[Bobby dog]

“Here you go. Check the last 4 (or more) comments regarding the “best foods”.”

I agree with the Skeptvet, I have never read anyone involved in the current dietary DCM research suggest RC (or any other food) is best for DCM. I would like to read those claims, who made them, their credentials, and proof as well. I have only read there have been no reported cases of dietary DCM in dogs eating foods that meet WSAVA recommendations for selecting pet foods…

[Bobby dog]

I am referencing research by Stern and Freeman (both Vets), not a FB page.

Doesn’t matter how long someone has been a Vet, just think of your opinion of holistic Vet’s…many have been in business 30 years or longer that you have disparaged on various sites. 😉

You have a nice day as well! 😉

[Bobby dog]

I agree Marie, both Dr. Stern and Freeman are very reliable and I appreciate all info they deliver to the FB group. Both Dr.’s have also been referenced frequently by the Skeptvet on his FB page and blog as well.

KIbbles & Bits is a Big Heart brand.

You don’t have to be in the DCM FB group to keep up with current DCM info. Just go to UC Davis or Tufts sites, or visit https://taurinedcm.org/ and encourage your Vet to do the same if they are still recommending Blue or Fromm. More importantly it’s not just GF diets. Also, at question is the lack of nutritional expertise in the people pet food companies employ to concoct their recipes. Fromm has no credentialed small animal nutritionist on staff. As of February 2019 they only employed one chemical engineer. Longevity of a company is only one thing to consider, Ol’ Roy has been around a long time too…

[Bobby dog]

“Rawhide free,” it’s catching on:
https://www.milkbone.com/products/gnawbones

[Bobby dog]

From your description it sounds like there’s a good chance he’s past the puppy stage. Sounds like you’re all set. Again, good luck lab mixes are one of the best breeds!! 😉

[Bobby dog]

Hi Js10052:
Here’s a good article about why puppies should be fed as puppies, large breed puppies as large breed puppies, and adults as adults. All have different nutritional needs with large breed nutrition adding focus to specific Ca/P ratios to help avoid serious health issues later in life. This knowledge about large breed nutrition, with research to back it up, has been known for well over 30 years.

Hopefully our large breed enthusiasts will stop by with more info for you. The link to the article is at the bottom of this post. Here’s a few Q & A’s from it:

“Q: What are the recommendations of veterinary nutritionists for switching pups and growing dogs onto adult maintenance diets?

A: Dietary requirements of puppies differ from those of adult dogs. Mostly, they have different requirements for amino acids and for vitamins and minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus, which are required for bone growth, and Of course, puppies also have a higher calorie requirement than adult dogs of a similar size — pups simply burn more energy!

The standard recommendations are to feed a diet with a Nutritional Adequacy Statement indicating that it is appropriate for growing puppies or for all life stages (this information is required to be on the label); if the complete and balanced claim was substantiated by the formulation method, the statement will also indicate if the diet is adequate or not for puppies expected to be > 70 lb adults. Diets that have successfully passed feeding trials as indicated by the Nutritional Adequacy Statement will not include the breed size distinction.

Regardless, an appropriate diet for growth should be fed until the dog reaches approximately 80% of the anticipated adult size. This generally occurs by 12 months of age for small and medium-breed dogs, and by 18-24 months for large and giant-breed dogs. Current conventional recommendations are to feed growth diets until this time, but feeding such a diet for a longer period will not be harmful. Care should be taken to ensure the dog maintains an ideal (lean) body condition, so keep in mind that growth diets may be fairly energy dense and could contribute to unwanted weight gain.

Q: Is it necessary to feed puppies “puppy food” and adult dogs “adult maintenance food?”

A: Yes – puppies have distinct nutritional needs. However, checking the Nutritional Adequacy Statement on the label is the best way to determine if the diet is appropriate for the specified life stage. Some foods marketed as maintenance diets based on the name or other front panel information are appropriate for “all life stages” as specified by the Nutritional Adequacy Statement on the back or side of the package.” ~ Jennifer A. Larsen, DVM, PhD, DACVN

More info in the full article here. Good luck with your pup!
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=5985068

[Bobby dog]

Thanks for your reply Martha! I read the study when it was released. I belong to the DCM FB group that Dr. Stern admins. He keeps the page updated with current news and recommendations concerning the DCM alert.

