[pitlove]

Hi Jennifer-

Great advice! I am a huge advocate for keeping dogs lean (4/9 BCS). Do you feed your St. Bernard puppies raw? Or do you feed a balanced kibble until they are finished growing and then switch to raw?

[Barb F]

I have an older beagle with blastomycosis. He has stopped eating dry food and canned foods (Pedigree, natural brands, etc.). What he currently loves is all forms of Stella & Chewy freeze dried raw foods, but they are hard to find and expensive (about $100/month). Can anyone suggest a food with a similar taste, smell that we might try? We have been using Stella for 4 months thinking he would be long for this world, but since he’s hanging in there, I’d like a food that he loves which is cheaper.

[Jennifer H]

I may be a little late coming to the party, but I saw the question regarding nutrition for a Saint Bernard puppy and had to respond. I have been involved with Saint Bernards for over 40 years and can’t stress enough the importance of keeping them lean and making sure they get LOTS OF OFF LEASH EXCERSIE. I fed a kibble with canned food as a topper for many years and then starting making my own cooked food to use as a topper. Two years ago I made the leap to a RAW diet and cannot begin to describe the amazing changes I have seen in my dogs. I have 2 Saints that are rapidly approaching 10 years of age and are still running and playing with my younger Saints.
My recommendation is this:
Keep the Calcium/Phosphorus ratio as close to 1:1 as possible
Keep Calcium to 3g/1000 Kcals or lower
DON’T LET THEM GET FAT
DON’T EVER LET THEM SLIP AND SLIDE ON SLICK FLOORS

[CircaRigel]

Triet S,
Raw dehydrated is usually actually freeze-dried, which maintains all of the nutrients of raw, but in a convenient, dry form that keeps a lot better. Raw frozen is exactly that. It contains all of the natural moisture of the original composition, and is kept frozen to keep it from spoiling. One of the disadvantages here is that it’s generally recommended to thaw it before feeding, and you don’t want to do that in the microwave, as that will cook it a little and alter some of the proteins. I usually thaw a couple of days worth of Galen’s Darwin’s Natural Selections in the refrigerator at least 24 hours prior to feeding. His freeze dried treats require no refrigeration or freezing to maintain their quality, so the’re easier to carry as treats. As for freeze dried that is meant as a staple food, like Primal freeze dried nuggets, it is recommended to add water to rehydrate it for a specified time prior to feeding.

[CircaRigel]

It’s been a while, and I thought I’d provide an update on Galen, now 19 months old, technically an adolescent for a giant breed (Shiloh Shepherd), but no longer a puppy. However, I did go through a number of adjustments to his diet as he grew up, and thought I’d discuss them. I’ll first discuss kibbles, since that is generally the area where improper calcium and phosphorus content causes problems. Brands discussed include Eukanuba, Holistic Select (and other WellPet brands), Canidae, Taste of the Wild, Fromms, Tripett, and my absolute favorite and the most impressive, nutritionally… Darwin’s Natural Selections. I will also briefly touch on treats. Every choice I’ve made for Galen has come about via extensive research, wanting only the very best for Galen’s growth and health, for he is training as my service dog. My first responsibility is to him, even before looking after myself, for it is his responsibility to always be looking after me. Besides… I consider him family on equal par to my most beloved family members. I have linked the Dog Food Advisor pages for Galen’s finalized diet at the bottom of this post.

Galen’s breeder weaned her litter on Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy diet. After his adoption, I transitioned him to Fromm’s, which is what his breeder now weans her puppies on, but his stools were often quite soft. There was a brief period when I tried Holistic Select Large breed puppy, but rapidly transitioned away from it when Galen became ill. As it happens, ALL kibble foods made by WellPet (Wellness, Holistic Select, Old Mother Hubbard, Eagle Pack) contain green tea extract. While the very small amounts are probably not harmful to most dogs, particularly since it’s being taken with food, I found a number of studies that were halted because of dogs dying after being given green tea extract on an empty stomach. There is no way I can know for certain, but I suspect Galen is somehow particularly susceptible to toxic effects from it, even in small doses. So I began researching foods, and I liked the nutrition profile for some of the Canidae varieties, and while they were not specifically puppy or large breed diets, I contacted Canidae to make sure I chose a variety with the proper calcium and phosphorus ratios for proper bone growth (Canidae has recently been shifting their manufacturing away from Diamond pet foods, with a new processing plant in California). He did well on this, but didn’t like it much. Since he’s rather thin (but not so much as to be unhealthy, according to his vets at Alameda East, the same hospital where Animal Planet’s “Emergency Vets” was filmed, as it’s closest to where I live), I decided to change things up again when he was about a year old. Since he now was at an age where his calcium metabolism was properly established (generally puppies older than 8 months old can properly metabolize calcium, without the need to limit it so much), it broadened the choices of available foods for him. So, I made a list of grain free foods on Dog Food Advisor with 4+ ratings, focusing especially on 5 star rated foods, and ordered a bunch of sample packs for him to try from K9Cuisine. Of all of the foods he tried, he preferred the 5 star rated varieties of Taste of the Wild best. While I’m not fond of the record of Diamond pet foods, I trust the ratings of Dog Food Advisor (except the high ratings of kibbles by WellPet brands, for the previously mentioned Green Tea toxicity risk). Anyway, to keep things interesting for his palate, I now transition between the three 5 star rated varieties of TOTW for dry food.

Canned foods: From very early on, I had Galen eating Tripett green beef tripe as his wet food. I chose this because green tripe contains the nutrients of what the cow ate as well as the nutritional value and digestive enzymes that are naturally inherent to tripe. I have tried other varieties of canned foods, but Galen usually turns his nose up at them after a few days, when the novelty wears off. There has been a single exception, though, which I also supplement his diet with. That is Darwin’s Natural Selections raw foods. Back when I was letting Galen choose from among the samples I got for him, I also got the $15 introductory sample of the Darwin’s food (10 lbs variety pack), which included free shipping on dry ice. Their foods are raw, made from free-range, organic animal sources and organic vegetables. They come in easy to open plastic packets. Dog Food Advisor not only rates it 5 stars, but enthusiastically recommends the foods. They have never had a recall. I was quite surprised to find that the food was packaged and frozen just a few days before it shipped to me. Now, Once you have had the trial and go to their subscription plan, the cost is far higher, plus shipping on dry ice. It’s too high for me to feed to Galen exclusively or even as half his diet, so I subscribe to it as a supplement to his regular diet, feeding him 2 lbs a week. I get him all varieties, which include chicken, turkey, duck, beef, and bison. Of all of the foods I’ve ever fed a dog, This has been by far of the highest quality I’ve encountered.

Galen is incredibly picky even with treats, generally preferring single-ingredient, meat based treats. These have included Simply Lamb (freeze dried lamb), PureBites freeze dried chicken breast, PureBites freeze dried duck liver, and Primal freeze dried Nuggets (lamb), although the nuggets I use more as an occasional supplement rather than a treat. Galen turns his nose up at most other treats, even jerky treats. That’s fine by me. I rather like seeing only one ingredient listed, which leaves me zero doubts of there being anything in it that is unnecessary to his health (i.e. preservatives).

On a final note, around holidays I like to make a turkey stock from the leftovers and carcass (bones removed, of course, after cooking so that nutrients specific to the bones leach into the stock, like the marrow). That turkey stock is for Galen, as a special treat supplementing his food.

So… Galen’s final adult diet:
Taste of the Wild (wetlands, High Prairie, and Canyon varieties)
Tripett Green Beef Tripe
Darwin’s Natural Selections raw (beef, bison, chicken, turkey, and duck)

• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by CircaRigel.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by CircaRigel.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by CircaRigel.

