[RescueDaneMom]

I think any incorporation of raw or fresh foods is a good thing. I’ve just started adding raw to my dog’s diet. I think it’d be easier for you if you stick with the 20% rule. You can add up to 20% (by volume I think) of additional fresh foods without throwing off the balance of nutrients in commercial kibble. That way you don’t have to worry about adding extra supplements and such to make the food complete and balanced. I think it has also been said that you can feed one meal of raw and one meal of kibble and still be ok with vitamins/minerals.

I add the following things to my dog’s food (not all at the same time): lightly cooked eggs (over easy), cottage cheese, kefir, canned sardines in water, and canned pink salmon. I will also add some canned tripe by Tripett.

I also add commercial raw, either Primal or Stella and Chewy’s. Lately I’ve been using the Primal grinds (muscle meat, organs, and bone) which are not complete and balanced. If you used more than 20% of this in a meal than you would need to balance it. You can get Primal from an independent pet store. See primalpetfoods.com for more info. Also a bonus, the bones in the grinds are ground up so small that there is no hazard of choking!

If you are interested in learning more about raw food there are two books that are always recommended: “Real food for Healthy Dogs and Cats” by Taylor & Becker and “Unlocking the Canine Ancestral Diet” by Steve Brown. They have recipes for raw and cooked foods. I have made one batch of raw using Taylor & Becker’s recipe. I wasn’t too difficult but I had to go to two different stores to get what I needed. It is easier for me right now to use the Primal grinds instead of making my own raw food.

In my opinion, commercial raw food is a good compromise if you don’t want to go full raw. Yes it is still processed, but very minimally and much less than kibble. It is also convenient for those that are busy or simply don’t have or want to take the time to source raw meats and make their own raw food meals from scratch.

These are just my opinions. There are others here that have way more experience than I do such as HoundDogMom, Pattyvaughn, and pugmomsandy. They may have more feedback for you.

[Oceans11]

Your Pugs are adorable! I thank you and appreciate your comments. I made the mistake of going in and reading the comments on supplements – too much information for now! If I feed our puppy Raw Instinct Bites and alternate with an all meat kibble (Fromm perhaps??) and give him a bone every 3 days or so, won’t this be enough for a happy healthy pup? Doesn’t the Raw Instinct and kibble have the right mix of all the nutrients they need?

Also, have you any experience with using Diatamacious Earth as a preventive for ear mites?

[pacer1978]

I’m sorry if these questions were already asked. There are so many posts, that I feel it may just be faster to ask instead of reading through every topic on the forum. I am mostly a kibble type since that is convenient and fast, though I do feed my dogs premium kibble: NV, NP, Earthborn Holistic, and Fromm for instance.

Here are my questions. If I do incorporate raw into their diet, how do I go about doing that? Where do you purchase this from? Is there a butcher you go through? How much does it cost typically? I have stayed away from raw thinking it would be unsanitary and very expensive. Plus, I try not to give my dogs bones since they inhale their food and seem to cough and gag a lot after eating one. My thought is that it gets stuck in their throat. Not to mention, I will come home to a pile of bile with sharp bones in the mix and that freaks me out. I’m afraid the sharp bones will do damage to them. Sometimes I will purchase the NV raw patties and freeze dried food and sprinkle or chop that up into their food, but probably don’t do it often for it to make any difference. I’m sure that their raw food is not the same anyway since it is probably still processed in some way.
I know many of you here believe 100% in the raw diet, but I remember when I first investigated it, I had read articles that didn’t support it. One lady explained how she switched to raw and her dog ended up extremely sick with contamination. Any ideas on that? I feel right now with supplements, treats, and premium kibble I am spending so much on their food as it is. I want the best for my dogs, however. I feel you shouldn’t take them on if you can’t provide for them the best you can. Who knows…maybe the raw is cheaper than what I’m spending right now. On the other hand, I’m the main person that handles the feedings in my house. I doubt on the nights I’m at school my husband will have the patients or agreeableness to feed and deal with raw food. Anyway, just looking for your thoughts on some of these questions. I always thought raw was too difficult to feed since there really isn’t a place for me to purchase this other than my grocery store. For some reason, I figured most people purchased it another way. Thanks for anyone reading!

[RescueDaneMom]

Soprano1-

I am by no means an expert. I would suggest checking out the dogaware website at dogaware.com/health/kidney.html. I haven’t figured out how to post links yet so bear with me.

