[Mom2Cavs]

Pretty cat….looks like the first cat I adopted, named Jezebel lol. I’m not sure what to tell you about the food situation. I guess I’m used to my cat eating what she needs and then just going off and sleeping lol. Maybe you could put a little more down and see what happens.

[Mom2Cavs]

I like Springtime, Inc. supplements. They’re whole food. Also Standard Process is good, their Whole Body Support is a good, whole food vitamin/mineral one. Wholistic Pet has some good supplements, too.

[Mom2Cavs]

What you are giving him sounds like a good plan. The Nature’s Logic fortifier is a whole food supplement and I believe should not be “too much”. I really don’t know if you mean you might overdose him on something or if it’s too rich. But, either way, it should be a healthy supplement to add if he tolerates it. All the rest are fine, too. The doses for all these supplements for such a small dog should be small, as well. If you are worried about changing the taste of his food and him not eating, then you could use something else to help deliver the supplement, like yogurt, cottage cheese, etc…. to put some of the supplements in and give as a treat. As for the joint supplement, you could always get one that is packaged like a treat and give it that way, so it doesn’t have to be mixed into his food. The coconut oil would probably be licked right off your finger as a treat, and if the fish oil is a gel cap you could wrap it in something, like cheese, or use cream cheese and cover it and give as a treat, as well. The probiotics and enzymes shouldn’t change the taste of the food. And as far as him being healthier without all the supplementation….sometimes supplements can cause issues, like allergic ones, or loose stool, etc., so it is a choice you have to make, whether or not to give, and if you do want to give supplements to try to find those that the dog can accept either in his food or as a treat. I should know all this because I have smaller dogs who don’t eat that much food and I do like to give supplements. Lucy, my Mixed Breed, has a rare type of skin cancer (I believe she’s in remission, atm, yay!) and she takes a liquid maitake mushroom supplement in her canned/dry food every morning. I was very worried she might not take it in her food and I’d have to get creative, but she has with no problems…very good, lol. I also give Standard Process supplements, which are powders, and sometimes they will give a little loose stool, so I back off a little. If I feel I’m overloading them with supplements I tend to break it all up between morning and evening or give as a treat during the day. Sometimes I don’t give a supplement every day, but every other. I also evaluate their supplements at times to determine if I still need to give something or if I can stop for awhile. I also like to rotate supplements, too. I will give Wholistic Pet for awhile and them I’ll switch and give Nature’s Farmacy stuff, or Springtime, Inc. I’ve used cream cheese to give pill type supplements to Lucy because she’s picky. The Cavaliers tend to just eat anything I give them lol. These methods have worked with my dogs and I hope some of the suggestion help.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 2 months ago by Mom2Cavs.

[Mom2Cavs]

When I reread my post I meant to say she HASN’T been on Royal Canin SO since then lol….whew! Actually, my gang just transitioned to Dr. Tim’s Kinesis from Annamaet Option (both will be in my rotation). The other 2 foods I’m planning on using in my rotation are Victor and Fromm Salmon a la Veg.

Btw, the main vet is an acupuncturist and the other vet is well versed in Chinese Herbs. I’m so lucky to have them!

• This reply was modified 10 years, 2 months ago by Mom2Cavs.

[Mom2Cavs]

I agree with you, but my old vet didn’t look into things and wanted me to keep my Mix Breed on the Royal Canin SO for life when she had a uti with struvite crystals. Well, it said right on the bag that is was supplemental and not to be used for a long period of time! Let’s just say that anitbiotics killed the uti and the struvites went away. She has been on RC SO since then and that was years ago. Anyway, my vet now, a holistic vet practice, knows quite a bit about canine nutrition. He even does podcasts on onevetmed (or something like that lol). Very knowledgeable. Like I said before, he believes in raw feeding and carries Nature’s Variety, all forms, and Steve’s Real Food in his clinic and that is what he feeds his Goldens.

[Mom2Cavs]

Does anyone know who makes PetKind or Dave’s canned foods? I am interested in those two brands, but won’t buy them if Evanger’s makes them. Thanks.

[Mom2Cavs]

Melissaandcrew, I was just going to say that about the fiber. Sometimes a dog needs less, not more.