[CarolAMFT]

I’ve been using Dinovite for a couple of years and have seen no improvement in my dog’s conditions. She sheds, has a dull coat, scratches, chews her paws and has smelly yeasty ears. Nothing has improved without my Vet’s intervention. I kept thinking it might just take time.

I also started out with their Raw Food diet and Maggie developed crystals in her urine. The vet thought it could be from too much calcium from the egg shells. She also felt the diet was too high in protein and suggested I run it through the http://www.BalanceIt.com program that determines if the homemade diet you are feeding your dog or cat meets all the nutritional requirements. Because of Maggie’s yeast, I decided to substitute Quinoa, which is lower glycemic and higher in protein than the brown rice they suggest.

I also switched to a cooked diet, after my vet also discouraged the use of raw foods, saying that domestic dogs and cats no longer have the digestive tract that their wild carnivore ancestors had. Even wild carnivores seldom, if ever, eat food that has rotted. I also read the AMVA Raw Food Diet warning: https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/FAQs/Pages/Raw-Pet-Foods-and-the-AVMA-Policy-FAQ.aspx

Finally, Maggie now has liver disease, which I wonder isn’t either due to her diet or the Dinovite itself. It may be something else entirely, but I have an appointment with UC Davis in July for a second opinion, so hope to find out more. I’ll let you know if they find anything that might be associated with the Dinovite.

[Salz]

Triet- the biggest difference (IMO) between raw frozen and dehydrated raw is that all of the moisture has been removed from the dehydrated. There is some heat used in the dehydration process so some consider it to be of less nutritional value. Dehydrated raw is easier to store ; all that is required for feeding is to add water and allow the moisture to seep back in. Frozen raw is just that; frozen raw meat that is usually thawed before being fed. I prefer frozen because it is less processed. Both are excellent choices.

As far as kibble, Orijen is great IMO for adult dogs only. All of the adults I’ve had have thrived on it, though I agree that there are other quality kibbles for a fraction of the price. If you are keen on feeding kibble, I recommend Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy.

[Marcie D]

About 15 years ago I started to investigate better nutrition for my dogs and I was just to the point of trying a raw diet when Oma;s Pride came on the scene. I have used it for years and it has been the best thing I have ever done for my dogs.
I have been training my own Service Dogs for my own mobility issues and I am planning to move in the near future at which time I am hoping to breed my German Shepherds and get them started as Service Dogs for the Veteran’s who really need them. All of my puppies will be started on the Oma’s Pride frozen mixed diets. Some day I would love to see the Dog Food Advisor, take a look at this great diet.

[Hannah D]

Appreciate the responses! I’m aware kibble isn’t great. That’s why I’ve had her on the Honest Kitchen and various freeze-dried raw. I’ve tried to use the balance IT site in the past, but it only gave me recipes for cats after I checked a couple health issues. I don’t free feed. I’m almost militant about my precise measurements. She gets her daily exercise and that hasn’t changed. I’m wondering if the tapioca and beans in THK are too starchy for her.

Thanks for the Dr. Judy link and malaseb recommendation. I’m definitely going to try bathing her with that. I’m a little intimidated by the home cooking idea because I’m so afraid of not giving her the correct amount of nutrients, but it sounds like it might be the best way for me to clear up some of her issues. I’ll check out the links and do more research on it.

Thank you again for your responses!

[Triet S]

Thank you,
Could you tell me what is raw dehydrated and what is Raw frozen ?

[pitlove]

Personally, I would wait on the raw diet til she is older if she already has a curved back. I personally do not know if the curvature is something that can be fixed or not at this point. I think you need to find a large breed puppy food that she enjoys eating and stick closely to the feeding guidelines until she is 18 months old. If you want to supplement with something to encourage her to eat the only thing I would recommend is Trippett.

https://www.chewy.com/petkind-tripett-original-formula/dp/44461

[Triet S]

Hi Pituv,
I am very appreciate your help. I have taken her to the vet aldready. She said I fed her too much. She want me to feed her 3 times a day, all is dry dog food, follow the direction on the label of the TOTW and nothing else. But, I am very confuse because my puppy dont like to eat a lot of dry food. So, I have to change to feed raw food in morning and afternoon (mixing meat,liver,organic,vegetable,….about 150gram each time). Evening is 1cup of TOTW. After a month, she still has a curve back.
Could you tell me what should I do now ? Is my raw food diet good ?
Thanks !

[theBCnut]

When it come to kibble, starch is what holds it together, so if you want starch free, you have yo go to canned, raw, cooked, or homemade. If you do go the homemade route, make sure you do your research on what needs to go into a dogs diet. Homemade diets often have some amazingly glaring errors, like no source of calcium, so make sure you cover your bases.

[Hannah D]

I’m at my wit’s end. I’ve tried countless brands and have yet to find the ideal food for my dog. My 9 year old chihuahua has hiatal hernia and does better with lower fat. The past year or so she’s had a musty smell within days of being bathed, so there’s probably a yeast issue. I’ve had her on various grain-free Honest Kitchen recipes. She’s currently on Marvel because I wanted to avoid potatoes of any kind, but she’s gained weight on it.

K9 Naturals was recommended. I had her on the venison food, but she wasn’t nuts about it. Stella & Chewy’s freeze dried didn’t seem to satiate her and neither did Ziwipeak.

Ideally, I’d like a grain-free, starch-free, yeast-free food. I don’t want to feed her beef and I usually avoid chicken when possible. But I’m open to all suggestions, wet, dry, raw, etc. I have absolutely no experience with raw food except for the dehydrated or freeze dried kind.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Shauna A]

How long is it safe to keep a raw meaty bone around for my dog to chew on? Can I keep it out or does it need to be frozen or refrigerated in between chew sessions? It’s a beef knuckle that he’s cleaned off, for the most part, but there are still small remnants of ligaments/tendons. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

[Laurie L]

I have an Italian Mastiff he is 1 1/2 yrs old. We rescued him at 99 lbs. We have had him for 4 months and he is now 117. I just started feeding him eggs. At first I was cooking them with coconut oil mainly to melt the organic oil. Also I did not know if he would like them raw. Well I was in a hurry yesterday so I stirred it in raw he actually wanted more food. Which has been a struggle. He needs at least another 30 lbs added to him. My question is how many raw eggs is okay for a 117lb dog?

[anonymously]

It sounds like environmental allergies, I went through this with my dog and did not have good results till I took her to a dermatologist. Wasted a year going back and forth to the regular vet.
She is stable now x 4 years, we see the specialist once a year. They can still have occasional flare-ups even with successful treatment, and it can take up to a year to see results, however I saw improvement right away .

Regarding diet:I had a small breed that loved Mighty Dog and lived a long life.
PS: You could try soaking a quality kibble overnight in water (fridg) and use the canned stuff they like as a topper, or mix a little in.
Nutrisca is a good kibble for a small breed (imo) and is a limited ingredient food, especially the salmon and chickpea., check chewy.com

Environmental allergies.
excerpt below from: http://www.2ndchance.info/Apoquel.htm
“Food Allergies are probably over-diagnosed in dogs (they account for, perhaps 5-10%). Hypoallergenic diets are occasionally, but not frequently, helpful in canine atopy cases but you should always give them a try. Food intolerances are more common – but considerably more likely to result in digestive disturbances and diarrhea than in itching problems”.

Mail-in hair and saliva tests do not test for allergies and tend to be inaccurate. Food sensitivities fluctuate. Food allergies are rare.

Consider making an appointment with a dermatologist:

By Klaus Loft, DVM
Angell Dermatology Service

Anyone who suffers debilitating environmental allergies tied to changing seasons, pet dander or household dust mites knows first-hand the misery of a scratchy throat, itchy eyes or painful rashes.

Not everyone knows, however, that our pets can experience similar allergic reactions — and other very bothersome dermatological issues. But our pets need not suffer in silence. Modern veterinary science has evolved such that advanced, comprehensive treatments are now available to treat a range of skin conditions.

