[Mutts and Cats]

Hi Patricia A. Believe me, I’m barely holding my own when discussing dog nutrition. I realize after some exchanges with Aimee that I have some serious gaps in my dog nutrition knowledge. So now I’m trying to remedy that. But I have some pretty firmly ingrained thoughts on some topics (like % protein from meat, and carbs) that go against mainstream dog nutrition, so I’m not sure how that is going to be reconciled in the end.

The info you provided from another forum on Stella & Chewy’s is SOOO DISAPPOINTING. If I understand that post correctly it appears that S&C may be experiencing growing pains, that will probably not end well. I was getting ready to go back to feeding S&C. I used to feed that Wild Red dry product that is mentioned, and my dogs loved it, plus several of the freeze dried recipes. I stopped feeding the dry because there is a chance (probably extremely small, but still a chance) that the rosemary in it could contribute to seizures (in a dog that already has seizures). Then for a while I had other concerns about some of the ingredients in S&C, but have since pretty much let go of those concerns. I have to start letting go of some things. The list of things I’m concerned about has grown to a ridiculous length. I have been surprised that S&C has never made the Thixton Lists – or at least not the years that I bought them. I see in one of your posts that evidently Thixton kind of caught S&C in a lie regarding the source of ingredients. That is unfortunate. Especially since supplements sourced from China are not necessarily a dog food deal breaker in my mind. I think it is pretty hard to find human supplements that don’t come from China. But the fact that S&C lied about it until they knew they were caught is quite troubling.

I’m getting very close to deciding that I will never find a dog food company that I feel good about so I should just start making my own. I say that as though it would be no big deal to just start doing it, but it is a pretty overwhelming thought. Plus, I feel like my dogs need to be accustomed to at least one dry or freeze dried food so I can leave it out if I have to travel. That is what I liked about Vital Essentials mini nibs. I was able to leave it out for free feeding, like I would a dry food. But I’ve decided that I am definitely done with VE.

On the DCM issue, did you see Aimee’s reply in my Raw Food Topic? When someone as well informed as her is uncertain, then there are no answers yet. I’ve done just a little more online research in the last week, and it sounds like there are ongoing studies that point toward diets high in peas, lentils, and potatoes being the problem, but that is hardly a revelation. I want to know why! For now I’m assuming it is mostly peas and lentils (but I am still suspicious of beans too) in high quantities, which results in not enough high quality protein for the dog plus the peas acting as an anti-nutrient or even a toxin. Have you ever read “The Plant Paradox”? He is down on all legumes. I think dog foods that include grains just naturally tend to include less legumes, but in my mind the grains have no protective powers and are not providing lacking nutrients. But then, I really don’t know . . .

The agony you are going through in trying to determine, from order of ingredients and moisture content of ingredients, how much protein is coming from meat vs legumes is why I decided firmly that if a company won’t reveal the percentage of protein from meat (or animal sources is the language some use) then I wouldn’t even consider them. But Aimee brought up a good point about the definition of meat. Companies can play games with that, so I need to make sure I trust the company too. I feel a headache coming on . . .

Thanks for asking about my pup’s health issues. The one who is not doing well is only 6 years old and his issues are illusive. He’s an 80 lb mixed breed – probably boxer and black lab, maybe some pit bull, maybe some great dane. A real mutt. About a year ago (right after I lost a dog to osteosarcoma), he started going downhill. Lack of stamina and not getting around as well as he used to. He has had use of only 3 legs since he was a puppy, but before the downturn he made due pretty well. And his personality started changing and he became a very anxious dog, which at first I thought was a reaction to the other dog’s death. But the anxiety persisted and then he started having seizures. At first the seizures were increasing in frequency, but thankfully now they seem to be going the other way. And his anxiety is much better now, but I go to great lengths to shield him from stress. So, of course I have done a ton of online research on dog seizures and have essentially tried everything that had any potential at all. I didn’t put him on anti-seizure meds (except CBD Oil), but came close a dozen times. If the seizures continue to become less frequent I’m hoping to avoid meds.

One thing I will point out is that (from what I have picked up from your posts) your dogs are healthy and you have a track record of dogs living to ripe old ages. I don’t have such a good record, and it does cause me anxiety when I face that fact. Perhaps, despite my good intentions, I am contributing to that bad record in the way I have fed.
Nice posting with you. Hang in there and be sure to let me know if you have any revelations. M&C

[Bully S]

Here is a list of the best training treats for puppies:

Small, soft treats that are easy to chew and swallow, such as chicken or turkey jerky.
Freeze-dried liver treats, which have a strong scent and flavor that most puppies find irresistible.
Bite-sized cheese or peanut butter filled training treats.
Mini training treats that are low calorie and specially designed for puppies.
Homemade baked or cooked treats, such as mini meatballs made with ground beef or chicken.
Remember to give treats in moderation as a supplement to your puppy’s regular diet, and always monitor your puppy for signs of digestive upset or weight gain. https://www.bullysticksdirect.com/

• This reply was modified 2 years, 10 months ago by Bully S.

[Mutts and Cats]

Hi Aimee. Thanks, as always, for the good information. You must chuckle to yourself at people like me who are struggling to grasp the AAFCO/NRC data, and dog nutrition in general. I’m finally taking the time now to better understand what I’m doing, but when I look back at where I’ve been, my bumbling is amusing. And, I still have a long way to go . . .

It’s disappointing to learn that there really isn’t much regulation over the dog food industry. So companies can claim about anything and get away with it. I imagine the small companies tend to be even more protected, because no one bothers to go after them for false claims. I notice that all of the foods I feed use the exact same language on the bags “… formulated to meet … AAFCO…” Lawyer approved language that protects them. But, thankfully people like you remind some of these companies that there are some very educated consumers out there who are keeping an eye on them.

Yes, my dog had his first seizure in August and I’ve been obsessing about his diet ever since. I’ve worked myself into a state of high anxiety thinking that what I’m feeding him may be contributing. Although thankfully the seizures have been less frequent lately (last 2 were 18 days apart).

Thank you for bringing up triglycerides. I just looked back at my dog’s lab reports and that was not tested for. Cholesterol was normal, but he was not fasting so I guess the results are not particularly valid. After reading your post I of course went on a Googling spree on cholesterol vs triglycerides but came away with a frustrating lack of understanding, and wondering why his bloodwork included cholesterol but not triglycerides. He is scheduled for bloodwork again on 3/1 so I will have him fasted for that and ask that triglycerides be included. Thanks again for bringing it up. I’m always willing to explore any possibility.

I have been purposely feeding him a high fat diet, even including some MCT Oil, as my research indicated that some seizure dogs do well when fed this way. He was eating high protein and moderate fat before the seizures started. He has never seemed to have a problem with fat (that showed in his poop anyway). Before I started making changes to his diet, and starting supplements, his poop looked great. He did develop diarrhea a few weeks ago that I think was either reaction to a new food or to starting Milk Thistle. I discontinued both. The diarrhea went away but ever since then his poop has remained too soft. He was on CBD Oil too, which I thought was probably contributing to soft poop. TMI on my dog’s poop, right? Sorry, I get carried away. I think reducing his fat intake is a really good thought, and I will definitely get the triglycerides checked.

Thanks for adding some discussion about Steve’s. I need to take my education to the next level to understand some of what you have presented (I’m really lacking in understanding regarding how to interpret calories from fat, etc.), but I do get the point you are making. I think Steve’s has some data presentation issues on the website too. Did you notice that they show the Vitamins being presented As Fed but the Minerals being Dry Matter? And yet it looks pretty apparent to me that the Vitamins are Dry Matter too, particularly when I compare the frozen to the freeze dried. I raised the question and got an answer that was really perplexing – something about using the freeze dried data (even for the frozen), so the As Fed was actually close to Dry Matter. Yikes! The rep seemed thankful for the input, but the website hasn’t changed. My once hopeful thoughts are starting to turn . . .

I probably need to take a time out for a few days before deciding what to do, regarding his diet. I’ve made SO MANY changes in the last 5 months, which I know is not a good thing. I need to be settling in on something and stick with it. Thanks again, for your time. I REALLY appreciate it. M&C

[Mutts and Cats]

Hi Aimee. You have really given me much to think about and I am changing my perspective a bit and reevaluating what my priorities should be when assessing the quality of a food and trustworthiness of the company. Your points on the quality, and even definition, of meat are definitely sinking in. I feel now like I had blinders on in thinking that as long as the percentage of meat was high in a food then all was good.