Several years ago I had signed up for Tuft’s newsletters. So glad I did because Dr. Freeman’s “Broken Heart” article was the first I read about it.

You may call it a “deep dive” I see it as a Vet and owner providing the best care possible plain and simple!! Keep positive and if you find time please post an update.

[Bobby dog]

Hi Martha M:
Thanks for sharing your story, so sorry for Sophie and what your family is going through. I had a Retriever mix when I was a kid, loved that dog. Always up for a trail ride or other adventure.

It really sounds like you have a team of Vet’s that are on top of everything and have the most current info!! I have read quite a few stories from owners stating their dogs showed no signs of DCM until it was too late or they stopped at blood work without pursuing an echo because taurine levels were fine only to discover later their dog did have DCM and they had lost valuable time to treat it. If a dog is on a diet that has added taurine they can test normal. It’s scary that pet food companies are adding taurine without any evidence it will remedy anything.

I completely revamped my pet food criteria until this is figured out. It just doesn’t make sense to risk my dog’s health feeding any BEG diet. I still don’t feed jerky treats and if they never figure this out I will just stick with my current criteria.

Positive thoughts that Sophie’s DCM is dietary and she is on her way to better health.

[Bobby dog]

Hello all:
December 14th the Skeptvet posted an update concerning the DCM alert following the publication of two studies, one of which included several of his patients, “Evidence Update: Grain-free and other “BEG” Diets Associated with Heart Disease in Dogs” along with a new bottom line summary:

“Bottom Line
We cannot say with certainty that BEG diets cause heart disease. We can only say that they have been associated with DCM in both golden retrievers with taurine deficiency and in other breeds without taurine deficiency. We can also say that changing diets appears to have benefitted some of these dogs, though many other treatments were employed at the same time, which limits out ability to know how important a factor this diet change was in the dogs’ recovery.

We can also say that none of the claims for health risks from grains in pet foods, or for health benefits from grain-free or other BEG diets, are supported by any reasonable scientific evidence. Certainly, the evidence for such diets is weaker than even the very limited evidence against them.

As pet owners and veterinarians, we need to proportion our confidence in any conclusions to the strength of the available evidence and be willing to change our minds as new evidence emerges. We also need to make our decisions now, even before we have perfect evidence. Right now, there is no solid reason to think grain-free diets have any health advantages, and there is weak evidence to suggest they might have health risks for some dogs. If you have a golden retriever, it seems reasonable to avoid the diets that have been associated with taurine deficiency and DCM in this breed. Even if you don’t have a golden, you should at least give some thought to why you might want to feed or avoid BEG diets. The evidence can’t make the decision for you, but it should certainly be considered.”

Evidence Update: Grain-free and other “BEG” Diets Associated with Heart Disease in Dogs

[Bobby dog]

Hi Marie and Merry Christmas!!!
I do, I mentioned them above in my post I wasn’t ignoring your question!!

I’m sticking with the big 3 as of now until it’s figured out. I mostly feed Purina canned & kibble; they fit into my budget more so than others.

I already had Purina and some SD canned in my rotation. I hope to add a few kibble recipes from Eukanuba and some RC canned in the future. RC kibble is out of my price range!!

For kibble I had been feeding various Purina lines for about five years along with Fromm, Annamaet, Wellness, and Exclusive. Looked back on a food chart I used to keep!! From that kibble rotation I only kept Purina.

He does really well on Pro Plan weight management recipes, Beneful Select 10, and Dog Chow Naturals.

[Bobby dog]

I am commenting on the topic of this thread not suggesting or directing anyone do something they do not want to or cannot do. 😉

Absolutely I would be disappointed with that advice and that is my opinion.

If adverse reaction is in reference to DCM only specific blood work and an echo can determine that.

[Bobby dog]

Awsome post!! Now that is an excellent reply from a Vet with up to date knowledge of the issue because just avoiding GF or feeding grain inclusive diets does not appear to be the answer!! “I would suggest looking at the resources on the subject available the Tufts University Veterinary Nutrition Service or arranging a personal consult with a veterinary nutrition specialist.” ~ Skepvet

I would be uncomfortable and disappointed with my Vets if their advice were, “…to feed whatever brand of dog food that she likes as long as it includes grains.” Or, “The vet said don’t throw out the Zignature, just mix it in with the new food.”

