[voldemar leo]

Tunnel projects indeed come with a lot of unpredictability, especially when it comes to geotechnical risks and material variations. One aspect that often gets overlooked but can significantly impact budgets is proper waterproofing. Investing in high-quality internal and external waterproofing, including basement and foundation protection, can prevent costly repairs down the line. By addressing potential water ingress early, teams can maintain better cost control and avoid unexpected expenses during tunnel construction. Combining accurate estimating services with reliable waterproofing solutions creates a more predictable and manageable project outcome.

[Flex Kingston]

Tunnel construction often brings unexpected challenges—geotechnical risks, material fluctuations, and sudden design changes. These issues make accurate budgeting one of the toughest parts of any underground project. Many teams struggle to maintain cost control when the project conditions keep shifting.

I’ve seen some companies rely on tunnel estimating services in USA to manage these complexities more efficiently. These services help predict costs with better precision by analyzing soil conditions, support systems, excavation methods, and safety requirements.

If anyone here has experience working on tunnel projects, what tools or estimating methods have helped you avoid cost overruns? Your insights could really help others facing similar challenges. Please visit for more information: https://royaltakeoffs.com/tunnel-estimating-services/

[Md. Shafayath]

If you care about giving your dog the best quality food for a sensitive stomach, this brand might be just what you need. I’ve seen Best Freeze-Dried Dog Food for Sensitive Guts help my dog feel better and enjoy life more. However, if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly or easier to serve without rehydrating, you may want to explore other options. Based on my experience, here’s what you should know before deciding.

[Md. Shafayath]

If you care about giving your dog the best quality food for a sensitive stomach, this brand might be just what you need. I’ve seen https://petfoodhubing.com/best-freeze-dried-dog-food-for-sensitive-guts/”>Best Freeze-Dried Dog Food for Sensitive Guts help my dog feel better and enjoy life more. However, if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly or easier to serve without rehydrating, you may want to explore other options. Based on my experience, here’s what you should know before deciding.

[ibelu ibelu]

If you’re looking for budget-friendly dog food that doesn’t compromise on quality, I recently found a great guide listing some of the Top 10 Dog Foods trusted by dog owners for balanced nutrition and overall health.

It highlights key benefits and ingredients to help you choose what’s best for your dog’s specific needs — definitely worth a look!

[Emma Monty]

Hello! I’m not sure how helpful this still is – I was reading through this thread before even noticing you posted more than 10 years ago haha I honestly could recommend either valu pak dog food from Jeffers. Its good for 200 cups. This usually lasts me about 3 months and sometimes longer cause I like to mix homemade food with it but if you need 10 cups a day that span will be shorter. It’s $41 for 50 lbs. I’m not sure if it’s a budget option for you now though.

Another good option could be Pet Supplies Plus that have 5lb bag for $19 or the Purina dog food from Target. I sometimes buy the 8lb one priced at about $16.

Best of luck with your food adventures for your dog 🙂

[Mane Accusation]

I have a Shar Pei. So if you know this bread, it is so very allergic to almost everything. So we have to become vegetarians, but if in my case it works well, it didn’t help my dog to ged rid of allergies. So I have to order her food from a vet store in big sacks that last 2-3 months. This food works well, she is not allergic to it, but it is absolutely NOT budget-friendly. So it looks like I can’t help you.

[Dan B]

It’s understandable that you forgot to go to the store, but it’s great that you’re considering alternatives for your dog, Dexter. In terms of the treats you found, it’s important to note that individual dogs may react differently to various ingredients, and their dietary needs can vary.

If the ingredients on the bag only mention “buffalo” or “buffalo tendon,” it’s relatively straightforward, which is a good sign. Limited ingredient treats can be a good option, especially if your dog has any dietary sensitivities or allergies. However, it’s crucial to ensure that the treats don’t contain any additives, preservatives, or artificial ingredients that might be harmful to your dog.

To get more specific feedback on these treats, you might want to check online reviews or ask fellow dog owners in local pet communities or forums. People often share their experiences with different dog treats, which can provide valuable insights.

Additionally, you can introduce new treats gradually into Dexter’s diet to monitor how he reacts and ensure there are no adverse effects. If you’re uncertain or have specific concerns about the treats, consulting with your veterinarian is always a good idea. They can provide personalized advice based on Dexter’s health, dietary needs, and any specific considerations.
! When considering your dog’s well-being, it’s also worth mentioning the importance of having dog insurance. Dog insurance can provide financial assistance in case of unexpected veterinary expenses, ensuring that your pet receives the necessary care without putting a strain on your budget. Visit this site to get more information about dog insurance, https://pawdarling.com/

Just like with human health insurance, dog insurance policies can vary, covering a range of services from routine check-ups to emergency treatments. It’s advisable to explore different insurance options, compare coverage, and choose a plan that aligns with your dog’s needs and your financial considerations.

[Jon S]

Hi there! It’s great that you’re looking for affordable kibble options for your pup. Here are a few suggestions for grain-inclusive kibbles that might fit your budget:

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula: This kibble is made with high-quality protein sources and includes wholesome whole grains. It’s available in a variety of flavors and sizes, so you can choose the one that works best for your pup.

Hill’s Science Diet Adult: This kibble is made with natural ingredients and includes a blend of antioxidants for immune support. It’s available in a variety of flavors and sizes and is designed to support digestive health.

Diamond Naturals Adult: This kibble is made with high-quality protein sources and includes whole grains for energy. It’s available in a variety of flavors and sizes and is designed to support digestive and immune health.

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult: This kibble is made with natural ingredients and includes whole grains for sustained energy. It’s available in a variety of flavors and sizes and is designed to support digestive and immune health.

Remember to transition your pup slowly to any new food to avoid digestive upset. Good luck and I hope this helps! https://petpalace.uk

[aimee]

Hi Patricia,

I’m assuming you meant to ask why Purina owns Alpo. It seems that you are saying by selling ALPO they are not standing by nutrition across the board. It is a sentiment I do not share.

