at 10pm then they wouldn't be able to eat late and then have to poo.

Their weight doesnt seem to me to be an issue and if the vet hasn't shown any concern I think you must be doing fine.

Other members will have more/better information on types of food but choosing one is going to be the best

gemy · 12-19-2013, 05:09 AM

If the vet did not mention and over/under weight issues, at this point in time you might not have any.

I am not a fan of free feeding, as I do want to know what and how much each dog eats. I would transition them to eat from their own bowls. You can feed them in their crates, or in separate areas of the kitchen. The activity level differences would seem to indicate that over time if each dog is eating the same amount, a weight gain for the more inactive dog is likely. Also if you have not spayed/neutered yet, this can have repercussions on weight. It is not uncommon for dogs to experience weight gain after de-sexing.

As far as food goes there are lots of threads in the Yorkie Health and Diet forum for you to peruse.

JasmineNoelle · 12-19-2013, 06:16 AM

I feed my three girls Blue Basics and we have always free fed without any problems.

Deb1 · 12-19-2013, 07:57 AM

I used to feed BB but they were having so many skin issues, so I did a gradual switch to Nutrisca Lamb grain/potato/gluten free kibble. I have to order it online, which is a big pain, but they are doing awesome on this food.

I don't free feed, but spread it out. I give each a bowl 3 x's a day. Mine are on the small side and I just like to make sure their sugar levels don't drop. They now "tell" me when it is time to eat! I swear they can tell time. I would separate their food, so one isn't eating more than her share.

I think BB is a decent food and can be bought locally at most pet stores. I really don't know anything about Halo brand food.

At night our pups sleep with us and we keep the door closed to our room. Too much freedom might be the problem at night. Ours stay in bed all night and don't get down.

Your babies are just so adorable!

iamamandaneal · 12-19-2013, 08:08 AM

I do not go back and forth on their food, I've tried two kinds of food and both are good quality foods. Just trying to figure out if one is better than the other. Leaning towards Blue.

Both my pups are neutered/spayed so that won't be an issue.

JuliannaB · 12-19-2013, 08:30 AM

I switched my 2 yo., and weighing 7lbs, Bailey to BB 2 months ago and so far he seems to be doing fine

His food is there all day, so that he can eat when he likes. Having said that, should he appear to be gaining more weight than he should, I would feed 3x a day. His poops have been good on BB, which I check each and every time he goes. We find at dinner time, Bailey waits until we are eating, then he has his dinner too. Silly boy

Recently, Bailey has been sleeping with me and, as yet, hasn't had any accidents. Having said that, I do let him out before his bedtime at 8pm. I get up sometime between 6:30-8am and he does his business o/s then. I do keep my bedroom door closed at night, so that this eliminates his possible wandering and getting into something he shouldn't. As well, I let my 14yo cat out after Bailey goes to bed, so that she has time with us and she has the lower floor during the night. She has the upper floor while Bailey is awake since they don't really like each other, so we need to keep them apart.
BTW how cute your two are!!

knw318 · 12-19-2013, 04:32 PM

Taste of the Wild is a really good food as well! That's what I'm about to start Elvis on starting this weekend.

sandy simpson · 12-19-2013, 04:53 PM

I feed Wellness Super 5Complete Health. I measure out each dogs food in the am into two bowls and they get that. I can tell if Spud is eating too much. He would overeat if I free fed. I put a little wet chicken wellness in their dry food. They like this food and eat it. I have had no soft stool like I had on bb. This is works for them and it is a very healthy food. I checked it out.

TillysMa · 12-20-2013, 08:06 AM

Hi, after trying different foods for Tilly, this was the one that she did well on and had good poop. went to get a new bag and they have discontinued making it. Tried the turkey and oatmeal and it was a disaster. then tried the new toy breed formula they came out with and she loves it. I mix with a little of their chicken sweet potatoes wet. poop is good.

12-18-2013, 03:57 PM	#1
iamamandaneal Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 19	Just a few questions: (: It's been awhile since I have posted, but I had a few questions and where else would I ask and get great feedback? I love this site! I have had Paisley and Pilot for almost a year. They are 3 and 4! They were on Iams or something like that but when I got them I switched them to Blue Buffalo but then I wanted to try out this Halo brand that the guy at Petco praised on. There was no problem with the switch. They are currently still on Halo, but last night at Petco I bought Blue Buffalo again. My question(s): 1. I know these are good foods, but is one better than the other? I'm leaning towards Blue but maybe that is because Halo is so new and I don't hear much on it. 2. If, which I'm sure I will, stick with Blue, is it horrible to try the other flavors of Blue? I've only used the chicken and rice but they have lamb and yada yada yada. Paisley and Pilot were free fed(same dish) at their previous owners, mainly because they worked and went to school and weren't there much, which is why they rehomed them to me, a stay at home mom. I use the same bowl for them. One is water, the other is food. I've been giving them 1/2 cup in the morning(between 7-8am) and 1/2 cup in the evening(between 4-5pm). My husband took them to the vet yesterday just for a check up to see if they look good and such. Paisley is 4.0 pounds and Pilot is 5.0 pounds. My questions: 1. Should I feed them separately to make sure I know which one is eating what? Should Paisley get less than Pilot with that 1 pound weight difference? Paisney is NOT active AT ALL. The is my little lap girl. Pilot cannot be active enough. He is ready to play fetch or tug-a-toy any time. 2. Am I over feeding them????? The reason I ask is because at their most recent vet check up before I got them Paisley was 3.9pounds and had a very full coat and Pilot was 4.3 pounds according to the vet paper I received with them. Lastly, I HATE crating them at night but anytime I leave them out I almost always find a poo pile somehwere. Is this normal? They like to sleep with my kids and my husband and I. They go back and forth through out the night. Haha!! Here are my two cuties!! We LOVE them!!

