LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom Feeding Dogs Advice

Are you sure Nica is ready for the switch? Most vets recommend that a large breed puppy has reached about 80 percent of her projected adult weight before switching to an adult formula. If this is the case, Nica may indeed be ready.

Beyond considering a large breed formula, you really want to take a look at the ingredient list of any kibble you're thinking about trying. You want to see real named protein sources like chicken, beef, etc. within the first five ingredients listed. Chicken meal and beef meal, etc., are also good because they are basically dehydrated and therefore concentrated sources of protein. You don't want to see meat by-products or corn listed as main protein sources because these are cheap, less-digestible protein sources that companies use as fillers to boost their profit margin. Also try to avoid chemical preservatives like BHT, BHA and ethoxyquin because they can possibly cause cancer.

Now, I usually don't try to recommend a specific brand of dog food because companies can change their formulas at any time, and this can sometimes produce undesirable consequences for the dogs that eat that food. Keeping that in mind, here are a few brands you may want to explore further.

• Eagle Pack
• Innova
• Chicken Soup
• Blue Buffalo
• Orijen - I'm not sure they have a large breed adult food, but I believe their adult food would still provide a great source of nutrition.

Check their current ingredients carefully and then decide if you want to try one for your pet. Remember to make the change gradually to avoid digestive upset.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with your search. :) - posted by:Kelly

Sometimes there is a medical reason behind why a dog goes off her food. This can include dental problems that weren't previously noticed. Even though your dog seems healthy, you may still want to schedule an exam just to be on the safe side.

If there proves to be no medical reason for your dog's lack of appetite, the problem is most likely related to your dog's taste preferences and behavior. It's not unusual for a dog to decide she no longer enjoys her kibble, and she can sometimes hold out waiting for something else to be served. If an owner becomes worried and begins trying to feed by hand, the dog often decides that this is fun and will quickly expect to be handfed at every meal.

Although it can seem worrisome that a dog is reluctant to eat and may even skip a meal, it doesn't hurt to allow a healthy dog to fast a little by her own decision. What usually happens is that when she sees she won't receive special treatment, she'll usually resume eating when she gets hungry enough. In a case like that, all you need to do is make sure fresh food and water is available. That said, you can try gradually switching to a higher quality brand if you feel that is in order. Just allow your dog to eat on her own rather than coaxing her.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I hope these thoughts help you figure out what's going on with your dog. Best wishes for her good health. - posted by:Kelly

Boiled chicken and carrots is a good start on a homecooked diet, but these two foods won't provide complete nutrition on their own. You'll also want to add some brown rice for additional vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. A little fresh fish oil supplies omega-3 fatty acids and cottage cheese provides calcium. You can also offer your dog blueberries as treats because they provide antioxidants.

The Natural Pet Food Cookbook, by Wendy Nan Rees and Kevin Schlanger, DVM, is a good reference book for anyone who wants to provide a completely homecooked diet for her pet. There are a number of balanced, veterinary approved recipes, and the book also offers feeding guidelines. I have a copy; the recipes are easy to prepare and all use human grade ingredients. You may want to check it out at your local library or search for it at Amazon.com.

Thanks for visiting. :) - posted by:Kelly

Congratulations on your new puppy! You're right to be concerned about giving him the best nutrition possible. There are many dog foods on the market, but not all of them live up to their advertising hype.

First of all, you'll want to select a puppy formula and feed that for at least the first 12 to 15 months because Collies take a little longer than a year to mature. Second, you'll want to select a formula that is especially for medium size breeds. This isn't always possible, but if you can find one, it will supply your pup with the right balance of nutrients and calories to supply his needs without putting weight on him too quickly. Rapid weight gain can put unecessary pressure on soft puppy bones and joints that can lead to arthritis later in life.

In my opinion, it's better to select puppy kibble that uses as much organic content as possible, especially in the protein source since this makes up the largest portion of the ingredients. Karma has about the highest percentage of organic ingredients, and Orijen is another good brand to check into. Premium kibbles like these are more expensive, but a healthy dog will need to see the vet less often, so you generally save money in the long run.

