[crazy4cats]

Hi Amelia Z-
Sorry, to hear about your dog. Yes, this topic has come up a few times recently on this site. It is very interesting to have someone on here that has a dog that actually may have been affected by this new finding. I am very interested because my dogs are part golden retriever.

May I ask why your dog cannot have food with grains? Or, why Royal Canin or Purina is off your list?

[crazy4cats]

Hi Jill M-
It’s best to keep adults on maintenance food. What are you feeding now? Can you find a food with higher calories and/or fat?

• This reply was modified 5 years, 10 months ago by crazy4cats.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Ryan K-
Your dog has a medical condition. It cannot eat like a healthy sled dog! LISTEN TO AIMEE AND YOUR VET!
Aimee is a long time poster, she knows her stuff!!!!!

[crazy4cats]

Hi MX-
Sounds like ProPlan is a 5 star food for your dog! Just keep an eye on his stools, coat and energy level. It’s impossible to tell the quality of the ingredients by the label. For example, not all chicken meal or corn is created equal. Some meals may have a lot more bone than muscle meat than others. There are also different grades of corn. You have to trust the company to do the right thing.

I used to think the same as you. But, there are a few posters on here that have changed my mind. I now feed Purina occasionally as well. I mostly keep an eye on the calories, fat and fiber now. I have two neutered labs that can easily get chubby if I don’t. I’m also staying away from kibble that uses mostly legumes as their carb.

If you do add anything to your dog’s diet that is not complete and balanced, try to keep it under 15% to ensure he is getting all the important nutrients to keep him healthy. I add a little canned or commercial raw to their kibble which are complete. But, then I also add leftovers, eggs, or fish occasionally.

Good luck! I’m glad you found a food he likes!

[crazy4cats]

Thank you, Drew and Aimee for your educated opinions and information on this subject. The more I learn about dog food and nutrition, the more I realize I don’t know!

This subject is very interesting to me as I have two large lab/retriever mix dogs. I am trying to avoid legume heavy kibble now.

[crazy4cats]

Hi All-
Glad to hear the positive comments about Bravecto. That is what the vet prescribed for my two large dogs. They weigh about 85 pounds and the pills were $70 each. Ouch! They are 7 years old. I usually only apply topical once or twice per year. We do not have much issue with fleas, ticks or mosquitoes in my neck of the woods. This pill is easier and less messy. So far, no side effects. Hope it works!

[crazy4cats]

Is this a raw or cooked diet? If cooked, BalanceiT’s website can help you formulate balanced recipes.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Robert L-
I’m assuming since you are working with a vet, that you have had a fecal test done. Puppies often get internal parasites, such as worms, giardia and/or coccidia. My pups had them all! Some of them can be intermittent and hard to detect with only one test. Have you tried a dewormer like Panacur?

You mention IBD meds, was it metronidazole? Is the poop nasty smelling and greenish or yellow?

Pumpkin never worked for my dogs, but the pectin in no sugar added applesauce and bananas were helpful. Talk to your vet, but Forti Flora and VetriPro BD were supplements that also helped while my dogs’ tummies were healing. It does take a while. I know it’s tough, but be patient. I kept switching foods too. Just making it worse!

I know it’s stressful. I hope it gets better soon. Take care.

[crazy4cats]

How about Fromm Gold or Wellness large breed puppy foods? Are either of them less expensive?

[crazy4cats]

Hi Patricia-
There is so much valuable information on this site. I never knew there were so many brands of food and that they all varied so much in protein, fat, calories, etc. until I found this site. Use this information to rate the food however you wish! Some dogs do well with different foods and ingredients.

I for one, have no issue with the ingredients that you listed as long as they are grade 1 quality and are in the correct amounts to make the food complete and balanced. Finding a brand that you trust is of the utmost importance!

Good luck with your pups and feed whatever your dogs do well on and you feel comfortable with!

[crazy4cats]

140 lbs! Is he over weight? Keeping our dogs lean is one of the best ways to keep their joints healthy. What is your vet recommending?

[crazy4cats]

Hi Tony-
Congrats on your new pup! I have two lab/retriever mix dogs. They are so adorable when they’re pups. But, quite a handful too!

