[JeffreyT]

Hi Jennifer, my very picky little guys love Dr. Harveys fine premix. Just add the meat and oil. I give them a little organic coconut oil as a treat.
https://www.chewy.com/dr-harveys-veg-to-bowl-fine-ground/dp/47349?dept=dog

Mine will not touch canned or kibble but gobble up home cooked and also a variety of the freeze dried and air dried foods.

Crumbling a delicious treat, like Primal freeze dried liver or freeze dried Stella and Chewys, over food also helps.

[JeffreyT]

Hi Marionne, Acana kibble was too big for our toy dogs also. We rotate with home cooking and freeze dried but wanted an easy option for when pressed for time. Mine do not like extruded kibble but will gobble up Wellness Core Air Dried, Wellness Trufood (it’s baked and comes in small breed and regular but even the regular is quite small) and Real Meat Food Co which can be easily broken into tiny pieces.

[JeffreyT]

Hi Jenn, theoretically I think you are correct. However, soil depletion, food and environmental toxins and issues with absorption can all cause nutrient deficiencies.

https://www.bulletproofexec.com/why-you-need-supplements/

[JeffreyT]

C4D, it depends on what kind of supplements. Pharmaceutical companies generally use isolated, synthetic vitamins in their studies, as opposed to whole food supplements. This is very misleading but not surprising.

The author of the article you posted, Dr. Paul Offit, is on the board of trustees of the American Council on Science and Health – they describe themselves as a consumer education group – but they are a front group for corporate interests. Their funding is from pharmaceutical, oil and chemical companies, and they’ve defended DDT, asbestos, agent orange and various other pesticides, saying they do no harm.

Here is an excellent article on the difference between synthetic and whole food supplements.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/01/19/whole-food-supplements.aspx

[JeffreyT]

Rick, I checked out your website and it does look like an excellent product. I’m always on the look out for supplements that are gmo-free, no fillers, sourced in US and not synthetic. The added enzymes, probiotics and minerals from Utah’s earth beds are a huge plus. It seems like a very pure ‘all in one’ type of supplement, and I’d consider adding to their rotation.

Thanks for posting.

[JeffreyT]

No, Royal is not a natural shampoo even though they use words like natural and organic…they are marketing gimmicks. Dog shampoo companies are not required to list ingredients, so when they only list ‘key’ or ‘active’ ingredients that’s a red flag. If product does not say something like ‘no synthetic ingredients’ I would not use it. Unfortunately the vast majority of dog shampoos have toxic ingredients. There is a link to this article which lists some natural shampoos.
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/1_4/features/5335-1.html

[JeffreyT]

Hi minnie-mama, congratulations! Havanese is a great breed, very much like maltese, which I have.

Here’s some good information on the importance of a rotational diet. I changed my pups’ diet a few days after they came home and used probiotics, enzymes and pumpkin to avoid stomach issues, and still use first two for good digestion and to keep their immune systems strong.
/frequently-asked-questions/diet-rotation-for-dogs/

Dr. Karen Becker’s newsletter gives excellent nutritional advice, and I use the Mercola enzymes, probiotics, krill oil and multi vitamin she recommends. Mercola also makes a natural flea and tick repellent that is the best smelling one I’ve used, and it works.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/07/21/13-pet-foods-ranked-from-great-to-disastrous.aspx

I highly recommend the book Scared Poopless to help avoid cancer and other diseases later on. The author’s website is loaded with helpful advice on avoiding vaccine overdose (especially important for small dogs), and how to do heart worm meds safely.
http://www.dogs4dogs.com/

Mine get a variety of the five star freeze dried and dehydrated foods (all you have to do is add water) with some home prepared meals using Dr. Harvey’s premix and organic meat already made from Whole Foods. Their main meal consists of these foods, and at night they get a light meal of dry and a topper like lean meat, egg yolk, yogurt, cottage cheese, goat cheese, a sprinkle of parmesan, a sardine from the can or ground salad or vegetables (never feed onion). As long as you keep toppers and treats under 20% of their daily intake, the diet will stay balanced.

I always get grain-free and gmo-free foods. Their favorite dry foods are air dried like Ziwi Peak, Real Meat Food Co, Only Natural Max Air Dried and Wellness Core Air Dried. Some of the better kibble foods that my picky ones have eaten are Petcurean Go Now, Farmina, Amicus and Wellness Trufood Baked. You can call the companies to get samples, and make sure to get the small breed puppy formula. I always buy the smallest bags, and do not keep food over one month because it starts to go rancid.

