[pugmomsandy]

Look through the 2-star foods lists or print it out and take it with you. I’m going to guess that you could find something like this at a local box store, warehouse store, or discount store and Walmart. A food like this would not be at a pet boutique.

[pugmomsandy]

I believe you should freeze game meats for 2 or 3 weeks before feeding them. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

[pugmomsandy]

Del Monte uses GMO ingredients (has it’s own GMO pineapple I think) and ingredients from overseas and continues to lobby against the labeling of GMO foods. That’s reason enough for me not to use it. I’m sure your holistic friend knows about GMO’s. If you don’t, here’s a movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUd9rRSLY4A

and book: http://www.amazon.com/World-According-Monsanto-Marie-Monique-Robin/dp/1595587098/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383824395&sr=1-2&keywords=monsanto

8 years is still young (IMO) for a toy breed. Mine is 9.5 and going strong. There are just so many other choices out there. Even if he still wants to use NR kibble, there are so many canned foods or dehydrated foods he could offer to add variety and a less-processed food to his diet. I’m sure he knows that kibble is a very processed food. It’s like eating a cereal bar for every meal. Dehydrated/freeze dried foods are steamed and low temperature cooked and then the moisture is taken out. There are even canned/tubbed products that are BPA-free!

[pugmomsandy]

Nutrisca is made by Dogswell who continues to use Chinese chicken in it’s jerky. I’m not sure if it’s in their kibble so I don’t buy any chicken from them. I was ordering just the lamb kibble and canned but I’ve marked them off my list totally recently.

[pugmomsandy]

Yes you can feed them canned/packaged tuna for people. Just try to avoid “salt added”.

[pugmomsandy]

Tip #5 tells you how you can make your own jerky strips. You can also make them in a dehydrator. Petflow has jerky treats for sale also sometimes. Last week Etta Says Duck jerky was on sale. My dogs also love the fish jerky (Rawsome Pets and The Honest Kitchen). Frankly I haven’t given my dogs any kind of chicken/duck jerky for over a year or two. Now I give them Vital Essentials freeze dried nibblets.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/11/16/chicken-jerky-treat-casualties.aspx

[pugmomsandy]

Abady granular food has nearly 800 calories per cup, about 100 calories in 2 tablespoons and would seem to be easy to add in with their current food. You can also add calories by adding oils like fish oil, coconut oil, etc. I think Timberwolf Platinum also has over 500 calories per cup. It used to say on their website but not currently. Grandma Lucy’s Pureformance has almost 600 calories per cup.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by pugmomsandy.

[pugmomsandy]

You don’t have to use only one brand of food. Feed a rotation or variety of foods. Those you listed are all good products. I use Nutrisource myself along with about 10 other kinds of foods.

http://urbanpawsmagazine.com/archives/59

• This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by pugmomsandy.

[pugmomsandy]

Check into Missing Link and Nature’s Logic (supplements), and See Spot Live Longer Dinner Mixes and The Honest Kitchen Preference (Premixes that when combined with meat are complete and balanced). Of course adjust your fat amount.

[pugmomsandy]

Are you asking for non-fish oils or asking for other fish-variety oils other than generic “fish” – as in Krill oil, Salmon oil, Sardine Oil, Anchovy oil. Some people used coconut oil, emu oil, and even a blend of plant oils with success as far as skin and coat like Udo’s Oil (plant) and Ultra Oil (plant with fish). I’m just guessing, but when he weans off of mom, you can start giving it. These oils are in other forms of food already like kibble and canned foods, etc, and if he weans to raw food then he would get it naturally from raw fish and other meat/fat. Mine get a little bit from fresh avocado meat and raw sardines and I have Nature’s Logic Sardine oil, Udo’s, krill, coconut and emu oils on hand. I haven’t used anything but krill/sardine oils and raw sardines and avocado and what’s in their commercial food on my guys and they are super soft and have no smell or dandruff and my black one is real shiny. He used to not be when he was a pup.

[pugmomsandy]

Yes, I give my dogs table scraps. And it does vary from “good” to “bad”! Because frankly, my dogs eat better than I do. Their pantry is full of 4-5 star foods and my pantry happens to be full of the equivalent of 1 star products, unless I’m making steak and veggies or fish and veggies! They get pizza crust and chinese take-out. They usually get a bite or two of what I’m eating. I also make their homemade raw but of course with appropriate “dog” ingredients (meat/bone/organs/oil/supplements). There is actually a Paleo cookbook for dogs! LOL! Tonight will be a meat & veggie dinner to share.

[pugmomsandy]

Chicken and rice can be fed as a temporary diet (a few days to a couple weeks) until improvement. “Long term” chicken and rice will need a vitamin/mineral/EFA supplement.