I think there are many paths to nutritional soundness and for me the ingredient list plays a minor role in my overall assessment of a food. I didn’t used to be this way , I used to be an avid label reader but after many hours of self study using resources like the Nutritional Requirements of Dogs and Cats put out by the NRC and spending many hours on Pub Med getting familiar with nutritional research it is where I landed.

I see Purina as a company that makes food at a variety of price points to fit the various budgets and philosophies of a wide segment of the pet owning population. Foods at a lower price point I suspect are going to be more plant based and will likely have larger stool volume compared to the higher price point options but IMO they both reach nutritional goals.

[budget V]

I tried bravecto flea and tick for dogs. it helps a lot on my dog and it is recommended by my vet. It destroys newly arriving fleas for 12 weeks and only one chew protects the dog for 12 weeks against deadly ticks. After using that, my dog can roam easily anywhere without any tension.

[Alam W]

Appreciate you chiming in from the recipient’s point of view. you can try Bravecto for dogs an effective flea and tick treatment for dogs that treats Lyme Disease to know more visit: budgetpetcare.com

[Chipy]

Leamless, it’s so great that you are considering to switch from kibble to something healthier. I know what it’s like to live on a strict budget and understand how expensive life can get. In my experience it is more economical to feed a home-made diet (raw or cooked) than feeding commercially processed pet foods. You also get the benefit of understanding where each ingredient comes from (dog food recalls have been super scary lately)!

We switched to home-made meals years ago and it was the best decision for our dog and my budget. LOL I am happy to share some resources that have been super helpful in guiding us to prepare balanced, home-made meals.

Dr. Dobias has created a free Natural Diet Course which contains videos and articles full of information on this subject;

https://peterdobias.com/pages/course-rawdiet

His online Recipe Maker will help you build healthy meals for your dog with the ingredients you have available. It provides guidance on amounts of each ingredient and which ingredients are best;

https://recipemaker.peterdobias.com

The key is to offer a variety of both proteins and vegetables, and add essential nutrients (non-synthetic, whole-food based supplements) to help fill in any nutritional deficiencies;

Dog Essentials

I hope this helps to get you started on this journey. It takes some time to learn the basics but the energy investment will definitely pay off when your dog is super healthy thanks to natural nutrition and you get to save on unnecessary vet bills.

[crazy4cats]

We like Purina One in our family for a budget friendly dog food. They have a sensitive skin and stomach formula that might work for you: https://www.purina.com/purina-one/dogs/dry-dog-food/sensitive-systems-real-salmon.

Best of luck to you and your furry family.

[RaNelle S]

I realize this is an older discussion, but wanted to let Susan know that her comments have been extremely helpful! Thank you so much! I have learned more from reading your responses than from my primary vet and Specialist (internal medicine). In the Specialist’s defense, she has seen my pup only one time and records she received seem to be a little lacking (ie: she only received his most recent weight).
And for reference (and possibly advice?), my pup is a 10 year old, field-breed male yellow lab. Around May, 2019, he started with bouts of daily diarrhea or sloppy poos, with intermittent mucus. I wanna say, occasionally grainy. And possibly more yellow in color…seems like he was producing lots of different colors , textures, etc. Poop was foul smelling (I was thinking, of course, he’s sick), he strained on an almost daily basis, and seemed to hurt internally as he was not as cheerful and seemed slow to lay down. First day he vomited a few times, but only that day. He loves to eat and only one day did his appetite change (he did not eat, but he also did not greet m when I got home from work nor did he wag his tail).
He did not have any internal parasites and all labs came back normal (vet did some in-house and sent them out). Vet checked for all kinds of things, some with which I was unfamiliar. He was current on vaccinations and my other dog was not having same issue. Primary vet concluded IBD. We did several things (and not in this order): changed foods from Pro-plan Sport 26/16 to Hill’s Prescription Diet, low-fat I/D, added daily probiotic (Proviable), treated him for worms, gave him a round of antibiotics, he ate a week of cooked chicken and white rice only, and eventually his normal bowel movements returned. He lost a little weight chicken & rice since I had no idea how much to feed him! Vet looked into cost of a colonoscopy, which is not inexpensive, and since his normal returned, we did not do. The frequent stomach grumbling and gas continued though.
Well, low and behold, the loose stool with mucus, grainy texture, foul smell, et all returned again this May (2020)! Parasite check is negative, he is current on vaccinations, and other dog is not having any issues. So, he saw the Specialist last week (primary vet had no new options). Ultrasound indicated no cancer so she concluded IBD and has suggested a limited ingredient diet with a novel protein, at least a 30 day round of Metronidazole 500mg, and change probiotic to Visbiome. I am trying to decide on which LID to use that is within my budget and the brand has little to no issues (low quality ingredients, recalls, lawsuits, etc.). My niece, a dog trainer, his breeder and owner of his parents, is cautioning me to avoid foods with sweet potatoes or peas if they are a top three ingredients.
I have learned from another dog food advisor member that Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency or EPI, is a possibility. He did starting eating his own poop all of a sudden! This started before his initial bout of the chronic diarrhea . Wish I could say exactly when though. I am hoping that his primary vet wrote this in his chart. Unfortunately I failed to mention this to the Specialist. I will follow up with primary vet when she opens on Monday to get timeframe and discuss if he has been tested for EPI.
I am excited about the prospect of getting to the bottom of this and am grateful to have found this forum! And I so appreciate your knowledge and willingness to share, Susan! Thank you!!