The treats they go crazy for are Stella and Chewys, Orijen, Lakse Kronch Wild Salmon, Primal and Dogs for the Earth. Dogs for the Earth also makes an organic food that they love.

Make sure to avoid synthetic shampoos and other toxic products. Earthbath puppy is a good one that is non-toxic. For face, when mine were puppies, I used Castle Bath which is a non-toxic face cleaner and powder to keep faces clean and avoid tear stains….cotton baby washcloths work best with this. Baby shampoo from the healthy food store is also good for faces. Avoid drug store brands because they’re loaded with toxic chemicals.
http://www.castlebaths.com/tear-stain-remover.html

Before I got my maltese I joined an online maltese forum where I learned a lot about food, training and grooming… you may want to consider one for Havanese.

Good luck!

[JeffreyT]

Susan, so good to hear how well Patches is doing! I may do a phone consult for nutritional advice. The supplements look excellent too.

[JeffreyT]

Hi Greg,

I would want to get to the root cause, and this information from Dr. Karen Becker is a good start:
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/11/02/inflammatory-bowel-disease-in-pets.aspx#!

Have you ever tried probiotics and enzymes? They go a long way in healing the gut. I like brands that do third party testing so I know product is pure, like Animal Essentials, Standard Process, Mercola, Dr. Peter Tobias, Nordic Naturals. Compromised animals don’t need any more unnecessary burdens. That’s also the reason using only natural grooming and household products are important…..all chemical products should be replaced with natural ones, since they can aggravate symptoms.
https://www.chewy.com/dog/animal-essentials-plant-enzymes/dp/49372

Also, check out these reviews on Perfect Form, which helped my IBD pup more than meds.
https://www.chewy.com/dog/honest-kitchen-perfect-form-herbal/dp/35578

Canned pumpkin can also help.
http://www.chewy.com/dog/nummy-tum-tum-pure-organic-pumpkin/dp/35535

I would seriously consider doing a phone consultation with a holistic vet like Dr. Karen Becker. There’s a link to a list of holistic vets in the Dr. Karen Becker article as well.

While conventional medicine has its place, the vast majority of veterinarians have little knowledge about nutrition/ healing, and only treat symptoms, while ignoring the root cause of illness. This is believed to push dis-ease further into the body. Holistic vets attempt to help the body heal naturally, which increases health, well being and vitality. That is the direction I would go.

[JeffreyT]

Here is Dr. Becker’s turkey and pumpkin recipe for stomach issues.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2014/09/01/pumpkin-dietary-fiber.aspx

You may consider probiotics and enzymes to help with stomach problems, maximum absorption of nutrients and immune function. They can be used every day. I always keep Perfect Form by Honest Kitchen on hand which is a miracle supplement.

I agree with anonymous that you should get the puppy to the vet, and bring a stool sample. If antibiotics are recommend, make sure to use probiotics after finishing prescription so good bacteria are replenished.

After home cooking, I’ve found the freeze dried and dehydrated foods to be the best for stomach and health, and the only kibble type food my pups have no issues with is air dried like Real Meat Pet Food, Only Natural Air Dried Max or Ziwi Peak.

[JeffreyT]

Judith, may I ask the brand of food?

I have a pup with a sensitive stomach and at first sign of upset I give her Perfect Form by Honest Kitchen mixed with a little water and Animal Essentials Ginger (stops nausea and stomach upset) and give with a syringe. It works wonders.

How are your older ones doing? I hope they are feeling better.

[JeffreyT]

I use this toothbrush for our maltese but haven’t found a natural toothpaste I like so I use it with Mercola’s tooth gel.

I use a baby finger toothbrush for my younger maltese b/c she fights me less than when I use the above brush.

Sea Dent can be sprinkled on food, it’s natural and I’ve heard it works well.
http://animalessentials.com/#products:74

I read it’s a myth that dry food cleans the teeth. What is the water additive your vet recommends?

• This reply was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by JeffreyT.

[JeffreyT]

I would stick with one of the recommended mixes suggested by dogaware.com.

If you exclusively feed homemade, it is especially important that you give an appropriate pre-mix, and you also may want to alternate between 2 or more for optimal nutrition.

I’ve tried See Spot Live Longer, Dr. Harveys finely ground and Wysong which my little picky ones liked. They did not love Grandma Lucys or Honest Kitchen.

http://www.dogaware.com/diet/dogfoodmixes.html

Good luck.

[JeffreyT]

Your welcome Nina. I understand the dilemna. If I had big dogs, freeze dried would be too expensive, and I’d probably do more home cooking, and just use freeze dried as toppers. You may want to check out Nutrisca…it’s more economical than the other freeze dried foods. Good luck with your search!

