[susan h]

Some days Tina has a great appetite, other days she shuns the same food she consumed eagerly the day before. I rotate her diet: primarily Dave’s Delicate Diet, Dave’s 95% premium beef & chicken, and Merrick Whole Earth Farms Hearty Stew (Duck, Turkey, and Lamb varieties) — she likes the gravy in the stew. I also mix in Horizon Pulsar Pulses and Fish kibble, which she also enjoys just by itself. I have tried adding a high-calorie paste, which she doesn’t care for. Like every other dog, she loves people food, but she doesn’t get much of that, at all.
I don’t have the energy to cook her a special diet, so am seeking something satisfactory that is pre-made, but very high calorie, in order to bulk her up. Asking for magic, I fear, but trying hard to get her healthy again.
As for the yeast allergy dermatitis, previous vet prescribed only a shampoo and no other advice. A new vet prescribed a course of prednisone, Baytril, and ketoconazole, which seemed to help some but was not sustained. However, I have used Vetericyn Plus gel on her for about 10 days — once daily — and the dermatitis appears not to have spread further (there was little unaffected skin left), and she is growing hair back in the previously “raw” areas…so I’m hopeful.
This is obviously not everything I feed/fed her to try for improvement, but this is a stab at current efforts. Any thoughts?

[Naturella]

Chris, you are welcome! Anything I can do to help!

Canned green tripe (or raw green tripe for that matter) is infamous for enticing even the pickiest of eaters, so maybe you can try that. Some brands that carry it are Tripett, Petkind, and Solid Gold Green Cow. It is also rich in natural probiotics/enzymes that may help the tummy.

Hooves are pretty cheap and cool, they last Bruno a while, and I would buy the empty ones and stuff them myself. We use cow hooves. They are usually dried, but are also available raw too, I believe.

Fish skins totally helped Bruno shine, literally – I switched him to Blue Buffalo Wilderness back when he was a puppy (before I knew better, but hey, he did great on it) and gave him a fish skin a couple times a week, and a bully stick a couple times a week, and within a month, his skin was much better, his once bare tummy was filling in with hair, and his coat became shiny (I never knew it wasn’t shiny before until it became shiny, lol). So I love the fish skins and he does too.

Try the tripe also for Kongs. It may work. Also, coconut oil mixed with yoghurt or kefir, and/or some plain canned pumpkin puree may be a nice tummy soother and a delicious treat, and coconut oil is super good for humans and pets alike.

[chris]

Hello Naturella, Nice too meet you and thanks for the reply!

I’m really interested now in the Elk antlers after searching a good bit on them. Also chicken and duck feet is probably something i’m also going to go a head and try. Fish skins I heard are very good fast treats as well. Hooves, you’re probably the first person I ever heard mention those to me. I had a kong and I stuffed it with so many different things and he did good with it for a while then like lost full interest in it. However, maybe if I start stuffing it with things he really really loves then he might get his interest back. Before I was only stuffing it with canned food, raw kibble, jerky, little easy things. I always thought Peanut butter would clog his rear end up since he already has the stomach issues. I’ll have to try the Canned Tripe and see how he likes that. Thanks again for the recommendations and the reply as I really do appreciate it!

[Maikwe P]

Has anyone else noticed that if Primal raw dog food is put in the microwave it reacts as if there might be metal in it? I have had this happen a couple of times over the last four months (different batches), but I have likely only microwaved six times over that period. I know not to microwave it, but if I am in a hurry in the morning and it still has ice crystals I will do it 6 seconds or so on defrost. Yesterday it starting cracking and popping hard the moment I turned on the power, and the “fire” and sparks coming from the dog food were stronger than any I ever observed in a microwave (as if a mug with metal in the decoration was in it, but a much larger blast of “fire”). It never does it with human food. My husband said about three months ago maybe there were tiny shavings coming off the metal grinder in the plant. I alternately use another raw food and have not had these happen with it. The other brand is a relatively newer brand and is not ground as fine as primal, and it is fermented. (By the way, I know microwaving counteracts the benefit of raw). I have been feeding raw food to two dogs for 10.5 years, both starting as young puppies, with no problems. Primal was my first raw food.

