[joanne l]

Hi, how about trying boiled ground beef (drain the fat) and cook some white rice mix 50/50 together and just give him that without dog food and see if he eats it and see how he does maybe it is the dog food not sure. If he does well than I would mix in new diet with the beef and rice. I agree with Anon about trying a good grain in diet. There is one called holistic select look on chewy’s website it suppose to be good for digestive issues. If you do change dog food do it very slowly over about 2 week period. They have a lamb and oatmeal one. If that doesn’t work get a second opinion. Maybe he might need prescription diet. I hope everything works out for your pup. Oh, how long has he been eating the Farmina?

P.S. IF he don’t eat the beef and rice flake in a little tuna. I hear a lot of dogs like that strong smell and taste, but you don’t need to put much, Just a teaspoon and mix it in the beef and rice.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

I would buy a grain in diet for now, until they know more. Susan, the lamb and rice you were saying that these are possibilities too? Not that what you read is wrong. I feel okay feeding chicken and rice or lamb and rice. I knew a lot of people that feed both years back and never had an issue. It seems more likely the grain free is targeted the most from what I read. I guess we have to wait until they do more investigations on this to really know. For now just follow the FDA’s advice. The rotating dog food every 6 months I think is a good idea too. It is a shame that I can’t rotate like that. I have a GSD and sometimes he don’t do well with rotating. Wish I could.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Does anyone know if pro plan is AAFCO approved? If not is this a bad thing??

[joanne l]

what I meant was it is too costly to have it regulated by the FDA. Annaneat is a great company and I trust them. I spoke to them and they told me their food is human grade, but to have it regulated by the FDA, like our food is, would be very costly with licenses and stuff like that. He said a bag of food 30lbs would cost at least 200.00 There are a few honest companies and Annameat is one of them.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

You can order it I think on chewy.com

[joanne l]

This is probably and unfortunately true. Like I mentioned before pet food is not regulated. That’s were it gets tricky. Pet food companies can say anything, I am sure some of them use better quality of course, but it is still not regulated. If it were it would cost an arm and a leg.

[joanne l]

Hi Susan I noticed that too with bags of food, when you first open it up it smells good and after a week or two it doesn’t. Fromm dog food always smells good even when opened for a few weeks. I used to use it but a lot of their formulas are too high in protein and too many grain free choices. Over all a great food. Getting back to exotic meats, I think for now when people have dogs that have allergies or IBS or IBD depending how bad, they may want to use prescription diets. I really never liked them, but if a dog is that bag off at least these companies have a lot of science and a lot of experience behind them. I know some people won’t like the ingredients and or they say quality is not good, but you also here people say their dogs got sick eating the top brands too. I hear it all the time on the internet people saying my dog got sick on orjein or wellness or merrick etc…. And that goes for to big brand names too. You will hear my dogs to great on science diet, pro plan etc…and you will hear my dogs didn’t. You will hear good and bad in all these dog foods. So like I said maybe people should go with the tried and true formula’s instead of exotic when it comes down to allergies and so forth. Like I said these new Formulas have not been around long enough to know. I get confused to with all these choices and even when I did try top brands I would hold my breath hoping the dog will take to it. I guess it is a matter of what the owner feels good about the food and has peace of mind with it.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

