Emergency Rations

[F, Calla & Luca]

I was walking through Petco today. The doodles and I had our first real walk in days since the heat wave broke. We always go through Petco on this particular walk to see what's new. It occurred to me that should I get stuck somewhere with the dogs and no food I don't know what I'd buy in a pinch. What recommendations are there for foods on the fly. Both for times when a big box pet store is on hand or when only a supermarket is available. I know I could probably buy some cooked chicken to save the day too. My two usually eat grain free Acana. Too much thinking I know and I never was a boy scout : )

[Pat and Traveler]

LOL   It is, isn't it?  Especially considering I'd be trying to stuff lost/abandoned animals into the cart with the kibble...  I think I was imagining a worse emergency than the one you were...    I figured 4 lbs. wouldn't work very well for your two. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I believe we would have a very tough time in this situation. Spud, smells everything before he eats it.  Never grabs food out of a hand, or  gobbles anything.  He eats slowly and savors each bite.  To watch him is to watch a gentleman at fine dinning.  He is choosey.  More choosey than a cat sometimes.  He already can go a few days and not touch his kibble. Just the way he eats.  But I bet he would start loosing weight and be mighty hungry before he would eat just any ol' thing.

[Pat and Traveler]

Joanne, sometimes when Trav is being picky about kibble, I sprinkle just a bit of parmesan cheese on top.  Then he'll usually eat at least part of the kibble.  Maybe gentleman Spud wouldn't go for this, but it might be worth a try if you're hoping he'll eat his kibble.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I'm never worried.  The vet once explained to me that animals in the wild don't eat at the same time each day.  Food is just not that plentiful and animals are made to go several days.  Humans too.   He did say the domesticated dog is not a wild animal but...  it falls among the same lines.

But in an emergency, I'll be filling my shopping cart with a can of Parmesan Cheese and going down the road with you.  Great idea! 

[Pat and Traveler]

We need a bigger cart....  :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Luca is like Spud. Calla will march up and take about anything offered although sometimes she discards it. Luca checks it out thoroughly and may take it. Also leaves his kibble till he's ready Sometimes I add a little topper to get him going but not always. Calla never has food left by the time I turn around for a topper so she eats hers for dessert.

[F, Calla & Luca]

If it's a good food and she's fine why change? Convenience is important and different things matter to all of us.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I worry every month about this as there are only two stores that carry Orijen and Acana here in Ireland and both of them are on-line stores.  I am always thinking what if I can't get it.  Every pet store carries loads of Hills and Royal Canin. : (

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My guys get half home cooked and half Honest Kitchen (so I don't have to deal with all the supplements).  I guess I would have to go 100% to the home cooking if I couldn't get the HK.  I keep thinking that I should try kibble again to see if they would have issues, but I really hate to take that chance.

[Kate C Pappas]

I feed a raw diet but keep a high quality kibble in case of an earthquake emergency, I currently have "Life's Abundance" which is available online. When the expiration date approaches, I order more and donate what I have to my local shelter. Since the commercial pet food industry has presented us with many surprises since '07, it's important to check up on the brand you use to make sure there have been no recalls. I do not buy ANYTHING from CHINA! I make most of my own treats and if buying commercial I check the source.

[Stella]

We always havea couple of large bags of kibble as back-up.  We have a 90 minute drive to the nearest place that sells Acana, so I like to always make sure we have some spare in case we can't get down to make the trip right away!!