[GSDsForever]

Nadia,

You might also wish to consider purchasing and using the DIY recipes from Just Food For Dogs, which will also come with the matching complete supplement included, as these have been formulated with veterinary nutritionists, meet AAFCO nutrient profiles, and have passed in home full feeding trials (AAFCO protocols).

This might be a really easy, quick, and rather low cost way to jump in to homemade feeding for you, particularly given you have a very small dog!

[Nadia K]

I really want to get my dog off of kibble. Currently she is eating kibble in the morning and freeze dried raw in the evening. I am retired so I have plenty of time to research and cook for her. However I have found that it is somewhat overwhelming when looking for recopies online and also knowing exactly what supplements are needed to be sure the meal is balanced. Can anyone recommend a good place to start that is easy to understand? If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them. I own a one year old bichon that is 11 pounds. Thanks so much.

[Chipy]

Hey Sandi, so happy to hear that you refuse to feed your dog processed food. I agree with Kristin to look out for feeding your dog too much from one protein source (beef ), and also to be careful with too much sweet potato (starch). I use Dr. D’s recipe maker and natural supplements to create balanced meals for my pup. https://recipemaker.peterdobias.com It helps me build healthy recipes with the ingredients I have available. Love it! 🙂

[anonymous]

See a specialist, either Internal Medicine or Neurology. Your dog has not responded to the treatment from the regular vet.
He will probably need diagnostic testing to be accurately diagnosed.
Have not watched your video. There are no veterinary healthcare professionals here and even if there were, they have not examined your dog so they would not be able to give you specific advice.
I would make an appointment with a specialist, asap.

Several gulping threads are here/not closed. Just use the search engine, example
/forums/topic/frantic-lapping-gulping-licking-whining/

PS: Just watched the video. Impossible to speculate on what it could be. There are a multitude of disorders that can cause these symptoms. I would not give over the counter meds, supplements or any other remedies unless prescribed by a veterinarian that has examined the dog.

[Chipy]

My little guy has elbow arthritis, luxating patella/dislocating kneecaps on both sides and hip-dysplasia and used to have severe joint pain. Over the past few years I have done extensive research on natural joint supplements and found that a combination of anti-inflammatory Omega 3s, CBD oil, Turmeric and Green Lipped Mussel has helped his mobility to improve the most.

I only use whole food based (synthetic free) supplements to avoid artificial fillers, preservatives and synthetic ingredients/chemicals that processed pet foods (both kibble and canned) are filled with. Be sure to avoid high-carb processed diets that promote inflammation.

He is now 8 y/o (on an anti-inflammatory home-cooked diet with whole food based supplements) and loves running again, moves around with more ease than when he was 4 y/o (on kibble/canned processed foods). I just wish I had switched to a fresh diet and natural supplements sooner. Here is what works for us to support his joints;

Freeze-dried Green Lipped Mussel treats (single ingredient) & Wellness Supplement:
https://www.k9natural.com/product/new-zealand-green-mussel-snacks/
Dr. Judy Morgan's Wellness Formula

Omega 3s:
FeelGood Omega®

Turmeric:
SoulFood®

CBD oil:
KING KALM CBD 75mg – Small Dog & Cat Formula 20lbs or less

I hope these will also help your pup with joint pain. Luckily there is a lot we can do to help them.

[Susan]

Hi,
Have you join Dr Peter Dobias F/B group, someone on his site might answer your question, I live Australia & cant get Dr Peter Dobias supplements, his new puppy “Pax” looks VERY healthy…
https://www.facebook.com/drpeterdobias/

[anonymous]

It’s a scam. Most supplements are. Beware of homeopathic vets, also known as quacks.

[Chipy]

Has anyone used this mineral supplement before? I am planning to add some green superfood to my 8 y/o rescue pup’s home cooked meals to detox his body and eliminate harmful heavy metals. Would really love some advice or feedback on how well this plant based supplement works, if anyone has experience with it. It has great reviews; https://peterdobias.com/products/greenmin-for-dogs Thanks so much for any feedback! 🙂

[eileen K]

My dog is on a prescription hydrolyzed protein dog food as he has a problem digesting regular dog food. I have been able to supplement his food with Stella and CHewy’s freeze dried raw turkey meal mixer which he is able to tolerate. But now he doesn’t want to eat the Royal Canin hydrolyzed protein dog food. All he wants is the freeze dried turkey. Can you suggest a non prescription dog food that I might be able to try? Are there any non prescription hydroluzed protein dog foods on the market?

[Jan S]

Raw feeding is an excellent way to feed your dog. Ground up chicken thighs are easy to serve in a dish and provide all the vitamins and mineral supplements needed except for one amino acid. If you grind up the chicken thighs there is really no mess. You should read the book “Feed your Dog a bone” by Dr. Ian Billinghurst. He talks about the benefits of raw feeding. I purchased a grinder and find it super easy and cheap to feed my dogs. I also include other types of foods in their raw food i.e., vegetables, dairy, organ meat, grains, legumes and even table scraps. Trying to achieve balance in every meal is ridiculous. You want to achieve balance over a period of time by having your dogs eat a variety of foods. With most of their meals consisting of raw meaty bones. I have chihuahuas. My five pounders have trouble chewing bones, so I grind up their meals. My two larger chihuahuas can eat raw chicken thighs and the bones like popsicles. So it depends on the kind of dog you have.

[Hav mom]

I was recommended to the Dr.Peter Dobias Holistic site to look at what he was advocating for the dogs. He has quite
a lot of information and healthy tips also. I am interested in his feeding plan for your dog, natural. My dog now is
eating dehydrated foods and he loves them, is healthy but yes, not enough meat to see.( THK) I do supplement him with
Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes. This holistic vet explains all the items he has and what for and how to use. I am
thinking of making a change, but he recommends a 4 bottle (all different) and I want to firstly finish the products I now
am using and secondly getting some input from members who have used this site. He does have a “dog tool” for you to
use to input information and then he recommends what your dog can use as supplements if needed. The food
section is also interesting. Simple food to make and serve fresh to your dog from every day food items. Anyway, appreciate any input from members so I can make a decision. I thought good food was enough, but evidently they are not really lputting enough of what the dog needs in supplements in the dog food, so so the site explains. Appreciate any information anyone has . thanks for viewing.