I was thinking more about this and I am wondering if the exotic meats they use have some chemical to keep it from spoiling in there that affects the heart. I know this sounds far fetched, but I am just thinking about all angles of this. And or they have some kind of disease that is affecting pets? Because we really don’t know much about these exotic animals (scientifically) here in the US. After all I think it is not legal to eat certain ones here or something like that. Maybe I am too much of a thinker so these are not facts these are just my thoughts about certain things. I wanted to also mention that I heard of 2 dogs, one a German Shepard and the other is a mastiff both diagnosed with CHF and both were eating kangaroo dry dog food, pretty weird.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Bill, I just read that the FDA don’t regulate dog food like ours, but they look to keep it safe. So what you are saying is food that is unsafe. Now I am not stupid and I know that dog food is not regulated. But I would think they would try to keep it safe I hope for our pets. Anymore it comes down to dollars and cents for most of these companies. I contacted a reputable dog food company, not saying any names, this man was very honest, he said our dog food comes from USDA inspected facilities, but the animals get what ever is leftover that humans don’t eat, he said not that it is bad for them he said it is good for them. Now that is honesty b/c he is the manager of this pet food company. Who would admit that? I don’t want to mention what company b/c I don’t want to start trouble. I would guess that is the way most of them do it. If it was done any other way we could not afford dog food. It would be 150.00 a bag if it was primes cuts. I guess we have to trust these companies that make our pet food. What else can we do. We can read ingredients all day long but that sometimes don’t mean anything when it comes down to quality and do we really know for certain that it is quality.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Brenda, so sorry to hear about your baby, what breed dog? Ask the vet about royal canine can food and tell him he doesn’t want to eat, I think there is a can dog food RX type than is for sick dogs that don’t want to eat. The only think I do know is don’t try too many different foods. Hopefully you will find one and if he does well on it don’t change it unless you have to. I hope he will be okay. And maybe someone, on here, with more experience will help you. By the way when he was eating the RX diet how did he do on it. I know you said he quit eating it but how was he on it? If he was fine on that then I would ask the vet about the can prescription food. Also, with this I don’t it is wise to try anything at the pet store right now, get the food from the vet. Brenda, I forgot to mention, ask the vet about probiotics there is one called forta flora by pro plan, they should know what it is, I am using it for my dog that was sick with food intolerance. That one has a specific probiotic in there that they say works well, also I heard people say it gives the dog an appetite.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Thank you, I heard Annameat is very good as well. Right now I am feeding Pro plan Lamb and oatmeal sensitive stomach. This one has probiotics in it the other formula’s don’t. Seems like a good formula, we shall see.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Obviously something has changed and the dog’s nose knows it. Could be were they get the food now. My dog did the same thing with Dr. Gary’s best breed. I bought it b/c I heard it is great food the plant has so many certifications and guess what, he did great on a few bags then the next bag was a different color the dog backed away from it and when he finally ate it he got sick. With all those certifications to me don’t me nothing now.

[joanne l]

I think too many consumers wanted grain free, and the companies did what we ask of them, However in my opinion grains be around too long and there was no problems. I like grain in diets and it is frustrating looking for a good grain in diet b/c grain free is too overwhelming. I hope the grain free diets slow down and more grain in diets pop up. I also, believe there is something wrong with the “exotic” meats as well. These meats are coming half way around the world and I don’t trust it at all!!! And the peas and lentils I think are also making absorption of taurine hard just like someone else said as well. My goodness, we need good old fashion dog food. Years ago, many of the old folks I know mentioned how their dogs only ate Alpo, Purina and never had problems in fact they mentioned dogs lived for 15 to 20 years eating this. Amazing isn’t it. I agree with someone that posted, “I don’t know what to feed anymore”.

[joanne l]

I was thinking, maybe the reason dog food company example: Purina pro plan, just lists chicken by products and they are not specified is b/c maybe each batch are different. Example: one large batch may have liver, hearts, spleen and another big batch may have feet’s, trachea, muscle meat etc.. Sometimes it could contain brains and guts. if that is the case they would have to constantly change their packages. This maybe why it is not specified not sure but it is a good guess. Also, consumers might say yuck and not buy it. It may sound bad to us but for dogs it maybe good for them. Dogs need different nutrition than us. Now I am not saying cooked food is not good, matter a fact it is great b/c it is fresh. This is just talking about these by products. And of course our food is much better b/c it is prime cuts and regulated. That’s a different story.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

I forgot to mention my neighbor, he is 80 yrs. old very nice man, he is not up to par like us with dog food. But he told me that no dog food is regulated like human food. So he said to me even the best food is still not like our food. He said this to me b/c I was telling him about all the dog food brands they have today, he was amazed, b/c in his day there was only Alpo and kenelration. So that’s how we started talking about it. And I wanted the best for my dog and that’s when he said no dog food is going to be good as human grade UDSA inspected. He was even skeptical about the good brands I mentioned. He feels that they are not going to give animals good stuff b/c today food is to expensive even for us. That was his thoughts. What surprised me about him is that he said dogs should be feed fresh meats and bones. Then he said “do you see the teeth a dog has”? I said ya. He said they are meant for tearing their food not eating mush or dry food. He is pretty wise man and he makes me laugh. Just wanted to share that with everyone.