[LabTX]

Thanks for the posts on the recall. I just happened to sign up for the DogFoodAdvisor recall notifications the last time I was on the site, and that was the day the recall went out. All of our OC Raw had different use by and lot numbers so I think we’re in the clear.

[Pitlove]

Ill also note that aside from the yak chews and deer antlers the only treats in my house for my cat and dog are freeze dried raw treats. very easy to digest, made with only one ingredient and made in the USA. I use PureBites, however there are many out there. Nature’s Variety makes them for example as well and I know Blue Buffalo just came out with some but I would stay away from Blue products.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 6 months ago by Pitlove.

[Pitlove]

This is a great site made up of a lot of people who have a wealth of knowledge about a lot of things having to do with dog nutrition regardless of them not being vets. I guess my point was to offer you something you could do in the now instead of hoping someone on here has been through the exact same diagnosis.

If you can’t/don’t want to/or are uncomfortable feeding raw you can certainly tell the holistic vet that and she might be able to find another option for you. Raw typically is the best diet for dogs, however when medical conditions come into play who is to say whats best as that can change with each case.

Great to know that you have vet’s that are supporting you! What diets have they recommended just curious? Prescription? or other.

[Heather H]

While I appreciate your reply and honesty, I knew this panel would not be made up of vets, I was just curious if anyone had any experience with Mast Cells in the past. I have done a lot of research, we have a great vet, and an oncology vet as well that are taking care of the case, but lets face it vets are like doctors, they too see “representatives,” the holistic approach is a great thought, but that comes down to a raw diet, and seeing what else they may have to offer, Thanks pitlove!

[Pitlove]

Hi Heather-
Cancer is a very serious diagnosis and none of us here are vets. I don’t know how many here have dealt with that specific type of cancer. If you are wondering about a diet that is more all natural for a dog like a raw diet I would absolutely consult with a holistic vet. They are far better versed in dog nutrition than most vet’s are and can probably aid you in formulating the best diet for dogs with that diagnosis.

you can do a simple google search to see if there are any holistic vets in your area and most are willing to do an over the phone consultation for free.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 6 months ago by Pitlove.

[Tracy M]

Thank you for the links. I will check on these.
I am definitely not a DIY person with my animals. I will keep looking for answers through Vets, holistic and traditional. I just wanted to know if others have experienced this and also any feeding they may do for these issues. Raw and kibble together, but served at different meals.
Her issues didn’t explode until after I lost my other Boxer. 🙁
Definitely looking into digestive enzymes and have started her on NuVet Plus.

Thank You for your kind response

[Tracy M]

I recently took my dog in for a skin issue and after a skin scrape, urine test and Senior Blood work, I am told she has Pacreatitis.
I am very confused as to how she got pancreatitis, as she is on a raw diet. I also give her yogurt in her food .
I recently ordered the new Orijin Tundra Dry. I wanted to do a Raw and Good quality kibble. I thought this would help with cost of Raw.
I have not started her on the Tundra yet because of the diagnosis.
This is her information below:

Diets I’ve used:
Primal Turkey Sardine
Primal Duck
Stella and Chewys Duck Duck Goose
Natures Instinct Rabbit
Natures Instinct Venison
Sojos Turkey Complete

She is a 68 lb White Boxer. She went in for a skin check. She has been itching and loosing hair on her sides, behind ears, down legs, her belly. Has bumps and redness. She has irritated skin and is scratching. She has an odor when wet. I thought it was a yeast issue.
She went on prednisone and antibiotics from first Vet. I made a consult with a different Vet 2 weeks later. He did a skin scrape that was negative for mites etc. Senior blood work and urine were fine except the pancreas. Did second test to confirm. I was told it was pancreatitis. They put her on 2 more types of antibiotics and a topical steroid/conditioner for her skin.
Suggests bland diet for 2 weeks and retest.
Very confused with diagnosis. She started with the skin issue, then started drinking a lot, urinating more. She has no change in appetite, but had a bout of diarrhea.
She had a few accidents in the house and got into the trash a couple of times. These are things she never has done. When she got into the trash, I do not believe she got anything high in fat. But I’m not sure.
I recently lost my male Boxer in Feb and she has taken it hard, as well as myself.
She is 7
Anymore advice/recommendations would be great!