[Erin C]

I also purchased this product for my 8 year old golden retriever. He has severe arthritis and I noticed that he’s been eating grass lately which typically indicates some sort of imbalance in his system. I came across nutra thrive and naturally would do anything to make my dog feel better. He’s been on the supplement for a little over a month and for the most part I didn’t notice any changes at all until recently he’s been itching a lot more, a bit lethargic and yesterday just experienced a seizure. He’s never had a seizure in his entire life. I didn’t change anything else in his diet or routine except for adding this supplement. I contacted customer service about these side affects and asked if they had ever heard about other similar reactions from customers and they told me they have yet to hear and negative side affects of this supplement. Well after reading all of your posts I have a hard time believing they’ve only received positive feedback for this supplement. When I inquired about the 90 day money back guarantee they said I needed each empty container in order to get my money back. I went back to look at my purchase agreement and the money back guarantee didn’t say anything about saving used containers in order to get that refund. My advice, don’t use this product and contact your vet beforehand. If you decide to purchase call customer service before purchasing so they can tell you what they don’t even put in the fine print.

[GSDsForever]

Melissa,

Here is another set of options for a diet to fit your dog’s nutritional needs and medical conditions, your preferences:

1)A veterinary therapeutic prescription diet (among others offered), which your vet can consult on & write an order for:

https://www.justfoodfordogs.com/metabolic-support
Turkey, Beef, Eggs — with squash & oats 30% protein/10% Fat

2)A custom diet just for your dog, to your vet’s and your specifications:

https://www.justfoodfordogs.com/custom-prescriptive

3)One of their standard diets, if suitable, such as this one:

https://www.justfoodfordogs.com/fish-sweet-potato
Wild Caught Cod & Sweet Potatoes + Veggies — 35% Protein/10% Fat (Min)

*****Another option (#4) is that you can order the recipe + balancing vitamin/mineral supplement ONLY and make the food yourself. This can be a much cheaper alternative.*****
https://www.justfoodfordogs.com/diy

If your vet is not familiar with this company, its veterinary therapeutic diets by prescription and regular diets, you can tell him that the company 1)has performed feeding trials that meet AAFCO protocols for its foods and 2)has board certified veterinary nutritionists as well as other veterinarians (including with advanced specialties such as toxicology) on staff involved in formulating and available for consult.

Of course, you also could pursue a separate route of homemade, via you and/or your vet consulting with a veterinary nutritionist.

[Shayne, Ultimate Pet Nutrition]

Hi Gregory, I’m really sorry to hear that you are not seeing the improvement you expected to see in your pup. It is industry standard to request that our customers consult their pet’s veterinarian before starting any new supplement due to the fact that Ultimate Pet Nutrition’s Customer Service Team is not aware of pre-existing conditions, allergies, or other medications your pup may be taking. We do ask this as a precaution to ensure that Nutra Thrive does not interact with anything I mentioned above. I hope this clears up any confusion. I’d like to issue you a full refund… Just e-mail me at [email protected] and I’ll begin the refund process right away.

[anonymous]

@ Gregory B
https://ultimatepetnutrition.com/product/nutra-thrive-dog/
(excerpt below)

Scroll down and click on: “What is the complete ingredient list”?

“Nutra Thrive contains only naturally-derived ingredients — and each one is hand-selected for maximum quality and purity”.

“However, we always recommend consulting with your veterinarian before beginning any new supplement”.

[Patricia A]

Stella and Chewy’s has grain inclusive Beef. https://www.stellaandchewys.com/dog-food/stellas-essentials-wholesome-grains/beef-and-ancient-grains-recipe
Product Benefits
#1 ingredient grass-fed beef
Wholesome grains including brown rice, pearled barley, oatmeal, quinoa and millet
Pea-free, lentil-free, potato-free & poultry-free
Made in the USA with no ingredients from China
Rich in Omegas for healthy skin & coat
Leading levels of glucosamine & chondroitin to help maintain hip & joint function
High quality proteins for lean muscle mass
No corn, wheat or soy protein
No by-product meal
Guaranteed taurine levels
Complete & balanced for all life stages except large breed puppies

Never The Other Stuff!

Ingredients
Beef, lamb meal, pearled barley, oatmeal, brown rice, pork meal, beef fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural vegetable flavor, beef liver, millet, quinoa, flaxseed, calcium carbonate, salt, potassium chloride, choline chloride, suncured alfalfa meal, salmon oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), inulin (from chicory root), pumpkin, blueberries, taurine, tocopherols (preservative), thyme, sage, dried kelp, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, rosemary extract.

Product Analysis:
Guaranteed Analysis:

• This reply was modified 6 years, 3 months ago by Patricia A.

[Robbie M]

Hello everyone and thank you ahead of time for taking the time to read through this. Again I know that nobody is a veterinary nutritionist but it seems to be a good pool of fairly knowledgeable people who love their dogs, but I have a question none the less. My dog is a rescue dog we believe (and Our vet also thinks so) to be a 9-10 year old boxer crossed with either sttafordshire or pit bull) we drove down from Vancouver, British Columbia to San Bernardino in Southern California once we saw he was going to be put down if he doesn’t get adopted in the next few days.😭😭😭☺️he is getting much much slower now and walks very slow, we know that he has bad hips and we were actually told that they are not even in a place where they should be but that it was held in place by muscle built around it. I’m getting concerned that I should be doing everything I can logically do to help him. He gets sore and I can tell. So with that in mind i was given a about 30 packets of Lickz it has fish oil and glucosamine. But I recently find out his food doesn’t have enough meat content. Since we Feed him veggies like carrots, brocolli, as treats veggies are not as important to be in his food. Also if you have any suggestions for treats and or supplements. Sorry for such a huge message but for those who took the time to read through this and give their feedback as my dog is very very important to me.

[Patricia A]

Aimee I agree that I didn’t get very technical with the questions for the vet. I was just trying to point out that some owners think the brands sold at the vets MUST be superior in some way since of course vets know what food is the best. I thought this also at one time. And MOST of the time if asked what should I feed my “healthy” dog your vet will I believe 9 times out of 10 suggest the ones in their practice. Why is that when again 9 times out of 10 the vet cannot even tell you the ingredients listed on the labels they sell?
Honestly, so many of these companies are so gimmicky and people fall for it. Like the dog food manufactorers who sell specific kibble just for different breeds. Like a Chihuahua on the bag and then for your Shitzu, poodle, yorkie etc. are specifically made for just for that breed.Really they want us to believe that a diet for a Yorkie would be different then a Chihuahua. People are gullible.
Here are the four ingredient labels I asked the vets to rank. Can you guess which one is the prescription diet?
Also regarding prescription diets for dogs interesting article below.
Food #1
dog food ingredient
Food #2
Prescription Diet Dog Food
Food #3
prescription diet dog food 3
Food #4
Prescription Diet Dog Food
The Answer: Prescription Diets Revealed
Now, if there’s one thing I can say about my veterinary friends, it’s that they don’t follow direction very well! Only one of the vets actually ranked all of the foods as asked. But the rest had some very interesting things to say about the prescription diet.