According to my research on dogaware, dogs with early stage kidney disease only need slight diet modifications. The following text is copied from the website:
“Early Renal Insufficiency: In general, creatinine values up to about 2.0 (177 µmol/L) are indicative of mild, or early stage, kidney disease (or early renal insufficiency, as my vet terms it). In cases like these, it may still help to make dietary modifications to reduce phosphorus if blood phosphorus level is above 4.5, but these reductions do not need to be as drastic as when the values are higher, and it is probably not necessary to do other treatments at this stage, such as sub-q fluids (unless your dog is drinking so much that she is having trouble staying hydrated, such as getting up during the night to drink). Adding calcium to each meal if you are feeding a home made diet (to act as a phosphorus binder) would be advisable, and possibly antacids, particularly if your dog is showing any signs of inappetence or gastric problems. I would also give fish oil supplements (body oil, NOT liver oil), at the rate of 1,000 mg (300 mg combined DHA and EPA) per 10 lbs of body weight, along with Vitamin E (50, 100 or 200 IU for small, medium and large dogs), and discontinue any Vitamin A and D supplements (including cod liver oil) added to commercial foods. Additional recommended supplements include a B-complex vitamin and CoQ10, which may be beneficial for dogs with kidney disease.”

There is a table on the website for commercial foods with phosphorous amounts listed. There is only one blue buffalo food on there and it has too much phosphorous. See dogaware.com/health/kidneynonprescription.html

I looked up your previous food (Purina NF) on the same site. It says that food is for Late Stage Kidney Disease. The protein content is 15.9% on a dry matter basis. There are prescription diets that are better suited to Early Stage Kidney Disease. I don’t know why your vet wouldn’t have put your dog on one of those. I think Patty was right and the food was doing more harm than good in your case.

You report that your dog is doing well on Blue right now and you have a recheck in November. If it were me, I would continue to feed Blue and see what her values are at the recheck. If her creatinine and BUN are slightly elevated, I would consider switching to one of the foods on the list of non-prescription foods. My choice would be the Wellness Complete Health Super5Mix Chicken Recipe and/or Wellness Complete Health Super5Mix Whitefish & Sweet Potato.

I hope this is helpful. Again, I would really recommend checking out the dogaware site. There is so much information available. I would read through it before going to your recheck in November so you can be prepared.

[Dfwgolden]

I have a 16 week old purebred Border Collie puppy out of working stock lines.
He’s an amazing pup in every way, intelligent, lively, loving, and very social.

However….

Ricky has since I got him had very loose stools. We have three other dogs two Golden Retrievers and a Chihuahua (Shh, don’t tell him I called him a dog!)
None of our other three ever had loose stools, Ricky also poops a lot!
Not like 4-5 times like some puppies do but like 8-10 times a day.

His potty training has been an extreme difficulty and is not progressing as it should.
We’ve tried changing foods and adding supplements.
He just has show no signs of improvement.

I am a big fan of the raw diet but am not currently able to feed that with my finances.
He is currently on Diamond Lamb and Rice Large breed puppy.
My other dogs eat Diamond with no problems what so ever, they have a nice shiny coat and have never been in better health.

What do I do about this? I just am all over the board here and don;t understand why he poops SO MUCH and why it is so loose.
He is 100% healthy (had a blood panel done and everything) he is on Revolution for fleas and HW.
He gets feed in the afternoon around 12:00pm and at night around 6:00pm
Then gets a small snack of food before I leave for school around 7:00am of so.

He is very active and shows know underlying issues what so ever. His coat is beautiful! No smelly breath, or itching ect.

I just am baffled.

[RescueDaneMom]

I rescued my Dane when he was 2 as well. He was only slightly underweight. He was 140 and now weighs 160 at 7 years old. Max is my first Dane and I followed the advice of The Great Dane Lady at first. I like the supplements that she recommends. I use the “Filling in the Wholes” and Nzymes granular supplements which can be purchased from firstchoicenaturals.com. You can also get probiotics and digestive enzymes from them. My mom’s rottweiler that is undergoing chemo treatment is on the 4 in 1 probiotics.

When I first got Max, I put him on a diet of high quality kibble (one of Great Dane Lady’s suggested) and used The Honest Kitchen as a topper. He loved it. It was also a great improvement over the Diamond food he was being fed. I have to agree that she suggests too many kibbles with grain that have high carbs. I would also agree that the licking and chewing at his butt and hips could be a food intolerance. Chicken is the most widely fed protein so it might be worth it to try a different protein. My Dane loves turkey and duck. Earthborn Holistic has affordable priced grain-free foods.

I wish you the very best of luck with Bauer. Great Danes are awesome, quirky dogs with so much personality. I think you will really fall in love with the breed. Keep us updated on his progress!

[Katie]

Thanks for all the advice y’all. I appreciate all the feedback.

As far as the chewing goes – I have been trying to distract him whenever I catch him chewing his nails or licking/chewing his legs, hips, or butt with chew toys, rawhides, bones. Bauer doesn’t really care for toys – but man on man he absolutely loves bones and antlers. If I am holding it for him, he would chew and chew on them for hours. He gives up faster if he’s having to hold them between his paws on his own. They have really helped clean his teeth a bunch too. His teeth were HORRIBLE when I first got him. I have been trying to brush them, but nothing has worked as well as the antlers have in cleaning those back teeth up. The plaque/tartar build up was disgusting and black when I first got him. It’s so much better now. As far as the bones/antlers go – the redirect seems to work whenever I catch him in the act of licking/chewing to switch out for the bone or antler. But it’s when I am not home during the day and can’t reprimand and redirect – that’s when it’s the worst. I come home and he’s got a new raw spot, or the one he had is now even worse. I try to not let him be home alone for more than 4 hours at a time, but I do believe that some of it is just boredom. I take him on a long walk in the morning to try and wear out some of his energy too. I think I am going to have to diaper him if he doesn’t leave his back legs and butt alone.

