[Bobby dog]

Hi Atlas T:
It’s very frustrating when your furries aren’t doing well. If I were in your shoes I would look into a second opinion.

Some other things I would consider are an Rx food and testing again for parasites. Some parasites are not always detected and second or third tests might be needed. I have had very good results using Rx foods for several of my pets. Most were easily transitioned back to their regular diets. A few I had to transition to different OTC foods due to on going health issues, but they healed with the help of an Rx diet.

With an Rx food you are also guaranteed no cross contamination with other ingredients due to the strict manufacturing procedures they follow when producing the food. I have had good results with Purina, Science Diet, and Royal Canin Rx foods. Good luck!!

[Bobby dog]

Hi Virgina D:
I have had mostly good results when adding probiotics to my pets’ diet. I started out trying some commonly recommended OTC products such as yogurt, kiefer, and products for humans. My guys liked them, I did see some improvement for my dog, however not much for my cats.

Did some research, talked with my Vet, and came to the conclusion I needed products specially formulated for a cat or dog. I now only use Forti Flora when I need a probiotic for my dog or cats. I have had great results using it for my dog and one of my two cats. It was a great appetite stimulant for one cat, but it did not help him digestive wise; he was very sick and on hospice care. My other cat responded very well and is currently on them again.

Probiotics also made a world of difference for my senior horse in his final year. He was 35 and eventually his body gave way, but he managed to keep decent weight on after the addition of probiotics.

I only use probiotics recommended by my Vets.

IMO it’s worth a try for your pup. The food he’s eating now is marketed as an limited ingredient diet so that should be a plus as well. I used to feed Cali Nat’l cat food before they discontinued it. Good luck!

Here’s some short articles on the subject:

Good Bugs/Bad Bugs – The Confusing World of Probiotic Supplements

http://news.vet.tufts.edu/2016/11/should-your-dog-be-taking-a-probiotic/

http://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/probiotics-dogs-what-you-need-know

[Bobby dog]

Hi Aimee:
The Glycemic Research Institute site was a topic of conversation on DFA about four or five years ago. I don’t remember specifics, but I believe there was controversy with the creator and how their research was conducted. Doesn’t look like the site has been updated in a while; quite a few of the rewards are dated 2010-2012.

A few years ago I reached out to Zignature with questions and had the same experience you appeared to have had.

[Bobby dog]

Hi Therese M:
Sounds like your girl is doing much better!

I have found the best and most accurate way to find out who manufactures pet food is to go straight to the source, the company itself. Many do use co-packers and even if they do have a kibble factory most times they don’t own their own cannery. Some companies won’t disclose this info, I choose not to feed them if that’s the case. Another issue is companies can and do change who they use so info found on the Internet might not be the most current. The companies that use co-packers tend not to communicate these things with their customers.

Evangers is only a cannery. They do have their own kibble, but they use a co-packer for it.

Hi Susan:
Yes, Diamond only manufactures dry foods for their house brands (TOTW, Chic Soup, Diamond, Premium Edge, Professional+) and other various companies; they are not a cannery. Although Diamond and Costco Kirkland both use a co-packer for their canned foods it is still their products, they’re just made at a facility they don’t happen to own.

As C4C has posted previously Costco Kirkland brand canned foods are manufactured by Performance Pet foods and their kibble is manufactured by Diamond.

/dog-food-reviews/diamond-naturals-dog-food/#comment-3487352339

Last info I had Simmons cans 4Health recipes; not sure who packages their tubs.

Last info I had on Diamond canned recipes are American Nutrition for Chic Soup, Performance Pet Products for TOTW, and I am not sure who cans their Naturals line.

[Bobby dog]

I agree, it is outstanding!

Positive thoughts for your family and all folks & animals affected by Harvey. Sorry for the loss of your former colleague.

[Bobby dog]

PetSmart charities is donating food, supplies, and funding; Petco Foundation as well.

Nestle Purina is helping out with water, people food, pet food & supplies too:
http://www.nestleusa.com/media/pressreleases/nestle-support-for-hurricane-harvey-victims

[Bobby dog]

Hi Theresa M:
Sounds like you’re on top of the care for your dog as you wrote you are “doing what the Vet says.”