So to start, here are the rankings in order from best to worst from Dr Marty Goldstein, author of The Nature of Animal Healing:

Food #2 ranked first because it contains all whole foods

Food #4 ranked second because it contains meal but otherwise contains whole foods

Food #1 ranked third, thanks to the by-product rice, by-product meal and overall low quality ingredients

Food #3 ranked last, based on the use of corn for its first ingredient, followed by by-product meal.

And if you haven’t guessed already, the prescription diet in that list is Food #3.

Want to hear what some of the other vets had to say about the prescription diet?

Dr Jodie Gruenstern: This food was the lowest quality in the list. It contains GMO corn, soy (lots of it!), which is a common allergen, synthetic vitamins/minerals, shavings (if you didn’t know, the ingredient cellulose is literally sawdust), natural flavors, which usually mean MSG.

Dr Jean Dodds: Poor quality food: the first ingredients are corn, which is often GMO, and chicken by-product meal rather than whole chicken. Flax and soy are phytoestrogens.

Dr Judy Morgan: This is a Pet Store Food. Corn is the first ingredient, no muscle meat used, only by-product meal, synthetic vitamin/mineral supplement, corn and soybean are GMO, waste fillers are abundant. Overpriced in my opinion, considering the poor quality, cheap ingredients used).

Dr Dee Blanco: This one starts with corn to increase inflammation, then adds lighter fluid to it with soybean products and poor quality protein. Then it tries to make up for the poor quality foundational ingredients by adding synthetic supplements of the poorest quality, such as calcium carbonate, folic acid, ‘generic Vit E supplement’, etc. Looks like they added l-tryptophan to calm the nervous system down after putting the body into overdrive inflammation. Natural flavors?? Could be an entire cadre of carcinogens, allergens and toxins. Argh!

Dr Peter Dobias: The worst recipe – first ingredient is corn, then by-product, then flavors, wood chips. It may not be supermarket food but a veterinary diet right?!

So, as you can see, our vets didn’t exactly think the ingredients in the prescription diet were high quality. In fact, they thought many of them would be harmful.

So why exactly do we trust our vets to prescribe diets when this is the best they can offer?

And, more importantly, why are vets gullible enough to think these foods can do anything to change chronic health issues in dogs, such as allergies, kidney disease, or in the case of this particular food, joint disease?

If we really want to look at the quality of these diets, I think the first place to start is who’s making them?

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree
The major players in the prescription diet category are the major players in the regular pet food category:

Hill’s Science Diet
Purina
Royal Canin
Iams
These companies are hardly renowned for quality ingredients. In fact, most veterinary diets are manufactured by companies that predominantly manufacture lower quality grocery store foods. The same company that makes lower quality foods like Alpo and Beneful is also making prescription diets. How much better do you think the veterinary food would be?

Let’s compare two Hill’s foods: a regular food (Natural Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Adult) and a prescription food (j/d Canine Joint Care).

The regular pet store brand:

Hills Ideal Balance
And the prescription food:

Hills JD
Now, a 30lb bag of the regular food is $47.99 at Petsmart. The prescription diet dog food can also be purchased at Petsmart for $84.95 for a 27.5lb bag. It’s twice as expensive!

Now, you might be thinking this is because the prescription diet was formulated and tested with a specific condition in mind.

This is completely false.

While an over-the-counter food with a health claim (such as controls weight) is subject to FDA regulations and enforcement, the FDA practices “enforcement discretion” when it comes to veterinary diets.

Put another way, this means the FDA has not reviewed or verified the health claims on any veterinary diet.

Did you catch that? There are very few ingredients in veterinary diets that aren’t also in other regular diets. In the example above, I’d say the pet store brand is a better quality food, wouldn’t you? The prescription diet contains by-product meal (which comes straight from the rendering plant), lots of soybean and corn products (a cheap replacement for animal protein) while the regular food contains more expensive, higher quality ingredients.

Apart from fish oil, what food ingredients exactly would help dogs with joint pain? As Dr Dee Blanco stated, this food would actually cause inflammation.

And fish oil is a terrible addition to pet foods. It’s much too fragile to be added to processed foods and as soon as the bag is opened, it will oxidate and cause inflammation in your dog.

Ironic isn’t it, when the food is supposed to be treating inflammation in the first place?

[Related: We’ve got 5 reasons you should dump fish oil. Click here.]

Consider The Source
Those two diets are made in the exact same plant. The manufacturer uses the same suppliers.

Doesn’t it stand to reason that the quality of ingredients will be the same?

I challenge the pet food industry to prove that chicken by-product meal, soybeans, brewers rice and powdered cellulose have been extensively researched and proven better than the higher quality foods used in most regular pet foods.

So if your vet ever says your dog needs to be eating a prescription diet, ask him to review the ingredient list. Then ask him for hard evidence that the foods in the prescription diet are any better than those in regular diets.

I think we know what the answer will be.

And if you’re one of the smart 60%, then I know you already know the answer!

It’s nothing but Bull$hit.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 3 months ago by Patricia A.
• This reply was modified 6 years, 3 months ago by Patricia A.
• This reply was modified 6 years, 3 months ago by Patricia A.

[Chipy]

Chipy, my little rescue has been taking this organic multi-vitamin for years. He is a very healthy 8 y/o pup and loves this multi-vitamin to be mixed with his delish homemade meals. 🙂 It’s a human grade (and organic) product, so some days I also take it myself. So fun that we can share high-quality supplements with each other. Love it! 🙂
SoulFood®

[Robbie M]

Hello all I’m a first time poster so my apologies if this is the incorrect spot to put this. But I was hoping someone here with the required knowledge to adequately review the ingredients of my dogs food would be able to do so. The brand is Canadian Naturals (Canadian Supreme Dog Food is the parents company) and it’s made locally in the Fraser Valley area of B.C. I’ve noticed it has some options that have more ingredients that would be considered healthy but my dog really likes this kind and he doesn’t adjust the best to food so we keep it steady. Here are said ingredients.

Dog Lamb & Rice Formula

3324 kcal/kg
Lamb meal, peas, pearled barley, oat groats, brown rice, flaxseed, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), natural flavour, salt, potassium chloride, choline chloride, taurine, zinc sulphate, ferrous sulphate, vitamin E supplement, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, copper sulphate, manganous oxide, vitamin A supplement, copper proteinate, riboflavin, thiamine mononitrate, manganese proteinate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, calcium iodate, folic acid, sodium selenite, vitamin B12 supplement, rosemary extract

Thanks to anyone who is able to take their time looking this over and letting me know the quality.