Top pet dermatological issues

Our four-legged friends suffer from some of the same skin issues as we do — and several that we do not. The most common conditions we see at Angell include:

•Parasites, such as mites, fleas and mange (scabies)
•Infectious diseases, such as Staphylococcal pyoderma (“Staph”) skin infections, yeast and fungal infections and skin fold infections
•Systemic diseases, such as autoimmune diseases
•Skin cancer, such as Squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphoma, Mast cell tumors
•Allergies, such as flea allergy dermatitis, adverse food reactions, environmental allergies, etc.

All of these conditions can become serious and, if untreated, dramatically reduce quality of life. But the tremendous strides made in veterinary innovation, however, is very good news for our pets. Specifically, the testing and treatments for allergies now rivals human healthcare in its sophistication, quality of care and long-term health outcomes.

Unlike humans, dogs and cats cannot tell us about their dermatological health issues. So we as pet owners must look for the signs. The most common indicators that a pet is suffering from some kind of allergy involve frequent episodes of ear infections, red raised or open sores on the skin, constant licking or biting of paws or groin — sometimes causing wounds that will not go away.

Allergies present a particular challenge because there can be hundreds (even thousands) of potential allergens that impact pet health, from foods to pollen from grasses, weeds, trees, dust mites and more. Today’s specialty veterinary hospitals have access to the very latest diagnostic tests to get to the bottom of what’s ailing our pet. Among these tests is the Intra Dermal Test (IDT).

IDT is generally considered the gold standard of testing for identifying allergens that cause pets to suffer from chronic skin and/or ear diseases. IDT involves injections of a series of concentrated allergens into the skin to determine which of them generate allergic reactions in a given animal. The use of fluorescein — a chemical that illuminates the inflammation caused by the injected allergens in order to visualize the strength of individual reactions — is key to accurately diagnosing pet allergies, and is just one of the many ways veterinarians use new technologies to improve care and diagnostics.

The results of IDT (as well as a review of the pet’s medical history) can then inform comprehensive immunotherapy treatments to relieve suffering. Veterinary dermatologists rely on IDT to build customized treatment plans for patients called Allergen Specific Immuno Therapy or “ASIT” for short.

ASIT involves a series of injections specifically created for the allergic animal’s skin. These injections, of diluted allergens, are designed to make a pet less sensitive to their allergens over time. In most cases these injections must be continued for life to reduce symptoms, but they are highly effective. Seventy to 90 percent of pets experience a reduction in symptoms as a result of ASIT treatment. These treatments can be delivered even more easily via droplets under the tongue, perfect for pet owners who are squeamish about giving injections to their pet.

This treatment is very new to the North American field of medicine (both human and veterinary) and underscores just how far innovation in veterinary medicine has come.

When it’s time to see the vet

Many pet owners are understandably concerned about taking their animals to the veterinarian because the cost (to say nothing of the fear some animals experience when going do the doctor) may outweigh any perceived reduction in suffering. To help pet owners know when it’s time to bring Fido to the doctor I’ve compiled my “Top Ten” list of dermatological symptoms that should never be ignored:

•Intense itching of the skin (head shaking, running the face into the carpet, furniture, etc.)
•Biting at the skin that creates red, raw crusting areas of the skin
•Multiple ear infections (head shaking, odor from ears, scratching at the ears with hind legs)
•Paw licking or chewing and frequent infections of the skin in the webbed skin of the paws
•Staining of the fur of the paws and nails on multiple feet
•Reoccurring skin infections in the groin, under the shoulders, perianal areas (on or under the tail)
•Greasy scaling skin and/or fur with odorous skin
•Hair loss, or thinning of the fur
•Dark pigmentation of the skin that is chronically infected
•Sudden depigmentation of skin

Allergies and other dermatological issues can be as frustrating for pet owners and their veterinarians as they can be for pets. I encourage any pet owner whose animal is experiencing any of these symptoms to consult with their veterinarian.

[InkedMarie]

Go to the review side & look for the Gravy Train review. it’s not a good food.
There is no need for veggie oil (salmon oil is better) and oatmeal in your dogs food. If you want to add something, add a little high quality canned, a dehydrated, raw egg…

[Megan W]

My 7 year old pit bull was diagnosed with low grade lymphoma last December. The vet put her on a home made low carb, high protein and fat diet. She put her on immuplex, livaplex, thymex, catalyn from the Standard Process company and wei qi booster and stasis breaker chinese herbs. As for her food i have been giving her 1/2 cup of veggies (dark leafy greens, pumpkin sweet potato or squash, red peppers, alfalfa sprouts, blue berries, black berries, ect) and 1 cup of whole chicken quarters (minus bone) or ground beef, fish, lamb, ect with chicken liver or gizzards added in smaller ammounts. All food is lightly cooked, not raw. I add nordic naturals fish oil, and olive or coconut oil to her food. I also add seaweed calcium and a pinch of tumeric. I add a raw egg to her breakfast every other day.
So far Natalia has been doing great and her monthly CBCs have been relatively stable. Around Febuary she did start a Chlorambucil/ Prednisone regiment because we found lympoma cells in her mammary chain. The vet wasnt too concerned but we felt like it was best to stay ahead of the game and stop any progression with some light chemo.
My question as far as diet is this. Can I do anything better or different? I know there are people on this site who have been doing home cooked for a long time and i just want your input.

[Lisa L]

I feed raw and get it from multiple different sources. They all say not for human consumption.

[goldenstar]

I do know that Goldens are prone to cancer…. due to their genitics for one reason. I may never know what the cause was for mine. I am just trying to reduce the risk if I can for my new girl in all areas of her life…. not just by reducing dried kibble in her diet.
Nutrition is a very big part in reducing the risk of cancer and most illnesses…..excersise, reducing stress, environmental toxins, genitics are some more things to consider for sure.
I too have fed kibble to my dogs throughout my life and some have lived long lives.
There does seem to be little research out there about kibble and carcinogens, but more information is being presented.
Here is one article by Dr Becker and how one researcher tested dogs to find carcinogens in their fur.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/05/27/cooked-meat-carcinogens.aspx
Now that I am aware of it, it is a little harder not to be concerned about it.
It looks like 4 and 5 star dried kibble may be best formulated to meet the the strict requirements for large breed puppies. Preparing a home cooked or raw diet is another option. But for me, it is a daunting task and I would still worry if my LBP was getting the right nutrition.
I really appreciate the important information that I have learned here.

[pitlove]

Hi goldenstar-

You are very welcome. The ratio of calcium to calories is often overlooked, but very important when it comes to LBP growth. Overnutrition (overfeeding) is a huge risk factor for DOD’s in large breeds. Watching calcium intake is so over emphasized now that the calories and creating a fat puppy are overlooked.

I would take what you hear on the internet about “the optimal diet for a dog” with a grain of salt. Here is an interesting article on raw diets that I found through Dr. Susan Wynn’s facebook. She is a holistic vet and veterinary nutritionist.

https://therawfeedingcommunity.com/2014/12/12/your-dog-is-not-a-wolf-stop-trying-to-feed-it-like-one/

The author is a prey model raw feeder fyi.

[Shawna]

Hi Sally Z,

I haven’t fed any large breed puppies raw but I foster and I have had A LOT of puppies come through my house. The youngest was 3 days old when he came (with his mommy). I weaned him onto raw. Had another at 5 weeks old that ate raw right from first day coming to me. Just had three leave my house a few weeks ago that were six weeks old when I got them and put them all on raw the first night they were with me. I DO feed “complete and balanced” commercial raw foods because I think it is absolutely imperative to feed puppies a balanced diet (this, of course, can be done by those that home prepare too but I just don’t have the time any longer to do it right). I’ve been feeding a wide variety of commercial raw products for over 10 years and to date never had any issues. I do however prefer grass fed and organic but sometimes I have too many mouths to feed to be able to afford it.

