Honest Kitchen

luv3dogs... Based on your hubby's comment, I'd think Verve or Keen are ok for him then... def. better than kibble right?  However (see below) a dog nutritionist recommends otherwise.

I am leaning towards Keen for Zoe who doesn't have any health issues that I know of.  For Jake, who is getting over a UTI now, and had one a yr. ago, I am not sure if I should do Keen, verve, Force, or Embark.  A nutritionist has recommended Embark because of the protein level.  HK web site recommends Verve or Force for UTI prone dogs.  But, does 2 UTI's in 2 yrs. really mean he is prone to them?  Isn't just moving him from kibble a good step in the right direction?  It would be easiest to feed both dogs the same kind obviously.  Verve and Keen are significantly cheaper too... and Jake is big so that does matter a bit.

smilee - I asked H again about whether a high-protein diet is a good idea for dogs prone to UTI, and he said that he didn't think so (but again, his experience is with the 2 legged).  He wondered why your dog gets UTI and suggested that you encourage your pup to drink lots of water, and even some cranberry juice.

 I would think 2 in 2 years IS a lot for an adult male dog. I'm not sure, though, I haven't had a male dog in years.

Look at the kcal per cup.  The other one might NOT be cheaper.

Jennie... I looked at that earlier and I think Keen had a higher kcal (about 10) than Force and the protein was about the same.  Yet, the company recommends Force and Verve for dogs that have struvite crystals because they say it is not too high in protein.  So I am a bit confused why they only say those 2.  

The difference in kcal between Embark (expensive, higher protein, suggested by Sabine) and the others is about 10-20 calories... so not too big a deal for his size.  I do want to make sure though, that when I compare the kcals in that to his current kibble, I should look at the "As received" numbers on their web site, not the "As served" number, right?  It seems more similar.

luv3dogs

smilee - He wondered why your dog gets UTI and suggested that you encourage your pup to drink lots of water, and even some cranberry juice.

We don't know for sure, but I was told we should no longer feed him kibble because of it.  We have been doing canned now, and a little kibble with a lot of added water.  We sent his urine for a sensitivity test and culture last week and should get results this week.  He has no stones according to an ultrasound we did last week.  Last time, I think it cleared up with a general antibiotic, but this time, he's been marking less (how we know we need to take him to the vet to be checked) but he is also stressed because hubby (his person) is gone days at a time for work.  The UTI started before hubby started leaving, but the stress could be preventing the healing a bit, perhaps.

 She told me that I could pick any formula, because we're going to ADD meat, and that will make it less expensive to feed, too. Of course, my dog is 13 lbs and a senior.

Yeah, once I have her do the formulation, I will be able to use a cheaper one.  However, we may buy some to use for the next few weeks before we have her diet depending how the urine culture comes back.  He may end up on prescription for a bit first :(.

Results from Urinalysis and culture came back... no bacteria, crystals, etc. and his pH is 7.  So he seems to be in the clear for now!  So, now it is time to really decide on which food for him.

 Fabulous!!!! I'm glad to hear that he's cleared up so fast.

I have him the sample we had of Embark tonight... he did not want to eat it.  He'd lick some up hesitantly then shake his head  and try to lick some more.  He normally gobbles up his food.  This could be a set back.  Any ideas of how to get him to like it?  I am assuming the consistency is the issue.

 I'd try making it thicker. Might be the slurpiness that turns him off.

This time he actually spit it out.  Are there negatives to feeding all canned other than price?

 You could have her whip you up a diet based on canned food, instead of HK. Adding meat from the supermarket would probably make it a little cheaper???

Or, do what I do. Go to Big Lots LOL. Buy good food for 50-75 cents a can.

I have been feeding HK embark the last couple of weeks. (was feeding raw diet again).  Lexi is doing great on it, Darby has an ear infection on it.  I do think it's from the flax in it. But we'll need to use it at least until we get to CA and all moved in.

they love the taste.  Initially I tried HK a few years ago adnthey would not eat it !(not even garbage can Gobie!).  this time though, all 3 eat/ate it just fine.