I hope these suggestions give you a better idea of what to look for when choosing the right diet for your puppy. Best wishes for a long and happy life together. :) - posted by:Kelly

Small stools are usually a sign that the food is very digestible so there's not much waste leftover.

As for comparable diets, there are other hypoallergenic foods, but I believe they are all more expensive than regular dog food. However, if they help a pet, they are well worth it.

Here is a list of some other brands that offer hypoallergenic formulas you might want to check into further. You'll want to compare the ingredients lists to find one that is closest to the brand that's working for your dog now. If you don't find a good match at a better price, it may be a good idea to stick with what you're serving now.

• Avoderm
• Pinnacle
• Orijen
• Canidae
• Flint River Ranch
• Addiction

I hope at least one of these brands provides what you're looking for. Let us know how your search turns out because the info could help other dog owners in a similar situation. Thanks for your question. :) - posted by:Kelly

Good question, and one that many owners face. Obesity can shorten a pet's life just as it would shorten a human's life, so here are a few suggestions.

First, let's address feeding. Although a low fat dog food might seem like a quick solution, dogs do need fat in their diet. It's usually better to stick with your regular dog food, and just cut back a little on the amount you feed. Additionally, you can help your dog digest that food more efficiently by breaking a single meal into two- one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

It's also important to increase the amount of daily exercise your dog gets to help burn off excess calories. This doesn't have to be dramatic. A nice daily walk of about 20 minutes should give your dog's metabolism a jump start.

Basically, you need to make these adjustments, and then track your dog's weight for a couple of weeks to see what kind of effects they're producing. You may need to cut back just a little more on the food if your dog isn't losing weight, but you may also need to increase the amount if your dog becomes underweight. Eventually you'll arrive at the correct amount of food to maintain your pet's ideal weight.

For more information on this topic, visit our article on Canine Obesity. Thanks for your question, and I hope you find these suggestions helpful. - posted by:Kelly

This is a good question, but there are no easy answers. There's a lot of debate over whether dogs should be given rawhide treats. Concerns range from how the treats are processed to possible choking hazards.

Personally, I have given rawhide treats to my dogs, but there are a couple of things you should keep in mind. First, it's better to offer rawhides made in the USA. We have tighter restrictions on how the hides are processed and which chemicals are used.

Second, you need to choose an appropriate sized chew for your dog. Offering a chew that is too small is a potential choking hazard. Additionally, you need to keep an eye on the chew and throw it out when it gets chewed down small enough to become a harzard.

Third, chunks of rawhide have caused cases of intestinal blockage. This is rare, but it can happen. In most cases, the rawhide is digested like any other food.

Thanks for your question, and I hope these thoughts are helpful to you. Check out our article Are Raw Hides or Beef Hides Chews Good for Dogs to learn more about rawhide chews. - posted by:Kelly

Generally speaking, a lot of dog food manufacturers include some form of wheat in their products because it is a cheap source of protein and helps them meet the minimum protein requirement set by AFFCO. That said, wheat is more difficult for dogs to digest than actual meat protein, so pets may not get enough protein per serving since most of it passes through the system without the nutrients being rendered from it. In short, the manufacturer profits and the dog loses.

Additionally, wheat is one of the main culprits in dog food allergies. Even if a dog doesn't have an immediate reaction to it, the animal can build up an allergy to wheat over time. That's not to say that every dog will become allergic to wheat, but since it's an inferior protein source for canines, it's just one more reason to avoid it.

Finally, wheat gluten contaminated with melamine was the cause of the massive Recall on Dog Food of 2007, so many pet lovers are now trying to avoid feeding any brand that still uses wheat gluten in their formula.