[anonymous]

Placebos for Pets?: The Truth About Alternative Medicine in Animals. Paperback – November 1, 2019
by Brennen McKenzie (Author)

Whether online or in the local pet store, there is a bewildering variety of pet healthcare products and services to choose from. Diets and supplements, ancient herbs and folk remedies, and even high-tech treatments like hyperbaric oxygen tanks and laser therapy. Everything promises to give your pet better health and a longer life, and isn’t that what every pet owner wants?
But how do you know if all of these products do what they claim? Are they safe? If they really are miraculous cures, why are so many offered only on the Internet or by a few veterinarians specializing in “alternative medicine?”
McKenzie, a vet with twenty years of experience and the former president of the Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine Association, helps pet owners and veterinary professionals understand the claims and the evidence, allowing them to make better choices for their companions and patients

[Chipy]

Hi Tammy, it is great that you started making meals at home for your girl. I decided to do the same many years ago, but I am still learning something new every day. I’ve found this quick diet course that might be helpful for you; https://peterdobias.com/pages/course-rawdiet This vet also has good quality supplements, and an article explaining why dogs tend to eat poop; https://peterdobias.com/blogs/blog/5-most-common-reasons-why-dogs-eat-feces Hope this helps.

[Gail K S]

My 13 yr old.mini schnauzer was slowing down considerably. After 3 weeks on Ultimate Pet Nutrition Nutra Thrive, Pet Lab joint supplement, turmeric, milk thistle, he’s acting years younger. Haven’t heard of the reviews until this.
A little concerned, but he responded so well and quickly that i’ll continue until he displays negative symptoms

• This reply was modified 6 years, 3 months ago by Gail K S.

[joanne l]

Here it the ingredients for Annameat Option:
Salmon Meal, Brown Rice, Millet, Rolled Oats, Lamb Meal, Pearled Barley, Canola Oil, Menhaden Fish Meal, Menhaden Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E)), Dried Tomato Pomace, Sun Cured Ground Miscanthus Grass, Dried Apples, Dried Blueberries, Dried Cranberries, Flax Seed Meal, Lecithin, Marine Microalgae, Salt, DL Methionine, L-Lysine, Taurine, Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product Dehydrated, Fructooligosaccharides, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate, L-Carnitine, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Betaine Anhydrous, Iron Proteinate, Selenium Yeast, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate.

This is Holistic Select:
Anchovy and Sardine Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Rice, Salmon Meal, Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Oats, Flaxseed, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Pumpkin, Salmon Oil, Cranberries, Apples, Brewers Dried Yeast, Potassium Chloride, Papayas, Choline Chloride, Blueberries, Pomegranates, Vitamin E Supplement, Inulin, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherols added to preserve freshness, Zinc Sulfate , Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Ground Cinnamon, Ground Fennel, Ground Peppermint, Copper Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Selenite, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Dried Lactobacillus bulgaricus Fermentation Product,

[Patricia A]

Mary Lynn are you sure that the chicken is the problem? When you eliminate all chicken for a week or more does he stomp the paw chewing? I know it sounds like a simple solution but sometimes even chemicals such as rug cleaners could cause irritation and allergies. Don’t know if you’re interested in grain inclusive. Really can’t find any gran free that doesn’t include some form of peas or legumes. Below is Stella and Chewy’s grain inclusive with just beef and lamb meal .
Ingredients
Beef, lamb meal, pearled barley, oatmeal, brown rice, pork meal, beef fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), natural vegetable flavor, beef liver, millet, quinoa, flaxseed, calcium carbonate, salt, potassium chloride, choline chloride, suncured alfalfa meal, salmon oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), inulin (from chicory root), pumpkin, blueberries, taurine, tocopherols (preservative), thyme, sage, dried kelp, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, rosemary extract.
#1 ingredient grass-fed beef
Wholesome grains including brown rice, pearled barley, oatmeal, quinoa and millet
Pea-free, lentil-free, potato-free & poultry-free
Made in the USA with no ingredients from China
Rich in Omegas for healthy skin & coat
Leading levels of glucosamine & chondroitin to help maintain hip & joint function
High quality proteins for lean muscle mass
No corn, wheat or soy protein
No by-product meal
Guaranteed taurine levels
Complete & balanced for all life stages except large breed puppies

• This reply was modified 6 years, 3 months ago by Patricia A.

[SARA M]

I have two French bulldogs and have been around the world with research, vets, holistic, etc.

I finally had one of my dogs allergy tested via glacier peaks. It’s not the $$$ tests at the vet however it’s very accurate as far as I have experienced.

Pet Intolerance Test

The results showed us that our dogs were allergic to nearly everything we were feeding them (chicken, salmon, etc)

That was step 1. Step 2 was finding a WHOLE FOOD diet not a processed one. Emma Lous Kitchen turkey recipe is a great example and they are very highly reviewed.

We either order Emma lous or cook for our two Frenchies. One is 12 years old and you’d think he’s 5. The main ingredients are turkey (from a butcher so there is not added sodium), alkaline vegetables such as broccoli, collard greens, carrots), apple and quinoa.

We also grind egg shells for their calcium. It’s very important dogs get a calcium supplement if home cooking. Half egg shell a day for one 25 lb dog.

Also a good probiotic is key.

We cook for two weeks at a time and freeze.

If you don’t have time to cook then I suggest Emma Lous Kitchen.

Most processed dog foods are so bad for our furry family members and especially for our sensitive Frenchies. Also many Frenchies can’t tolerate a raw diet, therefore a fresh/frozen whole food diet is hands down the best option.

If you want more info on my recipe I’m happy to share.

[Patricia A]

Melissa I’m confused with your vet after all the testing and specifically a biopsy that he can’t give a definitive diagnosis of IBD? Ask for a copy of the test results also. Did he mention CJ needing to go on any meds such as steroids? Which food did the vet suggest Melissa?

Before you switch the food he suggests, try one more time of the just WHITE meat boiled chicken and white rice. NO VEGGIES at all just a few days and see how he does. I don’t believe in prescription diets myself for reasons here: https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/worlds-biggest-dog-food-scam/
I’m curious of which food he will suggest now. Please keep me updated.
Once IBD has been diagnosed, Wakshlag favors gradually switching a dog’s diet, if the main proteins have been common ones such as beef, chicken or lamb. The dog would be then fed a novel protein or hydrolyzed diet.
Yogurt is high in calcium and protein. It also can act as a probiotic, which can be good for the digestive system. If you are going to feed your dog yogurt, it should be plain and free of any added sweeteners, both natural and artificial.