Glad you found a food that works for both of your fur-kids!!!

• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by Shawna.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Marie-

I buy K9 frozen tripe at our local feed store. It also comes in freeze dried form as well. Here is a link: http://www.k9natural.com/dog-food/type/frozen/frozen-lamb-green-tripe-1kg-106-fr-1kg-dom-k9n

I think some people buy it from butchers too. I either add egg, sardines, tripe, commercial raw or canned food to all their meals. Hope you find something that works!

[Kelly F]

Try Big Country Raw (if you are in Ontario, Canada) or another comparable ‘complete’ raw food diet; I’m not talking homemade either! Raw diets still have to have the right ratio of nutrients just like kibble (ie; bone to muscle to organ meats plus additional minerals etc). I had a picky eater on medication that she had to have with food. I could not wait all day for her to eat so I tried Big Country Raw and she ate it in seconds every time. Unfortunately I lost her to mitral valve disease only months later but even in that short time her breath improved incredibly. Please try your picky eater on a well formulated raw food; stick to a simple protein (like turkey). He still might be hesitant for a bit out of habit but stick it out with tough love. You never know, he might dive right in ..you won’t know unless you try. Good luck!

[Cannoli]

First of all my pup had two months of loose stools and some diarrhea on Orijen. It takes a while for a pup’s buddy to handle that rich protein. Took about 6 months for him to handle all that protein. Now that his 18 months he has no issues with solely a protein diet. He stools are firm. Orijen is considered low protein for my pup nowadays.

So while his buddy got adjusted I gave him pumpkin and little steel cut oatmeal to form it up

Secondly since you are new to raw feed him kibble until he is grown. I personally don’t trust commercial raw dog food. Way too many recalls which tells me that their manafacturing and sanitizion process is lacking.

I don’t feed raw meat fom the grocery store unless it’s the grass fed hormone free meat. My store rarely carries this type of meat. I prefer to shop online for my grass fed hormone free meat sources at online meat stores that are FDA inspected and fit for human consumption. Commercial raw dog food are not federally inspected hence any joe blow can open up a shop in his garage.

Good luck it ain’t cheap

• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by Cannoli.

[Z B]

There are a few 4 star rated kibbled that are widely available and budget friendly. off top of my head are pure balance grain free and Rachel Ray zero grain (both available at Walmart ) and 4health sold at Tractor Supply. You can look up the reviews on them here.
Have no idea if they are better than what you are feeding or how effective they (or any other food ) would be for your dogs’ issues, just suggesting some affordable 4 star options that I know of.
You can add some eggs, water packed-no salt added sardines, raw chicken hearts or gullets, baked sweet potato, and cooked puréed greens like kale or spinach to whatever you are feeding to increase nutrition. Small amounts of turmeric daily is a really good antiflammatory.

ETA: I just looked up River Run it is rated 1.5 stars 🙁
/dog-food-reviews/river-run-dog-food/
So there easily are many affordable brands that would a much better choice, research options that are rated 3 star, or higher here:
/dog-food-reviews/dry/

• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by Z B.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by Z B.

[Z B]

I have no experience with life’s abundance but For a canned topper to mix with kibble I use hounds and gatos, natures variety, and pure balance, all rated 5 star here.
I also add a bit of water to each meal, a few raw chicken hearts here and there, an egg or two a week, and a tin of water packed-no salt added sardines once a week for my 46 lb dog. But even then she’s a good eater and is happy to eat her kibble plain with no additions.
I’ve had other dogs from pups who no matter the brand of kibble or number or type of toppers, were spare eaters, just not that food motivated, who didn’t eat much or just til full, maintained healthy weight and lived long healthy lives.
Are you feeding on a schedule, or leaving food out all day ? In a crate or in an open area? do you stay with him at meal time? My dogs are more likely to finish their meals promptly if feed on schedule, pick up any unfinished meal after 10-15 mins, and if I hang out nearby while they eat.
At same time there may be something about the kibble your dog just doesn’t like…Ingredients? Try a different protein or brand. is it fresh? check exp date.
are you storing it in an air tight container?
Too hard? Try adding water.
Hope any of this helps:)

• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by Z B.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by Z B.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 9 months ago by Z B.

[Salz]

Hello! I am a long time reader of DFA Forums but this is the first time I’ve actually posted anything. I have two dogs; a 4 year old minpin tripawd (Bean) and now a 4 month old Doberman/Rottweiler x puppy (Jax). Bean has done great on all and any premium food (wet, raw, kibble, he’s been on it all) but the more I read the more I want to just bite the bullet and switch fully to raw. Jax on the other hand, has had quite the hard time with kibble. I got Jax about two months ago and immediately put him on Orijen Large Breed Puppy. He’s had on and off diarrhea since I’ve had him. I figured the Orijen may have just been too much for his digestive system so I transitioned him (VERY) slowly to Natures Instinct Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy Kibble. His stools were firm for about three days until the diarrhea started again. I’ve had him tested for parasites and every malady under the sun with only negative results. Right now I just have him on cooked turkey and rice to settle his tummy until I decide on what to try next. I was hoping for some input from all of you lovely people!

I am concerned about putting a large breed puppy on raw so young, simply because I lack all of the knowledge about his nutritional needs. But so far, here are the options I’ve come up with.

Honest Kitchen Preference Base Mix mixed with a rotation of raw grinds/meats primarily from Primal and EcoPawz Raw (a local raw company in my area)

Stella and Chewy’s Frozen Raw (rotation of proteins)

Darwin’s Zoologics Line (a little out of my budget but they are sounding better and better)

No matter which I choose, I will definitely supplement with raw goat milk, yogurt, etc. I would also like some input on what kinds of meat I can buy at the grocery store. I’ve only ever bought dog raw from PFE. Sorry for the long post and I’m really looking forward to any and all input. You all rule!

Sally, Jax & Bean

[anonymously]

Environmental allergies.
excerpt below from: http://www.2ndchance.info/Apoquel.htm
Food Allergies are probably over-diagnosed in dogs (they account for, perhaps 5-10%). Hypoallergenic diets are occasionally, but not frequently, helpful in canine atopy cases but you should always give them a try. Food intolerances are more common – but considerably more likely to result in digestive disturbances and diarrhea than in itching problems.

Mail-in hair and saliva tests do not test for allergies and tend to be inaccurate. Food sensitivities fluctuate. Food allergies are rare.

Consider making an appointment with a dermatologist:

By Klaus Loft, DVM
Angell Dermatology Service

Anyone who suffers debilitating environmental allergies tied to changing seasons, pet dander or household dust mites knows first-hand the misery of a scratchy throat, itchy eyes or painful rashes.

Not everyone knows, however, that our pets can experience similar allergic reactions — and other very bothersome dermatological issues. But our pets need not suffer in silence. Modern veterinary science has evolved such that advanced, comprehensive treatments are now available to treat a range of skin conditions.

Top pet dermatological issues

Our four-legged friends suffer from some of the same skin issues as we do — and several that we do not. The most common conditions we see at Angell include:

•Parasites, such as mites, fleas and mange (scabies)
•Infectious diseases, such as Staphylococcal pyoderma (“Staph”) skin infections, yeast and fungal infections and skin fold infections
•Systemic diseases, such as autoimmune diseases
•Skin cancer, such as Squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphoma, Mast cell tumors
•Allergies, such as flea allergy dermatitis, adverse food reactions, environmental allergies, etc.

All of these conditions can become serious and, if untreated, dramatically reduce quality of life. But the tremendous strides made in veterinary innovation, however, is very good news for our pets. Specifically, the testing and treatments for allergies now rivals human healthcare in its sophistication, quality of care and long-term health outcomes.

