Dog Community

food troubles

Posted : 1/27/2007 6:54:00 PM

I used to homecook for my dog. It has gotten too expensive and too much for me. So he is currently eating natural balance, wet, duck & potato and beef and rice. I alternate between the two cans. One day duck, one day beef. I just bought Solid Gold, Barking at the Moon. He will get that at night as a snack.

He is biting at his paws, which he did when I homecooked for him, but he seems to be doing it more now. He is allergic to something. I was wondering can I do natural balance duck one day and california natural, wet, salmon the next day and continue with the solid gold at night? That is 3 different brands of dog food? Is that bad? Should I stick with only one can during the day and the solid gold at night? Will he get sick of the duck can if he has it everyday? I have been so stressed over my dog's food. I never thought it would be so difficult to feed a dog.

He is allergic to chicken, turkey, lamb, wheat, barley, flaxseed and peas. I found this out through a blood test, which I know is not accurate, but I stay away from these foods anyway. I don't know what to give him to eat. Which is better, wet or dry? And will he get sick of his food if I stay with the same food twice a day every day and a different food for his snack?

Thanks,
Michelle

shamrockmommy

Posted : 1/27/2007 7:31:41 PM

Don't be so quick to blame it all on foods. Usually dogs with food allergies have environmental allergies as well. What floor cleaner are you using? Carpet powder or shampoo? Lawn treatments?

Allergies are the worst. I have ones with environmental allergies mostly. We do a lot of benedryl or chlorpheneramine as needed.

Misskiwi67

Posted : 1/27/2007 7:46:26 PM

Why so many foods? Try just one food, and that will help you narrow it down much faster. There is no need to mix foods, especially with an allergic dog.

tzu_mom

Posted : 1/27/2007 7:58:47 PM

As Misskiwi mentioned, with an allergic dog, you should start out by using one food---the simpler the formula, the better. Of those mentioned, the one with the least ingredients is the California Natural Salmon/Sweet Potato. I would feed that exclusively for a few months, and see if his troubles go away.

sallya

Posted : 1/27/2007 10:05:24 PM

I agree, try using just one food to see how that works. My allergy dog eats Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato. I give her the same treats. Feed fewer foods and see how that works. Good luck.