[Mom2Cavs]

I use quite a few and rotate off and on, too. Currently, all 3 dogs are getting Nature’s Farmacy Digestive Enhancer morning and evening in their food. It’s a prob/enzyme supplement. I am also giving Standard Process Whole Body Support (a whole food vitamin/mineral) morning and evening. Lucy gets a liquid Maitake Mushroom supplement from Vetri Science in the morning. I believe this addition has put her cancer into remission! Twice a week the girls all get an Omega supplement. Currently, I’m using Vetri Science’s 3/6/9. I occasionally give coconut oil, as well. For the Cavaliers I will be adding in Standard Process Cardio Support 3 times a week. Also, every Monday they all get a urinary chew that has cranberry and vit. c. Whew…I think that’s it lol.

I also love Springtime, Inc. supplements and use Fresh Factors, Joint Health Chews, Bug Off Garlic Chews and rotate them off an on with the other ones I mentioned above.
Some of the other probiotics or enzymes I like and use are Wholistic Pet Digest All Plus and Fresh Digest. I also like Wholistic Pet Salmon Oil, Springtime 3/6/9 and Nordic Naturals for omegas.

[Mom2Cavs]

Hmm..very interesting! I need to wash our doggie door, but keep forgetting. I’ll do it tomorrow for sure!

[Mom2Cavs]

I have a FB friend with an all white English Bulldog and he has allergies. She has kept them at bay with Natural Balance LID foods. I’m not sure if she’s still feeding that brand, but there are few that he can eat. I’ve seen pics of him lately and he still looks great.

[Mom2Cavs]

Yeah, Marie, I could return it but decided to just go ahead and transition to it first and save Victor for later. I think the problem is only with Dr. Tim’s, too, as I ordered some small bags of Annamaet and they were dates way out. I want to start a rotation of Annamaet, Dr. Tim’s, Fromm and Victor.

[Mom2Cavs]

As I posted before, I order some of my dogs’ food from Chewy.com because I can’t get it locally. Recently I ordered some Dr. Tim’s from them. I ordered cat and dog. With the cat food I had to order a big bag because they were out of the small bag (and I didn’t want to wait to try it). I will store the bag in another container to keep it fresh. The expiry date was a good one for the cat food, out to 2015. However, with the dog food I ordered two 5 lb. bags, one of regular Kinesis and one of grain free Kinesis. Both bags came in good shape but their expiry dates are in April of this year! I takes at least a month, or more, for my dogs to go through a small bag like that so I was disappointed in the dates. I don’t think I put any note on the order about expiry dates but still….I was in the process of transitioning to Victor but now I’m going to have to start the Dr. Tim’s due to the dates being short. The food smells fine and the dogs love it, but I’m just disappointed that the dates aren’t farther out. Next time I’m ordering a medium sized bag and will definitely put a note on the order saying I prefer the latest expiry date they have, or better yet, I’ll call and order and ask them what their dates are. I guess this is the one thing that bothers me about ordering online, you can’t physically see the bag and what the date is. Oh well, lesson learned.

[Mom2Cavs]

Ooohh….Cavaliers! I have 2 right now, older girls. Congratulations on your new baby. If it were me and I had another puppy I would probably feed Fromm Gold Puppy, or Wellness Small Breed Puppy. I also like all-life-stage foods like Annamaet, Fromm 4Star, Dr. Tim’s. I also top my dogs’ food with canned food for more variety and moisture. A good probiotic/enzyme supplement, a whole food vitamin/mineral, and omega 3’s in the form of fish oil are some things to consider in the future, as well. I also admit I used to feed Greenies and Dentastix but discovered the ingredients aren’t that great and they can be a choking hazard, as well. Now, I like to use The Honest Kitchen Beams. They are dried fish skins. I’m sure others will have recommendations for you soon. 🙂

[Mom2Cavs]

I wanted to add that my daughter feeds her cats TOTW, dry only, and they’re beauties. The only thing is it’s a Diamond food, but can’t convince my daughter to change lol. As long as she’s vigilant and aware then she could be feeding worse. You don’t have to break the bank to feed your cat. TSC has TOTW and 4Health, wet and dry, that are good foods for the price.

[Mom2Cavs]

Okay, here is what I do for my one Tortoise Shell stinker of a cat lol:

Dry: It is left out in a small bowl for her to nibble on periodically, which she likes to do. I dump it every other day, if it’s still there. I put 1/4-1/3 c. in the bowl. The kibbles she likes are Instinct, Fromm (Gamebird only), Orijen/Acana (she will eat it, but not like some others, so I’ve stopped buying it), Annamaet (actually the grain inclusive is her favorite and it has made her fur even softer!). She will be trying some Dr. Tim’s soon.

