[crazy4cats]

Hi pl and hc-
What are your guys opinion or experience with the American Pet Nutrition company? They make PetSmart’s house brands. I received an email recently that they were coming out with a new food. Must be this one. My dogs have done well on Authority, which is a suggested budget friendly kibble.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 9 months ago by crazy4cats.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Jessica M-
I mix some commercial raw into my dogs’ afternoon meals with great results. You could give that a try. I mostly use Nature’s Variety, but have also fed Primal and NW Naturals. These are already complete and balanced so I don’t have to worry about them not getting all the nutrients they need.

Other meals, I mix in either canned good, eggs or fish. I also think that bones are risky. Good luck to you!

[crazy4cats]

Hi shawn b-

I have fed my two lab/golden mix dogs both of these brands with very good results. I rotated through all the WEF flavors for about six months with no issues. If she likes it more, and I believe it passes the large breed puppy calcium test, why not feed it?

Also, there are a bunch of posters on this site that highly recommend the Pro Plan food as well. I have not fed it myself, so I can’t really comment on it. But, if she was doing really well on it and liked it, you might want to consider keeping her on it as well.

Good luck. Rottweiler puppies are adorable!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Gina H-
Have you had any fecal tests done? Specifically for worms, giardia and/or coccidia. These are all common for pups to have. They all can cause loose stools and intermittent diarrhea. Are you feeding the large breed puppy formula? Have you tried any other foods yet?

[crazy4cats]

Hi weezerweeks-
I’m sorry your pup is having such a hard time. I know it is stressful. Have you told your vet that he has diarrhea now that he is on the new meds?

My cat was put on an antibiotic a few years ago when he had a high fever and not doing well. He started having diarrhea and the vet thought it could very well been from the antibiotic and switched meds for him. The diarrhea stopped and he eventually got better.

I’m not sure it was clavamox or not. But, just to let you know that certain meds can actually have some bad side effects and should be switched to something else.

I’d keep his meals very simple right now and discontinue any of the supplements until he gets better. Good luck. I hope he gets better soon.

[crazy4cats]

How low? Did your vet make a recommendation?

[crazy4cats]

I think in some situations we give dogs sensitive stomachs by feeding them the same food meal after meal, day after day and year after year. If we ate the exact same thing for every meal, we would probably have issues with something new as well.

But there are still some foods that are harder on my tummy than others, just like dogs.

Luckily, my dogs are healthy now and I can feed them a variety of types of food and brands with no issue or much transition. Dogs with medical conditions may not ever be able to do this, however. You just have to see what works best for your dogs.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Michael-

Currently, there is not an “official” nutrient profile established for senior dogs. AAFCO only has two profiles: Adult or Growth & Reproduction: /frequently-asked-questions/aafco-nutrient-profiles/

Therefore, each company that labels any of their recipes as senior is doing so using their own concept of what a senior dog food should be.

What exactly are you looking/hoping for in a food for your senior dog? Is your collie in good health? They are such beautiful smart dogs!

[crazy4cats]

Here is another “like” for you Aimee! You handled her response to you very well.

[crazy4cats]

Try this link:

http://www.dogfoodwizard.com/

Btw, how did you find out that your dog was allergic or sensitive to all of those ingredients?

[crazy4cats]

Hi Cherie-

If you are still around, here is another good article that summarizes the different types of stones and recommended treatments.

Dietary treatment of bladder stones

[crazy4cats]

You’re welcome! I’m glad they helped. Did you check out the other two RC formulas I mentioned, i believe they both have a higher protein percentage while still having the s/o index.

Do you have routine urinalysis done to recheck for crystals? I know that in cats stress can be a big contributing factor to producing crystals due its effect on their pH levels. Don’t know if it is as much a factor for dogs. But being a rescue, stress could have been a factor and she might be fine without prescription food now. But, I certainly couldn’t tell you it was ok. My cat had a complete blockage and was only given a 50% chance of surviving and not having permanent damage to his bladder and/or kidneys by the emergency clinic. It could be a life threatening situation if she had a recurrence.

I don’t have a problem with by products in RC foods. They can be very healthy for dogs depending on what they are exactly.

Best wishes for you and your pup! 🐶🐾❤️

Hope this helps!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Sarah S-
Here is a link to officially make your request:

/contact-us/

Hope this works!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Anand-
Congratulations on your new pup! I have two six year old male golden labs. It is extremely important to feed large breed puppies a food that has the appropriate amount of calcium and phosphorous due to being prone to hip dysplasia and joint issues.

There is a great article on the subject on the review side of this site. Click on the library tab at the top of this page.

Slow, steady growth and limit exercise and jumping while they are growing is also helpful. I’d stick with a well known brand if I were you.

Good luck. Check back in to let us all know how it’s going!

