Recommendation for Raw food
Discussion
Hi all, just posting to see if anyone has any recommendations ...
We have a 9 year old Cockerpoo - we had him allergy tested when he was a pup (he used to itch constantly) and results were that he was allergic to loads of things. He was put on Apoquel and has been on them ever since. Over the last couple of years (his food/diet) hasn't changed, his itching has started to get worse and he started chewing his feet, making them red raw and the constant need for a collar( a misery for him). We went to another specialist and it was agreed we would up the dose to 2 Apoquel a day, which for a period (9 months) worked very well. However, unfortunately now the itching and foot chewing is back.
Having spoken with others, we need to try and eliminate as many allergens from his diet as possible and have 'heard' that the best protein for him to have is Rabbit as it is the least allergenic and furthermore a raw diet may be better as a lot less 'additions' to the food. This brings us to the next problem, he also suffers from Pancreatitiis so needs to have a low fat diet, ideally less than 10% fat.
So, the question, can anyone recommend a raw food provider that does low fat raw food and which, in everyones experience, is the last 'allergenic'.
For info sake, he is currently on 'Tails' kibble, tweaked for low fat and allergy prone dogs which has helped with his Pancreatitis but may be not his allergies.
Hope the above all makes sense and thanks in advance for any advice offered.
We have a 9 year old Cockerpoo - we had him allergy tested when he was a pup (he used to itch constantly) and results were that he was allergic to loads of things. He was put on Apoquel and has been on them ever since. Over the last couple of years (his food/diet) hasn't changed, his itching has started to get worse and he started chewing his feet, making them red raw and the constant need for a collar( a misery for him). We went to another specialist and it was agreed we would up the dose to 2 Apoquel a day, which for a period (9 months) worked very well. However, unfortunately now the itching and foot chewing is back.
Having spoken with others, we need to try and eliminate as many allergens from his diet as possible and have 'heard' that the best protein for him to have is Rabbit as it is the least allergenic and furthermore a raw diet may be better as a lot less 'additions' to the food. This brings us to the next problem, he also suffers from Pancreatitiis so needs to have a low fat diet, ideally less than 10% fat.
So, the question, can anyone recommend a raw food provider that does low fat raw food and which, in everyones experience, is the last 'allergenic'.
For info sake, he is currently on 'Tails' kibble, tweaked for low fat and allergy prone dogs which has helped with his Pancreatitis but may be not his allergies.
Hope the above all makes sense and thanks in advance for any advice offered.
I can't help with a raw recommendation, sorry, but have you considered an anallergenic kibble, like this one:
https://www.royalcanin.com/uk/dogs/products/vet-pr...
Or this:
https://www.hillspet.co.uk/dog-food/pd-canine-pres...
The only issue is the fat content, which may be too high.
These were the ones recommended to us when our Cocker was unwell (wet/canned versions are also available). I can't really comment on their efficacy, because unfortunately it turned out to be something else which couldn't be fixed by food.
I hope you can find a solution. We had a whippet who was very itchy, but fortunately the Apoquel worked well for him.
https://www.royalcanin.com/uk/dogs/products/vet-pr...
Or this:
https://www.hillspet.co.uk/dog-food/pd-canine-pres...
The only issue is the fat content, which may be too high.
These were the ones recommended to us when our Cocker was unwell (wet/canned versions are also available). I can't really comment on their efficacy, because unfortunately it turned out to be something else which couldn't be fixed by food.
I hope you can find a solution. We had a whippet who was very itchy, but fortunately the Apoquel worked well for him.
I've used Bulmers raw food for my GSDs and Great Danes for yonks.
https://bulmerdogfood.co.uk/product-category/dog-f...
Unlike a number of friends who feed their GDSs on a non-raw food diet I've never experienced any downsides with my dogs in over 30 years.
https://bulmerdogfood.co.uk/product-category/dog-f...
Unlike a number of friends who feed their GDSs on a non-raw food diet I've never experienced any downsides with my dogs in over 30 years.
The top ingredients of the kibbles posted above are:
Royal Canin: Maize starch, feather hydrolysate
Hills: Derivatives of vegetable origin, meat and animal derivatives
Sorry, but it's just utter crap.
It's not immediately obvious from the Tails website, what exactly they put in their food (make of that what you will) and I gave up trying after 5 minutes.
But if you look here https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/dog-food-reviews... 60% carb is not great, it's cheap filler that dogs just do not need in any quantity.
I would be willing to bet that a high-quality raw diet, or even cooked fresh whole foods will be life-changing for your boy.
I don't know any specific suppliers of low-fat raw food, but I'd start with a consult with https://thecaninedietitian.co.uk/ to get you on the right path and take away the guess work.