Wet: She gets a 3 oz. can every day split between am and pm. She loves Wellness cubes and Wellness Chicken grainfree. She also likes Fromm and Mulligan Stew. Very picky with wet food and the only Instinct she’ll eat is Healthy Weight. Btw, sometimes cat and dog canned ingredients are identical, as in M. Stew and Instinct Healthy Weight. So I use those for both the cat and dogs. Fromm is, too, I believe. I’ve used many brands for her in the past and they were fine, but I’ve just narrowed the list down now as to what I’m buying. She’s eaten BB, Weruva, Tiki Cat and Earthborn.

Litter: I’m a diehard World’s Best fan. I did have some great coupons for Blue’s new walnut litter and have integrated that into her litter at times with no problems.

Sometimes she also gets Dinovite for cats or the Well Blend/or Cat version of Missing Link added in. She has some minor health issues, but she is a beauty. Princess Di will be 9 yrs. old this year. A few years ago, we lost our other cat, a runt black cat named Smokey Jo who died at age 21 yrs

[Mom2Cavs]

I agree that harnesses are the best thing for small dogs. My Cavaliers wear harnesses when they are walked. I actually keep their tags on their harnesses. In the house they go “naked” lol. I do this because my male Shih-Poo got his collar caught on something in the house one day and if I hadn’t been home he would have choked. I decided after that all my dogs would not wear collars in the house. We, too, are very vigilant with the dogs and make sure they do not go out on their own through any door.

[Mom2Cavs]

I just wanted to add…I use THK Beams as my dogs’ chews and they’re wonderful! They love them, they take a little while to chew up (I have small dogs) and they don’t mess with their digestion. They are used to eating fish, though, so that may be it.

[Mom2Cavs]

Although people have said that having chicken fat in a food should not bother a dog with chicken allergies, just be sure to note that Victor Ocean does have that ingredient in it. I’m hoping it’ll work for Laverne. The Annamaet Option doesn’t have any poultry and it’s working great, so we’ll see when I rotate what happens. Keeping notes does help! Keep us updated. 🙂

[Mom2Cavs]

Sometimes it takes about 2-3 months to find out if a food works for your dog. At least it’s been that way for mine. Sometimes, though, I can tell immediately but other times it takes awhile. I am feeding Annamaet now and the dogs are doing great! I just got some Victor Yukon and Ocean, and lots of samples of the Senior, GF, and Adult. I plan on a rotation of Annamaet, Victor, and Dr. Tim’s and Fromm 4Star. Laverne may not be able to eat some of them due to them having poultry, but we’ll see. If not, she’ll just eat the ones with fish.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 2 months ago by Mom2Cavs.

[Mom2Cavs]

I’m one of those stay-at-home moms! However, my kids are grown now (3 of them) and on their own now, except for the 2 that share an apt. and come for dinner all the time and do their laundry lol….but who cares! Anyway, I had a career before I stayed home with them and believe me it was a cush life compared the the work I had when I stayed home. A stay-at-home mom’s job is NEVER done! I’m not complaining and I was truly blessed to be able to do that (thanks, husband)! Thanks for listening, just wanted to put in my 2 cents lol! 🙂

[Mom2Cavs]

I agree with what everyone above has said. My dogs get virtually no exercise here, as well, so I understand where you’re coming from. I did find that my 1 Cav that needed to lose a little actually lost a whole pound when I just cut out some of the treats she was getting. And there weren’t all that many! It sounds like Nutrisource (which I think is a fine food) might be one to consider again. Primal is one of my favorite premade raws, and I’ve used Stella & Chewy’s, but only the freeze dried version. Good luck to you! I love Spaniels! 🙂

• This reply was modified 10 years, 2 months ago by Mom2Cavs.

[Mom2Cavs]

I don’t have a Cocker, I have Cavaliers and they also can be prone to weight gain. Both dogs should be able to eat the Whole Earth Farms just fine, unless there are health problems necessitating special foods. Of the foods you mentioned you have I prefer the Fromm, but if they all work for the dogs then I don’t see why you couldn’t rotate them. I know that WEF is a Merrick food. While Merrick is considered a good company and lots of people like it for their dogs, I personally am not a fan anymore. I used to feed the regular Merrick years ago, though. I don’t know anything about WEF but the greasiness would put me off. I believe Premium Edge is a Diamond food, but I may be wrong. I’ve never fed it but I have heard of it. I like Fromm. I have Fromm Salmon a la Veg in my dogs’ rotation. As for the dog that needs to lose weight. I would just watch how I feed, start with the bag’s recommendations….and reduce the dog’s portion if it’s not losing weight. Remember, though, that the bags usually have higher than necessary feeding amounts listed. I remember that I’ve heard that the Premium Edge Healthy Weight is not bad as far as weight loss foods go. I would also try to increase the dog’s exercise.

