A little help on what to feed now

[frankienme]

I just wanted to let you know that living with a diabetic husband makes you totally aware of carbs. While there are carbs in vegetables, they are generally not high with the exception of a few. For example, peas require a half of a cup to get 6 grams of carb whereas cooked barley for the same amount has 20 grams. Since we can't and shouldn't erradicate carbs from the diet it becomes a game of trying to reduce them for her. Half a cup of peas sounds like a small portion but try measuring it on to a plate sometime - it's more than we would have ever eaten before.
I have an issue with people telling us that we are poisoning our dogs if we don't feed raw. Since the average life expectancy in our house, and the homes of the dogs I have placed over the years, without a lot of veterinary intervention is 16 years and I have fed everything from Pedigree to high end "natural" diets, have tried cooking for dogs and feeding raw I have come to the conclusion that most dogs will do well on any reasonable quality kibble or well researched raw diet. It's got to the point that people are made to feel bad if they don't jump on the raw bandwagon. I have successfully raised from birth to death at least 20 dogs and followed the lives of the many puppies that were born here with the exception of 1. All were fed kibble and I can count on one hand the number that died before the age of 14. Phoebe's issue was too many stressors allowing yeast to take over. She seems to be well past it as she got through eating cat food mistakenly for 3 weeks without a scratch and it is high as yeast is added. I will continue to give her enzymes - after spending thousands of dollars to find an answer and get her body back in balance, I won't take chances.

Hi - great post - I appreciate this feedback. I like Hi Tek and considered it for Frankie as the ingredients look great - however because of the gall bladder issue we are watching (admittedly a bit anxiously ) I decided to go with Now! because of the lower protein - closer to what he was getting with TOTW and he was doing fine on that - and I am just not feeling okay about going back to it - at least right now. Thanks again for your comments.

 

[BarbV]

Hi - great post - I appreciate this feedback. I like Hi Tek and considered it for Frankie as the ingredients look great - however because of the gall bladder issue we are watching (admittedly a bit anxiously ) I decided to go with Now! because of the lower protein - closer to what he was getting with TOTW and he was doing fine on that - and I am just not feeling okay about going back to it - at least right now. Thanks again for your comments.

Let me know how you are doing on the Now! Are doing Adult or Senior diet? The Senior diet (which is also weight management) is what my dogs are on. Its the lowest protein level.

 

[Tagg]

I feel the same way as you about going back to TOTW. I fed Phoebe Acana for a few years but was concerned about the protein levels so had just switched her and Tinsel to TOTW. With the recall I went to Fromm Salmon & Tunalini for both but have not been happy with the consistancy of Tinsel's bowel movements. They are formed but a little wet and soft in appearance and there is more of it. As he has had to have his anal glands expressed 3 times since he came here it is important that he have good firm movements so I guess I will probably change him to something else if his movements don't improve. Phoebe's are good so I might try moving him and Rhiannon onto Now.

 

[Woodbender]

Let me know how you are doing on the Now! Are doing Adult or Senior diet? The Senior diet (which is also weight management) is what my dogs are on. Its the lowest protein level.

This has been a great thread! Those who are feeding Now!,.. are you buying locally or having to order on-line? Can't find it here in Western Michigan.

 

[Ann]

This has been a great thread! Those who are feeding Now!,.. are you buying locally or having to order on-line? Can't find it here in Western Michigan.

I'm able to buy mine at one of several local pet food stores, luckily. You can order from places like PetFoodDirect.com though. They frequently run specials and sometimes offer free shipping too.

 

[BarbV]

I buy locally...well, uuuhm, I buy it my own store.... But I was feeding it even before I bought the store, and I still choose over my own store brand because of grain free but reduced protein diet. I would still recommend my store brand, but not for pups that need reduced protein.

Woodbender? Where are you located? If you are in Eastern/Northern US you should be able to find it easily enough. PM me, if you want to pursue it.

 

[Woodbender]

Barb! Sorry - I wasn't trying to ignore you! I just haven't checked back in for a while. We are in the Grand Rapids area of Western Michigan. And actually we have tried migrating Chelsea over to Oijen but I'm thinking it's a bit rich for her. He stools are kind of soft, not runny but soft.