[Bobby dog]

Hi joanne l:
I disagree that a company adding taurine to their OTC diets is a good thing. Two that come to mind are Fromm and Zignature. Why do they need to add taurine to their diets? Neither employ full time credentialed small animal nutritionists for the vast amount of recipes they produce. What research have they conducted on their diets? How are they determining how much taurine is needed? Are they adding too much, too little? Are they currently testing their diets to determine if adding taurine is beneficial? Last time I contacted these companies the answer was no.

I used to feed Fromm because they checked most of the WSAVA guidelines. As more DCM cases were reported I decided it’s not worth the risk. They have been in business a long time, but apparently when their nutritionist retired years ago they opted not to replace him.

One dog diagnosed with dietary DCM is too many IMO. Until this is figured out I am feeding only pet foods that employ full time Vets & PhD’s credentialed in small animal nutrition (not human or large animal), own their manufacturing facilities, have safety protocols in place, and contribute to research among other things.

I feed mostly Purina and have had them in my rotation for about five years so it wasn’t a matter of transitioning to a new food for me, just eliminating suspect companies. I will be trying a few RC & Eukanuba recipes in the future. Good luck on your search! 😉

[Bobby dog]

Too many unknowns for sure. Hopefully Dr. Stern and Freeman will have more info soon. One dog affected by a badly formulated diet is one too many for me.

IMO I think it will boil down to companies making diets that are not researched, nutritionally inadequate, have bad digestibility, people formulating diets with no education in small animal nutrition, and using ingredients without knowledge of how they interact with other ingredients to deliver (or inhibit) vitamin/mineral absorption. There are diets out there that are well researched that use some ingredients that have been listed as suspect, but they have not been implicated in the DCM alert. Things that make you go hmmmmmmm…

I made the decision to revamp my pet food criteria in light of the alert, too many unknowns. I was mostly feeding diets that met all WSAVA recommendations anyway, a few didn’t so no big deal to stop feeding them. I’ll re-visit when there are answers from the pros. Even if there is just a remote possibility that a diet can harm him I’m just not willing to gamble with his health.

[Bobby dog]

Ahh yes, Zig jumped on that band wagon in May, Fromm has been doing it longer. Neither company has any research to provide why their diets need added taurine. Neither produce Rx diets only OTC.

Adding taurine to a canine recipe without research is concerning to me. Most dogs are able to synthesize taurine in their bodies. Some breeds or dogs with health conditions may need added taurine. Healthy dogs should be fine being fed a balanced diet. Why add it to their recipes without any research to back it up? Are their diets insufficient in some way?

I never mentioned specific Fromm or Purina diets or wrote the links would name brands? Nor are any of the links from or to FB? Freeman provides a definition of “BEG diets” in the links I posted. Fromm meets her definition of a boutique company, the “B” in “BEG.”

For further clarification re-read the article below, 3rd paragraph provides info on boutique pet food companies and what she takes issue with. Or, post a question to her or Skepvet, both credible sources IMO.

A broken heart: Risk of heart disease in boutique or grain-free diets and exotic ingredients

[Bobby dog]

I agree lots of misinformation and opinions on FB and the Internet. For clarification it is not just GF diets that appear to be an issue.

“I have recently learned that Fromm does not meet WSAVA guidelines and falls more under the Boutique category.” Not c4c’s opinion, Fromm falls under Freeman’s definition of “BEG” diets.

It’s Not Just Grain-Free: An Update on Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Fromm produces 56 dog recipes and 24 cat recipes. For me that’s too many recipes to produce without employing at least one (hopefully more) full-time ACVN credentialed Vet or PhD animal nutritionist. There’s no research behind these diets and now they are adding taurine to their recipes without any research to back up this modification among other red flags. Over supplementation anyone?!?!

As far as Fromm not meeting WSAVA recommendations, not opinion either, they don’t meet them simple as that.
WSAVA recommendations:
https://www.wsava.org/WSAVA/media/Arpita-and-Emma-editorial/Selecting-the-Best-Food-for-your-Pet.pdf

Rather than relying on FB or the Internet I like to contact pet food companies myself to ask questions. Give it a try, Fromm or any other company will either meet your standards or they won’t… Looked into Newman’s years ago, they wouldn’t name where they produced and manufactured their foods. Maybe that policy has changed since I last contacted them.

