[Chipy]

Hi Jason,

Great question! There are so many synthetic and toxic supplements on the market. We’ve spent countless hours researching the overwhelming supply of products. When it comes to essential supplements such as minerals, vitamins, omega oils and probiotics, choosing the right product can be daunting.

The following article was very helpful for us to find the best quality, natural supplements for our pup;

https://peterdobias.com/blogs/blog/15072565-how-many-supplements-are-too-many-for-your-dog

Dog Essentials

I hope this helps. Wishing you and your dog all the best in good health!
Chipy

[Chipy]

Hi DanDad,

I completely understand your concern about commercial dog food. It’s very difficult to trust any brand nowadays while the industry is so unregulated. It’s so awesome that you are considering to prepare home cooked meals for your pups.

We switched to home-made meals years ago and it was the best decision for our dog. I am happy to share some resources that have been super helpful in guiding us to prepare balanced, home-cooked meals.

This online Recipe Maker will help you build healthy meals for your dogs with the ingredients you have available. It provides guidance on amounts of each ingredient and which ingredients are best;

https://recipemaker.peterdobias.com

Dr. Dobias has created a free Natural Diet Course which contains videos and articles full of information on this subject;

https://peterdobias.com/pages/course-rawdiet

The key is to offer a variety of both proteins and vegetables, and add essential nutrients (non-synthetic, whole-food based supplements) to help fill in any nutritional deficiencies;

Dog Essentials

I hope you find the above information useful for your beloved Chihuahuas. Wishing you a great rest of the week! 🙂
Chipy

[Patricia A]

Giving tums or pepcid to your dog on a regular basis is not a good idea .
Repeated use. Regular exposure can lead to kidney disease, urinary stones, pancreatitis, and other conditions in dogs. Alternative treatment is necessary for chronic stomach issues, and there are safer alternatives if your dog needs calcium supplements.
Maybe a change in diet done very slowly could be a better solution?

[Birdie30]

Hi Devin,
That menu looks pretty good. 🙂 I would suggest a bit less oil and maybe cook the veggies a bit more (not sure how lightly you’re cooking them) as I’ve read that veggies do not get absorbed as nutritiously if they’re not cooked. It also helps to blitz or puree them rather than giving them whole, for some reason. You can then add bone broth to make a kind of slurry.

The reason I suggest less oil too is because oil is fatty, and too much fat can upset the tummy. You might want to also try, instead of veggie oil, fish oil. I use a sardine/anchovy oil , and it’s done wonders for my dog’s fur and coat – so soft and shiny! I believe there are fish oils you can get that also supply Vitamin E.

For the egg, another variation you can try is to soft-boil the egg so that the yolk stays fairly intact and runny. The yolk is very nutritious and cooking it does deplete some of the nutrients (from the heat). And finally, instead of eggshells, which could be sprayed with pesticides, you can instead give her a bone meal supplement. It’s a powder and provides plenty of good calcium/phosphorus supplements that your dog needs. Otherwise, lookin’ good!

[Robbie M]

My dog is approximately 10.5 years of age (rescued from southern Cali in 2012 wasn’t sure of age brought him to Canada) he’s a boxer cross either staffordshire or pitbull likely pitbull. His hips have never really been in their sockets per se they are just held in place by muscle which he had lots of but now as he ages I worry. Also don’t want him to be sore or stiff or inflamed. Anyways I put him on Orijen Senior and he has shown good results, we also feed him a scoop or 2 of pumpkin every day, and his food is given 3 time’s a day with 2 scoops am 1/2 scoop afternoon and 2 in evening which equals to about 2.25 or 2.5 cups per day. Pumpkin usually goes in the AM and the afternoon he gets a tiny bit of tuna sometimes as well as a cracker with a bit of peanut butter n a couple small pieces of apple. And at night we top it with a bit diced apple/cucumber/carrot with an emphasis on the cucumber. His snacks are the orijen Six fish which he gets about 1-3 pieces a day. Oops and finally he gets CBD which I generally squirt 10mg onto a mini wheat and that’s twice a day. So with all this taken into account i bought him a bottle of grizzly joint aid with these ingredients:

Active Ingredients, per ounce
Glucosamine Sulfate (crustacean source) 1500 mg
Chondroitin Sulfate (porcine source) 1250 mg
Methyl Sulfonyl Methane (MSM) 1250 mg
Krill Oil 560 mg
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) 10 mg
Inactive Ingredients
Water, Xanthan Gum, Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid. Each pump is 0.12 ounces and he gets 4 pumps per day.
He seemed to do well on it but I wanted to make sure it was good.

