My TWO Finally Arrived!!

Well my pup starved himself so much yesterday that he ate a blade of grass and vomited...due to his horribly empty stomach. So, I had to give in and give him some EVO canned. Poor guy...that's the thing...he will get sick if he doesn't eat...but he still won't touch plain kibble! [:@]
 
Anyway, so he had really soft poop this morning...I have no idea why?! Why can't they just have consistently firm poop? He was...but now something threw him off...maybe from not eating all day yesterday until dinner when I mixed the canned in?
 
When your pups were at the boarding place...what were they mixing in with the TWO? I was thinking of picking up some Evanger's when I am on the last can of EVO. Good news though...he has NOT been itchy today at all! I stopped feeding him the chicken and I am not going to give him any EVO chicken/turkey, so we will see how that goes. I am thinking it is not the sunflower oil, then...since he has been getting it with all the EVO varieties and doing fine. Maybe sometime down the line when he is fully grown I will try the TWO Lamb/Apples...that one has rice in it, but no chicken...so I can see if he tolerates rice.
 
I really hope things get better...this is really hard on me. [&o]

I really hope things get better...this is really hard on me.

I am soo sorry.[:-]  I totally know how you feel. My last set of greys I had a very picky eater and also one who's tummy was upset on everything. It was so hard and what worked for one wouldn't work for the other.

At the rescue I prepared (in little soufflee cups with little lids) 1 1/2 tablespoons of yogurt with 2 tablespoons of the liquid glucosamine I have to feed JJ for his arthritis and bone spurs. They combined 1 soufflee cup into each dogs food per meal.

I think you said that your baby doesn't eat yogurt??  What varieties have  you tried (lowfat, nonfat. .  .and what brands) also were they all plain??

Thanks! [] I am so glad that I have you to talk to about all this...really helps me a lot! [&:]
 
So, when your pups were at the rescue they were just getting yogurt with their TWO...and their poops were awesome. Now you are mixing in Evanger's with the TWO? How are the poops doing with that?
 
Yes, I have tried yogurt many times. He may or may not take a lick. It is plain...I think just regular fat...he could definitely use some extra weight! [] I think it is Dannon brand? It is just what my mom gets....poor mom I am always going to her house to feed her food to my dog! []
 

Thanks! I am so glad that I have you to talk to about all this...really helps me a lot!

No problem. . .any time!  []  I feel a common bond with you because of our TWO trials starting at the same time and also our mutual quest for firm (but not too wide[] poop)! 

Yogurt poops were great and even since we have been back their mid day feeding is yogurt with the TWO.  We did 6 meals of Evangers 100% chicken since we have been back with totally firm pooh every time. Last night they got plain chicken on the BBQ (they always have to get something when we BBQ. . .they go nuts for the smell!)   and this morning they had crockpotted chicken with collard greens. 

As far as the yogurt goes. . .there is definately a big differenec in terms of taste between some brands. I like to get the Alta Dena when I make fruit smoothies becauseI really like the smooth texture and their vanilla is fantastic. I am absolutely NOT a yogurt fan, but I will eat that brand.   Also, maybe it is the sourness to the yogurt your boy doesn't like?? Perhaps vanilla would be a better option. Assuming you can find one without artificial sweeteners, a tablespoon or less of vanilla would be OK.

Have you tried a little broth? Get a can of low sodium beef broth and warm it and then add in a couple of tablespoons. That will help with keeping the food more moist (since your pup seems to like it more moist versus dry) and the taste is very good.

I would keep him away from chicken and yet feed him what he will eat  and see if that makes a difference. Did you notice any problems with itching while on the fish? Also do you have a crockpot?? 

I PROMISED YOU A PICTURE!! []
 

you must have read my mind because I almost said "next time you go to moms for yogurt. . .get a piccie!" []

Your baby is so cute!  DO I know his name?? I can't remember if you mentioned it before??

Look at those ears standing straight up. . .what a sweetie![]

His name is Max! []
 
His birthday is next Wednesday, October 11th...he will be ONE! []
 
I know...I just love his ears...it was so much fun watching them go up! []

We did 6 meals of Evangers 100% chicken since we have been back with totally firm pooh every time. Last night they got plain chicken on the BBQ (they always have to get something when we BBQ. . .they go nuts for the smell!)   and this morning they had crockpotted chicken with collard greens. 

How much Evanger's do you put in with the kibble?
 
When you feed the plain chicken...do you feed it separately, or with the kibble?

I like to get the Alta Dena when I make fruit smoothies becauseI really like the smooth texture and their vanilla is fantastic.

I will have to see if I can find that brand...can you get it at like Raley's/Bel Air...or a healthfood store?

Did you notice any problems with itching while on the fish?

