You have to go to Gravatar dot com to add an avatar. Melissa suggested some really good foods and I really don’t want to add to that list, but I do want to let you know that NutriSource tends to be a food that is easy for dogs to switch to. Also I wanted to reinforce what Melissa said about picking a few different foods and rotating between them. It really is much healthier for your dog, and while you may have to switch slowly the first few times, as your dogs gut gets healthier, there will be less and less need to transition from food to food until one day you can just switch cold turkey to whatever you want. That is a healthy gut.
I think you can add an Avatar anytime, but I can’t remember how I did it LOL! Somehow through Disqus, if I remember correctly. Sorry I’m not anymore help than that. I did it awhile ago and just don’t remember how. Again, I’m sure some of the other regulars will post and help you out My Avatar is of Laverne. I have another Cavalier, Hazel and a Mixed Breed, Lucy. Pet Suppies Plus has some decent foods. I haven’t been in one for years but I remember they carried some good ones back then. Again, TSC has 4Health grain free, which is around 30.00-35.00 for 30 lbs. of food! It comes in 3 flavors, too. Their canned 4Health (I buy the grain free stews) are .99 a can….fantastic considering other foods go for around 2.70-5.00 a can!! Btw, remember when looking for dog supplies, like collars, leashes, beds, bowls, etc. don’t forget to check out places like Big Lots, TJ Maxx, Dollar Stores, etc. I don’t recommend buying food or treats from there but I’ve gotten some great buys for supplies from those kind of places. The fun is just beginning!
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This reply was modified 12 years, 5 months ago by
Mom2Cavs.
Thanks for the reply. I have a Pets Supplies Plus store near by, I also have a animal supply near by and two Tractor Supply Stores near by..
My last dog loved the Pedigree so I bought it again.. But Abby doesn’t like it, so I’ll have to try another..
My last dog passed away after 10 years, and we gave all the doggie stuff to a rescue home, never thinking we’d have another dog..
I’ll mark these foods down and look them up..
Thanks Ron..
PS how many postings do I need before I can add a Avatar..
I’m not positive, but I think the story with Wellness LBP is that when the list was made they didn’t make the cut because of too much calcium, but they have reformulated and reduced the calcium levels so now they are OK.
Costco membership is worth it if you are going to feed much canned food. They have a good canned food at a great price. Their kibble is made by Diamond, so not worth it, IMO.
You have to go to Gravatar to get an avatar.
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This reply was modified 12 years, 5 months ago by
theBCnut.
YAY! I see it now, guess it just a little while to work, sorry!
I created mine and my profile picture shows up when I go to my profile but not on the forums or in the left-hand corner of my screen by my user name, does it show up for you guys or no?
Hi Sully’s Mom –
To get an avatar go to gravatar(dot)com.
Many people have different methods of rotational feeding. Some switch foods a few times a year, some switch after every bag, some have multiple foods at one time and switch with every meal and others stick with the same food and only rotate toppers (I personally don’t feel the rotating toppers only is the best method).
When I used to feed kibble I got a new brand with a different protein source after each bag and I always had a variety of canned and fresh food toppers on hand and rotated toppers daily. So for example my dog would get a lamb based kibble made by Brand X and after that bag was gone I’d get a chicken based kibble from Brand Y, etc. – all the while rotating canned toppers daily. Now that my dogs eat a homemade raw diet I’m able to feed them something completely different at each meal.
You really can rotate as often as you want – there’s no such thing as too much variety. Get a rotation plan going that works works for you and your dog. You could mix the trial bags you got in with the kibble you’re currently feeding or few a few meals of only the trial food until the bag is gone. Initially you may need to so slow transitions to get your dog accustomed to variety, however after a few switches you should be able to go from food to food without doing a gradual transition. I generally recommend, at the very least, having three go to foods (preferably from different manufacturers and with different protein sources).
Yep, now I can see my avatar too. Thank you so much for all the help!
Done. Thanks a lot for the tip!
Yes, the picture follows me around. BUT you can input more than one photo and switch in between them if you like. My avatar on the other side of DFA (the reviews section) is different than the one here in the forum.
Hmmmm, I just thought of something. I have 2 email addresses!! That might be why I have 2 different pictures. But you still can change photos at the gravatar site.