I’m considering switching it for alpha omega sinew which has:

Ingredients (per 1 scoop [5 g]):

Vitamins:
beta-Carotene………………………………………………………………… 600 mcg (1000 IU)
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine hydrochloride)……………………………………….. 2 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)…………………………………………………………. 2 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)…………………………………………………….. 20 mg
Vitamin B5 (D-Pantothenic acid)…………………………………………….. 5 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine hydrochloride)…………………………………….. 2 mg
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)…………………………………………………………. 200 mcg
Vitamin B9 (L-Methylfolate)………………………………………………. 300 mcg
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)…………………………………………… 100 mcg
Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic acid)…………………………………………………. 100 mg
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)……………………………………………… 12.5 mcg (500 IU)
Vitamin E (d-alpha Tocopheryl acetate)………………………………… 16.8 mg AT (25 IU)
Vitamin K2 (Menaquinones)………………………………………………. 10 mcg
Choline (Choline bitartrate)…………………………………………………. 10 mg
Inositol (Myo-inositol)…………………………………………………………. 10 mg
Rutin………………………………………………………………………………. 10 mg

Minerals:
Boron (Sodium borate)……………………………………………………. 250 mcg
Calcium (Calcium citrate)…………………………………………………… 50 mg
Chromium (Chromium polynicotinate)……………………………….. 100 mcg
Copper (Cupric gluconate)……………………………………………… 1000 mcg
Magnesium (Magnesium citrate)………………………………………… 50 mg
Manganese (Manganese sulphate)……………………………………….. 2 mg
Molybdenum (Sodium molybdate)…………………………………….. 100 mcg
Selenium (L-Selenomethionine)…………………………………………. 10 mcg

Silicon (Sodium metasilicate)……………………………………………….. 1 mg
Zinc (Zinc citrate)……………………………………………………………… 1 mg
Minerals are in elemental quantities.

Phytonutrients:
Boswellia serrata (Frankincence Resin)…………………………………… 25 mg
Curcuma longa (Turmeric Rhizome)………………………………………. 15 mg

Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil’s Claw Root)……………………. 20 mg

Accessory nutrients:
Chlorella vulgaris (Chlorella Broken Cell)……………………………….. 100 mg
D-Chondroitin sulphate……………………………………………………… 500 mg
D-Glucosamine sulphate………………………………………………….. 1000 mg
Hyaluronic acid……………………………………………………………….. 50 mg
Hydrolyzed collagen……………………………………………………….. 1000 mg
L-Glutamine…………………………………………………………………… 50 mg
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)……………………………………………. 400 mg

Enzymes**:

alpha-Amylase……………………………………………………….. 15 mg (330 FCC DU)
Cellulase………………………………………………………………… 10 mg (35 FCC CU)
Lipase……………………………………………………………………… 35 mg (42 FCC LU)
Protease…………………………………………………………………… 40 mg (720 FCC HUT)

**Enzymatic Units
FCC (Food Chemicals Codex)
FCC CU (Cellulase Units)
FCC DU (alpha-Amylase Dextrinizing Units)
FCC HUT (Hemoglobin Unit on a Tyrosine Basis)
FCC LU (Lipase Units)

Additional ingredients:
Apple fibre, Citrus bioflavonoids, Spirulina.

