Buying Dog Food in Paris

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Susie Leni

Hi CFrance,

There is a great doggy daycare that I take my dog to called City Canine in the 15th. It's run by an American, and the dogs have a blast there. Plus they have a huge 2-acre park next door where they walk the dogs several times a day. Every time we go there, my dog DRAGS me to the front door and goes off to play withour even saying goodbye ! Also they specialise in healthy dog food. They sell Arden Grange, Burns and Almo, which are SO much better than Royal Canine. I don't think they sell ORIJEN, but I've heard good things about that food (it just makes some dogs a bit gassy). They have a great website (it ends in .fr)

Hi, Susi Leni,

I have read about that doggy daycare place on the internet. It sounds like a wonderful place and just such a place as we use at home in Michigan. Our problem is that with no car, we can't get our 80-lb dog there. He is too skittish in crowds even if we could sneak him onto the subway. I would hate to have him panic and bolt. He handles the traffic noises well, and walking on sidewalks up to the point of a crowd--for instance, up at Bastille or in the Sunday market (which dogs are not supposed to be in anyway). Then as it gets more crowded, he gets very nervous and jumpy and doesn't know where "to be" on the sidewalk. He doesn't get aggressive, he just wants to bury his head in my side. So we're reluctant to try the subway. And we were told most taxis don't take pets. I've found one that does (taxi canine), but he's pretty expensive.

We have found a place called TopDogs.

Forest Topdogs

The owner, Phil, a Brit, is a dog trainer. He picks the dogs up at home at 8 am, takes 6 to 8 of them (or less) to Bois de Vincennes, and runs them around and does pack-type exercises with them, returning them at noon. It's not cheap--32 euros, or less if you go more times per week--but worth it. Crosby has come to know Wednesday mornings when he gets up an hour early and then the phone rings, it's Phil Day. He is so excited to get downstairs he won't even take his treat for "sitting" in the elevator. He's got his nose to the opening the whole way down to the lobby and literally drags me outside. He comes home and sleeps the afternoon away. Phil has emailed pictures of the dogs in the woods. Crosby's best friend is a beagle named Elliot.

Like you said about your daycare place, you know your dog is having a good time when they can't wait to get out the door and into the place. If we come back to Paris for another extended stay, I will definitely rethink where we choose to rent. It's got to have some access to good exercise for the dog, within walking distance.

Meanwhile, I recommend Phil to anyone. He will even take your keys and put your dog back in your apartment if you won't be home.

Thanks again for the info. I have read good things about your place.

[Susie Leni]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Hi, Susi Leni,

I have read about that doggy daycare place on the internet. It sounds like a wonderful place and just such a place as we use at home in Michigan. Our problem is that with no car, we can't get our 80-lb dog there. He is too skittish in crowds even if we could sneak him onto the subway. I would hate to have him panic and bolt. He handles the traffic noises well, and walking on sidewalks up to the point of a crowd--for instance, up at Bastille or in the Sunday market (which dogs are not supposed to be in anyway). Then as it gets more crowded, he gets very nervous and jumpy and doesn't know where "to be" on the sidewalk. He doesn't get aggressive, he just wants to bury his head in my side. So we're reluctant to try the subway. And we were told most taxis don't take pets. I've found one that does (taxi canine), but he's pretty expensive.

We have found a place called TopDogs.

The owner, Phil, a Brit, is a dog trainer. He picks the dogs up at home at 8 am, takes 6 to 8 of them (or less) to Bois de Vincennes, and runs them around and does pack-type exercises with them, returning them at noon. It's not cheap--32 euros, or less if you go more times per week--but worth it. Crosby has come to know Wednesday mornings when he gets up an hour early and then the phone rings, it's Phil Day. He is so excited to get downstairs he won't even take his treat for "sitting" in the elevator. He's got his nose to the opening the whole way down to the lobby and literally drags me outside. He comes home and sleeps the afternoon away. Phil has emailed pictures of the dogs in the woods. Crosby's best friend is a beagle named Elliot.

Like you said about your daycare place, you know your dog is having a good time when they can't wait to get out the door and into the place. If we come back to Paris for another extended stay, I will definitely rethink where we choose to rent. It's got to have some access to good exercise for the dog, within walking distance.

Meanwhile, I recommend Phil to anyone. He will even take your keys and put your dog back in your apartment if you won't be home.

Thanks again for the info. I have read good things about your place.

Hi again,

Top Dogs sounds great - I will definitely consider for the occasional forest outing. Thanks for the info. Incidentally, City Canine does have a pickup and drop off service -- I think it's 15 euros each way. I also know of a great dog taxi service called Animaugo, I think their rates are 15 or 20 euros depending on the distance. But very pro and cheaper than the other dog taxis I've encountered ! The owner/driver, Sylvie is very gentle with dogs. Her number is 06-0396-1394, but her English is not great.

-Susie

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Susie Leni

Hi again,

Top Dogs sounds great - I will definitely consider for the occasional forest outing. Thanks for the info. Incidentally, City Canine does have a pickup and drop off service -- I think it's 15 euros each way. I also know of a great dog taxi service called Animaugo, I think their rates are 15 or 20 euros depending on the distance. But very pro and cheaper than the other dog taxis I've encountered ! The owner/driver, Sylvie is very gentle with dogs. Her number is 06-0396-1394, but her English is not great.

-Susie

Dear Susi, Thank you so much for the taxi reference. I like our taxi guy a lot (speaks no English at all but we muddle along with our bad French) but he is very expensive. $40 to go from Faidherbe in the 11th to Richard Lenoir metro.

