Dog Food Advisor Forums BlackandBlue

BlackandBlue

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  • in reply to: Cat food recommendations #68572 Report Abuse
    BlackandBlue
    Member

    I’d like to post a few ideas about feeding cats. About a year ago, I noticed my cat obsessively licking the fur off his belly. Eventually figured out he’s got chicken intolerance. And, although I put a liquid dental additive in water that I add to his canned food everyday, his teeth were looking yellow. Here’s how I solved both problems: I feed my cat canned large breed chunky lamb dog food (Nutro Natural Choice large breed lamb and rice formula works great but there’s others such as Hills Ideal Balance lamb cans) a few times a week.
    1. It’s really hard to find a resonably priced canned cat food that doesn’t contain either chicken or fish, the dog food works great for these reasons. The Nutro is often $1.78 on sale for a large 12.5 oz can.
    2. Kitty has to really chew up the large chunks so it’s really helping his teeth. (It also slows down his eating which I think is good.)
    I do feed daily his dry cat food and canned cat food but it is tuna fish based.
    As a side note, I think the dental dry cat foods (the large nuggets by Royal Canin or Science Diet), given as treats everyday, do help with cat’s teeth, but I can’t use them anymore as they are always chicken based.

    in reply to: So I made a tool for dogs with allergies… #56316 Report Abuse
    BlackandBlue
    Member

    To Rachel M., an excellent tool! I tried it and have found some new brands for my allergy dog to try. Thanks for putting it out there!

    in reply to: Help me choose my next food!! #44202 Report Abuse
    BlackandBlue
    Member

    I’m going to highly recommend American Natural Premium. I feed the grain free fish (purple bag) to my dog and she does really great on it. The original and/or the sensitive care is definitely worth a try to see how your dog does while feeding it.

    in reply to: Lost my Akita "Kimi" after 9 1/2 years #40550 Report Abuse
    BlackandBlue
    Member

    I know your Kimi felt loved just as we feel how much you loved her through your heartfelt words. She no doubt will wait for you at the bridge for as long as it takes because dogs are such loyal companions.

    in reply to: Cat food hairball/indoor formulas? #32848 Report Abuse
    BlackandBlue
    Member

    There’s a desperate need for a “cat food advisor” site!!! I’ve wondered the same thing about indoor formulas and I’m leery about their effectiveness. Sorry I don’t have any answers to your specific questions. I switch my cat’s food brands & flavors a lot. If my cat throws up more than once on a certain food, then it doesn’t work/agree with my cat, and I won’t feed it again. Good luck with your Maddy Cat. PS Your cow looks adorable

    in reply to: yeast & atopic dermatitis #32389 Report Abuse
    BlackandBlue
    Member

    IMHO, Natural Balance LID foods are good for finding what your dog is reacting to, but then move on to a higher star food. First determine which your dog shouldn’t eat: the fish or the sweet potato. If you switch to NB LID venison and sweet potato and the dog gets better then it was the fish she can’t have. If she doesn’t get better, then it’s the sweet potato. Switch around with the meat and carb types, and take notes on your dog’s reactions to each food.

    in reply to: Henry Beagle is at the Rainbow Bridge #32300 Report Abuse
    BlackandBlue
    Member

    Please don’t be so hard on yourself regarding the passing of your pet Henry. In my opinion, you gave Henry a great gift by not letting him suffer at the end of his life. Give yourselves a hug, and whisper a thank you to Henry for being your precious beagle boy while he was here on this earth with you and your husband.

    in reply to: High Protein, Low Fat and Carbs Dry Food List #30774 Report Abuse
    BlackandBlue
    Member

    My dog is currently eating half Back 2 Basics Pork and half Natural Balance LID GF Legume & Duck Meal. She is doing better than ever on this combo. A little background on my dog: she has bad reactions to chicken, fish, venison, lamb, soy, kelp, alfalfa, rice that include yeasty feet and ears. For the last couple of months I’ve been keeping a strict watch on her and nailed down her irritants. (I’ve made good use of all of the NB LID foods to test on her.) The NB LID Duck is so low in protein that I decided on the B2B Pork to add in. Amazing results. My dog is just a regular happy, calm dog now, not a scratching, licking and whimpering mess. I’m deciding on whether to phase out the NB Duck or not.