[pugmomsandy]

I’ve heard stories that Bil-Jac did that but they have changed their formula since someone told me about that. You can also try putting his kibble into a treat ball or Kong so he has to work to get it out. Another option is to mix kibble with something else like a little yogurt or pumpkin or canned food and freeze it inside of a Kong and let him lick it out like a treat. Or soak your kibble with plenty of water 12 hours in advance, keep it in the frig and serve for the next meal unless our dog doesn’t like cold food! In which case, you can try letting it soak for about 30 minutes.

[pugmomsandy]

I paid about $175.

[pugmomsandy]

abby13,

The formula is in this article: /choosing-dog-food/dry-matter-basis/

[pugmomsandy]

Abby13

Frozen raw has moisture in it. KIbble has moisture taken out. You need to convert the raw to dry matter to get the right comparison.

[pugmomsandy]

I’m still experimenting after 2 or 3 years now!

[pugmomsandy]

I like using Vital Essentials freeze dried nibblets and Dr Becker Bites for treats. The VE is actually food, not just empty calories. For small dogs, some really small kibbles are Nature’s Logic, Amicus, Nutrisource small/medium breed puppy and Nutrisource grain free Lamb and Nature’s Select Hi-Pro and Nature’s Select Grain Free. Some other good brands that I haven’t used in a while are Merrick Classic and Merrick Grain Free and Merrick Whole Earth Farms and Fromms. I don’t know the kibble size of these. Annamaet grain free looks good too but haven’t tried it yet. Need to use up a couple bags before buying some more!

[pugmomsandy]

I ended up mixing foods because I couldn’t decide what food I wanted to use since there’s a million kinds out there! So after 3 years of trying things out, my staples are Nutrisource (grain free and small/med breed puppy), Nature’s Select (local) only the grain free or Hi-Pro formulas, Brothers Complete, Merrick (local), occasionally Nutrisca (some issues with their chicken from China and possible farmed salmon) so I just get their Lamb food, Vital Essentials freeze dried nibblets and I’ve thought about Victor because they are local too (made in Texas). For cans, I use Merrick, Wellness Stews, Weruva, Nature’s Logic, Hound and Gatos and sometimes Nutrisca lamb. Dehydrated foods I use are The Honest Kitchen, Addiction (with Big Dog Natural), Sojo’s (with Big Dog Natural) and I make my own raw food with duck, goat, tripe and organs and supplements and they eat whole raw sardines and sometimes RMB (raw meaty bones) like necks, pork ribs and chicken legs. All foods have their pros and cons and not all dogs do well on certain foods. For me, these work. I am thinking of boycotting Dogswell though. Too many issues with their treats and they use chinese chicken. Actually, I think I’ll scratch them totally off my list now… and Sojo’s uses some dried veggies from China so that’s going to have to go too when my bag is gone. It is frustrating sometimes trying to find good foods with good ingredients. I’ve probably used about 20 different kibbles in the past 3 or 4 years (my dog is 6 now). He’s such an inspiration for me to make homemade!! I lub him so much!! He has his own freezer full of goodies!

• This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by pugmomsandy.

[pugmomsandy]

I have several dogs. I have 2 or 3 bags open at once. So technically, they are eating 2 familiar foods when I open a new bag. I used to only have 2 bags at once, but with fosters, they allow me to open 3 bags (I use about 300 cups a month). Even using only 2 foods, you wouldn’t need to transition since one of them will always be something “old” when you add food #2 because I’ve never had 2 bags of food go empty at the same time, there’s always one “old” food in there. I usually make a “mixture” so I can make it how I want – the amount of “old” food and the amount of “new” food. It’s like always being in transition, I guess. When I’m too busy to make a “mixture”, they get a scoop directly out of one bag so that would be just that food, no mix. I also have fosters so they don’t get a food transition at all. I give probiotics/enzymes, ground psyllium for loose stools and they just have to eat what I give them which is 4.5 to 5 star foods. I just don’t want you to be discouraged if there is tummy troubles. A switch can be done, quickly or slowly. And poor quality foods can have sugar and MSG or other addicting ingredient which can make transitioning difficult when they refuse to eat the new food! You can do a mix of our old food with some new food until they can get off of the old food. I can’t seem to give up Ramen noodle with at least 5 sources of MSG in it!! Bad, I know!! My dogs have been eating mixes for at least 2 years so they can eat single foods any time. They actually eat different kibbles, different canned foods, raw food, dehydrated food, anything, no problem. That is (hopefully) what you can achieve by starting to rotate. I even got a 13 yr old foster that was eating Hill’s W/D when I got him and I put him straight to my regular food, supplements and he’s fine. He’s 14 now and still eats 4.5 to 5 star kibbles and wet food (canned, dehyrated). Seniors should get more wet foods BTW. Sometimes I give ground psyllium or chia seed with canned foods to make the stool more formed (solid formed vs soft formed). I have 5 fosters right now who did fine with no transition. BUT some dogs do have trouble with it.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by pugmomsandy.

