Paw Chewing?

HarleyHasMyHeart · 08-30-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dawnben

here are a couple of more limited diets there is no best dog food what you want is real food in your dog food . Brands like science diet ,iams and Purina have inferior ingredients like corn and byproducts. These are not healthy and can cause a lot of health problems.

BLUE Basics – Salmon dog food, a limited ingredient diet
Wellness Dog Simple® Recipes

Thank you for listing those, there are soo many different brands out there.

I will definetly look those two links and some more brands so I can start feeding them better food.

HarleyHasMyHeart · 08-30-2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tess

Well, I should clarify. Its not that they don't care at all, (they can't have people's dogs getting overtly ill) its that they seem to do the minimum to meet the aafco (?is that the right abbreviation?) standards so the dog does not get any nutritional deficiency diseases. But they will use the cheapest ingredients, that for the most part are not "species appropriate". Then there is so much fancy advertising, and well meaning pet owners, who love their dogs, think they are providing the best possible food for their dogs, when in fact, the food is less than optimal. Its actually the nutritional equivalent of vitamin fortified cheetos, IMO! ;-) Honestly, I get nausea every time I see another "Beneful" add on TV. That's one of the worst foods out there, but the advertising makes it sound so wonderful. Many a well meaning, loving dog owner, is duped.

Ugh, thats still terrible that they would only do the absolute minimum. They totally do make you think that they are the best dog food out there

Tess · 08-30-2010, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyHasMyHeart

I just read the link you posted on here. I cant believe that I am feeding my dog this, what I thought was good dog food!! I'm about to look up some better dog foods and throw out that crap I'm feeding Harley and Angel!! Is it ok to do that? Or do I need to gradually introduce them to the new food? Cause after reading that I definetly dont want to feed them it at all.

I can not thank you enough for posting that up here!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Some people advocate a gradual transition... actually most people probably would advocate a gradual transition. So maybe keep the old stuff around for a bit. It can be the case that once a dog is used to these sorts of foods, that "real food" can seem rich to their systems. If you start to get upset stomachs, or the "runs" you can back off the transition and try again slower. Hopefully you won't have too many problems though! You can try a 10% substitute, then 20%, etc. over a period of days. If it all goes smoothly you can be switched in a week or so, but take your time. A few more days on "vitamin fortified cheetos" won't make any difference in the long run, and keeping their tummies calm will be worth the wait.

Yes, its amazing what the dog food companies are doing to our dogs. So many of the health problems they have, obesity, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, I'm convinced are partly a product of these cheap kibble diets. I've heard the phrase "corn dogs" used to describe the modern American dog with health problems. I guess its sorta like if you raised kids on an exclusive McDonalds diet and flinstone vitamins.., they would be likely to have problems. Your dogs are going to be a lot healthier on a better food!

HarleyHasMyHeart · 08-30-2010, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tess

Some people advocate a gradual transition... actually most people probably would advocate a gradual transition. So maybe keep the old stuff around for a bit. It can be the case that once a dog is used to these sorts of foods, that "real food" can seem rich to their systems. If you start to get upset stomachs, or the "runs" you can back off the transition and try again slower. Hopefully you won't have too many problems though! You can try a 10% substitute, then 20%, etc. over a period of days. If it all goes smoothly you can be switched in a week or so, but take your time. A few more days on "vitamin fortified cheetos" won't make any difference in the long run, and keeping their tummies calm will be worth the wait.

Yes, its amazing what the dog food companies are doing to our dogs. So many of the health problems they have, obesity, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, I'm convinced are partly a product of these cheap kibble diets. I've heard the phrase "corn dogs" used to describe the modern American dog with health problems. I guess its sorta like if you raised kids on an exclusive McDonalds diet and flinstone vitamins.., they would be likely to have problems. Your dogs are going to be a lot healthier on a better food!

Yea, that makes sense to do a gradual transition, just in case.

My sister's dog Angel is slighty obese and I feel so bad for her because we do as much as we can to keep her and Harley active so hopefully she will lose the weight but then the diet food we didnt see a difference so we just started feeding her the same food as Harley. She is not losing weight at all and I just want to see her healthy. I look at her after a simple game of fetch and she breathes so heavy after such little exercise where Harley is just breathing regularly. I just hope putting her on the healtheir dog food will help her lose weight.

Tess · 08-31-2010, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyHasMyHeart

Yea, that makes sense to do a gradual transition, just in case.

My sister's dog Angel is slighty obese and I feel so bad for her because we do as much as we can to keep her and Harley active so hopefully she will lose the weight but then the diet food we didnt see a difference so we just started feeding her the same food as Harley. She is not losing weight at all and I just want to see her healthy. I look at her after a simple game of fetch and she breathes so heavy after such little exercise where Harley is just breathing regularly. I just hope putting her on the healtheir dog food will help her lose weight.

