See The Difference By Jan Fennell
Looking Good
Well Being
Three Weeks Can Make a Difference
Like a lot of dog lovers, I've tried a lot of different foods over the years but I hadn't found one that I was completely happy with until I discovered the Iams range in September 2001. Nine months later, it is the only food I use.
What has been really great about switching to Iams is that the guesswork has now been taken out of feeding, so I don't have any worries. I know my dogs are getting exactly what they need, in exactly the proportions they need it. It's all in there. I know, because I have seen the difference it has made to them.
In just three weeks I saw my dogs adapt and respond to a diet that has made them even happier, healthier, livelier than ever before.
Switching Over
I have a dozen dogs, 11 gorgeous English Springers and one, fabulous German Shepherd, Sadie. Changing food isn't something you can do overnight, even if you have just one dog. So I devoted ten days to weaning my pack on to their new diet.
The first thing that struck me was how little they needed. At first, I admit, I couldn't get my head around the fact I was not filling up their bowls in the way I had before. In my books I am always warning owners against the dangers of viewing their dog's behaviour from the human perspective. Here of course, I was making that self same mistake, I was thinking like a human. I wasn't filling the dog's bowl because they really needed it. It was done for my own benefit. I felt better for it.
One of the things I like about Iams is the fact that they publish their nutritional findings, making the information on key nutritional breakthroughs available to others. That's terrific. I can now see why Iams designs their foods to deliver exactly what the dog needs, rather than imposing 'human' preferences on their diet.
Looking Good
Because I also show dogs, the way my pack looks is even more important to me. I know that if you have got good confirmation and your dog is a good example of its breed, then you have the makings of a champion. By adding excellent muscle tone, removing surplus fat and improving its coat, then you add the icing on the cake. Iams has helped me with all these things. I show English Springer Spaniels and it is vital that their coats have the correct weather resisting texture and healthy sheen that judges are looking for. This year I've already seen two of my dogs, Jake aged 5 and Bert aged 4, become new show champions and another one, Kez, won a best puppy in breed prize at Crufts.
But, it was not only my show dogs that benefited. One of my older Springers, Molly had stopped showing because of the problems we were having with her coat. It was so awful, so dry, lifeless and brittle that I had to withdraw her from competition. It was a great shame because her daughter Rumour had started showing and had become a champion. To be honest we were a bit flummoxed as to what it was. We had even been to a vet to ask whether it was her hormones. Three weeks on Iams and, oh boy, was there a difference? Her coat has never lost its shine or texture since.
My sole German Shepherd, Sadie, has also been transformed. As a large breed dog, Sadie benefits from being fed on Iams Adult Large Breed, whereas my spaniels are all on Iams Adult Small/Medium. Ever since I've had her I've had to monitor her weight. On occasions in the past she has got overweight and lethargic, at other times she has needed to add on a little weight. Since I switched her to Iams her weight has been constant. She has been in wonderful health, her eyes are bright, she's been full of energy and vitality - she has been tip top.
Well Being
Owning a dog has its messy side too, of course. But even here Iams has made my life that little bit easier. For many years I didn't have a strong opinion about whether it was better to feed my dogs dry or wet food. Since putting the dogs on Iams, however, I have seen the strengths the dry diet brings with it.
There has been a real change in the stools they produce. They have become much more firm - and there has been a lot less of them. As any dog owner will know, this is a Godsend when you have to clear up in the street or in a public place. It means it is not as unpleasant a job and it is easier to clear up, because there is no bulk. And of course, this also means I'm cutting down on environmental waste, which is good for the planet as well - something I'm passionately in favour of.
The benefits Iams has brought to my dogs general well being don't end there. Two of my older Springers, Molly and Ceri also used to suffer from occasional bad breath. That has improved too, as has their unfortunate tendency to suffer from flatulence. The unpleasant smells that could clear an entire room in seconds are, thankfully, becoming a thing of the past. All in all they are much nicer dogs to live with in that sense.
Three Weeks To Make A Difference
My books have helped thousands of people understand how their dogs think and how to use their pets' instinctive animal language for a happier more harmonious life together. It is something that can be learned in three to four weeks and have dramatic differences, as can changing your dogs diet. Both can make a lifetime's difference to the dog and owner.
The change I have seen in my dogs since switching to Iams has been remarkable. And by taking the hard work out of monitoring their diets it has allowed me to relax and concentrate on enjoying my relationship with them. What my method has done for the minds of dogs and their owners, Iams has done for my dogs' health and my own well being. It really has made a big difference.
