Feeders??
Does anyone else on here use self feeders for their bassets? If so, do you have trouble with obesity? I have two females that are a little bigger then they should be. I am trying to decide whether to go back to using a bowl to regulate the amount of food or go to a low fat dog food. Right now I am using Black Gold 24/12. Thank you

you may try a lower percentage food, i use aoto feeders with my coonhounds, and feed 21/8 food in the off season, then switch back to 26/18 when running hard. seems to work good for them, our bassets are inside so they are bowl fed, so I cant provide an exact comparison

Feeding dogs
This is an individual problem with each dog. Some dogs have the desire to eat everything in front of them and some eat a little at a time to make the food last all day. Part of the problem can be "competitive eating". If you have 2 or more dogs in the same pen the dogs will often eat everything and eat it fast so the other dog/s don't get it. Right now I have a young female who I have to feed separately. She is kenneled with a male who she dominates. She eats fast, consumes what is in her bowl, and then eats what is in his bowl - and gets away with it. Over the years I have come to the conclusion that each hound has it's own eating style. I'm sure there are a lot of opinions on this subject but I go by the rule: if the ribs show too much give them more, if you can't see the ribs feed them less. When you follow the suggestions given on the dog food bag you have to realiza that the dog food companies are in the business of selling dog food.

Not to be a crazy, but corn makes dogs fat and doesn't supply vital nutrients Samantha

Sam, and i dont think you are crazy, but you sure lost me on that one as far as a reason behind your comment. you are correct about corn, just wondering where you are going with your statement

I think it means that switching to a dog food witn less corn will help control weight. Weight gain depends on the dog -- after Elmer went blind, I figured he would put on weight, but he never did.

corn
Not to insult anyone's intelligence, but it is important to understand that the ingredients listed on the bag of feed are given by volume in other words, the first ingredient listed is the largest volume and so on. Animal nutitionist will advise that the first ingredient should be a meat base, chicken seems to be the first choice then beef than pork. Corn is important for carbohydrates and some fatty acids, corn gluten meal is important for healthy skin and hair. There is a difference in protein levels depending on the quality of soil and growing conditions of the corn itself. Two things to look for are the calories produced metabilized and what is the digestibility percentage of the food. Know what the listed ingredient really is, such as chicken byproduct, head beeks feet and feathers. Feathers have high protein level but have a very low level of digestiblity.

Just to add to what Jim has said. Just because the 1st ingredient is meat does mean it is mostly meat. If the next 2 or 3 things listed on the label are grain based products your dog may still be getting a mostly grain based food.