[Jo R]

No laughter here. Put my dog with constant digestive issues on Purina Pro Plan sensitive stomach salmon and rice and in less than a month, problems gone. One issue was leaking anal glands while asleep. I had tried adding fiber but just got larger, softer poops. Now with no added fiber, anal glands expressing normally, firm, small once a day poop and no gas. The transition needs to be slow as grain free vs grain inclusive changes the gut flora. The most important point is until the grain free / heart problem correlation is discovered and rectified, I can feel safe with my food choice.
What I don’t understand about people that shout that Purina and other grain inclusive foods are bad because they have so called “fillers” is why they think field peas and other mass farmed legumes are so great. They are also sprayed with the same chemicals, are gmo and are stored in the same type of silos. Also agree, Taurinedcm.org is a great source of information.

[Jo R]

Please ask your Vet for more information regarding the correlation between grain free dog food and a silent, often fatal heart disease. Still in research stage, but FDA and several top schools, (Tuffs, USC Davis, NC State) are involved in finding out what is the issue. For now all are recommending grain inclusive food from well established companies.

[Jo R]

Healthy? Not so much, but my dog has I.B.D. and is on an elimination diet right now. He too needed pills twice a day and my Vet told me to use marshmallows as they do not contain possibly offending proteins. They are very soft and you could either get the mini ones or cut the regular ones into pieces. They hide the pills great, are very inexpensive and my dog loves them. The small amount of sugar and calories in a bit of marshmallow is not a big price to pay to get your dog to enjoy taking pills.

[Jo R]

Anon101:

Thanks for sharing this information. I had a dog that grabbed an old bone before I could stop her while visiting friends. I did not realize she had broken a back tooth until it became a major dental problem. Also agree on tennis balls, not only will they wear front teeth to a nub, but I don’t trust the material, most are made in China. Personally I only use Kong or Jolly Ball toys for my Bull Terrier and keep a close eye on their condition as he can chew up anything!

[Jo R]

Hi Soph M

I don’t know where you can find Dr. Becker’s book, but may I recommend another great book that I really like. Dr Donald Strombeck, professor emeritus from Univ of Calif, at Davis Vet School book, Home Prepared Dog and Cat diets. This book is out of print, but Dr Strombeck has put it on line for free, just search for the title to find it. You may also find hard copies on line. Great information on dog diet requirements and step by step diets for healthy dogs and cats and for ones with health problems.

It is very in depth so take your time and really read it before starting, it should really help you understand what it takes to prepare balanced meals for your furkid.

Hope this helps

[Jo R]

Raw heart is rich in taurine which is good for some heart issues. Cooking destroys the taurine. I buy whole beef hearts from my local supermarket (do need to order them as they are not a stock item) they are very inexpensive. I freeze them and when ready to use I let them partially thaw as they are much easier to cut up when firm. Taurine is important for issues like dialated myocardiopathy, not sure about heart murmur, but raw heart is a great cheap protein source and dogs love it. Hope this helps.

[Jo R]

To Fly T
My 17 year old Bull Terrier has had severe grass allergies her entire life. Did everything, foot soaks, medications, etc. She also is prone to pancreatitis and has had digestive issues. I began giving her Kerfir this spring and so far, no allergy symptoms. Her feet are perfectly normal. Research leaky gut syndrome, at least in my Lucy’s case, I believe this was the basis of her problems and the probiotics in Kerfir have so far eliminated them. I also cook for her and have done so since the 2007 dog food disaster. Hope this helps you.

[Jo R]

Hi Dog Obsessed

I have found a commercial chicken stock that appears to not have onions. It is Swansons unsalted cooking chicken stock. It states only chicken stock, dehydrated chicken, natural flavoring, not sure what that entails, and chicken fat.
A phone number on the box is 1 800 44 broth. I cook for my 16 year old girl and have been very pleased with this product. Hope this helps you.

[Jo R]

I use a piece of panty hose wrapped around my finger to rub my little dogs teeth and gums. No toothpaste just wet the fabric. It is amazing, the dogs do not object like they did with a toothbrush and you can actually see the tarter come off on the fabric. A vet tech told me this trick and in a very short time their teeth have become remarkably cleaner. Be gentle, the rough nature of the fabric does the trick without excessive pressure.

[Jo R]

Hi

New here but avid follower of the forums. I cook for my dogs and use ground egg shells to balance the meat. I grind the egg shells to get accurate measurement of calcium. One teaspoon of ground egg shell which is about one egg shell, will give 2000 milligrams of calcium. As I feed three dogs with weights from 10 to 50 pounds, I find the teaspoon measurement easier.
I also put them in the oven when preheating as that gives them just enough time to heat without burning.

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