Rotating Dog Food Question

[danisgoat]

Because that's boring!!! I love food and would hate to have to eat the same thing every day. In fact, I'll eat something that I know will probably trigger a stomach ache, but it's delicious and I can't resist.

Keep in mind, the majority of dogs, who develop a food allergy / intolerance, are mainly fed the same food their entire lives.

I rotate because...
1) I want to give my dog a variety, so she doesn't have to eat the same boring food her entire life.
2) To prevent possible future allergies or intolerances.
3) To get her digestive system used to different proteins, which will reduce new food sensitivities.

I never thought about rotating with different brands in case of a recall or vitamin deficiency. That is a great point and makes me feel good about eventually adding Acana Ranchland to Bailey's rotation.

Wow...how did you manage to say the same thing as me, in about 1/3 the words

 

[marymrumfelt]

I also do titers for my dogs instead of annual booster shots. So, I am on top of what my dogs "numbers" look like.

Good for you for doing titering!!!! What age did you start seeing they have sufficient immunity? And also, how much is it?

 

[danisgoat]

Good for you for doing titering!!!! What age did you start seeing they have sufficient immunity? And also, how much is it?

Three years old seems to be the magic number here. My last setter I vaccinated last at 3 years old, (except for rabies) and then didn't have any low numbers until he was 10 years old. The number that was low was coronavirus. My vet was able to get a single shot of corona for him, instead of the combo shot.

The cost of the vaccine titer was $55. Another vet charged me $81.40 for the distemper/parvo/corona titer. This does not include the cost of the actual visit.

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

Should I switch them around to make sure that I'm rotating my own diet?

I'm guessing that you eat more than a grilled chicken caesar salad twice a day, every day, for 12 years? There is your variety.

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

Can I propose a theory on the Corona? He was vaccinated for it as a young dog, then never was exposed to it again, so he titered low. I have heard Corona described as the "vaccine looking for a disease". He probably ran into some parvo or distemper at some point, thus he had active immunity.

 

[marymrumfelt]

This would apply to ALL commercial sellers - not just dog food! It includes people food as well. Heck, it even applies to fresh food! Should I buy the Maple Leaf brand of fresh chicken or the No Name? Should I switch them around to make sure that I'm rotating my own diet? How do I know what perservatives went into one brand or the other? How were these chicken's raised? All commercial sellers whether dog food or people food are out for profit. True.

Oh, I couldn't agree more it applies to all commercial sellers. But I also spend time researching what I eat and of course make sure I get a good variety of healthy fruits and vegetables because they all serve different purposes. Same with other foods in my diet. You should know what preservatives go into the different brands by learning to read the labels. I spend lots of time when shopping comparing ingredients and picking out the bad ones. Yes, it's just as important for humans to get a balanced nutrition as it is for dogs but that's a bit off topic and I don't see the comparison really in this discussion since dogs' needs are very different.

I'm still playing Devil's advocate here. While its true that our own poop varies daily, I usually know what I ate the day before that set me off. And I'll try to avoid it in the future.

But my point is that it's not always the food. Stress can cause problems and so can many other things. Maybe just a little stomach bug. Food is not always to blame as I can eat something a hundred times and then one time I eat it and don't feel to well--- well, it has to do more with more than just the food. since it never did it before. You know?

So being devil's advocate here, if you found a food that seemed to keep you healthy, your skin in good health, your digestive system stabilized, and good hair growth, why would you mix it up for yourself?

That's the thing, it would never be just ONE food. It might be a combination of foods or one food might be more superior, but when it comes to food and health it's what you eat a whole, but just one main thing you eat. Plus how do you know there's not another food out there that couldn't make you're skin better, good hair growth, etc if you never try any others!

I am really glad your diet works for your dogs and if you feel good with feeding your dog the same thing then that's all that matters.

I'm just trying to show positive things about mixing foods like the OP asked.

 

[marymrumfelt]

Three years old seems to be the magic number here. My last setter I vaccinated last at 3 years old, (except for rabies) and then didn't have any low numbers until he was 10 years old. The number that was low was coronavirus. My vet was able to get a single shot of corona for him, instead of the combo shot.

The cost of the vaccine titer was $55. Another vet charged me $81.40 for the distemper/parvo/corona titer. This does not include the cost of the actual visit.

Oh, really good information. Mine have had their puppy shots and Hadley an adult set so I guess I should do another year before tittering? I was worried it would cost a fortune!

 

[ClantyreSheltie]

Oh, really good information. Mine have had their puppy shots and Hadley an adult set so I guess I should do another year before tittering? I was worried it would cost a fortune!

Just take your dog to a dog park or to a dog show, that will get the titer numbers up. No shots required. The titer measures exposure, but has no way of knowing where that exposure came from. I honestly don't see the point to it, except for curiosity.

 

[Emmasmom]

I have my two on Summit by Petcurean. They are doing well on it - beautiful thick coats, sparkling eyes, etc. Even Emma is starting to beg for her meals and she never did this before.

By the way, I think we have gotten off topic have we not - the original question was about rotation of dog food.

 

[danisgoat]

Can I propose a theory on the Corona? He was vaccinated for it as a young dog, then never was exposed to it again, so he titered low. I have heard Corona described as the "vaccine looking for a disease". He probably ran into some parvo or distemper at some point, thus he had active immunity.

Just take your dog to a dog park or to a dog show, that will get the titer numbers up. No shots required. The titer measures exposure, but has no way of knowing where that exposure came from. I honestly don't see the point to it, except for curiosity.

Cedar was a critical care service dog. I had to get the shot, so he could continue his work. Rules