[Mom2Cavs]

I haven’t figured it up for price per pound, but I do know that Chewy.com and Wag.com have some good prices and free shipping (if you spend so much) on Dr. Tim’s and Annamaet. I have found both to be rated very highly. I am feeding Annamaet right now, and plan on trying Dr. Tim’s soon.

[Mom2Cavs]

Yes, that’s a good food for the price. Remember to just be vigilant with your dogs as Diamond has had some recalls in the past. Also, if you have a Tractor Supply near you they have a house brand called 4Health that is reasonably priced. The grain inclusive, which is the better price, is also made by Diamond. Their grain free is made by Ainsworth.

[Mom2Cavs]

I also use and love Fresh Digest (same as Optagest) and Herbsmith MicroFlora. Use them often with success.

[Mom2Cavs]

I’ll try to think of others, but how about Pinnacle Trout and Swt. Pot. You did just say potato so I’m assuming you mean white potato. Also, Instinct LIDs may have some that would work. I know they don’t have potato, and the other ingredients you mentioned. It comes in Turkey and Rabbit, as well as the Lamb you don’t want.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by Mom2Cavs.

[Mom2Cavs]

It could very well be the chicken. My one Cavalier has scooting, licking problem when she eats poultry. I tend to use fish based kibble. Sometimes I add fish, beef, lamb canned toppers for variety. Perhaps you could try the lamb and rice next, if they have that. Also, I just have to mention this….I understand that Diamond Naturals is a good food for price, but be aware of the recalls and be vigilant when feeding it. 🙂

[Mom2Cavs]

I posted back in Sept. and wanted to update what I’m doing now that’s working. For about a month now the dogs have been eating Annamaet Option for their kibble. Before that it was Fromm Salmon a la Veg and that was working fine, too. I’ve been adding as a topper canned foods. Mostly Wellness, either 95% Salmon, Lamb or Beef and Beef Stew. I also use Instinct Healthy Weight cans and Mulligan Stew Salmon and Fromm 4Star Beef or Pork. I use enzymes and pre/probiotics each meal. The ones I rotate with are Fresh Digest, Wholistic Pet Digest All Plus, Vetri-Science Mega Probiotics. Lucy gets a Maitake mushroom supplement from Vetri-Science for her cancer. Sometimes, actually rarely, I’ll add in a 3/6/9 supplement from Springtime, Inc. They also get a Fresh Factor chew from Springtime, Inc. in the morning. Recently, I tried substituting the morning meal for premade raw, but after about a week Laverne started having mild pancreatitis symptoms so I’ll probably stop doing that for now….I’m thinking about doing 2 morning premade raw meals a week and try that, instead of every morning. Maybe Tues. and Fri. I’m also thinking of actually trying some Annamaet Lean kibble….I know it’s chicken based, but I just want to see how Laverne does on it. I should be able to tell rather quickly if it’s bothering her. If it does, the others can eat it with no problem. I would also like to try Victor kibble (we may have it locally soon). Dr. Tim’s looks great, but I just don’t know, yet, if I’m up to trying it.

[Mom2Cavs]

The foods I’m comfortable with are (in no particular order):

Fromm
Victor’s (haven’t tried them, yet, but would be happy to)
Dr. Tim’s (haven’t tried them, yet, but would be happy to)
Annamaet
Mulligan Stew
Nutrisource
Nature’s Logic

I feel comfortable with these foods due to many things. I either like/trust their company, no ingredients are sourced from China or they worked for my dogs (and I have one with allergy/intolerances).

[Mom2Cavs]

Oh, Patty…I’m so very sorry for your loss. I’ve got tears in my eyes reading this. I love cats. In fact, my husband and I had 3 cats before we had our 3 human kids. We’ve always had at least one running around. They become such a part of our lives, just like our doggies. In fact, I still miss every cat we ever said goodbye to. Again, very sorry.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by Mom2Cavs.

[Mom2Cavs]

I still remember the time when my old vet (would never go back or recommend) asked what I was feeding. I said Wellness Core and got a blank look. So I said, “You’ve heard of Wellness, right?” To which he replied, “No”. What!? I feel Wellness is a very mainstream holistic food, but I guess not everyone is mainstream lol. I knew then not to discuss nutrition with this vet. I should’ve found another vet right away after that, but it took me a little longer. Now, with my holistic vet we discuss nutrition almost every visit….just for fun LOL!