12-18-2013, 07:22 PM	#2
Charlies Mamma Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: With CharlieBrown of course! Posts: 1,404	They are adorable!!! I can suggest only a couple things. I think it would be best to choose one food and not keep switching them. I have not heard of Halo but my son feeds his furbaby Blue buffalo and he does really well on it. (My Charlie has to eat a special diet) Charlie is as you called it "free fed" I leave his bowl out all the time and there is always food in it for him however Charlie is trained to go potty outside and I always let him out at 10pm and he is good then until 6am. If you dont want to crate your babies at night because of possible poo you might try pulling the food up at 7 or 8 at night and let them out at 10pm then they wouldn't be able to eat late and then have to poo. Their weight doesnt seem to me to be an issue and if the vet hasn't shown any concern I think you must be doing fine. Other members will have more/better information on types of food but choosing one is going to be the best __________________ Mom to Bug and Charlie-R.I.P my sweet Charlie 2021

12-19-2013, 05:09 AM	#3
gemy YT 2000 Club Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Huntsville,Ont,Canaada Posts: 12,340 Blog Entries: 2	If the vet did not mention and over/under weight issues, at this point in time you might not have any. I am not a fan of free feeding, as I do want to know what and how much each dog eats. I would transition them to eat from their own bowls. You can feed them in their crates, or in separate areas of the kitchen. The activity level differences would seem to indicate that over time if each dog is eating the same amount, a weight gain for the more inactive dog is likely. Also if you have not spayed/neutered yet, this can have repercussions on weight. It is not uncommon for dogs to experience weight gain after de-sexing. As far as food goes there are lots of threads in the Yorkie Health and Diet forum for you to peruse. __________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018

12-19-2013, 06:16 AM	#4
JasmineNoelle YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 2,774 Blog Entries: 1	I feed my three girls Blue Basics and we have always free fed without any problems. __________________ Jasmine's, Prissy's and Maggie Mae's Mommy

12-19-2013, 07:57 AM	#5
Deb1 YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,983 Blog Entries: 3	I used to feed BB but they were having so many skin issues, so I did a gradual switch to Nutrisca Lamb grain/potato/gluten free kibble. I have to order it online, which is a big pain, but they are doing awesome on this food. I don't free feed, but spread it out. I give each a bowl 3 x's a day. Mine are on the small side and I just like to make sure their sugar levels don't drop. They now "tell" me when it is time to eat! I swear they can tell time. I would separate their food, so one isn't eating more than her share. I think BB is a decent food and can be bought locally at most pet stores. I really don't know anything about Halo brand food. At night our pups sleep with us and we keep the door closed to our room. Too much freedom might be the problem at night. Ours stay in bed all night and don't get down. Your babies are just so adorable! __________________ Proud Mommy to Max, Teeka, Tatiana and forever in my heart Tameka! My sunshine doesn't come from the skies, it comes from my puppies eyes!

12-19-2013, 08:08 AM	#6
iamamandaneal Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 19	I do not go back and forth on their food, I've tried two kinds of food and both are good quality foods. Just trying to figure out if one is better than the other. Leaning towards Blue. Both my pups are neutered/spayed so that won't be an issue.

12-19-2013, 08:30 AM	#7
JuliannaB YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: canada Posts: 782	I switched my 2 yo., and weighing 7lbs, Bailey to BB 2 months ago and so far he seems to be doing fine His food is there all day, so that he can eat when he likes. Having said that, should he appear to be gaining more weight than he should, I would feed 3x a day. His poops have been good on BB, which I check each and every time he goes. We find at dinner time, Bailey waits until we are eating, then he has his dinner too. Silly boy Recently, Bailey has been sleeping with me and, as yet, hasn't had any accidents. Having said that, I do let him out before his bedtime at 8pm. I get up sometime between 6:30-8am and he does his business o/s then. I do keep my bedroom door closed at night, so that this eliminates his possible wandering and getting into something he shouldn't. As well, I let my 14yo cat out after Bailey goes to bed, so that she has time with us and she has the lower floor during the night. She has the upper floor while Bailey is awake since they don't really like each other, so we need to keep them apart. BTW how cute your two are!!

12-19-2013, 04:32 PM	#8
knw318 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Knoxville, TN, USA Posts: 15	Taste of the Wild is a really good food as well! That's what I'm about to start Elvis on starting this weekend. __________________ Elvis the Yorkie

12-19-2013, 04:53 PM	#9
sandy simpson YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: santee, california Posts: 2,123 Blog Entries: 1	dog I feed Wellness Super 5Complete Health. I measure out each dogs food in the am into two bowls and they get that. I can tell if Spud is eating too much. He would overeat if I free fed. I put a little wet chicken wellness in their dry food. They like this food and eat it. I have had no soft stool like I had on bb. This is works for them and it is a very healthy food. I checked it out.

12-20-2013, 08:06 AM	#10
TillysMa Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Dale, TX USA Posts: 24	wellness 5 mix Hi, after trying different foods for Tilly, this was the one that she did well on and had good poop. went to get a new bag and they have discontinued making it. Tried the turkey and oatmeal and it was a disaster. then tried the new toy breed formula they came out with and she loves it. I mix with a little of their chicken sweet potatoes wet. poop is good.