[Kathleen C]

Dogs may not need a dessert (my fingers forgot the extra s), but they enjoy them just as much as we do. Green beans have very few calories so I don’t worry about giving those. You’re right about the Milk Bones though. A treat with 3 or 4 calories each or for several would be a good idea if I could find one. Any suggestions?

[Kathleen C]

OK, this is not a puppy I have that’s eating his poop. I’ve been on before about other things with Jack, the 4 yr old Boston Terrier I’m trying to get to lose weight. He eats his poop I believe because he is hungry. I feed him 1/4 cup twice a day (1/2 cup) and things like Milk Bones and carrots and green beans as desert. He started eating his poop a couple of months ago and I run out and pick up what he does then and what he did the time before. However, today he quickly grabbed what he’d just done, knowing I’d pick it up right away. That’s a first time for this activity. BC, you say above maybe it’s a good idea to change the food. This poop eating started when he was first on the Wellness Core Reduced Fat and now I’m feeding him the Wellness Core Small Dog regular food so it’s been when he was eating Wellness. Could there be something in that which is the cause? What other low fat food out there would be good for him to lose weight? I’m getting pretty upset about this and he also hasn’t lost any weight with either Core foods.

[Kathleen C]

If you’re sure there’s no dairy in it I’ll look it up and see what the vet thinks. I’m getting the Forti Flora today so hopefully this will help and the problem will run its course. I always appreciate the help I get here. Best $14.99 I’ve spent this year. 🙂 My holistic vet took off for Costa Rica so he’s gone.

[Kathleen C]

Me too. I think it’s because of their short noses and palates. There’s a name for it, but I can’t remember what it is right now. It’s too late. Thank you.

[Kathleen C]

Are most dogs milk intolerant? I never knew there could be a problem. I called and the vet will have the Forti-Flora (sp.) tomorrow morning so I’m just going to hold off doing anything until then. I have the little green soft gels of Safeways Gas X but not sure how much to give him. Not sure they can be cut. Thanks for getting back to me. I’m going to keep some of the FF handy for future since he’s a Boston Terrier and they always seem to have gas problems. This is from the dairy product though I think. Much worse! Uck.

[Kathleen C]

It was recommended that I try a probiotic for Jack’s gas and Kefir was suggested. Since I drink that anyway I got him some plain and have given it to him for several days. Now he’s stinking worse than ever. Really fuming up the house and car. A friend says he’s probably not into dairy so can anyone suggest how to get rid of this smell and the regular gas too?

[Kathleen C]

Really, Pom juice for the dog? I didn’t think people were talking about kefir ice cubes for the dogs, but for themselves. I’ll have to go back and read those posts again. The hardest thing to find at the grocery store these days is 100% Pom juice in the little bottle. It’s more likely to have a mix in it since the pure is so popular. Can you use the frozen berries instead of fresh?

[Kathleen C]

We do not need that. Thank you. BTW, how often should I give the Kefir, just as needed or several times a week?

[Kathleen C]

I love Pom juice so I’d be interested in trying it this way.

[Kathleen C]

I’m thinking seriously about doing rotation for Jack using the Core Reduced Fat and now switching him to the Core Small Dog which has 10% fewer carbs, 16% fat and 36% protein. Will the extra fat with the about the same protein maybe fill him up more? The Reduced Fat food is not working and he begs incessantly for more anything. I know he’s a dog and this is to be expected, but would this change help or just cause an increase in weight? I would try the small bag to see.

[Kathleen C]

Wow, that sounds interesting. I was thinking about just using fruit juice. Thanks.

[Kathleen C]

Thank you, Bobby dog, I got the Kefir this A.M. and Jack just enthusiastically lapped up 1 tsp. which was the least amount listed. I will increase it to a bit more if he still has problems. Do you add fruit juice or something to it for yourself, I can’t possibly drink it as is.

[Kathleen C]

OK, just checked the articles and answered my own question. I’m going to the store tomorrow and will look for plain unsweetened.

[Kathleen C]

You use the Lifeway Kefir just like what I drink only a plain version?

[Kathleen C]

Where I shop has several flavored Lifeway Kefir choices and I’m guessing also plain, though I’ve never had it.

[Kathleen C]

That’s a drink, I use it myself, how do you give it to a dog…as a drink?

[Kathleen C]

I’ve been following this thread and the Swanson and health food store suggestions can be expensive so would plain yogurt work too? My dogs have always liked that, but you do still have to be careful of sugar content with some.