[joanne l]

I know just b/c it say USDA inspected plants does not mean good food. Like I said before when a dog food company can stamp USDA inspected food than it is good, but we will never see that. Even the best companies can’t say that either. But we all have to put our trust in someone. Some people, including myself, can’t feed raw diet. I have a big dog. If I had a little dog I would hands down. But what I do is, I feed home cooked and part dry food. So I do half and half. That’s what I did for my other dog to. As far as dry food goes, I feed the best and the middle of the road. In my experience I had problems with both. The expensive food was good until I got a bag and it was different in color and my dog got diarrhea. The middle of the road food was good until I got a bad batch. So I don’t know anymore. Oh, and my other dog ate fresh chicken and beef liver and hearts etc. and it is cheap, but this dog I have now does not do well with fresh by products. So I give him fresh meat and fish.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Wow, I am shocked at what certain pet companies do. If I had the money to make dog food, I would have the best I can get for these pets, but I know I would have to sell it at a high price. But you get what you pay for. But I don’t have that kind of money to go in business. Well I guess the conclusion of this thread is by products are good for dogs, but the quality of them is upmost important. It is nice to hear other people’s opinions on this.

[joanne l]

Anon I just read it. it does not regulate dog food. It makes sure it is complete and balanced.

[joanne l]

Why does is not make sense?? Even though they are putting butter and salt on it, it is still USDA grade this has nothing to do with flavor. I stated this post as a joke, b/c a lot of internet talk says if they don’t list the meat then it is road kill, diseased animals, etc. My point is that just b/c it says chicken, beef, venison. etc…how do you know it is not road kill, diseased animals as well? That makes sense. Everyone that I know says it makes sense. I do agree about asking your vet and not regular people. This is just a conversation piece.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Good point Anon, I agree. Some internet stories may say bad things about it, but for a dog or cat it is nutritional. Also, as I mentioned earlier how do we know even when a company lists “chicken” we don’t really know if it was diseased or dead or even worse. When a dog food company has a USDA inspected food label on the bag then I would trust that it is good. Some companies can tell you it is not this or that but backing it up with a stamped label on the bag is different story. Now some companies will say it is USDA inspected plants, but that is not what I mean. It must say USDA inspected FOOD, then you know what your really getting.

[joanne l]

Thank you everyone for all the input. I really enjoy communicating on here, everyone seems so helpful and knowledgeable. Oh, and Susan that is funny what Zignature told you. That is a joke. As far as kangaroo goes I don’t feed it and I don’t feel comfortable about it either. First they are so cute and second I don’t think it would be of good quality for the dog. I would like to feed venison, but I am Leary about the quality of that. The reason why I say this is b/c these meats are not cheap so how good can the quality be in dog food?

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Oh and by the way what do you feed? b/c I was looking for a good food and you seem really educated on good quality food. I am not really up to bar with food and I started this so I can get some insight on food ingredients b/c I am just thinking things threw I am not saying I am right. These are just things I was curious about.

[joanne l]

I just read that the cost of farm deer is extremely high. I guess good dog food companies are willing to spend that kind of money.

[joanne l]

I am sorry for upsetting you, It was just my thoughts no real answer. However, you have a good point as well. That’s why I wanted other peoples opinion on it. Thank you very much. I found this article. pretty interesting. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-23086541 Everyone that know me knows I am a animal lover period. I would not want to hurt any animal or feed them slop. This is just a thought nothing more. Like I mentioned before I have heard dogs getting sick on high quality dog food too. I do want the best for my dog. Anyway on a funny note I buy fresh steak and salmon for my dog and my husband said and “we eat hotdogs” LOL.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