[Mom2Cavs]

Missing Link is the one that comes to my mind. Way cheaper and can be bought in many places.

[Mom2Cavs]

I would think that any high quality food that agrees with the dog would be good. If you are doing agility you might want to also consider supplementing with glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support. You could look at Acana Regionals, or other foods that are for sporting dogs like Annamaet, Dr. Tim’s. Earthborn has good food, as well as Nutrisource. In fact, if it were me, I’d look at this list of 4 and 5* rated foods, find those that meet my criteria, that I could easily get, and pick a few to try. Good luck to you! I know others will respond soon with their suggestions. 🙂

[Mom2Cavs]

If you’re in the USA, and I’m assuming you are, Acana regular foods are not available in the states, yet. We can only get the Regional and Singles varieties.

[Mom2Cavs]

TOTW Pacific Stream is without chicken…it’s the only one I could feed Laverne as it has the right amount of everything for her. Also, Core Ocean does not have chicken, if I remember correctly….could be wrong on that one.

[Mom2Cavs]

I guess I’m lucky that my cat doesn’t get that many hairballs (once every 4-6 months!). I’ve never fed her an indoor formula. She gets grain free kibble to munch on and wet twice a day. Currently, she eats either Fromm Gamebird or Annamaet dry. Her wet consists of Wellness (she likes pate and cubed), Fromm 4Star, Mulligan Stew, Instinct Healthy Weight (only Instinct canned she’ll eat!). This morning she did eat a Primal raw nugget….Chicken/Salmon for felines….and loved it, thank goodness. I’d love for her to eat all raw, but she can be persnickety with it.

[Mom2Cavs]

You feed your new Shepherd puppy cat food? Now I will say that some dog and cat foods contain the exact same ingredients in some companies. For example, Fromm Gold canned foods are so similar between cat and dog formulas that I actually feed my cat the dog cans. Also, Mulligan Stew is made for cats and dogs. Another one I found I could feed just the dog formula to both is Instinct Healthy Weight. Theirs applies to both canned and their Healthy Weight Raw Boost kibble! HOWEVER, a Shepherd is considered a large breed, if I’m not mistaken, and large breed puppies have specific nutritional requirements. It would seem to me that cat food does not meet those requirements. They need special calcium to phosphorus ratios to grow properly. I’m certainly not an expert, as I have small dogs and one cat, but I have learned this. I’m sure others will post that are experts on the subject of large breed puppies. Btw, there is a list on this site/forum of foods that would work for large breed puppies and have the correct nutritional content. Good luck to you!

[Mom2Cavs]

Wow…you sure are fortunate! I like Wellness foods, but only use their cans for both my cat and dogs. Their kibble size is too big for my dogs (can one can’t have chicken so small breed is out). My dogs eat Annamaet and Fromm but I’ve been looking into Victor. A store near me may start carrying it! It is a good food, imho. I love Weruva cans for both my cat and dogs, but for some reason just end up using Wellness mostly. Weruva is very pricy, but great quality. TOTW is a really good food that works for mine, however, with Diamond being the manufacturer I just went away from them….and I wouldn’t have otherwise! I used to feed Merrick religiously, but had some issues with their kibble last year and canned food this year and will never feed them again so won’t recommend them anymore, sorry. Last year (I think it was around then, maybe a little longer) I was using their Pork kibble and found some weird looking pieces (long and dark) sort of like BB’s lifesource bits in color. My dogs had some before I realized it because my daughter fed them for me from a new bag and they all got weird looking loose stool, and a lot of it! I stopped feeding their dry at that time. Contacted Merrick and they were no help at all. I had those pieces in multiple bags I opened after that. At the end of last year I was still using their canned food every now and then. However, one can I opened had some weird looking “darkened matter” in the middle of the can, not in the top! Looked like mold, maybe, I really couldn’t identify it? Anyway, I didn’t feed it to the dogs…thank goodness it was caught in time. I will never use them again, though lots of people do use them with success and love them (I used to). I did try Canidae Pure with my cat and dogs but none of them liked the food. The fish based Canidae Pure also had kibble that was too big, if I remember correctly. Great ingredients, but they might also still be made by Diamond. So, with all that rambling, lol, if it were me I’d go with Wellness, Victor or Weruva.

[Mom2Cavs]

Sardine oil is a great way to give your dog omega 3’s. As I understand it, Sardines have less mercury than an oil like Salmon oil….I may be wrong and I’m sure some of the more knowledgeable posters will post here soon.