I’d like to share this article with you because I believe your dog is probably considered a large breed puppy. This information is very important for the health of your dog’s joints.

/best-dog-foods/best-large-breed-puppy-food/

Controlling their growth and watching calcium levels is crucial! There is a list on the Editor’s Choice appropriate for large breed puppies. Good luck!

[crazy4cats]

Dear BaileysMom-
Please keep your pup on the prescription food. That poor thing. How stressful for all of you! There should not be anything in that food that would cause a reaction. It’s typically used for an elimination diet. Was that mentioned to you at all? Make sure he does not get anything else. No treats of any type. I know that can’t be easy. I’m not sure how long you have to wait before adding any other food.

If your dog keeps up with all the itching, it probably is environmental allergies. Luckily, I haven’t had to deal with allergies. But, I have read and heard a lot about them on this site. Please stick to the hydrolyzed diet to finally help figure out what his intolerances are. Good luck!

[crazy4cats]

It’s not just Tufts that are investigating this issue. UC Davis Vet School along with several others are also involved with this investigation. There are many articles on the internet about it. I believe it is something to take very seriously.

Check this one out: http://www.okawvetclinic.com/grain-free-causes-heart-failure.pml

[crazy4cats]

Aimee-

Thank you for your response. Glad to hear Jack is doing well. I have also seen Acana mentioned in a few of the articles I’ve read. I think their duck and pear and the lamb and apple recipes have been noted. They also use a lot of legumes as their carb.

Hopefully, they’ll get the source of the problem figured out!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Aimee-
Most of the articles that I have read regarding this new discovery possibly linked to grain free diets always mention foods that use legumes as their binder or exotic proteins. I do feed a few grain free foods, but they mostly use sweet or white potatoes as their carb.

Do you think potatoes could cause the same type of issue?

[crazy4cats]

Have you tried contacting Primal?

[crazy4cats]

It sounds very concerning. I hope the vet can help you out! Please report back when you get some information. I am curious to what you find out. Fingers crossed for you.

[crazy4cats]

I read it is something to due with the fiber from the peas and/or lentils possibly binding to the taurine making it unavailable to be absored. Or something like that! 🙂 I’m not very sciency!

[crazy4cats]

Thanks, Aimee, I received that article too. I hope the word gets out. Especially, if there truly is a connection. It is very concerning due to the popularity of these types of diets!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Cavalierluvr-

I think Fromm’s is a great choice. My dogs do well on it and they are a respected brand. I’m with you on the grain free food not necessarily always being better than food with grain. I think it’s most important to buy a brand that you trust to use the highest quality ingredients.

I recently received this in my email. It addresses your concern with DCM. I hope this helps!

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

Good luck with your new pup!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Robert-
Do you really mean WD? It is really low in calories at only 240 calories per cup. I could see where you would have to feed a lot. HD is quite a bit higher in calories at 410 calories per cup. It is a heart health formula.

Have you talked to your vet about finding a food that would be appropriate that is higher in calories? I’d definitely stay in touch with your vet. Especially since your pup is doing well.

[crazy4cats]

Yeah, I’ve noticed that lamb formulas of all types of food are often rated lower. I agree with Marie. I think most tend to be a little lower in protein and higher in fat than the other recipes. Most likely due to cost. Just a guess also.

[crazy4cats]

My dogs do really well on Fromm dry food also. I believe it is a reputable company.

However, it sounds like you are possibly feeding an unbalanced diet. No more than 15% of their diet should be unbalanced. You mention you are feeding 40% extras.

[crazy4cats]

Oh, I’m so glad Bailey is recovering so well. Especially good to hear that she still likes other dogs and people. I sure hope you get reimbursed for your vet bills. Shame on the owner of that dog for not being more cooperative.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Sylvia-
Check out VOHC.org. It lists a few water additives that you might be interested in. The products they list have been tested and proven to help reduce tarter and plaque.

[crazy4cats]

That is so sad, Aimee. The poor owners are going to feel mad and guilty for a long time.