We might be trying the Fromm next and see what their older dog formula is like. I just don't like switching her about like this from food to food. She likes it and she's not having a reaction to it like she had with one brand but things are just a little softer than I'd like to see.

Tim

 

[mbfrench]

Thanks everybody, this is a fantastic discussion with great options.

The only thing I am concerned about with Fromm's Salmon option is it has Chicken liver and Chicken fat in the ingredients and Frankie's naturopath indicated that chicken can cause inflammation in the joints and in the body in general and this can irritate injuries, arthritis, limping, etc. Has anyone else heard this? I am wondering if the fat and liver from the chicken in the Fromm's would be a problem.

My gut does tell me a lower protein would be better as the only thing I can pinpoint that drove his liver values up was the switch to the higher protein food and then all of a sudden Frankie was not doing well. Unless he has an infection or something else hope not - I will know more after the ultra sound tomorrow but this food thing is tough business. Part of me would like to go back to TOTW but another part is hesitant - you all have good reasons pro and con!

I will keep reading here and keep you updated. Thank you for your help. Any information I can add I will do my part too!

I know I had emailed you privately,but this is what we are feeding. Not only are they happy,they are eating with the most enthusiasm since thier last meal of TOTW since April. It fits our budgets.It is US made,never have had a recall,no ethoxiquin, and has some excellant reviews. I hesitated posting,as I have read most of this thread,and sometimes things get heating when the subject of food comes up.
We were long time TOTW customers,not any more. I do not satand for being lied to.Nor do I aprreciate have 4 sick dogs with humoungous vet bills,of which I still am paying on.
Hope my suggestion can give you another avenue of choice.

http://www.petfooddirect.com/Product/51640/NutriSource-Grain-Free-Chicken-Formula-Dry-Dog-Food

http://www.petfooddirect.com/Product/7048/NutriSource-Adult-Dog-Chicken-And-Rice-Formula

http://www.petfooddirect.com/Product/51644/NutriSource-Grain-Free-Heartland-Select-Dry-Dog-Food

 

[Lynnel]

Hi - great post - I appreciate this feedback. I like Hi Tek and considered it for Frankie as the ingredients look great - however because of the gall bladder issue we are watching (admittedly a bit anxiously ) I decided to go with Now! because of the lower protein - closer to what he was getting with TOTW and he was doing fine on that - and I am just not feeling okay about going back to it - at least right now. Thanks again for your comments.

Hi, my Max has pancreatic issues, gall bladder and allergies. I just started feeding him wellness core low fat senior and he seems to be doing well. I also feed him chicken and veggies with it. What I wanted to know is what kind of gall ladder issues does frank have

 

[Lysette85]

I know I had emailed you privately,but this is what we are feeding. Not only are they happy,they are eating with the most enthusiasm since thier last meal of TOTW since April. It fits our budgets.It is US made,never have had a recall,no ethoxiquin, and has some excellant reviews. I hesitated posting,as I have read most of this thread,and sometimes things get heating when the subject of food comes up.
We were long time TOTW customers,not any more. I do not satand for being lied to.Nor do I aprreciate have 4 sick dogs with humoungous vet bills,of which I still am paying on.
Hope my suggestion can give you another avenue of choice.

http://www.petfooddirect.com/Product/51640/NutriSource-Grain-Free-Chicken-Formula-Dry-Dog-Food

http://www.petfooddirect.com/Product/7048/NutriSource-Adult-Dog-Chicken-And-Rice-Formula

http://www.petfooddirect.com/Product/51644/NutriSource-Grain-Free-Heartland-Select-Dry-Dog-Food

I'm interested in the food you're feeding. Do you happen to know the protein content? I switched to TOTW because Orijen was causing diahrea for a whole year. Since day one on TOTW I have had a single problem. I thought TOTW recalled some of their food voluntarily? What problems did you have with them? I am still on the lookout for a similar content food that is made by a more reputable company.