Unlike humans, dogs and cats cannot tell us about their dermatological health issues. So we as pet owners must look for the signs. The most common indicators that a pet is suffering from some kind of allergy involve frequent episodes of ear infections, red raised or open sores on the skin, constant licking or biting of paws or groin — sometimes causing wounds that will not go away.

Allergies present a particular challenge because there can be hundreds (even thousands) of potential allergens that impact pet health, from foods to pollen from grasses, weeds, trees, dust mites and more. Today’s specialty veterinary hospitals have access to the very latest diagnostic tests to get to the bottom of what’s ailing our pet. Among these tests is the Intra Dermal Test (IDT).

IDT is generally considered the gold standard of testing for identifying allergens that cause pets to suffer from chronic skin and/or ear diseases. IDT involves injections of a series of concentrated allergens into the skin to determine which of them generate allergic reactions in a given animal. The use of fluorescein — a chemical that illuminates the inflammation caused by the injected allergens in order to visualize the strength of individual reactions — is key to accurately diagnosing pet allergies, and is just one of the many ways veterinarians use new technologies to improve care and diagnostics.

The results of IDT (as well as a review of the pet’s medical history) can then inform comprehensive immunotherapy treatments to relieve suffering. Veterinary dermatologists rely on IDT to build customized treatment plans for patients called Allergen Specific Immuno Therapy or “ASIT” for short.

ASIT involves a series of injections specifically created for the allergic animal’s skin. These injections, of diluted allergens, are designed to make a pet less sensitive to their allergens over time. In most cases these injections must be continued for life to reduce symptoms, but they are highly effective. Seventy to 90 percent of pets experience a reduction in symptoms as a result of ASIT treatment. These treatments can be delivered even more easily via droplets under the tongue, perfect for pet owners who are squeamish about giving injections to their pet.

This treatment is very new to the North American field of medicine (both human and veterinary) and underscores just how far innovation in veterinary medicine has come.

When it’s time to see the vet

Many pet owners are understandably concerned about taking their animals to the veterinarian because the cost (to say nothing of the fear some animals experience when going do the doctor) may outweigh any perceived reduction in suffering. To help pet owners know when it’s time to bring Fido to the doctor I’ve compiled my “Top Ten” list of dermatological symptoms that should never be ignored:

•Intense itching of the skin (head shaking, running the face into the carpet, furniture, etc.)
•Biting at the skin that creates red, raw crusting areas of the skin
•Multiple ear infections (head shaking, odor from ears, scratching at the ears with hind legs)
•Paw licking or chewing and frequent infections of the skin in the webbed skin of the paws
•Staining of the fur of the paws and nails on multiple feet
•Reoccurring skin infections in the groin, under the shoulders, perianal areas (on or under the tail)
•Greasy scaling skin and/or fur with odorous skin
•Hair loss, or thinning of the fur
•Dark pigmentation of the skin that is chronically infected
•Sudden depigmentation of skin

Allergies and other dermatological issues can be as frustrating for pet owners and their veterinarians as they can be for pets. I encourage any pet owner whose animal is experiencing any of these symptoms to consult with their veterinarian.

[Mike P]

Hey all. Just like Jeremy, I too have been reading this thread for a few weeks now. I too just brought home my first English Mastiff puppy. She is our second dog and our first is a rescue Chihuahua/Dachshund mix. (They are getting along well)

Jeremy.. I started on page one a few weeks ago and have read so much and there are some great advisors on here. Hound Dog Mom and Pitlove are really great along some other regulars. HDM even put up a couple lists of recommended foods and from what I can tell, it seems go me, it is a good idea to rotate a 2-3 and see what you puppy does well with.

Our mastiff puppy (Lola) is on Eagle Pack large and giant breed puppy food right now as the breeder was feeding her that and I didn’t want to totally shock her system. I assume the transition to a new home and different dog was going to be enough.

I also bought a bag of Fromm Gold Holistic large puppy food and will transition her to that next. In the future I plan on trying both Earthborn Coastal and Meadow feasts, Annamaet Salcha, Wellness Core, and Kirkland Signature ND Salmon.

There is also some that are adding a little wet food to their pups eating plan. Like Tripett. Also, some are going completely raw.

In my opinion, it comes down to what works well for you and your puppy.

To quote HDM “The best thing you can do is monitor his/her weight and adjust the food intake accordingly. So many factors can affect the calorie requirements of a dog including size, activity level, age, breed, gender, whether the dog is spayed or neutered, temperature, level of stress, etc. etc”

[patricia M]

I feed this to my Corgie with terrific results. Raw is the way to go.

Great product and friendly service.

[InkedMarie]

I personally would not buy heartworm preventives at Walmart or the like. I’m very careful with my dogs (no over vaccinating, mostly raw fed etc), I buy most of my stuff online (would love to buy local but just too costly) but heartworm meds are something I will always buy at the vets.

[anonymously]

excerpt below from: http://www.2ndchance.info/Apoquel.htm
Food Allergies are probably over-diagnosed in dogs (they account for, perhaps 5-10%). Hypoallergenic diets are occasionally, but not frequently, helpful in canine atopy cases but you should always give them a try. Food intolerances are more common – but considerably more likely to result in digestive disturbances and diarrhea than in itching problems.

Mail-in hair and saliva tests do not test for allergies and tend to be inaccurate. Food sensitivities fluctuate. Food allergies are rare.

Consider making an appointment with a dermatologist:

By Klaus Loft, DVM
Angell Dermatology Service

Anyone who suffers debilitating environmental allergies tied to changing seasons, pet dander or household dust mites knows first-hand the misery of a scratchy throat, itchy eyes or painful rashes.

Not everyone knows, however, that our pets can experience similar allergic reactions — and other very bothersome dermatological issues. But our pets need not suffer in silence. Modern veterinary science has evolved such that advanced, comprehensive treatments are now available to treat a range of skin conditions.

Top pet dermatological issues

Our four-legged friends suffer from some of the same skin issues as we do — and several that we do not. The most common conditions we see at Angell include:

•Parasites, such as mites, fleas and mange (scabies)
•Infectious diseases, such as Staphylococcal pyoderma (“Staph”) skin infections, yeast and fungal infections and skin fold infections
•Systemic diseases, such as autoimmune diseases
•Skin cancer, such as Squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphoma, Mast cell tumors
•Allergies, such as flea allergy dermatitis, adverse food reactions, environmental allergies, etc.

All of these conditions can become serious and, if untreated, dramatically reduce quality of life. But the tremendous strides made in veterinary innovation, however, is very good news for our pets. Specifically, the testing and treatments for allergies now rivals human healthcare in its sophistication, quality of care and long-term health outcomes.

Unlike humans, dogs and cats cannot tell us about their dermatological health issues. So we as pet owners must look for the signs. The most common indicators that a pet is suffering from some kind of allergy involve frequent episodes of ear infections, red raised or open sores on the skin, constant licking or biting of paws or groin — sometimes causing wounds that will not go away.

Allergies present a particular challenge because there can be hundreds (even thousands) of potential allergens that impact pet health, from foods to pollen from grasses, weeds, trees, dust mites and more. Today’s specialty veterinary hospitals have access to the very latest diagnostic tests to get to the bottom of what’s ailing our pet. Among these tests is the Intra Dermal Test (IDT).

IDT is generally considered the gold standard of testing for identifying allergens that cause pets to suffer from chronic skin and/or ear diseases. IDT involves injections of a series of concentrated allergens into the skin to determine which of them generate allergic reactions in a given animal. The use of fluorescein — a chemical that illuminates the inflammation caused by the injected allergens in order to visualize the strength of individual reactions — is key to accurately diagnosing pet allergies, and is just one of the many ways veterinarians use new technologies to improve care and diagnostics.