[Kathleen C]

Very cute! I’ve never heard of an IQ Ball. I put kibble in Jack’s Kong and he’s learned what to do pretty quickly. I’d put peanut butter too, but that’s messy for the house. I’ve tossed his kibble around the living room a couple of times since BC suggested it and he’s very interested in that exercise. 🙂

[Kathleen C]

LOL! That’s probably the best idea I’ve heard so far. I do throw his squeaky or anything I can find and he’s good about letting me have it back to throw again. Loves tug-a-war too. Thank you. You have been very helpful…as has everyone who’s tried to help. This $14.99 was definitely worth every penny.

[Kathleen C]

BC, Do you believe then that the Wellness I’m feeding him now is the best thing I can give him? The Adviser says it’s a high protein low fat low carb food and we all know what the meat situation is as listed. I don’t know how to figure fiber to carbs, but this has 8.5% fiber. We’re playing more at home and he’s now in an obedience class where she lets them play afterward. Also, I took him to the dog park yesterday and he ran with the big dogs..although that makes me nervous since there is a Great Dane and a rather young female Dobie at times. No little dogs there until much later in the day. I will have to change my schedule to go then, but I think it might be worth it. He’s not much of a player though, can do fine without doggie friends. He was supposed to be a show dog, but wound up with a genetic problem so can’t be bred.

[Kathleen C]

Another problem is, according to The Whole Dog Journal, you can’t always go by what they say on the bag is in your dog food. They did an article in one issue on that problem. Can’t remember which one though.

[Kathleen C]

Thank you. The holistic vet I took the dogs to used that last time I talked to him, but that’s IAMs isn’t it? P&G? I don’t like what they did to Eukanuba when I was feeding that to my dog. The Whole Dog Journal knew when P&G bought the company but I don’t remember them telling their readers. Made me angry at the time but they could have cleaned their act up.

[Kathleen C]

Than what I was thinking last night is not a good idea. Giving him something with high protein and fat, like maybe the Core Small Breed with 36% protein and 16% fat would work better? The Wellness list says it has about 24% carbs. Since what I’m doing now isn’t working should point to doing something differently. He’s definitely not getting enough to eat with the 1/2 cup a day with a few low fat treats. I’m getting to the point of giving up. You have to take a course in nutrition these days just to feed your dog let alone yourself.

[Kathleen C]

sue, I never considered that…it makes sense though. Maybe I’ve been going at it all wrong. It seems all of their healthy weight foods have high carbs. That must be to fill the dog up so it doesn’t want more and will lose weight. He’s a Small Breed so I’ll think about getting a small bag and see what happens. If I’m careful it could work. Thank you.

[Kathleen C]

That’s OK, I’ve actually wondered about feeding raw. My idea of raw, though, is the ready to eat you can find at higher end pet stores, or feed stores like we have here…Olsen’s Feed and Grain carry things like that. If it had everything added the dog needs it would be a consideration. However, I don’t even cook for myself so probably wouldn’t do it for Jack either. The vet recommended Forbid, but I’ve read reviews and many people say it doesn’t work. Thanks for the information.

[Kathleen C]

pugsmom, thank you. I had Jack on Nature’s Variety Instinct Healthy Weight and that’s where the problem first started. Higher fat at 12-16%, but not really that much more. 34% protein and after figuring the carbs using the Adviser’s method the carbs were 36%, again not that much higher. I figured the fat at the mid rage, 14%. I tried using the Vet’s diet from Purina (horrible stuff: wheat, and by product meal, ugh) but that didn’t help either even though the vet assured me it would (?).

Sue66b, it looks as though both of those foods are listed with higher carbs which I’m trying to get away from. Actually the CORE foods seem to have the lowest carbs listed, but a little higher fat at 16-17% and I’m wondering if the much lower carbs would be better and not worry so much about the little bit more fat? How does that sound? Also, he seems to be getting a little tired of what I’m feeding him now so switching might be a good idea, even if for the same brand.

[Kathleen C]

This is encouraging since the new numbers surprised me. Thank you Akari. Saturday when talking to my dogs trainer she said she had a dog that wouldn’t lose weight on a low fat grain free dog food but did when changed to something not grain free and thought maybe Jack would do better with that. Any ideas about this idea?