I’m starting to feel that maybe I should just bite the bullet and start making my own food.
Right now I’m in a transition period where my dogs get about 1/2 their caloric intake from fresh meat and turkey necks and the other 1/2 from commercial (raw frozen and freeze dried). I recently started keeping track of all the vitamins/minerals they are getting from everything they eat. I was previously just focusing on calcium, phosphorous and a few other things – hoping everything else was ok. But now that I have been moving toward more meat and less commercial (because I’m not sure I trust the brands I’m feeding), it’s getting to the point I’m going to have to add supplements or add more ingredients to the fresh food. To make things more challenging, I recently had one of my dogs tested for food allergies and he is allergic (IgE reaction) to every vegetable they tested for (but, oddly, not allergic to any meats), so this further limits what I can feed him. But, I also can’t decide if I trust the allergy testing . . .
I’m getting very frustrated and anxious. Thanks for taking the time to post with me. You have helped me a lot. M&C

[Mutts and Cats]

Aimee and crazy4cats – if you guys care to weigh in on this other obsession of mine too – maybe help me see errors in my thinking – that would be great. Reading on the AAFCO page from the link crazy4cats provided, the definition of “meat” clearly states that it does not include bone. I was pretty sure that was the case, and most companies who add bone either state “including bone” or list the bone parts as individual ingredients. This got me thinking about another topic that has been bothering me. I mentioned earlier in this post how I lost my trust in a certain company because of anomalies in their online vitamin/mineral data, and my suspicions that the data didn’t jive with the ingredients.
One of my big concerns was the high variation in calcium and phosphorous content (between different recipes and between what is online vs additional info provided by a rep). That, plus my feeling that just based on the ingredients listed on the packaging I can’t figure out how these high calcium and phosphorous numbers are even possible. But, I’ve just recently become interested in the gory details of dog nutrition, so I’m probably missing something.

For example, for their Duck recipe, the dry matter values for calcium and phosphorous are 3.91% and 3.15%. These were provided by a company rep as the most current info and are much higher than what is currently on the website (1.79% and 1.52%). The large increase is disturbing, given there has been no change in the ingredients, but even more disturbing to me is how the heck could that food even have 3.91% and 3.15% given the ingredients? Seems to me they would have to be including bone and even then it’s pretty hard to get to 3.15% phosphorous just using meat with some bone included, isn’t it? I can’t help but suspect they are using something like dicalcium phosphate, but not listing it as an ingredient. Or, there is something terribly wrong with their analysis methods.
Ingredients:
Duck, duck gizzard, duck heart, duck liver, herring oil, mixed tocopherols (preservative), vitamin E supplement, zinc amino acid complex, iron amino acid complex, copper amino acid complex, manganese amino acid complex

[Mutts and Cats]

Hi Patricia A. This is a great post that you started. A lot of good discussion.

I misread some of your previous posts here about Stella & Chewy’s. I thought it was just a customer rep who made a bad statement about taurine. The fact that they actually have that on their website is disturbing. Hopefully the geek who designed the website accidentally manipulated facts from the company employees who actually understand dog nutrition, and then they just haven’t gotten around to correcting it.
My understanding of taurine and dogs is as you described. However, I have read from numerous sources that some breeds are predisposed to taurine deficiency, and my dog with health problems is one of those breeds. So I am glad to see manufacturers adding it and I add a little more to his food – just to be safe. I’m pretty darn sure that taurine is one of those things that is not detrimental in excess. However, excesses of some vitamins and minerals in some commercials foods (line Vitamin A and Copper) has become a real concern of mine. But, I had better not digress . . .

Sounds to me like you have made a good decision to make no big changes to your dog’s food right now. Sounds like you have your hands full given the situation with your mother. I hate making changes to my dog’s food because it is disruptive for them and I’ve made many changes in the last few months that haven’t worked out. I’ve pretty much decided that I need to stay with where I have landed now for a while. I feed similar to the way you do. For the dog that has health issues and food allergies, he gets about half of his food as raw meat, plus part of a turkey neck each day. The other dog gets raw meat too, but not as much. For the other half, I feed several different brands of raw frozen and freeze dried. Purposely feeding several brands to average out in case one is not a good product.

After I made the statement I did about Stella & Chewy’s vitamin/mineral data I decided that I should go back and look at it again, since I haven’t in a few months (which is a lifetime for my brain). I have to say that it looks REALLY good to me compared to what I have been encountering with some other companies. It looks professional and I don’t see anomalies in the data. Like big differences between different recipes that can’t be explained by the food ingredients. Makes me want to go back to feeding S&C. The main problem for me is that they add such a variety of vegetables that all of the dog recipes have something my dog is allergic to. But I may need to explore some of the cat foods. I also stopped using S&C when I was going through a phase where I wasn’t comfortable with artificial phosphates, and S&C does use those. But all indications are that they are in very small amounts.
So, for what it’s worth, I still think S&C is one of the better companies out there. Thanks for mentioning your correspondence with them about WSAVA compliance. I feel good about their reply to you. IMO, having a full time certified nutritionist on staff seems unnecessary and only serves to keep smaller companies from competing with the “Big 4”. I don’t like to see that.

I have to admit that I was not really familiar with WSAVA. I had heard of it, but I’m not sure why I never got around to looking into it. Glad you mentioned it, so I googled it, and now I know. I certainly agree with their basic principles for determining a good manufacturer (except the full time nutritionist), but I’m just not sure that I can ever go back to companies like Purina, Iams, and Royal Canine because I associate them with foods that have something like corn or soy as the second ingredient. I exchanged posts with Aimee on my Raw Food Recommendations post on this topic and when she mentioned those companies my jaw actually dropped down. But, I do recognize that she has a great deal of knowledge on dog nutrition, so I am going to try to keep an open mind and see what those brands are offering these days in their premium lines.

I share your frustration about the boutique brands and marketing ploys. I’ve become really frustrated in the last 9 months or so in my quest for a brand that I can trust. Sadly, after all of my efforts I still don’t feel really great about any of the commercial foods I feed. That’s why I feed so much raw meat, and keep track of the vitamin/mineral contents of everything I feed, so I can supplement where needed. I’ve also been through the dilemma of whether brands that mostly don’t use supplements are better than those that do. I’m still back and forth, and had better not get started on that, since this post of mine is probably approaching record breaking length.

How true it is that our dogs are probably eating much healthier than us. In fact lately I pay no attention to my own nutrition. Nice posting with you. M&C

[Ana W]

Dicalcium phosphate is a source of calcium and phosphorus that is commonly used as a dietary supplement in dog food. It is considered safe for dogs to consume in appropriate amounts, and it is not listed as a controversial ingredient by most reputable sources. However, as with any ingredient, over consumption or in certain conditions like renal insufficiency, could cause problems and should be carefully monitored.

It is true that dicalcium phosphate can be difficult for some dogs to absorb, and if consumed in large amounts, it could potentially lead to the formation of kidney stones. However, it is important to note that this is not a common occurrence and it would typically only happen if a dog is consuming excessive amounts of the ingredient.

Tricalcium phosphate is another source of calcium and phosphorus that is also commonly used in dog food. It is considered safe for dogs to consume in appropriate amounts, and it is not listed as a controversial ingredient by most reputable sources. It is also a more easily absorbed form of calcium than dicalcium phosphate.

It’s always a good idea to read the ingredient list of your dog’s food carefully and to be mindful of the amounts of certain ingredients, such as calcium and phosphorus, that your dog is consuming.
It’s also a good idea to check with your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog’s diet or if your dog has any underlying health conditions that could be affected by its diet.

In general, it’s important to provide a balanced diet to your dog, avoiding excessive amounts of any ingredient and providing a balanced ratio of macronutrients, minerals and vitamins.