[Pitlove]

Your dog certainly could be different, however a normal healthy dog can efficently process a species appropriate protein, meaning animal meat and not corn. There are different sources of proteins that are used in commercial dog foods that while they are a source of protein they do not digest as well because they are not species appropriate. The rX food your dog is on contains protein, however the sources are corn and by-products which are not sufficent sources of protein. The by-products are the least of the problem because if paired with whole meat wouldnt be terrible, its the abudance of corn and rices that are difficult to digest.

I would highly consider a commercial raw diet. A little different than what L M suggested, however the maker of the commercial raw food usually works with a holistic vet ( i know Darwins does) to make sure all the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc are in the food at the proper levels, where as when you make the food yourself you need to be able to formulate those levels on your own which if you are new to it can be much more scary.

Despite recipes and all that, you still need to be careful when preparing your own homemade raw diet.

[Heather H]

I have read so many different things, saying grain free is the best, raw is best. Clearly, I want what is best for my dog, and we would like to try and prevent any further recurrence of Mast Cells from developing, but does anyone have any experience with what is going to help, with out breaking the bank? I have had a lab in the past that we did multiple surgeries on and the medications after mast cells, this is a golden doodle, we also have a lab at home, we have switched away from all Blue Buffalo products in fear that there was a link there, with having two dogs get this terrible cancer.
Any advice is welcome.

[Susan]

Hi, I found a few kibbles last night called Lupa Hypoallergene Sensitive 20\8 or Lupa Hypoallergene Sensitive 24/10, I don’t know if its sold in America its sold thru Zooplus…or try the “California Natural” hypoallergenic limited ingredients Lamb & Rice it has just 4 ingredients, so less chance of any problems, a few people have just put their itchy sensitive stomach dogs on the California Natural Lamb & Rice & its working.. If you join this Face Book Group “Dog Allergy International group” look in the files for “Foods & Links for limited Ingredient *Kibbles * Wet * Raw” all foods have their links so you can look at the ingredients & fat% fiber% etc https://www.facebook.com/groups/dogallergyinternationalgroup/

[Susan]

Hi, change his diet read the ingredients to his Science Diet, corn, gluten corn etc look for a limited ingredient kibble that’s low in starchy/carbs so NO potatoes, no peas etc ……..sounds like he has yeasty itchy skin & ears…join this face book group called “Dog Allergy International Group” (link at the end) & look in their files there’s links to limited ingredient kibbles wet & raw diets also foods that are starchy & what foods to avoid….If you can feed raw, raw is the best as it has no carbs.. carbs are needed in kibbles to bind them, no good for itchy dogs but you can find a better kibble then Science Diet also sardines, buy the tin sardines in spring water & add some with the kibble or as a treat..
Shampoo…..I use Malaseb medicated shampoo it kills any bacteria on the skin but does not dry their skin out, leaving them feeling beautiful & soft….
When I rescued my boy he was in very bad condition, a change of diet & weekly baths in Malaseb within 1 month his hair started to grow back & he was itch & smell free…
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dogallergyinternationalgroup/

[Anonymous]

Helpful article below:
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.

[Jordan L]

I know this topic has probably been worn down but I have become completely overwhelmed with my research and all the choices out there.

My almost 5 yr old boxer has recently started shedding a concerning amount and is itching all over. He has a bit of dandruff and he has constant ear infections and subsequent scabs from itching his ears so much. I can see spots where his fur is uneven and his skin is starting to show because it is so thin. When we took him to the vet, she recommended oatmeal bathes, fish oil, and an antibac./anti-itch spray for his raw spots.

He has been on the same food since he was a puppy, Science Diet Lite for Large Breeds. I know it isn’t the most amazing food out there, but he tends to have a sensitive tummy and until now he has shown no signs of needing to change. My immediate response at this point is to try something new with his food. We are on a pretty strict budget, so I hate to spend double the amount we are already paying for his food, but I do not want to skimp when it comes to his health.

Any suggestions on where we can start, brand wise? TIA!