My Vet recommends pumpkin for my cats and dog. It worked wonders for my cat a few years ago that was on his death bed from a life threatening reaction to a med. He was not eating and dehydrated. Euthanizing was discussed, pumpkin worked for him!

However, I wouldn’t fool around trying out too many things to remedy diarrhea especially with her condition. Dehydration happens before you know it. If an OTC remedy doesn’t work quickly I would have a back up plan in place with my Vet.

I have never used Firm up, but I think several regulars on DFA have. Maybe they will read this and post their experiences. Some other things I have used to firm things up are apple sauce and sweet potatoes.

Hoping the best for you and Lucy.

[Bobby dog]

I agree, you should do what you feel is best for you and your furries. Different experiences/opinions are good to share on the forum! 😉

[Bobby dog]

Hello:
For anyone concerned with the Chewy PETsMART merger I thought I would share my experiences with them. I have ordered from PETsMART online regularly for several years without issue; I don’t have a store near me. IMO I don’t feel there will be any issues with the merger and still plan to order from both Chewy and PETsMART as I do now. I also feel PETsMART is not going to drastically change what has proven to be a successful business model. If Chewy is going to continue to carry the foods you feed I would give them a try, I intend to do just that. 🙂

[Bobby dog]

Hi Courtney M:
Did you mean Hampshire Pet Products? They make treats, I couldn’t find anything on Hamilton Pets other than the company that makes leashes and horse products, just curious.

Nice to know they still use Performance for their cannery. I feed their canned dog and cat foods every now and then.

I had received the same info you had when I was considering feeding Canidae a few years ago. Their CS relayed the Ethos plant was primarily a R&D facility staffed with a handful of employees and most of their kibble was produced by Diamond. According to one of Canidae’s founders Scott Whipple, “It’s a research and development center, so that we’re actually running products, feeding them to our own pets, before we launch them,”.

The Ethos plant was formerly the Blue Bonnet Feed facility not Diamond. According to Diamond CS they have never had a facility in Texas. They currently have facilities in Missouri, South Carolina, Arkansas, and two in California.

Here are a couple of articles about the Ethos plant:
http://www.brownwoodtx.com/article/20120426/News/304269994

http://www.petfoodindustry.com/articles/5191-this-independent-family-owned-company-has-spent-20-years-carving-a-niche-in-the-specialty-retail-market

[Bobby dog]

Hi Aimee:
Thanks for posting. Unfortunately, all my experiences had resulted in medical interventions so I could not comment on the Vet’s recommendation for a GF OTC food.

Interesting info on E coli. Hopefully I’ll never have to worry about that. But, if I do I’ll remember your post and use it as a reference for further research.

[Bobby dog]

Hi Christie:
Here’s a site I referenced when one of my furries had a life threatening urinary blockage.
https://www.vetmed.umn.edu/centers-programs/minnesota-urolith-center/recommendations

I have fed Rx foods in the past and would do so again if needed. Most are not for long term feeding because they are specially formulated to address a health issue. Once the issue is resolved then you transition back to their regular diet if appropriate.

After surgery for the blockage I opted to feed an Rx food until I got an all clear from my Vet. The first food we tried did not go over well. Science Diet canned is what I ended up feeding for the duration of his treatment with success.

I don’t have any suggestions on your Vet’s recommendation for an OTC GF food.

Perhaps another option would be to get an Rx from your Vet to try a different brand. Along with Royal Canin, Purina has an Rx recipe for urinary health that is not high in calories and you may like the ingredient line up better. There are several on-line sites that sell Rx foods such as Chewy that has a great return policy. Google “pro plan veterinary diets.”

One product I have had allot of luck using to entice my pets to eat during rehab is Purina Forti Flora probiotics. I am using it now for one of my cats that had a major dental a few months back and is still having health issues. He has continued to lose weight among other things. I sprinkled the Forti Flora on his food last night and he didn’t even let me mix it in. Just started eating like he hadn’t been fed for a week…yeah!! Maybe that’s something to look into. My Vet sells it by the packet or box for both cats and dogs. You can also buy it on-line.