I, too cringe, Marie at the thought of some of the things we did and didn’t do for our previous pets. But, gosh darn it, they shouldn’t be able to sell things that are knowingly dangerous for them!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Sue S-
What are you currently feeding that you think miscasting the soft stools?

Have you taken a stool sample in to be tested for worms and/or parasites?

[crazy4cats]

You choose the ingredients and the amount of protein and fat you want on balanceit’s site. They then calculate how much of each you need then determine which and how much of their supplement you need to make it complete and balanced.

Good luck with the Wellness Core!

[crazy4cats]

I agree! But, it seems like the fewer the ingredients, the higher the price. Maybe they need all the ingredients to meet AAFCO’s nutrient guidelines using food rather than supplements? Idk.

I’d like to make more homemade diets using Balanceits’s recipes, but just never seem to get around to it. 😏

I haven’t checked out the Wellness Core you mentioned. That line is a little too pricey. But, others have mentioned really liking it. Eagle Pack is made by the same company though. Fromm has a couple weight management formulas. The poultry one is Fromm Gold, the seafood is Fromm Gold Coast. They are both a little high in fiber, 7%, I believe. My dogs do well with that. Some dogs do not. I wouldn’t want to go any higher though. High fiber can interfere with dog’s anility to absorb all the nutrients.

Good luck on your quest for a second food!

[crazy4cats]

Hi a c-
I have fed my two large golden labs Authority’s GNC Healthy Weight & Joint (not rated on this site yet), Victor Sr/Weight, Fromm Gold Healthy Weight, and Pro Plan Lg Br Weight formulas all with good results.

They all are grain inclusive. Maybe one of these would work for you!

*Edit* Another one I’ve thought about trying is Eagle Pack’s reduced fat food!

• This reply was modified 6 years ago by crazy4cats.

[crazy4cats]

You’re very welcome! Hope it works out. Btw, I feed one of my cats a prescription Royal Canin dry food. He’s done very well on it.

Limiting treats is hard! Our pets can be so darn convincing.

Best wishes to you!

[crazy4cats]

As long as they use grade 1 or 2 corn, I don’t think it is any worse than any other carb used in dog food. In fact my dogs do pretty well with it. It is also the quality of the ingredients that are really important. Unfortunately, that is tough to tell from an ingredient label. Not all corn is created equal. Same as not all chicken meal or any other ingredient for that matter. You have to look into the company that makes it.

That’s what this site has done with their Editor’s Choice Section. They have checked out and approve them as a reputable company that uses quality ingredients.

You can use the extensive amount of information on this site to rate the food however you want. They have come up with a formula and use the exact same one on every food using only the ingredient panel provided by the company. In my opinion, I think that is really the only fair way of doing it.

Hope this helps.

[crazy4cats]

Hi-
I’m feeding Fromm Gold Healthy Weight formula to my two dogs right now. I just give one of them a little more than the other. So far so good!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Blaire-
Sorry to hear about your pup. I just did a search on Chewy for senior healthy weight recipes and came up with this:

https://www.chewy.com/s?rh=c%3A288%2Cc%3A332%2Cc%3A294%2CLifestage%3ASenior%2CSpecialDiet%3AWeight+Control

Looks like Wellness Complete Healthy Senior Food might be a good option for her. Wellness is a highly regarded brand on this site.

There are a couple of others that might fit your needs as well. Did the vet recommend a prescription diet for her?

[crazy4cats]

/frequently-asked-questions/rate-dog-food/

Check out the link above to find out how the food is rated on this site.

[crazy4cats]

You might consider doing another fecal test as well. Parasites, worms and such are pretty common in puppies. Sometimes they are cyclical and don’t show up on all tests.

I don’t know of any food that is similar to the prescription food.

That’s a lot of poop!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Lindsey-

Has your pup gotten any better in the last couple of days?

The new food is most likely much higher in fat than the food you were feeding that was working well. A slower transition to a food that is closer to the same fat percentage of the prescription food you were feeding would be better. Have you contacted the vet with the issue? Puppies tend to get diarrhea pretty easy. You need to be very careful that they do not get dehydrated and lose even more weight by switching foods.