[Patricia A]

Hi Tom…You can look at Budget friendly dog food at this site here on the Dog Food Advisor. /best-dog-foods/budget-friendly/
Also, I know my senior dog when at that age really enjoyed some plain boiled white meat chicken, string beans and very lean hamburger mixed in with her kibble. This way you can possibly get a higher rated 4 or 5* kibble and stretch it by giving a little less kibble with simple homemade cooked food. However, please go VERY SLOWLY with any transition of any new type of food as not to upset his stomach. Good luck and since your profile photo has you with a good catch I say happy fishing to you since I also enjoy fishing.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by Patricia A.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 6 months ago by Patricia A.

[Tom W]

I’m high risk so I try to avoid going out during this Pandemic. I had been buying a food at Costco but it wasn’t Kirkland but DFA gave it a 4 star rating. Now I don’t go to Costco because I’m also disabled and cannot wait in the line to get in plus the crowds. Plus due to the nature of my disability it’s really hard to deal the the large sacks of food. Last April I thought I found a good food for my 25lb 16-year-old mutt on Amazon it was Blackwood and it was only $15.32 for 15lbs. I should have realized that price is too good to be true because this month it’s double that price.

I can afford to spend up to about $20 for 15lbs if the dry food is good quality. I always try to stick to foods that DFA gives 4 stars or better. I was only paying about $25 for a much bigger bag at Costco before.

Any suggestions or am I expecting to much?

[Steve P]

Hi, I feed 5 dogs…. 2 “Teddy Bears” Bichon / Shih-Tzu mix
1 “Golden Doodle”
1 “Great Dane”
1 “Blue Heeler / Lab” mix

One of my Teddy Bears Itches, and scratches constantly, has developed some sores, yeast in ears, and odor. I feed Diamond Naturals, Lamb & Rice. Yes, it’s not the best, but it’s $36 for 40#. I’m a disabled Police Officer, single dad, so my budget is a concern. Any suggestions on a food that will help his itching? And not break the bank? Thx!

[Ronald B]

Sandra – While I think that a review about something “worth the price” is subjective and not really worth much. As for a comparison to other foods, I think that having transparent information on sourcing of ingredients is one of our first steps in deciding on a food for our family members. Not everyone agrees, and there is lot of support for “make your own” (which we tried as well). That said, we’re on a fixed budget, so we go for what we think is the “best” that we can afford. There are other websites that do reviews and one of the best is thruthaboutpetfood.com and petsumerreport.com. Hope this helps.

[Alvin J]

Finding the right food for your dog requires knowing how to understand the labels of the compositions but also giving the right things at the right time, in the right quantity. The choice of dog food is made according to the preferences of his dog and according to the possibilities of humans, whether it is organization, practicality or budget. it is essential to give a diet adapted to the needs of your dog, to his state of health, and to his habits. so think About your Dog and than Choose His Food Wisely . I Bought Dengo Dental Stick once and than i found that really very good … it is good for my dog .. hope you get your ans. (https://blog.dadogsyard.com/dingo-dental-sticks-reviews/)

[Suzanna F]

Hello Everyone!

I am on a new and very tight budget and am wondering what is the best bang for your buck dog food without chicken out there. One of my dogs is allergic to chicken and will also develop allergies to any protein he gets fed for more than a few months so a rotation of proteins is necessary. I am trying to keep it under $50/bag if possible. Do you guys have any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Rachel E]

So I just changed my dogs food. Been trying to find one that is best for him. He’s a hybrid breed and supper hyperactive. He German shepherd and border collie mix with a sensitive stomach. Also was not acting like he was satisfied with his food. Always getting into left over food. So I switched him to simply nourish limited ingredients. Now I’m on a tight budget. And simply nourish was with in my budget. It has only been a few days. But I’ve noticed a change in him. His brain is supper intelligent like mine, and I know that requires more vitamins and minerals. Energy requires high protein. He’s been more relaxed and not seeming so hungry. He has not gotten sick off the food.

[Daniel S]

Hi there, I’m the founder of KetoNatural Pet Foods.

On the issue of ingredient commonality, chicken is BY FAR the most prevalent ingredient in our chicken recipe (and salmon is by far the most prevalent ingredient in our salmon recipe). In both cases, the meat products make up 75% or more of the formula. And, unlike most pet food companies (including at least one of the two you’ve mentioned here) when I make that claim I’m making it on a post-dehydration basis. We add our chicken to our formula AFTER it has been dehydrated, so the percentage of the formula that is chicken is not skewed by the presence of water. Even after dehydration, it’s still the case that more than 75% of our formula is chicken. Your statement that chicken is the “fifth of sixth ingredient” is completely false, I assure you. It’s BY FAR the most common ingredient and I’m not aware of another kibble on the planet that has a higher ratio of animal products to starch than Ketona (and I’ve actually written a book about this subject, so I’m quite familiar with the marketplace!).

(If you want to see this “dehydration issue” for yourself, go check out the website for Orijen by Champion Pet Foods. The company claims that most of its Orijen formulas are at least 90% meat products. But the formulas are also typically at least 25% carbohydrate. Animal products don’t contain carbohydrates. So something doesn’t add up. That “something” is the presence of water in the animal ingredients.)

On this issue of price, it is indeed the case that our food is more expensive than many (but not all) kibbles. But it’s nutritional composition is different too. We have by far the lowest carbohydrate content of any dry pet food on the market today. Carb-heavy ingredients (corn, rice, potatoes, etc.) are the cheapest ingredients. And that’s why most kibbles are insanely cheap (far cheaper than the trashiest fast food on a per-calorie basis). Because our formulas feature more animal-based ingredients and fewer carb-heavy ingredients, they’re more expensive to produce. So we have to charge a bit more. But I’ll note that (1) our prices are only about 20-25% of nutritionally-similar raw diets (the only other types of pet food products that have a nutritional content remotely similar to ours) and (2) on a quantitative basis, switching a 50-pound dog from Acana to Ketona is only likely to add $0.50 to $1.00 per day to your dog food budget. Hardly a massive change.