Another option is to consult a Vet nutritionist for a homemade diet. I use Balance IT Carnivore Blend supplement for homemade meals. Balance IT provides excellent customer support and also does Rx food consultations with your Vet. Google “Balance IT”

This is a Vet nutritionist that will also do a food consultation with your Vet, Dr. Rebecca L. Remillard. You can find allot of good info in the “Nutrition Library” and “Ask the Nutritionist” sections. You can even ask her questions if you can’t find info on something you’re interested in. Google “Dr. Rebecca Remillard pet diets”

Good luck, been there, done that, hope not to ever have to do it again!!! :-)

[Bobby dog]

Hi Christie:
Here’s a site I referenced when one of my furries had a life threatening urinary blockage.
https://www.vetmed.umn.edu/centers-programs/minnesota-urolith-center/recommendations

I have fed Rx foods in the past and would do so again if needed. Most are not for long term feeding because they are specially formulated to address a health issue. Once the issue is resolved then you transition back to their regular diet if appropriate.

After surgery for the blockage I opted to feed an Rx food until I got an all clear from my Vet. The first food we tried did not go over well. Science Diet canned is what I ended up feeding for the duration of his treatment with success.

I don’t have any suggestions on your Vet’s recommendation for an OTC GF food.

Perhaps another option would be to get an Rx from your Vet to try a different brand. Along with Royal Canin, Purina has an Rx recipe for urinary health that is not high in calories and you may like the ingredient line up better. There are several on-line sites that sell Rx foods such as Chewy that has a great return policy. Google “pro plan veterinary diets”

One product I have had allot of luck using to entice my pets to eat during rehab is Purina Forti Flora probiotics. I am using it now for one of my cats that had a major dental a few months back and is still having health issues. He has continued to lose weight among other things. Sprinkled the Forti Flora on his food last night and he didn’t even let me mix it in. Just started eating like he hadn’t been fed for a week…yeah!! Maybe that’s something to look into. My Vet sells it by the packet or box for both cats and dogs. You can also buy it on-line.

Another option is to consult a Vet nutritionist for a homemade diet. I use Balance IT Carnivore Blend supplement for homemade meals. Balance IT provides excellent customer support and also does Rx food consultations with your Vet. Google “Balance IT”

This is a Vet nutritionist that will also do a food consultation with your Vet, Dr. Rebecca L. Remillard. You can find allot of good info in the “Nutrition Library” and “Ask the Nutritionist” sections. You can even ask her questions if you can’t find info on something you’re interested in:
https://www.petdiets.com/

Good luck, been there, done that, hope not to ever have to do it again!!! 

[Bobby dog]

Hi Christie:
Here’s a site I referenced when one of my furries had a life threatening urinary blockage.
https://www.vetmed.umn.edu/centers-programs/minnesota-urolith-center/recommendations

I have fed Rx foods in the past and would do so again if needed. Most are not for long term feeding because they are specially formulated to address an health issue. Once the issue is resolved then you transition back to their regular diet if appropriate.

After surgery for the blockage I opted to feed an Rx food until I got an all clear from my Vet. The first food we tried did not go over well. Science Diet canned is what I ended up feeding for the duration of his treatment with success.

I don’t have any suggestions on your Vet’s recommendation for an OTC GF food.

Perhaps another option would be to get an Rx from your Vet to try a different Rx brand. Along with Royal Canin, Purina also has an Rx recipe for urinary health that is not high in calories and you may like the ingredient line up better. There are several on-line sites that sell Rx foods such as Chewy.com that has a great return policy.
https://www.proplanveterinarydiets.com/products/ur-urinary-oxst-dog/

One product I have had allot of luck using to entice my pets to eat during rehab is Purina Forti Flora probiotics. I am using it now for one of my cats that had a major dental a few months back and is still having health issues. He has continued to lose weight among other things. Sprinkled the Forti Flora on his food last night and he didn’t even let me mix it in. Just started eating like he hadn’t been fed for a week…yeah!! Maybe that’s something to look into. My Vet sells it by the packet or box for both cats and dogs. You can also buy it on-line.