[JeffreyT]

Hi Nina,

We have two very picky maltese (not unusual for the breed) and found the freeze dried and dehydrated foods to be the most palatable for them, and also healthier than dry and canned. It’s also a joy for me to see their anticipation as I prepare their favorite foods, then watch them enjoy every bite. My pups bring so much love and laughter to our home, giving them healthy, delicious foods is the least I can do for them!

Here is my reply to another dog owner with a picky pup. I think I left out Dogs for the Earth, one of their favorites….expensive but worth every penny. And occasionally I buy Wellness Core Air Dried or Wellness Tru Food because they are very palatable and easy to serve when pressed for time. Both come in puppy formulas. I try to keep dry food under 25% of their diet.
/forums/topic/very-picky-eater/

I hope you find some foods your pup loves!

• This reply was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by JeffreyT.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by JeffreyT.

[JeffreyT]

Congratulations!

We have maltese and rotate between the freeze dried and dehydrated 5 star foods. Good rule of thumb is to add 1-2 tablespoons of water to each patty or brick. These foods are easy to break into smaller pieces, nutrient dense, species appropriate and healthier than canned.
The following are in our rotation.
Primal
Stella and Chewy (and their treats)
Dogs for the Earth (one of their favorites)
Orijen (and treats)
Stewarts Bison
Dr. Harveys
Honest Kitchen (we purchase their sample packets and use in their rotation)
Nutrisca
Northwest Naturals
Chewy.com has a lot of these foods

We also feed Tru Dog, Vital Essentials and Only Natural Niblets but I would avoid feeding to a tiny puppy.

I don’t like regular kibble because it’s so overly processed… plus mine don’t like it. The only dry type food they get is air dried from Real Meat Food Co, Only Natural Max Air Dried or Ziwi Peak. Meats are grass fed, free range, gmo/anti bitotic/hormone free. I keep this under 25% of their diet due to lack of moisture. They love air dried.
http://shop.realmeatpet.com/Introduction-Dog-Cat-Food-Trial-3-Pack-FD3PACK.htm

We also do some home cooking and use Dr. Harveys finely ground premix.

I highly recommend reading Scared Poopless which is specifically for small dogs…excellent info on how to avoid cancer and other diseases.

Also, Dr. Karen Becker’s newsletter is very informative. She offers great nutrition info and I use many of the supplements she suggests. I would definitely think about adding probiotics and enzymes to meals for optimum digestion and immune support, and to avoid stomach upset as you transition and rotate new foods.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/

Good luck.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 4 months ago by JeffreyT.
• This reply was modified 9 years, 4 months ago by JeffreyT.

[JeffreyT]

Hi ed p,

I also like to warm up foods before serving and use the bain marie method. I either put very hot water from tap in a shallow pan, or heat up water in a pot (not even close to boiling), and put in a shallow pan….then add bowl with food (stainless steel, never plastic due to leaching) to that pan and let sit for a few minutes, stirring a few times so top pieces get warmed too.

You can even purchase a bain marie pot.

I avoid the microwave.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 4 months ago by JeffreyT.

[JeffreyT]

Here’s the best info on heart worm I’ve read. Check out part 2 for how to do lowest dosage.
http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2009/05/13/heartworm-medication-safety/

[JeffreyT]

It would be great to see a review of Dogs for the Earth. I’ve been using it in my picky pups’ rotation and they love it. Although most of the freeze dried and dehydrated foods have a pleasant smell, this smells intensely fresh and appetizing. I also appreciate that the animals used are humanely raised and the food is organic.

Thanks for your consideration, and a goldmine of a website.

[JeffreyT]

Hi Daniel,

After a lot of trial and error, we found our very picky maltese prefer freeze dried and dehydrated, to which water is added. It’s pricier than kibble or canned but much more palatable, and also healthier since it’s not highly processed.

Freeze dried ours will eat:
Primal
Stella and Chewys
Stewarts
Orijen
Nutrisca
Northwest Naturals
Tru Dog
Vital Essentials
Most available from Chewy
http://www.chewy.com/dog/freeze-dried-food-336

They also love Only Natural Niblets Venison and Liver but they’ll eat all the flavors. There’s an excellent sale on the chicken now.
Only Natural Pet RawNibs Freeze Dried Chicken & Liver Meal Topper for Dogs

We buy the smallest bags possible, including sample bags, because the variety keep them interested in meals, plus it’s healthier. We also add probiotics and enzymes to the food to maximize nutrient absorption, strengthen immune system and minimize stomach issues.