[Patricia A]

My three small dogs’ have been on grain free kibble as a base with various freeze dried and home cooked as toppers. I’m really confused as to what camp to be in. Whether grain free was a marketing gimmick vs dogs’ are carnivores and don’t receive any benefits from grains. Even though the fed grain free has taurine added, I’m still not liking the ingredient splitting with the legumes. How much protein coming from animal protein vs the peas etc. Based on the first few ingredients would like to know opinions on one brand is possibly superior to the other. I won’t give name as to prejudice . If that makes sense. I’m concerned about the type of grain and digestibility. Aimee and Crazy for cats would love your opinions and reasoning also.. Just want to transition slowly and give the grain inclusive a try.
One brand has ALL source origins on their website. The other I emailed and they were transparent and sent me their sources INCLUDING their supplements/vitamins and supplement pack sources. None from China.
Cage-Free Chicken Chicken Meal Oatmeal Pearled Barley Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols) Pumpkin Quinoa Chicken Liver Natural Chicken Flavor Chicken Gizzard Flaxseed Salmon Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols) Coconut Flour Salt Pumpkin Seeds Organic Cranberries Organic Spinach Organic Beets Organic Carrots Organic Squash Organic Blueberries Inulin (from Chicory Root) Thyme Sage Rosemary Extract Mixed Tocopherols (preservative) Dried Kelp Potassium Chloride Dicalcium Phosphate Taurine Choline Chloride Zinc Proteinate Iron Proteinate Copper Proteinate Manganese Proteinate Sodium Selenite Vitamin E Supplement Calcium Iodate Thiamine Mononitrate Niacin Supplement D-calcium Pantothenate Riboflavin Supplement Vitamin A Supplement Vitamin D3 Supplement Vitamin B12 Supplement Pyridoxine Hydrochloride Folic Acid Dried Pediococcus Acidilactici fermentation product Dried Lactobacillus

SECOND BRAND

INGREDIENT

Salmon
United States, Alaska

Oats
United States, North Dakota / Canada, Saskatchewan

Whitefish Meal
United States, Alaska

Sorghum
United States, North Dakota

Quinoa
Canada, Saskatchewan

Coconut Oil
Indonesia / Philippines

Herring Meal
Canada, Newfoundland / Mexico
Wild Caught in the deep cold Atlantic Ocean, our Herring meal contains high amounts of high quality protein and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Natural Flavor
United States, Missouri / Canada, Quebec

Millet
United States, Colorado

Pumpkin
United States, Michigan, Missouri

Salmon Oil
Canada, New Brunswick

Apples
United States, Michigan

Chia Seed
Paraguay

Potassium Chloride
Canada, Saskatchewan

Salt
United States, Kansas

Chicory Root
Belgium

Choline Chloride
United States, Missouri

Vitamin E Supplement
Switzerland / United States

Calcium Pantothenate
Scotland

Niacin Supplement
Switzerland

Vitamin A Supplement
Switzerland / France

Riboflavin Supplement (B2)
Germany

Vitamin D3 Supplement
United States / France

Vitamin B12 Supplement
France

Thiamine Mononitrate (B1)
Germany

Folic Acid
France
Folic acid is essential for brain and nervous system function and is needed for protein utilisation and red blood cell formation.

Zinc Proteinate
United States

Calcium Carbonate
United States
Calcium carbonate is a supplement that contributes to the total calcium levels that are needed to maintain healthy bones and teeth.

Iron Proteinate
United States

Copper Proteinate
United States

Manganese Proteinate
United States

Calcium Iodate
United States / Canada

Selenium Yeast
United States

Taurine
Japan

Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative)
United States, Iowa

Cinnamon
Vietnam / Indonesia

Turmeric
India
Formulated to help pets thrive
Formulated to help pets thrive
OceanWise® approved wild caught salmon
A wholesome blend of ancient grains like millet, quinoa, sorghum and chia seeds
No peas, legumes and potatoes
No corn, wheat or soy
No artificial flavors or preservatives

• This topic was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by Patricia A.

[Lisa V]

I responded several years ago to a post here called “Diet for Protein Losing Enteropathy (PLE)” when my dog was diagnosed with PLE or an auto immune disease 8 years ago. For the past 3 years he’s been on a homemade diet of boiled chicken breast (no skin), brown rice mixed with frozen veggies, a hard boiled egg and some pumpkin. I also give him a can of Kasik’s salmon for 1 meal daily. It’s almost 100% salmon other than some amount of pea starch. You might want to investigate that. My guy is turning 12 in February, his vet at Tufts said he would die within days to weeks 3 years ago when I took him off meds but he’s doing pretty well getting mostly homemade food. I do supplement with a small amount of Royal Canin Veterniary Diet Gastrointestinal low fat dry dog food just to give him some texture. He’s about 101 lbs.

[Jack L]

Raw Food Diet For Dogs Cost

Raw food diet for dogs cost varies depending on the source and quality of ingredients. There are also many freeze-dried raw options available at different price points. Commercial raw food costs between $12 per day and $353 per month. This cost can vary depending on the supplier. If you feed your homemade dog meals, the price will vary depending on what veterinary advice they need for their diet plan! These can be more expensive than traditional home-prepared meals but require less preparation time and effort. The cost could also depend on the pet’s size. Smaller breeds may require smaller portions, while larger breeds may need more food to meet their nutritional needs. Additionally, some raw diets are nutritionally balanced and contain all of the necessary vitamins and minerals that a dog needs for optimal health. This can result in higher costs than homemade meals or other diets that may include only some of the necessary nutrients. Regardless, a raw food diet is an excellent choice for many pet owners looking to give their furry friends the healthiest and most natural nutrition possible.

Overall, a raw food diet for dogs cost is worth it if you are looking for optimal nutrition and health benefits for your pet. The cost may vary depending on the source, quality of ingredients, and size of your pet, but it is still a great choice for many dog owners. With careful research and understanding of your pet’s specific nutritional needs, you can find the best raw food diet that will benefit your pup at an affordable price.

The Top 5 Raw Food Diets For Dogs

1. Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Topper
Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Topper is great food for kibble and dry food lovers. It is made with real meat, fruits, and vegetables and contains real nutrition of raw. Raw is natural, made from real meat & whole food ingredients, protein-packed & minimally processed high protein, plus real freeze-dried raw meat pieces with natural ingredients to support healthy digestion and skin & coat. . A great way to make sure your pup gets all of their necessary vitamins, minerals, and proteins in the meal. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of the cost of a raw food diet for dogs cost. However, with careful research and understanding of your pet’s nutritional needs, you can select a high-quality option that will provide them with optimal nutrition at an affordable price.

Pros:
Grain-free, potato-free, corn-free, wheat-free, and soy free
Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world.
Rich in antioxidants
High protein content to support muscle growth and weight management
Cons
May require more preparation time than traditional dog food.
Some dogs may not take to the new diet as easily as others.
Raw diets may contain bacteria that could make your pet sick if not properly handled.
Raw food diets for dogs cost can be expensive to feed on a regular basis.
May require more research and understanding of pet nutrition than traditional dog food.
Overall, a raw food diet for dogs is an investment that can be worth it if you are looking for optimal nutrition and health benefits for your pet. With careful research, selecting a quality product, and understanding your pet’s specific needs, you can provide them with the most natural nutrition possible at an affordable cost.

2. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Dinner Patties
Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food Dinner Patties is best for raw food diet for dogs because it is made with 95% beef, organs, and bone, such as beef tripe. Our grass-fed Beef recipe will delight your pup. It also includes organic fruits and vegetables and added live probiotics to support your pup’s immune system. Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried raw dinner patties provide complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages without any fillers. All Stella & Chewy’s products are made in the USA and sourced from responsible farmers, ranchers, and suppliers.

Pros:
Raw food diets are high in protein and essential vitamins and minerals for your dog’s health.
It may be easier to digest than kibble, making it a great choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
Since the ingredients are more natural, there is no need to add fillers, artificial preservatives, flavours or colours.
Dogs fed raw food diets tend to have a glossy coats, brighter eyes, and healthier skin and teeth.
Cons:
Raw food diets for dogs can be more expensive than traditional kibble or canned food diets.
Raw diets may not meet all of your pup’s nutritional needs, as they lack certain vitamins and minerals found in kibble or canned diets.
Overall, Raw food diet for dogs cost is an investment, and you can provide natural nutrition possible at an affordable cost.
3. Primal Freeze Dried Dog Food Nuggets Chicken Formula
Primal Freeze Dried Dog Food Nuggets Chicken Formula is the best food for dog owners looking for a complete and balanced raw food diet. It is packed with protein and healthy fats, and this grain-free recipe is made with humanely raised chicken. The formula also contains natural source vitamins and minerals for optimal nutrition. This formula is a convenient way to provide your pet with top-quality nutrition, and the pre-portioned nuggets make it simple to tailor their diet for optimal health and happiness.

With Primal Freeze Dried Dog Food Nuggets Chicken Formula, you can give your pup all the benefits of a raw diet in an easy and cost-effective way. This grain-free formula is made with real, high-quality ingredients for optimal nutrition and flavor, and it’s crafted in the USA for added peace of mind. Feed your pup this convenient and delicious freeze-dried raw food and provide them with the best nutrition possible.