For our next trip here, we are looking for an apartment within walking distance of a park that allows dogs. I've heard Buttes Chaumont is one, plus Vincennes, Boulogne... Not sure about any others. I want our golden to be able to run. We like the 11th, but it's not good for a young dog who's not traffic savvy.

[goldenlotus]

Originally Posted by Susie Leni

Hi CFrance,

There is a great doggy daycare that I take my dog to called City Canine in the 15th. It's run by an American, and the dogs have a blast there. Plus they have a huge 2-acre park next door where they walk the dogs several times a day. Every time we go there, my dog DRAGS me to the front door and goes off to play withour even saying goodbye ! Also they specialise in healthy dog food. They sell Arden Grange, Burns and Almo, which are SO much better than Royal Canine. I don't think they sell ORIJEN, but I've heard good things about that food (it just makes some dogs a bit gassy). They have a great website (it ends in .fr)

Thanks for posting this suggestion. We arrived a few days ago and got really love on my dog's dry food. Called up, spoke to the owner and she was very helpful.

Suppose to get a delivery some time later this evening and also get a chance to meet.

Ciao!

[maartenvd]

Originally Posted by CFrance

For our next trip here, we are looking for an apartment within walking distance of a park that allows dogs. I've heard Buttes Chaumont is one, plus Vincennes, Boulogne... Not sure about any others. I want our golden to be able to run. We like the 11th, but it's not good for a young dog who's not traffic savvy.

I don't have a dog so am not so tuned in to this but I have seen dogs running around off-leash at the SW end of the Bois de Boulogne. (On a field off the Route de Sèvres à Neuilly, across from the hippodrome.) A bit of a pain to get to without a car unless you lived nearby in the 16th or in Boulogne-Billancourt. I imagine there must be similar areas in the Bois de Vincennes.

Also, many smaller parks in Paris are largely fenced in (to keep the kids in I guess and if you went early in the morning, I imagine hardly anyone would be there and you could let your dog run, throw ball, etc.

[hils]

Originally Posted by maartenvd

Also, many smaller parks in Paris are largely fenced in (to keep the kids in I guess and if you went early in the morning, I imagine hardly anyone would be there and you could let your dog run, throw ball, etc.

I don't think you should try that! One of the reasons kids' parks are fenced is to keep dogs (& therefore their faeces) out of the way of vulnerable youngsters.

H

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by hils

I don't think you should try that! One of the reasons kids' parks are fenced is to keep dogs (& therefore their faeces) out of the way of vulnerable youngsters.

H

I probably wouldn't try that either. I made friends with a Paris native in our apartment complex who loves big dogs. She and her young son took us to a place in the Marais--some beautiful old townhouse-type apartments surrounding a large paved courtyard (not place des vosges)--where she said Crosby could run free. No one seemed to mind except maybe a lady bringing her toddler back home to one of the townhouses, as the son and Crosby ran by them.

There was a children's playground in the middle of the courtyard, clearly fenced and clearly signed "No dogs." My friend decided to take the dog in there. I was not in favor of this, but hey, she's the native... So I sort of stepped aside from the situation, not wanting to break the rules but not being assertive enough to stop this.

Well, the woman with the toddler was unlocking her door and must have had eyes in the back of her head, because she immediately turned around and said "Madame, duh-duh-duh-duh (fill in the French blanks...) It was too fast for me to understand, but my friend immediately abandoned her plan.

Parisians really don't want your dog in their parks, especially their children's parks, and I can't say as I blame them. Although Americans have been educated to pick up after their dogs for decades, it is still an up-and-coming trend in France.

There are places in the Bois de Bologne and de Vincennes where dogs can run. I'd stick with that so as to respect the Parisians' customs.

[OuiInFrance]

Hi CFrance,

Just wanted to mention the online pet store Wanimo as well:
Croquette premium pour chien - Alimentation chien - Chiens chez wanimo.com

They have several premium foods including Acana and Orijen and the prices are competitive. Shipping is free on a lot of these sites after you spend around 30 euros. Sure beats hauling heavy food around on foot.

I have used Zooplus which someone already mentioned. They're great too!

Good luck on your move!

[finebyme]

It is difficult adapting to the food change here. Dogs can eat human food. The general recipe is 3 equal parts chicken, steamed veggies, and steamed rice. This can be measured in a standard veg can or measuring cup. The supermarkets here even sell bags of the mixture dried to add your own meat. There are deals to be had in Paris for cheaper cuts of meat. If you measure out the cost, you may find it is cheaper and more nutritious. Believe me, even the vet will tell you to feed them boiled chicken and rice when they are sick. Hmm, if it's good for them when they are sick,, wouldn't it be good for them when they are well?

[windwalker]

Originally Posted by finebyme

It is difficult adapting to the food change here. Dogs can eat human food. The general recipe is 3 equal parts chicken, steamed veggies, and steamed rice. This can be measured in a standard veg can or measuring cup. The supermarkets here even sell bags of the mixture dried to add your own meat. There are deals to be had in Paris for cheaper cuts of meat. If you measure out the cost, you may find it is cheaper and more nutritious. Believe me, even the vet will tell you to feed them boiled chicken and rice when they are sick. Hmm, if it's good for them when they are sick,, wouldn't it be good for them when they are well?

From what I've read, chicken and rice do not provide enough essential nutrients for long term feeding. Preparing a balanced diet at home is not all that easy. Calcium is one nutrient that usually needs to be added.