    BlackandBlue
    Member

    Update on my certain ingredient intolerant dog. After a 2 month veterinary diet food trial that ended badly with a UTI and skin infection, I really was fed up. I’m a stay at home mom and all my kids are in school. It’s just me and my pets during the day so I’ve been REALLY observing my dog for the last month. You know what sets her off besides chicken, lamb, fish, white & brown rice, soy? GREEN STUFF! Sea meal, seaweed meal, kelp, alfalfa meal, green tea -all bad for my dog. I’ve learned Natural Balance LID’s are excellent for dogs that can’t have green stuff (among other things). If you suspect your dog has the same issue, buy a bunch of different NB LID cans and bags and try them out one at a time and really observe your dog. With my dog I can tell within an hour of feeding her something if it causes excessive licking and scratching and it’s not going to work out.

    Unfortunately so many of the better (4 & 5 star) dog foods have too many “extra” ingredients for my dog. Right now I switch my dog daily on the NB LID duck & legumes dry and bison & sweet potatoes dry and she’s just fine. I’m worried though that she’ll start developing intolerances to these current proteins so I’m always on the lookout for something else to add to her rotation.

    in reply to: Budget friendly dog foods #28428 Report Abuse
    BlackandBlue
    Member

    PetCo’s main page on the bottom has a tab called “Brand Spotlight”. If you click on the Purina ProPlan one you can print out a coupon for $5.00 off any sized bag of dog or cat food (valid until 12/31/13). Right now at PetCo ProPlan is on sale for $9.99 for the 6lb. bags, use the coupon, get a bag for $4.99 plus tax. Ok, ProPlan is not the most nutritious food, but the Chicken and Brown Rice is rated 3.5 stars here and you could mix it with a better food. I always check PetCo’s website every month because they have a coupon for a free can of cat food (it’s Friskies this month).

    in reply to: which dog do you like best #28408 Report Abuse
    BlackandBlue
    Member

    Poodles for their non-shedding abilities! I’d also love a well bred blocky golden retriever. Dare I say a golden doodle?

    in reply to: HELP! Beagle with severe yeast infection #25587 Report Abuse
    BlackandBlue
    Member

    Oceantide2121- Interesting comments about how you combat yeast in your dog. I never heard about using borax with AVC and warm water for yeast. Can I ask what grain free sweet potato dog food brand you buy?

    BlackandBlue
    Member

    Ooh nasty anal gland problems (thank goodness my dog hasn’t gone there). For now I’m going to “bask in the glory” (thx Freeholdhound for that quote) of Wellness Whitefish & Sweet Potatoes. Never thought I’d say that about a 3 1/2 star dog food. Cause I can’t tell you how many food trials I’ve done with my dog, including raw medallions, dehydrated, and homemade. And you’re right Somebodysme, peas could be a problem for my dog and food with peas will be avoided.
    At the vet, they suggested my dog go back on Royal Canine Potato and Whitefish veterinary diet. Yes, my dog did OK on it, except for really goopey eyes that disgusted my kids (caused by white potatoes). So, I refused the food and found the Wellness Whitefish. Anyway, there’s some Royal Canine Veterinary Diets that are only available in Canada that may work for my dog. Such as the RC Catfish kibble. I don’t know why they don’t sell that in the US? (Sorry I’m stooping so low as to be seeking out Royal Canine dog food but I’m in ear infection fallout.)