The only issue with the sinew is I don’t feed him wet food but that actually leads to another question. Would it be a bad idea to say lower his dry food content a bit and use the Orijen Freeze Dried pucks as a topper instead of other stuff? Or is that too much for an old boy. I’m just trying my hardest to keep him as healthy and mobile as I can to keep his muscles as strong as possible around the hips. He’s always been fairly slow but never overweight I walk him about 2-3km a day at a relatively lax pace he likes to sniff a lot. We often break it up into two walks about 0.6 km early afternoon and about 2-3km at night. Hoping even with the slow pace this will keep his muscles from deteriorating too much. Really considering a water treadmill as I’ve been told that’s a good way to keep muscles without much strain. Sorry. I know that’s a lot to unpack and everything but I truly appreciate the feedback as I’ve been given very sound advice from this website before. Thanks again again my apologies I just love my guy so much he’s been like my best friend and helped me through some serious trauma and the ensuing insomnia and ptsd that goes with it.

[Elena S]

Hi there,
My pug Higgins has had protein losing entropathy this past year and he had made huge gains with Vegetarian Royal Canin and prednisone. Every other novel animal protein caused bad reactions. Now he is fully of prednisone but I’m starting to see some symptoms of dry skin, more shedding and odourless flatulence. I am a little worried that he’s not absorbing the protein from the vegan food. However, I wanted to see if anyone has similar experiences on vegan food and has used vegan food with supplements to help? If so which supplements? I really do not want him to be on steroids again….

Thanks!

[Lori H]

Hi Cesar,

I totally know how you feel, I was in the same situation as you about two years ago with my dog Buddy. You might want to look at the following website. My dog Buddy (long hair Chihuahua, Dachshund and Pomeranian) has been through a lot, much like your dog. He had so many medical issues including being diagnosed with Diabetes. He is now almost 13 and during his life he has had surgery on his spleen, surgery for bladder stones, been diagnosed with Diabetes, my vet thought he had Cushing’s and I was also told by my vet that he was suffering from liver failure and was preparing me for the fact that Buddy was going to die. The liver failure diagnosis was over two+ years and today, he is healthy, happy, looks amazing and has energy. It has been an amazing turnaround so I know how you feel. I basically had to get him healthy myself. My vet did not support my decision to do what I did, but he is healthy and that is all that matters! I switched vets because I did not believe that the prescription food was helping him, it was killing him. There is not whole food or much nutritional value in prescription foods. I remember asking my prior vet in an email what the difference was between the labels which consisted of a bunch of names I could not pronounce and he never got back to me, that is when I realized that the industry needs a checkup.

If anything, read what Rick has to say on his website. The change in Buddy’s food as well as the supplements, changed his life. Rick has had success getting dogs and cats healthy and insulin free!

http://www.doglivershunt.com

Following is my dogs personal story:
https://www.doglivershunt.com/buddys-story.html

I now believe wholeheartedly that most vets know nothing about nutrition. They are told to carry a line of food in their offices by one of the large pharma/dog food companies because most of these companies go out and recruit at the vet universities across the United States when vets are in school and provide them with a kickback when the sell either Science Diet or Royal Canin in their clinics, up to 40%. My vet wanted me to have Buddy on Hills Science Diet for the rest of his life! I looked at the ingredients and thought to myself, there has to be something better out there. There was not one thing on there that was considered a whole food or ingredient that comes from the natural world!

I was at my wits end as well and thought that I was going to lose Buddy, but I was not willing to give up so I did a Google search and found an amazing person who brought Buddy back to the healthy dog he is.

If you choose to go with his program, it is not cheap, but I believe that over time, I will save money by not taking Buddy to the vet time and time again because I don’t know what is wrong and having a battery of tests run and racking up bills in the thousands, I have been there!

He was slowly weened off of his processed food Science Diet U/D and placed on a diet of fresh veggies and meat based on a very slow transition to follow with Rick’s help.

I suggest reaching out. I think Rick saved Buddy’s life.

Good luck on your search for information and I hope you find a solution.