Another option is to consult a Vet nutritionist for a homemade diet. I use Balance IT Carnivore Blend supplement for home made meals. Balance IT provides excellent customer support and also does Rx food consultations with your Vet:
Google “Balance IT” the forum won’t let me post their link

This is a Vet nutritionist that will also do a consultation with your Vet, Dr. Rebecca L. Remillard. You can find allot of good info in the “Nutrition Library” and “Ask the Nutritionist” sections. You can even ask her questions if you can’t find info on something your interested in:
https://www.petdiets.com/

Good luck, been there, done that, hope not to ever have to do it again!!! 😉

[Bobby dog]

Hi Christie:
Here’s a site I referenced when one of my furries had a life threatening urinary blockage.
https://www.vetmed.umn.edu/centers-programs/minnesota-urolith-center/recommendations

I have fed Rx foods in the past and would do so again if needed. Most are not for long term feeding because they are specially formulated to address an health issue. Once the issue is resolved then you transition back to their regular diet if appropriate.

After surgery for the blockage I opted to feed an Rx food until I got an all clear from my Vet. The first food we tried did not go over well. Science Diet canned is what I ended up feeding for the duration of his treatment with success.

I don’t have any suggestions on your Vet’s recommendation for an OTC GF food.

Perhaps another option would be to get an Rx from your Vet to try a different Rx brand. Along with Royal Canin, Purina also has an Rx recipe for urinary health that is not high in calories and you may like the ingredient line up better. There are several on-line sites that sell Rx foods such as Chewy.com that has a great return policy.
https://www.proplanveterinarydiets.com/products/ur-urinary-oxst-dog/

One product I have had allot of luck using to entice my pets to eat during rehab is Purina Forti Flora probiotics. I am using it now for one of my cats that had a major dental a few months back and is still having health issues. He has continued to lose weight among other things. Sprinkled the Forti Flora on his food last night and he didn’t even let me mix it in. Just started eating like he hadn’t been fed for a week…yeah!! Maybe that’s something to look into. My Vet sells it by the packet or box for both cats and dogs. You can also buy it on-line.

Another option is to consult a Vet nutritionist for a homemade diet. I use Balance IT Carnivore Blend supplement for home made meals. Balance IT provides excellent customer support and also does Rx food consultations with your Vet:
https://secure.balanceit.com/

This is a Vet nutritionist that will also do a consultation with your Vet, Dr. Rebecca L. Remillard. You can find allot of good info in the “Nutrition Library” and “Ask the Nutritionist” sections. You can even ask her questions if you can’t find info on something your interested in:
https://www.petdiets.com/

Good luck, been there, done that, hope not to ever have to do it again!!! 😉

[Bobby dog]

Good luck!

[Bobby dog]

I think we are way off topic, let’s call it a day, cheers.

[Bobby dog]

Hi Susan:
From the very first post on this forum, “Got my lab 2.5 months ago.” As I wrote above I am replying to information the OP posted and sharing my experiences.

Let’s share the forum. I always find different POV’s and shared experiences helpful. Perhaps other posters do as well.

[Bobby dog]

Hi Susan:
I never diagnosed the dog’s issues, I just gave my POV regarding the info posted by the OP and shared my experiences… 😉

[Bobby dog]

Hi houndmusic:
I don’t know what he is, but definitely has a barrel of monkeys in there. He always has something to do so I have lots of pics of body parts. He has no time to pose. My guess is part Cattle dog and GSP, both common breeds where he was born. He is obsessed with birds, he points, and he likes to herd, so who knows!

A few years back I started feeding Bobby a food my JRT did so well on most of her life, Pro Plan. I fed her several different five star foods in her later years. Some of the foods were promoted at expos or local pet stores; I succumbed to marketing. Her later years were plagued with skin/fur, anal gland, and digestive issues.