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This reply was modified 12 years, 6 months ago by
pugmomsandy.
I believe you can go to gravatar.com and when you sign up with your email, wherever you sign in with that email the picture will be there.
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This reply was modified 12 years, 6 months ago by pugmomsandy.
lassiebaby, go here /forums/topic/how-to-create-your-own-custom-avatar/
to find out about adding a picture. And to post a new topic, go to the forum subject you want, and go to the bottom of the page to start a new topic.
lassiebaby –
Go to the general forum area and click on the forum you want to post under – at the bottom of the screen there will be a box where you can enter a title and post. To get a picture go to gravatar.com.
I am actually going to recommend Natural Balance limited ingredient diets. I do want to note that Diamond does manufacture some of their foods, not all but some. I’m not sure of which formulas so you would have to contact NB if you would like to know for certain. Anyway, I have one Cavalier (the Ruby, Laverne, pictured in my avatar) that has allergy/intolerance issues. I believe she has food and environmental problems. When I finally put her on NB Swt. Pot. & Fish kibble (now I do also top with NB and other brands of canned food) and NB limited ingredient treats she has responded well. Even the other dogs are doing better eating it. Natural Balance LIDs come in a variety of uncommon protein sources, like Bison, Rabbit, Lamb, etc. Matching treats and canned foods are also available. Petco is a main seller of the food, but it can be ordered online.
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This reply was modified 12 years, 7 months ago by Mom2Cavs.
Hi boxermim2013 –
I can relate to you here. One of my girls, Gertie (the dog in my avatar) is extremely difficult to keep weight on. She was so scrawny as a pup I had tests run too and they came back clear. The vet told me once she was spayed she’d put some weight on, but she was spayed 2 years ago and keeping weight on her is still a struggle. With her, as long as her hip bones aren’t protruding I feel I’m doing good!
I wasn’t able to get her over 60 lbs. until I switched her to a high protein, high fat, low carbohydrate raw diet. I make her food and I generally keep protein between 45% and 55%, fat between 30% and 40% and carbs less than 20%. I’ve now got her holding steady at 68 lbs. – given her height she should be much heavier, but at least she doesn’t look emaciated any more. I also give her lots of treats between meals, I mostly feed balanced foods as treats so I can feed her more without throwing off her diet – i.e. freeze-dried raw medallions, frozen kongs layered with grain-free kibble and canned pumpkin, ziwi peak food for training treats and (prior to the recent recall) I was using EVO’s Wild Craving biscuits which conform to AAFCO nutrient profiles for balanced foods.
Some other options – Abady makes a very calorie-dense granular food – it has around 800 calories per cup (nearly double the calories of Blue Buffalo). I’ve used Abady and before and was pleased. I also know people that have put weight on their dogs with satin balls – you can look up recipes online – they usually include fatty hamburger, eggs, oil, molasses, etc. You could add a balanced omega 3-6-9 and/or coconut oil to his food for a fat/calorie boost. You could try supplementing with digestive enzymes to ensure he’s digesting everything he does eat. If you want to stick with kibble, I’d also recommend at least picking a more calorie-dense formula (>500 kcal. per cup). Some calorie-dense options include – Canine Caviar Grain-Free Puppy (636 kcal. per cup), Dr. Tim’s Momentum (588 kcal. per cup), NutriSource Super Performance (529 kcal. per cup), Timberwolf Organics (I believe all the grain-free formulas are over 500 kcal. per cup).
Good luck!
Hi schnauzermom –
I had a similar scare with one of my dogs (Gertie, the dog in my avatar) several months ago. I woke up one morning and there was a huge red lump on her paw that was not there the night before. Luckily it turned out to be a histiocytoma which is a benign growth common in young dogs, it disappeared on its own after about a month. Giving probiotics and enzymes will definitely help to keep his immune system in top condition. The kefir should cover his probiotic needs, most brands have well over 10 strains. You could give an enzyme supplement or, better yet, incorporate raw green tripe and/or pancreas into his meals. My dogs don’t get supplemental probiotics or enzymes but they do get raw green tripe several times per week and kefir daily. One enzyme, in particular, that appears to be effective in cancer treatment/prevention is bromelain – it’s derived from raw pineapple. You could puree some fresh raw pineapple to add to his meals a few times a week or purchase a bromelain supplement. Another supplement you may want to consider is turmeric or curcumin (the active concentrate found in turmeric). Turmeric looks to be a promising cancer preventative based on a few studies that have been done. When Gertie developed her histiocytoma I added 1/4 C. pureed fresh pineapple to her meal every other day and gave her 1 tsp. turmeric daily. I still continue to give all my dogs turmeric on a regular basis.
