[Derik P]

I don’t do it every bag, but I rotate flavors/protein sources every so often. I usually stick within the same brand, but I have used a few different brands before and my dogs don’t seem to have much issue. I don’t usually need to slowly transition my dogs between brands or varieties either, but every dog is different. The only time mine have really had problems is adding non-kibble foods like Honest Kitchen or something, but that’s not surprising so I try to add those things http://dog.best-online-solution.com in small quantities.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 3 months ago by Derik P.
• This reply was modified 7 years, 3 months ago by Derik P.

[InkedMarie]

Thanks for adopting this pup! Have you tried something like The Honest Kitchen? Some of them are soupier, some oatmeal consistency.

[Susan]

Hi Nate,

Yes Annamaet Lean kibble is VERY high in legumes, high carb diet..

People recommend to feed a low-protein diet for a dog with pancreatitis. However this is not correct. By decreasing protein in diet then the carbohydrate content increases which is the greatest aggravating factor of pancreatitis in dogs in the first place, or increase the fat, which is no good considering the illness..
I was feeding Patch a low protein around 25%, low fat diet then realised the carbs were so high & my dog always had his stomach/pancreas pain, whinging crying, wanting me to rub his pancreas area, at least once a week but since he’s been eating “Wellness Core” Large Breed formula, that is high protein around 34%, low/med fat-13% Carbs-30% he’s been doing really well & he has not had 1 whinging episode in 7 months where he wants me to rub his pancreas, then he has to be put on Metronidazole when Pancreas/stomach pain doesn’t go away after 2 days….He can’t take Predisone/steriods..

Here’s
**Wellness Core Raw Rev Turkey Dehydrated its low in fat 10%
https://www.wellnesspetfood.com/natural-dog-food/product-catalog/core-rawrev-healthy-weight-100-raw-turkey

** Wellness Core 100% Turkey- 10% fat
https://www.wellnesspetfood.com/natural-dog-food/product-catalog/core-100-freeze-dried-turkey
Here’s the Whole Wellness Core range… click on the Chicken & Turkey formula’s they’re lowest in fat..
You could fed 1 of their meal the Hills I/d formula & for dinner they have a meal thats higher protein, lower fat & lower carbs, take baby steps & see how your dogs do eating the Higher protein meal, meat protein is easier to digest then a bowl of carbs…

The Honest Kitchen has a few new formula’s
HOPE –
% Protein-25.0
% Fat-7.2
% Fiber-6.0
% Moisture-8.0
*Per dry cup.
THK- Kindley – Grain Free Fat is 10% Fiber is 8.5%
THK- Preference – Grain Free fat-10.5% Fiber -8%
THK- Verve – Organic Beef- Fat-8.5% Fiber-5.8%
THK- Zeal – Grain Free- Fat-8.5 fiber 5.8%
the fiber % is higher in some of the Honest Kitchen formula’s over 6%….

Here’s The Honest Kitchen range- https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/meals

Are you on Face Book here’s the “Canine Pancreatitis Support group” link
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1435920120029740/
Join group then post a post asking what are people feeding their dogs, I know there’s a few people who feed low fat, premade raw diets, so they may know of a freeze dried/Dehydrated brands you can feed that are low in fat.
also look in the “files”
there’s “A recipe for home-cooked food”
there’s “Pancreas Low Fat dog foods.pdf”

[Nate D]

I actually have one on the Annamaet Lean, but its full of a lot of starches. Lots of peas. I’m trying to go more natural because of the high possibility of one of my dogs having cancer. (has to have a lump removed) I don’t want to feed it with grains or lots of starches.
I have tried The Honest Kitchen Preference where you add your own protein. I could possibly go back to that. I did find Instinct has some frozen raw food that says only has 8% fat but I emailed them to find out if that’s correct.

[Nate D]

I have 2 Dachsunds. Both have had pancreas issues in the past. One has cushings and may have cancer. I have been feeding both of them Hills I/D Low Fat Natural dry food, but want them off of the kibble.
I have tried The Honest Kitchen Fish, but dont care for the garlic in it. It also seems to be to high in protein for them causing gas and upset stomach even with small amounts. I was hoping to use it because people rant and rave about it for their dogs who have had pancreatitis and/or cancer.

I have been looking for something else. Either dehydrated, frozen, patties, fresh, etc.. and am having a hard time finding anything low in fat.
Anyone know of any?

I know I can do homemade, but have no idea what complete supplements I need. I would however prefer already made.

[Lee G]

Hi Mike,

I just read this article in the New York Times focusing on the growing skepticism about grain-free foods.

I feed Mack, our rescue Beagle, grain-free Honest Kitchen, and he is doing very well. But now I am worried about him contracting dilated cardiomyopathy.

Have you looked into this issue at all? I now am very concerned.

Please advise.

Thanks so much.

Lee

• This topic was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by Lee G.

[doginlaw]

Thank you again for the advice and suggestions! He has an appointment with the vet on Monday and I’m going to ask about his diet and some of the other things we discussed in this thread, particularly the joint issues, which seem to be giving him the most difficulty at the moment. My sister-in-law says she’s seen him limping on one of his front legs and thinks it’s due to a lump on his elbow; the vet thought it was just a fatty deposit but it does seem to be painful to the dog, in addition to the problems with his hips/back legs.

He does seem to enjoy light swimming, though. Sometimes he’ll fetch his toys and other times he just wants to sit and rest on the steps or ledge (I’m guessing maybe it takes some weight off his legs and helps him feel better?), so I usually just try to pay attention to whatever he’s up for.

I was wondering if it was recommended to give it on an empty stomach in order for it to be absorbed better?

That’s a good question, and I’m going to ask the vet about that too! I had been giving it to him either with his food or mixed in with some salmon oil or Honest Kitchen powdered goat’s milk, but I’m not sure if there’s a better or more effective way to do that.

At the moment he’s eating a mixture of Nulo Freestyle Senior and Adult Trim because it’s lower in calories than the Zignature, but I might look into some of the recommendations here after I talk to the vet.

[Amelia Z]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I prefer to stay away from grain. I did find a grain free, legume free kibble.
https://www.earthbornholisticpetfood.com/dog-food-formulas/venture/alaska-pollock-meal-pumpkin
Also this one, but protein is high.
https://www.instinctpetfood.com/dogs/ultimate-protein/instinct-ultimate-protein-cage-free-chicken-recipe
This one has limited grains and no legumes….
https://www.natureslogic.com/ingredients/manufacturing-locations/

Although, I don’t think I will feed these this but it’s good to have a kibble as a secondary choice. I am sticking with Honest Kitchen. My boys love it. And the ingredients are very good. check it out. https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/meals

As far as Royal Canin, in my opinion it’s a low quality food. The 1st 10 ingredients in the golden retreiver formula: (ugh!)
Brown rice, chicken by-product meal (Can include chicken intestines and/or chicken feces.), oat groats, brewers rice, corn gluten meal, wheat, chicken fat, natural flavors, powdered cellulose, dried plain beet pulp. Doesn’t sound like anything I would want to feed my boys.