[JeffreyT]

Check out Dr. Karen Becker’s articles on yeast. I do her povidine foot soak for itchy paws and it’s helped.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/05/03/eating-these-foods-can-make-your-dog-itch-like-crazy.aspx

The fresh and frozen raw are probably the healthiest and most cost effective but the bulk of my pups’ diet is a variety of freeze dried raw, with water added to rehydrate. They are Stella and Chewys, Primal, Orijen, and Stewarts Bison. Their favorites are Trudog, Only Natural Niblets and Vital Essentials…I soak these overnight.

For a quick meal I give the air dried raw from Real Meat Food Co or Ziwi Peak and rotate between brands and proteins.

Be prepared for a cleansing reaction, like loose stools, which could happen as you go to better foods. You may want to consider adding digestive enzymes and probioitics to help with potential digestive issues when changing…I use in most meals, it also supports the immune system and overall health.

Also consider having Perfect Form on hand from Honest Kitchen or canned pumpkin, and give during transition for stomach issues. But first check to see if it’s ok to give to yeasty dog, not sure.

Fish oil can help itchy skin and also good for heart, joints, brain, etc. Good brands for these supplements include Mercola Krill, Animal Essentials, Dr. Peter Tobias, Wholistic Pet Organics and Natures Farmacy.

Good luck!

[InkedMarie]

Hi Karen
I have a dog with yeast issues. He has had no issues since going on a raw diet with no produce. I buy grinds from Hare Today & Reel Raw. Chicken is not his friend either, duck & turkey are fine. He also eats beef, venison, goat, lamb, rabbit and more

[InkedMarie]

My dog with yeast issues does best on a raw diet with no produce. I buy grinds from Hare Today & Reel Raw.

[InkedMarie]

What raw were you using? I have a dog who was yeasty;at my holistic vets recommendation, I stopped fruits & veggies (which alot of premades have) and viola, no problems! Vital Essentials is a produce free premade but I buy grinds from Hare Today & Reel Raw, weigh and feed.

[zcRiley]

Time to subtract poultry, potato, egg & weird fillers that pups get allergic to. Itching and yeast is no fun. After my pups’ blood analysis came back clean, I made an overnight switch to raw dehydrated with vitamins, no thawing or mixing. By week’s end, all symptoms disappeared. ZiwiPeak lamb formula was a life saver for them, I’ve never looked back. I rotate with their beef and venison as well.

[SdianeM M]

Sadie was having a lot of yeast issues with her Castor and Pollux Grain Free Poultry Free kibble. I researched and felt like the answer was to cut out carbs and use a raw diet. I then started with Allprovide and noticed a night and day difference. But, when I added turkey she started having more yeast issues. I then added beef and she had a miserable night. Allprovide has been awesome and has always gone over and beyond to help me, from providing her with complimentary food to even sending a compounded shampoo.

I’ve tried Sadie back on her Allprovide and she refuses to eat it. She went from loving it one day to not eating it the next. So, I started cooking organic chicken, with liver, gizzards, and hearts. She’s eating it, but she’s not content.

She keeps going to where I have her bag of Castor and Pollux and wants her kibbles. I really do not want to put her back on kibbles.

I noticed today when I bathed her how she has a patch without fur caused by scratching. This is something we haven’t had before (although she did have a lesion after feeding her the Allprovide beef that night).

Please offer your advice. I do not know what to do anymore.

[SdianeM M]

Sadie was on Castor and Pollux Grain Free Poultry Free dry food, but she stayed with yeast issues. After reading and researching, I knew that I needed to cut out the carbs in her diet. I then put her on a commercial raw diet. She did unbelievably better, but started having yeast issues develop again. Then, she went from loving her raw food to not eating it at all. I then started cooking organic chicken for her, but she lacks like it’s not leaving her satisfied.

Bathing her today I found a patch of fur that’s missing from her itching. As bad as her yeast was on kibbles, she never lost fur or had lesions from scratching.

We need help!!!!!

[Susan]

Find a fish kibble with just one carb, I always pick brown rice as potatoes peas etc are too starchy & can cause yeast… if she is use to a topper on her kibble put some tin salmon or sardines or pick a novel protein meat that she has never eaten before to add with her kibble….remember less is best especially in the beginning, I’d stick with a raw diet as it has no carbs you watch her skin & itch all clear up on raw… 1 novel protein Rabbit Kangaroo etc Lew Olson has a F/B group called K9 Nutrition & can help with the raw diet…

[Karen K]

I have a 9-year old female shih-tzu with recurring yeast infections in her ears and irritated paws that she continuously licks. She has always eaten chicken mixed with Blue Buffalo Wilderness and am now hearing horrible things about BB and that chicken can worsen allergies. I’m considering starting her on a raw diet, but need advice as to what brands are best and how to go about making the switch. Anyone had success with raw helping yeasty ears?