The results of IDT (as well as a review of the pet’s medical history) can then inform comprehensive immunotherapy treatments to relieve suffering. Veterinary dermatologists rely on IDT to build customized treatment plans for patients called Allergen Specific Immuno Therapy or “ASIT” for short.

ASIT involves a series of injections specifically created for the allergic animal’s skin. These injections, of diluted allergens, are designed to make a pet less sensitive to their allergens over time. In most cases these injections must be continued for life to reduce symptoms, but they are highly effective. Seventy to 90 percent of pets experience a reduction in symptoms as a result of ASIT treatment. These treatments can be delivered even more easily via droplets under the tongue, perfect for pet owners who are squeamish about giving injections to their pet.

This treatment is very new to the North American field of medicine (both human and veterinary) and underscores just how far innovation in veterinary medicine has come.

When it’s time to see the vet

Many pet owners are understandably concerned about taking their animals to the veterinarian because the cost (to say nothing of the fear some animals experience when going do the doctor) may outweigh any perceived reduction in suffering. To help pet owners know when it’s time to bring Fido to the doctor I’ve compiled my “Top Ten” list of dermatological symptoms that should never be ignored:

•Intense itching of the skin (head shaking, running the face into the carpet, furniture, etc.)
•Biting at the skin that creates red, raw crusting areas of the skin
•Multiple ear infections (head shaking, odor from ears, scratching at the ears with hind legs)
•Paw licking or chewing and frequent infections of the skin in the webbed skin of the paws
•Staining of the fur of the paws and nails on multiple feet
•Reoccurring skin infections in the groin, under the shoulders, perianal areas (on or under the tail)
•Greasy scaling skin and/or fur with odorous skin
•Hair loss, or thinning of the fur
•Dark pigmentation of the skin that is chronically infected
•Sudden depigmentation of skin

Allergies and other dermatological issues can be as frustrating for pet owners and their veterinarians as they can be for pets. I encourage any pet owner whose animal is experiencing any of these symptoms to consult with their veterinarian.

[anonymously]

Sounds like the vaccination clinics offered at Petco, they do the heartworm test and sell you the pills, however, you do not pay for an examination by a veterinarian, even though the blood draw may be taken by a vet.
They have a loophole regarding liability if anything goes wrong.

Best of luck.

[Susan]

Hi Andrea, I understand what you & your poor dog is going thru, my Patch has IBD (Stomach) + Helicobacter-Pylori, he gets BAD acid reflux to the point he was crying whinging wanting me to rub his stomach & pancreas area…Vet just says its his IBD his stomach there’s not much I can do except put him on Steroids (Prednisone) I finally gave in
to vet after 1 yr saying NO to steroids & tried 5mg Prednisone & it made poor Patch vomit feel sick & diarrhea so vet said cut in 1/2 gave 2.5mg, for 2 days then I would stop for 2 days it seem to stop his stomach pain but he still felt nauseous & kept licking & licking mouth & front paws…..

Have you ever had an Endoscope + Biopsies done?? to see if he has the Helicobacter infection?? ask vet PLEASE do biopsies for the Helicobacter as soon as they take the triple therapy meds it kills the Helicobacter that’s living in their stomach wall their acid reflux goes away…. Then the Helicobacter comes back aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhHHHHH
I’m learning so much thru poor Patch & so are Patches vets, we are finding once we kill the Helicobacter then diet is the answer so it doesn’t come back again, a diet low in carbs, low fiber & Gluten free & no beet pulp in the kibble…
I tried a raw diet thru a Naturopath but Patch was regurgitating the raw, water kept coming back up into his mouth when he burped, then Patch would get his acid efflux, I think the digestive enzymes digested the raw meat to quick….

Stop feeding the Hills vet diet I/d, Patch was put on the I/d Low Fat Restore & it made his acid reflux worse…. all vet diets are high in carbs, grains, by product meats, beet pulp, fermentable carbs that feed the bacteria in the gut & are responsible for gut inflammation, gas, bloating etc.. certain foods are no good for Acid Reflux, Helicobacter, Gerds, IBD, Dysbiosis, SIBO & IBS….

As we get older we make less & less Hydrocloric Acid in the stomach, (google Hyprochlorhydria) chances are your dog has the Helicobacter..Patch is a grinder he starts grinding his teeth when he has his acid, He was taking Losec 10mg morning & 10mg at night 12 hours apart doesn’t really matter before food after food….
Zantac needs to be taken 40mins before food….there’s a stronger Pump Proton Inhibitor that works quicker called Lansprazole (Prevacid) but I don’t know if dogs can take it I’d say they can cause they can take Losec & Somac also maybe ask vet can you change to Somac(Pantoprazole) Somac is more for Oesophagus & Barrett’s Esophagus so maybe the Somac may work better I’ve tried both Losec & Somac with Patch & the Somac stopped his burping
& reflux more then the Losec..I was given 20mg Somac daily for 2 weeks..but he starts to get a fermenting smell coming from his mouth when Patch is on a PPI’s Somac& Losec for more the 1-2 weeks so I start reducing over 3 days then stop I’ve never had Patch on a PPI for more then 2 weeks..
DO NOT just STOP giving a PPI, once he’s been on a Pump Proton Inhibitor (PPI) for more then 21-28days, you need too slowly reduce the dose, that’s what I’m doing at the moment, I’ve been on Somac for 13yrs, 80mg a day, Patches stomach vet that did Patches
Endoscope & Biopsies told me PPI are no good & wouldn’t put Patch on any PPI, I was allowed to give Patch either the Somac or the Losec for just 4-5 days. when he has bad acid reflux or when he takes the Triple Therapy meds for helicobacter then he’s on a PPI for about 2 weeks…then I have to stop & only give Liquid Mylanta…The liquid Mylants seems to work the best instantly he has relief…You can give the Losec & the liquid Mylanta I was with Patch…Patches other vet wrote me out a script for Losec & said just give it to him, but I do what the Gastro vet wants never give him Losec or Somac for more then 2 weeks..

After a few diet changes Patch acid reflux went away I was in SHOCK 2 yrs of acid reflux
on & off…
I had just given Patch the Triple Therapy, Metronidazole, Amoxicillin, Losec then I started feeding Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream & now I feed the TOTW Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb for breakfast & lunch & a cooked meal chicken breast & Sweet Potato for diner, I put the cooked Chicken breast pieces & sweet potatoes thru the blender I digest the food as much as I can.. Why the TOTW kibble worked & stopped his acid reflux was there are no NO GRAINS cause the fat is 15% I was told keep Patch on a low fat diet 8-10% fat but with any kibbles when the fat is real low the carbs are real high if you can start cooking lean white meats like Fish, turkey, Chicken etc the protein is lean & not to rich.. I bought Canidae Pure Land Bison about 1 month ago the fat % was the same as TOTW Roasted Lamb 15% but the protein & the Kcals Per cup were higher then the TOTW Roasted Lamb Patch got his real bad acid reflux back again so I’m learning kibbles Kcals per cup have to be lower the 360Kcal per cup & the protein has to be around 27%max protein..
I have found kibble is the worse to feed I’ll feed Patch his cooked meals all day then the next day I’ll feed the kibble & he will get acid reflux some of the days I feed his kibble also soaking kibble in water made Patch acid reflux worse vet told me to stop soaking his kibble in water & the acid reflux stopped..
I’ve tried Live Probiotics & Digestive Enzymes there’s 2 types of enzymes the probiotics made Patch feel sick & the Digestive Enzymes made him feel sick as well he was eating grass like a cow when I added the digestive enzyme capsule to his meal….
Dogs with EPI have their food soaked in different Enzymes so make sure you look into the difference in enzymes….

[anonymously]

My little poodle mix regurgitates her kibble whenever I try a new kibble or feed her veggies or fruit, so I stopped doing that. She never got diagnosed with acid reflux but I would call it that or a sensitive stomach. She also has environmental allergies but has responded well to treatment by a specialist.

