too much dog food

June 27, 2009 4:35 AM

I overpurchased, now what can I do?

I bought a jumbo bag of dog food after my dog seemed interested in it, but no more. Now I have about 40lb of dog food in a large tupperware type container. Since it's out of the bag, the shelter organizations don't want it, and other than putting it into the yard for all and sundry, what might I do?

posted by youchirren to pets & animals (12 comments total)

You could try Freecycle.
posted by rhartong at 4:49 AM on June 27 [5 favorites]

Take it to the park next time you walk your dog and give it to other dog walkers? Offer it to your neighbours? Mix it in with the food your dog currently likes?
posted by Solomon at 5:00 AM on June 27

Keep it for when your dog decides he's sick of eating whatever you're currently feeding him. By then he'll probably have forgotten he didn't like it the first time round. Works with my cat, anyway...
posted by embrangled at 5:32 AM on June 27 [1 favorite]

Might your vet want it? My vet's office has a kennel too, so they board dogs there. (This may depend on how well your vet knows you, for the same reasons that the shelters are hesitant to take it.)

Otherwise, I'd say give it to a friend, freecycle, or put up a sign at the local laundromat/library/dog park/whatever.
posted by AlisonM at 6:23 AM on June 27

I love my dog, he's got the greatest smile, and he wags his whole body when he's happy. He gets regular vet trips, is current on his heartworm medicine, and gets showered with attention, and has a doggie companion in the yard with him all day. He's been neutered, but not de-clawed.

That said, whenever I change brands of dog food, he gustily tears into the new brand... for one day, then disdains it thereafter. The conclusion I've come to is when he gets hungry enough, he'll eat it. It's borne out, so far, and I've stopped worrying about what brand to buy, other than it not being cheap crap made out of cow brains and newspaper.

Your dog is not going to starve over it, I don't think.
posted by Devils Rancher at 6:31 AM on June 27 [4 favorites]

Seconding Freecycle. Offered on my Freecycle, this would be claimed in a matter of minutes.
posted by hecho de la basura at 7:01 AM on June 27

I agree with Devils Rancher - your dog is not going to starve over this. It took my second dog a period of time after I adopted him to understand that I was going to be feeding him dry kibble.

Maybe pick up a small bag of his old food and mix it in with the new food until he adjusts. If you feel bad that you are making your dog eat the new food - just remember that dogs pretty frequently eat grosser stuff and that they also frequently lick themselves.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 8:06 AM on June 27

You eat what I give you. Especially if you're hungry enough. Works with kids, cats, dogs, and other pets.
posted by elsietheeel at 8:57 AM on June 27 [2 favorites]

What everyone else said. The dog will eat when she realizes that she has no choice but to eat what you gave her.

You just reinforce her behavior by switching foods once she is sick of her current food.
posted by DieHipsterDie at 9:06 AM on June 27

Actually, yeah, forget my previous answer. Your dog will eat it. The same thing happened with my cat when we had to switch to a prescription food, and after a few days of meowing and not eating, he ate it. And now eats it like he just like ate his old food. (If left to his own devices, would eat half a bag in one sitting.)
posted by AlisonM at 9:21 AM on June 27

Ask a local food [human] bank. The ones around here try to offer pet supplies as well as people stuff. Although, you may run into the same problem of them not wanting (or being allowed to accept) opened packages.

If you can't find anyone on freecycle, you might want to keep trying smaller and less well-funded shelters or rescue groups. The ones without as many resources will take anything, regardless of the container it's in.

And you could ask your vet if they know of anyone who might be a little strapped, and offer it to that person.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 10:34 AM on June 27

Homeless person with a dog.
posted by Vaike at 10:47 AM on June 27 [4 favorites]