If I had a rescue, I certainly understand that cost would be a fact. I believe that genes has a lot to do with age, just like people. But I think there are alot better choices out there. There is no denying these facts:
https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/07/17/feather-meal.aspx

Royal Canin Says…

The big pet food manufacturers donate billions of dollars to vet schools, so why wouldn’t veterinarians recommend their food. In fact, many of these companies give free food to the vets. (good advertising for them). I truly believe we need to be cautious when it comes to dog food. I don’t trust what any of them say. Time & time again foods contain products that are hurting/killing our animals. The cancer rate in dogs continues to grow, along with a million other problems. Why are dogs living less now than they did 30 years ago?!?! Garbage in, garbage out.
And yet another story:
https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2018/07/23/feeding-turkey-feathers-on-pets.aspx?utm_source=petsnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20180723Z1&et_cid=DM223723&et_rid=372609563

It’s all very scary! Sorry to be so long winded, but it’s a nightmare just to pick a food.

[Amelia Z]

They are adding it to the ancestral grain formula. The grain free already has:
fiber vegetable of peas. Although I prefer grain free, I was getting desperate so I was going to try the ancestral grains and they said they are coming out with a new formula that will have pea fiber. I looked into sport dog that has no peas but thought it might be too rich since it is for sporting dogs. Although my goldens are a sporting breed, they are not SPORTING. But they are out of stock because of the issue of taurine and peas. So now that’s out. The more I read about kibble it really is the worse food we can give them. I am continuing to give them honest kitchen and wean them off the Acana. They seem to like it. I may give them that one meal and Grandma Lucy’s artisan Chicken for the other. This will definitely cost alot more but if it is better for them, I will do it. It certainly is worth my sanity. I can’t research any more. This is been going on for months and I am at my wits end!
Here’s some interesting info:
https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2015/11/08/best-to-worst-pet-food-types.aspx
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/dog-food-ten-scary-truths/

[Jeannie F]

How palatable is the sojos? I have a very finicky dachshund who doesn’t like honest kitchen in any flavor.
He loves raw pork and beef but has trouble digesting it as he gets gurgly tummy on occasion after eating that, chicken necks and organ meat.
Thanks for your help.

[Amelia Z]

Hi, thanks for the suggestion. Actually I am testing with honest kitchen. My only concern with it is it has high carbs which will increase their glycemic index. I may just feed them that one meal and a raw and/or freeze dried another. There are alot of potatoes in that food. If I feed just that to both my dogs, it would cost $350 a month.

[Nicki C]

What about Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Chicken? It has sweet potato and quinoa, no legumes, peas, etc. would that work? I have two female Shih Tzus, 9 years and 1.5 years

[Amelia Z]

My 4yr Golden has DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) he was diagnosed 2 yrs ago. I am feeding him Acana pork & squash and Orijen freeze dried regional red along with fresh veggies, fruits and supplements, pro-biotics etc. There is ALOT of talk lately about diets deficient in taurine possibly causing DCM. UC Davis is conducting a research study on taurine deficient cardiomyopathy in golden retrievers. I have enrolled my dog and he was tested for taurine and it showed that he was low. The cardiologist recommended supplementing him with taurine & L-Carnitine. He also recommends taking him off the acana due to the legumes. He states that the legumes are causing him to be deficient in taurine. He is feeding the other dogs in the study royal canine and purina. Two foods I would never feed. I have been researching for months, looking for a food that is grain & legume free. Not a easy task! I was testing honest kitchen but that is 37% carbs which is too high. Although I am supplementing taurine, I am afraid that the peas are absorbing it and I am going nowhere. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Here is some background on this:
https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2018/07/09/link-between-dog-food-taurine-deficiency-and-dcm.aspx
https://www.planetpaws.ca/2015/07/05/the-pea-problem-in-pet-food/

[Susan]

Hi,
Yes Victor is suppose to be good quality food for the price, I live Australia we dont get Victor we only get Canidae, Wellness, Eagle Pack, Holistic Select etc …

About the raw diet YES that would be heaps better diet for Sweet Pea better then any dry or wet dog food, but I’d avoid any raw till Sweet Pea digestive tract is strong & healthy & best to feed human raw meat, no Pet Shop raw meats, I like the Dehydrated raw where you add warm water, my boy does really well on an Australian made organic free range raw.. She might prefer the dehydrated dog food, like “Honest Kitchen”, “Kiwi Kitchen” dehydrated & “Canidae” has a new raw coated kibble, I always buy Patches kibbles when on special when there’s 25% off certain dog foods & when the use by date is about to expire & the dog food is 50-75% off, I go to Pet Barn & check out all their use by dates lol then tell staff this use by date is about the expire also I rotate between a few different brands..
This is why a dog has a short digestive tract so if any raw meat they eat is off it passes thru their stomach to small bowel very quickly so no bacterica can breed & best to feed human grade raw meat, Kibble also has contains Salmonella & we hold it so always wash your hands after touching a dry kibble….
My cat had tartar on his teeth & my vet recommend I give him raw chicken wings cut in 1/2 x 3 times a week & the raw meaty chicken bones cleaned his teeth, cause he was old his vet didn’t want to risk putting him to sleep to clean his teeth, plus it was very expensive over $450 then another $50 per teeth if removed…

Yes very good idea before you see a vet GET Dog insurance, that’s 1 big mistake I made & I’ve spent alot of money on Patch with all his health problems.

[Susan]

Hi Cline,
Try & stick with other freeze dried dehydrated dog foods that are similiar to The Honest Kitchen formula’s, there’s a few around, there’s Air Dried formula’s like “Ziwi Peak” but air dried is like jerky & when you add any water nothing happens to the product, then there’s freeze dried raw & all the nutrients are locked in, NO heat is used you add warm water & the food reformulated to its fresh natural self again….

Have a look at “Kiwi Kitchen” Freeze dried
http://www.kiwikitchens.nz/dog-food/freeze-dried-dog-food/
The fish formula has teh lowest fat%

Have a look at “Canidae Pure” formula’s excellent for dogs with digestive problems & skin allergies, Pure Sky, Pure Wild, Pure Land, Pure Elements, Pure Sea..
Canidae have brought out a new Grain Free Raw Freeze Dried formula’s, Raw Coated Dry Red Meat Formula with Lamb, Goat, & Wild Boar..
https://www.canidae.com/dogs/canidae-grain-free-pure-ancestral-raw-coated-dry-red-meat-formula-with-lamb-goat-wild-boar/

If your dog gets dirrahea from the Ancestral formula then take it back to Pet Shop & ask can you try the “Canidae Pure Sky” formula, it’s simple with limited ingredients & it has NO Lentils, NO Chickpeas, https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products/canidae-grain-free-pure-sky-dry-formula.

[Cline W]

Our dog, a Malamute, has had diarrhea and problems with what we think are food sensitivities since she was born. We feed her The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Fruit & Veggie Dehydrated Dog Base Mix. Once she started on that food, she has literally had no problems whatsoever. We have to rehydrate the food because it is dehydrated and then we have to add some type of protein, which we usually add ground beef or chicken or ground turkey. We have tried other Foods by slowly introducing them into the diet and pretty much everything gives her bad diarrhea. My daughter was dog sitting a dog who had severe rashes and was losing his hair and they started him on this food and the rash went away and the dog has been healthy ever since. This food is truly amazing! I got on this forum because it is time-consuming and a little more expensive to feed her the food we’re feeding and thought I would try the Nutrish but after reading the comments, I don’t think I will do that to my dog.

[CJ B]

I am going through the same thing and reached out to several dog food manufacturers to get details on their phosphorous levels. I opted to go with Weruva canned food. David Forman, [email protected], head of Weruva was very helpful. I learned that keeping phosphorous in check means ensuring no bone matter in food. I was also using the Weruva dry kibble, but have now changed over to Honest Kitchen and add Weruva canned at nite time. Good luck.