So, those are the main concerns over feeding dogs products that contain wheat. I hope you find this info helpful. - posted by:Kelly

The first thing I'd recommend is to have your vet examine your pet to try to determine the cause of the itching. This way, the vet will know which route to take to eliminate the problem. Scratching and hair loss are sometimes related to food or environmental allergies, so that is something your vet should look into. If the itching is food related, your vet will need to do further testing to isolate exactly which foods produce the reaction in order to know what to eliminate from your dog's diet. For this reason, I really can't recommend another brand of food at this time because it could still contain an ingredient to which your dog might be allergic.

However, parasites like mites can also produce the same signs, so it might be good for your vet to take some skin scrapings and examine them. If mites or some other parasite are the cause, your pet can be dipped or prescribed the proper medication to get rid of them. Either way, you'll need your vet's help to figure out what's going on.

Thanks for your question, and I hope these thoughts prove helpful for getting a quicker diagnosis and some relief for your pet. - posted by:Kelly

Any sudden dietary changes can cause upset to the balance of a dog's digestive system, so it's very likely your dog might experience diarrhea if you offer him raw chicken. However, that doesn't mean you can't work this protein into his diet.

My advice is to just offer a bite or two of the raw meat to see how your dog does with it. If there are no signs of upset, you can gradually offer a little more at a time, but remember it always has to be very fresh. I'm not sure whether you just want to offfer raw chicken as a dietary suppliment or if you're hoping to switch to a raw food diet. Whatever you do, it's still important to make sure your dog is receiving the proper balance of nutrients so he doesn't begin to suffer from malnutrition. Your vet can help you work out the right balance for a raw diet menu, as well as proper portion sizes for your dog's weight. When feeding a raw diet, many owners find that they wind up feeding less because the food is more digestible than some brands of kibble.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this info gives you what you need to make your dog's food change go as smoothly as possible. :) - posted by:Kelly

You raise a very good question, but still a difficult one to answer. Yes, some dog food brands use a lot grain as fillers to keep the prices cheap. However, dogs need protein, and grain is no substitute. A small amount of the right kinds of grain are beneficial, but they should never be a main ingredient in a quality formula.

I have a few articles that I think you'll find helpful. There are many more natural and healthy brands than the ones mentioned, but I think these articles will give you a good idea of what to look for in any brand you eventually select.

• All Natural Dog Foods
• Natural Dog Food Premix
• Top 9 Healthiest Dog Foods

Remember, you'll have to compare these brands to what is available to you in Nova Scotia, but I'm confident you'll be able to find a brand that will provide your dogs with excellent nutrition. Good luck with your search. :) - posted by:Kelly

What a great question, although it's kind of difficult to give one conclusive answer.

There is an ongoing debate in the dog community about whether it is safe to feed our dogs raw meat and bones. People seem to be polarized on one side or the other. On one hand, our pet's ancestors always ate fresh meat and bones and thrived on them. Today, some people argue that dogs are no longer able to digest this type of raw diet as well since they've been domesticated. That said, there are accounts of many dogs being fed a BARF diet (bones and raw food) that are doing better on it than on the commercial kibble they once received.

Personally, I'm somewhere in the middle ground. I do believe that many dogs are capable of eating raw meat and bones, but I worry about what's in that meat. Cattle are feed a variety of antibiotics and steroids to help them bulk up quickly. Many of those chemicals are still in the meat after butchering. There is also a question about whether "downer" animals, cattle that are too ill to walk, are actually being butchered anyway and introduced into the food supply.

As you can see, there is no easy yes or no answer, and every owner must make their own choices about what to feed their pets. If the backbones are very fresh you can allow your dog to try them under your supervision. If you notice any decline in your dog's health, stop feeding the bones and call your vet for further advice.

In the meantime, here are a few articles you might find of further interest.

• Natural Dog Food Premix
• Freeze Dried Dog Food
• Making your Own Dog Food

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health. :) - posted by:Kelly

I'm not sure there is a single answer to this question. The basic home measures for avoiding pancreatic upset in susceptible dogs is to feed a diet that is low in fat, and to break the dog's daily ration into several smaller meals throughout the day so the digestive system is never overwhelmed. Unfortunately, the lowered fat levels are often reflected in the condition of the dog's coat. For this particular problem, it may be necessary to look for a humectant shampoo and condition that will provide more moisture in a topical manner.