[crazy4cats]

Here is a link with some great information on bladder stones: https://www.vetmed.umn.edu/centers-programs/minnesota-urolith-center/recommendations

It’s been almost three years since my cat had his blockage so I’m not remembering a lot of the specifics. But, I was under the impression that most stones in dogs are the result of urinary tract infections. Was your dog tested and/or treated for an infection?

Making sure that your dog gets plenty of water in her is extremely important!!!!

Also, please remember that the food on this site is rated for healthy dogs, not ones that have medical conditions. Hopefully, as anon101 mentioned, you may be able to wean your dog off the Rx kibble once she has stabilized. Good luck!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Cherie G-

Take a look at the Rx Royal Canin Calm or Adult Small Dog kibble. They both have the S/O index. The s/o index means they are suited for dogs with struvite or oxalate crystals. It would be nice to know which type your dog has.

Hill’s Science Diet also has Rx food for pets with urinary tract issues.

I feed my cat the Feline RC Calm prescription kibble with some OTC canned food for moisture.

If any of these options look appealing, have a talk with your vet to see if you can get a prescription for one of them. Hope this helps!

[crazy4cats]

Hi scottNY

Glad to hear your dog is doing well. The Earthborn you are feeding is very high in calories in my opinion. It has 445 calories per cup! I usually try to feed my large dogs kibble that is around 350 calories so I can feed them more food to keep them satisfied while keeping their weight under control.

I tend to lean towards weight control, large breed and/or senior foods. They are six year old neutered male labs. They did great on Authority’s GNC Pets Healthy Weight and Joint turkey formula. It’s a little higher in fiber, but not excessive keeping them fuller. It is not yet rated on this site last time I checked. But, I worry a lot less about stars these days and more about how my dogs do on the food and the reputation of the company that makes it.

Best wishes to you and your pup!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Virginia!
I second BDog’s recommendation of probiotics for your stinky dog. I have sometimes stinky golden labs as well. They had a rough start and often had diarrhea and stinky gas. Fortunately, things have settled down and I only give them Forti Flora on Sunday’s when I give them sardines with their dinner. It helps a lot with the fish farts!

Previously, when their tummies were healing from a very bad bout of giardia, I used VetriPro BD and Gastriplex with good results. But, only Forti Flora occasionally now.

You can buy these on Chewy, Amazon, or Healthy Pets. Good luck!

[crazy4cats]

Hi croeber-

Have you seen this article in the review articles? /frequently-asked-questions/diet-rotation-for-dogs/

It lists some pros and cons of a diet rotation. I do like to change flavors of kibble frequently and also change brands occasionally as well for my dogs. I also add a variety of meal mixers in their food.

However, I have a cat with a medical condition and I stick with the same Rx kibble for him, but also add a variety of toppers to his kibble as well.

I absolutely do not think it is mandatory, especially with any health conditions or an older dog that may not tolerate it. I’d definitely take it slow if you give it a try. I no longer have to transition my dogs to a new kibble. Their tummies handle it with no problem. But, it wasn’t that way in the beginning.

Steve Brown has a download for around $3 that aids with healthy foods to mix in kibble.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[crazy4cats]

Thank you for the update!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Therese-
I’m sooo glad to hear your vet prescribed the Panacur for five days rather than the standard three. Hopefully, that will take care of it. Often a second five day course is needed. Also, I believe the probiotic will be helpful. You need to make her tummy as healthy as possible to rid of those nasty parasites. In addition, the pumpkin will be helpful as it is high in fiber.

Sounds like your pup is in good hands. She is very lucky. My dogs, who are a lab/golden mix came to me a little sick too. They now, are the most energetic, happy dogs I’ve ever had. Honestly, a little too energetic.

We are all pulling for her. Best wishes!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Therese-
May I ask what you are giving her to get rid of the Giardia? Both my dogs had it and it can be a bugger to get rid of. They didn’t lose their appetites though. Did they prescribe Panacur C?

[crazy4cats]

Hi Mira R-
What a horrible thing to happen! I’m so glad you were persistent at finding out the cause of her misery. Thank you for the heads up and I’m hoping and praying for a complete recover of your pup. I have fed these to mine in the past and most likely will never again as I could see how that could happen with dogs who tend to gulp and swallow without chewing much.

[crazy4cats]

ac-
Dog Food Advisor does not take any of the Clean Label Projects results into consideration in their ratings. There is an article on the site called “How we rate dog food” that explains their rating system.

[crazy4cats]

Anon-
Is Zignature what your vet recommended to feed your dogs?

[crazy4cats]

You’re welcome! Just remember to keep the unbalanced add ins less than 20% of the diet to make sure they are getting all their necessary nutrients. The canned and commercial raw that I add in is complete and balanced, but not the fresh foods. Good luck to you!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Dewper-

I add meal mixers to all of my dogs’ meals. In the morning, they always get canned food mixed in. For their afternoon meals, I usually add some fresh ingredients such as an egg, tripe, commercial raw, lean meat and veggie leftovers, or sardines.