Dehydrated foods:
Chewy sells these small sample bags of Dr. Harveys to try:
http://www.chewy.com/dog/freeze-dried-food-336/dr-harveys

Honest Kitchen sells sample bags of their dehydrated food. My pups like this less than Dr. Harveys but some pups really love it.
http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=0&q=samples

We give Real Meat Food Co. when we’re in a hurry. It’s an air dried food made from grass fed, free range meats…..much less processed than dry and much more palatable. They love it. We buy the sample packs so it’s easy to rotate. Wellness Core has also has an air dried that’s very palatable but not as high quality as Real Meat Food Co.
http://shop.realmeatpet.com/Introduction-Dog-Cat-Food-Trial-3-Pack-FD3PACK.htm

Sometimes we do homemade for variety and add a premix.

Lastly, we always put toppers on food to entice eating….they can include their favorite treats like freeze dried Orijen, Stella and Chewy, Lakse Kronch Wild Salmon or lean meats, egg yolk, a sprinkle of parmesan, goat cheese, etc.
Chewy has a nice variety of healthy treats. Mine love the freeze dried type.
http://www.chewy.com/dog/treats-335/freeze-dried-food

[JeffreyT]

Many of these foods are available in the small non-corporate type pet food stores but you can also order from Chewy.com. Usually food comes within two days of ordering.
http://www.chewy.com/dog/freeze-dried-food-336
http://www.chewy.com/dog/treats-335/freeze-dried-food

I buy Dogs for the Earth here:
http://dogsfortheearth.com/

Real Meat Food Co.
http://shop.realmeatpet.com/Introduction-Dog-Cat-Food-Trial-3-Pack-FD3PACK.htm

Good luck!

• This reply was modified 9 years, 4 months ago by JeffreyT.

[JeffreyT]

Hi Craig,
DogFoodie gave you some great suggestions.
We have two very picky maltese, one with a sensitive stomach.
After a lot of trial and error with many types of foods, we found the freeze dried is the most palatable, easily digested and tolerated by our pups. I suggest starting with freeze dried that is pathogen-free (HPP process removes bacteria, salmonella, parasites, etc). Add filtered water and let soak in a few minutes. Rotating foods keeps them excited about mealtime, and is healthier than eating only one type of food. The following are some of the pathogen-free freeze dried mine will eat.
Stella and Chewy
Primal
Northwest Naturals (pretty sure it’s HPP)
Stewarts
Nutrisca
Dogs for the Earth (it’s already lightly cooked using all organic ingredients).

Honest Kitchen makes a great food. I wish mine liked it. You can order sample packs online.

I always add probiotics and enzymes to food which helps strengthen gut, digestion, immune system and vitality….we alternate between Dr. Peter Tobias, Mercola and Animal Essentials….all source non-GMO, pure ingredients. We keep Perfect Form by Honest Kitchen on hand in case of loose stools, but we rarely need to use anymore. I always start any supplement at a much lower dose than suggested and slowly build up.

When your pup gets stronger you may consider adding freeze dried foods that do not go through the HPP process since it’s less processed, like Orijen. Ours are crazy for the crunchy freeze dried like Tru Dog, which uses grass fed, free range meats, Only Natural Niblets and Vital Essentials. The only dry type food we give is an air dried, grass fed, minimally processed food from Real Meat Food Co. We buy the 3 pack sample bags for our rotation. They love this it and it’s easy to serve when in a hurry.

FYI, we use toppers on meals to entice our picky eaters. When feeding cooked food like Dogs for the Earth we add a cooked topper such as Dogs for the Earth liver and parsley treat, egg yolk, a sprinkle of parmesan, some lean meat or Lakse Kronch Wild Salmon Treats, etc. When feeding the raw freeze dried we top it with a few freeze dried treats (Stella and Chewys or Orijen). I try to add cooked toppers to cooked food and raw toppers to raw food to make it easier on digestion.

[JeffreyT]

After doing a lot of research on purity and effectiveness, we alternate between Dr. Peter Tobias, Mercola and Animal Essentials.

For a multi vitamin mineral we’ve been alternating between Mercola’s Spirugreen and Dr. Peter Tobias’ green superfood multi-vitamin and mineral….both whole food, mostly organic. They’re easily digested and well tolerated by our small picky maltese.

We make a paste out of it, add probiotics (alternate between Mercola, Animal Essentials and Peter Tobias) and other Mercola supplements. They’re really picky but they lick this off my hand like it’s an appetizer.