[Anne D]

Hi there! I’ve been through the same thing. I’ve been feeding raw for over 2yrs now & my 3 would never allow me to buy kibble again! HAHAHA
Nor would I want to, since it was the best decision I’ve made for their health.
I agree with the previous poster about the fat content. Small amounts are ok, but watch leaving the skin on since they really can’t chew it up. It’s basically a glob in the belly, which can cause upset.
Don’t worry about the bones, as long as you’re not cooking them, you’re doing everything right. Their digestive tract is set up for this.
The only thing I didn’t see suggested for you was canned pumpkin. I always keep that in. Just in case. Dogs get upset stomachs. Just like us. The pumpkin helps to bind them up. I also add slippery elm bark to the pumpkin. Clears them up really quick. Just make sure that you’re buying canned pumpkin, not pie filling.
I know you’re aware of transitioning proteins, just be sure not to keep them on 1 protein too long. Always rotate. Green Tripe is an excellent way to soothe his belly too. It just might make you incredibly nauseous! HAHAHA Bone broth is great too & if you don’t want to make it, honest kitchen sells a powdered version w turmeric. Nice to keep on hand.
So sorry I’m rambling on. I just hate when our best friends aren’t well & feeling at a loss as to what to do for them. I would post the same question in every raw feeding FB group I was in & was lucky to get a response the next day.
I hope your puppy is feeling better.

[jennifer m]

Well, she has been on the Nutrisource Lamb Meal and Rice for a few weeks. I bought a small bag. Still having at least 6-8 poops a day. She literally will go about 3 times before she even eats her first bowl of food for the day. I can also tell she does not really like the food.

I tried 2 days of Pure Vida and had less poops so I thought I could possibly transition over, plus she liked the food. Bought a bag, and day 3 was a blow out.

So back on the nutrisource for the time being. At least we are solid on it, but obviously just have not found the right thing.

I am concerned about a raw diet. The holistic vet in the community is known to suggest Honest Kitchen Raw food. She is currently on maternity leave so I may see her when she gets back.

I am beginning to think it may be peas. The foods I have tried have varied by proteins, but the two she has had the most success with contact no peas. It’s been hard to find a good quality food that doesn’t have peas in it.

[Vishakha G]

Hello,
I am looking for a commercial raw dog food. Something thats convenient yet decently priced and available in bags big enough to last me a month. I have 2 dogs one 20 pounds and one 40 pounds.
My oldest one ( even though she is ageless, 9 but acts like she is 2) has trouble on even the best kibble ( yeasty ears and itchy paws) and she used to eat Ziwipeak but they discontinued the big bags. My younger does well on anything, but I wont feed just ONE of them raw.

I used to feed her the honest kitchen but she dislikes it and won’t eat it unless I top it off with an egg or something. Plus I am looking for kibble like convenience.
I tried REAL MEAT – Dog food, but their poop was horrible on it. ( Any information regarding this?)
I also briefly tried raw feeding them the regular way, buying meat and organs in bulk but I couldn’t manage to do it in the long term, time commitment etc.

Any recommendations are welcome !

[Susan]

Hi Patrica,

*Canidae has new formula’s “Canidae Pure Petite” Small Breed freeze dried raw coated.
https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products just scroll down a little look to your right & click on page 4 & all the Pure Petite formula’s will come up.
* Ziwi Peak Air Dried Raw
https://www.ziwipets.com/

When dog foods were tested for toxins & contaminates these brands & formula’s below got 5 stars…..
* “Buckley Liberty” Grain Free Freeze Dried – the Beef, Lamb & Chicken formula’s
* “Canisource Grand CRU” ALS dehydrated raw – the Turkey, Pork & Lamb & Reat Meat Formula’s
* “Natures Variety” Instant Raw Market Meals Blend & Chicken Recipes with Sweet Potatoes, Peas & Blueberries
* “The Honest Kitchen” Grain Free Proper Toppers Chicken Recipe

[jennifer m]

We have a bulldog puppy. We got her from my mom (who is the breeder) when she was 4 months old. The litter was large and my mom did not realize she was reacting to her food until we got her. Here is a little of what we have done. I know it’s a lot of food changes. Nothing has worked. We have had up to 10 poops a day, blood in stool, and diarrhea. I just don’t know what to do.
weened-4mo old: Blue Buffalo
Way too many poops and smelly gas. She also did not like the food
Large Puppy Orijens (went through one large bag before switching)
She loved the food. Better stools but still went 5 times a day. Mom was too concerned about this being too much protein for a bulldog.
Pure Vita Salmon and Pea (went through 2 bags)
She liked it fine. Stools were very soft and she went a lot
Health Extensions
Mom switched her to this while keeping her for a few weeks. Terrible gas and by the time we got her back she had diarrhea.

At this point, we just went to our vet. He said that we have done too many food changes. No parasites or worms. Put her on 5 days of purina probiotics and metronidazole. This did nothing. She went back to vet and he put her on a high energy GI Royal Canine. This is the first time we went to having 3-4 poops a day but they were still soft and she would have blood in them. He also gave her another 7 days of antibiotics.

I decided not to give the antibiotics and immediately took her off of the food. I went back to the natural health food store. She recommended the stella and chewy lamb patties and nutrisource lamb meal and rice. Also added goat’s milk. She does not love the food but loves the patties and goat’s milk. So far the stool is back to solid which I haven’t seen in over a month. However, this morning she has gone 3 times before she even ate breakfast. Could this be just a transition period?

I like the solid stools but I don’t want to be back to a point where she’s going 7-8 times a day.

Mom said the grain free foods were using a lot of peas and this could be an issue. That’s why we are trying the rice formula. The food store also recommended Honest Kitchen raw food.

What should I do? She’s only 8 months now and I am sure she wants to feel better and stay on a good food.

[Jude B]

Kathleen, I’ve had the same experience. I’ve changed to Honest Kitchen. Great reviews, and they love it. I got the basic and add the protein. Check it out.
Jude

[aimee]

Hi Mary D,

This “I called Honest Kitchen and they had no idea how much of their food would equal a cup of kibble” doesn’t surprise me. In my interactions with Honest Kitchen I found they mean well but have little understanding of basic nutrition such as how to answer your question.

I can help you figure this out if you’d like. All I need is the caloric information for which food you were feeding kcals/cup and which Honest Kitchen product you want to feed. Then we can calculate out the equivalent calories of the new product as a starting point for how much to feed.

The feeding directions on their Preference box were totally inaccurate for my dog and if fed following their recommendations wouldn’t meet her nutrient needs to to mention her caloric needs.

[Susan]

Hi Patrica,
Wet foods have different fat%, here’s a fat calculator save it.
http://www.k-9kraving.com/resources/calculator.php
When you see say 5 % fat on raw or wet can food it has not been converted to dry matter yet this is when you use the calculator Ive posted or email the dog food company & ask for converted max fat %
If the wet can food says 5%min fat, when you convert 5%min fat to dry matter it will be around 20%min to 26% max fat…..
Best to look for wet foods 4% & under also if the moisture is over 78% then the fat will be higher aswell….
Have you looked at Freeze Dried Dehydrated raw dog foods? that’s what I’m introducing to my 9yr old boy who has IBD have a look at
“The Honest Kitchen” range https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food
“Ziwi Peak” Air Dried raw & wet can foods are really good for very fussy dogs & cats, my cat inhales it…. https://www.ziwipets.com/

[haleycookie]

So the box should have feeding guidelines on it just like the bag of kibble. So let’s say you’re feeding the Turkey honest kitchen food. For a 20 lbs dog with average activity levels it calls for 1/2 acup to 1 cup per day of the dry matter. Then you’d add 3/4 cup of water to 1 and 1/2 cups of water just depending on your dogs preference. There shouldn’t be any reason to wonder if one cup of this will equal one cup of kibble. Just follow the directions on the box of honest kitchen you have for the weight of your dog and there shouldn’t be any problems.