Good luck and report back!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Lauren-
Congratulations on your new adorable puppy! Looks like he found a great home.
I do like to rotate foods a bit also. I usually feed one brand for four or five months, rotating through their different flavors paying particular attention to calories and fat. I like to feed them food that is around the same amount of calories. It just keeps it simpler for knowing how much for everyone in our house to feed them and to keep their weight fairly stable. I add a couple of spoonfuls of canned food, sardines or eggs to their meals. I used to feed some commercial raw as a topper as well, but NO more after all the recalls of late!

I pretty much feed my cats the same dry food and switch up their canned food for some variety in their diet.

Good luck with your new pup. Keep it simple! I’m learning that feeding them different foods is probably as much or more for our own enjoyment as it is theirs! LOL! Best Wishes.

[crazy4cats]

That is strange! Have you tried contacting Horizon directly?

[crazy4cats]

There isn’t a lot known about this issue yet. Just that there is an increase in heart issues with golden retrievers and it may be related to diet. I wouldn’t panic. But, If you have concerns, I would consult a vet with your questions.

[crazy4cats]

I have seen some of those studies and reports and find it very concerning as well. My dogs are labs mixed with a quarter of golden retriever.

I wonder if there are taurine supplements one could add to their dogs’ meals? With the supervision of a vet, of course!!

It’s rough because so many foods contain those ingredients. I’m feeding Fromm Gold Weight Management right now. It uses barley, oatmeal, rice and millet for its carb. So far, so good!

[crazy4cats]

Penny-
Check out balanceit.com and/or petdiets.com. You can either request or formulate balanced recipes on these sites. They are run by vets who have specialized in nutrition.

As Aimee stated, struvite crystals in dogs frequently are caused by urinary tract infections. Has this dog been on antibiotics to rid her of infection? Typically, they are not food related. Making sure she gets plenty of water in her diet and opportunities to go potty are both important.

I have a cat that had a complete blockage due to Struvite crystals. I feed him Royal Canin Calm Rx kibble with a variety of regular canned food. He spent a couple of days in emergency clinic, but has been clear for a few years now! Apparently, male cats are very suseptible, but isn’t usually due to an infection.

Good luck, I really hope you can find a way to take this pup in! What kind of dog is she?

[crazy4cats]

Check out http://www..balanceit.com for recipes and supplements. It is run by board certified vet nutritionists. You can build your own recipes for free if your dog has no health issues and does not need a vet’s approval. It’s a little confusing at first, but it’s well worth the time to figure out a recipe and buy their supplements to make it truly complete and balanced. Good luck!

[crazy4cats]

Did you check out the review side of this site? There are hundreds of foods reviewed on it. Click on reviews above!

[crazy4cats]

You are welcome. Maybe you’ve tried this, but I use various search engines, such as Chewy, PetFlow, PetSmart and Petco to find a food with a certain main ingredient. Some of them are a little better than others.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 1 month ago by crazy4cats.

[crazy4cats]

Have you checked out Whole Earth Farms Pork, Beef and Lamb kibble? It is Merrick’s value brand. It does not have any poultry or fish, except for salmon oil. Would this work for your pup? I have fed it to my two many times. It is fairly low in fat and primarily pork based.

Good luck, hope this helps!

[crazy4cats]

Have you checked out Fromm Gold? They have some large breed recipes. I’m feeding mine one of their weight management recipes right now. Dogs are doing well on it.

[crazy4cats]

I can’t help to think that he looks adorable doing that. But, it’s not my floor! 😀

Did you check out the Editor’s Choice budget friendly brands for a large breed puppy? I have fed some Authority Large Breed adult food that was big kibble. I have 85 pound lab mixes and it slows them down a bit when they are eating. Not sure about their puppy food though.

Good luck!

[crazy4cats]

Yes, definitely most important to make sure it meets the calcium requirements of a large breed pup over the size of the kibble. Agreed!

Looks like the poster is looking for both qualities. That is why I recommended that he check the websites of the Editor’s Choice recommended large breed puppy foods. Many will show a size comparison on them.

[Author]

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