[Mom2Cavs]

Pugsonraw, I used the Advanced Joint and Hip once for Lucy (pulled muscle at the time) and it worked great. Mine get a Fresh Factor tablet every morning for their vitamin and their 3/6/9 supplement 2 days a week. I’m not using their Joint Health (the regular formula I use more often) right now because I’m using Annamaet’s Endure. I really like Springtime’s stuff. I also have some of their Bug Off Garlic, Bee Pollen and Spirulina on hand.

[Mom2Cavs]

Hermione….I agree with the probiotics and enzymes. They should help. However, the Blue Buffalo has grains (rice) and most likely has way less protein than the EB Primitive Natural, which is EB’s highest protein variety. I do know that my 3 dogs could not make such a switch easily, but they are older dogs. Anyway, it can be done, but it may take longer for your dog to adjust to the “richness” of the EB Primitive Natural. Have you thought of transitioning to a lesser protein Earthborn food, like Meadow Feast, or first to one of their grain inclusive foods then when the dog is used to that food gradually switching to, say Coastal Catch or Meadow Feast, then finally to Primitive Natural, providing your dog can handle it along the way? It’s been my experience with my dogs that when switching to a new food if the new food has a similar protein/fat and analysis makeup to the old food the switch goes much easier than if the new food is a lot different makeup. Once I’m on the new, similar food for awhile I can then go on and transfer to a higher protein of the same brand. I hope this makes sense lol.

[Mom2Cavs]

Shasta…I think the food you are thinking of is Pure Balance, Walmart’s new grain free food. They might have a grain inclusive, too, but Idk. I’ve used a couple of cans of the Pure Balance canned food just to try it, and the dogs liked it fine. I haven’t used it since, though, since I usually use Wellness and Instinct the most.

[Mom2Cavs]

Some Walmarts carry RR’s Zero Grain, too. I agree Pure Balance. Some have Newman’s Own, but I don’t like the fact the dry contains soy. Some also carry a food called Lamaderm which isn’t bad. And they carry Fresh Pet Select, while not a kibble, could be a good topper.

[Mom2Cavs]

Shasta220….my old vet (who I will never recommend to anyone) used Hills, Royal Canin, and Purina prescription diets in his clinics. When asked once what I was feeding my Cavalier, I responded Wellness…they had never heard of it!!! WHAT!? I should’ve left them right then and there but it took a little longer, to my regret. Anyway, we’re with a holistic vet now and I say, “what took so long?!” (maybe that they’re an hour from my house, but it’s been worth it!). My holistic vet carries in his clinic, and feeds to his dogs, Nature’s Variety kibble/canned/treats/premade raw and Real Food premade raw. He also uses Standard Process religiously and also Vetri-Science. He may have the odd bag of Hills or something but I’ve only seen this once. I’m thinking a patient must’ve insisted on it?! There are actually 2 vets in the practice (man and woman) and I see them both. They recommend titer testing, offer acupuncture and chiropractic services and are versed in Chinese herbal medicines. I’m never made to feel like I don’t know anything (which happened with my old vet…he had no bedside manner whatsoever!). Sometimes they even ask for my opinion on a food! I highly respect them and they are both just awesome!

• This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by Mom2Cavs.
• This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by Mom2Cavs.

[Mom2Cavs]

And to go along with what Patty said, companies like to tell you if their packages are shrink wrapped because they claim the product is fresher when the packages are that way….I guess due to the fact the product is warm when when put in the bags and it keeps air out.

[Mom2Cavs]

A couple others, Simply Nourish Limited Ingredient Salmon, Annamaet Option or Aqualuk, Holistic Select grain free. Like sandy, I’m not sure if they have egg. Oh and I noticed you wanted grain free, so forget the Annamaet Option.

[Mom2Cavs]

Oh my Lord, Patty….I thought I had a houseful!! I also love hearing about all of them. 🙂
You have my utmost respect in caring for all these animals. If I had enough room I would have tons more myself. I hope others chime in so I can read all about their animal friends.

Btw, Patty…my middle child, Kelly, works at a camp for special needs kids/adults in the summer and they have a mini horse there that is a therapy horse! She loves it! I have taken Stella to the camp, but haven’t taken Laverne and Hazel, yet, but I will. The kids love the dogs.

[Mom2Cavs]

Okay…I’ll go. Warning! It’s gonna be a long post LOL!

