[Nancy M]

That’s great news!…thanks for telling me that! At least I feel like I’m on the right path….you’ve been very helpful. The thing for me is I’m trying to keep fat content down to a bare minimum and I’m very leary of doing his raw diet with the ground beef…..I’d have to do something quite different. My 3 year old Sheltie has CYHLOTHORAX and the fat content in the blood/chyle (which is somehow leaking into the chest cavity) is a bad deal for him, so fat in the diet has to be closely monitored. Thanks again! Not sure what I’m going to do.

[Nancy M]

Thank you Marie and Patty…..

Patty, for you, my goodness, I had never heard of this. When I was rotating, I was only rotating kibble and usually within the same brand. Didn’t know you do it like you have, which to me, is a great way of maximizing different ingredients and sources. But how in the world did you accomplish this….I’m very curious? Remarkable, in my mind. No doubt, it was very difficult, but when you get some time, I would love to hear more about the process and your strategies!

Marie…..have you looked at the “Dinovite” and the man’s homemade diets? Particularly his very simple recipe for a “No Yeast chicken/rice” cooked diet? He swears it alleviates problems such as yours. Actually, I just ordered some of his products and was planning to give his recipes a try.

Thanks to you both…..

[Nancy M]

Hound Dog Mom,

I have read several of your posts, the last one being about puppy food…..I have thoroughly enjoyed your obvious experience, so I want to ask you this: you and others do talk often about food rotation. I have become familiar with that concept over the years and use to do it some. Many others say it is not necessary or hard on the dog’s system. And I’m sure it can be, if you don’t do it correctly. So tell me your opinions on the correct process of rotating dog foods. And whether or not it would be different when the rotation is from raw to cooked to, from kibble, to any of them, etc. You catch my drift here? Some say you must “fast” the dog for 24 hours, some say, to just do it gradually.

Also, I’m getting a new Sheltie pup next week (12 weeks old) and want to know the best foods/diet I can start him on, once he gets through the adjustment period. At this point, I’m not ready to go the raw way (outside of maybe some raw beef bones), but I’d like to start this little guy off on the right foot and improve from there.

Thanks for your insight and great discussions…..

[Nancy M]

Thanks for the tips……and love to do Sheltie Talk with other Sheltie lovers. I have had mostly the Blue Merle’s, one Sable and then a Tri. My favorites have been the Blue Merle’s, but I love them all! Unfortunately, my Blues haven’t done so well in the health arena, so this next puppy is going to be a Sable. I’m hoping he won’t be quite so genetically compromised, as I’ve heard about the Blues….but I don’t know that for a fact. With this guy being only 3, I am just so heartbroken over his illness, I’m ready to try something a little more “common”. I didn’t have health problems with the Tri or Sable, until they were “Seniors”…….like me. All of them have been purebreds though, and maybe that is a determining factor, rather than color.
Anyway, thanks for your conversation and helpful information.

[Nancy M]

Thank you again!

I have another question for you though, this time pertaining to a new 10 week old Sheltie puppy I am getting next week. Do you have suggestions as to which HK formula might be best, along with opinions on the pro-biotic, goats milk supplement? I want to start this new little guy off the right way with a good nutritious diet. I am not raw food savvy, but in time, I want to combine some raw with a good cooked/prepared food.

I welcome all comments, from all members.

[Nancy M]

Thanks for the replies…..

Specifically to InkedMarie:

Actually, I have tried the HK, Preference formula, which seemed like it had the lowest fat content, but depends on the meat/protein you use with it. I had added a tablespoon of some Primal nuggets that I was trying to use up (the turkey/sardine) and within about an hour or two, he was passing very loose stools, so I stopped and returned to just what he had been on. But yes, I like the HK concept and the simple preparation, compared to either raw or cooked. Thanks for your input. I love the SHELTIES…..have had at least one in my life since 1992.

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