[Kathleen C]

According to the new report the Adviser did on the CORE Reduced Fat, 10/9/14, he shows the carbs are 44% by his figures and not 34% as Wellness says. Hopefully Wellness knows the correct number???

[Kathleen C]

Ooops, BC, you’re probably right. I’ve never given him anything on a regular basis but I remember she said Pepcid was good for something to settle his stomach. I’ll check with her again when he goes in for his snake bite shot. I’m more worried the Wellness is giving him gas. I’ll ask about a probiotic then too. Our local natural food store might have something in the pet section.

[Kathleen C]

It certainly has been over done by the press, but they always seem to do things like that because they need a story and need to beat the other guy to the big story. We need to know how to protect ourselves, but that kind of story isn’t sexy, if you know what I mean. It just gives the facts.

[Kathleen C]

pugmom, can you suggest something like that or would asking my vet be better? I’ve given him Pepcid ac with the vets OK and I think that has helped. Just about 1/4 to 1/3 of the tablet.

Jenny, I nixed that when I saw it was from Diamond. I know every dog food company can have a problem, but maybe not as many of Diamond does. Won’t use them. It was suggested by the dog trainer he’s going to now that I might go back to trying a non-grain free food. She’s had dogs that did fine on grain free and others that wouldn’t lose any weight at all. Each dog is different. Now I need a good non-grain free kibble to try to see if this might be the answer. She also said he isn’t obese at 1 1/2 over, I just want to get him down that much so I can feed him more than 1/2 cup a day…that’s just such a small amount, it bothers me more than it should I guess.

[Kathleen C]

I just Binged this dog food and it’s made by Diamond Pet Foods so that’s off the possible list for me.

[Kathleen C]

I’m still using the Wellness Core Reduced Fat, but was wondering if anyone has tried Premium Edge Healthy Weight Reduction and had success. It’s lower carbs, higher protein and about the same fat as Core. I’m worried the Wellness is giving my dog gas. Any info welcomed.

[Kathleen C]

BC, you helped me earlier with the carbs in Jack’s food, he’s been on Wellness Core Reduced Fat now for a couple of months or more and is suddenly being very gassy. I seem to remember others reporting this about the Core and being told to wait awhile and it would clear up. I don’t think this is because he hasn’t been on it long enough. Could peas be Jack’s problem too? Are there peas in the Core? I’ve stopped giving him canned green beans and not very many carrots. Still no weight loss.

[Kathleen C]

Debra B, that’s very interesting. How much higher did you need to go? The Reduced Fat seems to have 34%. I’ve always heard Merrick is a very good brand.

[Kathleen C]

My holistic vet always said he fed his dogs multiple foods and didn’t stay with one. He’s the one that suggested the Instinct. I wanted to check with him about my problem but he’s off the grid now and I can’t reach him. All I want to do right now is get this dog down a couple of pounds so I can play around with his food a bit more. To me it seems like what humans go through when they’re trying to lose weight…their body thinks they’re starving and won’t let it go.

[Kathleen C]

The vets always say to switch dogs over a 7 day period of time, but I’ve never done that. 4 days is as long as I take. I just don’t have the patience and they never seem to have a problem. Feeding dogs a different food every now and then and getting them used to changing sounds like a very good idea. I may think about that when I can get him down to about 18 lbs and have some leeway. I might even be able to use up that bag of Nature’s Variety Instinct I have left. It’s too expensive to waste.

[Kathleen C]

Sounds like a very involved feeding schedule. I love my dogs, but can’t see doing that. I had him and my previous dog on the Instinct and they loved it, but too much fat. Thanks for your help.

[Kathleen C]

Thank you theBCnut. What are you feeding now that worked so well? I’ve heard so many good things about the Wellness Core Reduced Fat that I can’t believe it’s the food. I hear high carbs can be a factor in not losing weight, and also the fact he had never done it before even though he was only getting 1/2 cup a day on two other different foods before the Core started. I gave him 1/3 cup this morning hoping it would make a difference. I’m going to see what this extra does for him after tonights feeding. Unless someone else has any ideas.

[Kathleen C]

This just started about a month or so ago. I used to pick up his poops, stick everything into one bag and then put it near the deck stairs and pick up later for the main trash bin. I came out one day and he had torn the bag apart getting to the contents, so I can definitely say he had never done that before. Now when he goes out I watch and pick up everything at once. Yesterday I missed one, he ate it and promptly came into the house and threw up in the spare bedroom, poop and all. Uck!