[Mary D]

Hello

I just started giving my dog Honest Kitchen. He normally ate 1 cup kibble in the am and 1 cup kibble in the pm. Now, I am giving him 1/2 cup kibble and 1/2 cup honest kitchen. If I want to go to all Honest Kitchen, will 1 cup fill him up like 1 cup kibble does?

I called Honest Kitchen and they had no idea how much of their food would equal a cup of kibble. Your assistance and/or advice is appreciated.

Thanks

[emmygirl01]

HI,
Thank you for your words of kindness and support.
I will check out tuscan naturals and nutro! He was on Nutro when he was a pup–that was one of the first foods he became sick on–but that was 10years ago!
I will check out Rick Scheyer–can’t hurt! I am open to having someone listen and I 1000000% agree about vet’s. One of the vet’s I respect, actually told me “all I know is science” I can only speak about the food that has data and science behind it. Which is all great, unless your pup gets sick from it!
CockalierMom, I actually loved your questions because just today, my husband and I were talking about the squash/root veggies. My husband was actually the one who said he thought the veggies might be too much. Your logic about the soluble fiber is genius–and I am taking a look at that. He has had those veggies for the WHOLE 4 months–( prescribed by the holistic vet I went to for a short time)
He has had great success with The Honest Kitchen in the past–which is why I am trying it again–he seems to have a little reflux, 5 minutes after he eats it–which he did not have the last time he was on it, so IDK.
He has tolerated lamb, venison, duck, turkey, oatmeal, potato, sweet potato, pumpkin, apples, parsnips.
He seems intolerant of pork, chicken, rice, beef, salmon and salmon oil and most recently probiotics ( he was on proviable for a year) I saw some articles about enterococcus faceum, and after he vomited one day after getting a proviable, I hesitated giving it to him anymore.
Thank you for your help and good words–I was feeling kind of defeated last night when I wrote this–I think I just about have it figured out and then I DON’T!! I love the idea of keeping a journal. Thanks everyone!

[Susan]

Hi Robert,

A dogs digestive tract is short, made to digest meat, raw meat, not a high carb high fiber over processed dry kibble….
Why the dogs digestive tract is short so if the dog eats rotten meat etc the meat is quickly digested & passes thru into the small bowe,l then large bowel, then he poo’s, so no bacteria can start to breed in th e stomach….

A homemade cooked or raw diet would be heaps healthier then feeding wet dog can food but wet can dog food is better then feeding dry processed kibble, so you’re getting there, when you cook your dogs food you know whats in their food & what they’re eating, also when you cook you’re not cooking their food are very high temperatures like wet & dry dog foods are cooked, killing all the good nutrience in their food, maybe baby steps, next time you’re cooking, cook some extra boiled sweet potato or potato, a bit of meat & some green veggies for your dogs meal, mix 1/2 wet can with the cooked food & slowly start feeding cooked meals..
Join Monica Segals Face Book group called “K-9 Kitchen” & Lew Olson group called “K-9 Nutrition” & follow “Judy Morgan DVM” she has really good videos you can watch & very easy to make dog recipes you just put in a Crock Pot slow cocker, Judy has a 16-17yr old dog.

People think if the kibble is grain free kibble then its healthier but some of these grain free kibbles are higher in carbs, higher in fiber, full of lentils chickpeas & peas to up the protein %, so the meat protein % isnt as high as you think it is cause your getting plant protein as well, it would be good if these dog food companies had to write the Meat Protein % the Plant Protein %….. honest dog food companies are starting to write the plant protein %, google “Earthborn Holistic” Venture formula’s they write the Pumkin protein% , the Pea protein% the meat protein %…

Back in the 50’s, 60’s, 70′ & 80’s our dogs were so much healthier then the dogs now who eat dry kibble 24/7, in the 90’s the dog food companies started telling us “DO NOT FEED YOUR DOGS HUMAN FOOD” its no good, kibble is better & we believed them, you have even even written
(Our dogs do not est human food.) why??
what makes you think dog food is better then a “balanced” cook meal, why some vets are against cooked or raw diets is people don’t balance their dogs diet properly causing health problems, this is why the vet will recommend to feed pet food for cause they know it will be balanced but after tests on cat wet can foods in Australia scientist found supermarket, pet shop cat foods Hills & Royal Canine all those little expensive cans of cat food were not balanced properly & now it says on these really small cans of cat food “not to be feed as a main meal”… this happened last year & the scientist who exposed this was sponsered by Hills & wouldnt give up the names of the expensive cat foods they had found not to be balanced properly, the reporter doing the story put 2 & 2 together & worked out which expensive cat foods werent balanced…
Rodney Habib & Steve Brown recommend you add either fish or salmon oil capsule once a day to 1 of their meals, use Krill oil capsule if dog has sensitive stomach or start adding 2 spoons of salmon or sardines in olive oil or spring water to 1 of their meals a day, just read the salt % look for lowest salt % in the can salmon or sardines… for lunch sometimes I open a small can of salmon in spring water drain teh water & add some boiled sweet potato mix & give to Patch for lunch.. I boil sweet potato & freeze small pieces sweet potato freezes really well & its healthy for them..

Google “KetoPets” for Liza & start making the Ketopets diets or cook the Ketopets diets & I bet you Liza will be here longer then 2 years….
Dr Judy Morgan talks about this subject in one of her video’s on her facebook page look at all her “Video’s”..
It works out cheaper cooking meals or feeding a raw diet then it does buying the wet can dog foods… also start looking at Freeze Dried food for your dogs instead of giving Benji the kibble with his wet can food..

[emmygirl01]

I am hoping someone may have some advice or even just a word of kindness.
My dog is going to be 10 years old in May. He had parvo as a pup. It messed up his intestines and now he is sensitive to foods. We have literally tried almost every kind of food on every shelf, in every pet store. I have done home cooking, I have ordered Balance-it, I have tried alternative/medicine, I have tried probiotics, enzymes, chinese herbs, I have tried hypo-allergenic Royal Canin and Science Diet.
He has been on beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, pork, venison–grain free, you name it.
He has been on steroids, antibiotics, Tylan powder. I have B-12 shots that I am supposed to start this week.
The only thing I have not tried is RAW or BARF diet.
Most recently, he has had diarrhea for 4 months. He has vomited a hand full of times.
I have been to 4 vets, he has had his poop tested, blood work, ultra-sound (april 2017)-YOU NAME IT, we have done it. Test results: clear, no real problems.
Currently: Until this morning, I was feeding 3x a day 1/3 cup of home cooked turkey, 2 TBS of acorn squash and 1 Tbs. Oatmeal. 2 TBS FARMINA Digestion
I was trying to transition from home cooked to Farmina.
I thought we were doing well until last week when his stool started to become soft, then turned to liquid and this morning he barfed.
SO–no more of that.
He was starving a few hours after he barfed, so I gave him a few tablespoons of The Honest Kitchen Embark and 1 TBS of canned goat.
He tolerated that all day and I gave him more at 7 pm. Diarrhea at 9:00pm.
He is not taking any medications or probiotics or enzymes at this time.
I really have no idea what to feed him to get him back to normal. Home cooking does NO better than canned or dry.
These are my questions:
1. I would like some feedback on Sport Elite ( no peas) dog food
2. I would like to know how I approach my vet–3 out of the 4 won’t call me back after I leave a message at the front desk–they say, “i will have her call you back today'” I never hear from them—
Does anyone have any words of encouragement or any help?
I know my experience is not your experience, and I am following my vet’s advise to the best of my ability. But when she puts my dog on Royal Canin Hypoallergenic food and he barfs and has massive diarrhea, tummy gurgling and looking like death–this is NOT the answer. Just because a food is “healthy” or “hypoallergenic” does not mean it is tolerated.
He has a great appetite, always appreciative of food and eats anything, but I continue to look for the combination that will keep him healthy, happy and no diarrhea.
I literally don’t know what to do!

