[Laura M]

The money you are spending on treats, and I assume you are treating a lot, would better be put toward a vet check. I agree that supplementing dog food with low calorie vegetables is the way to go. My dogs love Brussels sprouts and green beans and also carrots. I would hope your vet could help you out with a payment plan if you sincerely want to get your dogs to a healthy place, which you obviously do. Best of luck!

[Laura M]

I had the exact same problem with Acana. I also found white spots on the kibble in a bag of the lamb. I reported it to the company and they seemed to take it seriously, sent me instructions to send back to them 4 cups of the kibble for testing and a coupon for a free bag. I have not heard back from them since and this happened a few months ago. The coupon does me no good because my dogs won’t eat it at all, both chicken and lamb. I switched to holistic select turkey and lentil and my dogs seem to like it and are doing well. Good luck.

[Laura M]

I use antlers, the ones that are cut down the middle and expose a large section of the inner portion are really good for chewing. I also use rawhide, but the only brand I buy is Wholesome Hide, made in the USA and of superior quality. Of course you always have to watch, as you mention, no matter what you give them to chew. Another thing I use is made by Zuke’s, dental bones carrot flavor. I know they were bought by a large company but the quality doesn’t seem to have changed and my dogs love them. Good luck in finding things both you approve of and your dogs like.

[Laura M]

I use a product from Nature’s Farmacy called Probiotic Max. Have used it for years with all my dogs. I feel we all need probiotics and this product keeps my dogs in good shape. Very rarely have any stool problems or digestion issues. I also show my dogs and the Nature’s Farmacy products are very popular with the dog show people. Good luck with your Bulldog.

[Laura M]

I also highly recommend Acana. Great quality and my super fussy boy loves it. They opened a manufacturing plant in Kentucky and they are changing formulas very soon so I am cautiously optimistic their food remains top notch with the change of plants in the US and new formulas. I think their standards are high and will remain so.

[Laura M]

I believe the 20% discount refers to their auto ship program. Their prices are great even if you don’t auto ship.

[Laura M]

Nutrisource is a good food that deals with the sensitive digestive track very well. I put my puppy on the large breed puppy formula and he has never had a problem – even when changing over from what the breeder had him on at 9 weeks. He is 7 months old now. I would recommend it because dealing with diarrhea is no fun. I would also eliminate the greenies until you get things under control. Good luck.

[Laura M]

Sounds to me like you took extremely good care of your dog. I don’t think with cancer you can pinpoint any specific “thing” that we did or didn’t do in most cases, but we do like to blame ourselves, don’t we? I think some breeds are predisposed to these horrible things. I had a Beagle die of thyroid cancer and then very shortly after another diagnosed with lymphoma. They have been fed well (although some would disagree because I used dry and canned) and given the best vet care – minimal vaccines, etc. I am so sorry for your loss, but I would sincerely doubt it was something you did in caring for them. I wish you peace and good memories.

[Laura M]

I use the large sized “bites” as treats but I would not feed this as a regular diet. Read the ingredients and you will agree I think. I attended a dental seminar recently and they recommend what is on the VOHC website for oral care, but as stated previously, the only way to keep the teeth in good condition is to brush and regular cleanings as recommended by your vet. Although not all vets are doing the best dentistry treatments either. The doctor was a specialist in the dental field. I live in an area where there are a lot of specialty veterinarians so I am lucky. I love your breed, had two minis at one point in my life. I feed my dogs a variety of things right now. One I feed Acana, my puppy I feed Nutrisource puppy and my old girl I feed Holistic Select turkey and lentil. Hope you find a good diet for your special friend!

[Laura M]

I had a similar problem with another highly rated food. With my new puppy (now 6 months old) I transitioned to Nutrisource large breed puppy and have very good results. It is a nice easy to digest food. Good luck!

[Laura M]

I think they should disclose where their food is manufactured – either canned or dry. The Whole Dog Journal is a valuable resource to pet owners – I have subscribed for years. I base my dog food choices on what I read there and what I have learned from this website. I don’t see any reason why not to disclose that information unless they are not proud of the answer that they would have to give. After the melamine situation, I will do everything I can to know all that I can about the foods I feed my pets.