You may also want to add enzymes to food to help it digest easier and for overall vitality. We alternate between Mercola, Animal Essentials and Peter Tobias.

Standard Process Whole Body Canine Support is another multi I would like to add to the rotation at some point.

For stomach issues we found our pups do best with the freeze dried food to which we add water. We rotate foods as well to keep it varied, healthy and interesting.

Good luck.

[JeffreyT]

I like Green Valley…it’s organic, lactose-free and humanely certified. My dogs love their kefir and yogurt 🙂
http://www.greenvalleylactosefree.com/products/kefir.php

[JeffreyT]

Check out Dr. Karen Becker’s articles on yeast. I do her povidine foot soak for itchy paws and it’s helped.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/05/03/eating-these-foods-can-make-your-dog-itch-like-crazy.aspx

The fresh and frozen raw are probably the healthiest and most cost effective but the bulk of my pups’ diet is a variety of freeze dried raw, with water added to rehydrate. They are Stella and Chewys, Primal, Orijen, and Stewarts Bison. Their favorites are Trudog, Only Natural Niblets and Vital Essentials…I soak these overnight.

For a quick meal I give the air dried raw from Real Meat Food Co or Ziwi Peak and rotate between brands and proteins.

Be prepared for a cleansing reaction, like loose stools, which could happen as you go to better foods. You may want to consider adding digestive enzymes and probioitics to help with potential digestive issues when changing…I use in most meals, it also supports the immune system and overall health.

Also consider having Perfect Form on hand from Honest Kitchen or canned pumpkin, and give during transition for stomach issues. But first check to see if it’s ok to give to yeasty dog, not sure.

Fish oil can help itchy skin and also good for heart, joints, brain, etc. Good brands for these supplements include Mercola Krill, Animal Essentials, Dr. Peter Tobias, Wholistic Pet Organics and Natures Farmacy.

Good luck!

[JeffreyT]

Thank you for your encouraging reply Dori!

[JeffreyT]

Dori..I am very sorry to hear about your son.
I would consider Standard Process as my maltese gets older..especially after seeing how well your beautiful maltese is doing at 16 years…inspirational really.

And Lazaro, I feed mostly commercial raw and give a whole food multi every other day and give joint support on alternate days. I rotate between Mercola, Dr. Peter Tobias, Nature’s Farmacy, Animal Essentials and Wholistic Pet Organics. All these companies focus on whole foods, use a lot of certified organic ingredients and limit gmo’s.

I also give enzymes/probioitcs with meals, fish oil and ubiquinol most days, and bladder support every other day for my maltese prone to stones.

Here is Dr. Karen Becker explaining the importance of Spirugreen…Mercola’s pet multi.
http://products.mercola.com/healthypets/spirugreen/

[JeffreyT]

Hi Jakes Mom, the current companies in my rotation I trust are Mercola, Animal Essentials, Dr. Peter Tobias, Wholistic Pet Organics and Nature’s Farmacy. Mercola, Animal Essentials and Wholistic Pet Organics do 3rd party testing. Dr. Peter Tobias offers certified organic products and sells other companies products that do 3rd party testing. And Nature’s Farmacy has a Guaranteed Analysis label. All these companies focus on whole food supplements, use a lot of certified organic ingredients and limit gmo’s.

Nature’s Farmacy was started years ago by serious show people. They have an all in one product that combines joint support, multi vitamin, omegas, digestive enzymes and probioitcs for those who want easy. I also love their Cornucopia powder blend of organic veggies and fruits….great stuff for anti-cancer prevention, and can be given as part of the ground veggies in homemade diets or added to any pet food to increase nutrition.

I keep up with the peer reviewed studies in Mercola and Dr. Karen Becker’s newsletters..so I believe the supplements I give help prevent disease and increase vitality and energy. I think two of the most important ones are digestive enzymes and probiotics, given in most meals. Every day they get Mercola’s Ubiquinol for heart disease prevention and healthy gums and also fish oil every day..rotating bottles between Mercola Krill, Nordic Naturals Pet, Animal Essentials capsules and New Chapter.

They get a multi vitamin/mineral every other day, and on alternate days, light joint support, rotating brands.

My 5 year old maltese gets bladder support every other day because she is prone to stones.

As they get older I will add more of Mercola’s products like eye support, mushrooms and liver/kidney support, and Animal Essentials herbs like Cardiovascular support,etc….rotating them probably. I also wouldn’t hesitate to use Standard Process, Thorne or Orthomolecular Specialtes to target specific issues as they age.