Thank you in advance for listening.

[Dawn G]

My 10 yr old neutered doxie has had either colitis or vomited every 35 days for 2 years. He is spunky, looks health and described by vets as an ideal weight. Then he has these sick bouts refusing to eat or drink for 24 hours. I wean him back on pecilite venison and sweet potato or turkey and rice. We have been to many very reputable vets all over the east coast; blood test for everything, ultrasounds, mri, urinalysis, b-12 injections. I drew the line at the invasive endoscopy. His results always show a healthy dog–no addisons, atypical addisons, cancer, crohns, pancreatic or kidney issues etc. We have been defaulted to IBS rather than IBD since there is no clinical answer.

In addition to probiotics and tylan, we have tried natural balance, wellness core, hills prescription i/d and d/d, honest kitchen dehydrated: they all work for about a month except purina hydrolized which he vomited immediately.

I have resolved to using balanceit.com. It has only been one week, but I see a softer coat and his breath doesn’t smell bad like it always did. I have him on balance it supplements and a probiotic, (purina fortiflora). I am playing with the food choices, and I am pleased with venison, turkey, oatmeal, black beans, green peas, organic pumpkin, apple, mango, spinach, carrot. i will check back with you to see if I get beyond the 35 day mark, episode free. I am praying.

Balanceit.com does have a high protien choice that might help you!! Cheers to Vader.

[hao j]

how about the honest kitchen grain free？

[Susan]

Hi Kim,
So sorry for your girl, it sounds awful, I dont know anything about MMM…
About making her eat, I wouldn’t push her head into the bowl of food, instead get a spoon & sppon soft blended food in side of her mouth under her to lip, like you do when giving syringed water also start her on electrolytes with water, give every hour if she isnt eating or drinking water…..Do you live America? I live Australia & we have a really good dehydrated raw food called “Fronteir Pets” it has no bone, smells beautiful & is human grade ingredients, the meat is free range chickens, pigs or cows, I smash the balls up then add water & the food all softens up & the dog or cat can just lick up the food or it can be put into a big 20ml syringe & put in the side of your dogs mouth slowly push syringe…
Can you find a dehydrated food like “Honest Kitchen” Zeal or Hope formula, there’s a few formula’s with grains or no grains, higher in fat higher in fiber & some are higher in protein you need to look at the ingredients & see which formula will suit your girl, Honest Kitchen has samples you can try, if she takes a steriod, then look for a lower fat diet cause of the acid reflux & ulcers steriod can cause, the vet put my dog on a ant acid med before 1/2 hour before he took the steriod with food to be on the safe side… you add water & the Honest kitchen reconstitutes or can you get some sweet potatoes peel & boil also get some lean chicken breast or turkey mince & cook then put 1/2 sweet potato & 1/2 meat into a blender & blend, this will be easier to eat & spoon into side of mouth if she cant lick up food, even cottage cheese is good, scrambled egg, Predisone can cause acid reflux so your girl will have to have food in her stomach first then take the predisone mash into a bit of sweet potato or pumkin….
Have you looked on facebook for any groups for Canine Masticatory Muscle Myositis or Yahoo also has groups best to talk with people who have dogs that are going thru the same health problems also find a vet or a holistic vet that knows all about MMM cause the only way to eat soften kibble is make the kibble soft then drain out all the water, I use to 1/2 the swollen kibbles in the bowl then cuff my hand over side of bowl & kibble & squeeze out all the water then I put swollen kibbles in a blender & blended in sections, the kibble would fluffed up, it depended on which kibble I used, some brands of kibble when I soaked in water then drained all the water then put in the blender the kibble turned to goo I suppose if she can lick she can lick it up, another food people feed is baby food..

[Susan]

Hi Jean,
are you on facebook? start following Rodney Habib, Dr Peter Dobias, Planet Paws, Dr Karen Becker, Steve Brown….
Rodney Habib has quick easy to follow video’s educating pet owners about pet foods, dogs diet over vaccinating etc,
Start looking for Freeze Dried Raw, Air Dried raw -“Ziwi Peak” make really good wet & dry dog food, send them an email for samples- https://www.ziwipets.com/ when you send email ask them any questions you may have or there’s Dehydrated raw foods “Honest Kitchen”
Try & avoid dry processed kibbles if you can, also start feeding either home made raw or cooked meals as well..

[simone r]

My dog has PANCREATITIS, SEVERE BOWEL DISEASE and (stable currently ) KIDNEY DISEASE. He was hospitalized and put on VIVOMEX PLUS tube feeding liquid diet and ever since i put in the Feeding tube he has explosive diahhrea ! And is losing weight ! I haven’t slept in a week. Literally. I am failing miserably on the feeding tube. He is losing weight and has explosive diarrhea. I know some is his bowel disease / pancreatitis but am CONVINCED it’s not helping that he is on a liquid diet ! Liquid diet -liquid poop right ?? vivonex plus is an elemental powder and seems like a great idea since it’s for gi compromised people BUT he is wasting from diahhrea ! He is on metronidazole /metoclompromide ( though I took him off of that myself because it’s bad for diarrhea ) Tylan soluble powder / cerenia tramadol and finishing up his anabiotic‘s and Omeprazole. This is so heartbreaking because his UTI seems to have cleared. His kidney numbers are looking pretty good and stable his pancreas numbers came down a couple hundred points from the over 2000 Mark and yet the diarrhea and the muscle wasting has made him beyond miserable and I don’t understand even with bowel disease why I can’t get on top of that except possibly that what I’m putting into the tube is just coming right out of him and aggravating his G.I. tract possibly because it’s all liquid? The last two days it was mucus and blood now today it’s more pudding like but still explosive diarrhea and the vet had taken him off of the steroid because it could possibly have been bad for the pancreas but now told me to put him back on it since he’s doing so poorly with the diarrhea. However I feel like a lot could possibly be contributed to what I’m feeding him I have also added in proviable forte probiotic and just did a search for honest kitchen perfect form. He is on Tylan powder, anti biotic, metromizadole, omeprazole, pain meds when i offer them and I stopped the metocompjlimide.
Imodium was suggested to me but when I looked up the side effects one of them was pancreatitis so now I am afraid of it. This all kills me because I have a miserable muscle wasted crampy diarrhea dog who has stable labs for the first time in a long time and a scope that said at least from what they could see that other than ulcers and Severe Bowel disease no cancer and yet I’m losing faith in this whole process. He never had diarrhea problems in his life and even the first few days on the feeding tube he did OK but it started to turn into diarrhea very quickly and now it is constant diarrhea.
He is wasting away on this diet and I don’t know how to save him.
Thank u!