[Laura M]

In answer to the original question posted – I don’t think you will get a quality food for under $1 a pound in my humble opinion. I agree the food does not necessarily have to be on the 4 or 5 star listing either. I started with a new puppy (6 months old as of this writing) and I switched him from Diamond to Nutrisource large breed puppy. I think Nutrisource is a fabulous, easy on the system and quality made food, which is reasonably priced. The company is family owned and I believe I read somewhere that they have never had a recall. Because I want a higher protein I will eventually get my puppy onto Acana because I am really impressed with that brand and feed it to my other dogs, but Nutrisource is affordable and very agreeable with my dog and many other people I have talked with about this subject. Good luck in finding something that suits all your needs – as someone earlier said, we need to take many things into consideration when picking a food for our pets.

[Laura M]

I live in MA, but my dogs train all over the NE area and NJ as well and I have had great, and I mean great success with Nexgard. I find dead ticks if any and you don’t need to worry about the getting wet part at all since my dogs are big swimmers. I would highly recommend this product – have been using it for about a year now. I also heard that Bravecto is good too and I think it lasts a longer period of time but I’m not switching from Nexgard – it is almost too good to be true! Sorry to hear about the collar reaction. I know several people that use them and love them with no problems. My dogs sleep with me so I don’t like to have the chemicals on the collars around their necks – and I don’t really like the collar method in general – seems like a throwback to when that was all we had in the arsenal to protect our animals. I do think they are new and improved though. Good luck and hope your baby feels better!

[Laura M]

Hi InkedMarie: Is it you who has the PBGV? I think we discussed the Griffons before. I agree the WPG’s are very special and beautiful. I also have 2 Beagles and have had many different breeds over my lifetime, but the WPG’s are something else – very human and super smart and evidently have sensitive tummies when pups!

[Laura M]

Hi pitlove – my breed is a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. My male is 75 lbs. They run from 55 to about 75 pounds. My current boy is on the large end of the spectrum. I like the protein/fat to be in the range Orijen offers but just want to start off with a food that is not quite so rich. I appreciate your suggestions – thanks a bunch!

[Laura M]

I looked up a few on Chewy’s but will cross check the company websites when I get a chance. The ones without carrageenan that I found are: Fromm Gold; Whole Earth Farms; Merrick Back Country; Wellness stews; Holistic Select grain free; Natures Variety Homestyle Prairie. It would be good to have a list posted on Dog Food Advisor at some point for all to use.

[Laura M]

Once you subscribe to Whole Dog Journal you can search all the issues on line (as well as getting them in printed form delivered).

[Laura M]

The Whole Dog Journal lists this information in their yearly dog food reviews but it is a subscription magazine. I feel the subscription price is well worth it – lots of great information.

[Laura M]

When I got my puppy a few years ago he was on Diamond puppy and I wanted him on a better food as well. I gradually switched him over to Fromm Chicken and what a disaster. Raging diarrhea. My vet suggested the Iams Low Residue and some flagyl, which did clear it up but I didn’t want to keep him on the Iams – horrible ingredients not to mention it costs an arm and a leg. We had lots of boiled hamburger and rice as well. Finally I switched him over to Natural Balance LID Lamb and he tolerated that but the protein/fat was not what I wanted because he is a hunting dog and needed more. I am happy to say I have him on Orijen for some time now and he is doing very well at 2 and a half, but it was a long, messy road. I think some of the better foods are a bit rich for some puppies – not that they are not good quality food. Maybe try something really simple like I did and then gradually get him on what you prefer. Good luck.

[Laura M]

Perhaps you can find a holistic vet in your area via the link below that might have a different approach to what you are feeling regarding the decision to spay/neuter. I think hormones play a much larger role in our entire body, not just reproduction. The Whole Dog Journal has several articles on the subject but I can’t supply the link because it is a subscription magazine, and a very worthwhile one. If people are interested they can subscribe and read more on line. I commend you for taking the time to think of what is best for your girl and I’m sure whatever you decide it will be a very thoughtful decision. Chris Zink, DVM has written articles on the subject too – you might want to look them up on line. For what it’s worth – dog parks are not on my list of favorite places either! – Good luck.