Diet vs. Medicine

IBD cannot be cured and is often treated with antibiotics or other medicines designed to stop the gastrointestinal immune system from overproducing antigens. Most vets, however, prefer to manage the condition through diet and may prescribe a commercially made food or give you recipes to home-cook your dog’s food. Each dog is different and some will require a specific diet with only a few ingredients. Consult your vet before feeding your dog any homemade meals designed to manage his IBD.

A Proper Balance

Cooked meals for dogs suffering from IBD need to contain a good mix of proteins, fats and fiber. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and flaxseed oil, may help decrease intestinal inflammation and thus ease symptoms. Fresh meat or dairy protein sources, such as cheese, rabbit, venison and duck contain proteins that are broken down into more digestible nutrients.

Fiber and Fat

While some dogs with IBD do better when they eat more fiber, others do better when fiber is reduced. Vets often recommend fiber supplementation when IBD affects the colon, as fiber improves stool consistency and reduces the growth of harmful bacteria in the colon. Typically, high fiber foods, such as vegetables, are lower in fat. While fiber can trigger more bowel movements, the lower fat content from higher fiber diets often reduces diarrhea in dogs with IBD.

No People Treats

An important part of treatment for your dog’s IBD is keeping her away from people food. That means no table scraps, no bites of your sandwich and no feeding her bits of food that happen to fall on the floor. Also, avoid giving her most commercial dog treats, such as biscuits, which can be full of fillers and ingredients that will aggravate her stomach. Natural chew toys, or rawhides, also are out, as she likely will swallow pieces that flake off while she chews.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 4 months ago by Patricia A.
• This reply was modified 6 years, 4 months ago by Patricia A.

[anonymous]

@ Karen
Just go by what the veterinarian that is treating your dog recommends.
Supplements can cause harm and they can interfere with the absorption of prescription meds (the ones that actually help). Do not waste your money. Discuss with your vet first.

Overview of the Evidence for Probiotics in Cats and Dogs

excerpt below, click on link for full article and comments.

Bottom Line
This review provides a concise survey of the probiotic research in dogs and cats to date, including an appraisal of the significant weaknesses and limitations on the existing studies. The bottom line is consistent with my own view of the literature.
There are few studies, and those that have been done have significant limitations and often conflict.
There is reasonable evidence for some clinical benefit in acute diarrhea associated with stress or antibiotic use.
There is no high-quality, consistent evidence for most suggested uses of probiotics.
The unregulated probiotic products on the market today are plagued with inaccurate labeling and poor quality control. This means that even if probiotics might be beneficial in some cases, it is unclear if the actual products available could achieve these benefits.
There do not yet appear to be significant risks to probiotics, though the evidence for this safety also quite limited.
PS: Re: Chewy https://prime.peta.org/2017/05/buyer-beware-chewy-com-purchased-petsmart/

[Amara H]

Rapid breaths per minute (72 breaths per minute)

I have a two year old labradoodle that is 40 lb.
I have been giving him Earth Animal No Hide Pork Chews (small) in the evening for over a year. I noticed every night at bedtime he would go into a labored and rapid breath rhythm. This concerned me so much that I took him into the Veternarian about it a couple of times. I videoed his rapid breathes per minute (about 72 breaths per minute) and showed it to his Veterinarian. She was concerned when she saw the video. She said it could be a heart issue, pain or some type of discomfort but we needed to get to the bottom of it because this is not normal!

We started with an elimination diet…

First I removed the supplements that I give him with his food every p.m., and there was no change.

I changed his food which is high quality raw food (Small Batch) No change from that either.

Honestly, it never occurred to me it could be these no hide bones! The very first night he didn’t have one of these bones he maintained a normal breaths per minute breath rate and fell asleep peacefully.

That made me do a search about this product and this is how I found this site and post. I’ll be sure to advise my Veternarian about this and let everyone I know about my/his experience with this product.

I have no idea what is in “no hides” that could cause such a reaction in him but going forward I WILL NOT give him this product again.

[anonymous]

Here’s one, just add a little water and scrambled egg or something.

https://www.gofromm.com/fromm-family-classic-adult-dog-food

INGREDIENTS: Chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, pearled barley, oatmeal, white rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), menhaden fish meal, dried whole egg, beet pulp, cheese, flaxseed, brewers dried yeast, potassium chloride, salt, calcium sulfate, dl-methionine, l-tryptophan, taurine, chicory root extract, yucca schidigera extract, sodium selenite, sorbic acid (preservative), Vitamins [vitamin A acetate, Vitamin D3 supplement, Vitamin E supplement, Vitamin B12 supplement, choline bitartrate, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, riboflavin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, biotin], Minerals [zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, magnesium sulfate, copper sulfate, cobalt carbonate, calcium iodate, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, magnesium proteinate, cobalt proteinate], dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium longum fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Pediococcus acidilactici fermentation product.

[Peter G]

I am feeding that to my gang for a while now and they love it. Carried by local Albertsons here. Any feedback for that?

Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Pea Protein, Rice Bran, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Peas, Natural Flavor, Dicalcium Phosphate, Flaxseeds, Dried Egg Product, Dried Carrots, Oatmeal, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Fish Oil, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Minerals (Iron Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate), Choline Chloride, Dried Blueberries, Dried Cranberries, L-Threonine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Folic Acid), Citric Acid (Preservative), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), L-Carnitine, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary Extract.

ingredients from here:
https://www.instacart.com/safeway/products/17805301-open-nature-dog-food-chicken-brown-rice-recipe-15-00-lb

Peter

[steve johnson]

Vicki,
So sorry your dog has kidney disease. It’s a hard diagnosis. I went through the same thing with my first dog and she never wanted to eat and had constant nausea. It’s good you are asking because dogs with kidney disease do need a special diet. Whatever you decide to do in terms of supplements and diet , be sure to check with your vet. I don’t want to give advice but from my experience with my own dog, I was told not to give a fish based diet because fish is very high in phosphorus. I had to switch from a fish and potato diet and decided to feed a homemade diet because my dog wasn’t wanting to eat. I used the supplements from this website: https://www.askariel.com/kidney-disease-treatment-for-cats-and-dogs-s/1857.htm and my dog perked up quite a bit and lived much longer than the vet had originally thought she would. I think the site will include some free diet tips on your order. Since a lot of veterinarians do know the products, it would be good to show them to your vet (along with any diet tips) before using. Wishing you all the best.