Here is a link to a site that has some good recommendations as well:
http://www.dogaware.com/diet/freshfoods.html

Here is another one to a down load that has great ideas as well as a chart on how much to add: https://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DN330EBK

I think it’s a great idea to add a little something to their dry boring kibble! A word of warning, however, is that he/she will start to expect it and you will get the stink eye if you don’t add anything! 🙂

[crazy4cats]

Here is some info from Petfood Industry on the buy out:
http://www.petfoodindustry.com/blogs/7-adventures-in-pet-food/post/6567-how-petsmart-chewy-deal-is-affecting-pet-food-retailing

I just find it interesting that I could find all of the brands that are pulling from Chewy being sold on Amazon?

Here is a little tidbit on PetSmart:
http://www.petfoodindustry.com/articles/6540-american-nutrition-to-produce-petsmart-charity-pet-food

Like mentioned above, everyone needs to do what they feel best. They all have their pros and cons. So many small companies are getting bought up by big ones these days. It’s hard to keep up!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Teagsmom-
I have been using frozen raw as a topper to kibble for three or four meals per week for about four years with no issues. I have two large lab mix dogs. I use either Nature’s Variety, Primal or NW Naturals. I’ve never tried raw coated kibble. I think it’s too expensive. Best of luck to you.

[crazy4cats]

I have ordered from PetFlow when they have had a great sale on something I feed with no issues. However, their automatic deliveries are nowhere as flexible as Chewy’s. They are also more “pushy”. I get a lot more emails from them. But, like I mentioned, the transactions went fine.

[crazy4cats]

I never knew bananas are a probiotic. I share one most every morning with my dogs. Good to know! I also use Forti Flora once per week. I have used Vetri-Pro BD with success in the past as well.

[crazy4cats]

Glad you found something that works!

[crazy4cats]

My vet just recommended that we start giving our large dogs a joint supplement as well. They are turning six yrs old next week. She suggested glucosamine/chondroitin along with fish oil.
I just ordered a product from Chewy called Grizzly Joint Aid liquid that contains all of the above. I’m going to give it a shot. Has anyone else tried it?

https://www.chewy.com/grizzly-joint-aid-hip-joint-support/dp/116638

[crazy4cats]

$10.00 OFF
Wellness
any large bag of Wellness dry dog food (18 lb – 30 lb Wellness dry dog bags)

https://www.coupons.com/coupons/pet-care-coupons-102/?pid=17121&nid=10&zid=gd85

[crazy4cats]

Hi KodaHappyTails-

I’m very sorry to hear about your dog’s diagnosis. If it were my dog, I would not feed raw. I do like Susan’s idea of checking out balanceit.com. They will help you formulate homemade cooked recipes appropriate for your dog. I make my dogs a meal once or twice a month using a recipe I made on their site along with a supplement that they sell to make it complete and balanced. Best wishes to you and your dog.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Christie-
I’m curious, did the vet prescribe an antibiotic as well as the prescription food? I thought that for dogs getting rid of the infection was the top priority. And, yes, she should feed the Rx food at least for now. As you have already experienced with your cat, her condition could turn into a life threatening emergency requiring surgery or a catheter and IV for at least a few days or longer.

My cat also had this experience and I still feed him a little Rx kibble, with the majority of his diet OTC canned food. I also have a water fountain set up for him to promote more moisture in his diet. I don’t want him to go through another blockage. It was scary!

Maybe she won’t have to stay on the Rx food forever, but I’d feed it until she’s clear for at least 6 months. Good luck to you!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Clare-
Here is a great article from the review side of this site that may help you choose a large breed puppy food:

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

Hope this helps!

[crazy4cats]

No, if it is Giardia, the flagyl would not necessarily get rid of it. It is an antibiotic. I had to use Panacur dewormer along with the flagyl to get rid of it. Fingers crossed for you!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Brian S-
Congrats on your new pup! I’m OK with any of the food you mentioned, except Blue Buffalo. They have had too many current issues in my opinion. I have two lab mix dogs and they are a very fun handful!! Keep your socks, gloves and retainers picked up and out of reach!!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Melissa K-
Have you taken another stool sample in? Parasites and worms can be intermittent and are hard to detect on fecal tests. I’d also continue to give him the Forti Flora or Honest Kitchen’s Perfect Form to help his digestive tract heal.

Is your pup going to be a large dog? I know that goldennoodles can range in size quite a bit depending on size of the poodle.

I hope you get this figured out. I know it’s stressful. My pups had Giardia and it took a while for me to realize it wasn’t the food and to get it treated. Good luck!

[crazy4cats]

I agree, nutrition could be the issue and I did suggest that she might want to switch foods to see if it helped any. It seemed like the thread turned into a battle on whether or not a certain food was good or not. Not helpful to the original poster at all. I just wanted to let her know that grass eating isn’t always necessarily a problem.