Bobby had skin and fur issues I was working on with my Vet. He was healing, but I felt I hadn’t found the right food to help him further. Through the years I would read a post on DFA about an owner that either gave Pro Plan a try with good results or went back to it after disastrous results with another highly rated food despite the bad reviews on Purina products. So after thinking about how well my JRT did on it I made the leap. Very, very happy with how well he does on it. I feed a few other brands too, but he does best on Pro Plan and Exclusive recipes.

I wholeheartedly agree, listen to your dog. Researching and trying different foods is fine, but most importantly look at the results and listen to your dog. Pro Plan is definitely five stars for Bobby. 🙂

[Bobby dog]

Hello Patterson C:
Asking questions on a forum intended for just that purpose? No apologies necessary IMO, ask away! 😉

Nice to read he is more comfortable now since he had a bath and a dose of Benadryl.

You sound like a caring dog owner that is reaching out to others for information. That’s how most of us found DFA. The next step is to sort through it all as you wrote above, “It helps so that I can mention some ideas to my vet.”

I bathe my dog with Malaseb shampoo, along with other brands with key ingredients, for his skin issues. Most times it is not used in conjunction with anything else, but it is a very important part of maintenance for him. If I fall behind I am reminded by him…he begins his frequent scratching and licking. During the winter/spring I bathe him about two times a month. During the summer/fall I bathe once sometimes twice a week; rinsing him off daily goes a long way most times.

I also give him Benadryl during his allergy season.

One thought, in your original post you wrote your dog “thrived” on Purina. I would switch back to what he did well eating as a starting point.

Here’s a site run by two boarded Vet Dermatogists. I like their library (under resources tab) and blog. They will also answer questions on their FB page:
http://www.healthyskin4dogs.com/

Here’s the U.S. directory for ACVD Diplomats:
https://www.acvd.org/tools/locator/locator.asp?ids=16_Find_Dermatologist

Good luck, maybe it is as simple as switching back to the food he thrived on!

Hello Randy D,
I agree it’s a good place to start. Although, I would feed the food that he did best on Purina.

[Bobby dog]

Hello Heath D: If you haven’t already, please take the cat to a Vet asap.

[Bobby dog]

There are some regular posters that are happy feeding Victor. If you make the decision to adopt and decide to switch foods I would wait for at least two weeks while she gets settled in. Too many changes can wreak havoc on our furries.

I think you have to use Photo bucket to post a pic? Not positive as I can’t remember if I ever posted a pic before. I thought there was a forum topic on it, but I can’t find one using the search engine.

I only have one dog and he is fine; I had one dog prior to him too. He is my shadow he goes everywhere with me. Of course as summer starts I can’t take him to all the places I used to if I have to leave him in my truck. I don’t do hardcore hiking, but we get a decent workout!! Dog parks, daily walks, and a back yard to run around in sounds like a perfect mix to me.

[Bobby dog]

I knew someone would stop by with Staffy experience! 😉

That’s important to know what you are comfortable handling. My dog is not as social as I would like in certain situations. I know his quirks so I just remove him from the scene immediately. He’s never had an incident, but I know that look of uneasiness.

I have room for him to run around at my house so I don’t have to take him somewhere for exercise. I do take him hiking in parks, but depending on the park I very seldom see many people on our journeys. IMO you’re thinking about the right things to make an adoption successful!

[Bobby dog]

You’re welcome. I have some kind of a heeler mix. He’s a ton of fun!

Hopefully some other bully owners will stop by with some input.

I have to compliment you on taking the time to think about choosing what dog fits your life style and caring for your adoptive pet prior to bringing them home!

I think it’s important to consider your dog’s life stage and activity level when deciding on what to feed your dog too. In regards to protein I think digestibility is important to know.

Here are a couple of articles on the subject:
http://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/jcoates/2012/nov/importance_of_digestibility_for_dogs-29432

http://www.petfoodindustry.com/blogs/7-adventures-in-pet-food/post/6282-pet-food-nutrition-protein-hype-and-digestibility

https://thesciencedog.wordpress.com/2017/02/01/digestibility-matters/

Here are some articles I found helpful with deciding my current pet food criteria:
/choosing-dog-food/brand-guidelines/

https://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/Recommendations%20on%20Selecting%20Pet%20Foods.pdf

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

[Bobby dog]

Hi Randy D:
I have no experience with Staffies, but I do feed Fromm’s Classic Mature and the Four Star Whitefish recipes. My dog does well on them and enjoys each meal.