Perhaps your sister might consider getting Angel's thryoid level checked at her next check-up. Obesity and exercise intolerance are symptoms of hypothyroidism, which is a fairly common doggy ailment, and also very treatable. Of course obesity and exercise intolerance are also symptoms of too much food and not enough activity, (a far more common doggy ailment!) so I'm not suggesting you make an extra vet appointment.. its just something you might discuss with the vet next time you are there.

Yes, its tough to get dogs to lose weight if they are the type of dog who loves food. I really don't think the weight loss foods work very well. In fact I suspect because they tend to be lower protein and lower fat, the dogs actually feel hungrier and therefore want to eat more. I hope she does much better on a higher quality food, and that you can help her lose weight by keeping careful track of how much she is eating and make sure she is not getting too many extra milkbones.

You can even measure out her daily ration, and keep a handful of kibbles aside to use as treats throughout the day. That way she gets the fun of treats, without it adding to her calories. Its very difficult to resist those soft brown pleading eyes!

HarleyHasMyHeart · 08-31-2010, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tess

Perhaps your sister might consider getting Angel's thryoid level checked at her next check-up. Obesity and exercise intolerance are symptoms of hypothyroidism, which is a fairly common doggy ailment, and also very treatable. Of course obesity and exercise intolerance are also symptoms of too much food and not enough activity, (a far more common doggy ailment!) so I'm not suggesting you make an extra vet appointment.. its just something you might discuss with the vet next time you are there.

Yes, its tough to get dogs to lose weight if they are the type of dog who loves food. I really don't think the weight loss foods work very well. In fact I suspect because they tend to be lower protein and lower fat, the dogs actually feel hungrier and therefore want to eat more. I hope she does much better on a higher quality food, and that you can help her lose weight by keeping careful track of how much she is eating and make sure she is not getting too many extra milkbones.

You can even measure out her daily ration, and keep a handful of kibbles aside to use as treats throughout the day. That way she gets the fun of treats, without it adding to her calories. Its very difficult to resist those soft brown pleading eyes!

That is a good idea to ask the vet about her thyroid on her next visit, I never even thought about that. Yes, Angel loves food she would probably eat her regular food as treats. The only bones they get are the DentaStix and when I train them I tear up PupPeroni treats. I know!! They look up at you with those beautiful brown eyes sometimes its almost too hard to resist.

Tess · 08-31-2010, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyHasMyHeart

They look up at you with those beautiful brown eyes sometimes its almost too hard to resist.

My boy Josey just gave me that look as I left for work this morning! It sorta tears your heart out... but I still have to go to work, so I can earn a salary, so he can eat and have a roof over his head! Sigh.

Dawnben · 08-31-2010, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyHasMyHeart

That is a good idea to ask the vet about her thyroid on her next visit, I never even thought about that. Yes, Angel loves food she would probably eat her regular food as treats. The only bones they get are the DentaStix and when I train them I tear up PupPeroni treats. I know!! They look up at you with those beautiful brown eyes sometimes its almost too hard to resist.

Del Monte’s Pup-Peroni Ingredients: Beef, Meat by-Products, Soy Grits, Sugar, Liver, Salt, Propylene Glycol, Garlic Powder, Caramel Color, Natural Smoke Flavor, Potassium Sorbate (used as a preservative), Sodium Nitrite (for color retention), Red 40, BHA (used as a preservative), Onion Extract. Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 24%, Crude Fat 12%, Crude Fiber 2%, Moisture 24%

I would choose another treat there are many other stix type treats that are healthier Nutro makes on that has better ingredients and also Trader Joes has one and Newman's own that a great organic one

Dawnben · 08-31-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyHasMyHeart

Yea, that makes sense to do a gradual transition, just in case.

My sister's dog Angel is slighty obese and I feel so bad for her because we do as much as we can to keep her and Harley active so hopefully she will lose the weight but then the diet food we didnt see a difference so we just started feeding her the same food as Harley. She is not losing weight at all and I just want to see her healthy. I look at her after a simple game of fetch and she breathes so heavy after such little exercise where Harley is just breathing regularly. I just hope putting her on the healtheir dog food will help her lose weight.

A good idea for over weight dogs is to add fresh grated veggies to the food it fills them up without the calories. If you steam them they digest them better. I also give them those large horse carrots as a chew.

pawzaddict · 08-31-2010, 01:30 PM

How come I thought carrots were not good for dogs? Hmmmmm
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