[anonymous]

Please consult a veterinarian (in real life not the internet) asap for a checkup for your puppy and recommendations.
Please stop listening to quacks.

http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?s=raw+diet

http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2018/05/whos-behind-the-the-truth-about-pet-cancer/ excerpt below, click on link for complete article and comments.
Rodney Habib
Mr. Habib is a professional activist and well on his way to becoming the Mike Adams or Joe Mercola of animal health. He would likely view that as a compliment, but clearly it is not. While it is possible to admire Mr. Habib’s passion and success as a manipulator of the media, unfortunately most of what he is selling is pseudoscientific nonsense. He skillfully uses social media to instill fear in pet owners; fear of pet food, vaccines, and virtually anything mainstream veterinary medicine recommends. And despite absolutely no training or expertise in science, he confidently tells the public that vets and scientists have it all wrong, and they should listen to his advice instead.
This advice consists of the usual evidence-free arguments for raw food, ketogenic diets, dietary supplements, herbal remedies, the dangers of vaccination, and many of the usual unproven or bogus ideas promoted in this series. Mr. Habib is one of the main architects of this project, along with Mr. Bollinger and Dr. Becker. If ever there was a group of people better at public relations than at health science, it is this trio.

Nutrition in Large Breed Puppies

[hamish]

I’ve got one more for you Robert which I’ll likely end up trying myself. Essence dog food’s new Limited ingredient line.

Here’s their Landfowl Recipe:

TURKEY, CHICKEN, TURKEY MEAL, CHICKEN MEAL, QUINOA, PUMPKIN, CHICKEN FAT (PRESERVED WITH MIXED TOCOPHEROLS), NATURAL TURKEY FLAVOR, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, SALT, CHOLINE CHLORIDE, DL-METHIONINE, TAURINE, VITAMINS (VITAMIN A ACETATE, VITAMIN D3 SUPPLEMENT, VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENT, NIACIN SUPPLEMENT, D-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, RIBOFLAVIN SUPPLEMENT, FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN B12 SUPPLEMENT), KELP, MINERALS (ZINC PROTEINATE, IRON PROTEINATE, COPPER PROTEINATE, MANGANESE PROTEINATE, SODIUM SELENITE, CALCIUM IODATE)

• This reply was modified 6 years, 4 months ago by hamish.

[anonymous]

I tried raw food for my dogs as recommended by an online homeopathic vet.

Within a month or two we were at the emergency vet with GI upset/rule out blockage. More than one visit.

All kinds of sludge noted via x-ray in the colon. Also vet visits for broken teeth due to “raw meaty bones”.

Not for me

PS: I had an expensive meat grinder (went to the Goodwill) chicken, bones , supplements”

• This reply was modified 6 years, 4 months ago by anonymous.

[GSDsForever]

Those who’ve fed a nutritionally balanced home-prepared diet, particularly NOT chicken based (rich in Omega 6) or poultry, or those who’ve boosted fat supplementing a commercial diet, which Omega 6 rich source (other than chicken fat) have you used and found most healthful, economical, and accessible to buy?

I have been giving an rx’d therapeutic high dose of Omega 3 EPA & DHA, via wild Alaskan salmon oil . . . the amount balanced well with Omega 6 canine needs when I was feeding a higher Omega 6 diet less rich in the active, converted form of Omega 3.

Now, with new diet directions, whether homemade or current commercial foods I’ve selected, I’d like to continue to use the same oil (vs a combo Omega 6-3 oil) and brand, but I want to boost total fat & keep very high EPA & DHA, without being deficient in Omega 6 or creating an inverse ratio. I want at least 20% fat in the diet, and am comfortable with higher for my breed & dog.

New commercial diets I’ve selected — in addition to whatever I do homemade — are much richer Omega 3 EPA/DHA commercial diet and far lower Omega 3 to 6 ratio. But total fat (and protein) are not high enough.

I’d like to avoid GMO and hexane processed, highly processed (heat, chemicals to deodorize/refine, etc.).

Since I’ve not needed to buy this in my own (human) diet, despite knowing which oils are naturally high linoleic/Omega 6 rich, in trying to choose for a dog, the preferences of human market seems to be making this a more complicated buy.

*Sunflower Oil that is NOT high oleic variety, but its traditional Omega 6 form (Ditto Safflower, but I’d prefer Sunflower)
*Corn Oil that is not GMO (Does it even exist? I can’t find it in stores locally.)
–some concern for traces of protein, with an allergy dog, as corn is still in top 7 allergens or so
Soybean Oil that is non-GMO, organic
— allergy concerns, as with corn (we haven’t challenge tested her yet for soy allergy)
Walnut Oil
–A more expensive choice?? DACVN Sean Delaney seems to prefer walnut and corn oil. . . .
–Toxicity concerns? Sufficient research, history of safe use in dogs . . . as walnuts are toxic to dogs.
Grapeseed Oil (High Omega 6, high heat recommended in cooking)
–Poisonous/contraindicated in dogs?? (Grapes are toxic to dogs.)
Canola Oil (Omega 6 & 3)
–less efficient, useful due to inactive Omega 3 content
–seems readily available in organic, expeller pressed/non hexane

High quality flax oil is expensive, fragile, and inefficient due to its Omega 3 (inactive form). Ditto those fancy GLA oils (Black currant, primrose, borage) — not to mention toxicity concerns for dogs inherent to those plant sources.

And then there are the less common, likely more expensive (??), and perhaps less established as safe for dogs (??) oils such pumpkin seed oil, hemp seed oil, other nut oils (most are high monounsaturated/oleic).

Cottonseed oil is GMO cotton, so no to that one for me. I never see this sold either, just in industrial commercial use.

• This topic was modified 6 years, 4 months ago by GSDsForever.
• This topic was modified 6 years, 4 months ago by GSDsForever.

[pugmomsandy]

@snowtigga

If you’re looking for a wet topper, Weruva canned/pouch recipes are available in pea/pot free options and they are low calorie/fat. There isn’t much fruit/veg/joint supplements in dog food. I would just give those in addition to the kibble.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 4 months ago by pugmomsandy.

[GSDsForever]

Hi Kimberley. It might be helpful in enabling others to respond better if you could tell us what about a formulation you are looking for, in terms of it being for seniors/reduced activity.

Among senior dogs, there can be different needs between them for fat, protein, calories, etc. I never fed my last senior dog a specifically labelled “senior” or “reduced activity” formula; neither did my vets direct me to do so. I fed a variety of diets and supplemented based on my dog’s individual needs.

Since you mentioned reduced activity, are you looking for a food with lower calories per cup so that you can provide more volume? Lowfat? What else?

Also . . . some formulas that might be a good fit for your senior dogs, in whatever you’re looking for in nutrients, may not necessarily be labelled for senior dogs.

Re HS, there are grain inclusive & no legumes/potatoes formulas. They make various formulas. Are you referring to one specifically labelled for seniors? For now, I think the most cautious approach does include avoiding GF & legume or potato heavy formulas.