Pros:
High-quality ingredients and humanely raised chicken with no added hormones or antibiotics
Organic produce and botanicals for additional health benefits
Grain-free formula for those who need to avoid grains
Preportioned nuggets make it easy to tailor the diet to your pet’s needs
Made in the USA for added peace of mind
Cons:
May be more expensive than other types of pet food
4. Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Wellness CORE RawRev Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is the best dog food. It includes natural ingredients and also freeze-dried raw meat. A grain-free diet provides protein and healthy fats to keep your pup’s energy levels up. This formula contains probiotics and prebiotics to promote digestive health. In addition, it has added omega fatty acids, flaxseed, and salmon oil to support healthy skin and coat. It does not contain by-products, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives. Whether you have a puppy or an adult dog, this recipe will give your furry friend optimal nutrition.

Pros:
Grain-free
High-quality ingredients
Contains freeze-dried raw meat for added flavour and nutrition
Probiotics and prebiotics to promote digestive health
Made in the USA without by-products, corn, wheat, soy or artificial preservatives
Cons:
May be more expensive than other types of dog food
Can be difficult to find in stores or online, so you may need to order it directly from the manufacturer.
Overall, this raw food diet for dogs cost is affordable, and this product is also best for your dog.
5. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Freeze-Dried Raw Adult Grain-Free Dog Food
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Freeze-Dried Raw Adult Grain-Free Dog Food is a delicious food. It includes Freeze-dried raw grain-free food with added protein and carbohydrates and is an excellent source of Omega-3 & Omega-6 fatty acids. The cost of raw food diets for dogs depends on the size and type of protein you choose. This is an affordable option for those looking for aliments your dog needs. This food is made with natural ingredients and contains no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. Additionally, it is excellent for dogs with sensitive stomachs since it helps to reduce allergens in the diet.

Pros:
A fresh, natural, and nutritious diet for your dog.
Raw diets are generally high in protein and promote healthy digestion.
Can help reduce allergies and sensitivities to certain ingredients.
Cons:
Risk of infection from bacteria or parasites if

What Is a Raw Dog Diet?
A raw dog diet is a type of nutrition plan that includes feeding your pup fresh, uncooked ingredients such as muscle meat, organ meat, bone broth, and whole eggs. Raw diets typically eliminate grains and processed foods from the equation in favour of natural vitamins and minerals found in real food sources. The belief behind this form of nutrition centres around the idea that dogs are biologically designed to eat raw meat and other natural ingredients rather than commercially-processed foods. Raw diets have become increasingly popular over the last few years due to their ability to promote overall health, improve digestion, and reduce allergic reactions in some pets.

Raw diets also allow pet owners to control what goes into their pup’s food. By preparing meals at home, pet owners can make sure that their pup is getting all of the nutrition they need and avoid any ingredients that may be harmful to them. Additionally, raw diets are often more cost-effective than commercially available options since they require fewer additional supplements or ingredients.

Should You Feed Your Dog Raw Food?
Ultimately, the decision to feed your pup a raw food diet should be made after careful consideration and research. While raw diets can be beneficial for many pets, it’s important to ensure that you are providing them with the nutrients they need for optimal health. Additionally, some dogs may not adjust well to this kind of nutrition plan and could experience digestive issues or other adverse effects. It’s important to consult with a veterinarian before making any drastic changes to your pup’s diet.

10 Benefits of Raw food diet for dogs

1. Increased Digestibility:
The high moisture content and the lack of added fillers and preservatives in raw diets often make them easier to digest.

2. Improved Dental Health:
The chewing action required for a raw diet helps keep your pup’s teeth clean and free from plaque buildup.

3. Enhanced Nutrient Absorption:
Raw food diets are usually unprocessed and contain fewer additives and preservatives, allowing your pup to benefit from increased nutrient absorption.

4. Increased Energy:
The higher protein content in a raw diet helps keep your pup energized throughout the day.

5. Fewer Allergies:
By eliminating processed foods and fillers, you can help reduce the possibility of your pup having an allergic reaction to their food.

6. Natural Balance:
The natural balance of nutrients found in raw diets helps keep your pup healthy without the need for added supplements.

7. Better Weight Management:
Because raw diets are typically lower in carbohydrates, they can help keep your pup’s weight under control.

8. Healthier Skin And Coat:
The fatty acids found in a raw diet can help promote a healthy coat and skin for your pup.

9. Reduced Vet Costs:
By providing your pup with optimal nutrition, you can help reduce the likelihood of them having to visit the vet due to health issues.

10. More Variety:
With a raw diet, you can mix up the types of proteins your pup is eating and make mealtime more interesting for them.

10 disadvantages of Raw food diet for dogs

1. Potentially Dangerous Bacteria:
Raw diets can contain dangerous bacteria such as salmonella and e.coli, which can make your pup ill.

2. Lower Nutritional Value:
Due to the lack of processing and preservatives in raw dog food, some nutrients may not be able to be absorbed by the body due to improper cooking techniques.

Raw food diets can contain bacteria that can be harmful to your pup. It’s important to take extra precautions and practice safe food handling when preparing meals for your dog.

3. Risk Of Nutrient Deficiencies:
With raw diets, it’s important to ensure that you are providing your pup with the proper nutrients in the right amounts. If not, they may be at risk of nutrient deficiencies.

4. Time-Consuming:
Raw diets can take more time to prepare and require careful research to ensure that all nutritional needs are met.

5. Higher Cost:
Raw food diets can often be more expensive than commercially prepared dog foods.

6. Difficulty In Sourcing:
Finding the right ingredients for a raw diet can be difficult, depending on where you live.

7. Messy:
Raw diets can get quite messy and require more cleanup than other diets.

8. Intolerance To Specific Proteins:
Some pups may not be able to tolerate specific proteins in a raw diet, so it’s important to monitor your pup for any adverse reactions.

9. Difficulty Transitioning:
It can take time for pups to get used to a raw diet, and there may be issues with digestion or intolerance during the transition period.

10. Poor Palatability:
Some pups may not find raw diets as appetizing as other types of food, which can be an issue if they’re picky eaters,

Overall, a raw diet can be an excellent nutritional choice for your pup – but it comes with some risks and potential disadvantages. It’s important to research the benefits and risks associated with this type of diet before making the switch. Once you are sure that it is right for your pup, you’ll be able to enjoy the numerous benefits that a raw diet can offer.

Conclusion
A raw food diet for dogs can be an excellent nutritional choice, but it does come with some risks. It’s important to do your research and make sure you understand the potential benefits and disadvantages before making the switch. With careful planning and preparation, a raw diet can provide numerous health benefits for your pup and help them live a longer and healthier life.

[Robin S]

Multivitamins can help support your pet’s immune system and their overall well-being. Vitamin A, C, D, E, K and B vitamins are essential for your pet’s diet, according to AKC. Some multivitamins for dogs include these nutrients, which could keep your pet’s coat shiny and soft, and keep them active as they age. Glucosamine is a natural compound found in cartilage that provides cushion for the joints.

[Patricia A]

Aimee I just don’t get it. Why doesn’t Nestlé Purina PetCare own brands such as Alpo? Shouldn’t they stand by the best nutrition across the board? I don’t think I like these ingredients to much.

Ingredients: Ground yellow corn, corn germ meal, beef and bone meal, soybean meal, beef fat preserved with mixed-tocopherols, pork and bone meal, egg and chicken flavor, natural flavor, corn gluten meal, salt, potassium chloride, choline chloride, minerals [zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, calcium iodate], sodium selenite, natural grill flavor, vitamins [vitamin E supplement, niacin (vitamin B-3), vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate (vitamin B-5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B-6), vitamin B-12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B-1), vitamin D-3 supplement, riboflavin supplement (vitamin B-2), menadione sodium bisulfite complex (vitamin K), folic acid (vitamin B-9), biotin (vitamin B-7), ], dl-methionine, l-lysine monohydrochloride, l-tryptophan, red 40, yellow 5, calcium carbonate, blue 2, yellow 6, garlic oil

[aimee]

Hi Patricia,

I’ll address your first question first because it is a good one. IMO the engagement specialist from Purina really dropped the ball. She gave a canned answer instead of a providing the research studies that support the claims. Maybe Purina needs to revisit the training of their customer service agents?

IMO Purina does some awesome research, yet as a company I feel they really fall short in making it known. IMO it should be cited whenever a claim based on that research is made.

The concern I have with this blog, is that IMO as it is written, the blog seems to leave the reader with the impression that Purina may not have any research to support the label claims. I think the point that the blogger should have made is Purina does a lot of research and publishes it regularly to the scientific community but that they need to do a better job in relaying that information to the general public.