Here is a dog food calculator to help you figure out calories. I have not used it, but many regular posters on DFA do and find it helpful.
/dog-feeding-tips/dog-food-calculator/

Through trial and error I found several foods with a good balance of protein, fat, and fiber %’s along with kcals/C and good digestibility for my dog. Although I found some foods through recommendations keep in mind how a dog does on a food will be individual to them. Not all recommendations worked out for us so don’t box yourself in to one brand or recipe.

Good luck and I hope you are able to adopt her!

[Bobby dog]

Hi Christie:
Both of my dogs always enjoyed eating grass. Their favorite is licking the feed tubs and scraps left on the mats after my horses’ meals. They didn’t eat grass daily or ferociously, just looked like they enjoyed the flavor.

However, my current dog does seem more excited about the alfalfa scraps from my horse’s meal. When he’s eating the scraps he has such a content look on his face; it must be quite tasty to him.

Hopefully it is just a bad bag of food and you don’t have to search for something new. My dog does well on a few Fromm recipes too. If you do switch foods perhaps look for one that is similar in GA %’s and protein sources. I feed several brands of kibble and all the recipes are similar in fat%, protein%, fiber%, kcals/C, and digestibility. He tends to gain weight if I veer to far of course!

I have fed Rx foods in the past for health issues and would not hesitate to do it in the future. It addressed the health issue and I was able to switch back to an OTC food after they were healed.

Good luck!

[Bobby dog]

You’re welcome! 😉

Check out the canned foods I listed in my other post as well. From your comment they might be another option for your pup. It’s always nice to have a back up plan.

One other option is making balanced home cooked meals. I have been doing this a few times a week for a few years now. I am currently using Carnivore Blend supplement from Balance IT. The recipe options are great and easy to concoct using their Autobalancer recipe menu. You pick the ingredients and it tells you how much supplement is needed to balance the meal. Their customer service is very helpful if you have any questions.

https://secure.balanceit.com/

[Bobby dog]

A few canned foods to look into that “looks like chicken” are Weruva and Tiki dog. They have pics on their sites of their recipes.

I only feed Weruva’s Human Style or Dogs in the Kitchen, last time I checked the Kobe/Kurobuta line was canned by Evangers.
http://www.weruva.com/dog-cuisine.php

Tiki Dog:
http://www.tikipets.com/tiki-dog/
http://www.tikipets.com/tiki-dog-gourmet-carnivore/

Another canned food that my dog and cats really like is Life’s Abundance. The Turkey & Shrimp in broth and Chicken and Crab in sauce were really big hits with my pup. They look more like stews with seafood; they have pics too. I only order directly from their site:
http://www.lifesabundance.com/Category/DogFood.aspx?realname=20250332&cat=0&hdr=&Ath=False&gclid=CKz3iJ3Ri9QCFQWHswodTqsDgQ

[Bobby dog]

You’re welcome!

I like some of the roll recipes better than others for my pup. I have to pay attention to fat %’s and calories he tends to gain weight on high fat foods. However, he always enjoys them no matter what recipe.

If you decide to use a roll as a topper you could easily try the blender trick if he decides to pick through the kibble and eat only the roll. Remember to reduce the amount of kibble fed if you use it as a topper.

[Bobby dog]

Hi Muttjunky:
If your dog is inclined to eat the chunks of meat and not the kibble when mixed in try running the chicken (or other meat) through a blender. I do this for my cats making it the consistency similar to baby food. You can even add some water to it and play around with the consistency.

I would try a different kibble, there’s many good ones out there. Don’t box yourself into one brand. Perhaps he’s trying to tell you Orijen does not agree with him.