Used to feed Fromm, don’t anymore because they don’t meet my pet food criteria.

[Bobby dog]

Hi Sara B:
Your Vet is helping your dog IMO. If you are not comfortable with his advice I would get a second opinion.

Increasing H2O intake is very important along with frequent bathroom breaks. Some OTC supplements can exacerbate the condition. I never used any for that reason alone.

Honest Kitchen recipes are created by a person with an agriculture degree in equine studies. She has no education or credentials in small animal nutrition. To my knowledge she does not employ anyone full or part time with credentials in small animal nutrition. Lots of things can go wrong with a dog’s health when a diet is not formulated properly.

I unfortunately have had a few experiences with UTI’s & stones in my pets over the years. One involved emergency surgery with a positive outcome the other involved a reoccurrence that I blame myself for. I only fed the Rx food for a week or two because I made an executive decision he was doing well and didn’t need it. 🙁

Here’s a site I refer to for up to date info. Your Vet may have even sent your dog’s sample to U of M.
https://www.vetmed.umn.edu/centers-programs/minnesota-urolith-center/recommendations

Good synopsis:

Dietary treatment of bladder stones

For a home made diet option check out Balance IT.com. Your Vet would have to contact the Vet’s there to discuss the lab results so they could formulate a balanced diet that is best for her condition. I have used their OTC vitamins and recipes in the past for my dog, he really enjoys and does well on it. The meals are super easy to make and you can find most if not all ingredients from your local grocery store.

I hope your pup is feeling better, good luck!!

Here’s some more info that you may find helpful:

Why you shouldn’t judge a pet food by its ingredient list

Questions You Should Be Asking About Your Pet’s Food

Much Ado About Therapeutic Diets

http://vet.tufts.edu/wp-content/uploads/DecipheringFactFromFictionIngredients.pdf

[Bobby dog]

c4c, it’s Halloween after all…’tis the season to be terrifying!!!!! Queue the eerie haunted house music and Vincent Price laughter!!!!!

[Bobby dog]

I have not heard or read of any either. Rx diets have been researched extensively prior to hitting the market. If you are feeding one I would reach out to the company if you have concerns.

[Bobby dog]

FYI – VERY IMPORTANT, not all dogs have low taurine levels that have been diagnosed with dietary DCM!!!! A single blood test may not be a conclusive diagnosis. Echo’s are recommended as a snapshot in time to determine if the heart is healthy. Discuss your concerns with your Vet.

Although grain free seems to be an all inclusive term used for this alert, IMO it is more important to focus on suspect ingredients rather than “grain free.” The suspect ingredients can be found in GF and grain inclusive diets. There are also GF and grain inclusive diets that don’t have any or very few listed on the ingredient panel well after the first mineral/vitamin if you find a diet change necessary. 🙂

[Bobby dog]

Hi joanne l:
Here is a link to Shepherd rescues by state and one in the Philly area that specializes in senior Shepherds. Good luck, it’s very kind of you to help!

This rescue specializes in Sr. Shepherds:
https://sedonashepherd.com/

List of GSD rescues by state:
http://germanshepherddogs.info/german-shepherd-rescues/

[Bobby dog]

Hi Linda H:
I fed Rx food for my pets’ specific urinary issues when they were diagnosed; I had success in both cases. Besides Hill’s I have fed Purina and Royal Canin Rx foods. Below are two sites I reference for info. Best wishes for speedy recoveries.

https://www.vetmed.umn.edu/centers-programs/minnesota-urolith-center/publications

PDF documents for specific Dx found here. The diet your Vet recommended is listed as an example for canine’s diagnosed with silica stones:
https://www.vetmed.umn.edu/centers-programs/minnesota-urolith-center/recommendations

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/urinary-system/noninfectious-diseases-of-the-urinary-system-in-small-animals/urolithiasis-in-small-animals

Hill’s Rx food:
https://www.hillspet.com/prescription-diet

Purina Rx:
https://www.proplanveterinarydiets.com/

Royal Canin Rx:
https://www.royalcanin.com/products/vet

[Bobby dog]

Let’s agree to disagree.