[jakes mom]

I think the cold might have something to do with them turning up their noses at first, since it disappeared a little later on. The literature I got from Darwin’s says the food can be cooked, sometimes cats just won’t eat raw or tummy can’t handle it. But I can cook a homemade diet cheaper than cooking Darwin’s so that’s not going to be an option for me! Might try cooking a bit of it “rare” to get them started if things don’t improve after a few more meals. They’re used to room temp canned or the Primal fd which I make with hot water. I was a mean Mommy this am, gave them a spoonful of raw on each plate and a bit less canned than usual so we’ll see what’s gone when I get home from work!

[Naturella]

I also love feeding a variety of foods to my terrier mix Bruno. Since my husband and I have adopted him in 2013, he’s had, in no particular order of dry foods: Nutro Natural Choice Small Breed Puppy, Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy, Nutrisca Chicken & Chickpea, Dr. Tim’s Kinesis GF, Holistic Health Extension Original, Blue Allergix, and Lamb & Brown Rice, Earthborn Holisitic Coastal Catch, Primitive Naturals, and Great Plains Feast, Back to Basics Open Range, Wysong Nurture with Quail, Nulo Medal Series Lamb & Lentils, Castor & Pollux Ultramix Duck, Victor Salmon, and samples of Fromm, Victor, NutriSource, TOTW, Wysong, Orijen, Acana, Nature’s Variety Instinct (the Rabbit formula he was supposed to eat but it made him very sick, but other samples he did great with), Hi-Tek, Nature’s Logic, and many other foods I can’t recall ATM. Lined up we have Wellness CORE Ocean and Original, more Earthborn, Canidae Pure SEA, Castor & Pollux Organix GF, and right now he just got on Dogswell LiveFree Salmon.

For toppers we used The Honest Kitchen Embark, Force, Keen, and Love, and Big Dog Naturals Green Tripe (air-dried). I have used various canned foods too, like Weruva, Green Cow by Solid Gold, and Green Tripe from Petkind, and also some more dehydrated/air-dried like Sojo’s. Now I use some small Merrick dog cans and some cat food pouches and cans for some of the toppers along with coconut oil, yoghurt, raw egg, canned sardines, and a RMB for his Sunday dinner. I also almost always add extra water to the food when served with a topper so he eats “soup” most of the time. Sometimes I just give him plain kibble as part of a training routine or from a puzzle toy to stimulate his brain. He likes it just the same!

He gets regular treats (Fromm, Canidae, Yummy Chummies, and Think! Alligator and Crawfish Jerky, and also kibble as treats (a different brand and flavor of the main food he is on at the moment), He also has a few natural chews like cow and lamb ears, beef tracheas, bully sticks, pig snouts, fish skins, antlers, hooves, etc.

Sorry for the rant, lol, but yeah, rotations are awesome, and Bruno loves the daily variety, and I love how he looks and feels (shiny and soft). I used to take 10 days or so to transition from one food to the next at first, then about 7 days, then 3, then 0. Now he switches so quickly because he eats a constant variety of foods and treats.

And LM, I guess you can see the replies of a person, but it will be hard to follow an Editor’s Choice topic reply by reply from individual authors. And some topics are EC exclusive.

[crazy4cats]

Jakes Mom-
Yes, that is a problem when you have a whole herd like us. You never know for sure who ate and who didn’t at times. We need to put up video cameras! Same with the litter boxes. If someone has yucky poops, not always sure who.

I was wondering about the food being cold. I didn’t think mine would like it like that either. I spose warming it up a bit in the microwave would defeat the purpose of raw, wouldn’t it? It’s so frustrating getting them to eat something new. I’m with you though, on being tired of all the cans and the ridiculous cost of it!

Does Jake like it? I hope you have eventual success!