Hi Judy –
Gertie (the dog in my avatar) travels with me. Last time we went on a trip we went to North Carolina. I packed her homemade raw meals in tupperware containers and packed them in a cooler with ice for the first few days of the trip. Whenever the ice started to melt I stopped and changed the ice and I made sure all the hotels I stayed in had refrigerators. For when that ran out (I brought enough for the first three days) I brought a pre-mix with measuring cups and dish soap to wash all my utensils and stopped at grocery stores to buy fresh ground hamburger and turkey – I just mixed it up in my hotel room and kept it in the fridge. My other two dogs stay with my parents when I travel and I leave them with The Honest Kitchen. Freeze-dried, as Jan mentioned, would be a great option for traveling as well if you have a smaller dog. Unfortunately it’s not practical for a 70 lb. bloodhound like Gertie that eats 2,500+ calories per day – I priced it out before the trip and it would cost me over $500 a week lol
Thanks, that’s Gertie my 2 year old bloodhound. 🙂
You can get an avatar by going to en.gravatar.com.
Wow! Lots of info…thank you so much. I think I’ll try the Natures Variety Instinct since our local pet store carries it. She’s so sweet–I want her to be comfortable.
Nice avatar. We been babysitting our Beagle since 2007–she’s ours now, I guess :)–and we’re now crazy about hounds. Never knew they were as sweet as retrievers!
(By the way, how do you upload an avatar? Can’t find it in Profile.)
AnonymousInactive
Melissaandcrew, I’m horrible at names but I just wanted to say bless you for the 20 years of the “weak, old, medically and temperamentally challenged”. Been doing the same for 17 years and I think you’re very brave to go back to a puppy!! Not sure I could handle that anymore. Youngest I’ve taken in in many years was 3 (the guy in my avatar) and he’s about doing me in!
Hi James,
Great suggestion. Unfortunately, like any other writer, I really have no control over being quoted by companies when they use our ratings and reviews to help market their products.
However, I do agree it would be nice to know who manufactures each product. We’re planning to add that kind of information (when available) along with each company’s recall history, too.
So, if a company refuses to disclose that information when requested, we’ll be able to inform readers as such on the company’s profile page.
Thanks so much for your contribution, here.
P.S. Your avatar image of the dog is especially cute. Please forgive my ignorance, but what breed is that?
Okay set up the gravatar account posted a pic there, now how long before my avatar shows up???
Weird!
Husky3,
Have you taken into account her body condition score? In your first post, you only mentioned she was overweight but not how she looked. So I just wanted to throw that out there. As my small dogs are on a low carb diet, they remain “overweight” but with good body condition scores. I’m going to say they are muscular versus fat. My two small ones are 24 lbs but look like ones that weigh less than 20. My gravatar is one of my small ones. For a pug he is considered overweight! He still has the same harness set at the same size for the past 3 years although he is heavier than 3 years ago. I’ve been feeding them at first low carb kibble and now kibble and raw foods and they just are heavy pugs but not fat. I haven’t figured out how to post pictures yet in this forum. If anyone knows how (using shutterfly) let me know!! For my group, if they were to lose weight to be more inline with the breed standard, they would have to be emaciated! Or lose all their muscles and become weaklings.
Go to the help section on the forum here, and Mike has a section explaining avatars. : )
Hi skippy5761 ~~ just read your post to HDM so sorry for the delayed response. They now know that quality protein does not cause kidney disease. The original studies that set this myth in motion were actually done on rats. Rats DO get kd from high protein diets – dogs and cats do not.