Xylitol is dangerous for any dog, not sure how this veered so far off topic.

I prefer UC Davis over the author of “Can Dogs Eat Marshmallows?” Alexandra Anastasio:
http://swaay.com/author/alexandra_anastasio/

https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk491/files/inline-files/TreatGuidelines2018_0.pdf

[Bobby dog]

Hello Sandy B:
I like the marshmallow suggestion too! UC Davis lists marshmallows on a weight management treat list, never thought to use one to hide a pill. 😉

Freshpet is a good idea too.

A few months ago I tried Wal-Mart’s Pure Balance dog food roll. I was looking for something to use as a treat I could cut into various sizes. It has a consistency similar to Play-Doh, just a little firmer, that could easily be molded around a pill.

Last month I needed something to wrap pills in for my cat, I was going to give the roll a try for him, but they were out of stock. Not sure if it’s a new or discontinued item, but it’s still on their site just listed as “out of stock.” I hope they stock them again because it was perfect for what I needed it for.

Since this is long term for you another idea would be to try baking some pate’ style canned food into a consistency that could be molded. That’s if you are into experimental baking of course.

[Bobby dog]

Thanks, nice update!!

Just in time, I had to come inside due to bad weather and very kindly you posted an up-date for my reading pleasure. 😉

I will look for the posts. Fair warning, they are not my usual go to sites for info. I found them via Googling the topic after your last update. I am pretty sure I book marked them, but have some things to take care of at the moment. Thixton was one of the individuals questioning the product; I’m sure you’ve read her info on the subject already.

Did you ever make that coin purse? If you did I think you should invest in a BeDazzler to add some bling to it. 😉

[Bobby dog]

Hi aimee:
Any updates? Just prior to your last updates I read several posts on other FB pages and sites questioning Earth Animals no hide chews.

[Bobby dog]

Hello Linda G:
My dog does well on recipes from Exclusive, Purina, Fromm, Wellness, and Annamaet.

[Bobby dog]

Hi Lauren H:
For most of my dog’s life (7+ years old) the main part of his diet has been kibble w/ toppers and some home cooked meals a few times a week. I use commercial raw for some of his toppers with no issues and he loves it. I feed some kibble recipes from Pro Plan, Fromm, Exclusive, Purina One, Wellness, and Annamaet.

[Bobby dog]

Hi anon:
I was posting information to anyone interested about MSPCA’s Dr. Hutchinson. I like to read and keep up to date on small/large animal nutrition. She is credentialed in nutrition and has written several articles, a few with Dr. L. Freeman, that are interesting. Other posters might find her info relevant or helpful in the search to provide the best care they can in regards to nutrition.

[Bobby dog]

I agree the MSPCA article is a good article.

Two references for the article are a few of my go to sources for small animal nutrition. Dr. Lisa Freeman, Veterinary nutritionist and professor at Tuft’s University and Dr. Rebecca Remillard of petdiets.com. Both diplomats of the ACVN. I am not familiar with Ed Carlson who is a Certified Veterinary Technician and is a member of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians.

However, Dr. Papp, DVM, DACVIM, does not specialize in nutrition. According to her listed credentials and MSPCA’s site she is an internal medicine specialist. MSPCA lists Dr. Dana Hutchinson, DVM, DACVN as their nutritionist; she is also an ACVN diplomat.

Meet the Internal Medicine Team in Boston

https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/meet-the-nutrition-team/

[Bobby dog]

I agree the MSPCA article is a good article. Two of Dr. Papp’s references for the article are a few of my go to sources for small animal nutrition. Dr. Lisa Freeman, Veterinary nutritionist and professor at Tuft’s University and Dr. Rebecca Remillard of petdiets.com. Both diplomats of the ACVN. I am not familiar with Ed Carlson who is a Certified Veterinary Technician and is a member of the Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians.

However, Dr. Papp, DVM, DACVIM, does not specialize in nutrition. According to her listed credentials and MSPCA’s site she is an internal medicine specialist. MSPCA lists Dr. Dana Hutchinson, DVM, DACVN as their nutritionist; she is also a ACVN diplomat.

Meet the Internal Medicine Team in Boston

https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/meet-the-nutrition-team/

[Bobby dog]

Definitely worth sharing!!

Love their newsletters & site; I get their cat newsletter too.