[jakes mom]

Well, somebody ate the raw I put out for their dinner. Don’t know who or how many. I put a spoonful on each plate along with their usual canned. They all looked at it and sniffed, then looked at me very suspicious! lol! I didn’t see anybody even take a nibble. I left them alone and went to look again later on. The raw was gone!
I agree with their logic, too. But as I told them in my email, I don’t want to pay for something they won’t eat. Don’t mind giving something from the sample pack to Jake if the cats don’t like it but certainly won’t waste money buying it again. We can always supplement the raw with occasional cans for variety if necessary.
BTW in case you didn’t notice, the site has tips for transitioning to raw. Pretty much common sense, but worth a read so you’ll be ready to go when you get your samples.

[Pitlove]

I don’t know much about Cloud Star, however I do know Zuke’s just got bought out by Purina, so they might have started adding cheaper ingredients. The only treats I feed in my house hold (if they get treats) are freeze dried raw treats you can get at places like Petco called PureBites. Its just one ingredient (i do turkey breast for the kitten and beef liver for the dog), made in the USA etc. They can be broken into smaller pieces to use for training. i used them for clicker training my kitten.

PS just realized I mentioned these treats in my above post

[Pitlove]

Ya and I totally agree with their logic. I do agree that they should get different proteins and she already gets that with the canned. Im still going to think about it and definitely going to get the starter “pack” to see if she will even eat raw. So far Darwins is the company I’m most impressed with.

Sorry to hear that! Hopefully they will adjust to it. Do they get all canned as well or some dry and canned?

[Cathy B]

I’ve used bravecto on my 110 lb male and 50 lb female dog for 3 doses, about 10 months. No signs of any fleas or ticks. Before this I had used comfortis and before that trifectis with good flea results but because these meds are priced by the weight of the dog, bravecto works out to be much less expensive with the added benefit of no ticks which were still an issue. I understand some pet owners concerns about giving such a strong medication but I trust my vets judgement and for me, nothing else but pills has worked. Dips, topicals, nothing else even phases the amount of fleas we have in the warm weather months which is about 9 months out of the year. I’m in deep east Texas near the Louisiana border. We live on a lot of acreage that is heavily wooded. My dogs run through the woods which are crawling with fleas and ticks. The dogs also come in the house when I’m home, sleep in the house at night and I’m not willing to risk a flea infestation. Anyone who has ever dealt with that mess knows how horrible it is to get rid of them if they start laying eggs in your house. I have an indoor cat with skin allergies that can not be exposed to flea bites so for my situation and the quality of life I provide my dogs, pills are the best fit. I’ve had no problems with bravecto. The pills are like a small round cookie, mine eat them like they’re a treat. My vet said they will really last more than 12 weeks so I re-dose about every 14.

[jakes mom]

Many people on this site feed raw. Check out the raw forum here, you’ll find good info and a lot of support. Some say their pet’s problems cleared up completely once they were on a raw diet.

[jakes mom]

Yes, you only feed about 2-3% of kitty’s weight per day on raw. My guys aren’t as easy as yours, they only like the pate type canned food. Just lick the gravy/sauce from the other kind and leave the bits.
Stuff is starting to thaw a bit. Will be able to try it tonite, I feed 2x a day, too.

[Karen K]

This is so confusing….the more research I do, the less I know what to feed my itchy baby. Salmon has mercury, chicken causes allergies, menhaden fish meal can be very low quality in protein by the time it reaches the dog food factories, and on and on. Anyone tried the raw diets? They make me nervous because there have been some issues with bacteria related illness, but at least the food is whole. She is so used to having some cooked chicken with her kibble, I can’t imagine that she would eat any kibble by itself. Thanks to all for your help!

[Pitlove]

No I havent thought about doing that. She is already on an all canned diet and will eat any type of canned food be it pate, chunks in sauce, the human looking soup of Weruva, you name it she eats it. I felt like getting her on raw would be easy cuz of that. Also I’m thinking theres a chance it could be cheaper for me than feeding canned, even though she can only finish one 3oz can at each meal (dog and cat both eat twice daily about every 12 hours or so). I know you typically feed less with raw which is a bonus for me.

[Pitlove]

Jake’s Mom, thanks for the extra info. I had no idea you had to send the cooler back. I was under the impression that they let you keep it. I really don’t like that, which upsets me because I really really wanted to try Darwins. I check my emails nightly as well after work so it wouldnt be a problem for me to change the orders I just don’t want to get caught off guard.