Fresh Pet might be appealing to him as a new food or even as a topper for kibble. They have several different types/forms of recipes in their line-up. I am currently topping my dog’s meals with their Vital Whole Blends toppers:
https://freshpet.com/our-foods/our-brands/vital/whole-blends/

Fresh Pet also makes baked kibbles. My dog really liked the chicken recipe; he actually chewed each bite. I think the dried veggies & fruit were appealing to him. I haven’t fed it in a while.
https://freshpet.com/our-foods/our-brands/fresh-baked/

Check out Fresh Pet on the review side for more info too:
/dog-food-reviews/brand/

Good luck!

[Bobby dog]

Hi Karen K:
Ask your Vet if probiotics would be beneficial. I have had luck with Forti Flora. A few years ago it helped my cat who was not eating due to health complications. It enticed him to eat and also helped with other issues he had from his illness. My dog loves it as well. However, a few of my cats did not care for it, there’s always a few in the crowd.

My Vet sells it by the packet which is great for trying it out, or by the box. You can also buy it from several on-line retailers.

https://www.proplanveterinarydiets.com/products/fortiflora-dog/

https://www.chewy.com/purina-pro-plan-veterinary-diets/dp/50029

[Bobby dog]

Hi Robin M:
I hope you don’t leave, looks like some helpful info has been posted for you to look into.

I have a dog that tends to get chubby during hot weather (inactive time for him) and have to closely monitor his calories. When I have a moment I will post some of the weight management/Sr. formulas I feed.

I feed yogurt here and there as a treat; not very large portions. I buy low-fat, no particular brand. Make sure there are no artificial sweeteners added, some are deadly for dogs. I sometimes freeze it in ice cube trays for a frozen treat. I am going to be making a few frozen treats with some fresh fruit for summertime. Maybe I’ll add some sardines for another flavor too. Very important, keep track of calories don’t over do it!!

[Bobby dog]

Sounds like she’s in good hands. Good luck and have fun planning meals! 😉

[Bobby dog]

I think the answer to your question is in one of your above replies. You wrote you discussed adding 15% unbalanced toppers with several Vets and about adding veggies with your own Vet!

For my pup I stick close to the 10% rule due to him being prone to adding weight during certain times of the year. For the kibble part of his diet he is on the lower end portion wise for his weight range. Along with aiming for balanced meals I pay close attention to fat calories. With his current meal plan and regular exercise so far so good.

Those are things I pay attention to when adding extras. You might have different concerns for your pup or you might not have any. If your diet plan is working out for your pup you can only see how it goes and tweak when it needs to be tweaked. 🙂

[Bobby dog]

I agree with your “food for thought.” When I first started following the 10% rule for adding unbalanced foods I measured portions in order to be as precise as possible. I don’t anymore; I am pretty good at eyeing portions now. Unless I need to be precise due to health issues, I think I’ll spend my time obsessing over other things. 🙂

[Bobby dog]

I don’t have any advice to offer in regards to the fish oil you’re adding. I feed sardines once sometimes twice/week depending on the season for that purpose. If I don’t have any sardines I do have fish oil handy and I follow the directions on the bottle.

[Bobby dog]

Hi aimee, you haven’t been around much. Nice to read your comments!

[Bobby dog]

For my dog I would choose adding fresh foods. If I had more time I would make homemade meals for my dog. I do that a few times a week using Balance IT Carnivore Blend to make them balanced.

[Bobby dog]

Check out the info from the UC Davis link in my post. They have a good example of the 10% rule. You’ll have to do some math to figure out your unbalanced food/supplement calories.

The only unbalanced items in my dog’s diet are the fresh foods and treats. I don’t add any supplements. So far all yearly exams are good for my dog and his meals are balanced so I do not feel the need to add any vitamins/supplements to his diet.

[Bobby dog]

Hi Krista:
I don’t read this as a repeated question. Other forum questions “So is it ok that she just gets dry kibble with no other additions? Is this healthy?”, this forum question “What toppers do you guys use to too dry kibble?”