As far as his weight issues go, I have another vet appointment on Tuesday so I am going to ask her to do a lab work up on him. It worries me that he hasn’t gained weight. I am definitely going to be switching to a grain free dog food (I know Sor recommended Halo) and I am going to the meat store in a bit to pick up ingredients for Satin balls. I have been giving Bauer fish oil supplements as well as glucosamine/chondroitin pills just bc my goldens always needed it for hip/joint issues and I figure that even though he’s severely underweight and still young right now – hopefully he will eventually gain weight and he won’t always be young – so preventative measures are always best.

Katie

[sor]

I wonder if he has a malabosorbtion problem. Sounds like he is not absorbing nutrients from the food he is eating. Get a lab work up on him. I would seriously change his diet and ask your vet about purchasing a supplement called pancreazyme. It is for pancreatitis but it will help him absorb nutrients from the food he eats and he will gain weight. It is safe to use even if he doesn’t have pancreatitis. Pancreazyme is pricey but well worth it and the best product to use. He needs to be on a much better diet. Diet is MEDICINE for pets and for people. Try Halo dog food. I highly recommend it! Introduce it slowly with cooked chicken and cooked pasta – make sure it is very soft. (easy to digest) Feed him three times a day – 1 1/4 cups three times a day, use 1/2 cup dry and the rest chicken and pasta and slowly make a transition to feeding him twice a day. He needs 2 cups of food twice a day once he is back to normal. The protein i look for in a pet food for a large dog is: Crude Protein 28% (Min), Crude Fat 12% (Min), or Crude Protein 28% (Min), Crude Fat 16% (Min) Halo dog food has the correct protein/fat ratios. I would recommend the turkey and duck to start with because it has less fat, not knowing if the fat content in the food he is eating is causing him to have problems. Trust me this is the best food out there!

[Katie]

I rescued Bauer, a Great Dane that was a neglect case out of my county shelter. He was being starved and left outside on a chain. Needless to say – he is severely underweight – weighing in at only 103 lbs – when he should be around 145-155. My vet seems to think he is about 2, and that he was being starved for so long during his formative puppy growth stage that he will likely never get to be a full mature male size. That doesn’t bother me. I just want him to gain some much-needed weight.

When I first got him, he had every known parasite and worm imaginable, plus coccidia. I have had him for over a month now, we have been through two rounds of panacur, and his body is now worm/parasite free… but he is not gaining any weight. His ribs and spine poke through, and the definition behind his rib cage and above his hip bones is disturbingly sharp. I have seen very little improvement in a month. He’s gained a pound. I have been feeding him the 4Health Lamb and Rice for Adult dogs twice a day. 4Health is what the Great Dane rescue told me to feed him, saying Danes need a lower protein formula dog food. I have also been cooking him chicken or steak and feeding him homemade meals for one meal a day. I have him on Dyne supplement too, he loves the taste of it. But he is still not gaining weight? His stools are still really loose. Not remotely firm. They seem to be really grainy as well, and light in color.

On top of his emaciation – he’s constantly biting his paws, chewing his toenails, and/or licking/chewing his anus or the top of his hips. He has chewed/licked three different hot spots on his back legs/hips area. He does not have fleas. I have him on Trifexis. I am wondering if this could be food related as well? Or maybe he just has allergies? I have a feeling that it could just be boredom/separation anxiety too. He came to me chewing his nails. This isn’t a new issue. But it does seem to be getting more and more intense right now – particularly with his the hot spots.

I am new to Danes. I have always had golden retrievers/flat coats/labs or aussies in the past – so I have dealt with my fair share of obsessive lickers. But Bauer goes beyond licking, he’s chewing out his fur.. I know it’s got to be painful. And I have never experienced a dog that literally eats his toenails. I mean he seriously splinters them apart and chews them off. It’s neurotic behavior.

Any advice is greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thanks!
Katie

[Katie]

I rescued Bauer, a Great Dane that was a neglect case out of my county shelter. He was being starved and left outside on a chain. Needless to say – he is severely underweight – weighing in at only 103 lbs – when he should be around 145-155. My vet seems to think he is about 2, and that he was being starved for so long during his formative puppy growth stage that he will likely never get to be a full mature male size. That doesn’t bother me. I just want him to gain some much-needed weight.