I have a great little family owned pet store about 30 mins from me that I often by my dogs kibble at since they carrying Orijen and other really great natural brands. They also carry the Primal Raw food, so I can definitely look into that. They also carry Stella & Chewys.

Let me know how the Darwin’s goes! I really wish they made their ordering process more straight forward and streamline and allowed you to tailor your order every time.

[jakes mom]

Pitlove, I see what you mean, I went back on the Darwin’s site. The autoship doesn’t bother me that much. They will email a few days before they ship and I check emails every nite so it’s no problem for me to change or delay a shipment. I did shoot them an email asking about the availability of single proteins instead of the combos but have not heard back from them (just sent it last nite). I’ll let you know when I hear back.
I rec’d the food tonite. I have a couple of packages in the fridge, thawing. It’s packed very well, with a little dry ice. Everything was rock hard when it arrived. One thing you may not like is, they ask you to return the cooler box. Give you a return label so it doesn’t cost anything but may be inconvenient if you’re not near a UPS store.
I had another thought for you, too. Have you tried freeze dried raw? ( Sorry if you mentioned that in a previous post) I use Primal nuggets sometimes. Comes in a bag with chunks that you just crumble with your fingers and add a little hot water. Very convenient, and you could customize it for her with a bit more or less water depending on her preference. Look for it with the higher quality dry food, not in the fridge/freezer with the other raw products, also online, got mine at Chewy’s. Various flavors and bag sizes.
I’ll try feeding the kitties this weekend, when the stuff thaws. Wish me luck!

[Pitlove]

jakes mom – two things. im so sorry for your loss. i lost my 6yr old cat on christmas eve last year. no clue why he died. hence why we have the new kitten now. glad you and your crew are doing ok tho!

also yeah i don’t mind the trial shipment but what my problem was is lets say she doesnt like the duck but she loves the chicken and turkey, i dont have the option to only get those 2 proteins. and maybe im wrong but when i clicked on turkey to buy it and see how much shipping was i got brought to the page telling me about the starter thing and then how in 13 weeks my regular order would ship of all 3 proteins, with a set amount of lbs. I see that I can change it, but you have to change it before the order is shipped and it would kind of be a hassle for me. i COULD be misunderstanding the idea of the site. I just don’t like sites that force me to autoship OR make me cancel it every single time. in my mind its the same as whenever you sign up for a free trail of some service lets say Amazon Prime and they say after a month they are going to start charging you for it unless you cancel it. I hate having to remind myself to cancel the subscription before i get charged. also ive experienced canceling things like that and then still getting charged and i would not want that on a 100$+ order of raw food.

you have ordered food from them so please let me know if im confused or wrong about their ordering process! i really like the look of the food and would love to try it

[crazy4cats]

Jakes Mom-
Yes, my cats are fine. Thank you for your concern. I always worry about them getting out! It was actually kind of funny because it reminded us of the time when our previous dog went out a window on to the roof years ago. My husband came home and no one was home and our dog was on the roof in a panic. It was when my kids were young and we went up to the school to play without him and he was NOT happy about it. I guess he thought he was going to follow us anyway he could. He thankfully, he didn’t jump either! He would have gotten hurt. I think the cats could probably handle the jump without an issue. Just glad they didn’t!

Have you tried the Darwin’s yet? I’m real curious to see if they like it.

Pitlove-
I have used NW Naturals, Nature’s Variety, and Primal raw as toppers for my dogs. I have tried feeding a little to my cats here and there and they have not been interested so far. Most likely if it was in one of the dogs’ bowls, however, they would probably eat it right up! LOL! It might actually be cheaper for you. Canned cat food is way too expensive for what you get. Let us know if you try it out.

[jakes mom]

Maybe I misunderstood your question or I misunderstood Darwin’s when I ordered last week. I ordered the $14.95 sample pack. It has all 3 proteins but wouldn’t you want that in a sample pack? They do set you up for autoship for future orders but you can cancel if she doesn’t like it, or change the timing of shipments anytime. There are also meal mixes you can get from several companies, just add to your own ground meat. Also Hare today and My pet carnivore are other raw companies a lot of people here use.
C4C, so glad you got your escapees without any problems!