Back to the food brand issue, Veterinarians are still trying to determine how much of a role fiber plays in managing pancreatic inflammation. Some feel that higher fiber levels might help, while others believe just the opposite. Canine EN formula from Purina is for dogs that suffer from pancreatitis, and it is a littler lower in fiber as well. Hill's Prescription Diet Canine i/d is also suitable for dogs with pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal disorders, but it's a little higher in fiber. Some owners have even found relief for their dogs by feeding Purina Fit & Trim. The main thing is that the food is lower in fat so the pancreas has an easier time with digestion. Offering your dog a spoonful of plain yogurt a couple of times a week may also aid in digestion and provide even greater ease for the pancreas. The best thing you can do is discuss these feeding options with your vet and let him/her help you work out the best feeding plan to manage your dog's condition and overall health.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find this info helpful. - posted by:Kelly

There is a lot of debate on this topic. Many breeders offer their dogs raw whole chicken as part of a raw food diet. The general consensus is that the raw bones are more flexible and easier to chew and digest. On the other hand, cooked chicken bones are dry and tend to splinter. If this happens, there's a good chance the dog could suffer from an internal puncture wound. We do get comments from visitors that they have always fed their dogs cooked chicken bones and never had a problem. We also get the occasional comment from a visitor whose dog did suffer a problem after eating one of these bones.

All things considered, I personally don't think it's worth taking the risk of feeding chicken bones if you are able to supply your dog with other food. Why tempt fate?

Thanks for your question, and I'm sure the debate on this topic will continue. You might the information and comments from our Dog And Chicken Bones article very interesting. - posted by:Kelly

Hot dogs are not a good food source for any dog. Think of them as junk food and ask your family not to feed them at all. These weiners will only spoil your dog from eating a balanced kibble.

You do have some feeding choices. You can select a high quality kibble such as Orijen Dog Food or Blue Buffalo Dog Food and stick with it. You can also try providing home cooked meals for your pet, either part or full time. If your family chooses to cook for your dog, I recommend you get a copy of The Natural Pet Food Cookbook by Wendy Nan Rees. It contains wonderful, easy recipes that are completely balanced and endorsed by a veterinarian. You should be able to find this book on Amazon.com.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this info helps. - posted by:Kelly

It sounds as though the puppies are growing weak from lack of nutrition and hydration. I'm not sure how long you've been trying to feed them on your own, but I think you should take the pups to the emergency vet right away. If it's not to late, the vet can give them a tube feeding and show you how to do it as well. If the pups seem like they can make it, you'll also want to discuss early weaning to make sure they continue to get the nutrition they need. Let your vet decide the best route to take since it's possible the pups are already malnurished and perhaps dehydrated at this point.

Please take the pups in right away, and let me know how things turn out. Best wishes for their full recovery. - posted by:Kelly

Yes, it's fine to let your dog have some peanut butter as a treat now and then. The only problem I could forsee with it is that peanut butter has a relatively high fat content. Feeding too much could loosen the stools. You would also run the risk of spoiling your for more balanced food. My suggestion would be to treat him to a tablespoon of peanut butter once or twice a week and stick to a regular diet the rest of the time. This way your dog will have the best of both worlds, nutritionally speaking.

Thanks for your question. :) - posted by:Kelly

I'm glad you're interested in putting your dogs on a healthier diet. Although meat and bones do provide some nutrition, they don't amount to balanced canine nutrition.

Changing your dogs' diet will have to be done gradually so you don't upset their digestive systems or their feelings. I recommend you cut back severly on the bones to begin with, and mix a small amount of high quality soaked kibble in with the meat. If you can soak the kibble in the meat broth, that will make it more appetizing for your dogs. Once they are willing to eat this mix, you can begin to gradually cut back on the meat and increase the amount of kibble. If they seem to be eating the kibble well by this point, you can begin soaking it less so your dogs' teeth can benefit from the crunchier texture.