From my experience I can’t rotate so I can’t give an opinion on this. Like someone said on here, know your dog. Some dogs can develop IBS when you rotate too often and some are okay, you just have to pay attention how the dog reacts. There are many schools of thought on this. I have never rotate before with my other dog and now it seems like the in thing. To me it makes sense to rotate in a way and the other part of me says if it is not broke don’t fix it. That is the old school way. Well, I still don’t know what is better, some say stick with the tried and true methods. These new ways are not done long enough to say. Just like this grain free issue on the FDA website. Unfortunately you have to experiment. But all the neighbors that I know own dogs none of them rotate and their dogs never have problems with upset stomachs. My dog is the only one on the block that had so many diarrhea problems when I was rotating. Like I said I can’t do it.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Well I took away all dry food last week and cooked diet then he got better. No vomiting or diarrhea. Then I reintroduced the lamb and rice (which he been eating) and the first 2 days fine then diarrhea again with mucus. So I took back the bag. I can’t understand this. It is either 1. His stomach is messed up and can’t handle dog food right now. 2. weed killer. 3. bad batch. So, I am trying the pro plan S.S. lamb and oatmeal. I am still cooking for him and I gave him a handful of this new food last night. Usually I am good at finding out what cause this in my dog, but this time I am confused. There are too many assumptions but no answers. I try to use the rule Ockham’s Razor, did you ever hear of that? Well, it was a philosopher and that statement means the simplest answer is usually the right one. So that’s why I assumed it was the chicken, b/c that is what was new in this mess. But now I have to rethink this b/c weed killer was involved as well.

[joanne l]

I need help this dog is now pooping mucus and he can’t tolerate metrodonazole, so the vet can’t give him that so I am at my wits end here until I talk to the vet. Now I just found out my neighbor sprayed round up we don’t use chemicals now I am worried if it is the weed killer. I was not home when he did it one of my other neighbors seen him do it a week and half ago and that’s when my dog got sick I am terrified!!!!!!!!!!!! We spoke to him and ask him not to use it near our yard anymore.

[joanne l]

Thank you everyone, I think maybe so his system is still messed up. I took back the lamb and rice just incase something is wrong. I bought the lamb and oatmeal sensitive skin and stomach one for now. Maybe he will be able to eat this for a while but I am keeping him on bland diet for a few days and I am going to call the vet. He has not had the chicken and rice over a week. I can’t believe it did that much harm if it did in fact do it. I am soooo discussed. He is a big dog and it is hard to just feed him a bland diet. I feel so bad for him. I should of left well enough alone. I have a GSD and my friend does too and he said to me don’t mess with their food. Another words don’t change something that is working for the dog.

[joanne l]

Hi Susan, did you give the pro plan recently??

[joanne l]

never heard of it, what kind of food are you looking for?

[joanne l]

A friend of mine has a dog with IBS and he eats nature’s variety limited ingredient and he is doing great. He went to the vet so many times and he bought this food and he said it was like magic to the dog. He has a German shepherd.

[joanne l]

I just gave him back the lamb pro plan and he pooped really soft again with some undigested food crumbs.

[joanne l]

Hi, Angela it seems that the foods you mentioned are grain free, try a grain in diet with less fiber. I don’t know what protein the dog is on, but there is holistic select you can try ask your vet about that one. Look on their web site and see the formulas it is for digestive health and you can also review it on chewy. For right now try adding some white rice to her diet. Oh and ask the vet about probiotics. There is one called Forti flora on chewy’s web site read about that. I am using that right now and it works. Hope it works out for you.

[joanne l]

I just spoke with the vet, he said to give him back the pro plan lamb and rice since his is better now. If he starts getting sick then we have to change the food. I told him I am afraid to do that. He said well you won’t know if you don’t b/c it may not be that food. He agreed that the chicken formula could be the culprit.

[joanne l]

Hi I know that throwing up bile can be from an empty stomach, does she vomit when she is not eating?? I know that my dog won’t eat unless we say in the kitchen, if my husband walks outside he won’t eat b/c he wants to know what he is doing. But when he comes in he eats. Some dogs like company when they eat. My friends dog does the same thing. It is just a thought. If you can try to sit with her while she eats. If you go out to work or school, try to feed her before you leave and sit with her until she eats. Because it sound like if you just put the food down and leave she won’t eat it. Also, put something tasty in the food like a little ground cooked beef or chicken and see if that helps. Try that before you give her medication if that don’t work then ask your vet. But believe it or not some dogs just won’t eat if your not their. I heard that a lot with some breeds it is not unusual.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by joanne l.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

I did call Purina and put a complaint in for both foods and gave them the exp date and lot numbers. The dates are good not expired. thank you Susan for all your concern and help.

[joanne l]

Hi Anon, I spoke to the vet and he told me to start bland diet and see how he does, which I did and the vomiting and diarrhea stopped. That’s why I was concerned about the food.