Here are some supporting studies I found after a 3 min(?) search. There certainly may be others

Interventions in the Longevity and Maintenance of Long-Term Health in Agine Cats Cupp et al 2008 From the abstract “Cats eating the diet containing the nutritional blend lived significantly longer and showed significantly slower deterioration in a number of clinical health parameters compared to cats fed a standard adult maintenance control diet”

Effect of Nutritional Interventions on the Longevity of Senior Cats Cupp et al 2007 From the abstract “After 5 years cats fed the diet with the antioxidants Vit E and Beta-carotene, dried chicory root and a blend of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids lived significantly longer than cats fed the control diet.”

Cognitive Enhancement in Middle aged and old cat with dietary supplementation with a nutrient blend containing fish oil, B vitamins, antioxidants and arginine. Pan et al 2013
From the abstract: “The cats fed the test diet shoed significantly better performance on three of four test protocols..”

[Cara L]

Hello- My Golden Doodle was just diagnosed with this. My understanding the only treatment is steroids which appear to be helping him. I am looking for suggestions as to the holistic supplements you tried & also as to canned dog food. He can open his mouth a bit more but still can’t chew well. Would love updates good or bad on the pups spoken about on this thread. Just trying to gauge where we are at with all this. My boy Griffey is 5. Thank you!

[aimee]

Hi Patricia.

By writing “I agree that kibble should always have synthetic vitamins/minerals since Pet food manufacturers know their food is devoid of nutrition … so they add synthetic premixes. And pet owners know kibble isn’t as good as real food, so they add supplements.” in the post following my post, it makes it appear that you are agreeing with me.

I just want to clarify that I absolutely do not agree with the above statement. As I said, I believe such statements to be marketing spin.

It may interest you to know that in talking with multiple companies of freeze-dried products, I’ve found that some, including some of the companies you mentioned, have reported that after freeze drying the food, they heat and hold it at temps high enough to kill pathogens. Some companies shared they used conventional heat and others apparently by microwave. Yet they still market the food as “raw” which to me is odd since the times and temps they subject the food to are those used to cook food.

I do agree that the more you read the more confusing it can become. It is interesting to me to read publications put out by the pet industry. For example, food rotation is primarily recommended to guard against “out of stocks ” Shop keepers want to condition their customers to feel comfortable switching products so that if they are out of product A, they can sell you product B and keep the sale in house vs you going elsewhere for product A. Which brands they carry has to do with profit margin, availability and exclusivity. If /when a product enters new markets, making it easy for you to get it at other venues, shops will drop the line. Shops want you to have to return to them for purchase. Ditto for why some push frozen raw as “best”(it isn’t easily available online or in most larger stores). If someone else has exclusivity rights to a brand, a line within the brand or for brands that are widely available, shop owners may try to come up with reasons that sound plausible as to why they do not carry that product in an effort to try to switch you to a brand they can get. Shops offer sales contests, brands sponsor same. Get X number of people to switch to brand C (higher profit margin) and win a prize.
So yeah, it is confusing!

[Patricia A]

Thank’s for further understanding .I agree that kibble should always have synthetic vitamins/minerals since Pet food manufacturers know their food is devoid of nutrition … so they add synthetic premixes. And pet owners know kibble isn’t as good as real food, so they add supplements.
I have to stretch my freeze dried with three dogs. Stella and Chewys is a good kibble as far kibble is goes. I even alternate that between the chicken and whitefish. Just a tiny part of their diet . It does have peas, however they add taurine. Synthetic vitamins of course again necessary in all since it is not a whole food.
Their primary nutrition comes from their divided boiled egg for breakfast. I feel safe with Primal being a good way to get their protein along with their vitamin and minerals naturally. Brand has a good track record . Happy to say I reintroduced Sophie to the Turkey/Salmon protein and good stools as of yesterday and today. So now I can add all three in rotation along with Venison which is a lean protein for dogs .
I give Bixbi rawbble chicken/salmon freeze dried treat . Going to try Vital Essentials turkey inn rotation and see how they do.
“REAL” food is also given when appropriate of course .Think I have it covered. All blood work is good and all three energetic .
You can really go crazy with so much conflicting info. The more I read the more confusing. . Vet checkups and yearly blood work always perfect and they are all energetic. They go crazy when I put their dinner down also. So time for me to stop obsessing and stick with what works.

[Patricia A]

What are symptoms that he is displaying? If it is digestive, such as diarrhea, then possibility of too much fat in diet. If skin issue then first look into irritants such as flea bites or even something as overlooked as bedding washed with scented detergent?
I never found any validation that allergy tests work . Hope link works below.

Research Update: Testing for Food Allergies

So hard to actually do elimination diet. There are so many ingredients in dog food that might cause sensitivity other then just the protein. If you take a look at the ingredient list on the average kibble you’ll see what I mean.
Possibly try a one protein food without added supplements. Freeze dried such as Vital Essentials just the protein/flavor with no extras’ I believe. Very expensive to feed however. I believe it also comes in frozen which is more cost saving. I use Primal, small batch, Bixbi Rawbbles, and at times Stella Chewys.
Just go VERY, VERY, VERY slowly with switch. Also if you look at reviews on DA you’ll see the 5* rated foods in these brands. I ONLY use the proteins DA rates in the brand with 5*’s. The ones that rate lower are too much fat to protein. This can cause loose stools and stomach upset all the way to pancreatitis in some dogs.
I use a SMALL amount of kibble as base to stretch the freeze dried. This being Stella Chewys raw coated grain free.. If you look at their f/b page there are many who had trouble with diet and most do well on this kibble.
Hope this helps. Again any change in diet much go so slowly.

[Bruce M]

Has anyone considered using Elastin Supplements for their little ones?

Afterall, not only is the cartilage a problem, but so is the membrane.
Glucosamine and L-Carnitane aid in maintaining a healthy “C” formed cartilage…but there’s still the issue with a sagging membrane.

Chewy, my Shih-Tzu/Laso-Apso mix was diagnosed with Tracheal Collapse, along with a slight dip in his esophogus, just before his stomach. One Dr. dx’ed him w/a slightly enlarged Left atrium, which could be abutting the esophogus.

After MANY HOURS of research, I discovered Stanozolol, which is an Anobolic Steroid, which supposedly CURES TC! This info was obtained here:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51054374_Conservative_Management_of_Canine_Tracheal_Collapse_with_Stanozolol_A_Double_Blinded_Placebo_Control_Clinical_Trial

Here:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21496393/

And Lastly, here:
https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?id=3846454&pid=11147

As you can see, these aren’t “Mickey Mouse” websites. I’m halfway through the second bottle (60 ml.) and so far, I don’t see major difference.

Chewy is also on MANY different supplements.

Colostrum…
Hawthorne Berry extract…
Collagen…
Manuka honey, Slippery Elm, Lemon Juice & Cinnamon cocktail…
Krill Oil…
Fish Oil…
Milk Thistle (Sillymarin)…
Dandelion Root…
Fera Pet Cardiac Support w/Taurine, CoQ10, Hawthorne berry, L-Carnitine Vit. A…
Flax Seed…
Turmeric w/Biopine…
Green Tea extract…
CBD oil…
Nutri-Gest…
Cell Forte w/IP6.

There are a few others, but they’re MULTI supplement containers.

He doesn’t get these all at once, of course.

The other options for TC…
Surgery (C rings or stent)…
body wrecking pharmacueticals…
Hydrocodone cough syrup (which doesn’t work)…
Euthanasia.

I just wanted to share this, ESPECIALLY if your companion is just showing signs of TC!
DON’T WAIT! When you hear a “Honking Cough”, IMMEDIATELY bring them to your Vet!

If your companion is in the beginning stage of TC (Grade 1 or less), consider the Stanozolol steroid. Include sufficient amounts of Glucosamine & L-Carnitine. This steroid is compounded by a lab HERE: https://www.wedgewoodpharmacy.com/items/stanozolol-oral-oil-suspension.html

Your Veterinarian must have a DEA license to order this. 60 ml bottle costs less than $200.00.

My boy is a GRADE 3 to 4. A Grade 4 is severe. I’m going to order bottle #3 sometime next week. FINGERS CROSSED!

[Tricia M]

I’m also interested in doing this…I know most do it because raw is expensive…my problem is that high quality kibble is expensive and I raise rabbits making part of supplementing kibble cheaper for me..I’m worried about removing kibble completely as I am dealing with a few puppies that need the balanced vitamin content and not confident in my ability to maintain that on fully raw diet. Any opinions or concerns I should be aware of?