[charisse]

Also wanted to mention “Carna4″ which got good marks for quality human grade dry dog food on her 2018 list of best foods from author of The Truth about Pet Food” blog/website.

I’ve decided to give this brand to my ShihTzu Bella, along with “Meal Toppers” from Honest Kitchen.

[Susan]

Hi,
a dog only reacts to potatoes, sugars & starchy carbs if she/he has food sensitives to those particular food/ingredients, this is another Myth spread on the internet (Dr Karen Becker) saying Potato, rice, corn, oats, grains, sugary carbs cause yeasty skin & ears this is not true, it’s only when your dog is sensitive to that food he will react…
What was he eating when his ears became yeasty?
Here’s a site written by a Dermotologist “Karen Helton Rhodes” The Myths & Facts of Yeast Dermatitis in Dogs”, Please read, she has a facebook site called “Healthy Skin 4 Dogs” & frequents another f/b group called “Dog, issues allergies & other Information Support Group” join the group heaps of really good information, your better off taking your dog off any dry kibble or cooked wet canned dog foods, whenever I feed wet can foods to my boy he starts shaking his head & scratches his ears & skin, I think the wet can foods use binders in the wet can foods & he must be sensitive too them, he’s the same when he eats a dry kibble that has tapioca, carrots, chicken, barley & oats he gets red smelly yeasty paws, itchy ears & smelly yeasty skin, he cant eat these ingredients he’s has food sensitivities to them, you need to work out what ingredients your dog has food sensitivities too??…
http://www.healthyskin4dogs.com/blog/2015/9/8/facts-myths-about-yeast-dermatitis-in-dogs
Have a look at freeze dried foods like “Ziwi Peak” air dried, Ziwi Peak also sell wet raw can food, it looks & smells like the cooked wet can foods but it’s healthier, Ziwi Peak is for dogs & cats who have skin/ear problems food sensititivies, Ziwi Peak has Novel protein meats (Venison Rabbit) & limited ingredients, Ziwi Peak must taste really good my cat goes mad when I open a can or open her bag of air dried Ziwi Peak, here’s Ziwi Peak site send them an email telling them about your dog yeasty ears & ask can you try some of their samples of their air dried formula’s, just make sure you give your address so they can send the samples out or go & buy some of the Ziwi Peak to try, your dog will get better & love the air dried & the wet can foods … https://www.ziwipets.com/ also when you do start a new limited ingredient food do not feed any treats or anything else in her diet just the new food..
also look for “K-9 Natural” Green Lipped Mussels Freeze Dried, Mussels are high in Omega fatty acid excellent for skin & ears, give 1-2 mussels a day as a treat..
K-9 Natural also sell wet raw can food & dehydrated food you just add water, same as “Honest Kitchen” look for the Zeal, Spruce or Brave formula’s https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/grain-free

[jamie f]

Hi, I’m going insane please help! My dog is on month three of us discovering he has hemangiosarcoma. Doing well, have him on honest herbs but after cooking foods I’m too stressed because I have a child with special needs so I need something easy. They hated honest kitchen. I’m looking for low carb, grain free, wet canned. So far they (giving to both for ease) like Halo chicken and salmon and nature’s logic chicken. Anyone have an opinion on these or can recommend something better? Want to avoid potatoes and that’s hard to find. Also please don’t recommend raw I’m not going to do that , maybe with my next dog…
thanks so much in advance!!

[Denise S]

We have a Beagle that just turned 6 on 2/5. About 2 years ago, he would have an occasional seizure. They weren’t too bad. Thought maybe it could be Heartguard. Took any dog food or treats that Rosemary Extract out of his diet. BUT on 11/30/2017, he had seizures that were every hour…grand mal. Horrible thing to see your baby go through. The vet started him on Keppra. After two weeks, he had a very mild seizure. On Christmas morning at about 2am he had 3 grand mals in less than a hour and we were at vet emergency by 3am. On the way there, he had another. He stayed in ICU for a couple of days (until he was seizure free) and we brought him home. His Keppra was increased and we were given an emergency package of diazepam to administer rectally. He had a small breakthrough seizure on 1/11. The vet added Phenobarbitol. On 2/10, he started having seizures that morning every hour again. Took him to the vet and he had another at the vet. The vet added another medication of Zonisamide. This medication didn’t stop anything (it would take at least a week to get in his system to help him) but were given more diazepam to get him through this spell. We stayed up all night with him while he had grand mal seizures every hour. That morning we were back in the ER with him. He had another seizure while they were examining him and they were going to keep him in ICU. He also had another seizure while they were taking x-rays. We have him back now. His phenobarbitol has been increased and he stays on Keppra. They removed the Zonisamide. It’s hard to imagine this happy guy goes through these horrible episodes. They are so violent. I believe that if I can get him on the right diet, it will help him. I’m not really sure about ‘vet recommended’ food, since they love to push Science Diet. Since his release, I have been feeding him chicken (cooked), carrots, sweet potatoes, he’s not a fan of green beans. I am worried about him getting all the proper nutrients that he needs. I would like to try The Honest Kitchen. It looks like something that would be good for him and he would like it. We did a very very brief episode of the raw diet. But he just sniffs it, backs away, and looks at me like “yeah right. You’ve got to be kidding me…THAT’S not cooked.” He doesn’t eat store bought treats unless they are fresh. His treats are homemade. Tried Orijen. Made him extremely bloated, miserable, and he could clear a room! I am also looking at trying Fromm’s Gold. Just wondering if anyone has tried The Honest Kitchen or Fromm’s Gold…or anything that helped their furbaby. Thanks!

[Mareike]

Hi Kenneth,

How much of a picky eater is Earl? I have a 5-6 year old, female Lab, American type, who like a stereotypical Lab eats more or less anything. So it’s very easy to feed her a rotational diet consisting of different brands of commercial dog food (mostly kibble and raw) and some home-cooked food. You seem concerned about making a wrong change and I think a rotational diet (/frequently-asked-questions/diet-rotation-for-dogs/) would have the advantage of balancing things out.

With Natures Valley, do you mean Nature’s Variety? That is one of the brands I’ve been feeding my dog on and off and feel I can trust. Other brands I like to feed her are Honest Kitchen, Ziwi Peak, Spot Farms, Canidae, Primal, Stella & Chewy, Petkind, Wellness, Fromm, Solid Gold. Canidae ranks well for both nutrition and purity (http://www.cleanlabelproject.org/pet-food/). Have not tried Acana or Orijen yet, but probably will.

Another factor to consider for you in your choice might be Earl’s surgeries in combination with his weight. In case you/your vet think(s) he could/should lose some weight, then you might want to find a brand or multiple brands of a high-quality “weight loss” food.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 10 months ago by Mareike.