Regards,

Daniel Schulof
KetoNatural Pet Foods

[haleycookie]

Royal Canin is expensive corn cereal for dogs. I would at least look into meat based brands like nature’s variety instinct, and merrick back country. Or even a refrigerated food like fresh pet. Despite what anon says I know for a fact what nutrition is taught at the vet school in my state. And it is an option elective class that covers most small animal pets. And the text books are written by vets in association with the big 3 which use biased budget based “science”. Dogs are mesocarnivores regardless of size or breed and a corn based diet is not ideal.

[Bri K]

I recently came across a recommendation for Animal Lovers House LLC generic version of Capstar. I ordered some out of desperation to keep my current flea issue from getting out of control and stay on budget, but now I’m scared to use it. Has anyone had any recent experience with them or their products? All these bad flea meds and fake products have made me very nervous. Thanks for any input!

[PJ B]

I have found Diamond Naturals, especially Beef & Rice formula, an incredible value. It is also available at Tractor Supply since they also make the 4 Health dry food. Second choice I have found is Natures Recipe. I am retired and understand budget demands but have found that dogs will do alright on Dog Chow type brands you make out much better since you can feed a little less with a quality brand. Your Vet might not appreciate it 😂 but your dog will… Dog will have less health issues, lots of energy and be happy.

[PJ B]

I have found Diamond Naturals, especially Beef & Rice formula, an incredible value. It is also available at Tractor Supply since they also make the 4 Health dry food. Second choice I have found is Natures Recipe. I am retired and understand budget demands but have found that dogs will do alright on Dog Chow type brands you make out much better since you can feed a little less with a quality brand. Your Vet might not appreciate it 😂 but your dog will… Dog will have less health issues, lots of energy and be happy.

[Jessica C]

Have you ever thrown a party for your dog? Believe it or not, 11% of Americans have and almost 30% give a present to their dog on their special day.

Throwing a party for your pup doesn’t have to be stressful, it can be all out or simple DIY. After all, it’s unlikely you’ll disappoint your dog.

If you’ve been thinking about throwing a birthday party for your dog but weren’t sure where to start, or would just like to gather some inspiration on how to celebrate your puppy’s first birthday, we’ve dug up some ideas on how you can throw a dog birthday party. Take it step by step, or cherry-pick what works for you.

1. Occasion?
2. Budget?
3. Who’s Coming?
4. Location
5. Theme
6. Music
7. Decorations
8. Invitations
9. Food & Drink
10. Dog Birthday Cake
11. Activities
12. Planning
13. Gifts
Read More here: Dog Party Ideas

[Melanie O]

Hello,

I also have a dog that was just diagnosed with struvite crystals and the vet told me I had to put her on Royal Canin SO food indefinitely to dissolve the crystals and lower the PH of her urine.
I cannot afford this. I buy her the best dog food I can, I read the ingredients of each bag to make sure I am getting a food that doesn’t have a lot of garbage in it – ultimately ending up in my spending about 36.00 a bag. This is at the high end of my budget and the royal canin, for a smaller bag is going to cost me double that.

I am looking for alternatives to reducing the ph in her urine as well as dissolving the crystals. Nothing in her bladder, there was a tiny bit of bacteria but no blood. I was thinking of getting cranberry relief chews for her to help with infection but how do i dissolve the crystals in her urine and/or reduce the ph? I was going through a lot of the posts but there are so many I thought I would just go about it this way. You all are such a wealth of information I can’t wait to hear from you!

[anonymous]

Quote “Well, scouring the net, Royal Canine does not seem to have a good reputation in general”

Stop scouring the net! Too much bogus information. Listen to a veterinary healthcare professional that has examined the dog. What worked for someone else’s dog won’t necessarily work for yours.

Five days! Give the dog a break, they need at least a month to transition. She is probably grieving her previous home.
Some dogs stop eating when they are kenneled, never mind being sent to a new home.
A small breed at 6 months is almost an adult.
In fact, I hope she has been fixed. The vets those shelters use do the bare minimum due to budget constraints.
Usually just vaccinations and a quick look over…not a thorough exam.
Make sure her teeth are okay, small breeds have lousy teeth, if there is pain that would explain her reluctance to eat.
This is a good time to find a vet near home and have a meet and greet. Discuss flea/tick prevention, heartworm meds, etc.

[Christina T]

My budget is a little lower (teacher salary) than I like so thank you for that. I have been looking for a food with glucosamine and chondroitin because I didn’t know about the food levels being too low. I’m ordering that separately. I haven’t heard of Victor Senior. I’m learning a lot from you! Still overwhelmed and not sure why this site doesn’t list for seniors unless it IS because, as you say, they don’t require it. You are MUCH appreciated. I’ll check out Victor Senior, too.

[Sanne]

I don’t know about sites as I do not follow what any ratings say, that is just not how I choose my dog food.

Everyone has different budgets so it is hard for me to say what is affordable without knowing yours. An adult food could work for your dog though. Seniors don’t really have special dietary needs. Some less active ones could do with less fat and calories but there are also adult foods that are not high in those. Glucosamine and Chondroitin added to most senior foods is pretty useless. The amount the dog would have to eat just to get a reasonable amount is ridiculously high.

That said, Victor Senior is IMO a pretty affordable food with a good nutrition analysis. Good level of protein for a senior, lower fat without being too low (not enough could cause skin problems), phosphorus and sodium levels are good, good amount of L-Carnitine, and calories are quite low.

[Sabrina H]

It’s hard to find dog food that fits my dog’s needs and my budget. Zignature was working for us but until more information comes out about DCM I’m just not comfortable feeding it anymore.

My dog can’t tolerate grains (trust me, I wish I could feed grain inclusive food because it’s way cheaper), can’t tolerate pork, needs to have fiber around 5% or he has anal gland problems, and I can’t afford more than $1/day. It’s a pain. I’m ok supplementing a little extra fiber (I use Firm Up) if the food is great otherwise.