When I first got him, he had every known parasite and worm imaginable, plus coccidia. I have had him for over a month now, we have been through two rounds of panacur, and his body is now worm/parasite free… but he is not gaining any weight. His ribs and spine poke through, and the definition behind his rib cage and above his hip bones is disturbingly sharp. I have seen very little improvement in a month. He’s gained a pound. I have been feeding him the 4Health Lamb and Rice for Adult dogs twice a day. 4Health is what the Great Dane rescue told me to feed him, saying Danes need a lower protein formula dog food. I have also been cooking him chicken or steak and feeding him homemade meals for one meal a day. I have him on Dyne supplement too, he loves the taste of it. But he is still not gaining weight?

On top of his emaciation – he’s constantly biting his paws, chewing his toenails, and/or licking/chewing his anus or the top of his hips. He has chewed/licked three different hot spots on his back legs/hips area. He does not have fleas. I have him on Trifexis. I am wondering if this could be food related as well? Or maybe he just has allergies? I have a feeling that it could just be boredom/separation anxiety too. He came to me chewing his nails. This isn’t a new issue. But it does seem to be getting more and more intense right now – particularly with his the hot spots.

I am new to Danes. I have always had golden retrievers/flat coats/labs or aussies in the past – so I have dealt with my fair share of obsessive lickers. But Bauer goes beyond licking, he’s chewing out his fur.. I know it’s got to be painful. And I have never experienced a dog that literally eats his toenails. I mean he seriously splinters them apart and chews them off. It’s neurotic behavior.

Any advice is greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thanks!
Katie

[pugmomsandy]

It depends on the cuts of meat you’re using for the homemade raw and if it’s regular, free range, grass fed, antibiotic free, etc. You probably don’t want the regular chickens that have been injected but rather get some that are less processed, no antibiotics. You can find discount prices when the sell-by dates are coming up. At the health food store, I can get a package of turkey neck with giblets for around $1.49/lb. But duck necks are about $2.69/lb. Ground beef 80/20 is less than $1/lb and containers of heart and gizzard are under $2/lb. I guess it also depends on your area of the country. There is an initial investment of freezer space and a meat/bone grinder but they are well worth it. Or you can use boneless meats and supplement with bone meal or other source of calcium. The recipe book “Real Food for Healthy Dogs and Cats” by Karen Becker/Beth Taylor has simple recipes with and without bone. I would say my average (guessing) would be $2.20 a pound and my dog would eat 6 oz per day = 11.25 lbs per month = $24.75 per month PLUS supplements. Kibble would be $15.60 per month for me ($79 for 100 cups). I don’t ever use the $0.39/lb bag of chicken thighs!! But yes, you can get homemade to be real cheap. Let’s say a combo of ground beef 80/20 or 70/30 and chicken heart/gizzard and some supplements would be cheap, in rotation with the Core. I think it would work out. You can also join a local raw feeding group and order in bulk with them. I like to buy tripe which is $2/lb for me. I also feed raw sardines which I bought on sale for $1.19/lb. You can also add up to 20% of unbalanced raw food to his diet without having to worry about extra vit/min supplementation. Maybe give him a chicken wing, a heart and piece of gizzard a couple times a week.

• This reply was modified 12 years, 5 months ago by pugmomsandy.

[aimee]

Patty,

I wonder if that would be true with just a short dosing period. If a “normal” dog is supplemented than feedback mechanisms would shut down natural production and the gland would atrophy. This would take time then to recover. With just a few doses I don’t think it would take as long.

If the initial testing was really recent the lab may still have the original sample as they “bank” samples in case the Dr. wants to add additional tests.

[Melissaandcrew]

IF you think he has a thyroid condition, you need to have blood work done at a vet, Never play around with the thyroid and supplementing iodine. You can cause permanent issues.

I have only skin dog and when she used to have flareups, we used the ketoconazole spray which worked better than anything orally. She has not had an issue in quite a few months, so they do believe its seasonal.

[Rahat]

Chewing is a natural behaviour for all dogs. It allow them to explore the world around them, exercise their jaws and even clean their teeth. Bully sticks are one of the most popular dog chews today. Made of beef pizzle, they are dense, flavorful and come in various sizes. If anyone want know more about homemade dog treats you can visit this site http://www.bowwowbeautyshoppe.com/dog-treats/ you will find so many ways of homemade dog treats in the above site. I hope my will be helpful for all of you.

[RescueDaneMom]

That happened to me with the Supplements forum. I went back to it the next day and it was fine. Very bizarre. Must have been a glitch as it has resolved itself.

[InkedMarie]

What is BCP ear packing ointment? Ive never heard of that. He’s done with his latest round of Momentax (spelled wrong) and has clean ears. Only eating Zeal and just Bug Off Garlic Granules for supplement. Want to see what goes on. I typed up every food and supplement I can remember, wondering if the Mercola enzymes, CVS vitamin C or Dr Langers probiotics are causing the problem or if it’s not diet related.

