Is kibble a must?

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Quincy is a master at eating only the add-ins and leaving the kibble.  We throw out more kibble than he eats.  We mix in Natural Balance meats or Blue canned food or fish but he picks through and invariably leaves the kibble.  We feed him Blue Life Protection kibble.  When we walk him, we use that to enforce loose leash walking, and he will eat almost a cup full (one at a time) during the walk, no problem.  Just does not like it from the bowl, even if we moisten it.  Can we loose the kibble altogether?  he is 10 1/2 months and 48lb ALD.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No dog ever has to eat kibble. You can feed canned, dehydrated or freeze dried raw, or a homemade diet. You just have to be sure that the diet includes all the necessary macronutrients in appropriate proportions, vitamins, minerals, and the appropriate amount of calories for your dog's age, weight, and activity level. Most (but not all) commercial foods do this, including the N.B. rolls and the Blue canned food. If you are using a home-made diet, you need to add some supplements and calculate calories. 

So if you want to feed Quincy the N.B. rolls and the Blue canned food, with your own fish added, you're fine, as long as he's getting enough calories.

[BG and Gavin]

I would think feeding canned exclusively would be expensive.  But if you go that route, I would get advice on something crunchy for the dog to chew in order to keep his teeth in good shape.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Believe it or not, kibble doesn't do a thing to help keep a dog's teeth clean or healthy. It's like if you or I ate Doritos or Rye crisp, lol. It used to be believed that crunchy or hard foods were better for their teeth than soft foods, but that's been disproven. And many dogs don't even chew the kibble. So you need to brush the teeth or use dental chews or sprays anyway. 

[BG and Gavin]

Well I learn something new every day on this forum and that's why I love it!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Thanks Karen, and Quincy sends a big thanks, too.  We will feed the Blue canned and use the NB rolls.  We give him salmon as we eat that frequently as a supplement.  He chews bully sticks all the time.  Teeth brushing is a challenge!  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Some members have had good luck with Petzlife oral care spray. Zuke's Z-bones dental chews might be a good option, too.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I use PetzLife gel. I am trying to use it daily now since Calla really needs it. The company said daily use is fine when I wrote to them. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I was hoping you would comment, F. I knew you used Petzlife, but I wasn't sure which of their products you used. 

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

canned is more expensive except that we throw out so much kibble, in the end it is probably more cost effective.  

[Anne G.]

When Murphy leaves a significant amount of kibble I put it in a container and give it to her at her next meal. She doesn't mind the leftovers. She's like me that way. I like leftovers too, lol.

[Anne G.]

Before giving up on kibble completely you could try another brand from the recommended list in the Food Group. My 2 year old dog used to be very fussy but has gotten less so as she's gotten older.