I was definitely stating that it had gotten off topic. And yes, other people’s opinions could be helpful. We all have different experiences to share. That is what the forum is all about. Sometimes, I think you forget that.

[crazy4cats]

So back to Christie’s original question. I have two large male golden labs. One of them is part goat. Lol! He has always eaten grass. He is almost six years old and is very healthy. Currently, a little too healthy. He needs to lose a few pounds. Anyway, i believe some dogs just like it! Right now, especially, since we are finally showing signs of summer and things are starting to grow like crazy. He seems to have a renewed love for it! He doesn’t barf it up, his output is normal. He is fine.
Christie, if you are concerned, it may be a good idea to switch foods or see a vet. I think switching foods occasionally is a good idea anyway. They may be bored with their current food and a little variety is good for them in my opinion. I try to stick to lower calorie and fat kibbles as well. Good luck to you.

[crazy4cats]

Hi christine d-
I think that using the Calorie Weighted Basis is the more accurate way to analyze the dog food.

[crazy4cats]

Yes, she did call it reabsorption. Oh, I hope he doesn’t lose the rest of them! They recommended for him to have an annual cleaning. We’ll see how he does. No, I haven’t tried to brush his teeth. He doesn’t like to be held much. Just giving him medicine is a two person job!

[crazy4cats]

Yeah, it bothered me a lot when they told me which teeth they were. It makes me think of the abominable snowman on Rudolph! Lol! He’s eating and doing just fine without! I bought some of the Hill’s oral care kibble to give the cats as treats after they eat their meals. They are huge and require a lot of chewing. Hopefully, they help some. Pretty tough to find time to catch and brush four cats teeth!

Glad Boone is back to normal.

[crazy4cats]

Hi IM- Hope Boone is doing better today. It’s always scary when our pets have to be put under, especially when they are seniors.

I had two of my cats in for their annual exams a few months ago. They are both about the same age, got them at the same time as kittens and they are fed exactly the same food. The male just gets a little bit more. My poor female is smaller and has short legs and shouldn’t eat as much but wants to. (I know the feeling :/) Haha!

Anyway, the vet was so pleased with how her teeth looked and mentioned her beautiful green eyes to go along with her pearly white teeth. Then she looked at the male’s teeth and crunched up her nose. She said he needed a dental very badly. They did x-rays and bloodwork. The xrays showed that two of his teeth had roots that were disintegrating and needed to be pulled. Had they not done the xrays, they might not have been able to see that and his teeth would have eventually broke and most likely cause a lot of pain. He did fine with his dental and it cost WAY too much. This was a VCA vet that are not known for their friendly prices. But, they are thorough. I hope anyway.

So, in conclusion, there must be a lot of genetics involved with teeth health as well as maintenance. These two cats are not related, but almost exactly the same age and have totally different oral health. He’s doing fine without two of his fangs, but looks funny when he yawns. 🙂

[crazy4cats]

Mickey T-
I feed my cats a variety of canned foods and follow it up with a little kibble. I try to avoid canned food that contains fish. It has been possibly linked to hyperthyroidism and also according to the Clean Label Project findings that Susan mentioned above, often contain more contaminants than other flavors.
I have fed several different dry foods and don’t believe it is as evil as some do. But, I do think getting moisture in their diets is very important. Especially if they are indoor only cats like mine. Due to urinary tract issues with one of my cats, I feed a couple of different Royal Canin Rx dry recipes that have a S/O index. My cats are doing very well on this regimen so far.
Hope this helps!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Kathy B-
Have you taken in a stool sample to be tested. Puppies (especially rescues) often get worms and parasites. Coccidia and Giardia are especially common in young pups. Doesn’t matter what food you feed if they have something like this. They both can cause intermittent loose stools.
I would quit adding those other supplements while your pup continues having this issue. It makes it too hard to know what is causing the diarrhea when you are changing and adding too many different things. Forti Flora, although is an excellent probiotic that helps with diarrhea.
I had this issue when I first got my dogs. I know it’s frustrating!!! Best wishes 🙂

[crazy4cats]

Yay! A cat person! Typically if a company makes a good dog food, there cat food is also most likely good.

Here are a few sites that I have collected over the last few years:

catinfo.org
littlebigcat.com
felinecrf.org
feline-nutrition.org
naturalcatcareblog.com
The Catinfo and felinecrf sites both have charts that may be of interest to you.
Have fun!

[crazy4cats]

Hi Krista-
Canned stew foods do not typically have careageenan since it is a thickener. I think all dog food is required to have some salt.

I feed Nature’s Domain, 4Health and Wellness stews to mine. But, not sure of salt content. What did your vet recommend? Hope you find something that works for your dog. Good luck!

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