If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am happy to talk to you. I have helped three others with their dogs and I truly believe Rick knows what he is talking about. I put my trust in him and I now have a healthy, happy dog. Lori

[Kendra J]

Hi, Anne A. I’m coming in late to the game, but wanted to tell you that you are NOT ALONE. Loving a dog with Short Bowel is easy, but dealing with the special issues it can create is definitely challenging. My 3 month old Rottweiler puppy had a 75% resection of her small intestine following intussusception caused by a savage battle with Giardia. She recovered like a champ and after two rounds of nutritional absorption tests she was able to come off of B12 shots and taurine supplements. She’s now 15 months and 80 pounds (a petite little thing due to her not growing much in her first 3-4 months because of that infection, then surgery and recovery). We are feeding her over 2,000 calories a day just to keep her at 80 pounds – which based on her frame is a lean, but nice-looking weight on her according to our vet. After trying multiple off-the-shelf foods (Canidae All Life Stages, FirstMate Grain Friendly varieties, Wellness Core, Wilderness, etc.) she would end up with soft, almost-diarrhea consistency stool. We gave two weeks of transition time between varieties, then kept her on each for only about a month (as long as she would tolerate it). She’s currently on Purina EN (gastrointestinal diet) and getting some canned food as a topper because she’s bored stiff of the kibble. Her stools are fantastic, but she has to try to eat 6 cups of it a day, plus the topper. That’s A LOT OF FOOD for any dog to try to get down and I’m not keen on the ingredients – but do readily admit that she’s doing well. I’m looking to try her back on some off-the-shelf varieties, so if you’ve had success, I’d definitely like to hear about it!!!

[m3ntat]

Prescription Royal Canin SO diet can help dissolve struvite uroliths specifically, and prevent formation of struvite and oxolate uroliths. RC also makes multiple diets with the SO index, including a behavior modifying diet, Calm. Stress is primary contributor to urinary disease, including bacterial infections, sterile inflammation, uroliths in the bladder (cystolith) or kidneys (nephrolith), as unsure which your vet has diagnosed. Moderating stress with diet, supplements, environment, and exercise, can help reduce stress induced disease and inflammation. Feliway (cat) and Dog Appeasing pheremone products are very helpful. Over the counter products by veterinary companies, such as Composure (Vetriscience), Zylkene (Vetoquinol), and Calming Care (Purina) are the most utilized amongst vet professionals. Long-term use of the rx urinary diet is recommended in repeat urethral obstruction or urolith affected pets. Obstruction by crystals blood/bladder cells, and stones is emergent, as blood cannot flow through the kidneys to filter toxins into urine, and toxins accumulate in the blood, leading to electrolyte imbalance, azotemia, dehydration, hypotension, and shock left untreated. Since he is older onset, ensuring water intake and more elimination opportunities on walks/yard visits will help decrease risk for concentrated urine accumulating crystals, which can form uroliths that gain size the longer crystals are present. Dilution decreases urine crystal formation. Inquire as to the serum kidney values, to ensure underlying kidney changes are not the contributors to the bacteria and crystals sited in his urine. Ultrasound is the best way to diagnose urinary tract changes, inflammation, and foreign material; limited abdominal U/S can find early kidney changes, prior to any abnormality in serum/blood work. Hope your boy continues to improve, as he already sounds 100% turnaround. Link to SO index Calm diet https://www.royalcanin.com/us/dogs/products/vet-products/canine-calm-dry-dog-food

[dogsforever123]

I think it’s a great idea that you want to start making dog food for your pup! I don’t there’s anything harmful or unhealthy about the ingredients you mentioned, but as the person above me said you should look into adding some supplements to your dog’s diet just to be safe. There’s plenty on the market with things like CBD oil, flax seed oil etc. In fact, there’s a wellness protocol that uses flax seed oil and cottage cheese. It’s based on the work of Dr. Budwig and many dog owners have seen positive changes in their dogs. Plus there’s even a peanut butter variety so your dog will love it! You should look into trying supplements like the Budwig protocol to make sure that you’re giving your dog a well rounded, healthy diet. Best of luck!

[dogsforever123]

I don’t know much about senior specific dog foods so imho if all the dogs are happy and healthy with the current food you usually feed them then there’s no problem feeding them all the same thing. However, senior dogs do need extra care and that’s where supplements can come in. These days, there are so many types of oils like CBD and fish oils that have a variety of health benefits. There’s also flax seed oil which when combined with cottage cheese has actually helped dogs suffering from diseases like arthritis and even cancer. It can help keep senior dogs thriving and happy for longer. There’s a company in Florida that specializes in this wellness protocol. Switching to senior food is probably a good option, but you should also do some research into supplements to see if they might be a good idea to add to your dog’s diet.