Does anyone feel like looking at dog food ingredients and giving me their thoughts? These are some of the main ones I’m considering in the new rotation. His current food is included for reference. I’m trying to keep potatoes/legumes out of the first 3 ingredients until we learn more about DCM. I know I probably shouldn’t worry, but stressing about everything is kind of my specialty.

Current food: Zignature Turkey
Cost: $0.77/day Fiber: 6%
Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chickpeas, Peas, Pea Protein, Sunflower Oil (preserved with Citric Acid), Flaxseed, Natural Flavors, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dried Beet Pulp, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Selenium Yeast), Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Niacin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12), Lactic Acid, Blueberries, Carrots, Cranberries, Calcium Iodate, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols.

Petcurean GO! Fit & Free
Cost: $0.97/day Fiber: 3%- a lot of Firm Up required
Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal, De-Boned Chicken, De-Boned Turkey, De-Boned Trout, Potatoes, Peas, Tapioca, Lentil Beans, Chickpeas, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Chicken Flavour, Whole Dried Egg, Apples, Duck Meal, Herring Meal, Salmon Oil, Alfalfa, De-Boned Duck, De-Boned Salmon, Sweet Potatoes, Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Coconut Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Pumpkin, Carrots, Bananas, Blueberries, Cranberries, Broccoli, Spinach, Alfalfa Sprouts, Blackberries, Squash, Papayas, Pomegranate, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Vitamins (Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Inositol, Niacin, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (a Source of Vitamin C), D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Beta-Carotene, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Sulphate, Ferrous Sulphate, Calcium Iodate, Manganous Oxide, Selenium Yeast), Sodium Chloride, Taurine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Dried Rosemary, Green Tea Extract, Peppermint, Parsley, Rosehips, Zedoary, Dandelion, Chamomile, Ginger, Fennel, Tumeric, Juniper Berries, Licorice, Marigold Extract, Cardamom, Cloves.

Health Extension Buffalo & Whitefish
Cost: $1/day Fiber: 5%
Buffalo, Deboned Whitefish, Buffalo Meal, Whitefish Meal (Source Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Chickpeas, Lentils, Salmon Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Tapioca Starch, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Peas, Coconut Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Carrots, Dried Seaweed Meal, Pomegranate, Blackberries, Whole Blueberries, Whole Cranberries, Raspberries, Potassium Chloride, Spinach, Turmeric, Tomato, Beets, Parsley, Chicory Root Extract, Sage, Bovine Colostrum, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Ginger, Green Tea Extract, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Choline Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Inositol, Organic Dehydrated Kelp, Zinc Polysaccharide Complex, Iron Polysaccharide Complex, Manganese Polysaccharide Complex, Copper Polysaccharide Complex, Cobalt Polysaccharide Complex, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Pectin, Dried Lactobacilus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Baciollus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product.

Health Extension Chicken & Turkey
Cost: $1/day Fiber: 5%
Organic Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Potatoes, Chickpeas, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Coconut Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Carrots, Dried Seaweed Meal, Pomegranate, Blackberries, Whole Blueberries, Whole Cranberries, Raspberries, Potassium Chloride, Spinach, Turmeric, Tomato, Beets, Parsley, Chicory Root Extract, Sage, Bovine Colostrum, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Ginger, Green Tea Extract, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Choline Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Inositol, Organic Dehydrated Kelp, Zinc Polysaccharide Complex, Iron Polysaccharide Complex, Manganese Polysaccharide Complex, Copper Polysaccharide Complex, Cobalt Polysaccharide Complex, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Pectin, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Baciollus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product.

Wellness CORE Original
Cost: $0.99/day Fiber: 4%- a little Firm Up required
Organic Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Potatoes, Chickpeas, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin, Coconut Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Whole Carrots, Dried Seaweed Meal, Pomegranate, Blackberries, Whole Blueberries, Whole Cranberries, Raspberries, Potassium Chloride, Spinach, Turmeric, Tomato, Beets, Parsley, Chicory Root Extract, Sage, Bovine Colostrum, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Ginger, Green Tea Extract, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Choline Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Inositol, Organic Dehydrated Kelp, Zinc Polysaccharide Complex, Iron Polysaccharide Complex, Manganese Polysaccharide Complex, Copper Polysaccharide Complex, Cobalt Polysaccharide Complex, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Pectin, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Baciollus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Product.

American Journey Chicken & Sweet Potato
Cost: $0.74/day Fiber: 5%
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas, Pea Protein, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Menhaden Fish Meal, Salmon Oil, Blueberries, Carrots, Salt, Dried Kelp, Fructooligosaccharides, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Selenite, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Copper Proteinate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganese Proteinate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.

Canidae Pure Sky Duck
Cost: $0.90/day Fiber: 4%- A little Firm Up required.
Duck, Duck Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Chicken Fat, Potatoes, Sun-cured Alfalfa, Natural Flavor, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Choline Chloride, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (A Natural Source of Vitamin E).

[Amir H]

Thanks for the reply.

I do know about the DCM issue and grain-free. That’s why i chose Fromm large breed puppy (it has 4 stars on dogfood advisor). I am worried about switching to a grain-free diet a bit as well but most high quality kibbles are grain free these days (Fromm is really an exception). Here are some other thoughts I had:

1- Orijen is great in terms of ingredients but their last lawsuit is keeping me away from Orijen and Acana. I totally know that the lawsuit could be baseless but I want to be safe.

2- I’m adding Primal nuggets and stella & chewy freeze dried to Fromm kibble as topper every day. So that’s a route I can continue. My dog eats 3 cups of Fromm food and the toppers I put are about 0.4 cups. So, at least I know I’m getting some freeze dried food and some other nutritions to her.

3- I’ve also considered going completely freeze dried (buy Stella & Chewy). It’d be expensive but it still fits my budget. I just don’t want to make the transition while she’s still a puppy. I’ll do that when I’m transitioning her to adult food.

