So, to cut a long story short, my OH was out of work between june and nov last year. He managed to get a job in nov, but they closed the restaurant down in early january. This means I am poor, quite seriously poor atm.

We are at risk of losing the flat and we are living off beans on toast most nights.

Now, Maddie has bad skin. She suffers from itchy bald spots and folliculitis (sp?). I was feeding her barking heads, which suited her down to the ground and really improved her skin to the point where it was all gone. I simply cannot afford this anymore and have reverted back to chappie, which is what i was feeding her before (skin was better but not clear).

She is getting itchy spots again i feel so bad for her, but i just cant cut back on anything anymore than i already have is there any better foods for skin problems out there that dont cost too much? My limit is probably £20-£25 pound for a sack.

Please dont shoot me down for this, I really am doing my best atm, things are so hard. I really need some advice

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just wanted to say i hope someone can help. don't feel bad, i don't know about the skin side but sometimes mine have to eat whatever is in the cupboard because i have to wait til payday to be able to get them anything proper. this has meant eating rice and veg and branflakes with bits of meat in

That's awful hun. I feel for you. But don't beat yourself up. She has a loving home and is very cared for, that's more important than anything.

Only food I can think of is autarky smlon and rice. It's £36.98 for two bags delivered from berriewood. No wheat or maize which is what usually causes skin issues and a decent meat content. Besides that I's suggest skinners duck and rice or salmon and rice, low meat content but much better than chappie and no maize etc.

It may also be worth a call to CSJ, I'm not familiar with all their range but their nutritionist will be able to recommend you something I'm sure. She's really helpful and CSJ do a huge amount of very cheap, but decent foods.

If you have a garden centre local they sometimes sell skinners etc cheaper than online.

Might even be worth thinking about raw? DAF minces are very cheap and you'd just need to add a little liver. I feed two dogs on about £35 - £40 a month, so one dog would be half. They usually have a minimum order but I explained I don't have room and they waved it.

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How much is autarky for one bag? I don't think I could stretch to that in one go. Also, im hoping to get something readily available, so that if i can't make my money stretch i can just pick up a smaller bag to last me a few days.

Thankyou xxx

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I hadn't even considered raw, will look into it x

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I think it's £17.99 for one bag.

What does your local pet shop have?

I know how you feel hun, have often gone without to feed the dogs, you can't spend the cash if you don't have it, simple as that.

I'm wondering if home cooked or raw would be hugely cheaper because with home cooked you can prepare, freeze and feed as needed, with raw you can defrost as needed. If you're low it's just a question of popping the sop and seeing what's on offer or in the discount section.

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Well I work in a pet shop, we stock mainly the more popular brands, JWB, Royal Canin, all that sorta stuff.

Im thinking raw may be the way forward, i didnt realise it was so cheap. I always thought it was confusing though

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It can be done quite cheaply. Look for the yellow sticker stuff and speak to a good butcher for the really cheap (good) stuff.

Years ago most people were very stuck for cash but made do without commercial dog foods.

My nan had 12 kids and a husband who died aged 45yrs.. Never ever bought dog food in her life.

All the best

Look at Durham animal feeds.

If you got a box of chicken and a box of lamb it would be under £20 and would easily last a month for one dog (that would be 40 1lb packs). If you called and just told them you're low on cash and can't afford the minimum I'm sure they'd sort something out. Throw in a little liver a few times a week (I got 2kg for £2 from out butcher and froze it) and you have a complete meal.

I imagine home cooked would be similar but I've no idea how to work out what's needed with home cooked.

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Nobody is going to shoot you down for doing the best you can for your dog. Why should they? It is when people say they have getting rid of the dog because they can't afford to feed him, but still manage their booze and fags that people get narky.

I have never fed raw, but from what everyone is saying it could be your answer. I have also read a lot of raw feeders say their dogs are much healthier on it, so it is certainly worth giving it a go.

I hope things pick up for you soon.

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