[Pitlove]

thank you! She is very sweet. such the lap cat, but i worry she has seperation anxiety. not sure though.

also on a side note. im thinking about going raw with her and i looked into darwin’s. i was really annoyed to find out that they basically make up an order for you and you are forced into buying chicken duck and turkey from them all in one order and you don’t get to decide how many lbs you want or what protein you want and you HAVE to do auto-ship. I wanted to just try it out with her to see if she would eat it and that makes it impossible to do.
C4C idk if you know of any good commercial raw diets similar to darwin’s that doesnt do that.

if anyone else has suggestions to i’d like to hear it. im also wondering if feeding her raw since she doesnt eat much would be more cost effective than canned food.

[MaggiesDad]

I’ve found through chatting to hundreds of dog owners over the years that many dogs have allergy issues with chicken first of all, closely followed by beef. The reason seems to be that over feeding one protein for a long period of time (some people make the mistake of always just feeding one food because their dog likes it) can cause the body to just suddenly decide it won’t deal with it any more, giving rise to numerous problems and allergic reactions. If this is likely to be the case, a break of a few months is advised before trying that protein again but be aware that it can only take one meal to cause the problems to reoccur, and months to rid the system of those problems! You should also note that just because a reaction has occurred feeding a dried chicken based kibble (for example) does NOT necessarily mean that the dog has an issue with raw chicken – just as an allergy to beef does not always mean that ALL beef is a problem – it may still be possible to feed beef offal for example without any issues. It can be very confusing and frustrating to get to the bottom of such issues, and it may be that the advise of a nutritionist is required as well as an elimination diet for a few months.

[MaggiesDad]

For those interested in raw feeding, if you mention my name (Michael) when calling Allprovide to place your first order, you can receive a discount of $20 off any order of $75 or more until the end of May. (After May the discount reverts to $10 with a minimum order of 16lbs). Their website is http://www.allprovide.com, ph 678-585-1606, and they ship for free to most of the USA.

[MaggiesDad]

Give the guys at Allprovide (www.allprovide.com) a call (678-585-1606) – they had a dog with horrendous skin/yeast issues and switching to a raw diet saved her life. They’re always happy to talk about canine health issues and advise about diet and possible causes of problems. Their food has supplements in it such as coconut oil, salmon oil, turmeric etc all of which are good for coat and skin issues.

[Pitlove]

Karen- I love Nature’s Variety products. I’ve fed the vension rawboost formula and the duck and turkey raw boost formula before and they will come back into my rotation for sure. thank you for sharing your experience with the new Ultimate protein line. really looking forward to trying the Duck.

[Karen B]

Thanks pitlove! I am still feeding mine NV Instinct with Raw bites (mixed with the Ultimate Protein) plus I always give her 1/4 can of NV venison, beef and salmon as a topping. Mine is very muscular, no fat and highly energetic! Hopefully Dr. Mike & team will review this soon!

[crazy4cats]

Chloe K-
For sure he will be the most handsome boy at puppy school! Another thing that you will want to consider is the extremely important appropriate calcium levels for a large breed puppy. There is an article about it on the review side of this site. Have you checked it out?

I don’t want to “squash” your hopes of feeding him raw, as I know it can be the healthiest way to go. But, I’d be nervous about getting the calcium part right to keep the handsome little guys joints as healthy as possible.

[crazy4cats]

Well, the Natural Balance wild pursuit was a TOTAL flop. Only one out of four cats would even try it. They are stinkers!

On a funny note, my husband and I are on “stay cation” this week. He’s outside doing yard work and hears a kitty. While ours are all indoor cats, he takes a peek to see who is talking to him. He finally looks up to find our sweet little chubby girl looking down at him from our roof! He quickly runs upstairs, finds a window open and crawls out on the roof to “save” her. Lol! And then around walks around to see another one of our cats on the very top layer of our tri-level house. Surprisingly enough, the more energetic male named Beans actually came to my husband so he could be saved also!

They had quite an adventure for a couple of indoor kitties who have never really been outside. Who knows if they would have eventually jumped off if we weren’t home. Needless to say, we are getting the screen repaired!