[pugmomsandy]

You can always ease them into a 5 star food too by going with something that is slightly better than what you’re feeding now but not being drastically different. If you’re feeding a 1-star food, go with a 3 or 4 star grain-inclusive food, then maybe a 4-4.5 star grain free food, then try a couple 5 star foods. I actually feed 4.5 and 5 star foods. I do keep a grain-inclusive food in my rotation but it is gluten free (Nutrisource small/med breed puppy, Nature’s Logic and sometimes Nature’s Select Hi-Pro). Basically, I avoid wheat, rye, barley (gluten grains). Barley is easily contaminated with other gluten grains during processing at the plant. Rice, millet and quinoa are gluten free. This is just one way to transition to a better food. If they get digestive upset, then don’t increase the new food amount until they are regular. Transitioning can be quick or take weeks or months.

[pugmomsandy]

I think you can also push out the marrow from the marrow bones. I have several empties laying around I could mail you. Also you can find cow hooves for chewing on. Try looking at http://www.bestbullysticks.com/home/bbs/smartlist_86/made_in_the_usa.html They have an American Made section. Merrick makes bully sticks also.

[pugmomsandy]

The only bad experience a foster has had was he had an obstruction from about 10 or so candy wrappers and had to have surgery.

[pugmomsandy]

Grandma Lucy’s Pureformance freeze dried (not raw). If my dog needed something very limited, I think I would just make him a baked potato (no peel) and top it with ground beef or other protein.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by pugmomsandy.
• This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by pugmomsandy.

[pugmomsandy]

Maybe your vet is just old-school. Healthy dogs don’t have a maximum protein amount nor do they require carbohydrates. Also you can feed various foods – kibble, canned, raw, dehydrated, not just one type of food. Feeding just kibble is like a person eating a cereal bar every meal for life. For better health, incorporate fresh, unprocessed foods, and decrease toxic load. Blue Buffalo has complaints of dogs getting sick on it, but that can happen with any dog food. Not all dogs have the same reaction to a food. Rotate foods to minimize the risk of getting sick on one. The Honest Kitchen is human grade and expensive if that’s something you’re looking for. That is one brand I have in my dog’s pantry. They eat canned, kibble, dehydrated, and raw.

/choosing-dog-food/karen-becker-best-worst-dog-food/

http://www.victoriabenda.com/articles/kBecker/nutrition101.shtml

http://www.thewholedog.org/artcarnivores.html

http://www.thewholedog.org/artcookedfood.html

http://petsynergy.com/articles/nutrition-for-cats-and-dogs-overview/

[pugmomsandy]

I think it’s just the fat content difference between the legs versus the breast. But you can always remove the skin before cooking and drain off the fat drippings.

[pugmomsandy]

If you want to incorporate some raw into the diet, then adding 20% of it is ok without worrying about added vitamins and such. If you’re dog eats 2 meals and day then 2.8 meals (or 3) can be a RMB and maybe some organs (heart/gizzard/a little bit of liver). More than that, you’d need to balance the raw meals better. Make them closer to 80% meat/10% bone/10% organs (5 of that liver) and added supplements or give a premade raw. There are some sample recipes in the Raw Food topic. Another option is to make sure he eats a whole chicken (with heart/gizzard/liver), not just the back.

[pugmomsandy]

If you look at the raw food reviews, 4 and 5 stars I would feed with no problem, 3 and 2 stars I would feed intermittently or use as a topper on top of other foods. That might make it easier for you. There is a formula to use to turn the protein and fat into “dry matter” that way you can compare each recipe.

/choosing-dog-food/dry-matter-basis/

[pugmomsandy]

I have. But I’ve also used (on the dogs) Spiru-Blue, Chlorella, ONP Super Daily Greens, Dr Harveys Multi-Vit green supplement. They ate the spirugreen just fine and didn’t seem to have any issues with it.

[pugmomsandy]

Oceans11,

Yes you do. Commercial raw products just like kibble and canned foods come with varying degrees of quality, even within the brand. Instinct actually looks pretty good and rated high. But if you take a look at Aunt Jeni’s or K9 Natural, there are some recipes that have too much fat (as much as or even more than the protein). I would be careful feeding the ones with excessive amounts of fat regularly. For a puppy and working dog/sled dog, those might be ok but it depends on your dog.

[pugmomsandy]

I remember back in elementary school, we made worm cookies one day. I think it resembled raisin cookies, don’t recall how they tasted though! Can’t be that bad if Andrew Zimmern likes bugs!

