Adopting a Senior Great Dane... food?

TegansMyBoy · 03-01-2010, 08:48 PM

Hello everyone!!

My boyfriend and all my friends think I have gone insane, but I am adopting a 7 year old female great dane from a kill shelter about 30 miles from me. I went to meet her today and she is an absolute angel, so quiet and kind and just wants love love love! I have a small yard, and my corgi, Tegan... so I am hoping she can spend the last few years of her life with me, happy.
She is a little underweight, had a severe infection when they got her because her sitches from being spayed never got taken out before she became a stray and were in for over a year! She has been through a lot.
I am a 21 year old 5'4" 100 lb girl... everyone thinks I am CRAZY to want her... but I have always wanted a great dane since I was about 8 years old- and she is such a love. I want to help her live a good life in her senior years.

Ayway- I feed my corgi Artimis Maximal: Artemis - Holistic Approach to Pet Food

Which on dogfoodanalysis.com is a 6 star food. He only eats a cup a day cause he has a corgi metabolism... he could gain weight on a cracker a day lol... but I was wondering if this was alright for her. I have done a lot of reading on danes and I know their diet has to be modified slightly from a different breed.

So is this food okay for a senior dane?

If not, what is?

and how much can I expect to feed? 4 cups was what I was reading before...

**Mikey** · 03-02-2010, 12:07 AM

WOW Congrats! How does Tegan get along with the dane? I think I remember she wasn't great with other dogs?

Anyways on the food-feed whatever she has been on first-and switch over slowly. The food your giving has high protein so that should do well. Ask what the shelter feeds, and since you mentioned she's underweight-feed a bit more -say 20% more-and adjust from there

TegansMyBoy · 03-02-2010, 12:45 AM

Thanks for the reply!

Tegan has gotten more used to other dogs since my two room mates have dogs. He is rude at first, but generally becomes more accepting over time. He and my one room mates' dog now cuddle and lick each other

He meet the dane (I think I will be naming her Iris) tomorrow, and we'll see how he acts. I know it will be different because he'll be sharing his mom, but hopefully he will respect his elder and understand she is no threat to him quickly.

I think the shelter feeds IAMS... YUCK! so I'm going to be sharing my roomies bag of it (she got a shelter dog a couple weeks ago) and getting her switched over a week or two.

I love her, she's so sweet!! Can't wait to bring her home!

**Mikey** · 03-02-2010, 01:53 AM

You MUST post pictures!! Do you have the shelter website so we can see her now?

Truckindogmom · 03-02-2010, 08:45 AM

Ooo I think it is great that you are going to give her a great home! And please post lots of pictures when you get her home.

**kmes** · 03-02-2010, 10:42 AM

Congrats!

**Brittany** · 03-02-2010, 10:43 AM

I don't have any advice but congrats on the new addition! Can't wait to see pictures.

MySoulmateEmmy · 03-02-2010, 11:08 AM

I agree with everyone that congrats and good job for giving an older sweetie a home

And lots of pics are wanted from me too!

~MSE

TegansMyBoy · 03-02-2010, 11:09 AM

Adopt a Great Dane: A031526: Petfinder

That's her petfinder link, which I found weeks ago and was just sort of like "haha I'd love a great dane one day" and left as a bookmark on my computer for days. and then, i got more serious about it... and then I met her... and now, I'm committed. lol

**Criosphynx** · 03-02-2010, 11:13 AM

OMG shes at burbank! I hear nice things about that shelter.

What a doll! Congrats x 100