[Bobby dog]

That’s great you caught it early, sounds like your on top of it!

If your Vet recommends it, and you are able to, maybe give the other Science Diet Rx k/d recipes a try. You never know what will appeal to our finicky eaters.

Science Diet OTC recipes were the ones I had the most luck feeding. I found quite a few that were close to the protein, fat, P, and Na %’s recommended for his condition.

Hill’s Adult Light w/liver is one of the toppers I regularly feed my dog now, he loves it.

SD’s site is also very easy to navigate, they appear to keep it up to date, and they respond to inquiries in a timely manner. It’s also handy that they have the %’s converted to DMB already.

Good luck with your pup! 🙂

[Bobby dog]

Hi Jason:
I recently went through the same situation you are going through. I tried all the Rx kibble and canned k/d foods. At first he would eat them, then after a few meals would stop. Adding additional toppings is something you must be careful with because you can quickly unbalance a diet which can be detrimental to his health.

I also tried homemade with the guidance of a Vet nutritionist, he didn’t care for my cooking…

What I ended up doing was working with my Vet to find OTC recipes of canned and kibble that were a close match to the Rx food phosphorous %’s as I could get. If we couldn’t get the info we requested from a company, we did not consider them for a second. I recommend contacting any company you consider feeding for accurate numbers rather than trusting the info they have posted on their sites are up to date.

There were also times throughout his illness when he needed anti nausea meds, another thing to keep in mind.

The OTC foods worked beautifully, he ate like a champ and was comfortable until his final days. What I found are the larger pet food companies made recipes that were more suitable for his condition; some were even a pretty close match. I gladly fed recipes that I wouldn’t have normally fed because he was finally eating on a regular basis!

Another option is to try other Rx k/d diets such as Purina or Royal Canin.

If homemade is an option the Vet nutritionists at BalanceIT will formulate a diet for the specific needs of your dog with your Vet. There is a fee for the consultation, after that you have a recipe and what is needed to balance it. The foods used to make their recipes are easily found at your local grocery store. I currently use a product from their OTC line to make a few homemade meals for my dog throughout the week. He loves my cooking! Check them out:
https://secure.balanceit.com/

[Bobby dog]

Hello Penny:
I recently went through a similar experience and spent a year researching horse rescue and adoption. Facebook and forums proved invaluable for me. I learned many things from the experiences posters shared on-line. I was also fortunate because my Vet has experience with rescue horses and gave me expert guidance throughout the process. IMO you’re on the right track looking into this health condition prior to making any decisions about adoption!

I personally would never feed or recommend a homemade recipe that was not formulated by a credentialed veterinary nutritionist (ACVN or PhD in small animal nutrition) for my cat or dog. Many recipes I have seen posted are lacking essential vitamins and minerals. Feeding a diet, homemade or commercial, that is not balanced or feeding a commercial food far below recommended amounts over a long period might exacerbate any health issue(s) known or unknown. Ensuring they get all there required vitamins and minerals especially when they have a known health condition is important. There are many recipes on the Internet that bloggers and Vets have posted. Ask the formulators if they are credentialed in small animal nutrition, my guess would be no for most of them.

If a Vet has recommended a special diet or even if you’re just interested in feeding a balanced homemade diet I second C4C’s suggestion to check out BalanceIT.com or petdiets.com. I use a product from BalanceIT for my pup, he loves his homemade meals. The recipes are simple to make and there are many options for budget friendly ingredients.

It sounds like a good start since you have her medical history and she already had the stones removed. I hope an adoption works out for you both!! 

Here’s a few sites you may find helpful:
https://www.vetmed.umn.edu/centers-programs/minnesota-urolith-center/recommendations
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=460

Struvite info:
https://www.vetmed.umn.edu/sites/vetmed.umn.edu/files/canine_struvite_uroliths.pdf

petdiets.com provides a free “ask the Veterinary Nutritionist” service:
https://petdiets.com/Ask-the-Nutritionist

[Bobby dog]

Ha ha that’s what I was thinking of when I wrote my reply those good ole days of craft projects in school. I was a master sculptor of ashtrays (even though no one in my family smoked) and pencil holders!!

If nothing else it would be shameful if he didn’t question the company himself when you present him with your project!

