Dog Community

Preference (THK) review part 2

Posted : 9/19/2010 11:03:15 PM

So we are about a month or so into feeding THK's preference.

I can't say that I"m terribly thrilled with it and it's driving me nuts, honestly (y'all know my craziness on dog food LOL). Darby- I had to take her off because her ears (both this time, very unusual) and feet became swollen, inflamed, oozy and yeasty. She hs been off 3 days and the skin is turning back to pink instead of raw red and the yeasty gooeyness is gone as well. There is something in there causing her trouble.

Lexi's tear and beard staining has increased to red-orange. Also, her toes are yeasty.

Echo's coat is just.. Blah. I have her on salmon oil now, but... she blew it all out on NDF2 and it's short and dull and lifeless.

I just. do. not. know. what. to. do. At this point. Darby is eating a homemade diet per Juliette Levy's book and improving.

Kibble plus raw? Some other THK formula? (Darby has had varying degrees of trouble with the ones I've tried, though I love the food and company). Try Juiette's diet for a while (recall I have a tiny frige).

WWYD?

Geez louise!

stardog85

Posted : 9/19/2010 11:12:25 PM

What protein are you using? I thought they were doing well just recently, so if you changed proteins recently that's what I would bet on.

tzu_mom

Posted : 9/20/2010 7:30:30 AM

Alfalfa? There is some anecdotal evidence that dogs with environmental/grass allergies often have trouble with alfalfa.

shamrockmommy

Posted : 9/20/2010 10:58:01 AM

Maybe it is the alfalfa. The alfalfa makes sense to me, I had L and D food allergy tested and they did not have one allergy to food. The protein I vary from beef to turkey to chicken. They also get salmon oil.

Darby is much improved now doing the natural rearing diet. Ears are almost back to normal as are feet.

Echo and Lexi have the task of finishing up the rest of the preference and then I'm going to try them on the NR diet for a while, tiny fridge and all... have to find a spot for their rmbs and meat.

THanks for listening to me vent!

Dawnben

Posted : 9/20/2010 12:29:13 PM

shamrockmommy
Maybe it is the alfalfa. The alfalfa makes sense to me, I had L and D food allergy tested and they did not have one allergy to food. The protein I vary from beef to turkey to chicken. They also get salmon oil.

Darby is much improved now doing the natural rearing diet. Ears are almost back to normal as are feet.

Echo and Lexi have the task of finishing up the rest of the preference and then I'm going to try them on the NR diet for a while, tiny fridge and all... have to find a spot for their rmbs and meat.

THanks for listening to me vent!

Sounds like they could all benefit from a home cooked meals. You could use quinoa , it is a complete protein and a seed so there is less chance of allergy, then add grated sweet potatoes neither of which need refrigeration until cooked, then just add meat. It is like the thrive version. It has amazing results even going from a great food like honest kitchen. The fresh cooked has enzymes that the other does not. I also add a fresh fruit to mine like apples and bananas. You also would have to add a vitamin and mineral supplement . The one I use is powdered and is measured by the weight of the dog so they get the right amount. Oh and you can use a crock pot if you don't have time to cook.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 9/20/2010 6:32:41 PM

I'm thrilled with THK, but Emma would have looked like Death on it. Some dogs just don't tolerate some foods. Switch them!!! Especially the little girls, with the sore skin!

jessies_mom

Posted : 9/20/2010 6:47:26 PM

shamrockmommy
I had L and D food allergy tested and they did not have one allergy to food.

The veterinary dermatologist that Jessie sees said that blood tests for food allergies are a waste of money and unreliable. I spent close to a year testing Jessie by having her on an elimination diet, and it was well worth the time.

shamrockmommy
The alfalfa makes sense to me

This website lists the cross reactions between pollens and foods. There are many;

cross reactions : Polleninfo.org

shamrockmommy

Posted : 9/22/2010 2:26:59 PM

I think on the one hand I must be reasonable because the environmental allergies are awful here right now. On the other, I think I will do an elimination diet to see what I can come up with.

Thanks for the good ideas!

jessies_mom

Posted : 9/22/2010 6:41:49 PM

shamrockmommy
I think on the one hand I must be reasonable because the environmental allergies are awful here right now.

This summer has been terrible for allergies. Jessie is doing well (she's on allergen immunotherapy), but when she went in for her allergy shot last week the tech said that all their allergy dogs ( those that weren't receiving allergy shots) were coming in for steroids and antihistamines. It's easy to maintain Jessie's allergies; we simply change her shot schedule to twice a month instead of once a month when pollen counts are high. Jessie has very serious year round allergies. For dogs who are only itchy a few months of the year, immunotherapy isn't recommended.

shamrockmommy
I think I will do an elimination diet to see what I can come up with

I used to think food allergies were rare but the veterinary dermatologist wanted me to try the elimination diet. She said that food allergies are more common than what is generally believed. I was skeptical but eventually changed my mind after seeing the results with Jessie. This time of year, it's harder to tell what's causing the itching, which is why it's best to do it in the colder months.

Spazzy

Posted : 9/22/2010 7:19:33 PM

shamrockmommy

I think on the one hand I must be reasonable because the environmental allergies are awful here right now. On the other, I think I will do an elimination diet to see what I can come up with.

Thanks for the good ideas!

I wouldn't jump to blame the allergies on THK formulas. Environmental allergies are REALLY bad here right now, Bailey's feet have flared up again, along with a rash on the side of his face, & I'm positive it's environmental because nothing in his diet has changed.

According to FB, THK has a new food coming out called Zeal... maybe give that a try? http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/products/zeal/

tzu_mom

Posted : 9/23/2010 9:55:03 AM

Environment, likely---but she mentioned that after having been off the food for a few days, the pups are showing signs of improvement---this indicates that something in the food is not working, and exacerbating the the effects of enironmental allergies.

shamrockmommy

Posted : 9/26/2010 12:29:12 PM

They've been off Pref for a few days now. MUCH less itching. Echo was an itch chew maniac. Now just an itch here or there. Darby's ears are much improved, Lexi's tear/beard staining is lessening.

I have them just on a natural diet now= initially I had a grain mix for them and it turns out Echo does not tolerate grains AT ALL. Talk about the worse liquid poo ever. Switched to sweet potato and things are looking great.

I purchased Pref from a lady who owns "The Raw Connection" which is an awesome store with natural foods, freezers full of raw, awesomeness :) but she said she tried some on her dogs after I had purchased it and said her dogs got very itchy as well, she supposes it was from the alfalfa.

It is a high-allergen time of year here so I can't blame it all on food but things are looking up for the ladies.