It’s kind of sad that all good quality foods are grain-free these days.

[Amir H]

Hi all,
I have a standard Poodle puppy (7 months old). She’s about 32 pounds know. I’m not sure if she’s gonna be above 50 lbs. To be safe I’m feeding her large breed puppy food. She’s been on Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy for a few months now and she’s doing good (I have to add some freeze dried toppers to her food to keep her interested).

I’m thinking of rotating her food to something else just to make sure she’s getting all the necessary the necessary nutrition. I’m thinking of switching her to Stella and Chewy Raw Coated Kibble for Puppies: https://www.stellaandchewys.com/dog-food/raw-coated-kibble/puppy-chicken-recipe
I know that Stella and Chewy kibble is higher price, but it’s within my budget.

I wanted to know if this is a good decision or not? Should I just stay on Fromm or for the next 3 months switch her to something else for the sake of rotation.

[InkedMarie]

Marco,
There is no reliable way to do cost per day. Every dog is different, they require different calories per day depending on various things including their weight & activity level. Not to mention dog foods cost different prices all over the US.

If you’re looking for a budget friendly food and are an Editors Choice member, there is a list of those foods.

[zcRiley]

Budget cuts and mergers have driven quality control down, prices have doubled while the labeled bags contain much less over time. The (in)voluntary recalls are becoming alarming and you wonder if you should join the lawsuits out of fear or an actual mishap with your dog. It’s time vs money vs your anger. Yes, the kibble-raw-freeze dried-wet food buying community IS at the mercy of all brands. Anyone testing each bag for Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes or “elevated” levels of certain vitamins? Not me, as I trustingly scoop the kibble out twice day, adding freeze dried on top, always wondering. And adding nutrients like I’m a canine nutritionist. With that said, I spend as much money as my bank account allows for food allergy panels, blood tests and anything else I need to do to “know” my dogs’ bodies throughout the year. Otherwise, we’re just sitting ducks as we may misinterpret the recalls. Yes, large class action lawsuits do have merit. I wouldn’t ignore how it became that way with thousands of medical issues and/or dog deaths documented. Again, “know” your dog every single day and be on top of the news. All dogs are NOT the same.

[Bobby dog]

Hi Marie and Merry Christmas!!!
I do, I mentioned them above in my post I wasn’t ignoring your question!!

I’m sticking with the big 3 as of now until it’s figured out. I mostly feed Purina canned & kibble; they fit into my budget more so than others.

I already had Purina and some SD canned in my rotation. I hope to add a few kibble recipes from Eukanuba and some RC canned in the future. RC kibble is out of my price range!!

For kibble I had been feeding various Purina lines for about five years along with Fromm, Annamaet, Wellness, and Exclusive. Looked back on a food chart I used to keep!! From that kibble rotation I only kept Purina.

He does really well on Pro Plan weight management recipes, Beneful Select 10, and Dog Chow Naturals.

[joanne l]

If you can keep him on what is working, I know you need something cheaper, but if your dog doesn’t respond well you are doing more harm than good, and then may need to spend even more money. I don’t know your situation, money wise, but if you can stretch it a bit to keep him on what works would be best. I am just trying to keep it simple. As far as ratings go on this site, I would not be too concerned about it, what works for your dog is more important. However, if you can stay away from grocery store brands, some people have luck with them and some don’t. The ones that didn’t have any luck had dogs pooping blood or getting really sick. That’s what I heard. So I wouldn’t take a chance. I hope you find a budget that you can keep buying what he is eating now.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by joanne l.
• This reply was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by joanne l.

[Vicki B]

So….. it appears it has been quite awhile since any feedback on the Acana has been posted here…. Wondering if all has straightened out or are there still issues. My Lab does not seem to have problems… been on it for a number of years , although the U.S.A. food does seem “different”….. my other dog… a boxer mix is having issues with throwing up and pudding poop and thinking it could be the food.

Not sure of what to change them to….. I have put the boxer on Merrick Grain free Lamb but he still has pudding poop on and off……
None of this might be the Acana…. but I am looking to change food anyway since I just do not have the faith in Acana that I use to have. My budget says I cant go more expensive….. not feeding two big boys…. but…. I have to make a change. He likes the Merrick…just not sure.

[anonymous]

@ Ryan
I am so glad that you are establishing a good relationship with your vet and her clinic, they tend to work as a team. I am familiar with all the vets at the clinic we go to. Of course I have my favorites, but if they are not available I go with who is.

It makes a difference and I have found that when they can give me a break, they do.
Let them know you are on a tight budget, they understand.
And don’t be afraid to e-mail them with questions and such, it’s all good 🙂

Oh, and depending on the anticonvulsant it may take a week or two for the medication to kick in, ask your vet. So, of course I would continue current prescribed meds until told not to by the examining vet.

Another question for your vet, the old rule of thumb was that if the dog is having one or more seizures per month or the seizures are severe, the vets usually recommend starting medication. Ask if this has changed.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Joanne-
I have fed a lot of grain free WEF, Victor and TOTW along with some Purina, Fromm, Eagle Pack, Iams and Authority with grains. I’ve never thought grain free was necessarily better, but my dogs seem to do better poop wise with a little higher fiber. They had a rough start with parasites when they were pups and tend to have loose stools ever since.

Fromm Gold weight control is not grain free, but is fairly high in fiber and now am wondering if that is an issue now too. I am planning on switching to their reduced activity recipe instead which is a little lower in fiber.

It’s hard to know if there truly is a grain free concern since there is such a small sample of dogs so far. But having two lab/golden mix dogs, I’m going to play it safe. Both breeds are mentioned often in the different reports I’ve read.

I feed my cats about half Royal Canin kibble and half various canned food. RC is a little too expensive for our pet budget for two large dogs, however.