Carrots are hard to digest, they work as a low calorie snack for some dogs, but it is not unusual to see them in the dogs undigested. So, I’m not surprised at what you described. Actually dogs don’t digest raw carrots but if they agree with the dog otherwise, and in small amounts, it doesn’t harm them. Obviously they don’t agree with your dog.

[Susan]

Hi Klaudia, look in the baby section in the supermarket & look for Huggies Baby Wipes Cucumber & Aloe wipes; when your girl does a wee wipe around her vagina.. Grass, is she lying on the grass like a frog? Staffys & Pit Bulls have their signature way to lay, front paws stretch out, chest & stomach on floor or grass & back legs stretched out like a frog, the grass could be irritating her stomach… I had a white boxer & she always got a grass rash on her stomach after laying on grass, the dog I have now Patch an English Staffy he has skin & stomach problems when he walks on wet grass he gets red paws, in between toes goes red & up his paws go red I apply Hydrocortisone 1 % cream, very lightly, I check his body every night when he’s sleeping, while your in the supermarket look for Sudocrem baby nappy rash cream, the Sudocrem cream is excellent for any rashes & itch she may get, also certain foods Patch gets red paws, ear problems, itchy skin & smelly yeasty skin when he eats an ingredient that he’s sensitive too…. so start her on a good diet, raw is the best if you can afford it…also baths, bath weekly to wash off any allergens & pollens that may be on her skin/fur….I use Malaseb Medicated shampoo, you could try baby shampoo or puppy oatmeal shampoo that’s very mild, for now I would give a bath, then start wiping her tummy & vagina with Huggie Cucumber & Aloe wipes when she comes in from being outside from doing a wee & before she goes to bed…..My Patches stomach gets red sometimes where his penis skin ends & meets his stomach, wee must hit his pink stomach, he does about 20 wees on 1 walk, so the wee must start burning his skin, I wipe with a baby wipe when we get home & put some Sudocrem on that area, redness is all gone by morning…

If when she is older & starts having skin problems, try changing her diet & see if there’s any change if not then see vet to get a referral to see a Dermatologist, vets love putting dogs on steroids & antibiotics, these drugs are just a band aid & as soon as you stop the steroids & antibiotics the skin problems are back….

[Shawna]

Hi Elyce M,

You are right to question this. There has been LOTS of science over the last 20 years that proves protein is not only not damaging to kidneys but the science has shown that protein does not further damage the kidneys of dogs that HAVE kidney disease. Protein does increase BUN in the blood and if BUN gets too high it makes puppy not feel well but it has no ill effects on the kidneys whatsoever. My favorite source of scientific information on this is “Mythology of Protein Restriction for Dogs with Reduced Renal Function” by Dr. Kenneth Bovee http://www.championpetfoods.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Myths_of_High_Protein.pdf

Something as simple as dehydration can cause elevated BUN but if creatinine is high on the blood work than that is an indicator of kidney disease. Elevated BUN AND creatinine won’t show up on blood work until the kidneys are about 75% damaged so an elevation of both should be looked at more closely by doing more testing – urine specific gravity as an example.

If your pup really is in the beginning stages of kidney failure than lowering protein isn’t necessary but feeding “high quality” protein can be very beneficial. It is also advised to feed a wet food over a kibble. It is also beneficial to look at foods that are lower in phosphorus than your average diet as phosphorus can begin to build up in the blood and once it does it CAN damage the kidneys further.

For what it’s worth, my puppy had kidney disease from birth and ate a HIGH protein raw diet (between 45 and 54% protein) her entire life. She lived to almost nine years of age and passed from complications not related to normal progression of kidney disease.

Seven years of age is not old for a Shih Tzu but they also now know that senior dogs require a diet higher in protein than their adult counterparts due to a decreased ability to digest. This is taken from Purina’s website
“Protein for senior dogs. Healthy senior dogs require increased dietary protein in order to maintain lean body mass. We formulate our senior dog foods to contain more dietary protein (compared to adult maintenance formulas) in order to ensure that your dog gets the appropriate levels of nutritious protein he needs.” https://www.purina.com/dogs/understanding-dog-food/is-a-high-protein-diet-best-for-my-dog

Most better quality diets already exceed the minimum suggested for seniors of 25% (minimum not suggested amount) but this is a science based paper discussing the increased needs of protein in senior dogs. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18656844

• This reply was modified 9 years, 10 months ago by Shawna.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 10 months ago by Shawna.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 10 months ago by Shawna.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 10 months ago by Shawna.

[Jeff L]

I haven’t given him any oils for 2 days and his poop was very firm today. Not sure if that is a good thing or not. I will try to add some CO back not his diet in a few days. With either Carna4 or Orijen he has tons of energy and his coat is beautiful even in his ugly phase, but I’m sure CO has something to do with that. I was probably giving him 2 TBSP. between Flax and CO which was probably too much.

As far as raw goes, I really don’t want to do it just because it much harder to travel while feeding raw and I’m pretty lazy. As far as eating poop, that only happens at my parents when I’m not picking up right after him like I would be at my apt.

[Lori H]

Agreed with the above about seeing a vet ASAP and trying a gentle shampoo or dye-free, fragrance-free soap like you would use on a Baby. With it being near her vaginal area is it possible she is squatting so much to pee in the mornings she is getting dew there and picking up pesticides or other things from wet grass in your area? I would wash her, very carefully so as not to make her raw, after each potty break. But with the pinkness in the other areas, it sounds like more than just that.

In my experience, Pits are notorious for skin allergies. Allergies to foods especially. (I haven’t read all the posts above and they may address this too) And that generally shows up all over. The white Pits usually have the pinkness on their chest and in larger areas than you are describing but this could be the beginning. Watch it carefully and do get to the vet. She could get really uncomfortable if you let it go too long.

[Lori H]

btw I am sure you know this from your research but you have to be so careful with raw diet. Doing it wrong can be deadly. So if you feel overwhelmed, honor that.

[Jeff L]

I’ve thought about trying raw diet, but its pretty overwhelming at the moment. A full 36 hours since stopping flax and coconut oil and his poop is much firmer and easier to pick up with no undigested kibble in it. I have fed my dogs coconut oil for as long as I can remember without having a problem. I also read that it helps with fleas and I never want to give my dog the poisonous flea meds. I have never had a dog with fleas so I always attributed it to the CO. Plus it has always made their coats, skin and pads very soft.

[Elinor M]

Only need to give Coconut oil (about 1/2-1 tsp per feeding) and maybe the addition of fiber (oat bran, about 1 tsp per feeding). No need to brush teeth if giving raw chicken wings (cut in half depending on size of dog). I raw feed and mix with kibble (3/4 cup kibble and remainder raw ground meat or ground turkey and also oftentimes add some sardines [omegas], mashed unadulterated sweet potatoes [about 1 lg soup spoon] and plain low fat yogurt [Fage brand is the best there is] and sometimes blueberries [about 1/2 cup per feeding once/wk] and sometimes 1/2 banana cut into chunks, other times steamed green beans, or steamed frozen peas, they like carrots too but must be cooked to soft stage, sometimes steamed cauliflower or chopped spinach and try to remember to top whatever I fix with Cilantro [detox]. My dogs are 6 mo old, eat 3 meals per day (until they’re 1 yr old). Sometimes I only give them couple chicken wings for mid-day meal and they seem to do real well. I also add to their meals twice/day Transfer Factor Canine Formula for all the nutrients I’m not able to provide by raw/kibble feeding. It’s expensive but lasts a really really long time between my 2 dogs which are: A Red Haired Golden Retriever and a German Shorthaired Pointer who are both very very active and healthy and have soft coats and clear eyes and very very white teeth (from the bones which contain calcium). Sometimes I also put a raw egg into their food which they love (using only some of the egg shell for the calcium which I sort of hand pulverize). Golden Retriever has been spayed and recovered completely in 2 days. German Shorthair Pointer will be spayed tomorrow 6/6/16 so am believing she’ll recover as quickly. In closing, if anyone’s dog gets diarrhea, give the dog 1 T Organic Canned Pumpkin or the supplement called Slippery Elm (1 cap for med size dog and 1/2 cap for smaller size [1 cap = 1/2 tsp….dump it out of capsule onto a largish piece of cheese and roll the whole thing up and feed that to the dog), Also might mention I fix all my own dog treats which is easy to do and they simply love them.

