What's everyone doing with their allergy/IBS dogs??

I don't have a dog with IBS or severe allergies, but Ella does have stool issues at times. Like I've said, no squirts or anything, but she can have rather large stools that are soft.
I know I'm sticking with T.O. Ocean Blue. But I think you've said that that food has some ingredients in it that Willow is sensitive to, or something like that.


Have you thought about possibly doing a consult with Monica Segal for homecooking? I don't know how you feel about her ideas, but I'm sure she's helped dogs with IBS before and made diets for them. I do believe, though, that her consults are rather expensive. That's why I'm just getting some booklets for now. I cannot afford Monica's time[].

I was going to put Ella on Eagle Pack, but until we're sure of all the food recalls (which will probably be far from now), I feel best just using Ocean Blue, as it's grain-free, and just adding homecooked with rice in it as a kibble topper.

Lori,
 
I am not trusting NB right now, so even though I asked about homecooking, it's only in thinking mode right now.  I'm just afraid it won't be balanced right.  I'm going to try Evanger's.  I'm actually going to the store now.  Jake, as you know, is a highly allergic dog.  If he doesn't like the Evanger's, I'm going with the Hill's prescription z/d diet for now.

I've had my current bag for awhile.  Does anyone know how long symptoms would take to show up?

I'm thinking maybe I'll finish this bag then go to homecooked until this blows over and then go back.  Just not sure what to do???? 
 
I've homecooked before and stopped because as great as it is it just doesn't fit well into my lifestyle.  I can cook toppings fine but to worry about whole meals is difficult.  And, also she can't tolerate a variety of foods which is really necessary for good balance over time. 

  I trust Eagle Pack and the Holistic formulas don't have any grain fractions. From an e-mail John sent to Dyan;
  All our grains are domestic.
 
We are EU Certified, which means you must have ingredient source [color=#000000]tracebility; and we do. [/color]
 
AND  we have tested everything.
 
  They make their own dry foods in their own APHIS inspected plant; I think they're as safe as a dry food can be. At the moment though, I'm transitioning Jessie to California Natural Lamb and Rice. She's been doing very good except for her ears being itchy and my veterinary dermatolgist wants me to try a food without chicken fat because she thinks dogs can react to a fat that's from the same source as a protein they're allergic to. Natura also makes their own dry food and is APHIS certified. The canned food issue hasn't been much of a concern because about the only ones Jessie can have are the all meat varieties like EVO and Nature's Variety becasue of her food allergies. I do cook most of her kibble toppers though and she won't be getting any canned food until this horrible mess is straightened out.

I'm doing one meal of kibble (one of the Natura products) and one meal of home-cooked, both for my allergy dog and my "normal" one.
 
I like learning about home-cooking, and knowing I can do it full-time if necessary.  The kibble meal helps out with the cost, and I feel like it gives me a little leeway in not having to worry about getting the home-cooked balanced just perfectly.
 
So far I haven't found any reason not to trust Natura's kibble.

Have you ever checked into this?  It will cause itchy skin and stomach problems.

http://www.dogstuff.info/candida_albicans_arndt.html

I give this to my dogs. But I don't order it online.  I get it from the health food store.

http://www.potentherbs.com/shop/primadophilus-naturesway.html

Pardon me for asking a dumb question, but what does IBS stand for?  I'm getting rid of my Nutro kibble even though it has not been recalled.  I'm just not sure how much I can trust them right now.  I did order some Evanger's pheasant and rice kibble so we'll see how Spirit takes to that.  Darnit though I wish I could feed raw sometimes.  In two weeks I'm going to be fridge/feezerless so won't have anyplace to store food for him.  I have to rely on kibble/canned.

IBS = Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It can be hard to nail own the causes or triggers for maany dogs (and people!). Usualy symtoms are diarrhea, gas, bloating and I think vomiting.

Eukaneuba Kangaroo and Oats is still the diet of choice in my house...

I haven't been keeping the itchies under control recently though, even with a recent set of antibiotics and malaseb wipes. I really hope I don't have to re-do his allergy tests...

ORIGINAL: willowchow

Are you all sticking it out with the foods that have been working for you?  Or, going to homecooked?

I wasn't given a choice, being that the only dry food that worked for us was recalled. I found the closest possible thing that I could get locally that day (Eagle Pack Lamb) and now that I have something to get us through I'm searching for something more like what they were on - simple - without all the added stuff. Mostly I've been feeding By Nature Organics Turkey canned with rice and just a tiny amount of kibble at a time to see if it's going to cause any problems.

Does anyone know how long symptoms would take to show up?

The vet talked me out of having the four of mine tested because they weren't showing symptoms. The vet said illness that they've been seeing has been sudden and acute. I'm still not comfortable with that though, and may have the tests done anyway for my piece of mind.

I'm getting rid of my Nutro kibble even though it has not been recalled.  I'm just not sure how much I can trust them right now.

A couple of months ago my mom switched from Science Diet to Nutro. She e-mailed them with some questions about this recall, they replied with a cut & paste letter, which said they had tested all their products. That was just a so-so response BUT then they followed up by calling her to see if she had any other questions or concerns. I was impressed.

I am finally FINISHED with processed food....I am so tired of the lies of SO many good food companies.
Trudy is doing great on the fresh Salmon I cook for her. I also make a dish with sweet pot. and many veggies. Beans too. I give her yogurt and  fruit also. Her allergies are to chicken and grain. I just do not use those.
 
My food was still not on the list of recalls, but I can't keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. It was really getting me too anxious. My hubby and I talked about it. We will home cook at least until this is all settled. Then I might add kibble again like I had been. For now, I am cooking and Trudy is very happy with her meals!
 
I just keep learning all I can... 

Sassy is doing better right now than she has in many months.  I'm not rattling the cage and making any changes from the NB Duck & Potato.  The consequences if I did might be worse for her. 

Lori--
 
If you are thinking of making a kibble switch (I know Willow is on NB Fish), would you consider Solid Gold Barking at the Moon?----It's a salmon and beef based food with potato---I'm not sure if there are too many other ingredients she might react to though--just a thought.

I had just started cooking for Beauty when the first recall was announced.  My plan was to eventually find some commercial foods she can tolerate and rotate them, along with homecooking. At this point I don't feel like I can trust ANY pet food company though.  I am just going to keep making her food, and keep a few cans of salmon or sardines for emergencies.