Please realize that you don't need to completely cut fresh meat out of your dogs' diet. It's alright to feed a mix of kibble and fresh foods.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the transition goes smoothly. :) - posted by:Kelly

If I've done my calculations right a 4.3 kg dog weighs about 9.5 pounds. Yorkies ideally range from 4 to 7 pounds, so it would seem your dog might be a little overweight, but that would depend on her frame size. Does she seem to have a lot of padding over her rib cage? Can you detect a roll of fat over her shoulders? Does she have a pot belly? If the answers to these questions are no, your dog is probably at a good weight for her framework. However, if you answered yes, you might need to cut back slightly on her food intake and increase her exercise with short daily walks.

Ideally, a dog that should weigh no more than 7 pounds should only have about 3/4 to 1 cup of dry kibble per day. This would translate to no more than 1 1/2 cups of canned food. Metrically speaking, were talking about 225 grams dried kibble or about 340 grams of canned wet food.

If your dog does indeed feel overweight, I'd recommend you feed about 1 1/2 tins once a day rather than 2. If need be, you can cut back to one tin, especially considering you also feed her biscuits at night. The idea is to find a balance that helps your dog maintain a healthy weight. You'll probably have to experiment a little until you determine the correct amounts.

Thanks for your question, and good luck! - posted by:Kelly

There are many reasons why a dog may have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight, and I think your dog's condition may involve several factors. Let's try to take them one at a time.

First, as a six-month-old puppy, your pet's activity level burns off far more calories than it will once she reaches adulthood. My advice is to choose a large puppy formula, rather than a standard puppy formula. Although I haven't used the brand myself, you may want to investigate Orijen Dog Food. I do like the fact that most of their ingredients are organic. I would also allow your dog to eat as much as she wants until she puts on a little more weight. Of course, she's going to go through growth spurts that will leave her looking thin at times, but a good diet will help her weight catch back up to where it should be.

With the food issue addressed, let's move on to medical issues that can interfere with maintaining a healthy weight. Thyroid disease is one issue that alters a dog's metabolism, although at your dog's young age, I doubt this would be the problem. However, intestinal worms are very common, and could be robbing your dog of her nutrition. If you haven't had a stool check done recently, I would take a sample in to the vet as soon as possible. If this is a case of worms, eliminating them will help your pet regain proper weight.

Hopefully, these suggestions will lead to a solution for your dog's current weight dilemma. Thanks for sharing your situation, and I'm sure your puppy will be back on track very soon. - posted by:Kelly

This is a very interesting question. I'm not a nutritionist, but I did do a search for non-grain flours and found this list. As it turns out, buckwheat flour would be considered non-grain, so it should serve your purpose. As you'll see, you also have a number of other options you can experiment with.

As for finding a nutritionist to work with, your vet may be able to point you in the right direction. If that fails, check out the major universities nearest to you. Many have veterinary colleges, and you should be able to find a canine nutritionist this way.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know if you are successful in creating your recipe. I'd be interested to learn more. - posted by:Kelly

What a happy occasion. Yes, you actually can add your dog's favorite canned food into your birthday cake ingredients. As a matter of fact, we have a recipe for doing exactly that in our article on Dog Birthday Cakes.

You might also want to check out our other article on Dog Cakes. Here you'll find several recipes for cake-like treats your dog is bound to love. You'll also find advice about foods you shouldn't include in your ingredient list because they aren't good for dogs.

I hope your dog has a very happy birthday, and give him a hug from me. Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Wow, that was a big girl. I'm glad you're taking steps to help her get healthy again. Being overweight can lead to problems with diabetes and arthritis, so I'm glad you're making such good progress with her.

Depending on whether she's a 13-inch or 15-inch Beagle she should weigh between 20 to 23 pounds. More than any designated weight, you should look for her to be back in proper proportions.

Thanks for your question, and keep up the good work! :) - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear about what's happening to your Golden. It must also be a little scary to hear the vet say he has no idea what is wrong.