[pugmomsandy]

You can buy supplements at BalanceIt.com to make a homemade recipe complete. Just according to the ingredients you listed, the food is not balanced.

[Nadia K]

If you are on Facebook, I would highly recommend your join this group. – Home Cooked Diets For Dogs. They offer a wealth of information on how to keep meals balanced, what supplements to use etc.

[Susan]

Hi,
have you asked vet about “Cartrophen vet” weekly injection given for 1 month, Cartrophen vet is all natural, injection is given under thick section of dogs skin near neck & it finds the dogs pain.
My boy suffers with IBD he cant take steroids, high omega oils, medications etc they cause diarrhea, acid reflux stomach ulcers so vet said NO to any meds, Patch is 11yrs old after his 2nd Cartrophen injection Patch was running around like a young pup, I have to tell him to slow down & stop jumping up your going to hurt your back, I couldn’t believe the results.
Cartrophen vet caused no side effects, I’m feeding Royal Canine Intestinal Low fat vet diet at the moment with Canidae Pure Senior kibble, I feed 1/2 & 1/2 mixed together, in Australia our R/C comes from Europe, France they use dried meats, no meat meals & ingredients seem to be heaps better then the American R/C.
I also feed Tin Salmon with boiled Sweet potato for lunch & his vet diet= Canidae is high omega 3 oils, he also eats Canidae Pure Senior, Wellness Core Senior or the Wellness Core Large breed its high in Glucosamine & Chondroitin, start adding Glucosamine & Chondroitin with diet it helps rebuild joints. If you’re going to give a fish oil buy Krill Oil Capsules instead, Krill Oil Capsules are better then Fish or Salmon oil, I also buy Freeze Dried Green Lipped Mussels & give 1-2 Mussels a day as a treat, Patch seems to handle foods that are high in Omega oils but not the supplements, just be careful as Supplements & Meds (NSAID) can cause acid reflux, diarrhea, stomach problems..

What is Cartrophen Vet?

[Empire F]

I had a cat that lived to 17 that died 3 years ago
i have another cat that turned 19 years old this month. STill running around the house having fun
I believe carefully selecting excellent cat food and spring water is the key

My senior citizen dog, i need help what dog food to be giving him. I will look into the supplements but for right now, i need food that, even just a little bit, will help with his joints,cartridge.

[pugmomsandy]

There is usually not enough of an ingredient (a high enough dose) for joint health in food. You would want to use supplements. They come in many forms. Powdered or soft chew may be what your dog needs. Some examples are powdered green-lipped mussel, glycoflex soft chews, Acti-flex K9 liquid.

[anonymous]

There are no veterinarians affiliated with this site.

Find a vet nearby that you like and trust, make an appointment for a senior checkup, lab work , dental exam and all.
The vet will then advise you regarding diet, and medication (if needed) to keep your senior healthy and comfortable.

Never give OTC meds or supplements to a pet unless recommended by a veterinarian that has examined the animal.
Many products are not intended for veterinary use and can cause harm.

[pugmomsandy]

@Gary R: Click on the main “Forum”, then scroll down and select “Dog Supplements”, go to the bottom and you can start a new Topic. Or you can use the Search box towards the top of the left side column, search for “Nutra Thrive”, if there is already a Topic called NutraThrive, you can post your review there.

[Jessica M]