Lucy Mae – 12.5 year old adopted from a no-kill shelter 11.5 years ago. She’s a mix of Poodle/French Brittany/Chihuahua (finally did a DNA on her), is black and white and looks like a small Border Collie. She’s always weighed in at 24-25 lbs. According to the shelter she was found running in the road (by the shelter President on her way to work), was covered with dirt, oil, mud. She was only in the shelter a month when we adopted her. Didn’t know anything about dogs really and went looking for a puppy with the kids (14 and 12). My husband and I had always had cats. Anyway, we saw Lucy and decided to visit with her. I liked her looks and she was a smaller dog. She immediately put her paw on my leg in the visiting room! We also had a puppy brought in, which proceeded to jump all over Lucy, and wee in the middle of the floor LOL! Lucy was just very quiet and kept up with the paw….so the rest is history hahaha. The shelter was calling her Mae, because that was the month she came to them. They had another May…so. I didn’t especially like the name Mae for a first name (and I always give my animals middle names) so we decided on Lucy Mae. Lucy has done agility work/beginner competitions with me and rally obedience competitions (which she liked and did the best in). She has also been my demo dog when I’ve taught beginner obedience classes. Her temperament, however, has always been so-so. She didn’t know how to climb steps, or walk on carpet when we adopted her. She’s very protective of our house and tends to not like many other dogs, except her Cavvie ladies of course. I have been known to put a yellow ribbon on her leash when out and about, and at the dog club. About a year ago, Lucy developed a mass on her bladder. We decided no surgery (due to her acting very normal and her age). But, I feel it did undermine her immune system and this past Nov./Dec. she developed a very rare form of canine skin cancer called CETL (cutaneous epitheliotropic t-cell lymphoma). It only happens to old dogs (beginning around age 9 and up), no one knows what causes it, no treatments seem to help it and the prognosis is poor (6 mos. to 2 yrs. at most). Also, the dogs don’t seem to be bothered by it much and tend not to die with it per se, and usually the owner has to make the decision to put the dog down due to quality of life. We are taking Lucy Mae one day at a time now and have been blessed with her all these years!! She’s one great dog!

Hazel Louise – a 6.5 year old Black and Tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I will give a back story here: When my kids got older and didn’t need me as much I took a part time, 2 day a week, job at a local pet specialty store (which is now a Petco due to a buyout). I feel God led me to the job as it “fell into my lap”, so to speak. This is also where I became knowledgeable about pet nutrition. I had always wanted to do pet therapy work but my mixed breeds (Lucy and Desi (rip)) were not suited in temperament for it. One day I met a breeder of Cavaliers who came into the store monthly to buy their food. She said she had a 5 year old retired show champion that she would love to rehome, if she found the right one…..so….after a few more meetings with her, I finally went to her kennel and met Stella Agnes, my first Cavalier (a Blenheim). Stella was wonderful and I immediately had her certified to be a therapy dog with TDI. We did this for 5 years until Stella could no longer do it and I had a back issue. Stella passed away this past January 13, 2013 at 12 years of age, rip. While Stella was about 7 or 8 the breeder called me to say she had another Cavalier…Hazel, who was 2 years at the time, who she wanted to rehome. Hazel and her brother were purchased from a breeder in England to enhance my friend’s breeding line. When they took all the dogs to Ohio State to be seen by the specialists for testing, Hazel didn’t pass. She had a mild heart murmur, which is prevalent in Cavaliers. Even though she was going to be okay the breeder could not breed her. So, they didn’t really show her either. At age 2 they decided to give her a good home as a beloved pet, so she came to me! She did some therapy visits with me and Stella and did well on them…she’s a shyer dog, though. I was going to get her certified, but when I retired Stella I decided to just wait on it. Hazel is a great dog!!! She is so loving, and she is definitely my shadow. She is my best eater and though she tends to have dry skin in the winter, she is beautiful and shiny with a fish oil supplement. She weighs 19 lbs. and I keep her a perfect weight due to her murmur issue. She is not on any meds and the murmur hasn’t changed since she was 2, thank goodness! She is now certified as a therapy dog and does better than I’d expected due to her being a shyer dog. She has really come in to her own with it. I love Hazel Louise (Hazie as I like to call her) and I hope she continues to do well healthwise….she’s a very special dog!