[ray q]

The Honest Kitchen is a dehydrated human grade food you can get it with protein or add your own . That is what I recommend it is listed on this site with 5 stars

[Christa P]

Hi Shawna,
I just wanted to tell you I am so thankful to be able to see your posts. My 9 year old Italian Greyhound is in the very early stages of Kidney disease. Well,at least that is what her vet says. She had blood and urine work done because she drinks so much water. The vet told me her Kidney ALP levels and her BUN levels were high. She gave me Hills K/D kibble but I have heard before how bad kibble can be. I was searching for general information on what to feed her and what not to. I also wondered if there is holistic things I could give her. I was getting so confused with all the different information. But your postings and information seems very helpful! I was also told by Tia`s vet to keep her “low protein”. But from what I read that is not always good for mild kidney disease. She is a fussy eater and she loves meat and chicken. I always gave her the organic if possible. She will eat some veggies as treats. So I am trying to figure out what I can get her to eat that wont hurt her. She does eat Honest Kitchen sometimes so at least I can get her more water content. I am going to look at all your advice and web pages and such to help us out. Thank you for posting all you did!

[Jennifer S]

Hi everyone,

I am getting a puppy in a month (large breed) who is currently on a raw food/kibble diet. I am clueless about feeding anything other than kibble and I feel like I have a lot to learn in 4 weeks. Here is what the breeder has the pups on right now:
1 part Honest Kitchen freeze dried veggies
4 parts organic Menhaden fish meal
4 parts slightly cooked or raw chicken/liver/pork/turkey. (Rotating between these and what is available)
4-8 parts N&D Farmina grain free kibble from Italy. Chicken or Boar.

i would like to keep some kibble in the mix so that my newbie fears of the dog not getting all his nutrients is put to ease, but I would like to continue the basic diet that she has them on. My question is about replacing the menhaden meal. I researched it for awhile and found that it is unsustainable, is vastly overfished, and it’s use in pet food is having huge negative ripples in the ocean food chain. So I need to find something else to take the place of the fish meal. The breeder says she uses the fish to provide iodine, vit. D, and good fats. Wondering if I can use some Thorvin kelp for the iodine? How much? and some fish oil squirted on top for the fats?

What are your thoughts about what I could add to the recipe to replace the fish meal? Keep in mind that this is a large breed so I’m also trying to keep the calcium content low.

Thank you!

[Jennifer S]

Hi everyone,

I just found this forum today and am so impressed, just what I was looking for. Thank you HDM for starting this thread and the research!

I’m getting a puppy in 4 weeks, a curly coated retriever who will get to about 80 lbs. I am trying to figure out what to feed him when he comes home. The following recipe is what the breeder has the pups on currently:
1 part Honest Kitchen freeze dried veggies
4 parts organic Menhaden fish meal
4 parts slightly cooked or raw chicken/liver/pork/turkey. (Rotating between these and what is available)
4-8 parts N&D Farmina grain free kibble from Italy. Chicken or Boar.

I’ve been trying to contact Farmina but they are not responding. Does anyone know the calcium content? The minimum is stated to be 1.3% (Phosphorus is 0.95%), but I don’t know the actual average.
If it is high, I’d like to switch the kibble over to one of those on HDMs list, but I’m unsure as to which has the most similar profile to the Farmina grain-free. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[Gary W]

As a rule, veterinarians consider a diet with less than 10 percent fat on a dry matter basis (less than 17 percent of calories from fat) to be low fat, while diets with 10 to 15 percent fat (17 to 23 percent of calories) are considered to contain a moderate amount of fat. Foods with more than 20 percent fat are considered high-fat. A few dogs may need a very low-fat diet, especially if they have hyperlipidemia, or if they react to foods with higher levels of fat.

To make a low-fat homemade diet, feed about half carbohydrates, and half low-fat meat, eggs, and dairy. The percentage of carbs can be decreased, and the amount of meat increased, if you use very low-fat cuts, or boil them to remove most of the fat.

The majority of the carbohydrates should be starchy foods, such as rice, oatmeal, barley, quinoa, pasta, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and winter squashes (e.g., acorn and butternut), to supply low-fat calories. Other types of vegetables, such as broccoli, summer squash, and leafy greens can be included, but they supply fewer calories so they can’t replace the starchy carbs. You can also use a low-fat pre-mix designed to balance out a homemade diet, such as Preference from The Honest Kitchen.

The other half of the diet should be mostly low-fat meats, or meats cooked to remove much of their fat. Skinless chicken breast is very low in fat, but other parts can be used as long as you remove the skin and visible fat. Turkey, venison, goat, buffalo, and rabbit are low in fat, while lamb and pork are generally high in fat. Ground beef comes in varying levels of fat.

Whole eggs are relatively high in fat but are highly nutritious, so they should be included in the diet in limited amounts. A large egg has about 5 grams of fat, which is not a lot for a very large dog, but too much for smaller dogs. You can hard boil eggs and then feed just a portion each day, or split them between multiple dogs. Almost all of the fat and calories are in the yolks, so the whites alone can be added to increase protein without increasing fat, if needed. When feeding just egg whites, they should either be cooked or a B vitamin supplement should be added, as raw egg whites can deplete biotin over time when fed without the yolks.

Low-fat or nonfat dairy products are also good to include in the diet. Cottage cheese, plain yogurt, and kefir (a cultured milk product that is easy to make at home using low-fat or nonfat milk) are all good choices. Avoid other cheeses; even low-fat ones are high in fat (nonfat is okay).

Homemade diets should include organ meat, and most organs are low in fat. Liver and kidney should be fed in small amounts only, no more than 5 to 10 percent of the total diet (around 1 to 1.5 ounces organ meat per pound of food). Beef heart is quite low in fat and is nutritionally more of a muscle meat, so it can be fed in larger quantities, as long as your dog does well with it.

Fruits such as apple, banana, melon, papaya, and blueberries are fine to include in the diet in small amounts. Avoid avocados, which are high in fat.

[Victoria M]

I’d like to nominate The Honest Kitchen – my dogs love their dehydrated, grain free turkey. Made with organic, human grade ingredients.

[Susan]

Hi LC,
Do you rotate between kibbles, raw, wet can food, cooked etc in the same day?? I feed one brand kibble for breakfast then for lunch & dinner he gets something else never eats the same thing that day, I ask Patch which 1 (kibble) & I put 1 brand kibble in one hand in between my fingers then I’d get another brand kibble that has a different meat protein & put that kibble inbetween my fingers & I ask Patch, “sniff” let him sniff both kibbles, then I ask Patch which one do you want to eat & he’d takes the kibble he wants to eat for that meal, (Patch suffers with IBD & stomach pain & I normally ask him “which one do you want to eat that doesnt give you sore stomach & make you sick” this is how this all started with him picking a kibble) also I cook & make small meals & freeze them & I buy wet tin food, do you know dogs aren’t ment to eat the same dry proccess food (Kibble) every single day 24/7, the pet food companies brain washed us back in the 90’s in believing a dog has to eat their food 24/7 or they will get stomach upsets sobest to stay with the same food their food, I admit some dogs do get sloppy poo/diarrhea when quickly changing foods but once your dog has a healthy gut this shouldn’t happen. Rotating foods is very healthy for a dog if one brand kibble isnt balanced properly then your dog isnt eating this kibble or wet can food 24/7 cause you’re rotating with something else…
I have a question, is your dog a grass eater?? especially when he wont eat?