I’m trying to reply to Gregory b so hopefully this isnt just a general reply but anyway I’m confused as to why your vet would say not to use any product that says to consult your vet first. EVERY single supplement and vitamin on earth says to ask your Dr before using it so why would it be different for dogs? The reason youre supposed to check is because every dog and human is different. Just because your dog had an allergic reaction to an ingredient doesnt mean the whole company is a scam. For instance they could be using a simple filler ingredient and just hypothetically lets say the ingredient was harmless blueberry extract. Well my friend is allergic to blueberries so she would have a horrible reaction to any supplement that contained blueberry in any form. That diesnt mean the supplement is unsafe! Everyones health is different and anyone could be allergic to anything and some supplements cant be taken if youre on certain rx meds etc. Like youre not supposed to take beta keratin if youre a smoker because it causes kidney damage or something. You should ALWAYS check with your Dr before taking any vitamins or supplements and thus you should ALWAYS ask your vet before giving your dog any vitamins or supplements. That’s just how it works and I cant believe youve never seen a bottle of vitamin c that says “consult your dr before taking this supplement”. It doesnt mean vitamin c is dangerous for gods sake. Some people posting here are just really ignorant. Lots of people and dogs are allergic to gluten or wheat or corn etc which are totally harmless so before you start calling companies scams and saying their products are dangerous id do a little more research altho I thought the vitamin thing was common knowledge. Also when a person begins a new vitamin regimen with high quality supplements and a lot of them, the body can react badly at first. It happened to my mom. Shes just very sensitive. You really shouldnt be shocking your dogs system and giving them the full doses all at once. I’d reccommend starting off with just a small bit of supplement powder and slowly increasing it. When I start my dogs on new food, if I dont go suoer slowly introducing that new food, my dogs will barf and be sick for a couple of weeks. It doesnt mean the food is poison or generally dangerous. Come on people use your brains! I’m considering buying this product but I’m definitely going to clear it with my vet before actually putting it in either of my dogs food. Are there any updates on the whole ordering problem on the website? Is there still no way to manage your account/shipping type of options? I also read that some of the ingredients are worthless when taken orally so thats the kind of thing id want more info on.

[Nadia K]

I recently joined Home Cooking for Dogs on Facebook. There is a wealth of information there about how to get started, keeping meals balanced, supplements etc. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1651729598373140/

[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

[anonymous]

@ YorkiLover4

Per the product link you provided”

Disclaimer
Ask Ariel is committed to providing education, information and the free exchange of ideas regarding pet health and wellness issues. When you use the information or products on this website, you consent to the terms stated in this disclaimer. If you do not agree with the terms set forth herein, then please do not use this site. The material on this website is intended to provide you with education and information so that you can make an informed decision about the care and health of your pet or yourself. It is not intended as veterinary or medical advice. The statements made on this website are the sole opinions of Susan Davis, CCN based on her research and should not replace the advice and treatment by a doctor or veterinarian. Susan Davis is NOT a veterinarian or a doctor and is not providing veterinary or medical services. Further, she is not prescribing supplements, making diagnoses or attempting to treat, cure or prevent any diseases.
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[anonymous]

Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats: Does Treatment Improve Health?
Posted on June 6, 2013 by skeptvet
A reader recently asked me about the evidence supporting recommended therapy for dental disease in dogs. This is has become a common question given the increasing awareness among pet owners that dental disease is a real and important health problem, … Continue reading →

Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats: Does Treatment Improve Health?

Posted in Science-Based Veterinary Medicine | 37 Comments

Dry Pet Food and Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats
Posted on October 17, 2011 by skeptvet
One of the most common diseases in cats and dogs that I see in practice is dental disease. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, by three years of age 70-80% of dogs and cats will have signs of oral … Continue reading →

Dry Pet Food and Dental Disease in Dogs and Cats

Posted in Nutrition | 19 Comments

Healthy Mouth Water Additive: Does It Help Prevent Dental Disease?
Posted on January 13, 2011 by skeptvet
I am often asked by clients or readers about specific products, and while I certainly can only investigate a small proportion of all the stuff marketed to pet owners, I try to look at as many of these things as … Continue reading →

HealthyMouth Water Additive: Does It Help Prevent Dental Disease?

