Skinners vs wainwrights??

Hi all,

Due to some personal circumstances I need to shave down some outgoings which has led me to the dog food bill.

I currently feed Sam wainwrights puppy salmon and he's doing really well in it. He's 10 months and weighs 20kg. He's leggy and slim but with muscules rippling so not over or inderweight.

Now we feed him twice a day on this food at 150g per serving.

Does the skinners equal up to wainwrights nutritionally? If its pap then ill have to stock to wainwrights as really don't want Sam to suffer. Or are they both very similar excerpt for price?

Thanks in advance

I'd personally keep Sam on Wainwrights if he's doing well. The first ingredient in Skinner's is "maize", which means it is the majority ingredient within the food, and maize is also a known allergen.

Ahh right! Is the working dog skinners the same? And if that one is any better would he be ok on it? I know he isn't a 'working dog' but he is very active and lean with very little fat as he gets lots of exercise and training.

Thanks for your reply

If you are talking about skinners field and trial then there is no maize.

Some people may say that its quite high in rice content but I personally think that its a really good budget buy. I use it for one of my dogs and my only advise is feed less than recommended or you may get loose stools.

Working dog foods are fine for all dogs, the working part basically means there is no VAT.

Being half the price of wainwrights then I can see why you are considering this food. I have known many dogs to do well on this food. You could contact skinners, they may even send you some free samples to see if your dog will eat it and does not upset the toilet department.

Thanks for that. Depending on the skinners I go for and if I do, would to add salmon oil, rapeseed oil or eggs to the diet at all?

I will contact them and ask for a cheeky sample.

Cheers

Just be aware that working dog foods usually contain more energy which will then turn to fat or hyperactivity. It is designed for dogs who do a shedload of work, as the name suggests.

You can add an egg once or twice a week if you like, but i wouldn't add too many oils as again it will add excess fat.

If you do change, be sure to do it gradually over a week or two, not just whenever you run out of wainwrights. I would only buy a small bag to start as your dog may not take to it at all and be better back ont he wainwrights.

Hi Hayley,

I thought that initially that it might make him hyperactive. I'm stuck really. I really like wainwrights. He's in top shape. Solid stools and not much wind. He wolfs it down too. It's just costing quite a bit. Can you recommend any foods that are more or less on par or better? for cheaper please? I buy 15kg for £40 which isn't too bad considering other foods.

If he has to stay on the wainwrights then so be it, I don't want his health to suffer in any way really.

Just been looking at which dog food. Skinners lamb comes out better than wainwrights?

Have you considered feeding James Wellbeloved this is a good food which is reasonably prices and is very often on offer at Pets At Home.

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/gifts/brands/james-wellbeloved-cat-dog-food/james-wellbeloved-dog-food-and-treats/

JWB is mroe expensive than wainwrights mostly. Skinners price difference is minimal so i wouldn't change to save a £5. Have you ever considered a raw diet? It can work out extremely cheaper in the long run.

TBH if he is doing well on the wainwrights then I would look for cost savings elsewhere , if you can save 5 or 10 pounds a month , that only equates to £1.25-£2.50 a week , would it really make that much difference , I have the luxury of not having to make a budget and do feel for you but the health and welfare is so importance over and above very little gains. This probably equates to not having 1 or 2 takeaways , not having 1 or 2 beers , turning a couple of lights on a night.

Thanks guys.

To be honest Dave your completely right. When I look at it like that its pretty pathetic to change his food now especially whilst he is so happy on it.

I'm not hard up or anything just working out what stuff costs per year and trying to shave some off to extend the house. I was thinking of cutting virgin bill down too that's £70 a month!!!

Thanks all. Minds made up he's staying in the wainwrights.

Cheers

Right guys I spoke to someone at skinners and they sent me a sample of the Duck and rice that is pretty much the same as the wainwrights. I gave him the full sachet and he more or less done a normal stool.

I have since bought a 2.5kg bag to mix with the last 3kg or so of his wainwrights. He is doing well so far on it with a little softer than usual stools, not much wind if not less than on WW. Plus I can get offline for about £22 a sack nearly half price of the WW. Hes full of energy and coat seems shinier. (might just be me)

All in really happy about a nervous move over to a different food.

Diplomat wrote:Right guys I spoke to someone at skinners and they sent me a sample of the Duck and rice that is pretty much the same as the wainwrights. I gave him the full sachet and he more or less done a normal stool.

I have since bought a 2.5kg bag to mix with the last 3kg or so of his wainwrights. He is doing well so far on it with a little softer than usual stools, not much wind if not less than on WW. Plus I can get offline for about £22 a sack nearly half price of the WW. Hes full of energy and coat seems shinier. (might just be me)

All in really happy about a nervous move over to a different food.

Interesting Might look into it a bit so please keep us informed how you get along with it , no plans to change at the moment but if boredom strikes its always another option . At the moment I don't think Wainwrights is particularly expensive so sticking with it

Just a quick update for those interested.

Samson has been on skinners for a good few weeks now and so far we have had no adverse effects.

The stools are softer but not wet or runny. Surprisingly I have found virtually no wind from this food compared to lots via wainwrights.
Sams coat is looking very glossy although this could be attributed to by the sunflower oil coating in the food and/or the omega 3 caps I give him daily. Plus he gets a raw egg a couple of times a week so hard to say weather this is down to the food.
Energy wise he has the same amount of energy and hasn't had excess energy that has translated into bad behaviour.

All in all really happy with the food. I paid £25 with express delivery for 15kg sack, but can be found cheaper if you don't mind waiting longer. Recently found out a local shop does it for £25 so will support the shop next time. This costs nearly half that of wainwrights which was also a really great food.

Cheers all

Aww that's great news, so happy for you he's doin well

Darcy-may wrote:Aww that's great news, so happy for you he's doin well

Thank you.

I would also say that he is putting on size well.
He is slim and leggy but starting to fill out. May just be his age though as he is approaching 12 month old.

Cheers

Yeah could be his age, they usually start to fill out a bit between age 1/2. Great you've found something that pleases your pocket & your pooch.