[snowtigga]

Hi folks,

I’ve surfed and read and surfed and read and I’m pretty sure if I look in the mirror, my face would be blue.

My three dogs currently eat Whole Earth Farms grain-free food and I rotate between the flavors except for chicken. I had thought maybe my oldest Shar-Pei/Lab mix (7) would do better without it. There’s no real way for me to tell, though, so now I’m thinking of re-introducing chicken due to them.

It’s just incredibly difficult, it seems, to find a dog food that’s affordable, made for seniors and/or reduced activity dogs, that doesn’t have peas/potatoes/legumes/fillers but does have a good selection of fruits/vegetables which also provides joint health (bonus since I can always continue with supplements).

Maybe I’m being too selective. Holistic Select seems to come up a lot in various articles and reviews I’ve read – peas are the third ingredient. potatoes are the fifth.

Fromm Gold reduced activity doesn’t have much for fruits/vegetables in it and potatoes are the 6th ingredient.

Canidae Platinum Senior — potatoes/peas as well as Canidae Reduced Energy – same thing.

Should I not be as concerned about these ingredients if my dogs are older? I would think it’d be the opposite. I’m so lost.
I would welcome suggestions and information, please.

Thanks.

[GSDsForever]

Uhhhh . . . where does it purportedly claim to treat “allergies” and “inflammation”?

Ruth K’s original post (from several month ago) states this supplement is marketed for allergies, but I see nothing about that on the website. That’s actually a good thing (read below).

Without getting into discussion of efficacy & value of this supplement . . . this product contains multiple food proteins including 1 of the top 2 most common food allergens: beef. This product would not be appropriate for dogs with food allergies and could cause an allergic reaction. Just FYI.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 4 months ago by GSDsForever.

[Shayne, Ultimate Pet Nutrition]

Hi JL L, I’m Shayne. I was really upset while reading your review. Ultimate Pet Nutrition is a fairly new company, but our sole mission is to improve the health and happiness of pets everywhere. We would never create a product that we didn’t wholeheartedly believe in. And with all supplements, we do understand that they may work well for some and not for others, but there are hundreds of customers who have seen marked improvements in their pet’s health since starting Nutra Thrive. I’d like to answer any questions you might have. You can e-mail me at [email protected] if you ever have any further questions or concerns. Thank you.

[Shayne, Ultimate Pet Nutrition]

Hi Rhonda, Shayne here from Ultimate Pet Nutrition. It sounds like your pup might have had an allergic reaction to an ingredient in Nutra Thrive. This is not a common reaction, so I’d like to get more information from you in order to fill out an Adverse Reactions Form. Can you e-mail me at [email protected]? I’d also like to mention that we always recommend that our customers consult their dog’s primary veterinarian prior to starting any new supplement to ensure that it’s right for them based on their health history. I can also issue you a full refund! Please contact me at the e-mail above and I can begin that process right away. Thank you for giving Nutra Thrive a try.

[Patricia A]

Christine is it a possibility that low blood sugar is contributing to seizure activity since he eats only once a day and very little? Maybe some lean boiled hamburger topper with kibble and string beans, carrots will help with his appetite and assure he gets enough animal protein. I boil chicken and add a tiny bit of the water to kibble also. Also maybe below article is of help. Common causes of seizures are flea/tick meds even when discontinued can result in ongoing seizures in some dogs as well as heart worm meds and vaccinations.
Diet and Epilepsy Link

Environmental control is a significant element in gaining better management of your dog’s seizures. Start with what goes into him. Feeding a home-prepared diet, cooked or raw, can make all the difference for some dogs. Though there are virtually no studies to determine whether there is a relationship between diet and seizure activity, many holistic veterinarians report anecdotal evidence that a top-quality home-prepared diet can play a large part in management of seizures.

Allergy testing for grain and protein sensitivities is another tool you can use to identify and remove any potential seizure triggers.

Dr. Kelleher also advocates the use of taurine supplementation for epileptic dogs at a dose of 250 milligrams per 40 pounds body weight daily. Taurine supplementation is especially important for dogs who eat commercial and grain-based diets. This amino acid is found in the central nervous system and skeletal muscle and is concentrated in the brain and heart. It’s unknown whether that has anything to do with the fact that taurine supplementation can reduce seizure activity, especially in those dogs experiencing tremors or noise triggered seizures. Discuss this or any other supplement with your dog’s veterinarian.

If feeding a home-prepared diet isn’t possible, find the highest-quality commercial dog food. Grains in the diet, including treats, should be kept to a minimum.

Keep in mind that many commercial dog foods include rosemary extract and sage, both of which are known to be seizure triggers in some sensitive dogs. Processed treats like rawhide chews and pigs ears should also be avoided with epileptics. Sharing human food containing MSG or cured products like hot dogs and luncheon meats is also not recommended. Many human takeout foods, instant, ready made, and convenience foods also contain chemical ingredients that can be adverse to the health of a seizure-prone dog. Cleaning up your dog’s diet is good incentive to do the same with your own.

Frequent, small meals are helpful in managing epilepsy, as keeping the blood sugar stabilized seems to help. Hypoglycemia can contribute to seizure activity, especially in smaller breeds where the dog’s digestive tract and his meals are proportionately smaller. Grain products are especially suspect in animals who have seizures regularly. Feeding frequent, small meals is also helpful for coping with the increased hunger experienced by dogs who are given phenobarbital. Snacks such as fresh or steamed vegetables or fruit pieces are great low calorie treats that can keep your dog satisfied and increase his seizure threshold.

Other Canine Epilepsy Triggers

Despite the changes in recommended vaccine protocols recommended by most of the major university-based veterinary medical schools, many veterinarians continue to recommend annual vaccinations for their patients. In a seizure-prone dog, a vaccine booster can trigger seizure activity for at least 30 days. This is one reason that Dr. Dodds recommends avoiding routine vaccination for canine epileptics.

Many owners of epileptic dogs ask their veterinarians to test their dogs’ vaccine titer levels instead, to ensure the animals have adequate antibodies to protect them from disease. If the results indicate a dog does not have adequate immune protection for a particular disease, the appropriate vaccination can be administered individually, rather than in a “5 in 1” vaccine combination.

Regular rabies vaccines are required in each state by law. These vaccines can be especially risky for epileptics; owners of epileptic dogs have lots of anecdotal evidence of this. Check with your local municipality to see if proof of adequate vaccine titer test results are acceptable in place of vaccinating an epileptic dog annually . Many towns and cities will accept documented titer tests as proof of vaccination.