Laverne Marie – Vernie (my nickname for her) is an 8.5 year old Ruby Cavalier who weighs 17 lbs. She came into our household 2.5 years ago right after my mixed breed Shih-Poo, Desi, passed away. I like to say he sent her to us, as she has some of his characteristics (only the good ones, thank goodness, as he was quite the stinker, lol). Anyway, when my Desi passed my husband told me to contact the breeder to see if she had a dog I could adopt. I wasn’t too sure yet but went ahead and made the call. She had one, Laverne, but she was actually promised to a couple where the wife had M.S. to be a companion for her. I was bummed but knew that perhaps it was for the best. However, God had other plans, and about a week later the breeder called me to say that the wife did not want Laverne and the husband didn’t want to keep her either, so they were returning her! She said she should’ve just given her to me in the first place :). I took Laverne home and she fit right in!! I now had 3 Cavaliers (Stella was still with us then) and Lucy Mae. I was in heaven! I joked the only thing I needed was a Tri and then I’d have a matched set. When Stella passed away, I started feeling like I should get back into therapy dog work. I also knew that Laverne would be great at it. She is actually from the breeder’s own kennel and has quite the personality, and is still loved by them, as is Hazel. We keep in touch still. She had 2 litters before I got her and was retired from show at age 6, the March before I adopted her in Sept. She is quite the jokester and is one of the lights of our lives! Very special dog indeed. I found a TDI testor and had Laverne certified this past Feb. 2013. In March 2013 Hazel was officially certified, as well. Now we visit a local hospital, library reading program and nursing homes. It is very fulfilling. Laverne and Hazel actually have the same birthday, Aug. 16th, and they are 2 years apart. For one of Laverne’s litters she was mated to Hazel’s brother, so they are sisters and sisters-in-law hahahahaha! I will always have a Cavalier from now on. If God deems it that I have another one while Lucy’s still alive, then that’s wonderful. If not, then I will actively seek another one (or two) when Lucy goes to the bridge. Btw, Lucy does like the Cavs…..sometimes I think she thinks they’re little divas lol. She is the alpha and lets them know it, but she loves them and takes care of them, too. 🙂

Princess Di – My Princie is going on 9 years old and is a Tortoise Shell cat who thinks she’s a dog! Princess first came into my oldest daughter’s life when she decided she needed a cat for company. She lived in Lima, Ohio at the time and was teaching H.S. math there. She didn’t have family close so she was sometimes lonely. One day I visited and we went to the local cat no-kill shelter. Princess had been there for around a year and a half! We adopted Princess (her name at the shelter, too) because she was very friendly and actually wanted to just stay on Erin’s lap the entire visiting time lol. Erin thought about changing her name but kept it when she found a food bowl at the pet store with Princess written inside of it …fate you know lol. Well, eventually Erin moved back to Bowling Green, Ohio where her fiancé was. But, she was moving in with some girlfriends and they couldn’t have pets. She asked me and her dad to keep Princess for her until she could take her back. I told her fine, but she needed to know that her dad would probably not give Princess back when that time came. He is definitely a cat lover. As you guessed it, he wouldn’t give her back! Now Erin has 2 other cats (Sheldon and Penny) and the rest is history. Princie gets along fine with the dogs and comes running when it’s dinner or treat time, just like they do! Very affectionate cat and very loved by all. 🙂

Now, I know this was long-winded and thanks if you read this far. I just wanted to tell you all the whole story. Bless you all!

• This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by Mom2Cavs.

[Mom2Cavs]

Well….I’m not sure about the texture of Beneful, but Nature’s Variety Instinct has a food called Instinct Raw Boost that he might like. Also, adding a chunky stew type canned food on top of a quality dry might help or you could just feed the chunky stew canned alone. With a small dog like yours it wouldn’t be that expensive, imo. Or you could try a freeze dried food chopped up with a little water added, like Stella & Chewy’s, Primal or Nature’s Variety. Nutrisca has one as well as Vital Essentials. Oh..and there is a food called Vital and one called Fresh Pet (both made by the same company) that come in a bag and a roll that he might also like. I think Petco carries the Vital, which is grain free, and some supermarkets carry Fresh Pet, which has grains.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 3 months ago by Mom2Cavs.

[Mom2Cavs]

I whole heartedly agree with the above 2 posters. Please have blood work done and make sure your vet does a thorough blood test for thyroid. My last vet did a basic blood test on my Shih-Poo and always said his thyroid was ok….I finally switched vets after he passed away and now go to a holistic vet I love. My new vet seems to think he should have done a more thorough test after I told her what tests were done. She did see Desi once before he passed away. Desi always had an extended stomach area and his skin had issues and his hair was thin in certain spots. He was always ravenous and ended up with Pica. I still say he had some sort of immune issue…if not thyroid, then some other disease. He’s the reason I switched vets. 🙁

[Author]

Posts