[joanne l]

I did take it back and got refunded. However, I still have the lamb and rice, but I am afraid to use that to b/c I started a new bag 3 days before he got sick so I am confused now what caused it? Either it is the chicken and rice or the new bag. Wow what a mess!!!!!!!!! I felt so sorry for him. I will report it. Do you think it was bad food too?

[joanne l]

I got to thinking this is more than just a chicken reaction. I think something was really wrong with the food, b/c he was very very sick….Diarrhea until it just came out water and throwing up until it just came out water. I know chicken can be a problem for him, but other brands only caused loose stools not like this. Anyway he is feeling better he is off all purina dry food right now. I am skeptical about purina right now.

[joanne l]

Thank you for helping, I hope I can find a food that will be okay.

[joanne l]

I just wanted to say I even stopped the lamb and rice he was on and bland diet and he is feeling better. Now I am afraid to give him back the pro plan lamb, even though he been on it for awhile. This all started when I bought the chicken and rice. Should I just get a different brand?

[joanne l]

Ask your vet about probiotics that seems to help with stress, digestive disorders etc. There is one called pro plan Forti flora I am using it right now and it seems to help.

[joanne l]

Oh, I am sorry, I have a GSD 4 years old. Also, my vet said some dogs do better with the same diet. He said not all but some dogs can develop IBS or colitis if you keep changing diets. I had A GSD before and feed him the same diet for his life and never had problems. I guess I got to learn if it is not broke don’t fix it.

[joanne l]

Thank ;you everyone for your help. The vet told me to hold up on dry food until he is better. Yesterday was day 1 with no dry food. As far as metro is concerned he had that med before and it bothers him so we can’t give it. The vet said to try fortiflora which I bought yesterday. It is Pro Plan probiotic powder that comes in packets, I heard a lot of good reviews about it so I am keeping my fingers crossed. Susan, you may be right about the imbalance gut that is what the vet also said. As of today he didn’t poop yet Thank God. I hope he recovers soon.

[joanne l]

Help…My dog is now vomiting and watery diarrhea.. I did stop the pro plan chicken and rice Tuesday and he is still sick. If that food upset him how long should it take to subside? I am giving him boiled beef and rice for now per the Vet said and he said I can give he pro and pre biotics to get gut in order. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

[joanne l]

I can see your point, but there is one thing all these brands I have used have in common and it is chicken. In my previous post I mentioned these brands. I will call Purina like you mentioned and go from there. Thank you for your help. I don’t use the Savor I use Focus.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Now he has diarrhea.

[joanne l]

I agree with Anon, give the food your vet recommended and don’t add anything else for now. If she gets better with just that great! But you have to give it a fair try. Remember every dog is different what works for one may not work for another.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Hi Susan, matter of fact it does have wheat bran, but it is very low on the list, like the 15th ingredient. And the fat is lower on the chicken so that’s not it and the protein is the same. I am wondering the reason he may tolerate fresh chicken is b/c it is not concentrated. I say concentrated b/c it is in dry form, and maybe that’s why for him he can’t tolerate it. I can’t think of nothing else. As far as other brands here is what I tried in the past with loose stools:
1. Wellness chicken
2. Fromm chicken recipe
3. holistic select chicken
he has had also lamb and beef in these brands with no trouble, but when I tried chicken he would be upset, either loose stools or not wanting to eat his breakfast. This is strange. I think I better take it back like you said and forget using chicken recipes for awhile. And maybe later on try one more brand like you said WEF and if that don’t work than for some strange reason he can’t have chicken in dry food. The only reason why I keep trying it is b/c I kept thinking it is not the chicken it may be something else like you said, but it is seeming more clear that it is the chicken.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by joanne l.

[joanne l]

Thanks Susan for your advice. And the Pro Plan chicken and rice is the same ingredients as the lamb so maybe he just has to get use to the chicken. This is a weird one. His stools are okay. Should I keep going or not? Right now I am only giving him small amounts. The whole week I did 90% old and 10% new. Then I did 75% old and 25% new that’s when I seen a lot of gas. Now I know some gas happens, but he was pacing around and then let out a loud burp. So now what I did was back it up again to 90% and 10%. I don’t like the bigger kibble that is in the chicken one. The lamb one is a smaller kibble and I do agree it is better for digestion. The store said to me with some dogs when you change the protein this can happen. I noticed if I change the carbs around it doesn’t happen.

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