Royal Canin: Maize starch, feather hydrolysate
Hills: Derivatives of vegetable origin, meat and animal derivatives
Sorry, but it's just utter crap.
It's not immediately obvious from the Tails website, what exactly they put in their food (make of that what you will) and I gave up trying after 5 minutes.
But if you look here https://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/dog-food-reviews... 60% carb is not great, it's cheap filler that dogs just do not need in any quantity.
I would be willing to bet that a high-quality raw diet, or even cooked fresh whole foods will be life-changing for your boy.
I don't know any specific suppliers of low-fat raw food, but I'd start with a consult with https://thecaninedietitian.co.uk/ to get you on the right path and take away the guess work.
We have a German Shorthaired Pointer and she has been on Apoquel for about 2 years, 2 a day (and likely to be in it forever).
She’s isn’t allergic but over produces yeast, so ears smell and eyes look ‘patchy’… and consequently scratches, which then leads to bleeding (light) ears.
But diet and Apoquel keeps it well under control.
So basically she can’t eat anything that contains root vegetables, as it feeds the yeast and she then over produces.
We feed her on Paleo Ridge 80/10/10 (raw) which is 80% meat, 10% offal and 10% bone i.e. no veg.
Not exactly the same scenario as you but it might be worthwhile going through an elimination diet… to work out what the triggers/allergens are.
We also have a Dalmatian, so low purine diet required and he is fed on Natural Instinct (working chicken)
Biggest ‘pain’ is finding suitable treats… that one can have and the other can’t… and vice-versa
Paleo Ridge have a good range and it may be a call to them for advice might be worthwhile..?
She’s isn’t allergic but over produces yeast, so ears smell and eyes look ‘patchy’… and consequently scratches, which then leads to bleeding (light) ears.
But diet and Apoquel keeps it well under control.
So basically she can’t eat anything that contains root vegetables, as it feeds the yeast and she then over produces.
We feed her on Paleo Ridge 80/10/10 (raw) which is 80% meat, 10% offal and 10% bone i.e. no veg.
Not exactly the same scenario as you but it might be worthwhile going through an elimination diet… to work out what the triggers/allergens are.
We also have a Dalmatian, so low purine diet required and he is fed on Natural Instinct (working chicken)
Biggest ‘pain’ is finding suitable treats… that one can have and the other can’t… and vice-versa
Paleo Ridge have a good range and it may be a call to them for advice might be worthwhile..?
Have a look on this site, https://petfoodexpert.com/?cooking_process=raw&... Compares a load and gives them a score. Take a look through and see what works for you.
Thank you all for the suggestions, will go through them all. I think I want to try the raw approach, we did have him on raw for the first 6 months but he was never really food motivated so it could sit there for hours before he ate it which led to flies and a lot of waste. He is a bit more eager to eat now so hopefully works. Just need to eliminate allergens and alleviate the itching if possible…
Anyone have a view on benefit/difference between single protein food or multiple?
Anyone have a view on benefit/difference between single protein food or multiple?
We use Natural Instinct for 2 of our dogs, one being a 12yo Frenchie, allergies, skin issues and digestive problems are a common theme with Frenchies, awful flatulence too, she has none of these and the vet always comments on what a great condition she is in, particularly given her age.
We give them the working dog version of all flavours, it is cheaper and has a slightly higher meat content, given it is 85% meat I should imagine it is low fat, I would imagine all pre-prepared raw is naturally low in fat.
We give them the working dog version of all flavours, it is cheaper and has a slightly higher meat content, given it is 85% meat I should imagine it is low fat, I would imagine all pre-prepared raw is naturally low in fat.
I would start with single protein and work through an elimination diet just to ensure none are troubling him.
Feed 7 days straight of each protein and check that he's doing solid poos on each. Maybe give the first one 2 weeks to allow him to adjust, turkey is usually a safe bet as a starting point.
If all is well then there's no reason not to feed mixes.
You should be getting some fruit and veg in as well though. The raw brands that include this are mega expensive though so it's significantly cheaper to do your own prep.
Things like grated carrot and a few berries are easy.
If he's fussy, make up a bone broth. I boil a chicken carcass after we've had a roast dinner and throw in any fruit and veg I've got that needs using, then liquidise it and freeze in ice cube trays. At meal time, microwave a couple of cubes for a warm chicken broth topper that's got loads of good stuff in and they go mad for it. Sounds like effort, but it's about 20 minutes work once a month and costs nothing.
Oh, and bones... Bone content can be adjusted to firm up poos, whole chicken wings/legs are good, just chuck then on the lawn outside.
Feed 7 days straight of each protein and check that he's doing solid poos on each. Maybe give the first one 2 weeks to allow him to adjust, turkey is usually a safe bet as a starting point.
