Allergies help

Flower · Jul 23, 2017

Caro said:
Food allergies for chewing feet, that seems a little strange. Tully's got a grass allergy so she's always licking her feet, grass allergies are very common in dogs here. I actually found phenergan more effective than benedryl. From all reports, anti-histamines are hit and miss with dogs, so if the benedryl doesn't work you may need to try another brand.

I use Wellness Simple - which has limited ingredients. Has the vet suggested an elimination diet? That's usually the first step with a food allergy. You start with limiting the number of ingredients you give and start with a form of protein they don't usually have and bland vegetables, that's usually a fish and potato diet, for 3 months. I've ended up keeping mine on a fish diet. The get the Wellness Simple fish and potato, and they get fish and vegetables for dinner.

Wow... first thing my vet suggested was allergies without a single, "try this first"... I will check out Wellness simple. Thanks

Ann · Jul 23, 2017

Unfortunately, Beneful and Alpo are two of the worst foods on the market. A change to quality food should work wonders for your pup. There are many on the market, but you may have to order them online if you don't have a local pet supply store that carries them. I like Fromm foods, but your pup may do better on a limited ingredient food if he has allergies. Merrick makes some good LID foods. You can find Fromm at www.petflow.com, or www.chewy.com for many other good foods.

Hanne · Jul 23, 2017

Minnie has no Allergies
- But Ann I rally like Fromm Gold adult and Minnie too :biggrin2:

- Her stomach has never been as stable as after trying Fromm Adult gold - now for nearly 3 month.
but the price with you is only US $ 46.66 and here I pay 75.77 USD :gaah

but I gladly pay :biggrin2:

tesslynn · Jul 23, 2017

I would get off grains, don't even go the poultry route as many shelties can't tolerate poultry, so many better choices imho.

I would definitely get milk bones out of the house-those are NOT good for any pet is what my Vets have said. If you are concerned about teeth, than brushing them and using real bones is healthier.

I would give paw baths or at least wipe the paws after being outside-could be picking up chemicals on the paws that might irritate or burn. Make sure you are not using chemicals inside that can cause concerns. Are you using something like bounce on the bedding/bedding, that can cause reactions for pets too. Fragrances- being synthetically made can be harmful and cause allergic reactions, and dryer sheets are chocked full of that junk.

Benadryl is masking the symptoms-not dealing with the cause. Believe me, having dealt with allergies all my days, I have probably used every med out there to breathe at one time or another. I would want to get at the cause not medicate it away. Diet can cause inflammation, clean up the diet. Cutting down exposure to irritants has helped me more than meds ever did.

Shelties are sensitive dogs, they need a good diet, they need limited exposure to toxins, to be happy and healthy. Funny if I see reactions in my dogs I KNOW I am gonna react (they have saved me from many severe allergy attacks)

Good luck!!!

Daisy1015 · Jul 23, 2017

Funny, My shelties (all 44 years of them between my mom and I) always did well on poultry (chicken or turkey). My current breeder dis warn her line doesnt do well with lamb but i have never tried it

Flower · Jul 24, 2017

Daisy1015 said:
Funny, My shelties (all 44 years of them between my mom and I) always did well on poultry (chicken or turkey). My current breeder dis warn her line doesnt do well with lamb but i have never tried it

Okay... I cooked in the slow cooker 10lbs of chicken thighs and legs. That way the meat falls completely off the bone, I will put it in a baggie and keep it in the refrigerator. Instead of feeding Alpo canned food once a day, I'm going to feed Chai 3xs a day a little bit of the cooked chicken. No kibble at all. What else can I add to his diet to keep him healthy...peas? I also need something crunchy that will keep his teeth fit. I have Trudog gel to keep tartar away, but I'm not sure if it will keep his teeth strong.

I gave Chai the chicken neck meat, liver, heart and gizzard... It came in a package with the chicken I was making for dinner, since we weren't stuffing the chicken, I boiled up the innards, and cut them up for Chai. That had to be good for him. It's too early to tell if changing his diet will help his foot nibbling...but it does sound like a better diet for him. He is only a year old, so he hasn't slowed down to get fat yet, he still full of puppy energy. I really want to keep him fit. I am crippled up, so long walks are out...We do play fetch often, he loves to retrieve whatever toy I throw, if it's too warm outside, I toss the toy in the house. When the grandkids come visit, the older ones are allowed to walk him, the others (I have 14, but they can't visit all at once) play case me in the fenced back yard, a game Chai loves...as long as he is the chaser...LOL

JacqueZ · Jul 24, 2017

Flower said:
Okay... I cooked in the slow cooker 10lbs of chicken thighs and legs. That way the meat falls completely off the bone, I will put it in a baggie and keep it in the refrigerator. Instead of feeding Alpo canned food once a day, I'm going to feed Chai 3xs a day a little bit of the cooked chicken. No kibble at all. What else can I add to his diet to keep him healthy...peas? I also need something crunchy that will keep his teeth fit. I have Trudog gel to keep tartar away, but I'm not sure if it will keep his teeth strong.

I gave Chai the chicken neck meat, liver, heart and gizzard... It came in a package with the chicken I was making for dinner, since we weren't stuffing the chicken, I boiled up the innards, and cut them up for Chai. That had to be good for him. It's too early to tell if changing his diet will help his foot nibbling...but it does sound like a better diet for him. He is only a year old, so he hasn't slowed down to get fat yet, he still full of puppy energy. I really want to keep him fit. I am crippled up, so long walks are out...We do play fetch often, he loves to retrieve whatever toy I throw, if it's too warm outside, I toss the toy in the house. When the grandkids come visit, the older ones are allowed to walk him, the others (I have 14, but they can't visit all at once) play case me in the fenced back yard, a game Chai loves...as long as he is the chaser...LOL

I think there are pill additives you want to pick up and combine with the chicken to make sure they're getting all the nutrients they need. I've read egg shells, which have been cooked and ground up fine are a good source of calcium.

Ann · Jul 24, 2017

If you want to home cook for Chai, there are a number of books (check Amazon) that will help you make sure he has a balanced diet. It's not as easy as just putting together a few ingredients, unfortunately. If it's easier, there are several freeze-dried mixes you can rehydrate with water and just add your meat to them. Dr. Harvey's makes a very good one that's simple, easy to use and a complete diet. I've recommended this food to friends whose dogs have allergies and it's worked very well. Here's a link.
https://www.chewy.com/dr-harveys-ca...-DVQ2TNW1G73cK6pEExoC8PEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Cara Sandler · Jul 25, 2017

I feed raw - Northwest Naturals. It's not as expensive as some of the other commercially available raw formulations but it is very high quality, and my dogs love it. It's also very convenient because it comes frozen in small cubes, so you can pour out exactly what you need at each meal.

Piper's mom · Jul 27, 2017

I applaud your efforts to keep Chai healthy but unless your going to feed raw either a homemade or store bought then I would advise you to purchase a good quality kibble or a dehydrated raw to ensure that Chai gets the nutrition he needs (at one year old he's still growing).