[Zanes Mom]

I too love the Acana products. I have a local pet boutique that carries it but I order from Chewy.com when traveling and their customer service and delivery times are outstanding and prices as good or better than local. I just like to support local business when I can.
For canned food my personal favorite is Hound & Gatos. I use it as a topper and it is for all life stages. I have a 150 lb Bullmastiff and we went through plenty of room clearing gas before finding the right combination for him. And it really is about finding a good quality that works best for your pup. As you mentioned Acana is a little pricey but I feed four cups a day as compared to the six plus cups I would be feeding of some of the others so things tend to balance out. Good luck, I love puppy breath!!!

[Zanes Mom]

Meant HPP 🙂 From what I understand the concern is that the process kills good bacteria as well as bad.

[Zanes Mom]

Nancy C, Hi! Thank you for sharing your experience. I actually followed your quest to go raw, think that might be called lurking lol, and am so impressed at the depth of your study and questioning. I will look into BDN but since they don’t recommend mixing with kibble I will have to get a little/lot more comfortable with raw. I do feel that today Zane has a MUCH stronger immune system but it was scary to see him lose 10lbs. in very short order.
I will be very interested in hearing how your GSD does on the raw because my son has a two year old GSD that has had a lot of itchy issues with kibble. They have him on Merrick Duck right now and things are better but not solved.
One question: I remember when you were researching raw that HHP was something you did not want, could you tell me why? Thanks!

[Zanes Mom]

It’s interesting that you would say that about the kibble because about the time his problems started the dog food he was on ( not Acana) was suddenly unavailable for a period of time and the reason given was manufacturing issues. Hard to know of course.
When I first visited this site I could never imagine feeding raw but as I learn more I really want it to play a part in Zane’s diet so I appreciate your good wishes. Thank you again for your insight and suggestions.

[Zanes Mom]

Rescue Dane Mom,
Thanks for the suggestions! I understand what you are saying about the fat vs carbs and it makes sense. I think I will try the Brothers Complete in the near future and will look into the Earthborn too. I really admire everyone that feeds raw as all or part of their program but until recently never considered it. For the first year Zane had issues with diarrhea and we got to know the vet VERY well. Long story but after many tests it was finally determined that he had salmonella. The vet was shocked and of course the first question was did I feed raw. I didn’t but it made me nervous about change. He is thriving now and I recently bought a bag of Stella and Chewys Duck, Duck Goose and plan to try it as a topper – baby steps 🙂
BTW we live on the Gulf north of Tampa.

[Zanes Mom]

From what I have read the KY plant will be up and running in 2016 and will supply the US market. Acana Regionals has been a wonderful product for my dog but I too am concerned about the change. Using regional producers can be a good thing but where will the fresh fish come from in western Kentucky? Will they continue to meet European standards and have it passed fit for human consumption? Those are just a few of my concerns and I guess it is time to contact the company. In the meantime I will work on adding other brands into his diet rotation which I know is recommended anyway. I did try Natures Logic but by the end of his first large bag it was a struggle, he didn’t hate it but didn’t love it either. I never thought I would feed home made because we travel but I can see the sense of it on many levels. Sigh!

[Zanes Mom]

As a rule I don’t like retractable leashes and hate to see someone coming toward me using one when we are out walking. I have a 150lb pup and I am amazed at the number of people that allow their dogs to run to the end of the lead toward my dog. Now, he loves everyone and everything but they don’t know that when their dog is flinging itself in the air at him. Is that a failure of the owner ? Yes, of course, but it is more the rule than the exception. We were at a farmer’s market yesterday without our boy and saw everything from a bichon to lab to standard poodles bouncing and tangling with people. I noticed that Sue uses hers with a harness which makes more sense but I usually see them attached to a collar and then you have the issue of possible injury to the dog too.