If I were in his shoes I would probably want to conduct the tanning process on the two products myself and pursue my own investigation from there. Heck, I could use a new coin purse… 😉

[Bobby dog]

My computer hiccupped and made a double post. 🙂

• This reply was modified 6 years, 1 month ago by Bobby dog.

[Bobby dog]

You have discovered a new talent!! 😉

I think you should make a coin purse from the “No Hide” chew and send it to Earth Animal as a present.

[Bobby dog]

I suspected you would reply with those answers.

That is an eye opening response from the pet store chain owner that she will only act if regulatory makes her. Hiding your head in the sand and claiming it’s too scientific or complicated is a cop out for anyone IMO. At the very least I would be interested in looking into the information you provided as a business owner to determine if it warranted further investigation on my part.

“…especially as these stores advertise how they carefully select for and only sell the best products that meet their high standards.” Sounds like the same marketing hype some pet food companies use! 🙁

[Bobby dog]

I missed your prior up-date, very interesting aimee! I am curious how the pet stores felt about your info.

[Bobby dog]

Adriana R, that is a very kind gesture to help your neighbor fill their puppy’s bellies!! 🙂

[Bobby dog]

Hi Pitlove:
Question, I don’t have a large breed puppy, but just wondering if the Dog Chow Large Breed Puppy recipe meets the Ca/P ratios for LBP’s?

[Bobby dog]

Hi GSD:
Sometimes I have the same issues and have found the links I am trying to post are the problem. The filter on this side seems a little different. When I run into this I just end up spelling the link out, ex. “www dot whatever the site is dot com.” One site that comes to mind that I have trouble posting links for is DVM360. Don’t know if that is what happened with your post just an FYI in case it is. 😉

[Bobby dog]

A new twist on the C.S.I. franchises!! Looking forward to updates.

[Bobby dog]

I second GSD’s post regarding aimee, especially the courtesy compliment!!

[Bobby dog]

Hi Dharlee: Nice post and hope your pup continues to improve! 🙂

[Bobby dog]

I am seeing a T.V. show or podcast in your future…P.F.I. Aimee! (P.F.I. = Pet Food Investigator) 😉

[Bobby dog]

Hi Ginger F, Missy C, and Monica P:
That’s good news each of you have found a food your pup will eat! To request a review just fill out this form with all the requested info:

/contact-us/suggest-dog-food-review/

[Bobby dog]

Hello Atlas:
My pup was on an Rx food for a month for digestive issues. I transitioned her back to her regular diet with no issues.

I have used Rx diets for my cats as well. I made the mistake of taking one of them off early. His health issue returned not to mention he had to endure more visits to the Vet.

For training maybe single ingredient freeze dried treats would be an option. Some I feed are Nature’s Variety, Stella & Chewie, Grandma Lucy, Vital Essentials, Primal, and Stewarts.

If food is an issue you can never know for sure if an OTC food is free from a protein your dog might react to. OTC foods, even LID or sensitive recipes, might be similar in ingredients to Rx foods, however they are not guaranteed to be free of proteins not listed on the bag as Rx foods are. Completely breaking down the equipment and sanitizing after each batch of food to prevent cross contamination is costly and time consuming. This along with other procedures adds to the price of Rx foods. Here’s an article on the subject:
https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/150515a.aspx

If an elimination diet is ever recommended for your pup keep in mind you can also go the homemade route; your Vet would be able to advise you on a recipe. Some articles explaining elimination diets, food intolerances, and allergies:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2499

You can find these articles on “DVM360” the links won’t post just copy and paste the titles in their search:
“The finer points of food elimination trials: A veterinary nutritionist’s take”
“Choosing the right elimination diet for food allergic cases”

I suggest keeping an open mind. I found this site several years ago because my dog had terrible skin and coat issues. I assumed it was his diet, not the case. He’s all healed up and the only maintenance he needs is weekly baths (monthly in the winter) with a shampoo that has specific ingredients, nothing else, just baths. I did move onto other food choices, however I feed him everything under the sun with no issues. Kibble, canned, commercial raw, balanced homemade, grains, grain free, fruits, veggies, common meat proteins, I don’t even transition to new foods. Good luck! 😉

[Bobby dog]

aimee I think you missed your calling as an investigative reporter!! 😉

[Author]

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