I am taking Gemma to the vets on Monday for another UA (recheck), will ask if they have it and can I buy it. I am trying hard to not take Boone in to the vet again. Not to cry poverty but having Gemma to the vets twice in two weeks, once for being bound up and then for a UTI has depleted my vet envelope and she has a recheck, heartworm check and rabies if everything is fine, on Monday.

[Hound Dog Mom]

Is chicken quarters, chicken breasts and beef liver all you’re feeding her? How much of each? That’s really unbalanced. If you’re feeding too much of the bone-in chicken that could be causing constipation. She may also need some fiber if that’s all she’s getting.

Personally I would suggest checking out a book with balanced recipes (such as “Unlocking the Canine Ancestral Diet” by Steve Brown) or getting a pre-mix (such as The Honest Kitchen’s Preference or See Spot Live Longer Dinner Mix) and feeding the balanced mix as at least half of her meals, you can feed raw meaty bones and offal for the other meal or just feed raw meaty bones a few times a week supplementally. You may also want to get her on a quality multi-strain probiotic supplement. Loose and/or mucusy stools can be normal during the initial transition as your dog’s body is adapting and detoxing. My dogs didn’t have any issues at all switching to raw but I know some others’ on here have had problems so maybe they can give you a more detailed time frame of how long it should take the dog to adjust.

[S. Monique]

SCROLL TO BOTTOM FOR NUTRITION INFO

Activa is a dog food brand manufactured in El Paso, TX and sold in that area. I’m looking for a more affordable grain free dog food and according to the website their brand is comparable to high end brands. It claims it is lower in price only because it “cuts out the middle man”. Right now my 1yr old (40lb) small pit mix is on BB Wilderness.

I would appreciate a more informed person’s opinion on their grain free line. The link below directs you to their list of formulas. Click on a formula and ingredients as well as a complete nutritional analysis is provided for review.
http://www.petsbarn.com/store/#!/~/category/id=3996285&offset=0&sort=normal

(Also it would be awesome for this food line to have official review article on the website! Anyone know how I can suggest that?)

Here is direct information of the formula I’m considering. Thank you! 🙂

Activa Brand Dog Food
Grain Free Turkey & Potato Formula

Ingredients: Turkey meal, dried potatoes, potato flour, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), dried beet pulp, flaxseed, natural flavor, sunflower oil, salt, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A acetate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid), minerals (ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, iron amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, sodium selenite, cobalt carbonate, ethylenediamine dihydriodide), choline chloride, mixed tocopherols, taurine, rosemary extract.

Guaranteed Analysis
Protein 25.0% min
Fat 14.0% min
Fiber 5.0% max
Moisture 12.0% max
Omega-6 Fatty Acids 3.28% min
Omega-3 Fatty Acids 0.53% min

• This topic was modified 12 years, 5 months ago by S. Monique.
• This topic was modified 12 years, 5 months ago by S. Monique.

[abby13]

I have an english bulldog that is 1 1/2 years old. She has spina bifida and is completely incontinent. Sometimes I have to assist her with the number 2s. Changing her diapers gives me the excellent and horrific view of her poops. Sophie has an EXTREMELY sensitive stomach. I am very well versed in dry dog food but am extremely incompetent when it comes to supplements. I have read nearly every thread on here and it seems like information overload! I currently feed Sophie Nutrisca. That is the only kibble that hasn’t made her bowels completely crazy. I work at a pet food store, so I have tried nearly everyone. Anytime I remotely try to switch her, its diarrhea, pure liquid. She gets dehydrated quickly and that scares me! She has done well on the Nutrisca, however I am interested in switching her to a commercial raw diet. Again no matter how slowly I try to transition, its pure diarrhea, liquid and I am changing diapers every 5-15 minutes. Poor baby. So the Nutrisca we have stayed on, however, now even on the Nutrisca her bowels switch from rock solid I have to help her excrete them to pure liquid. I have her own cranberry extract powder, and salmon oil. Occasionally I give her raw eggs. I am looking for a digestive enzyme or SOMETHING to help keep her number 2s more consistent. Pumpkin doesn’t work. Haven’t had much luck with yogurt. Anytime I take her to the vet (who delivered her and wouldn’t put her down when the breeder wanted him to due to the SB and who is an expert on SB and has pooled his resources all over the country for Sophie’s SB) he suggests switching her back to Science Diet which is what he had her on when she was living with him before I adopted her. Yes then her poops where normal, no problems but I absolutely refuse to put her on that and I refuse to go to another vet, not many in my area are spina bifida literate. There has to be a supplement of some kind to help her. I don’t hear a lot of tummy gurgles. Like I said she goes from being constipated to diarrhea by the day. Any suggestions for my poor baby?!

[Molzy]

Thanks guys!

After looking through dr. Becker’s book again last night I am a little less intimidated by the whole thing and will probably try to follow their supplement regiment to start. I looked at the ingredients on my frozen natures variety last night too, which helped. Not all that complicated.

