For those that feed BLK GLD....step in

[Joeyman]

Have any of you ever had a problem with a dog keeping wieght on using this feed? Cause that's what it seems like this season. My dogs appear to be on the skinny side. Don't know if its been all the running or what but I don't remember them being this thin.

I fed it last season and they all looked good on it. I switched to yellowbag thru-out the spring summer fall and now they're on Black Bag for hunting season. I feed them just a hair over 2cups a day and one of mine gets 3cups a day cause I'm trying to put wieght on her and its not working. They are all dewormed current on all shots and I had them all checked out from the vet at the same time not to long ago and was given clean bill of health for all.

[Schag]

It seems like every time I switch feed my hounds do real well on it at first and then look poor after 10-20 bags. Years ago I fed Purina Hi-pro and swore by it. Dogs looked good, a lot of energy, more stool, nice coats. Went bad. Poor coats, couldn't keep weight on. Switched foods and had better results.

Switched to Diamond with same results after 15-20 bags. (Tried all of Diamonds premium feed.) The hi-energy (purple bag) in my opinion was the worse. The green and yellow premium was the best. Switched after the problems Diamond had.

Switched to Black gold in the black bag. I told everyone that I talked to that it was the best feed that I have fed in a long time...until recently, the dogs are starting to lose their "glow" after 15-20 bags. (Can't keep weight on 3 of my 5 dogs.)

I do not claim to be an expert, but from my experiences, it seems like you have to switch feed every once in a while to keep them looking sharp. Also every dog is a little bit different. Some can stay on feed for a long period with great results. Some do not. I have one hound in particular that I think would shine on bread and water. I currently am feeding Sportsmix and Diamond Chicken and Rice. Look good so far...

[T LEE]

I have feed the Black Gold in the Blue bag and had good results. I think the Blue is 24 /20.

I can't seem to find the Black Gold anymore around here local and have gone with a different brand ( River Run 24/20).

[rabbitsmoker]

If anyone has access to Kennel Mix dog food i would i feed that for 20 years until where i got it went out buisness it was good stuff but i cant find it anywhere dont knw if they quit making it are what its in a orange bag when i feed that i never had a problem seems like these days they dont make it like they used to i feed diamond the green bag for along time now my vet told me it wasnt good to keep switchin dog foods but i had already noticed that was part of my problem.

[mike crabtree]

I dont feed it now, but when I did I thought it was the best I had fed. I had to switch because my distributor went out of business.
It could be where it has been so cold this winter. I know we are having our coldest in years.

What kind of Dewormer have you used, and how long ago??

[Dale Pea]

I use the black bag all year round. I do cut back the amount during the hot summer months. I can find cheaper stuff but, I am happy with the Black Gold.

[Joeyman]

I dont feed it now, but when I did I thought it was the best I had fed. I had to switch because my distributor went out of business.
It could be where it has been so cold this winter. I know we are having our coldest in years.

What kind of Dewormer have you used, and how long ago??

Worm them every three months with the pills i get from chip off the board. the kind that's suppose to be the same and drontal stuff.

Once it warms up Ivomec for heartworms. I've never used it before but am going to start this spring. 1/10cc per 10lbs once a month

[mike crabtree]

I use the same wormer.
Probably just lots of running and cold nights.

[Ky. Hunter]

It could be where it has been so cold this winter. I know we are having our coldest in years

Mike I go along with you. It takes a lot more feed when it gets cold just to get them to hold their weight. I used to feed Black Gold in the black bag 24/20 with good results and I still think it is the best food that I have fed but the price got so high and now I am feeding Pride 24/20 with good results so far and it only costs me $16.00 per 50 lb bag.

[Joeyman]

What do I increase the amount too? 4cups a day. I fear all its gonna do is create more waste and not gain weight. I could be wrong.

[mike crabtree]

You said you were feeding a hair over 2 cups to all but 1. I wouldnt go up to 4 cups I would try 2.5 cups on them if they looked too thin. Ive been feeding 2.5 to 3 cups a day, according to the dog. They have all needed more for me this year, but I have had some time off too.

The other dog could have gotten Re- infested with worms since the last Deworming. If she hasnt always had a problem holding weight I would go ahead and give her a dose of worm meds.She could just always be thin. I have had those too!

[rinkydink]

If you are running your dogs very hard with little time for recovery, they will get thin no matter what you feed. I believe if you give them quality feed and keep them wormed, they will be okay. If they become sluggish, then you have concerns.

I suggest you add some burger meat as a supplement--i use deer, moose, or elk buger, depending on what I have on hand.

There used to be a poster on this site--Bunnyrunner--that knew more about dog food than anyone. She always suggested high protein, high fat dog food. She also recommended dog foods with as little grain as you can find.

I am feeding Native level 4 supplemented with Innova EVO. When I run them, they also get burger. I was feeding straight Native, but my dogs coats started looking rough so I started supplementing with EVO. I am going to go to all Innova after my Native stock is gone. Innova adult dry supplemented with EVO.

If your dog coats are shiny and slick, I wouldn't worry about them being a little thin. I have run my pack as many as 30 days in a row and they do fine, albeit they look thin.

Tom aka rinkydink

[Ky. Hunter]

The other dog could have gotten Re- infested with worms since the last Deworming. If she hasnt always had a problem holding weight I would go ahead and give her a dose of worm meds.She could just always be thin. I have had those too!

They can become re-invested with worms if you are feeding the rabbit guts to them.

[Matt Glomski]

I have feed about all the feeds out there. There is one thing I know for sure. If it is COLD out, and you are running your dogs alot YOU HAVE TO POUR THE FEED TO THEM. In my case sometimes 2, 3 and maybe 4 times what I would feed a dog in the summer months (depends on the dog). That has been my experence from lower grade feed to your top of the line feed.

[rabbitsmoker]

Thats what i do i pour the feed to them and never have a problem keepin weight on them and i run 4-6 days a week 3-6 hours a day have been since sept so keepin mine fed is very important. that was my problem in stead of the feed not feeding them enough i feed 5-6 cups a day