I recently learned about a cleanse recommended on Dr. Peter Tobias’ website using Livton Medi-Herb…he suggests twice a year for two months…makes sense to me. His site is awesome. I learned about it on DFA…another awesome place for info.

[JeffreyT]

Here is Dr. Karen Becker’s overview of environmental allergies…she has other good ones listed on the right side of screen. She highly recommends bathing for environmental allergies. We did her betadine foot soak and it helped stop the paw licking/chewing.

If you don’t already…use only natural, unscented laundry detergent, avoid fabric softener, scented products like room deodorizers, candles, body care, etc., use pure and non-toxic household cleaning and body care products for your family and dogs, avoid all chemicals including flea/tick treatment. For dog shampoo I stick with unscented health food store baby shampoo, and use Mercolas flea and tick spray. BioKleen household cleaners are very pure and effective. I stay away from Meyers…very toxic stuff, even though it’s sold in health food stores.
Carpet and Persian type rugs can hold a lot of allergens…consider steam cleaning but do not let them use the cleaning solution..use only the steam. Best thing is no carpet at all if it is environmental allergies.
I’ve found my dog does better with commercial raw freeze dried and frozen raw than kibble or canned. When I’m in a rush, I use Ziwi Peak or Real Meat Food Company…both air dried using grass fed meat. I think home cooking is also a good option if you can swing it.
Also, a good air purifier helps.
Keep at it and you will find the solution.

[JeffreyT]

Excellent links LabsRawsome and LM. Every pet owner needs to see this.

[JeffreyT]

Here’s a good article on IBS from Karen Becker
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/11/02/inflammatory-bowel-disease-in-pets.aspx
Personally I would not have the spay operation done now or perhaps never. Hormones are the fountain of youth in humans…my vet believes they are in pets as well, and an operation could cause more complications. If you must spay, consider a laparoscopic spay done by a vet well versed in this procedure…it’s less invasive and less recovery time.

Going to a holistic vet is a great idea. Good luck and please update.

[JeffreyT]

The owners of Raw N More have boxers and are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about dog health. I highly recommend speaking to them.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Raw-N-More-LLC/401302566583566

[JeffreyT]

I prefer Mercolas…it works and the smell is pretty good.

[JeffreyT]

When I called Wellness to ask if their dog food is gmo-free they said only their organic products are. I’ve never come across any organic Wellness dog food, only the conventionally raised meat kind. Also when I spoke to them they had a big corporate company vibe…I stay away.

[JeffreyT]

sk you may want to look into some of these companies. Many of them are free range or grass fed, some grass finished.

Primal… certified humane with high GAP (Global Animal Partership, same system Whole Food uses) ratings. You can contact certifiedhumane.org to see other pet foods they rate.
Stella and Chewys (grassfed beef and lamb and I think grass finished)
Ziwi Peak, Real Meat Food Company and K9 Natural use grass fed beef and lamb I believe.
Dogs for the Earth says their animals are raised above and beyond humane standards.
Healthy Pet Foods (healthypetdiet.com) raises organic, pasture raised beef. One of my dogs’ favorite foods. Owner is a top cavalier breeder, not doing it for money, sells mostly to breeders. He’s been doing it for over 20 years and says his food has been tweaked to perfection, and his dogs live well beyond breed standard.
Orijen says their food is pasture raised.
Addiction uses a lot of free range but I stopped using when I found out their canola oil is not organic…they said they are trying to change to organic canola oil.

I just added Trudog to their rotation. It’s grass fed but I need to call them to see if it’s grass finished. I’m sure there are more companies out there but haven’t had the time to look into it.

BTW many of these companies use cage free chicken but not range fed so I try to buy chicken from Whole Foods and feed with a premix. The only way to know about travel time to slaughter, conditions and how much time spent in feed lots is to speak with companies directly. This is my understanding anyway.

sk, thank you for pointing out that billions of animals, as deserving of compassion as our pets, are raised in brutal conditions. It would be very helpful to have another section here called ‘HUMANE OPTIONS’. It could also cover the issue of hormones, GMO’s and anti-biotics since the GAP rating from CertifiedHumane.org covers that as well.

I agree with others that best choice for humane is to buy from local farms where you can directly see conditions….kudos to those who do. Not all of us have that option…and the reason a ‘HUMANE OPTIONS’ would be so appreciated.