Since exposure to many chemicals can trigger seizures in sensitive dogs, it should not come as a surprise that many heartworm and flea preventative treatments that are systemically administered can be disastrous for many epileptic dogs. While elimination of these treatments is not always possible, care must be taken with a seizure-prone dog when preventing heartworm infestation. Several of the most popular heartworm preventatives actually list tremors or convulsions as rare side effects, and can be contraindicated with a dog that is given daily phenobarbital.

Flea products containing insect growth regulator can cause twitching and muscle weakness when an animal is overexposed. Keep in mind these cautions are given for normal canine populations. An epileptic is commonly more sensitive to these products and great care must be taken when protecting them from heartworm and flea infestation.

[rhonda b]

My husband watched a video on Nutri-thrive powder supplement which ultimately he ordered. The rep was very nice, and no complaints on that end. However, our furbaby had a severe reaction. I see the positive stories and happy for those it had helped. However, the first week our little girl started coughing, and scratching. The 2nd week I noticed her skin was turning red, and she began to scratch more. I dismissed it as playing outside and hoped the powder would provide relief. However it only got worse. I gave her medication to relieve her scratching. We continued the powder only doing a partial because of concerns. From there it got worse she began scratching all night violently and rubbing against furniture. She scratches so much she had bald spots, scabs around her neck and on her back.
Immediately stopped the new ingredients. This is the only thing that has changed in her diet.
I would advise to be very careful. I feel horrible to have put her through this and if I can post photos I will attempt to do so.
Unfortunately, it only creates harm for my baby. If you do use it and your dog starts violently scratching, stop immediately. Don’t make the same mistake I did “ waiting most a month to see it work” which is what they suggest.

Like any other animal lover, I wanted desperately for this to be a positive outcome. It was not
Rhonda

[Mia F]

We’re trying to balance a bunch of different concerns with my 14/15 year old shih tzu/jack russell’s food. We’re worried about her teeth and for this reason one vet recommended we stick with kibble. But we’re also concerned about the possibility that she could developed kidney issues, for this reason we want to make sure her food isn’t dehydrating her. (I’ve heard some troubling stuff about kibble, but I’m not an expert at all.) After the recent FDA report we switched from Earthborn to Hollistic Select’s chicken and rice kibble. That’s what she’s eating as of now.

I’m wondering if we should consider rotating foods. If so, should we do wet or dry? Are there ways to supplement kibble to fix any dehydration issues?

[Lisa V]

My lab/rottweiler mix was diagnosed with ple last year and with another PLE disease about 4 years ago. He was put on steroids and it worked for a year but got sick again this year. Again we tried Prednisone and metronidazole and he was still losing protein and weight. He was also on Prednisone for 4 months and I think that damaged his liver. We tried Chlorambucil for a couple of weeks and that did nothing. The vet suggested another medication but we decided not to keep drugging him. She said he would die in maybe days or weeks. We’ve been weaning him off Prednisone slowly and I’ve been giving him boiled chicken breast, brown rice with peas or spinach and 1 tablespoon of canned pure pumpkin or sweet potato for breakfast and dinner, I also give him a tablespoon of low fat plain yogurt with a dropper of Ginger and a half teaspoon of Tumeric in the morning. I also give him the CNG supplement thanks to the posts above. I’ve also just started supplementing him with a can of Canidea Salmon or Lamb formula for lunch when I am able to, he’s a big boy. So far so good, he’s at least stable and maybe a bit stronger these days. I also read about milk thistle so I give him some of that with his dinner to help his liver. I don’t know what the future holds but he’s better for now. I buy a big batch of chicken breast on the weekends and freeze half so I only cook once/week. I’d like to find some other food option so I don’t have to rely on home cooking, I tried the Purina HA but that seems to give him ore diarrhea.

[Shayne, Ultimate Pet Nutrition]

Hi everyone, I’m Shayne from Ultimate Pet Nutrition. I wanted to confirm that Christopher F. and I have communicated and resolved the issue by 1. Issuing a full refund of all orders and 2. Cancelling the optional Monthly Subscription Service. I have also personally submitted an Adverse Reactions Form to our Adverse Reactions Team so they are aware of the allergic reaction his pup experienced. In addition, one of our Customer Service Specialists reached out to Lura M. to resolve her issues as well. Laura, please let me know if you have any outstanding issues and I can assist you further. Our mission at Ultimate Pet Nutrition is to improve the health and happiness of pets everywhere, while providing top notch Customer Service. We work diligently to improve our processes and products, and we couldn’t do this without the valuable feedback of our customers. So I’m very grateful for all of your thorough feedback and I’m glad that we were able to resolve the issue. I also wanted to mention that we always suggest that our customers consult their pet’s primary Veterinarian prior to beginning any new supplement to ensure that it will be the right addition to their pet’s daily routine based on their health history. Just like a supplement for humans, we do understand that Nutra Thrive may work well for some and not for others. Please reach out to me at [email protected] if you ever have any questions, concerns, or suggestions.

[malinda r]

i have been looking at pinto valley, their food does contain barley, alfalfa, etc, but not the usual peas/pea proteins:
Fresh deboned chicken, Chicken meal, Ground brown rice, Oatmeal, Ground dehulled barley, Ground whole flaxseed, Dehydrated alfalfa meal, Chicken fat (naturally preserved with Mixed tocopherols and Citric acid), Calcium carbonate, Natural flavor, Sea salt, Potassium chloride, Zinc proteinate, Iron proteinate, Dried Bacillus coagulans fermentation product, Vitamin E supplement, Beta-carotene, Inulin, Copper proteinate, Monosodium phosphate, Spinach, Manganese proteinate, Apples, Bananas, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cranberries, Dried kelp, Sweet potatoes, Niacin supplement, d-Calcium pantothenate, Vitamin A acetate, Riboflavin supplement, Calcium iodate, Vitamin B12 supplement, Thiamine mononitrate, Pyridoxine hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 supplement, Sodium selenite, Folic acid, Rosemary extract.

i currently feed stella & chewys freeze dried topper/patties…this adds a good amount of protein that does not contain legumes. i mix with a kibble, and like fromms, carna4. i have been using health extension canned at night. their small serving cans do not contain BPA, and low legume products in this as well.

[Dene C]

I ordered the supplement but now I’m afraid to even try it. I am in a leg cast and cannot drive my dog to the vet if something goes wrong. Have other peoples vets cited specific ingredients as unhealthy?
I will be in the cast for another five weeks. If I do decide to try this, it will probably be too late to return it if it doesn’t work. all these stories of averse reactions makes me hesitate.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 5 months ago by Dene C.

[Christopher F]

Jill, how is your dog? My terrier mix had an adverse reaction too, and had to be treated at the emergency vet. They told me to take him off the supplement. His symptoms cleared up a few days after he was off of it.