[YorkiLover4]

You may want to consider a raw frozen, hypoallergenic diet. One of my dogs has had an autoimmune skin disease on his tail (ugggh!–hair loss, pimply blackened skin, etc) and we had to change his diet. We were told that diets high in carbohydrates can make it worse and he was getting a lot of ear infections too. We switched from dry food to a raw frozen diet and have seen a huge improvement. Dry dog food is not nearly the same quality as a raw frozen diet and it is very high in carbohydrates. It does cost more but maybe you can mix the raw with some canned, homemade or kibble? We use STella and Chewy’s, Vital Essentials and Small Batch–depending upon what’s available. You can get raw freeze-dried and frozen. We have also use this product called Immune Harmony https://www.askariel.com/plant-sterols-for-pets-p/122.htm Our holistic vet told us to find a supplement with plant sterols and this product has done wonders for him. It’s specially for pets with autoimmune problems and I think (?) they have a testimonial or section on their website about IMHA.

[lizzie R]

Hey, I just found this forum and am excited to hear anybody’s opinion.

I have a 6 year old GSD, 115 pounds, healthy weight. No illness or adverse conditions. I have been feeding him a home cooked diet going on three years. In the very beginning I briefly flirted with raw recommended by a vet, but it wasn’t for me. My current vet is afraid to give any nutritional advice and so sometimes I feel like Lewis and Clark here.

His daily diet:

whole wheat sourdough bread
(I make a 250g flour loaf every other day and split it in two)
14-16 oz beef scraps
(Relatively high fat in the 30-40% range depending on the cut)
8 oz chicken meat and bones
(I boil them into a stock for 24 hours so they mush in your hands, no sharp edges)
1.5 cups of said stock
(Seasoned with celery seed, thyme, parsley, rosemary, shitake)
.5 Tbsp butter
1 duck egg
Half a cup of vegetables of some kind (green beans right now)
A small handful of fruit
(Raspberries right now)
A small handful of leafy greens

At least once a month he will have fish of some kind. Mussels, shrimp or other shellfish

My current philosophy is:

I don’t do supplements because I don’t take supplements. If I can meet my own nutritional needs I should be able to meet my dog’s. My goal is for that not to change.

Just curious what fellow home-cookers think.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read!

[d W]

hello, i am about to make dr beckers raw food recipe for my dog and cat ( i have her book with all the homemade recipes in).
in the recipes it says to use salt but it does not say what type of salt.. i,m wondering if i can use celtic sea salt.
does anyone please know (without guessing- sorry i dont mean that to sound cheeky) if i can use any salt such as celtic sea salt etc….i dont want to use normal salt you buy from the shops as it is said to not be good for you at all.
i know this is a dog site but if anyone makes dr beckers recipe for their pets and for their cat as well can i also ask what mg taurine you use for the cat recipe as i notice that taurine is sold in 500mg and 1000mg capsules but the book just says to use a 1 gram capsule..it does not say the mg amount.
my dog has been eating raw meat-bones since a puppy .he is around 6 years old and my cat the same age has been eating cat food from tins…dog has perfect perfect white teeth and cat has grotty teeth so i really want to also make the recipe for cats as well ,not just to help his teeth but for his overall health.
i really want to try dr b,s raw recipes but am worried about the salt. if it is to you sea salt.
i hope someone can help (with out guessing;).
also does anyone know if dr beckers recipe has changed from whats in the book as the book was printed in 2011..i cannot find any info at all on her recipes except from this book of hers..
i cant find a few of the now supplements..does dr becker still recommend the now brand? hopefully someone can help
thankyou so much.

[Gina G]

I use Happy Paws and Arthrosoothe for my Sheperd who has Hip Dysplasia and Arthritis. The people at Ask Ariel will help with diet tips. There are alot of good articles about diet issues too. https://www.askariel.com/supplements-for-hip-dysplasia-in-dogs-s/1866.

[Jack M]

Would this list help? https://www.kwikpets.com/collections/dog-vitamins-supplements

[Jennifer W]

I have a 14 month old intact female Giant Schnauzer from a very ethical responsible breeder (spent 2 yrs on wait list for a pup). You may or may not know that Schnauzers can have a defect in their gut (the exact cause is unknown) that makes it very hard to digest fat and puts them at increased risk for pancreatitis or worse, a condition called Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE) which can often be fatal and when not fatal becomes a chronic life long health battle. Since my girl has had 3 bouts of bright red bloody stools that got her sent to after hours ER vet, I have put the fear of God in me about what she gets her mouth on. The breeder feeds Purina Pro Plan (which is one of your top 10 picks) and gave me a pretty thorough “feeding plan” to adulthood. Ordinarily the breeder would have her on 5-6 cups per day of the Large Breed Under 2 Years and that’s what she’s been on up til recently. I’ve switched her off the chicken/rice one to the Salmon/rice (still Pro Plan under 2) (it has a German Shepherd on the bag).

Anyway, I did this because she just never has firm poops – and I mean never. It isn’t diarrhea, but it’s mushy enough that it’s difficult to pick it up with a poop bag. It just kinda mushes everywhere. At least once every other month or so she’ll have a bout that requires several meals of white rice and pumpkin along with 2 doses of Imodium to quiet her gut down. She’s not a huge fan of food so I just leave her bowl full and she eats when she feels like it. Her poops smell far more than my Corgi’s poops (she’s on Nulo Weight Mgt), but I wouldn’t say they smell particularly foul. She’s perfectly healthy otherwise and her weight is good – very pronounced waist, but you can’t see or feel ribs when petting her sides. But, becuz of my fear of HGE and the chronic soft stools I’m wondering if I should consider something different. I fed my GSDs a raw-ish diet of small about of high quality kibble (for bulk), mackerel filets, Icelandic sardine oil, Sojos Mix a Meal, and a GSD specific vit/min supplement. My Corgi also gets the sardine oil and 2-3 mackerel filets per week. My last GSD was 19 generations OFA Good or Excellent so I know that diet works, but I’m worried about what all that fish oil might do. I’m just at a loss for what’s the best approach. I’ve even thought about taking her to a gastroenterologist at A&M, but my local vet said they don’t what causes this in Schnauzers so there’s not much they do but treat it symptomatically and watch what she ingests. Cheerios and cheese are the only training treats we use also. She prefers Munster over cheddar or Swiss. ;o) Any thoughts?

[Sophia E]

Has anyone given their dog a Dinovite brand of dog food? I heard It is a great brand for Pets and with its help, the growth of pets is very good it is a complete nutritional supplement for Pets, and also it is not too expensive. I have also heard that they offer Dinovite coupon https://www.ritecoupons.com/stores/dinovite-discount-coupon-codes.html to their customers to get discounts on their products.
Is it a really good product for Cats, Dogs, and horses?

• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Sophia E.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Sophia E.
• This topic was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by Sophia E.

[Windy H]

Hello I’ve been reading lots and sorting thru so much overwhelming information. I’m not a nutritionist nor vet. Just a normal dog owner who wants what’s best for my dogs. Anyway from what I’ve gathered this is how and what I feed my dogs;
-First I choose a good quality kibble (dog food advisor says Fromms and Carna4 are five star). I chose them for their balance of carbs and protein. Also carna4 gently cooks theirs)
-Then I dehydrate meat in a small countertop dehydrator. I’ll add a few pieces into the kibble.
-I make my own bone broth to add to the kibble.
-I also add a few drops of omega fish oil
– and finally sprinkle Carna4 supplement & digestive aid over everything. I’ll add blueberries or veggies sometimes. Or sometimes yogurt as a treat later in the day.

My question; am I overdoing it? Can I hurt them by adding too much protein..? I know it seems like a lot of work but it’s not that bad really. Im trying to avoid feeding them one thing their entire lives. Variety is a good thing.

[Micheal L Garci]

There are a number of free feeding supplements on the market that provide essentials for meat-eating animals. Some of the most popular bottles of feeding supplements are The Safe Way, Food for Life, and Yes! dan’s food for life. To find the best free feeding supplements for you, please check with your favorite store or online store.

[Dudley S]

August 2021 Update

https://hemopet.org/fda-and-dcm-in-dogs-updates-august-2021/  

#7. Skipping ahead to pages 23-26. The FDA points out that 93% of the Group One Partially and Fully Recovered cases ate grain-free foods before recovery,

0% of cases were exposed to meat or poultry byproducts prior to recovery, and that

94% of reported products contained peas and/or lentils in their top ingredients.