I also went freezer shopping last night, as we need more freezer space even if this diet doesn’t work for Quincy. I can get a small chest freezer (7 cubic feet) for $250 at the local appliance store. Probably a plunge I need to make.

Thanks again!
Molly

[Nancy M]

Thank you again!

I have another question for you though, this time pertaining to a new 10 week old Sheltie puppy I am getting next week. Do you have suggestions as to which HK formula might be best, along with opinions on the pro-biotic, goats milk supplement? I want to start this new little guy off the right way with a good nutritious diet. I am not raw food savvy, but in time, I want to combine some raw with a good cooked/prepared food.

I welcome all comments, from all members.

[Nancy M]

I have A “just turned 3 year old Sheltie (yes, just 3!), who was diagnosed with CHYLOTHORAX (chyle leakage into the chest cavity) in May and must be on a low-fat diet (less than 10%, but preferably around 6 or 7). He is currently doing very well, almost can’t tell he’s got anything wrong, except for high respiration rate. He has been on the Hills I/D low-fat dry/wet, along with the Rutin supplement, for several weeks, but I absolutely cringe at the ingredients of their foods. Because he IS doing well right now, I hate to change anything, but still wish their was something much healthier for him. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with this? I tried replying to a vet (can’t remember her name) who had posted some good information on low fat diets, but I don’t think it went through…….I wasn’t finished with it anyway. I’m not too keen on the raw diets so I would prefer something that’s cooked/homemade, but at this point I would do just about anything to save this dog. He has been the best dog ever…..

[Molzy]

Would their ground whiting fish be the same as adding sardines to the diet? Or do sardines have a special balance of omegas?

Also, would the whole ground chicken be equivalent to the mix of RMBs, ground meat, and organs recommended in dr Becker’s book or the ancestral diet book? If so, could I follow their supplement guides?

Lastly, is there any type of premix or vitamin that can be mixed with whole ground chicken to balance it? I know most are for meat without bone.

Thanks!

[InkedMarie]

SpringtimeInc.com makes one, I think the Honest Kitchen does, too.

[Markoh80]

Can anyone recommend a supplement that helps with axiety?

[robertdee]

Have a look at http://www.poochandmutt.com , especially at their Bionic Biotic product. I found Bionic Biotic more cost effective than Skin-Eze and Bella responded better to the formulation.

[robertdee]

In my opinion a good pre and pro biotic supplement is a must. I use Bionic Biotic from Pooch & Mutt (UK company, but they have now started selling in US through http://www.bestdogremedies.com )

I have learned that most of the common health problems and conditions that our dogs suffer from are usually caused by sensitive digestive systems and allergic reactions. Itching, poor coat, runny stools.. You name it. It is all caused by poor nutrient absorption and with the supplementation of pre and pro biotic supplement you will be able to minimise the risk of such conditions.

Bella had really poor coat and itchy skin a couple of years ago. I have put her on Bionic Biotic and in about two months her coat was back to normal. Two years later I still use the stuff and Bella is looking and feeling great.

[robertdee]

Interestingly enough, my girlfriend when I just met her (now my fiance), had a Yorkie with luxating petalla. I remember spending hours walking around pet stores, talking to vets and doing research online. A friend of mine has recommended me to look into Pooch & Mutt products (really popular supplements company in UK) as they have started selling directly in the US through http://www.bestdogremedies.com

We were skeptical, but after trying everything else, we have realized that there was nothing to lose. We have ordered some Mobile Bones and Bella has gotten a new lease on life.

[dogspotindia]

you can try Drools Skin and Coat Supplement i think its fulfill your requirement.

[EnzymesForPets]

The amount of enzymes you are giving between food and supplements will not harm your dog. Enzymes are just proteins- if they don’t have anything to act upon, they themselves will just get broken up into amino acids. Even at very high doses, there should not be any “overdose” effects from the enzymes. 🙂

[EnzymesForPets]

You are correct, animal-derived enzymes are generally active in a much narrower pH range, so they will only work in the environment with that pH. Additionally, they can become denatured and not work at all if they are in an environment which varies too much from that pH. Microbial and plant-derived enzymes tend to work under a wider range of conditions. This is why they are usually the preferred choice for digestive supplements. Especially when a supplement includes a range of enzymes, they can be active throughout the pH changes of the digestive tract. The stomach has a very low pH, but the pH in the small intestine is much higher. Many animal-derived enzymes may be active in one or the other, but will not work in both (and may get denatured in the acidity of the stomach, therefore never even being active in the small intestine).

[pugmomsandy]

It’s the supplement product that the recipe uses at homemadedogfood.com.

http://www.dinovite.com/catalog/product/view/id/208/category/167/

[RescueDaneMom]

I just started using an herbal joint supplement from Swanson’s that has devils claw in it. I would agree with pugmomsandy. Rotation is good. My dog has been on Dasuquin for years now. It has been the only thing that has worked. I tried Liquid Health’s K9 Level 5000 supplement on two different occasions. It didn’t help him at all. His joints started popping after being on it for a few days and he was getting stiffer. Now I have him on a number of products from Swanson’s that replicates what’s in Dasuquin. He gets glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and Avovida as well as an herbal supplement I just started. His joint popping and stiffness has gone away, but my vet also put him on Rimadyl as he suspects he has arthritis. Btw, my dog Max is a 7.5 year old Great Dane weighing in at 158 pounds.