[Kathleen C]

OK, I’m back with something I forgot to mention yesterday for some reason: Earlier when I was trying to find out the carbs in the Wellness Core I’m feeding Jack, my 4 year old Boston, I forgot to say he’s been eating poop. I believe it’s because he’s only getting 1/4 cup twice a day of the Reduced Fat diet plus some carrots and green beans so probably not enough and I don’t know how much more I can feed him without him gaining more weight. The Adviser’s calculator says I can feed him a bit less than a cup of this food which has 360 cal. per cup. I tried 3/4 of a cup spread out over the day and he gained a bit so that’s when I went down to 1/4 2X a day. Am I being too careful and that’s why he’s eating his poop and should I take a chance and give him more of the kibble and fewer extras?

[Kathleen C]

Earlier when I was trying to find out the carbs in the Wellness Core I’m feeding Jack, my 4 year old Boston, I forgot to say he’s been eating poop. I believe it’s because he’s only getting 1/4 cup twice a day of the Reduced Fat diet plus some carrots and green beans so probably not enough and I don’t know how much more I can feed him without him gaining more weight. The Adviser’s calculator says I can feed him a bit less than a cup of this food which has 360 cal. per cup. I tried 3/4 of a cup spread out over the day and he gained a bit so that’s when I went down to 1/4 2X a day. Am I being too careful and that’s why he’s eating his poop and should I take a chance and give him more of the kibble and fewer extras? I’ve heard the Forbid doesn’t work.

[Kathleen C]

Good. That makes me realize maybe there are little things like the canned green beans and the carrots I’m giving him too much of. I always think both of those are low fat items.

[Kathleen C]

I checked the Wellness site and with the list of carbs I was able to figure out that the Core Reduced is actually the best idea. Fat of 11%, protein 33% and carbs as fed about 34%. That’s about as low as they have with the low fat. The frozen beans idea is good, thank you. He usually only gets about half a dozen big canned beans broken in half so it looks like more. I’ve never been sure how much to give, but 1/2 cup only has 20 calories. I can eat the frozen too though.

With it being so dry here during the summers I’d trade the desert for your wet Florida.

[Kathleen C]

Akari32, I’m trying to get him to lose weight so I’m afraid to get anything with more fat. I checked the online Wellness site and going by your report the Core Reduced has lower fat and carbs with 33% protein. I’m going to try getting him more exercise and some different lower fat treats. So far I think joining the Adviser’s site has already been worth the money. Thank you.

[Kathleen C]

Thank you. Do you know if the carb amount in the Wellness Core Reduced Fat is OK or should I look for something with lower amount? Getting that list from Wellness was a fantastic help, thanks for your work on it.

[Kathleen C]

Thank you for your response. Green beans are canned so cooked. Carrots are raw baby carrots mostly without skin. It’s been very hot here until lately, hopefully fall and winter will cool us off to walk more than once a day in the cool A.M. He loves the dog park and runs a lot there, but again not cool enough yet. I play tug of war with him at home in doors or I throw his squeaky and he runs and brings it back. This is upper desert so lots of rocky yards, no grass. He’s going in for obedience training this saturday so hopefully that will also help. I found the list of carbs in Wellness foods that was posted on one of the forums and the Wellness Core Reduced Fat is As Fed 34.19 and Dry Matter 37.16. Is that high?

[Kathleen C]

Thank you, Akari: This is exactly what I wanted to know. I need the amount for Wellness Core Reduced Fat dog food and now I’m wondering if “As Fed: 34.19 and Dry Matter: 37.16” is high or low. Does anyone know if this could be keeping Jack from losing weight? Thank you.

[Kathleen C]

I have a 4 year old Male Boston Terrier, Jack, who should weigh about 18-19 pounds and is presently almost 21. He’s on Wellness Core Reduced Fat and I’m giving him 1/4 cup twice a day without any results for the last 2 months. He gets green beans and carrots for dessert but I probably give him little bits of other things without realizing they can cause a problem. I’ve been fighting to keep him at 20 pounds, but wanted him to go back to 18 1/2 so I would have some leeway to give him more food since I feel 1/2 cup a day is too little. He always seems hungry, but I realize dogs do that. I’m wondering if anything I’m doing is right and if he would gain weight if I used your idea of adding the green beans to his food every time. Or maybe the food isn’t right. I know I’ve heard the carbs can be the biggest problem in losing weight.

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