If all is well then there's no reason not to feed mixes.
You should be getting some fruit and veg in as well though. The raw brands that include this are mega expensive though so it's significantly cheaper to do your own prep.
Things like grated carrot and a few berries are easy.
If he's fussy, make up a bone broth. I boil a chicken carcass after we've had a roast dinner and throw in any fruit and veg I've got that needs using, then liquidise it and freeze in ice cube trays. At meal time, microwave a couple of cubes for a warm chicken broth topper that's got loads of good stuff in and they go mad for it. Sounds like effort, but it's about 20 minutes work once a month and costs nothing.
Oh, and bones... Bone content can be adjusted to firm up poos, whole chicken wings/legs are good, just chuck then on the lawn outside.
billbring said:
I would start with single protein and work through an elimination diet just to ensure none are troubling him.
Feed 7 days straight of each protein and check that he's doing solid poos on each. Maybe give the first one 2 weeks to allow him to adjust, turkey is usually a safe bet as a starting point.
If all is well then there's no reason not to feed mixes.
You should be getting some fruit and veg in as well though. The raw brands that include this are mega expensive though so it's significantly cheaper to do your own prep.
Things like grated carrot and a few berries are easy.
If he's fussy, make up a bone broth. I boil a chicken carcass after we've had a roast dinner and throw in any fruit and veg I've got that needs using, then liquidise it and freeze in ice cube trays. At meal time, microwave a couple of cubes for a warm chicken broth topper that's got loads of good stuff in and they go mad for it. Sounds like effort, but it's about 20 minutes work once a month and costs nothing.
Oh, and bones... Bone content can be adjusted to firm up poos, whole chicken wings/legs are good, just chuck then on the lawn outside.
I guess cost can be alot depending on the size of the dog my 9kg Frenchie is 96p per day on the pre prepped chicken, seems a bargain to me, self prepping can be a pain and you have to get the ratios right, plus issue with storage and cleanliness.Feed 7 days straight of each protein and check that he's doing solid poos on each. Maybe give the first one 2 weeks to allow him to adjust, turkey is usually a safe bet as a starting point.
If all is well then there's no reason not to feed mixes.
You should be getting some fruit and veg in as well though. The raw brands that include this are mega expensive though so it's significantly cheaper to do your own prep.
Things like grated carrot and a few berries are easy.
If he's fussy, make up a bone broth. I boil a chicken carcass after we've had a roast dinner and throw in any fruit and veg I've got that needs using, then liquidise it and freeze in ice cube trays. At meal time, microwave a couple of cubes for a warm chicken broth topper that's got loads of good stuff in and they go mad for it. Sounds like effort, but it's about 20 minutes work once a month and costs nothing.
Oh, and bones... Bone content can be adjusted to firm up poos, whole chicken wings/legs are good, just chuck then on the lawn outside.
Ours are both on Nutriment; mostly the turkey.
Old English Sheepdog couldn't digest kibble, even the good stuff, and the Newfypoo would sit next to a full bowl gazing enviously at the OES's meat-mush.
We got a small chest freezer and buy 50kg at a time - more when there's a discount code. Next say delivery, and they do 1.4kg chubs and smaller tubs - the tubs are good when we ho on holiday.
www.nutriment.co.uk
Old English Sheepdog couldn't digest kibble, even the good stuff, and the Newfypoo would sit next to a full bowl gazing enviously at the OES's meat-mush.
We got a small chest freezer and buy 50kg at a time - more when there's a discount code. Next say delivery, and they do 1.4kg chubs and smaller tubs - the tubs are good when we ho on holiday.
www.nutriment.co.uk
You are in South Bucks, how far from MK are you? I get all mine from the Dog Centre MK - https://www.dogcentremk.co.uk/ Their website is new so doesn't show everything they have.
My border has the Southcliffe raw minces, loves them. He doesn't need a special kibble, but do add salmon oil to his food, unless he has an oily fish raw mince.
This probably shows more than the website - https://www.instagram.com/p/DAQcdx1i1Wv/
My border has the Southcliffe raw minces, loves them. He doesn't need a special kibble, but do add salmon oil to his food, unless he has an oily fish raw mince.
This probably shows more than the website - https://www.instagram.com/p/DAQcdx1i1Wv/
Edited by FourWheelDrift on Saturday 19th October 11:12
TownIdiot said:
We use Durham animal feeds .
The dogs love it and seems to do very well
We're also on Durham. Transformed our boy, huge range and very well priced.The dogs love it and seems to do very well
Might be worth giving them a shout for some advice, we had some questions when we first moved Merlin onto it and they were really responsive.
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