So, back to this forum question, “What toppers do you guys use to too dry kibble?” For balanced toppers I feed canned and frozen/dehydrated raw. Most canned recipes I feed are lower in fat on a DMB than an average kibble containing a GA of 16% fat. For unbalanced toppers I feed sardines, eggs, lean meats, and I also use the download c4c wrote about for other fresh food options altering amounts suggested a bit in order to keep meals balanced.
https://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DN330EBK

I follow the rule of adding no more than 10% of daily caloric intake of unbalanced foods to meals. I use this site to figure out calories for my unbalanced toppers:
https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/

“Treats and additional food items should not exceed 10% of the daily caloric intake. The majority (90% or greater) of the calories should come from a complete and balanced food…” ~ UC Davis Veterinary Medicine. More on this topic:
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vmth/local_resources/pdfs/Treats_guidelines.pdf

Good luck!

[Bobby dog]

You’re welcome. 😉

I mainly feed budget friendly kibble and canned. Along with those foods I also feed home cooked and commercial raw if you would like some other type of food options.

[Bobby dog]

Hi Melanie B:
Sorry for your pup. Not sure what form of dog food you are looking for and if cost is not an issue a few wet foods my dog really enjoys are from Tiki pets “Tiki Dog” and “Gourmet Carnivore” lines and Weruva “Dogs in the Kitchen” and “Human Style” lines. I don’t recommend Weruva’s “Kobe/Kurobuta” line due to it being canned at Evanger’s. You can find pictures of each company’s recipes on their sites. They might appeal to you because they are not the usual canned food consistency.

http://www.tikipets.com/tiki-dog/

http://www.weruva.com/dog-cuisine.php

[Bobby dog]

Hi c4c:
Just a side note, currently one of my guys has a need for an Rx food. I found that my Vet along with the two others in my area sell Rx food much cheaper than Chewy (even with autoship), Petflow, and Petfooddirect. It’s a good idea to shop around for prices though, you never know what you will find. 😉

[Bobby dog]

Hi Jake T:
I am going through a similar experience myself. I would love to feed the Rx food needed for my guy, but it is not appealing to him. I suggest working with your Vet for alternatives as well. Unfortunately, when you are feeding a diet for a specific health condition it more than likely won’t be cheap.

One alternative to ask your Vet about is formulating a home cooked diet. BalanceIT.com is a company that I use to formulate home made meals for my dog. They have a service that will work with your Vet to formulate an Rx diet for your dog’s health condition.

[Bobby dog]

Hi Toby B:
I also feed canned mixed with kibble for most of my dog’s meals. I rotate different proteins both within the same and different brands of canned food a few times a week sometimes more. I rotate kibble brands with different proteins about every three months at this time. My dog does very well on this feeding regimen. He has no need to transition to different foods regardless if it’s fresh, raw, canned, or kibble; I switch cold turkey each time.

As anon101 suggests give it go and observe how your dog does. Good luck!

[Bobby dog]

I have never seen or been asked to fill out a waiver regarding my Vet’s responsibility either. My Vet has always forwarded any Rx to the pharmacy of my choice if I choose not to have it filled at their office or if they do not carry the drug. However, they have discussed that they will only forward an Rx to a pharmacy they approve of and trust. That goes for my large animal Vet as well. Their biggest concern is counterfeit drugs; I am fine with that.

[Bobby dog]

Sorry for your loss. What a long and wonderful live she had with you.

[Bobby dog]

You’re welcome. Several of the Vets on the ACVN site have their own websites as well. One in particular has a q & a section that you may find useful. I don’t recall any other boarded nutritionist that does, but not sure about that.

https://www.petdiets.com/Ask-the-Nutritionist

[Bobby dog]

Hello again wendy w:
Sounds like you are on top of your pups health!!

I understand the changing digestive systems of seniors all too well lately. I have a horse in his mid 30’s, two 18 year old kitties, my dog and other cats are considered seniors as well, but you would never know it so I won’t label them yet. I just recently sorted out a new feeding regimen for my sr. horse due to digestive issues.

If you don’t find what you are looking for at Balance IT another option would be to consult a Vet Nutritionist. Here’s the ACVN site for boarded nutritionists:
http://www.acvn.org/directory/

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