[JeffreyT]

We sometimes use Earthbath. They have a puppy shampoo which is very gentle and it’s half price at Marshalls/HomeGoods.. or else any of the baby shampoos (except Jason) at Whole Foods which we try to get on sale. Also make sure there’s no Xylitol.
You can check purity of many shampoos on EWG’s website.
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/brand/Jason_Natural_Cosmetics/
We stay away from conventional pet, baby and adult shampoos due to toxic chemicals.

Healthiest and cheapest option is to make your own, which I’d like to try one of these days. There’s some great info on this sight about shampoos, oral care, etc you may find useful.
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.com/2012/07/dog-and-pet-shampoo-unsafe-harmful.html
Congratulations on your new puppy.

[JeffreyT]

Alicia, I’ve never heard of him but am very impressed with his website and products. I’m going to be ordering the Soulfood fermented multivitamin and the mineral supplement to start.
His video also highly recommends chiropractic…I didn’t realize what a huge impact that would have on canine health. I’ll be looking into that too.

Thank you for taking the time to post this information, it’s much appreciated.

[JeffreyT]

Animal Essentials sells a product called Animals Apawthecary Ginger-Mint tincture that works wonders for motion sickness/nausea. They’re very knowledgeable and maybe can advise, and make sure it’s ok to take with the meds. It got good reviews on Amazon for upset stomach too.
I hope your little one feels better soon.

[JeffreyT]

You may be interested in this article from Dr. Karen Becker.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/08/03/why-havent-pet-owners-been-told-these-facts-about-heartworm.aspx

And here is more detailed info from Jasmusen…
http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2009/05/13/heartworm-medication-safety/

[JeffreyT]

Our maltese stopped eating breakfast until we realized she likes a lot of variety so we are always switching it up. Buying sample sizes has been a huge help. It also keeps them loving their favorite foods because they never get bored with them.

The bowls made specifically for microwaves usually have BPA and other chemicals which leach into food….maybe bowl smells funny. Microwaves also deplete food of anti-oxidants, nutrients, etc in less than a minute…other negative health effects as well.
We put glass bowl with food in a pan of hot water for a few minutes.

[JeffreyT]

We recently stopped feeding pet food fish b/c of the rancidity factor that BCnut refers to and also the ethoxyquin.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/01/03/fish-as-a-protein-source.aspx

You could use a pre-mix with fresh fish, canned sardines if you can’t bring yourself to feed other types of animals, and alternate with some veg meals (humane certified eggs, veg pet food, etc).

You can also buy the highest humanely rated meats (already prepared or raw) at Whole Foods and use with a pre-mix. If you can’t deal with the preparation aspect, Primal and Answers pet food are certified by the Global Animal Partnership…the same system used by Whole Foods that rates humane conditions and certifies feed gmo-free. And there are hopefully more out there I don’t know about.

Some companies use pasture raised and pasture finished so no factory farms or feed lots, like Healthy Pet Products, Stella and Chewys and Dogs for the Earth.
Dogs for the Earth raises their chickens above and beyond humane guidelines. Generally pet foods with wild boar/bison are free range too. Just some options you may want to consider.

[JeffreyT]

Cindy, NRG meat pieces are a little smaller with more crumbs, and have long pieces of squash or carrot. You can email NRG and get samples.

We sometimes buy the 4 ounce sample bags of Addiction but only use occasionally due to canola oil. I like that the meat sources are free range game and come from a pristine, non-polluted area.

I know how challenging it can be with picky eaters…rotating often seems to keep mine more interested in eating.

[JeffreyT]

Our very picky little dogs love all the freeze dried they’ve tried so far…Stella and Chewys, Primal, Orijen, Big Dog Natural, Healthy Pet Products (both the freeze dried and frozen, it’s the only frozen food they gobble up..but since it has garlic we limit to a few times a week). They like Addiction, which is crumbly like Big Dog Natural, but Big Dog Natural is way more palatable.

They go crazy for Vital Essentials but it needs to be soaked overnight in fridge. We soak it in water along with some pumpkin, pureed veggies, Animal Essentials Green Alternative or Dogzymes Cornucopia fruit/veggie mix for added fiber and nutrition since this food has no fruits or vegetables. In the morning each piece is cut in half or thirds then put back in water where the rest is quickly absorbed. Once reconstituted it becomes chewy-like which gives it a novel texture and won’t turn to mush. We make a few days worth and take the chill off by placing stainless steel bowl with food in a hot pan with some water for a few minutes.

Even though their favorite is freeze dried and the bulk of their diet, they also eat Ziwi Peak, non-gmo small breed kibble and dehydrated. They will only eat Grandma Lucys or Honest kitchen if we add some cooked meat along with other enticing toppers like cheese, egg yolk or crumbled Origen or Stella and Chewy treats. We buy sample packs so it’s easier to augment with these foods.