Posted in Herbs and Supplements | 103 Comments

[Patricia A]

Anon Helen stated in her post that he is NOT eating his kibble. I should have added that the change over should be VERY SLOWLY with the new freeze dried diet if she goes that route. Stick to one brand and one protein for awhile and then GRADUALLY add more proteins/brands.
Her dog is smart to be looking for better nutrition then Science Diet or any kibble turds for that matter.
Primal
INGREDIENTS:
Turkey, Turkey Necks, Whole Sardines, Turkey Hearts or Turkey Gizzards, Turkey Livers, Organic Collard Greens, Organic Squash, Organic Cranberries, Organic Blueberries, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Celery, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Cilantro, Organic Ginger, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Quinoa Sprout Powder, Organic Ground Alfalfa, Dried Organic Kelp, Organic Rosemary Extract, Vitamin E Supplement.
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS:
Crude Protein (min) 40%
Crude Fat (min) 23%
Crude Fiber (max) 2%
Moisture (max) 4%
Ash (max) 5%
ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFORMATION:
Turkey 77%
Sardine 10%
Produce 11%
Supplements 2%
Organic Ingredients 11%
Organ Meat 9%
Bone Content ≅ 10%
CA-to-P ratio 1.55:1
NUTRITIONAL FACTS
Calories: 154 per oz.
1 ounce = approx. 4 nuggets

• This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by Patricia A.

[Hav mom]

I agree Chipy! I had to reread Dr. Dobias on the raw bone feedings. I bought one from my butcher and when I got home
was going to let my dog have it. Something made me recheck Dr. Dobias site and yep, freeze for at last 7 days due to
the possibility of tapeworms no matter where the raw meat or bones came from. Good Advice, I won’t forget that
again. By the way, do you use his supplements if I may ask????

[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.

[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.

[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 4 years, 7 months ago by Patricia A.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by Patricia A.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 7 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®

[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.

[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.

[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

[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 4 years, 9 months ago by anonymous.

[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 4 years, 9 months ago by pugmomsandy.

[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.

[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 Shayne@ultimatepetnutrition.com if you ever have any further questions or concerns. Thank you.

[Robert B]

I own a 9-1/2 year old Australian Shepherd. I do not use “senior” dog food formulations mostly because many of them reduce their kcal/cup for older, more sedentary dogs by reducing the crude protein and fat content. I just use good all stage dog foods but consider a reduced kcal/day requirement. When my dog was younger an 1,100 kcal/day was required to maintain his weight. Today about 900 kcal/day is all that is required.

Regarding supplements, I do use two types because while the foods that I use are balanced, I am uncertain of the amounts actually remaining based on his daily weight based feeding in his kibble post processing even though some are listed as ingredients.

VetriScience Laboratories Glycoflex Everyday – My dog shows no symptoms yet of joint pain, but this is given as a joint pain preventative before joint degeneration occurs. It contains a combination of the active of green lipped mussels, glucosamine hci and N ,N-Dimethylglycine HCl.

VetriScience Laboratories Derma Strength – this is a skin an coat supplement with omega 3, 6 and 9. These are also systemic anti inflammatories.

Good Luck….

[anonymous]

I have never tried any supplements for coprophagia, the price deterred me and the fact that they look like chemical junk? Also, you would have to give them to every dog in your household, plus I have heard that they don’t work.
PS: Has the vet ruled out medical issues? Good article here : http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/coprophagia-eating-feces (excerpt below)
Medical Problems to Rule Out
Starvation, Malnutrition or Malabsorption Disorders
If your dog isn’t getting sufficient food or isn’t able to digest the nutrition in his food, he may resort to coprophagia as a way to supplement his diet. Before doing anything else, it’s important to have your dog thoroughly examined by a veterinarian to rule out medical problems that could cause coprophagia.

[Christopher F]

This product caused a serious adverse reaction in my dog, the company continues to charge my account on a recurring fee.

I tried Nutra Thrive a month ago after reading all of the great reviews and watching a compelling video. Just like anybody who would use this product, my dog’s health is a very high priority. And that’s exactly what this company preys on. People like me who would pay just about anything for my dog’s well-being are complete suckers for this product. It’s a waste of money (there are others that are a fraction of the price) and it’s dangerous. I have the vet bill to prove it.

The first day I added it to his food, I let my dog smell it before I sprinkled it into the bowl. He turned away immediately. It smelled like grass actually. It turned the food a dark green color when mixed in, as well, but I wasn’t concerned about that. My dog was a bit resistant to eat at first, but he acclimated.

