Dog Community

nutritionist, home cooking, so confused

Posted : 5/19/2006 4:44:48 PM

Okay, so once again I am thinking of homecooking for my almost 2 year old cocker spaniel. He currently eats natural balance, but my sister homecooks for her maltese and today she made him vension and Jake had a taste and absolutely loved it. He can't have the natural balance vension because it has flaxseed in it and he is allergic to flaxseed.

Anyway, I feel that feeding homecooked may be best for him. I wonder if it will help with his constant ear infections and allergies. Plus I know what he is eating and know what exactly is in the food.

I was thinking of talking to a vet nutritionist. They do a phone consultation for $55-85 dollars. Anyone know anything about vet nutritionists? Are they helpful? Do they know what they are doing? I want the nutritionist to help me with menu's for homecooking. I have menu's, but I want to talk to the nutritionist to make sure I know exactly what I am doing. Any feedback on nutritionist's? Are they a waste of money?

My other cocker spaniel used to eat and boiled hamburger or boiled chicken with white rice plus some of her wet dog food. We used to always keep dry available to her. She had table scraps and lots of cookies. She was overweight. If I homecook for Jake, it wouldn't make him overweight would it?

Thanks everyone.
Michelle

Tess

Posted : 5/19/2006 5:56:53 PM

You may want to check out Monica Segal's website www.doggiediets.com
She does diet consultations and I think she knows her stuff.

She also has a Yahoo group (nutritional forum)called k9kitchen http://groups.yahoo.com/group/K9Kitchen/
and there's lot's of good information there.

Another good Yahoo nutritional forum is K9Nutrition
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/K9Nutrition/

cakana

Posted : 5/19/2006 6:01:08 PM

I second the recommendation for Monica Segal. I belong to her yahoo group and I also have a few of her booklets. They're easy to understand and only $3-$4 each. She does complete diets consultations and will work with you on specific needs and problem areas.

ron2

Posted : 5/19/2006 6:32:32 PM

There is also petDIETS.com who will custom design a diet for your dog based on breed, age, activity level, and medical history that you or your vet will provide.

Also, Glenda has a nutritionist designed recipe that she will let you have if you will make donation to her MS Walk.

Shelley75

Posted : 5/19/2006 6:44:57 PM

Ok thanks, I will check out those sites. Is it okay if I give my dog dog food in the morning and homecook for him at night. Like natural balance duck & potato one morning and homecook something different for night (like vension or rabbit) and the next day do natural balance eatables irish stew in the morning and the same thing I homecooked for him the night before?

ron2

Posted : 5/20/2006 5:57:14 AM

Glenda, who has 6, count them, 6 GSDs feeds them kibble in the morning, homecooked in the evening, and raw bits now and then.