[pugmomsandy]

I’m a proponent of using different supplements (or rather not relying on just one) so I would use it if I had it, but also rotate it with other supplements. I’ve used Dr Harveys Ortho Flex (with devils claw) but also have Actiflex 4000, cetyl-M, and tumeric. I also like plain old green lipped mussel as well. Wysong Arthegic looks good too.

[gmcbogger38]

Do y’all recommend giving dogs only devil’s claw for joint support? Or would it be best to give it along with a regular glucosamine supplement?

[pugmomsandy]

The Honest Kitchen also has Perfect Form. It contains slippery elm which helps sooth the GI tract.

http://www.littlebigcat.com/health/slippery-elm/

[Mom2Cavs]

weezerweeks, THK Invigor is a whole food supplement. Other good ones, imho, are Longevity from Springtime, Inc. and Dinovite, and Missing Link, along with Nature’s Logic. Springtime has chewables that I love that are whole food based called Fresh Factors. I’ve used them for years, off and on. Oh, and I forgot another favorite of mine, Wholistic Pet Canine Complete. I order my Wholistic Pet supplements from k9power.com. They have quite a few good whole food supplements on the site.

• This reply was modified 12 years, 5 months ago by Mom2Cavs.
• This reply was modified 12 years, 5 months ago by Mom2Cavs.

[weezerweeks]

HDM is hk invigor a whole food supplement?

[RescueDaneMom]

Thank you, Pattyvaughn. I googled it too and the consensus seems to be that gingko is safe for dogs. I think I might try it when it’s time to rotate my green whole food supplement. Thanks again for your quick response!

[jimmianne]

For now I’m going to use Grain Free Pure Sky by Canidae since all my dogs are eating it happily. It has duck as the main ingredient, and I am supplementing it with meat & vegetables & yogurt.
I’ve heard that Hill’s is actually not good, but then again I’ve heard everything about every product.

Something funny I just realized is that people often hate high end dog foods because they make poop smell – but that is probably because it has real meat in it. So they put their dogs back on Purina or something similar.

[I used high-end Purina for years and have put down 4 dogs in 3 1/2 years due to tumors].
There may or may not be a correlation…

[pacer1978]

Can a dog overdose on enzymes? I give my dogs enzymes with each meal since I feed them kibble. I didn’t realize that some dog food already have enzymes in the food such as Nature’s Variety and Nature’s Logic. So, should I still give them enzymes with their meals when I feed them that brand? I switch brands now every few bags as recommended with the understanding that each brand may use specific nutrients, minerals, and vitamins more so than others. So, by switching the brands it ensures my dogs are getting a variety of those things. If I switch between brands, but maintain the same supplements and dosages, could I potentially overdose them on anything?
This is what they get:
Daily: Nordic Naturals Fish Oil for dogs, Swanson’s joint supplement for their hips, coconut oil, enzyme with each meal, and 1 TBS supergreens
Every other Day: Probiotic and Tart Cherry (as part of their superfood). I sometimes will give Mattie a probiotic every day depending on how her ears are…she is kind of “yeasty”.

[ellgee]

This is my first post although I have been an avid reader of DFA for a long time.

I am at my wit’s end with my French Bulldog’s allergies. I do have an appointment with a vet allergist/dermatologist on 11/1, but I just don’t want him suffering until then.

He has been on several 4 to 5 star foods over the years and is currently on Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost (chicken) which I add some of the raw bites (duck) too. Yesterday I came home to soft stinky poop in the house! He hasn’t had an accident since he was a pup! I know he must have GI issues because we have to wipe his bottom after every poo and this isn’t anything new.

His skin is very red with crusty spots, he is losing tons of his hair. I am bathing him twice a week with Douxo chlorhexadine shampoo. Last time I took him to the vet, he told me that in looking over Dudley’s records, this happens at the same time every year leading us to believe these are environmental allergies. And due to a weakened immune system, he gets these skin infections and staph. Last go round, he was on antibiotics and steroids. I do NOT want to use steroids long term if I can help it. He is on a daily Benadryl which doesn’t do much as far as I can tell.

I was reading on the Supplement Forum and my head is spinning. So much information.

My question is since we don’t believe it to be food related (but who knows???) should I try to boost his immune system? Should I feed him an elimination diet?

Help!