NRG has quality ingredients but they wouldn’t eat it…reminded me of Sojos which they wouldn’t eat either.

Good to know you pup likes Stewarts b/c we’re trying that next. Dogs for the Earth looks good as well…it’s organic dehydrated patties but I believe meat is cooked first. We were also going to try Smack when it’s available again in US.

[JeffreyT]

A humanely raised category is a great idea. Not only is it better for the animals raised for food, it’s so much better for the dogs. Factory farmed animals do not make for superior nutrition IMO.

[JeffreyT]

Google ‘Frontline Plus toxic’…you’ll find many other dogs who became sick or died. It’s not just Frontline…products like them also contain poisons that can harm or kill dogs and cats.
A visit to the vet might be a good idea. Good luck. Please update when possible.

[JeffreyT]

Probiotics, digestive enxymes and healthier foods (home cooked and raw dehydrated), plus some other supplements have helped my dog’s bloody, loose stool and immune system. The probiotics that I have used are Mercola, Wysong (which also has colostrum in it to help build immune system), and VSL#3 (a medical grade probiotic delivered with ice). I’ve heard good things about Nusentia’s Probiotic Miracle helping IBD.

You may want to call Animals Essentials (they are very knowledgeable and their products are the purest around) and ask what may help. I’ve used their phytomucil for both loose stools and constipation. I’ve also found Wysong supplements to be helpful during times of sickness.

Here is Dr.Karen Becker’s take on IBD
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/11/02/inflammatory-bowel-disease-in-pets.aspx
Here is Dogaware’s info which may be helpful too
http://dogaware.com/health/digestive.html#ibd
Keep searching and you will find an answer.

Sometimes medicine is needed but my preference is using natural so it actually heals and gets to the root of the problem.
Good luck.

[JeffreyT]

Yes, the theBCnut, you have a point about treating the actual heartworm. It is a higher dose of heartworm meds plus an antibiotic. But my precautions (flea/tick spray, not going out dawn/dusk, etc) should ensure I will not have to make that choice.

Marty Goldstein DVM (and many holistic vets) believes heartworms are less of an epidemic than the disease causing toxicity of heartworm meds. I lost a dog to cancer and swore that I’d do everything possible to avoid repeating that nightmare.

If I chose to do meds I’d probably do the low dose Safeheart medication.

[JeffreyT]

Yes, I’d get the dog to the vet immediately.

After reading Scared Poopless by Jan Rasmusen we decided not to give heartworm meds because they are basically poisons meant to kill the heartworm/larvae.
http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2009/05/13/heartworm-medication-safety/

For prevention we always apply natural flea/tick spray like Mercolas, and test twice a year for heartworm to get it early when it’s not dangerous and treatment is easy. From what I’ve read, it’s not as easy to get heartworm as vets make it out to be.

How is he doing?

[JeffreyT]

Tear staining in puppies is usually from teething, and should clear up naturally.
If it doesn’t go away after adult teeth come in it could mean blocked tear ducts. One of my dogs has it but it’s not worth doing the corrective procedure since it works only 50% of the time. Angel eyes will not stop the staining if tear ducts are the problem.

I used a natural tear staining kit on mine as puppies, and did what USA Dog Treats advised and it helped a lot.
http://www.castlebaths.com/spa-products-for-your-pet/tear-stain-remover.html

A change from mineral water to distilled water can help some dogs, as well as good probiotics. I alternate between Mercola and Jarrow Pet Probiotics. Also a few times a week give a few dropper-fulls of plain organic kefir and yogurt. Giving by dropper helps keep their faces clean 🙂

[JeffreyT]

I was recently turned onto Harmless Harvest raw organic coconut water (refrigerated section Whole Foods). Best coconut water I’ve tried, tastes like it’s fresh from the coconut. We give it to our maltese by dropper so it doesn’t get on their beards and generally give no more than 3 dropper-fulls a few times a week, and more often in summer (although they always want more 🙂
I also do the same when I give them green juices but give about 4-8 dropper-fulls (if that’s a word?) since it has less sugar.
I think a healthier option to plain coconut water is fermented coconut water (refrigerated section Whole Foods) but it’s definitely not as delicious as the Harmless Harvest.
PS Coco Libre Organic coconut water is the next best tasting coconut water I’ve tried and less money than Harmless Harvest. Both brands are 100% coconut water.
Great website and forum, I’ve learned a lot. Thanks.

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