The FDA report does not mention organ meats that may be used in grain-free diets.

For Group One Fully Recovered, 96% of the reported recovery diets were grain-containing. 

Those statistics are impressive and would cause anyone to decide to switch their dog’s diet. 

What breeds had low taurine? #4. Page 11 regarding Group One Fully Recovered states: “All dogs that fully recovered received a diet change.

Nearly all dogs were also treated with taurine and pimobendan.

Over half of the dogs also received an ACE inhibitor, whereas additional treatments and supplements 

[YorkiLover4]

I usually buy from Chewy but recently found a really good deal for very high quality food. I buy directly from Vital Essentials. I give my dog their treats and their rabbit mini-nibs raw freeze-dried. This brand is very expensive normally but they send me promotions and I am kind of shocked because if you buy a certain number of bags, they give you a discount up to 30%. I thought it was a gimmic but then I compared the price on Chewy and saw it was the same. My dog had a mast cell tumor that was removed and I try to feed him the best food–raw frozen and raw freeze-dried. Also, my vet told me about this cancer multi-vitamin OncoPet https://www.askariel.com/OncoPet-Cancer-Vitamin-p/135.htm that seems to give him energy and he hasn’t had a recurrence. My dog has a sensitive tummy and I am so glad he can take this one without any problems. This website AskAriel has a lot of information about pet food and supplements.

[Pat C]

@Helina J
I just joined so not sure if you are using those recipes but I certainly hope NOT!

No info on supplements that will be needed and not even info on calories or calcium/phosphorous ratio.

None of them are balanced on their own and look to be heavy in carbs.

DogAware has a great deal of info on nutrition and a good starting place to learn as well as recommendations on which books have balanced recipes.

[Chipy]

Thanks so much for sharing Jeffrey! That’s such an amazing list of high-quality supplements 🙂

I love Dr. Peter Dobias’ website and feel so grateful that he publicly shares his unique perspectives and medical experience with dog lovers, so we can feel more empowered and make better choices for our adored dogs.

Also highly recommend his free resources like the Recipe Maker, Natural Diet Course and Healthy Dog Tool:

https://peterdobias.com/

[Jane R]

UPDATE to my post from 3/3/21: My dog’s licking, gulping episodes. hacking, along with tummy noises have pretty much completely stopped. Over the last 5 months, she has had a couple of episodes that lasted a couple of minutes. At that point I would let her go outside as it’s better to let her eat grass than what she can find indoors. Otherwise she’s been doing great!

So along with trial and error, and results from GI/barium study…The KEY things that has helped her are: 1. feeding her 3 small meals a day (versus 2 larger ones before); 2. no more essential oils, scented candles, scented laundry detergent, etc. 3. strict diet of her dog food (Fromm’s dry Duck mixed with a spoon or two of Purina ONE SmartBlend Tender Cuts in Gravy Chicken & Brown Rice or Purina ONE SmartBlend Tender Cuts in Gravy Lamb & Brown Rice as they are low in fat content), plain cooked chicken breast, Old Mother Hubbard dog biscuits treats, or dry dog biscuit for treats.

I had a barium/GI study done on her at the vet’s and was able to rule out any issues with how her food traveled from mouth through her GI tract…everything was normal. So that’s when I tried the three things listed above and it has been key to stopping the licking, gulping, etc, episodes.

What I’ve learned that can trigger her episodes are numerous things: eating too much at once, eating too fast, any food with higher fat content including all oil related supplements (fish oil, coconut oil, etc), fragrances. I’m also leery of any supplements for her at this point.

Bland is BEST; LESS is more. It took alot of trial and error, online research, vet visits, trying acid reflux medications, and reading all the helpful posts here too. When she has to take antibiotics from the vet, they can upset her tummy so he puts her on a pre-biotic he has at his office along with the antibiotic and it works great!

[Patricia A]

I looked at the Glandex reviews. I always start with the negative ones. So some dogs had adverse reactions to the supplement. But doesn’t hurt to try.
I find there is sometimes no rhyme or reason to why some of my dogs over the years had the scooting and others never had to have the expression of the glands.
Had a Doxie when kids were little and probably not on the best diet with all the table scraps and not knowing back then about kibble quality etc. But he never had soft stool, or anal problems. Lived a long life of over 17 for our Pookie. Had Chloe our first Chihuahua and even though stool was never loose, had the scooting and always needed expression.
My mom came to live with us and hence we also have added to our already two Chihuahuas’. I know my mom was giving her table scraps and even found her dog bowl filled with Pepperidge Farm gold fish due to start of dementia.
So now living with us, she has lost a few needed pounds and on and loose stool has totally stopped with diet I give our other two. So living with my mom she was getting too much fat in diet which also causes my two to have Diarrhea.
I feed a combination of freeze dried in Primal and Stella Chewy’s. Their treat is one Bixbi Rawbble nugget. They get a little Stella Chewy’s Raw coated chicken kibble to stretch the freeze dried since now it’s getting expensive with having three.
I always go by the DFA reviews and only get the 5* proteins because I believe less fat.
Treats are high fiber raw baby carrots and string beans being canned low salt or raw.
I went REALLY, REALLY, REALLY slow when introducing these different brands and proteins. This way I can tell which doesn’t agree and also it takes a few days for digestion to get used to. Maybe stick switch SLOWLY with a few Stella’s kibble. See how she does. Then if want and all good add a little freeze dried in one brand and protein. Stella’s also comes with the freeze dried in the kibble.
Hope this helps her but sometimes it isn’t even the diet .

[dendad]

Thank you Patricia. Are Stella and Chewy’s treats or dog food? The pumpkin supplement I mentioned in my post are Glandex treats. For their weight, I’m supposed to only give a half treat. Maybe a whole one? They’re expensive, but if they’d work I wouldn’t mind. The expressions at the Vet are killing me. Anywhere from $35 to $40 each time. Dog groomers usually don’t charge for that, but we don’t take them to groomers.

[dendad]

We have two Chihuahuas. One of them is constantly having to have her anal glands expressed. We feed them Freshpet Chicken in the evening and Freshpet Beef and bison in the morning. They also get a pumpkin supplement in the morning. I’m thinking the beef and bison food might be the cause. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Thomas Carroll]

He is a pet lab(English Labrador). He weighs 75lbs. He is somewhat slender for his size and does not have a large chest.
I am aware of the other factors that can reduce the risk of bloat besides ingredients in dog food, and am just looking for a recommendation for food and also any supplements that would help to reduce the risk of bloat.

[Thomas Carroll]

My dog currently eats the following Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, but I am going to switch to different dry dog food because he often does not eat this food:
https://www.chewy.com/taste-wild-high-prairie-grain-free/dp/181320
Can you please recommend a dry dog food that is best for preventing bloat?
Are there certain ingredients that are better for preventing bloat such as the types of meats/poultry/fish or a combination or a certain combination of them?
Are there any supplements/toppers/mix-ins that you would recommend to help prevent bloat?
I am willing to pay as much as about $150/month for the most premium dog food and any supplements to go along with it that in your opinion would be best to prevent bloat.

[aimee]

Hi Shawshank S,

I’d agree with Crazy4cats.
I home cook part of my dog’s diet and I use the balanceit supplement.

I calculated out the following for you. Making some assumptions.

NRC recommends .13 grams calcium /body weight in kg to the .75 power If your Golden weighs 70 lbs that calculates out to about 1740 mg calcium/day.

Your major calcium containing ingredients are
200 mls yogurt provide about 350 mg calcium
2 cups cooked spinach about 500 mg calcium

So using my assumptions you are providing about 1/2 of the NRC recommended daily amount of calcium and close to the NRC min amount of calcium, which my understanding assumes a high level of absorption, something that may not be achieved using spinach. Spinach is high in oxalates, which binds calcium. Cooking spinach does decrease oxalate, but personally I wouldn’t feel comfortable relying on spinach to meet my dog’s calcium needs because of variable calcium absorption and the high oxalate content.

Looking at Vit D, NRC recommended amount for a 70 lb dog is ~240 IU/day, your major source is egg yolk. 2 yolks are~ 80 IU If you use vit D fortified yogurt that may be making up the difference depending on level of fortification.

I think you need a nutritionist to evaluate this diet for you.

[Ann H]

Hi – there is a reply I sent under the wrong title. It’s about the supplements I have given my dog for tracheal collapse. I put it under “How much food to feed my dog.” It has helped tremendously and saved on vet visits.

