Anyone else having trouble sourcing pet food currently?

[mschrisgo2]

We had a big issue here in California at the beginning of the pandemic and lockdown, then things smoothed out, but now, all of a sudden, getting kibble for the dogs is an ordeal again. Is it just here? Or is this a regional or nationwide issue? My grandson said it’s because there’s a nationwide chicken shortage...

I had gone to online auto-ship from Chewy, and one of my dogs needs a special GI formula, which has been hard to get all along, but now Chewy says so many choices are “unavailable.” Then I went into a retail pet food store today, and they said they had just received their first-in-6-months shipment from one of the larger manufacturers. So I thought to myself- no, you’re not being overly dramatic about this.

But I’m wondering what is really happening, and, I guess, if there’s any way to be prepared? Experiences?Thoughts?

[bae]

I switched to just cooking food for the dog a while back because of supply issues, and possible developing allergies.

[razz]

I hope that my autoship which I have used for two+ years continues. Delivery is due May 25 and I was notified that it would ship out May 24 as scheduled. I think it is a local factory with possibly a US one as well as delivers to the US as well, has not been on any advisory, precautionary list. https://www.tlcpetfood.com.

Bae, what do you find is doable food to prepare for your dog. I used to feed my dogs a portion of my human food and they seemed to thrive for years without challenges living long lives.

Now I look at the instructions on dog food bags and wonder how we survived with little effort. Some dog foods contain large amounts of beet pulp, brewers' rice (meaning all the energy has been extracted, I was told) so I went looking for a dog food that seemed to make common sense of ingredients. This TLC supplier has worked well for my little guy.

[Gardnr]

No issues here. Petco always has what I need for my cat when I drop in. I usually buy a full case of wet canned food at a time and they don't always have that, but I've not gone a single day without wet food for her. I've also never run out of the dry Iams she always has for self-feeding.

[ToomuchStuff]

Late friend, former owner used to be able to pick up food for the cat, from the local grocery store, when low. His caretaker would hit the pet food store for the normal run.
Haven't seen much in a long time in the grocery store (out of stock signs, occasional cans). This cat is spoiled and prefers not to eat the same thing over and over, which worked out now. I get a bunch of different things and she stays happy. Pet food store and warehouse store have mostly had stock.

[happystuff]

While the particular brand/formula I use for each of the cats may have been missing here and there, for the most part, my grocery store has still been decently supplied.

[Tradd]

Where is the pet food made? Does it come from overseas? All the shipping issues would come into play then.

[Teacher Terry]

I use chewy for home delivery but we have a local warehouse. Luckily no issues at all.

[bae]

Bae, what do you find is doable food to prepare for your dog.

I was worried he was possibly developing allergies to his expensive "super good" dog food - itching, bloating, lethargy, weight gain, horrid flatulence, poor-quality stools.

So I reset him with a fast of a few days, then one ingredient at a time built up to:

- rice
- chicken
- sweet potatoes or yams, skin on
- green beans

I basically chuck it all into an InstaPot and hit "cook it". I have a snap-on lid for the pot, so it can go directly into the refrigerator once it cools. No dishes, no fussy cooking.

Looks, smells, tastes like Thanksgiving Dinner sort of, and I tried the first couple of batches - better food than I usually eat I think.

It has resolved the bulk of his health issues and he's now bouncy and happy and dog-shaped, and doesn't require venting the house to deal with his emissions :-)

[sweetana3]

A specific food we wanted for our cats showed as not available/out of stock on Chewy. But since we were on subscription, it came when expected. Whew.

[Teacher Terry]

Bae were there vitamins that you needed to add also?

[bae]

Bae were there vitamins that you needed to add also?

Seems likely, but I haven't done so yet. I suspect I need to modify the ingredients a bit, or supplement, for calcium and a couple other things. Then again, I've fed elderly dogs this mix for years before without much trouble.

[razz]

After getting started reading on this topic, I am going to try some homemade dog food just to give my dog some variety and interest. So many recipes online!

Some of the reviews of the basic recipe similar to Bae's advised that their dog's anal gland had fewer problems with plugging which is a problem at present for my little beagle; also often he has BM's 3x/day when out walking. No odour emission issues, thank goodness. I had not considered that a modification of the food might resolve some of this. I will cook up a batch, reduce some of the kibble and add some homemade. It will add to his food enthusiasm and may benefit him as well. Beagles are noted for overeating so I have carefully monitored his intake.
I love how one topic of a thread often triggers other considerations that may benefit.

[happystuff]

Does anyone have a homemade cat food recipe? I like bae's dog food one, and wonder if that would do for cats as well.

[sweetana3]

Do your research before trying to feed cats a homemade diet. "If you choose to go it alone, be warned: Making your own cat food is an exacting and time-consuming business. Striking the right balance of ingredients, including vitamins and minerals, and properly storing the food are critical for a happy and healthy animal."

It is not as simple as throwing something together.

[happystuff]

Do your research before trying to feed cats a homemade diet. "If you choose to go it alone, be warned: Making your own cat food is an exacting and time-consuming business. Striking the right balance of ingredients, including vitamins and minerals, and properly storing the food are critical for a happy and healthy animal."

It is not as simple as throwing something together.

Thanks. Sigh... was hoping for "easy".