No problems with the fish whatsoever! [] I did give it to him separately from the kibble though...because he ate his dinner that night and then went to see what the cat was eating. He didn't have any gas, upset stomach, or anything...so that was good. I think I might give him the fish separately one or two nights a week. Not too much...

Also do you have a crockpot??

Nope! I don't really cook either...it's bad I know. I usually just stop by my moms for dinner, or eat on the go. I am not one for cooking...although I can do canned soup and scrambled eggs really well! That takes a lot of talent! [sm=lol.gif]

His birthday is next Wednesday, October 11th...he will be ONE!

I hope it will be a good birfday![sm=party.gif]

I love on the greyhound forum I am on when a pup has a b-day because I have seen the FUNNIEST pictures.[sm=rotfl.gif] A big whipped cream party (fantastic action shots of pups eating whip cream from the can)
I have also seen a bunch of greys all dressed up for the party opening presents, eating cake and the birthday pup got jammies as a present from another greyhound and they dressed him up in them.[sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif] NOTHING CUTIER THAN THAT!!

quote:

We did 6 meals of Evangers 100% chicken since we have been back with totally firm pooh every time. Last night they got plain chicken on the BBQ (they always have to get something when we BBQ. . .they go nuts for the smell!) and this morning they had crockpotted chicken with collard greens.


How much Evanger's do you put in with the kibble?

When you feed the plain chicken...do you feed it separately, or with the kibble?

quote:

I like to get the Alta Dena when I make fruit smoothies becauseI really like the smooth texture and their vanilla is fantastic.


I will have to see if I can find that brand...can you get it at like Raley's/Bel Air...or a healthfood store?

quote:

Did you notice any problems with itching while on the fish?


No problems with the fish whatsoever! I did give it to him separately from the kibble though...because he ate his dinner that night and then went to see what the cat was eating. He didn't have any gas, upset stomach, or anything...so that was good. I think I might give him the fish separately one or two nights a week. Not too much...

quote:

Also do you have a crockpot??


Nope! I don't really cook either...it's bad I know. I usually just stop by my moms for dinner, or eat on the go. I am not one for cooking...although I can do canned soup and scrambled eggs really well! That takes a lot of talent!

OK- so I don't know how you do the whole "quote in sections thing" but to answer your questions:
Whether it is the evangers, crockpotted chicken/beef, yogurt, pumpkin or canned food I ALWAYS mix it in with the kibble and I never add more than 2 tablespoons of the "other ingredients".  I just add in a little something for variety so they don't get sick of the same old kibble every single day.

I get teh yogurt at Henry's or wild oats (like a health food store) but some regular grocery stores carry alta dena dairy product.

I think you should try some fish, but try adding a little into the elk kibble.
Maybe try the broth too.

As far as the crockpot. . .hmm... the holidays are coming so maybe it is time for a $20 crockpot! Or maybe max can get 1 for his b-day! [sm=lol.gif]

Honestly, I just get a bag of frozen chicken and put a couple pieces of chicken into the crockpot with a little bit of mixed spices I pull from the cupboard and add some water and cook on low overnight. The next morning you have fresh chicky that pulls apart easy and lots of good broth.   I do the same thing with beef and just buy whatever the cheapest beef roast is at the time.
It is a good way to add variety if you don't want to feed canned (and much cheaper too)

No wonder you were so grossed out  by the mackeral! []

I get teh yogurt at Henry's or wild oats (like a health food store) but some regular grocery stores carry alta dena dairy product.

OK...I have a Whole Foods Market right by here, so I will see if they have that yogurt. Do you give them yogurt everyday?

I think you should try some fish, but try adding a little into the elk kibble.

I will try that tonight. I will mix the mackerel or sardines (I got some of those too! [:'(])...with the Elk kibble and see how that goes. It has been a week since he has gotten fish.

Honestly, I just get a bag of frozen chicken and put a couple pieces of chicken into the crockpot with a little bit of mixed spices I pull from the cupboard and add some water and cook on low overnight. The next morning you have fresh chicky that pulls apart easy and lots of good broth.   I do the same thing with beef and just buy whatever the cheapest beef roast is at the time. It is a good way to add variety if you don't want to feed canned (and much cheaper too)

I am seriously considering this now...it sounds fairly easy..so maybe even I can figure it out! [] If I do get one, I would love to get your list of spices you put in and then try and do it. I know fresh meats are way better than canned food, anyday! How often do you crockpot for them? So, you feed 3 times a day? Which foods do they get mixed in with the kibble for their morning, noon, night meals? Sorry, I have WAY too many questions! [&:]
 
This is great, because you are going to be rotating with the Ocean Blue...and so am I...so we can share some more great poop experiences on that formula! I like the idea of it being Grain Free! [sm=wink2.gif] I got ahold of Carol and she said she was going to send the pics I sent her of the holey bags to another lady that is going to get it taken care of for me. Hopefully, sooner than later, because I am going to need to order up another bag of Elk here soon.

pssst.
Hey you two, go check out the pics of Ella I posted in the picture sharing forums.
She got a new collar and wanted to show it off to you guys.

pssst.
Hey you two, go check out the pics of Ella I posted in the picture sharing forums.
She got a new collar and wanted to show it off to you guys.