I'm not a vet, so I researched your dog's combination of symptoms in hopes of finding something your own vet could look into. Most of what I turned up was either related to some form of cancer, or zinc toxicosis from eating a penny. I'm not saying that your dog has either condition, but hopefully this will jump start your vet into looking for a new diagnosis.

I also suggest that if your vet doesn't seem willing to dig in and figure out the problem you should see a different vet. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes can do wonders for a case.

I absolutely recommend cooking something tempting for your dog to eat. Perhaps he'd like some boiled ground beef and rice? If you can get his digestive system working again, maybe his hunger will return.

You have my very best wishes for your dog's full recovery. If you do find out what's wrong, please come back and let us know. - posted by:Kelly

I originally found your question at the Orijen Dog Food article and answered it there. :) - posted by:Kelly

Let me address these protein sources one at a time.

• Turkey itself isn't such a problem. However, you should avoid feeding your dog turkey skin, which is very fatty. Too much fat can trigger a bout of pancreatitus.
• Ham is very high in sodium and also contains a significant amount of fat, so it doesn't do your dog's heart any good. With so many other healthy protein sources available, it easy to avoid feeding ham at all.

As for those other protein sources, it's good to vary them so your dog receives rounded nutrition without getting bored with his food.

Thanks for your question. :) - posted by:Kelly

You vet is certainly the expert in this situation, so I'm glad he's so involved. In my opinion, it's time to start coaxing your cat to eat again by providing alternative foods to her regular pet food. Some boiled chicken might just tempt her to eat a few bites. If she's willing to take more, let her have it. The important thing is to get her eating regularly which will stimulate her entire digestive tract back into action. It's currently sluggish from sitting still too long, and this is why she isn't having hunger pangs. I think once you can get her eating, the shaking spells, which are now probably due to her recovery and generally weakened condition, will begin to subside.

Also be sure to watch out for a post operative infection. Most vets will prescribe an antibiotic after surgery to head this off. If your cat becomes more lethargic or begins to refuse water, take her back to your vet straight away. Also watch for inflammation around her stitches.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the food suggestion will help your cat get her strength back. - posted by:Kelly

Yes, I'm afraid you did spoil your dog by feeding him tripe and chicken. There are a couple of different methods you can try to get your dog to eat.

First, if you have your heart set on feeding kibble, moisten it with no salt chicken broth and let it soften a bit before suerving it. This might be enough to tempt your dog to eat the kibble. I suggest you do not offer any other food, and simpley set the bowl on the floor. If your dog gets hungry enough, he will eat it. Just remember that any moist food will begin to grow bacteria in a couple of hours, so set a standard meal time and stick to it.

Second, you might consider cooking for your dog, just as you do for the rest of the family. For nutritional advice and to find a source for recipes, visit our articles:

• Homemade Dog Food Recipes
• How to Cook for Your Dog

Thanks for your suggestion, and I hope you find these suggestions helpful. - posted by:Kelly

I do not know for a fact that there are only six breeds that produce skin oil. I would ask Mr. Cusick to site his sources on that one. Some dogs produce less oil, some more. I would say the number of dogs that do produce skin oil is in the majority, not the minority. I base my opinion on years of grooming and showing various breeds, not hard scientific fact.

I do agree that there is no "one formula fits all" dog food, and that the quality of commercial dog food is questionable.

You should also keep in mind the Mr. Cusick is advertising books he'd like to sell, and the website is designed to create interest. My advice is to take some of the info with a grain of salt.

You'll find a number of dog nutrition articles in our Dog Supplies category.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

I don't like to recommend a particular brand of dog food because the 2007 dog food recall showed us we don't really know what's in the kibble, no matter what the label says.

That said, you should choose a kibble formulated for medium sized breeds. This will ensure your dog is getting the nutrition it needs to grow without putting on too much weight all at once. This could lead to joint problems later life, so you need to feed according to the directions.

I have done some reviews of several brands that do seem to offer healthier nutrition than you will likely find at the grocery store. Check out the following articles and see if one of these brands might be worth trying.

