Dog Food

[jamaica_dreamin]

My vet persuaded me to switch to Science diet for dogs with allergies.

A lady that owns two Shar Pei's (and is involved in Shar Pei rescue) has advised me to try Natural Balance (fish and sweet potatoe formula). that sounds nice and healthy and Barney LOVES fish. I'm going to try it.

She also recommended adding 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt per day to prevent yeast (which he has had on his skin and in his ear0.

Has any one used this food or yogurt?

[Nanook]

Re: Dog Food

Science Diet used to be a good food, but it has not been for many years if you ask just about anyone in the know. Yet, vet's seem to push the stuff.

I feed the natural Balance now and then to my dogs and it is what I feed my cats. It is a wonderful food. The less ingredients the better when you're having skin problems as it is easier to try to figure out the ingredient that might be causing a problem. Well, less ingredients the better all around, all the time!

If you find Natural Balance a bit too spendy, never fear...check out <span style="font-weight: bold">Taste of The Wild</span>. It is grain free and pretty much the lowest price per pound of the grain free foods.

The Pacific Stream has fish with fresh and smoked salmon as a main ingredient along with sweet potatoes!

Taste of The Wild here


Yogurt is WONDERFUL stuff. I have a couple of kids that get either yogurt or Acidophulus supplement which is pretty much the same thing. I need to start giving it to everyone it is just a good practice. It aids in digestions, helping to ensure proper digestion.

If you are only feeding once per day I'd make a switch to twice as well. The whole well being of the dogs benefits!

I started feeding all of mine twice (well three times actually, if you figure in the afternoon snack after potty time)about 3 months ago at the recommendation of my vet. I was already feeding old dogs and puppies twice so it was no big deal to switch them all.

Anyway, my dogs are in such wonderful condition all around! Never a bloated tummy look after eating,as amounts are smaller each meal. They make better use of the fuel as well if it is absorbed throughout the day. They look in show shape, perfect.

Also, if you have a vet who also practices holistic methods in your area do pay them a visit! This is just the sort of thing up their alley. Did you happen to catch my holistic vet locate thread?

Here is a link if you missed it! Even though I have to drive over 50 miles to her office I love having mine! She does house calls and every 3 weeks or so a friend and I get together and pool our funds to have her visit us and that convenience cannot be beat!

holisitc vet look up

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Dog Food

Thanks Nookie!

I have been told that the Vets push Science diet to make $$. The natural balance cost about $50 for a large bag (i was told it would feed one dog for 6 weeks) The Science diet one is $35 for a small bag (wich last about 2 weeks) So the Natural Balance would be cheaper.

Barney eats twice a day.

I will look for Taste of the wild. And when I can a holitsic vet. (we have been spending alot of $$ at the vet of late) Barney had yeast in his ear last trip. And he is not a swimmer (true Pei / hates water) I will buy plain yogurt on my way home.

[CeaBee]

Re: Dog Food

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">cience Diet used to be a good food, but it has not been for many years</div></div>

a true?

what u give Paloma?

ETA : i see that natural balance have cat food too.

[Nanook]

Re: Dog Food

Natural Balance Green Pea and Duck.

Natural Balance

I had Felidae before, which is good too, I'll prolly end up0 mixing the two.

Felidae

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Dog Food

Hey Nookie, I used the link you posted and found a place in Ft Lauderdale that sells Taste of the wild.

I'll pick some up tomorrow.

He loved the plain yogurt mixed with the Science diet.

Thanks again

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Dog Food

I just sent a link to thread to family who have an aging wire haired doxy mix that has been having skin issues too. They also have a Pomeranian. You should see her coat since they starting giving their dogs fish oil. Her coat never looked bad but the change is remarkable.

[Nanook]

Re: Dog Food

Yaaay! Glad you were able to find the Taste of The Wild. A friend feeds it to her Standard Poodle who has issues and I was going to start using it just because I like the idea of grain free but I'm liking the <span style="font-weight: bold">Native</span>.