Start buying wet can healthy dog foods, tin sardines in spring water, tin salmon, tuna in spring water, boil some potato or sweet potato drain the tin tuna or salmon & mix more tuna then boiled potato & see does he like this meal make it small about 1/2 a cup, with the tin sardines add 1-2 sardines to one of his kibble meal mash 1-2 sardine pieces thru his kibble, sardines/salmon are VERY healthy & have everything he needs especially when he’s not eating, put the rest of the sardines in an air tight container & put in the fridge, next day ask him does he want a sardine see does he lick it or turn away, this way he’s getting his omega fatty acids for his skin, coat, brain etc have you tried freeze/air dried foods like “Ziwi Peak Air Dried & their raw wet can foods? email Ziwi Peak & ask them can they please send you some samples of all their air dried formulas & explain to Ziwi Peak whats happening, my cat inhales Ziwi peak the air dried & the wet tin foods https://www.ziwipetscom/
When you have cooked a meal that is not hot spicey have onions etc give him some of the left overs, this is what dogs ate back in the 50’s, 60’s,70’s,80’s & they lived longer & were healthier back then, now our dogs are dying from cancer & other diseases, what happen? Dry Kibble that what happened, toxins in the dry dog food…
I cook more if Im cooking potato or sweet potato & if Im cooking steak I cook Patch some aswell but I bake Patches in the oven in a small casserole dish, I thinly slice potato, carrot & sweet potato & thinly slice the beef rump steak, I put the steak on the bottom of dish, then add thinley sliced carrots & sweet potato then the potatoes, I chop some fresh parsley & add about 1 teaspoon parsley mix in with the boiled water & pure water onto everything in dish just till it overs the potatoes on the top & bake in oven till ready, as its cooking the house smells of food & tell your boy, look what Im cooking for you, my Patch waits then sleeps, comes checks the oven like a kid, is it ready yet mum, I say no it has another hour Patch go back to sleep.. I involve him with the whole process from when I bring home the meat veggies as soon as I bring in the shopping bags he looks thru my shopping bags, I show him what is his, this all started when I rescued him he couldnt eat anything except vet diet food cause of his IBD, I felt so bad for him so I’d bring him home toy, squeaky ball etc & he’d look thru the bag for his toy I bought him, now he looks for food & whats his, when I start to cooking I show him look what your getting for dinner…then any left overs I section & put in those clip lock plastic sandwich bags & freeze dont bring that meal out again till the end of the week put in fridge to thaw for the next day & show him do you want this or get some dry kibble or do you want his & Patch licks what he wants…
Honest Kitchen has base formula’s you just add your own cooked meat….
Start making him excited with foods different healthy whole foods, do you have another pet, a cat etc that comes in the same time to be feed? maybe the competition with a rescue cat eating at the same time might make him want to eat…
Dogs normally love their food, thats why I’ve asked is he a grass eat?? first thing of the morning after eating he eats grass?

[crazy4cats]

Hi-
Did your vet do a stool sample that was sent out to a lab to check specifically for Giardia and/or Coccidia?
I would ask your vet about doing another round of dewormer, antibiotics, and probiotics. Sometimes it takes two courses to kill those nasty parasites. Some of the probiotics that I’ve used with success are made by Purina, Thorne, VetriScience and The Honest Kitchen.

Good luck with your puppy. It sounds like an adorable breed.

[Tyrionthebiscuit]

My two dogs love the Honest Kitchen Pro Bloom. It’s powdered goat’s milk and has probiotics in it. You mix it with warm water and put it over their food.

[Susan]

Hi Julia,

start him on the “Natural Balance” LID
https://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dog-formulas/special-category-limited-ingredient-diets
either try the Sweet Potato & Bison or the “Potato & Duck” formula or the Sweet Potato & Fish formula but cause your feeding the HK Zeal it’s fish so maybe try another meat protein source a meat protein he hasn’t really eaten before like Duck or the Bison, the Natural Balance formula’s are all different so make sure you read all the limited ingredients as some formula’s have peas & chickpeas, the Duck, Bison & Fish formulas have the least ingredients & have no peas or chickpeas….. Chewy has all the NB formula’s.
If he’s having gas when eating the Honest Kitchen Zeal then he’s either sensitive to an ingredient in the Zeal or the HK is freeze dried my IBD doesnt do well on freeze dried pet foods he doesn’t digest the freeze dried ingredients, if you look in your boy poo, is there any undigest food in it?? just put your hand in a plastic bag then go thru a fresh sloppy poo, I buy those baby sack/nappy bags in supermarket in baby section & I pick up Patches poos, the bags also smell nice or the digestive enzymes could be causing the gas, sometimes dogs don’t need the digestive enzymes cause their stomach is working properly so they don’t need help digesting their food, when I put Patch on digestive enzymes he was farting & doing sloppy cow paddy poos so I stopped but digestive enzyme do help some dogs do firm poos, you wrote his poos are formed but not soiled & he’s pooing heaps, see what happens if you stop adding the digestive enzymes just for 1-2 days?? see how his poos & gas are, is he better?….
Why he probably got bad diarrhea when eating the Purina HA it could have been from the high Omega oils most vet diet high in omega oils & I’m pretty sure the Purina HA is higher in In-soluble fiber, you or vet have to contact Purina Pro Plan or you can email & they will ring you back, ask can you speak with a Vet Nutrtionist ask them what is the Soluble fiber % the In-soluble Fiber %& the Crude Fiber % in the HA vet diet then this will give you an idea if he needs a kibble with more soluble fiber or less or more Insoluble fiber, my IBD boy does better on kibble that has more soluble fiber & less insoluble fiber….Potato & Sweet Potato has more soluble fiber & less in-soluble this is probably why my dog & other dogs with bowel problems do really well eating potato or sweet potato in a kibble, would have been good if your vet tried your boy on the Hills vet diet Potato & Duck kibble, I’d try the Natural Balance Potato & Duck formula first its simliar to the Hills Potato & Duck formula try the NB formula with the least ingredients just make sure who you buy the Natural balance from Chewy or another pet store they give you a refund or let you try another NB formula until you find the right food for your boy thats if your boy gets dirrahea Ive read Chewy is pretty good I always say my boy wont eat teh food after he had diarrhea cause teh foods are guaranteed for palability I’ve gotten 2 refunds in the last month & finally got a kibble that’s not giving my boy acid reflux… alot of dogs with food sensitivities & stomach/bowel problems do really well on the Natural Balance LTD formula’s….

Another really good kibble is “Canidae Pure” formula’s but the Pure formula’s have peas or “Canidae All Life Stages” formula’s some of the ALL Life Stages formula’s don’t have peas you have written he can’t have peas but are you 100% sure he can’t have peas & done an food elimination diet? for 2 yrs I thought my boy couldn’t eat potato cause he had really bad diarrhea from the Eukanuba FP Fish & Potato Vet Diet even his vet wrote no Potato on his file but then a lady breeder who worked at the Pet Shop told me to boil some potato & start adding 1 spoon of the cooked potato to 1 of his cooked meals a day, Patch ended up doing firmer poos when eating the potato so it must have been something else in the Eukanuba FP he got instant water diarrhea from……
It’s sooo hard when they have sloppy/diarrrhea to know what is causing it, you’re best feeding a kibble that has only 1 novel meat protein he hasnt eaten before & 1 Carb (Potato) then see how he does, if he does well on new kibble then wait 6 months & let his stomach/bowel heal & get back to normal then you start adding 1 new cooked ingredient to his diet & see are his poos sloppy etc, I use to make a small meal for lunch & try the new ingredient with a cook protein, I used Pork or Beef cause Patch could eat pork & beef…It takes time doing a dog elmination diet but its the only real way you will know 100% what he can & cant eat…. Good Luck