LOVE IT!!! Thanks for letting us know. . .besides I love looking at piccies of sweet ella fitzgerald! []

I will try that tonight. I will mix the mackerel or sardines (I got some of those too! )...with the Elk kibble and see how that goes. It has been a week since he has gotten fish.

Definately let me know tomorrow how the fish mixed in with the kibble went over and how the poops were![]

OK, so this is how I do it:

 7:00 a.m feeding = 1 cup dry kibble with 2 tablespoons of a "mix in" (usually either evangers or whatever I have crockpotted). I also make sure that there is enough liquid in it so that the kibble is moistened (not soaked though). JJ gets liquid glucosamine and I put a littel in Pru's to help keep her joints in good shape.

4:45 p.m. feeding=  1 cup dry kibble with 1 tablespoon yogurt mixed in and a tiny bit of water just to moisten the kibble

9:00 p.m. feeding= 1 cup kibble with whatever my "mix-in" is for the day (eveangers or crockpotted meat).  Then they both get some glucosamine again like their a.m. meal.


I do VERY small amounts of mix in's...that way I don't really have to worry about adding extra calcium. . .ect.  if I am adding more protein. The small amounts I feed in combination with their kibble are just fine and really all I am doing is just giving them some variety to decrease the likelihood that they will get tired of the dry kibble (plus I don't think it is really fair to the pooch to feed the same thing day after day).

you could add in raw meats too, but honestly for me this is much easier and I also don't have to worry about disenfecting everything every time I feed. [:'(]

SO yes, go get a crockpot (can be a small one, since she is just 1 dog).  I crockpot about once a week (each time I make enough for 2-3 days worth of meals) and it only takes me about 3 minutes to get everything in the pot and to start it. I usually do it before I go to bed at night and the funny thing is that when the dogs come downstairs  in the morning and smell the crockpot. . .they RUN into the kitchen and put their noses on the counter smelling the food that they know is theirs! []   I also sometimes add in some frozen collard greens or something for variety. I just toss this in the crockpot with the meat and water.  Since it makes its own broth it is a handy way of cooking for them and VERY cheap compared to canned food at $1.50- $2.00 a can![]

I hope you get your free TWO soon! If you get in a pinch let me know and I will ship you some elk! []   I think I am going to buy a 4 pound bag of Ocean Blue in a week or so and add some in to see how they do. I will need to put in another order in about 2-3 more weeks and if it goes well on the ocean formula I want 1 of my bags to be that one.

 

 

 

Thank you for posting your meal schedule...it really helps me put into perspective what you're doing with their meals. I only feed my pup twice a day though, three times would be nice...but we are gone during the day. I told my mom about the Alta Dena yogurt and she knew exactly what that was...and she can pick me up some at the Whole Foods Market! Yes! [] So, I will get that for probably next week sometime and keep you posted on that.
 
Tonight I went ahead and gave him 3 pieces of canned sardines (in water without salt) to his Elk kibble..they are little pieces, much smaller than the mackerel, so I figured that was a good amount for one meal. The mackerel I will have to split into 2 nightly feedings because they are bigger...don't want to overload! [] He was whining and telling me to hurry up and give him that fish! Then he scarfed it down like there was no tomorrow. I am so happy...I love it when he eats! [&:] Now we will be awaiting the morning poop...I am keeping my fingers tightly crossed. I really want his poops to firm up!
 
I told my mom she needs to get Max a crockpot for his birthday...she said she might have one so she is going to check for me. Yes, I only need a small one cuz it is just for my little man. Since I can't do chicken probably...what meats do you buy? You said beef...what else could I get? Lamb? I have no idea...I never am the one shopping...I would not even know what to look for?! [] When I do get the crockpot I will have to get the specifics (spices, water amount, etc), of course...[8D] I am going to have to get those spices in addition to the meat too because I have nothing like that at my house. More stuff from my mom's house that I will have to take! [] Hey maybe if I start crockpotting for my dog...I will learn how to cook for myself! What a great idea! It's so sad when my friends come over...they open the fridge and say "The only food you have in here is for your dog!!" How bad is that?! He he he....[sm=rofl.gif] 
 
I have no idea when I will get the TWO replacements. Carol said another lady will be getting in contact with me...but I have no idea how long that might take?! So, I might have to order another 16.5lb bag of Elk...or else get the Ocean Blue and wait for the Elk from them? I have so many things I am always thinking about in regards to the dog food! If only we got paid for this...we would be millionaires! []