[pugmomsandy]

Well, if you’re looking for a dog that will sit in your lap while you’re playing games, then a pug is for you! They’re great companions.

[pugmomsandy]

I have 3 dogs and they all eat the same things at the same time (different kibbles, canned, and raw), and the fosters all eat the same thing (3 or 4 different kibbles and various canned foods). The 14 yr old eats the same things as the younger ones, even puppy food.

[pugmomsandy]

The reformulated Canidae Grain Free Pure Land is white potato free.

Bison, lamb meal, sweet potatoes, peas, chickpeas, canola oil, suncured alfalfa, natural flavor, minerals…

• This reply was modified 10 years, 5 months ago by pugmomsandy.

[pugmomsandy]

It’s only the large breed puppy that has special calcium/phosphorus requirements so actually your adult dog can eat the large breed pup’s food.

/forums/topic/large-and-giant-breed-puppy-nutrition/page/36/

Here is the large breed puppy food document:

https://docs.google.com/a/dogfoodadvisor.com/file/d/0BwApI_dhlbnFTXhUdi1KazFzSUk/edit?usp=sharing

[pugmomsandy]

If it’s a large breed puppy, then it has special needs. I was assuming you’d be getting another small dog. Also, puppies (non-large breed), adults and seniors can also eat the same foods (unless there is a medical issue). My 14 yr old eats the same food as the rest of the gang (which includes all life stage food).

[pugmomsandy]

Aleksandra,

You can feed both dogs puppy food or an “all life stage” food. And yes both dogs can be on the same thing.

[pugmomsandy]

I’ve heard bugs are a good source of protein. I wonder what this is going to be labeled as. Maggot meal? Although for me, I’d prefer it over feather meal that Royal Canin is developing. Now I wouldn’t feed a maggot food day in and day out just like I wouldn’t feed any other kind of dog food long term. I’ve seen the dogs occasionally eat grasshoppers.

[pugmomsandy]

The non-RMB items you listed I use for chewing entertainment and teeth cleaning and results in caloric intake and some have useful things like glucosamine and chondroitin. RMBs I use for food (meat/fat/bone/cartilage/blood) and teeth cleaning.

[pugmomsandy]

There’s a homemade cooked recipe at homemadedogfood.com (chicken and rice). It uses DinoVite and a fish oil supplement to make a complete diet. You might use quinoa or millet as a substitute for rice and of course decrease the fat content. There are some canned foods listed in the Low Fat Foods list. The Honest Kitchen Zeal formula is also low fat.

[pugmomsandy]

I rescue and the group only does immiticide back to back. Rarely they do the immiticide 30 days apart. If it were my dogs, I think I would opt for slow kill. Has your vet staged the heartworm disease? In the early stages with a small amount of worms, it’s less stressful on the dog, but still dangerous none the less. I’ve had 4 dogs in 4 years die from complications of heartworm treatment (pulmonary embolism). One is at the vet right now with complications. If you use topical flea/tick/mosquito meds, you can still also use essential oils like Sentry Natural Defense and Halo Herbal Dip.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/11/22/cheaper-safer-therapy-for-heartworm.aspx

[pugmomsandy]

Look into Rawsome and Snack 21 and Pure Bites. They have fish treats. Instinct has rabbit biscuits (not soft though).

[pugmomsandy]

you’re welcome

[pugmomsandy]

Mike can’t do all the work. It’s up to the consumer to do some research. He does reviews based on the government regulated label here in the USA. It’s a great start for folks trying to decipher dog food. Why don’t you post all the companies you contacted and got the info from and post it here for all to see. That would be helpful too.

[pugmomsandy]

You can post part of it and then say (dot)com usually helps.

[pugmomsandy]

In the USA, you would need to contact the dog food companies for that information since alot of them don’t publish it on their website or on the bag and that’s not how the labeling regulations are. Overseas, I believe they publish their information with percentages.

[pugmomsandy]

I use Wellness Stews, Merrick (Turducken, Wild Buffalo Grill), Nutrisca, Weruva (Jammin Salmon, Marbella Paella) and these are chunky. Some of the Merrick canned foods have bones in them. Maybe he’d like that.

[pugmomsandy]

True Chews didn’t have those ingredients a couple years ago. They were tough like hard jerky with just meat instead of the current texture. I think it changed for the worse.

[pugmomsandy]

I’ve used Seafood Select a time or two. I don’t recall the dogs having any issues.

[pugmomsandy]

If you want to add some canned food to his kibble to make it more appealing then also add some fiber to keep the stools formed. I would say around 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of ground psyllium (that’s comparable to Metamucil) although I would get plain ground psyllium without the color or sugar and other additives.

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