American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association

[Laura M]

Hi Cheryl – I read something by Dr. Becker on this subject a while ago, which may be what you are referring to or maybe not, so here is the link to her article just in case. It presents all the info in an easy to understand conversation. Good luck with your decision.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/09/23/modified-spay-procedure.aspx

[Laura M]

I have a 2 year old, 70 lb. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon that is very athletic but had some stomach issues as a young puppy. I wanted to get him on a food that had a higher protein/fat ratio than most of the limited ingredient diets that I had him on. I gradually got him on Orijen and he has done very well on it. He also gets several brands of canned rotated in with his Orijen. I’m not sure if Petco or Petsmart sells it but you can get it at Chewy.com if they deliver to your area. Good luck with your girl.

[Laura M]

Hi Nancy – I just recently purchased an e-book on the subject of Home Prepared Diets for Dogs – Cooked Diets from the Whole Dog Journal website. I haven’t gone through it much yet, but I rely heavily on the Whole Dog Journal for information. Maybe you are a subscriber as well, but if you go to their home webpage at the bottom it says “products” and then click on e-books and you will see a series of e-books on preparing food – part three is for cooked diets. They also have raw and a mixture – so if you decide to do raw I’m sure it would be great info as well. Good luck!

[Laura M]

Hi Nancy – if you are experiencing diarrhea that is a different story. Not sure if all the stools are normal. I sometimes get into trouble with my little dogs if I feed them too much, then they have diarrhea. It is a slippery slope with these issues. Maybe try a different protein source in the food. My puppy was on Diamond when I first got him and doing just fine and when I tried to transition him over to Fromm he had raging diarrhea. I use a probiotic and that helps with digestive issues too. Good luck and I’m glad you are working with your vet and hope you get to the bottom of the weight loss.

[Laura M]

I find that a canned food can put weight on fast and there are many grain free, good products to choose from. I mix canned and my dry which is Orijen adult and have a skinny boy that is hard to keep weight on and that does the trick. I also supplement with chicken or hamburger, etc. and that gets him interested in his bowl of food! Not sure if you have an issue with your dogs not wanting to eat or just hard to keep weight on. Be careful when transitioning, you can upset everything if you go too fast. Good luck!

[Laura M]

Just call the company:
Contact Us
1-800-323-3353Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (CT)

[Laura M]

I have always gone by the rule I was taught that you should never mix brands of dog food because you are messing with the guaranteed analysis of each brand and perhaps giving too much of one thing or another. I use Orijen now (adult) and have used Fromm in the past but that gave me some GI upset in my dogs even though it is a superior food. I would not recommend mixing brands – just my two cents. Good luck with your puppy!

[Laura M]

Hi – here is the AKC website link which shows an adorable picture of two Wirehaired Pointing Griffons. I believe all the “griffon” breeds have similar facial furnishings. I am familiar with your breed (the PBGV) and the “Grand” version and they are lovely dogs with fiesty temperaments – great dogs! My guy is fantastic – high energy, fun loving and quite a hunting dog first and foremost. This is our first WPG and we fell in love with the breed and can’t wait to add another one to our family at some point.

http://www.akc.org/breeds/wirehaired_pointing_griffon/index.cfm

[Laura M]

Hi Dori – I have two Beagles, one approx. 20 lbs. and one approx. 17 lbs. (my girls), and one Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, approx. 70 lbs. (my boy). I have had many dogs of different shapes and sizes over my lifetime. This forum is a wonderful tool – I have learned much and gotten many tips already and I just recently joined.

[Laura M]

Hi – I also have two female dogs and have devised a way that works for me. I take one of the very small wire basket strainers you find in the cooking gadget department with a handle and I put saran wrap around the basket part. I stand closely behind my girl and as she squats to go I slip the strainer under her and get the sample – works every time. Hope that helps and good luck.

[Laura M]

I use a wire hanger, bent straight and bend the bottom into a circle shape in which I place a dixie cup. As soon as my dog starts to lift his leg I move the dixie cup as close as I can get it to the stream and he doesn’t even know I’m doing it – this way you are not bent over contorting yourself either. The hanger is almost invisible to him – you just have to be very nonchalant about it. My husband created this tool – I have to give him the credit! Good luck.

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