It doesn’t sound like your dog is sensitive to chicken. It’s so hard to tell with kibble because there are so many ingredients. Also, if your dog is anything like mine, they get into things they shouldn’t. Also, environmental allergies can also be an issue. The only way to know for sure is to do a true elimination diet with a hypoallergenic Rx dog food.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[Molly H]

Hi!

I have a 4-month-old Newfoundland puppy and 2 adult Havanese. Right now I am feeding Victor’s Nutra Pro but the kibble is so tiny I was hoping to find some more foods to choose from. Are there any good large/giant puppy foods that aren’t crazy expensive and also good for my adults?

TIA

[Sweet Pea the Collie Mix]

Surprisingly veggies arent her thing. I think she is more of a carnivore than an omnivore. We are feeding her twice just to get her more hungry since she really doesnt enjoy eating from what I can see, but I will try rationing out her food a bit more! I really think she would blossom on a raw or homemade diet but I am not confident in my nutrition knowledge to do something like that. I researched a good kibble for a long time before choosing Victor, since it was a good price and a good quality. I really wish I could afford the high end dog food like Canidae but my budget doesn’t allow it sadly. But Victor absorbs water well and it is nutritious so Im not too worried.

[Celt S]

Applaws is a very good dry cat food in my opinion. Very heavy on meat protein and almost no grain. Here it’s $20 for a 4 lb bag. Which is pretty decent for the quality. Another much more cost effective, if not the same quality, good food is Crave. It’s about 10 for 4 lbs. Nutro’s Wild Frontier dry is decent too. Both Crave and Nutro have more “grain” to them but isn’t bad. Nutro perfect portions, Fancy Feast (classics only, the rest has too much “extras”), some Fancy Feast broths (usually in the treat section, but are doable has a meal), Fancy Feast fillets (same place), Crave, and Muse (not the ones in the can) are also usually cost effective and pretty good. I love the applaws wet foods, but have to say they are a bit pricey. Worth it but not very budget friendly.

[Spy Car]

Hello Jan,

I strongly believe that raw feeding is the healthiest diet for dogs, but it is not a panacea.

The greatest benefit would be to reduce the weight of your lab. Reducing (or eliminating) carbohydrates via a raw diet (or mixed diet) helps. Dogs burn fat very efficiently and while it seems counter-intuitive, fat metabolism helps with weight loss.

The pork femur bones, sadly, are a poor choice, as a bone source. They are too hard to the “eaten” and therefore pose a hazard to teeth and risk obstructions id swallowed in large pieces. Bone-in chicken pieces are far preferable.

On a budget, you’d spend less if you find whole ingredients and feed according to the Prey Model 80/10/10 (meat/soft-edible bones/organs) formula.

Chicken feet are a good source of edible bone and do contain a lot of glucosamine. Couldn’t hurt. But weight loss is the critical issue.

Aim to slowly reduce weight. A raw diet promotes a lean body type. Getting rid of the carbs is key.

Best,

Bill

[Sabrina H]

My dog has a few issues the vet has been overwhelmingly unhelpful in resolving. I’m hoping a food change can resolve some of it. He’s had a constant issue with impacted anal glands, which is mostly solved by keeping him on food that’s 4.5-5% fiber. 5.5% and up is too high, making his feces completely unformed and his anal glad problem worse. 4% and below gives him solid formed feces, but they aren’t large enough to clear the glands. He also has a constant problem with one ear that bothers him intermittently, and there’s no apparent pattern to when or why it happens. The vet can’t see any signs of any kind of issue in the ear at all and no treatment has worked. Finally, he has constant dandruff and has recently acquired an itchy neck. Fish oil supplements don’t help.

Switching him off Beneful and on to 4Health helped his feces consistency a little, but the itchy skin and dandruff were horrid and the ear problems were still bad. Taste of the Wild greatly improved his skin over the last couple years, and certain formulas help keep the anal gland issues at bay. With his newly itchy neck, dandruff, and ear issues showing no improvement, it’s time to try another food. I’m only a very tight budget though with very little wiggle room and I can’t spend much over $2 per pound. $2.30 per pound is beyond pushing it, so I would not even go that high if possible. I’m having issues finding food that fits everything I need. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

[Jan I]

My 8yr. old 140lb. Lab mix has recently started suffering from hip dysplasia. I am really reluctant to the idea of surgery. I started him on glucosamine Chews and switched his dog food from Purina Pro to Nitro dog food. Then I read about chicken feet and started feeding him those for his afternoon treat. That got me interested in the raw food diet and I found My Pet Carnivore web sight. I ordered a case of ground Green Beef Tripe with Trachea & Gullet and an order of pork femur bones. I am a widow on a strict budget and plan on feeding raw and kibble. I learned not to feed both at same time. Haven’t received my order yet but interested in feedback and suggestions. Also wondering if anyone feeding raw diet can tell me if this will give him any relief with his problem. Digger means the world to me. He’s been my greatest comfort through my husbands illness and recent death. I never sought his comfort he just gives. The only time this lug of a dog gives me problems is when I try and push a pill down his throat or hide it in food….he knows and refuses. He has been walked pretty much consistently since I got him.

[Takela E]

Have you considered WholeHearted for the budget friendly list? I’m in part wondering where it falls as far as a company report goes. On the surface it seems like a good food at a good price. But I always wonder!