[Zanes Mom]

My 18 month old Bullmastiff does very well on the Acana. He is on Grasslands now but I also use Wild Pairie and Ranchlands ( he doesn’t seem to like Pacifica.) I do add probiotics and digestive enzymes. If the pumpkin helps him I would continue it through the transition period. Good Luck, I hope it works for Davis. By the way I love his name!

[Zanes Mom]

I paid too. Had to log in to view this.

[Zanes Mom]

GizmoMom, Yes, the long hair could get caught in the Dremel and usually they recommend trimming the hair first. I looked at the sanding block and if you like the way it feels when you hold it I would give it a try. I currently use a nail file that is 100 grit but also a Dremel with a 120 grit. I have a large dog with BIG tough nails so the Dremel gets the job done much faster. He prefers either to a clipper. One thing to be aware of when sanding is that heat can build up from the friction so I do a little and then move to the next nail. I just rotate through them until they are the way I want them.

[Zanes Mom]

Naturella, Yes, my Dremel is a regular tool but the important thing is it has a slow speed of 5000rpm and that is what I use. I use it for a few seconds on each nail so they don’t get hot and then come back to them again as needed. The 120 grit (fine) Dremel sanding band is about right. Someone else may be able to tell you if you could use something like the Dremel Mini-mite which is cordless and rechargeable.
You are right about the pressure of the clipper. If you have to exert much pressure it can squeeze the quick and hurt even if you don’t cut it.

[Zanes Mom]

I use a grinder/ dremel also but I have a large/ giant breed and it is much more comfortable for him. I have also had them done by a groomer and they also used a grinder. I have the dremel 4000 which is electric, variable speed and I use the lowest setting. That may be more than you need and someone with a smaller breed can help with that. One other idea that was suggested by the groomer and has worked really well is to use a nail file that is used on acrylic nails. I buy a course 100 grit file at Sally’s Nails and use it once a week. It is easy to keep track of how close you are getting to the quick and there is no noise or vibration. You might not need any more than that. Hope this helps.

[Zanes Mom]

I have been rotating probiotics and recently started adding kefir to my boy’s meals. He really loves the kefir so I plan to keep it as part of his diet but now I wonder if I should cut back or eliminate the powered probiotics. He is on a kibble diet with a canned topper or fresh chicken, veggies etc. He also gets sardines three times a week. I would also like to know if anyone makes their own kefir and if there is a source for the grains they would recommend. I have learned so much from visiting this site and appreciate the wealth of information that is freely shared. Thanks to all!

[Zanes Mom]

Maybe a little plain Kefir sprinkled over the food would entice him. My boy isn’t a picky eater but he is especially enthusiastic about sardines or kefir. I order Crown Prince sardines in water and they have a very mild smell. They cost a little more but come in BPA free tins and that is a biggie for me. Good luck to you and your little one!

[Zanes Mom]

I stand corrected. A number of others have pointed out that their large dogs have no problem with the kibble size and so far in the transition neither does mine. I guess I was just surprised when I opened the bag and saw BB size pieces. I do add water, canned topper and kefir. It may even be a plus because he isn’t one to waste a lot of effort crunching larger kibble 🙂 Live and learn.

[Zanes Mom]

I love Acana Grasslands and so does my young Bullmastiff. Recently I ordered Natures Logic Duck and Salmon to try as part of his rotation. He seems to be doing well on it but— the kibble size is TINY and I think that will be a problem. However it is the perfect choice for a small dog.

[Zanes Mom]

Born in Indiana. Have lived in Ohio, Maryland, Paris, Virginia, Georgia, and now divide time between our home in Florida and vacation home on Virginia’s Northern Neck ( think Chesapeake Bay). Is that a reverse snowbird?
I have raised sheep, cattle, dairy goats, chickens and quarter horses. Furry family members I have loved include a Border collie, JRTs, GSD, too many cats to count, and Bullmastiffs. My husband and I currently have a 17 month old Bullmastiff that is the love of our lives although I have been heard to mutter ” he is going to be the death of me.”

[Author]

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