High protein diets (quality high protein) actually have been shown to help the kidneys not hinder them. For this reason, I’ve been feeding my Audrey (pup in my avatar pic) a high quality raw diet since she was weaned. Audrey has had kidney disease from birth. She had symptoms of excessive drinking and urinating even before weaning. She was officially diagnosed when she had her 1 year blood work done. We modified her diet and rechecked blood work every 3 months for a year and when it was all said and done I had her back on her normal diet with added probiotics and prebiotics (which help trap nitrogen sparing the kidneys from having to filter it (referred to as the “nitrogen trap”). I used to home prepare the foods my dogs ate but I have less time right now so I use commercial raw. I use a combination of Darwin’s, Bravo and premixes with meats I supply right now. Audrey is now 6 and 1/2 years old and in VERY GOOD health.. She is not on any prescription medications (I give her nutraceuticals though). She never has to go to the vet for anything and has never once required sub-q fluids etc.
In my opinion, feeding kibble (any kind at any protein level) is far more damaging to the kidneys than a high quality, balanced raw diet. Audrey is living proof. She’ll turn 7 the end of June 2013.
Glad the recommended sites were helpful 🙂 The dog in my avatar (my Audrey) was born with kidney disease. She started showing symptoms as early as 6 weeks old and was officially diagnosed at her 1 year blood work. Audrey received only her first set of puppy shots (at the breeders before coming to me) and has never been vaccinated for rabies (she is exempt for life due to her disease). I truly believe in minimal vaccination, minimal toxic exposure (heartworm, flea/tick, yard chemicals, fluoridated water etc), species appropriate diets etc. Audrey is living proof. She is now 6 and 1/2 years old and still in excellent health (still has kidney disease but she’s not sick). She’s been raw fed since she was weaned. I used to home make her diet but life got busy and I don’t have the time to do it properly right now so I feed commercial raw.. I foster too and from this Audrey has been exposed to giardia, coccidia, ringworm, kennel cough etc. If she does get ill from these it is always short lived and she to date has not required medical intervention for anything… She’s VERY healthy despite having kidney disease. Imagine how healthy an already healthy dog can be with the right food and limited toxic exposures..? 🙂
To establish a unique profile image that will appear next to your name anytime you post a comment on The Dog Food Advisor forums, you’ll need to create your own custom “gravatar” – also known as a globally recognized avatar.
A gravatar will allow you to use the same profile image on any website that’s been gravatar enabled.
To create your own free gravatar, simply visit the gravatar website. Be sure to watch the short video there. It will explain what a gravatar is and how you can create your own.
Hi SarasotaSal4757
You asked, “How would I change my password?”. No problem. While you’re logged in (very important), simply click your name or the avatar image above it and you’ll be taken to your profile page. Look down the lower left side of your profile page and you’ll see the “Edit” link. Click that link and you’ll be taken to a page where you can change your password. Hope this helps.
Hi MyDogIsMe,
The picture image you see next to a user’s name is called a “gravatar”. Please visit this link to learn how you can create a photo avatar for yourself. Hope this helps.
Yay I figured out the avatar thing !!!!
Patty, I thought he posted “test” to just see if posting worked. Mike P, time to get an avatar. Go to the gravatar link Mike posted….I’m not very computer literate but I uploaded a pic to it and viola, the next time I posted here, it was there.
Hi Marie. Great idea. I’ve added to my list. BTW, I love your avatar! These are so much larger than the ones we use on Disqus. It’s nice to be able to see them. You can even click on them to see your profile. Thanks for the suggestion.
No, he hasn’t passed yet. He doesn’t have his avatar yet:-(
Hey Mike P go to gravatar.com, and did you have a gravatar count? I went to gravatar.com and linked it. 🙂
Mine isn’t working, I went to gravatars site set up my account and chose my pic so now does it automatically show up here?
Ok testing to see if my avatar is working.
Totally confused. I just made a gravatar and I’m still not seeing a picture? How did everyone else do it? Does it take awhile to show up?
That gravatar website is confusing, LOL
Since BBPress (the software that runs the forums here) is owned by WordPress, I’d assume all you need to do is go to http://gravatar.com/ and sign up for free for an avatar. A gravatar is a globally recognized avatar. Be sure to watch the short video there that explains the benefits of having your own personal gravatar.
This will automatically link your email address to any blog or forum anywhere on the Net – as long as it’s gravatar enabled. If you’ve already created your gravatar and it’s not working here, be sure you’ve used the same email address you used to sign up for your gravatar.
Hope this helps. If this doesn’t work, please let me know.