[nicole E]

Hi All,

My 5 month old Vizsla had a bladder infection. We found this out because he was peeing while he slept. We were able to get him in 3 weeks of antibiotics which cleared his urine of any infection. We tested him again due to incontinence and he has a 9 PH.

We put him in hills for 4 weeks with no change.

We are now introducing cornucopia wet foods as well as glucsocamine and cranberry supplements.

It’s been 4 days and he is still peeing while he sleeps. I know I should probably give it more time… but I’m worried about stones or an ectopic ureter. Does anyone have any experience with this! I don’t want to over supplement him either. I just think an ultrasound/x ray will rule some more serious things out. I don’t even know how much they cost … I’m sure it’s expensive but this poor little guy is not improving!

Thanks for any comments or advice!

[Andrea R]

Had a similar experience with our golden pup. He had a reaction to a popular flea/tick medication… our vet said it would take 3-6 months to get out of his system, hopefully without long term systemic damage. We used vetri probiotic bd and royal canine for gi (prescription only) and an antihistamine shot initially. He responded well, diarrhea stopped, and his appetite improved…. Would not recommend corn in any form… too harsh for an already up set gi tract… but what worked for us was a vetri science vitamin supplement to improve his appetite, as well as fresh foods ( only organic blue berries, apple slices w/o skin no seeds!, cucumber, banana, carrots, boiled chicken, boiled turkey and of course peanut (crazy Richard’s brand) only peanuts no additives. In addition to his Royal canin kibble. So far so good…. He was 2yrs in July’21 and about 90 lbs… hope this helps…

[Johannes L]

My wife has recent medical issues and can’t handle the smell of dog food. Our 17 year old Aussie (52 pounds) needs to eat wet food because he doesn’t have many teeth left. What dog foods are out there that don’t smell so bad? My wife’s sense of smell rivals that of some dogs, so this isn’t an easy issue.

I have been feeding our dog in the garage along with washing everything before coming in, but the smell lingers on him and makes here extremely sick. Are there any canned foods that don’t smell like dog food? I don’t want to buy 40+ brands to see what is tolerable, as one whiff and she is in bad shape. To make matters more difficult, our dog has started being picky about eating and seems to only want the cheap dog food (Ol’ Roy is what he will eat). I supplement his diet with Ruff Greens mixed into shredded cheese, which (maybe??) seems to help with the smell of his flatulence.

I’m trying to keep our dog healthy while also keeping my wife from getting sick.

[Heather D]

I find it puzzling that in this most recent warning about the dangers of aflatoxin poisoning in dog food, we are quite specifically advised that corn may be the most likely ingredient to be contaminated with aflatoxin. Yet, in your site’s recommendations on ‘Best Dog Foods with Grain’, a number of the ones listed contain corn as one of the grain ingredients! Wouldn’t it be prudent to recommend a grain-inclusive food that does not contain corn?

And now my suggestion: I expect you have a number of Canadian subscribers (such as myself) who would appreciate more recommendations for Best dog foods that we can actually purchase in Canada? Even your recommendations for brands such as Acana that are sold in both countries, I believe are based on the American-manufactured formulations only, which are not the same as the Canadian formulations. Perhaps you could consider doing something like what “Consumer Reports” does, where they produce a short ‘Canadian supplement’ or section appended to their monthly publications containing specific ratings and information relevant to Canada. I know I would appreciate it!

[rona m]

Dr Becker is selling chews, any opinion? she is also selling collogen powder I gave MM probiotic and joint supplement and fish oil do I just use her product and discontinue mine

[Paola P]

Hi there,
My 3 yr old shih tzu has alt at 253 she is on primal raw and homecooked
I am thinking it is her diet and perhaps missing a few supplements so taking her off home cooked and goi g with primal raw mornings and big country raw evenings increasing thrive herring oil as well as adding milk thinsle zinc and eliminating red meat so only duck rabbit fish and turkey
Is this ok do you think?

[nina R]

Hi Patricia J!
For dogs with renal health issues, feed them a diet of high-quality protein with low phosphorus and sodium, and added omega-3 fatty acids, such as a mix of good quality meat, veggies like bell peppers, and either a supplement of omega-3’s or fish, flax, sardines, or anchovies.

[MashaT22]

Hi all! Hoping someone out there can help me out.

My service dog has had extreme food and environmental allergies since 2017. Back then, the vet felt he could eat a non-prescription diet as long as we avoided the proteins that he was allergic to. For anyone that has done allergy tests at the vet, they’ll know a 300 for each allergen is severe. My boys tested anywhere from 300 to 2000+, mostly on the upper end of that scale. However, there were still enough types of food that he was not allergic to thankfully which meant I could just avoid what we knew he was allergic to and feed what we knew he wasn’t allergic to. I just had to carefully read labels if I gave him new treats and we kept to the same food formula.

I recently noticed changes in his symptoms to the environmental allergies during/after he was going outside, so we redid his allergy tests again since it’s been a long time. To my surprise (because I don’t see any obvious symptoms after I feed him any food/treats), we learned that he’s now allergic to so many types of food and environmental allergens that he’s practically allergic to himself! Some allergens go as high as 2800 — it’s dairy, some plant based foods/oils, and all proteins they can test for (they can’t test every type of food out there obviously), Amazingly, there are no issues with wheat, corn, etc.

Anyway, the vet initially suggested Ultamino from Royal Canin. Problem number one is that I’m bothered by the main protein is chicken by-product (aka junk) rather than chicken or chicken meal. This is a service dog that needs the best possible nutrition, and the service dog organization told us to stay away from anything listing byproducts on the label. It’s a bit shocking that a prescription diet could theoretically contain who knows what in it. I am also concerned why corn starch is listed as the first ingredient — and I see a similar trend of some weird ingredients being listed as the first ingredient when I looked at some other hydrolyzed brands like Science Diet. Doesn’t seem very nutritious to have weird things like corn starch as the first ingredient.

The second problem is the price. There’s no way I can afford these prescription options. My boy has been eating Science Diet Chicken and Barley formula for a very long time now. A 35 lbs bag is usually $55-$60 and lasts and 6-8 weeks. Ultamino, as an example, is only sold in 19 lbs for $99 each. That means I’d have to spend WAY more on Ultamino for the equivalent amount of pounds (ie, two 19 lbs bags for $200) than what I’m spending now on SD. I don’t mean to put a price on my priceless boy, but I sadly just don’t have that kind of money given my financial circumstances.

That being said, I’m looking for alternatives that may cost less and have the maximum nutrition value possible. The vet told me that any brand/formula I feel is suitable (he knows I’m knowledgeable about canine nutrition and labels) so long as it’s a hydrolyzed formula. I’d prefer a non-prescription option because I have more of a chance of being able to catch sales, apply coupon codes, and not have to constantly request refills — however, I am also open to less costly prescription options that are healthier without byproducts and weird ingredients than Ultamino. It also must be kibble to abide by rules set by the service dog school due to the way they are trained. He cannot eat wet food.

I would also like to understand why the diets I’ve looked at have weird ingredients as the first ingredient. I’m guess it has something to do with the hydrolyzing process, but why would the amount exceed the amount of protein and most of the actual food in the ingredients? It’s concerning to me, and I’d love more information about this if anyone has it.

There is an old topic that is closed to posts where a someone there recommended a specific formula from WholeHearted that is hydrolyzed and sold without a prescription. /forums/topic/nonprescription-hydrolyzed-protein-dog-food/

I am hoping there might be more options being that the above post is from 2018. This WholeHearted formula is a pea-based, grain-free formula that can lead to DCM in dogs. Being that my boy isn’t allergic to grains, I’d prefer a food option “with” grains that so I won’t have to start supplementing taurine and monitoring him for potential DCM issues.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and respond! I’m very passionate about my boy’s health and well-being. He’s perfectly healthy thankfully other than the allergies he developed shortly after I brought him home from service dog school at age 2.5. Any input would be deeply appreciated.

[Tammie B]

Good morning Tracey! I’m so sorry your babies are going thru this! I give my baby a supplement that eliminated his incontinence and I have a friend who had great success eliminating the bladder stones/crystals. If you’d like more info, just let me know. He’s a yorkie and has had bouts of pancreatitis, haven’t had any of that in a very long time. He may not be as prone as your babies, but I’m happy to share what and why I feed what I do. He does have horrible allergies and was on apoquel for years, successfully off apoquel and on an all natural supplement now.

[Tammie B]

I give my baby an all natural, holistic supplement. I have more info if you’d like.