Native

I mix it with either Evo, Natural Balance, or California natural. The Native is a staple, and since it is a constant, I can get away with switching around the rest.

Another new food I tried samples of and am waiting for the box I ordered is made by Honest Kitchen. It's freeze dried raw food and my dogs love it mixed in their meal.

It comes in powder form so I mix it in a big bowl of food and had hot water, as I feed soaked food to my dogs. All sorts of veggies and good stuff...

Honest Kitchen

Anyway, come back and tell if food switch helps! You know not to switch totally all at once right? I'm pretty sure you do but just had to throw that out there.

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Dog Food

I don't want to try to many different things on him at once. We just switched to Science diet about 2 weeks ago. I started giving him the yogurt tonight.

I will mix 3/4 science diet with 1/4 Taste of the wild to start and increase the amount of the new food every day till he is eating just the new food.

[Nanook]

Re: Dog Food

No you definitely don't want to do that! I just do it to keep things interesting for my kids but nobody has any issues.

in your case less is better so you can figure out if there is something he is allergic to. My dogs are having a regular food orgy, lol.

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Dog Food

I started mixing a small amount of Taste of the wild in his food this morning. He ate it all.

He has been cleaning his bowl in the morning since I started mixing in the plain yogurt. The yeast smell is gone after a few days of getting 2 tblspn of plain yogurt in the morning.

I have been putting fish oil ( I puncture one capsule and drizzle it on dry food) in the evening. He seems to really like it. I was thinking about just buying a bottle of the Salmon oil at Petco next time.



Should I still add fish oil to the fishy dog food?

[Tulip]

Re: Dog Food

I have been feeding my dog Wellness Super5Mix with ShowStopper powder sprinkled on top. She is a black miniature poodle, and I got her 2008 as a puppy, but she has never had any problems.

My parents English Cocker Spaniel did have skin allergies and the Purina ProPlan with salmon helped a lot.

I started giving my dog a spoon of yogurt a few times a week last year, but I can't remember why except that I read it was good for her. Unfortunately, she doesn't like it so I have to mix it into her food.

She came to me on Science Diet but I took her off of it because I also heard it had changed. Back in the day when it was good, it used to be called Hill's Science Diet.

[Nanook]

Re: Dog Food

Greets Tulip and welcome to the pet yard!

I would love to see some pics of your poodle and I love Springers too. I have a cream Standard Poodle in a show coat, I'm a glutton for punishment!

Hey JD, I'd probably ask your vet about doubling up on the fish. They should just be able to tell you on the phone and you can tell them your ingredients list from your bag and then figure out the correct dosage. I hope the new food helps, glad he likes it!

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Dog Food

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nanook</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Greets Tulip and welcome to the pet yard!

I would love to see some pics of your poodle and I love Springers too. I have a cream Standard Poodle in a show coat, I'm a glutton for punishment!

Hey JD, I'd probably ask your vet about doubling up on the fish. They should just be able to tell you on the phone and you can tell them your ingredients list from your bag and then figure out the correct dosage. I hope the new food helps, glad he likes it! </div></div>


Thanks. I'll ask the vet.
He likes it. He has been cleaning his plate. He is usually picky.

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Dog Food

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tulip</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been feeding my dog Wellness Super5Mix with ShowStopper powder sprinkled on top. She is a black miniature poodle, and I got her 2008 as a puppy, but she has never had any problems.

My parents English Cocker Spaniel did have skin allergies and the Purina ProPlan with salmon helped a lot.

I started giving my dog a spoon of yogurt a few times a week last year, but I can't remember why except that I read it was good for her. Unfortunately, she doesn't like it so I have to mix it into her food.

She came to me on Science Diet but I took her off of it because I also heard it had changed. Back in the day when it was good, it used to be called Hill's Science Diet. </div></div>

I'm hoping that the food change will solve the problem.