[pugmomsandy]

One site I looked at said a 10 lb dog should have 300 mg glucosamine daily. So if you go by that, he can have the dosage on the bottle – 2 tabs for the loading period and then 1 tab per day. Cetyl-M has 250 mg glucosamine. It has bromelain in it as well. So taking this on an empty stomach allows the enzyme to work systemically rather than acting to digest food.

http://www.glucosaminefordogshq.com/glucosamine-dosage-for-dogs/

[weezerweeks]

Pugmomsandy I decided to try the cetyl m tablets. I received my bottle today. It says initial period 2 tablets per day 25 lbs. my dog weighs 7lbs. What amount should I start with and what amount to maintain. It also says on empty stomach.anybody can answer

[theBCnut]

I don’t know if HDM will see this, but I think it sounds great. The thing that a lot of them add that is a deal breaker is green tea, since it has caffeine in it. I don’t know specifically about ginko powder for dogs. I’ve never heard anything against it.

ETA: I just googled ginko supplements for dogs and got a study that showed it helped and some supplement info, so I believe it is ok.

• This reply was modified 12 years, 6 months ago by theBCnut.

[RescueDaneMom]

I tried to post this in the supplements forum but it wouldn’t acknowledge that I was logged in.

I was looking through Starwest Botanical’s products on amazon for ingredients to make HDM’s superfood supplement. I came across a “GreenPower Blend” that they make.

Ingredients:Organic Barley Grass Powder, Organic Wheat Grass Powder, Organic Spirulina, Organic Spinach Powder, Organic Alfalfa Leaf Powder, Organic Kelp Powder, Organic Dulse Leaf Powder, Organic Barley Grass Juice Powder, Organic Orange Peel Powder, Organic Beet Root Powder, Organic Dandelion Leaf Powder, Organic Lemon Peel Powder, Organic Ginkgo Leaf Powder & Organic Wheat Grass Juice Powder

Would this be an acceptable whole food/ green supplement to add to a homemade raw or cooked diet? I wasn’t sure about the ginko leaf powder. Thanks!

• This topic was modified 12 years, 6 months ago by RescueDaneMom.

[theBCnut]

Diatomaceous earth is also a human grade supplement and is used by many people. Montmorillonite clay is used in many highly rated dog foods to help improve stool quality, especially during transition. And as you said aspergillus aids in digestion. I’m not yet convinced I need to worry, yet.

[kimberley]

Mom2Cavs – Okay, the Diatomaceous earth is commonly used in cat litter, as it’s a binding agent. Dinovite also has Montmorillonite Clay (another binding agent) that can be toxic because of dioxins…. the FDA recommends it being tested before use in any animal feed, however it’s not regulated. Main issue with this is that things like oil seeds and grains can absorb this material, then the dioxin is ingested, so care is recommended when feeding something with this supplement in it. It’s frequently used in livestock feed with supplements (with no or little issues noted). The aspergillus products are a type of fungus, commonly used in Asia as sexual supplements (????), as well as for digestion in animals. Hope this answers your question. 🙂

[laurieangel64]

does anyone know anything about raw diets?are they good?bad? can they be used in rotation or as a supplement with dry kibble?i have 2 dogs at the moment.an 3month old shitzu and a 1&1/2 year old poodle,peke,pom&american eskimo mix(lol,i know).they are both currently on a dry kibble rotation diet,2brands,3 varietys.iam considering the benefits of a possible raw diet but have some concerns as i know nothing about it.i did feed my 1&1/2 yr old raw goats milk from answers for 1st few weeks as he came 2 me young and wasnt ready 2 be weaned yet.but am a little leary of raw meats etc.if it is a good diet can it be used partially as in some raw ,,some dry kibble?or does it have to be one or the other only?thankyou in advance for any help/direction in this area

[Hound Dog Mom]

Vitamin E requirements increases with increased intake of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). So when feeding a diet high in omega 3’s (such as with fish oil supplementation), it’s smart to add vitamin e as well. PUFAs are highly susceptible to oxidation and vitamin e prevents oxidation of the fats in the body. I know that the AAFCO recommends that fish oil–containing diets for should be supplemented with 10 IU of vitamin E for every gram of fish oil per kg of diet. There may be adequate levels in a commercial food but I’d rather err on the side of caution. I believe Nordic Naturals already contains vitamin e (not sure how much) so you should be fine though, especially if you’re feeding a commercial food (as Melissa pointed out vitamin e supplementation becomes even more crucial when feeding homemade diets because they tend to be low in vitamin e). I personally use Carlson fish oils because they’re very high in vitamin e compared to other brands. I also supplement my dog’s diet with a full spectrum tocopherol and tocotrienol complex daily. As Sandy pointed out, it’s difficult to get all 8 forms of vitamin e in the diet (alpha-, beta-, gamma- delta- tocopherol and alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta- tocotrienol) – most commercial foods only contain alpha-tocopherol or a few contain mixed tocopherols (I’ve never seen a commercial food with tocotrienols). I use NOW Foods Gamma E Complex because it contains all 8 forms of vitamin e.

• This reply was modified 12 years, 6 months ago by Hound Dog Mom.