[Laurie W]

Thanks Mike. I incorrectly presumed that a 5 star rating would land them automatically on the Editor’s Choice list and appreciate the clarification.

From what I can determine, RAWZ is not raw, but perhaps small batch. There’s a lot to like about it — but your Editor’s Choice list matters to me and is why I pay for the membership.

Have a pup reaching 1 year’s old this week, so switching from Fromm Gold Large Breed Puppy & have been researching your ratings for grain-free adult food options. Based on those, along with my preferred list of ingredients & exclusions, Fromm Four Star Nutritionals (Grain-Free) is my best match. Thanks again.

[Mike Sagman]

Hi Laurie,

Please keep in mind that currently, there are more than 340 dog foods rated 4 stars or higher on our website. Yet (by design) Editor’s Choice includes a much smaller selection. Currently, just 21 brands.

There are many reasons why a particular brand may not be included on our lists. And we are particularly cautious with small batch and raw dog foods (as testing and science based design are typically minimal or non-existent).

For example, in most cases, a company may not have met all our guidelines. Or more rarely, its agents may have been unwilling to reveal important manufacturing information.

Or we may be aware of unfavorable information about a company. Or we may have received tips from industry insiders that disqualify certain brands from inclusion on our lists.

In any case, you should be able to find a more detailed answer to your question and many others on our Editor’s Choice FAQ page as well as our How We Rate Dog Foods FAQ page, too.

Hope this helps.

[Laurie W]

When I searched the brand name, I found a 5 star review for RAWZ dry food, yet it’s not on the June Editor’s Choice List. Confusing. Please comment. Thanks!

[Shawna]

I would agree that natural doesn’t always equate to benign but my dog gets reverse sneezing from lamb (in any form – raw, kibble etc). Should we all avoid lamb now?

[Susan]

Hi what is he eating (diet) ??? you need to build his immune system up, after taken meds like Clavamox & Steroids they lower the immune, they’re no good, Change diet, feed fresh foods Raw if you can afforded, foods high in omega 3 fatty acids & add omega 3,6 & 9 omega oil double the recommended dose for the first 2 months Bath in Malaseb medicated shampoo weekly or when the scratching is bad, I use baby wipes when he’s been outside to wipe off any allergens & pollens… I use Huggies baby wipes Cucumber & Aloe..Creams, I use Hydrocortisone 1% cream every night at bed time when needed..
if all this doesn’t work then see a Dermatoogist.. a good Face Book group to join is called “Dog Issues,allergies andother Imformation support Group” You’ll get heaps of help
https://www.facebook.com/groups/240043826044760

[anonymously]

Have you checked the search engine here for “allergies” This topic comes up at least once a week if not more. The initial testing is expensive (dermatologist) but the maintenance isn’t that bad, I found the treatment AST (allergen-specific immunotherapy) to be effective.
I gave up cable and eating out.

By Klaus Loft, DVM
Angell Dermatology Service

Anyone who suffers debilitating environmental allergies tied to changing seasons, pet dander or household dust mites knows first-hand the misery of a scratchy throat, itchy eyes or painful rashes.

Not everyone knows, however, that our pets can experience similar allergic reactions — and other very bothersome dermatological issues. But our pets need not suffer in silence. Modern veterinary science has evolved such that advanced, comprehensive treatments are now available to treat a range of skin conditions.

Top pet dermatological issues

Our four-legged friends suffer from some of the same skin issues as we do — and several that we do not. The most common conditions we see at Angell include:

•Parasites, such as mites, fleas and mange (scabies)
•Infectious diseases, such as Staphylococcal pyoderma (“Staph”) skin infections, yeast and fungal infections and skin fold infections
•Systemic diseases, such as autoimmune diseases
•Skin cancer, such as Squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphoma, Mast cell tumors
•Allergies, such as flea allergy dermatitis, adverse food reactions, environmental allergies, etc.

All of these conditions can become serious and, if untreated, dramatically reduce quality of life. But the tremendous strides made in veterinary innovation, however, is very good news for our pets. Specifically, the testing and treatments for allergies now rivals human healthcare in its sophistication, quality of care and long-term health outcomes.

Unlike humans, dogs and cats cannot tell us about their dermatological health issues. So we as pet owners must look for the signs. The most common indicators that a pet is suffering from some kind of allergy involve frequent episodes of ear infections, red raised or open sores on the skin, constant licking or biting of paws or groin — sometimes causing wounds that will not go away.

Allergies present a particular challenge because there can be hundreds (even thousands) of potential allergens that impact pet health, from foods to pollen from grasses, weeds, trees, dust mites and more. Today’s specialty veterinary hospitals have access to the very latest diagnostic tests to get to the bottom of what’s ailing our pet. Among these tests is the Intra Dermal Test (IDT).

IDT is generally considered the gold standard of testing for identifying allergens that cause pets to suffer from chronic skin and/or ear diseases. IDT involves injections of a series of concentrated allergens into the skin to determine which of them generate allergic reactions in a given animal. The use of fluorescein — a chemical that illuminates the inflammation caused by the injected allergens in order to visualize the strength of individual reactions — is key to accurately diagnosing pet allergies, and is just one of the many ways veterinarians use new technologies to improve care and diagnostics.

The results of IDT (as well as a review of the pet’s medical history) can then inform comprehensive immunotherapy treatments to relieve suffering. Veterinary dermatologists rely on IDT to build customized treatment plans for patients called Allergen Specific Immuno Therapy or “ASIT” for short.

ASIT involves a series of injections specifically created for the allergic animal’s skin. These injections, of diluted allergens, are designed to make a pet less sensitive to their allergens over time. In most cases these injections must be continued for life to reduce symptoms, but they are highly effective. Seventy to 90 percent of pets experience a reduction in symptoms as a result of ASIT treatment. These treatments can be delivered even more easily via droplets under the tongue, perfect for pet owners who are squeamish about giving injections to their pet.

This treatment is very new to the North American field of medicine (both human and veterinary) and underscores just how far innovation in veterinary medicine has come.

When it’s time to see the vet

Many pet owners are understandably concerned about taking their animals to the veterinarian because the cost (to say nothing of the fear some animals experience when going do the doctor) may outweigh any perceived reduction in suffering. To help pet owners know when it’s time to bring Fido to the doctor I’ve compiled my “Top Ten” list of dermatological symptoms that should never be ignored:

•Intense itching of the skin (head shaking, running the face into the carpet, furniture, etc.)
•Biting at the skin that creates red, raw crusting areas of the skin
•Multiple ear infections (head shaking, odor from ears, scratching at the ears with hind legs)
•Paw licking or chewing and frequent infections of the skin in the webbed skin of the paws
•Staining of the fur of the paws and nails on multiple feet
•Reoccurring skin infections in the groin, under the shoulders, perianal areas (on or under the tail)
•Greasy scaling skin and/or fur with odorous skin
•Hair loss, or thinning of the fur
•Dark pigmentation of the skin that is chronically infected
•Sudden depigmentation of skin

Allergies and other dermatological issues can be as frustrating for pet owners and their veterinarians as they can be for pets. I encourage any pet owner whose animal is experiencing any of these symptoms to consult with their veterinarian.