After about a week on the product, my dog began scratching persistently, rubbing on furniture, and shaking his head. I didn’t suspect the Nutra Thrive at first, and gave my dog a bath. The bath did not relieve the itching. After three days, the symptoms were so severe, he wasn’t eating or sleeping. I took him to my veterinarian on an emergency visit, and I brought the Nutra Thrive with me, because nothing in the environment or his food was changed, except for the Nutra Thrive. When I showed it to my veterinarian, he told me to immediately discontinue use, and my dog was having a severe allergic reaction. Nutra Thrive isn’t based on science, rather it’s based on Dr. Richter’s personal experience.

He treated my dog with allergy shots and prescribed an ointment for his infected ear. After a few days off Nutra Thrive, he returned to normal, and his ear was healed up in about a week. Luckily, my dog is ok now. Although I have two unopened jars at home, I put this all behind me and moved on, until today.

Today, I received an email, confirming that ANOTHER order (that I DID NOT ORDER) has been shipped. According to USPS, the shipment had not yet been received by USPS when I checked the tracking number., though.

First, I didn’t / wouldn’t order this product again, and I wouldn’t need any, even if I did want to re-order. My dog is 30 pounds. Three jars is a three month supply. So if I were to reorder, I wouldn’t have needed another shipment until September. When I contacted customer service and told them I didn’t order this and my account should not have been charged, they hung up on me – TWICE.

When I called the third time, a gentleman told me that he’d have to send a return authorization form and I’ll have to mail the product when I receive it – even though USPS hadn’t even picked it up from their warehouse yet. I pointed out that USPS shows that it hasn’t even been scanned yet, so it must still be at their facility. He said he’d try a pre-ship cancellation, but didn’t think it would work. (What???)

I explained that I was unhappy with the product, and that it caused a severe reaction in my dog. He said he’s received training on Adverse Event Reporting, but had never heard of any reactions like this. He didn’t take an Adverse Event Report for this event.

I work with the US FDA on a daily basis, and I’m well versed in adverse event reporting requirements. I was surprised that the gentleman who took my call chose not to complete the AER. If your dog or cat experiences any kind of reaction after starting this supplement, you should discontinue use immediately. Adverse reactions to food and food supplements should be reported to the manufacturer AND to the US FDA. If your pet has experienced issues with this supplement, please submit a complaint on the FDA website in the Pet Food Safety Reporting Portal. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/report-problem/how-report-pet-food-complaint

The customer service representative also told me that I was (unknowingly) subscribed to receive monthly shipments. I never saw anything indicating I would be receiving monthly shipments, or I wouldn’t have ordered it. My bank told me about this type of scam in the past. They see this all the time. Companies will put in the fine print that you’re subscribing to something and you end up with monthly charges on your account.

I only live at the address they’re shipping to part-time. I won’t even be here when it does arrive, so they’ll leave it at the door where it’ll sit for around 10 days, unless it’s stolen first.

My Advice:
1. I do not recommend this product. Please consult your vet and discuss the ingredients before you try this product.
2. If your pet has experienced any type of adverse reaction, please submit a report to the US FDA Pet Food Safety Reporting Portal.
3. If you order anything from this company, be sure to read the fine print. They will charge you monthly. Be prepared to deal with rude customer service representatives, and uncooperative people. The gentleman I spoke with was very polite and professional, although he failed to take an Adverse Event Report, and did not inform me of the 90 Day guarantee.

[Shayne, Ultimate Pet Nutrition]

Hi Jill, Shayne here! Thank you for e-mailing me directly, I wanted to confirm that I responded to your e-mail. Please let me know if you did not receive it. This is not a typical reaction to Nutra Thrive, so I’d like to make sure that you consulted your dog’s primary physician. You can show your Vet our full list of ingredients (Found on our website) and they can determine if Nutra Thrive is the best option for your dog. I also wanted to mention that because Nutra Thrive contains probiotics, it is possible for dogs to experience die-off symptoms. Die-off symptoms occur when the bad bacteria inside of the body is killed off. The bacteria releases toxins which makes the body work harder to release those toxins. And as with all supplements, we do understand that it may work well for some and not for others. You have my e-mail address, so let me know if you’d like me to issue you a full refund. I’ll keep a look out for your correspondence!