• Orijen Dog Food
• Timberwolf Dog Food
• Top 9 Healthiest Dog Foods

All three of these articles are about brands that strive to use natural ingredients, high quality protein sources and no chemical preservatives. This is my personal criteria now for any food I feed my dogs. You can only decide if a particular brand is right for your dog after you see the results of feeding it for a couple of months.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with your new puppy. - posted by:Kelly

I also couldn't locate a puppy formula for Karma, although it seems strange that they wouldn't have one. You may want to contact the company directly to make sure.

As for Blue, I wasn't familiar with it, so I went to their website to check it out. According to the ingredients label and the individual breakdown of the ingredients, Blue does look promising. I also found mention of a puppy formula on the website, although it wasn't well advertised.

What I liked the most when I read the label was the number of quality protein sources in the first line of ingredients. I could also not find any evidence of harmful preservatives. These are the two main things I look for right off the bat.

While I don't think it would hurt to give this brand a try, you will have to judge that for yourself. We found out with the last major [Recall on Dog Food|recall]] that our pets' food isn't always as healthy as the manufacturer would have us believe. If you do give the food a try for a couple of months, please come back and tell us what you think about it. It's always better to have an opinion based on actual usage of the product.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Many dogs throw up bile from time to time and some breeds seem to do it more than others. I raised Shih Tzus for years, and they did this occasionally.

Many vets recommend feeding a handful of kibble at bedtime to keep stomach acids from building up over night and nauseating your dog. I think it would be beneficial to try this and see if it remedies the problem.

That said, when a dog begins throwing up bile frequently, it can be a sign of liver problems. I don't think your dog's problem is this severe, but if the number of episodes increases, it might be good to run this problem by your vet to get his/her opinion. Your vet can run some simple tests to quickly rule this problem out or in.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this suggestion helps. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear about your dog's problems.

I would have suggested the stool deterrent product, but since you've already tried it and didn't find it helpful we can skip that. What I'm going to recommend you do is go into hyper-drive on maintenance. Make sure the yard is clean before you take her outside, and from this point forward, be ready with the scooper as soon as she pottys. She can't eat what she can't get hold of.

We can do something about the gulping and resulting gas issue. You can dole her meals out in smaller portions instead of feeding her all at once. This will prevent her from swallowing so much air at one time. At least divide her meals into halves for now to see if it helps. If necessary, you can break it into thirds. Hopefully this will also address the vomiting issue.

Thanks for your questions, and I hope these suggestions help.

- posted by:Kelly

Yes, it is possible that a dog could be allergic to one type of fowl, but not another. Some food allergies develop after repeated exposure to a particular food source. Since duck isn't typically used in most commercial dog food brands because it is a more expensive protein source, it is often used in Hypoallergenic Dog Food because most canines have never been exposed to it.

If you have any conerns that your dog is also allergic to duck, you can have your vet test your pet for that particular allergy.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Honestly, two cups of food a day isn't a lot for an active Lab, which leads me to believe that your bitch's weight may more likely be due to an undiagnosed medical condition.

I think the best thing to do is ask your vet to examine her. Tell him/her about how much and what type of food you're feeding her, and the kind of daily activitiy she has. My hunch is that the vet will want to test her thryroid or check for other glandular problems.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know what you find out. - posted by:Kelly

You're right to search for a large breed puppy food for your pet. Large breeds go through rapid development at certain stages of their growth, and large breed formulas are designed to deliver adequate nutrtition without causing too rapid of a weight gain. Too much weight too soon can lead to joint stress and arthritis later on.

As for Iams and Eukanuba, I hesitate to recommend them because these brands were involved in the big food recall of 2007. I have fed them both in years past without a problem, but since we can never be sure where manufacturers are getting their food sources, I hesitate to recommend them now. They could be fine, but you'll have to use your own judgement.

You might want to check out a number of foods before you settle on a particular brand. Our article on Top 9 Healthiest Dog Foods contains a list of brands you might also consider, although you will need to check if they offer a large breed puppy formula.