    BlackandBlue
    Member

    You guys totally get how troublesome dog allergies are! Somebodyisme (peas) and Freehold (sweet potatoes) both your dogs are allergic to non-meat proteins? Interesting. Maybe my dog is allergic to the tapioca in NV? Could that be possible?
    The Wellness Whitefish & Sweet Potatoes is basically a bag of barley if you look at the ingredients (it’s only got 22% protein). Not an ideal dog food but if my dog’s issues clear up on it, what am I to do?

    BlackandBlue
    Member

    Update: Sensitive allergy dog was eating Merrick GF Beef & Sweet Potatoes fine, almost finished a small bag. Transitioned to Nature’s Variety GF LI Lamb. Dog starts shaking head, scratching at mouth (lips itchy?), licking paws. Five days into the transition to NV, I take her to the vet. Microscopic cytology of ears ($28) revealed bacteria and yeast infection. Dog’s on Otibiotic Ointment ($12.50) ear drops for two weeks. No transition switch to Wellness Super5Mix Complete Health Whitefish & Sweet Potato Recipe dry. And dog’s doing much better, no itching and licking but I think her ears will take another week to heal up. So now I’m adding lamb (I think?) to the list of foods she should NOT eat.
    Frustrating to say the least.

    in reply to: Grain free, low fat, poss cushings, budget friendly? #24589 Report Abuse
    BlackandBlue
    Member

    Your dogs’ issues sound like what I’ve got with my dog. So, I’d recommend these two foods because it sounds like your dogs do well on fish based kibble:

    *Wellness Super5Mix Complete Health Limited Ingredients Whitefish & Sweet Potato dry dog food(not grain free but still this formula is great for dogs with allergies, etc). Protein 22, Fat 12, kcal/cup 400.

    *Simply Nourish Limited Ingredient Sweet Potato and Salmon dry dog food (grain free, only available at PetSmart, very reasonably priced). Protein 24, Fat 12, not sure of the kcal/cup but it’s less than the Wellness mentioned above.

    I really hope that helps you and your dogs.

    in reply to: Pit Issues?? #24295 Report Abuse
    BlackandBlue
    Member

    Good for you for adopting a pit and a handicapped one at that! I’d like to suggest trying PetSmart’s brand of Simply Nourish. Specifically the Simply Nourish Limited Ingredient Sweet Potato and Salmon dry dog food. And the canned Simply Nourish Limited Ingredient Diet Fish & Potato Stew is excellent for allergies too. My scratching and licking allergy dog stopped that behavior cold turkey when on this food. The only issue she had on it was her eyes got goopey. I think she has mild reaction to potato. This food is on sale often and there’s coupons sometimes too so it’s a very affordable dog food. PetSmart just emailed me a $3.00 off coupon for any Simply Nourish purchase! I know right away if a food causes scratching to my dog. Return it to PetSmart if it doesn’t work out. Good luck with your pitty!

    BlackandBlue
    Member

    Patty, Betsy, FreeholdHound, and Melissa: You are very generous with your knowledge and time. Thx all!

    The allergens (aka intolerances, sensitivities, problems) that I’ve identified are from “ugly trial and error with food.” Ha, ha thx FreeholdHound for that quote. I suspect dog food companies and veterinarians have made mucho bucks off of people like us.

    Earthborn Holistics Meadow Feast is going to be on trial next with my dog (thx Betsy). I’ll post updates.

    BTW, I have two sisters who each have two dogs. They refuse to consider any other dog food than Iams and Pedigree. I mean refuse!! I’ve offered them bags upon bags of opened dog food that didn’t work out for my allergy dog. Acana, Orijen 6 Fish, Wellness Core, Evangers, Nutrisca, etc., all for free! As a matter of fact I have an unwanted and unopened bag of Dr. Tim’s Kenesis (my dog can’t have chicken). I end up donating most of the opened bags to PetSuppliesPlus. Local animal shelters come and pick up the food from there weekly. The unopened bag will go to PetCo who collects it for low income pet owners.

Viewing 18 posts - 1 through 18 (of 18 total)