[BaileysMom86]

Hello, I have an 8 year old Lhasa/Shih Tzu mix (our best guess since he was a stray) named Bailey that we adopted him from the humane society 6 years ago. Bailey has licked his paws and everything else (the floor, the couch, us) since the day I adopted him and I have gone to many vets over the years, tried all different kinds of foods, etc. He has been on grain free food since a few weeks after I adopted him. We tried many brands over the years, but Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream was what we fed him for years because he would actually eat it (he’s very picky) and didn’t seem to bother him. He started to like it less and less and I had to coax him to eat. So at the beginning of August last year, I went to the pet store and asked if they would recommend a food that Bailey would eat and one that had very good nutrition to help my other dog shed a few pounds (she has no licking issues, she was just a little overweight that exercise wasn’t helping). He recommended Acana Singles lamb and apple. I transitioned him over and things went well at first, Bailey loved the food and I hadn’t seen him excited for meal time like that before. Then, at the end of August/beginning of September, things changed. One day, pretty much overnight, he went from licking his paws to biting them to the point they bled. He attacked all 4 paws and his “armpits” to the point they lost all fur and were a mess. We put an e-collar on him to prevent further damage and went to our vet. He was given medication for a staph infection, along with ketoconazole pills. His wounds healed, slowly, but he still attacked his paws every time we took the e-collar off. He would also contort and get to his back paw every now and then even with the e-collar. The vet pushed for hypoallergenic food and Apoquel. I told her I was going to switch him back to Taste of the Wild instead and she prescribed him a course of Temaril P to help with the itching, which did not help one single bit. I tried a lot of shampoos, olive oil in his food, Sulfodene ointment, seasonal allergy chews, basically anything I could find over the counter to help him so we could finally take the e-collar off. Nothing worked. I bathed him in Zymox shampoo one day and he broke out in red bumps down his back and extending to his belly and legs. They looked like hives and formed greenish/tan crusts. So I went to a different vet that was recommended by my mother in law. That vet recommended a Cytopoint shot so we had it done and it did absolutely nothing for Bailey’s itching. They also gave powder to put in between his toes to stop the itching and a shampoo to help his skin. Nothing helped and he was still having to live in the e-collar. So they thought it might be sarcoptic mange and gave him a Frontline injection, which did not help. Then they recommended Apoquel. I had a lot of concerns about that medication, but desperate for some relief for Bailey, I gave it to him. It helped a tiny bit, but not enough to take him off the e-collar and not enough to make me want to continue. Also, a small mass he had on his gums where he had lost a tooth swelled up to the point that I was very concerned so we stopped the Apoquel. Thankfully, the mass shrank back down to the size it was before the Apoquel and today it is gone completely. Then they recommended allergy testing and that was very far out of my budget given the pretty hefty bill I had already accumulated at that point.

So, frustrated and desperate to find answers, I did a lot of research online to see if anyone else had experienced the issues Bailey was facing and learned about systemic yeast infection and correlation to food…which I have also recently (in the past 2 days) read many feel are unrelated. But anyways, in April this year, I put him a home cooked diet of ground beef (73/27), hard boiled eggs including the shell, Nupro Gold supplement, and an omega 3/omega 6 oil blend made by Ark Naturals. The changes he went through while on that diet were interesting to say the least. After about a week in, his white/cream fur turned dark pink in many places-down his legs, around his face, on his rear. This happened pretty much overnight and I was excited, thinking this was the yeast coming out (as I had previously researched). The fur color went back to normal about a week later. Then, his fur started falling out on its own (we had him in an e-collar still). It happened in patches. He didn’t get any ear infections since I started the diet though. In fact, his ears were cleaner than they had ever been since I adopted him, so that was a positive sign I held on to despite the loss of fur being a shock. Then, about 4 weeks in, he started getting a thick, green discharge from his eyes and some of the fur around his eyes fell out (but not all of it) and the skin was red. And all of the fur on his chest and neck fell out and the skin was red, hot and inflamed. He smelled terribly of Fritos and my house smelled terrible. All of this was very, very concerning but I told myself this was still the yeast and bathed him regularly with a holistic anti bacterial neem/tea tree shampoo and tried to keep him comfortable. A week later, he was still experiencing the fur loss/red skin and he also got a bad ear infection and his ear was swollen worse than I had ever seen it. The fur on the underside of his ear came off easily in chunks when I tried to clean his ears and put drops in. Then, the following day a benign cyst he had on his tail from the day I adopted him burst. I expressed as much of the black gunk as I could but was concerned about the bleeding and risk of infection (and everything else that was going on) so I took him to the vet again the next day. I told them about my systemic yeast theory, everything I was doing with his diet and everything he had experienced. They were concerned that he was possibly allergic to the eggs or beef I was feeding him and told me those were highly allergic foods. I was shocked and didn’t want to give up after being on the diet for less than 6 weeks, but I was very concerned about the state he was in. They gave him a steroid shot, more medication for his ear infection, a new chlorhexadine based shampoo and mousse, and a prescription for Purina Pro Plan Hydrolyzed food. They also sent me home with prednisone pills to use if the steroid shot didn’t help. I transitioned him to the new food. His ear infection cleared up with the meds. The steroid shot gave him some relief from itching for about 2 weeks, but it progressed back to him being very itchy. I called the vet and started him on the prednisone pills, but they didn’t help at all. Now, 5 weeks after I started him on the prescription food, he is absolutely miserable. He is still in an e-collar. He has been able to get it off a few times and he has chewed his paws bloody in a matter of seconds. I know he has not been on the food the recommended amount of time to truly evaluate it, but he is so itchy, rubs himself on anything he can, licks his e-collar constantly and will try to chew his paws the second he is done eating.

I can find a lot of information on yeast online, but very little on the symptoms dogs face during yeast die-off, only that it will usually get worse before it gets better. I know every dog is different, but I can’t find any personal accounts/experiences which is confusing. Then, I also recently read that many people say diet can’t create or eliminate yeast issues and that was a myth perpetuated by a vet on the internet. I’m so confused with information overload and saddened that my dog has had to live almost a year in an e-collar and is so miserable. Does anyone have feedback on the symptoms I described to determine if it was an effect of yeast die-off, or an allergic reaction to beef or eggs like the vet thought? I have been doing research on the internet this week trying to decide what move to make next in regards to getting my dog some relief from his itchiness and I’m trying to decide between keeping him on the hydrolyzed food, switching him to another food, going back to homemade, or doing something else. Thank you and I’m sorry this is so long!