Thanks for your question, and good luck with your search. - posted by:Kelly

Yes, cooking for your dog is a viable alternative to purchasing commercial dog food. The basic mix you've begun with is good, and do add a touch of flaxseed oil for those important Omega-3 fatty acids. You can also provide a canine multi-vitamin to make sure you have your bases covered.

If you haven't already read this month's interview, check it out.

• Homemade Dog Food Recipes

I happen to have a copy of Wendy Nan Rees' pet cookbook, and I love the variety of recipes. Dr. Kevin Schlanger, DVM helped Wendy write it and reviewed the recipes to make sure they were balanced. You might want to give this a try. The one thing you should keep in mind is that most foods are only good for 3-4 days in the fridge. Some can be stored longer in the freezer.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

My guess is that your puppy is going to grow into a very big dog. You should select a puppy kibble that is formulated for the development of large breeds in order to provide adequate nutrition.

Since you seem to be preoccupied with making your dog as large as you possibly can, let me be the voice of caution. Rapid growth and carrying too much weight can lead to serious joint problems down the road. Great Danes live relatively short lives when compared to other dog breeds, so you need to keep all of this in mind. If you want to keep your pup healthy, I recommend you consult with your vet to work out a proper feeding program to ensure your dog is well fed, but not over fed.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

I think you should specifically ask your vet why he was upset that you were adding fat free, salt free chicken broth to entice your dog to eat the prescription diet. There may be a medical reason behind his opinion. Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense to ask you to switch to a different food if all was going well.

You'll have to decide for yourself whether you want to continue with the broth based on his answer.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things work out. - posted by:Kelly

It sounds like your puppy may be experiencing some weaning issues. I hate to say it, but sometimes breeders aren't perfectly honest in their rush to send a pup to a new home. There's a possibility that your pup was in the process of weaning, but that it wasn't complete when you took him home. As long as he is willing to drink water, you've got a little time to play with.

There are a number of things you can do to coax your puppy to eat.

• Soak the food so it becomes softer and easier to chew. The food will definitely be more enticing if you use beef or chicken broth. Try to choose a low sodium brand.
• You could also try mixing in a little canned dog food with the kibble to make it tastier.
• It's also perfectly fine to mix in healthy human foods such as cottage cheese, a little plain canned pumpkin or green beans to make the kibble more tempting.

Once you get your puppy on track, his tummy will expand a bit more, and he'll notice quicker when he feels hungry.

I hope you find these suggestions helpful, but if your dog doesn't begin eating within the next two days, go ahead and take him in to your vet.

Thanks for your question, and good luck. I'm sure this will work out. - posted by:Kelly

Honestly, neither the green beans nor the pumpkin should cause any problems with your dog's tummy. Both are very mild, and dog's seem to really love them. I would at least give them a try. I tend to refrain from recommending commercial brands for the most part, but you might want to compare the fiber content of the brands listed in our article about the Top 9 Healthiest Dog Foods.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you're able to control your dog's gland difficulties through diet. - posted by:Kelly

This is a serious situation if what you have observed is indeed correct. The first thing I would do is check on your neighbors and see if you can get someone to answer. It's possible they could have left the dog without caring for it, but someone may have also had a medical emergency and that's why the dog has been forgotten. There's also a chance that someone has agreed to check on the dog in the owners' absence and you may have just missed them coming and going.

If you get no reply, and you're certain no one has been around, go ahead and give the dog some food and fresh water. Just be careful because no matter how needy this dog may be, he doesn't know you and may react aggressively out a fright. Just leave the food and water and give him some space to eat.

If you are absolutely sure he's been abandoned, you need to call your local Humane Society and apprise them of the situation. They will investigate, and if warranted, they will take the dog with them for safe keeping and continue efforts to contact the owners.

I hope these suggestions give you peace of mind about what to do in this situation. The most important thing here is that the dog is taken care of as soon as possible. Please let us know how things turn out, and thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly