Hill's z/d

Thanks everyone for all the replies.  They've been helpful.  I really appreciate it.

By the way, I learned she doesn't have any new food allergies (as if chicken, salmon, potatoes, and brewers yeast aren't enough). It seems it was just a very bad allergy season last fall.

Oh my word, I was very ill last summer into early fall.  That was when Ben came down with RMSF too, so there's certainly a connection.  We are gearing up for pollen season, can't wait.  Not.  Wow, I'm so glad Ben's not allergic to salmon, I don't know what I'd do.  Invest in an anchovy cannery, I guess.  Knock on wood. 

brookcove

, I'm so glad Ben's not allergic to salmon, I don't know what I'd do.  Invest in an anchovy cannery, I guess.  Knock on woodI

   Doesn't he have more food allergies than Jessie? I hope he doesn't develop an allergy to it. She was on the Eagle Pack fish formula for about a year, which has salmon, so that's how she became allergic to it. I rotate her foods every few months now, hoping to prevent her from developing new food allergies. Sorry to hear your allergies are so bad. Not a good thing since you have to work outside a lot.
 

willowchow

Thanks everyone for all the replies.  They've been helpful.  I really appreciate it.

  It should be safe for Willow. It was my veterinary dermatologist that recommended it. If you read the ingredients, it's spooky and you wonder how it can be palatable and have nutritional value, but Jessie loved the taste of it and did very well. It is very expensive though.
 

Ben's allergic to chicken and eggs but the allergies are very, very severe.  He's somewhat less allergic to grains, including rice, and soy - they will make him sick but not as fast and I usually get some warning like an overnight outbreak of hotspots/hives.  And he's moderately allergic to duck and turkey now, including their eggs.  Finally, he's mildly sensitive to venison, bison, and beef - but not to the extent that it makes him sick - he just doesn't look or do that great on them when I feed them raw.  In reaction to the cooked version of these meats, he breaks out in hotspots.  That makes him allergic to a really wide spectrum of commercial products. 

He's also very slightly allergic or sensitive to a bizarre list of odds and ends like tomato, flax, tapioca, sweet potato, dairy products, spinach, rosemary, and several other herbs that I've lost track of because I just never feed him anything anymore that's not straightforward.

Fish is OK though.  Like I said, I'd despair if I didn't have fish to fall back on with him. 

I can relate, just the chicken allergy alone severely limits your commercial options. 

I have an acquaintance with a Sheltie who has severe allergies to many things (it's not a matter of being allergic to chicken, thus using a duck/potato formula, the dog is allergic to almost anything).  They use the z/d b/c it's really all he can eat.  I don't think they like having to use some of the ingredients or use Science Diet but for allergies as severe as his there aren't many choices and he looks/acts just fine on this food. 

Liesje

I have an acquaintance with a Sheltie who has severe allergies to many things (it's not a matter of being allergic to chicken, thus using a duck/potato formula, the dog is allergic to almost anything).  They use the z/d b/c it's really all he can eat.  I don't think they like having to use some of the ingredients or use Science Diet but for allergies as severe as his there aren't many choices and he looks/acts just fine on this food. 

I think that's the most important thing to keep in mind.  There are strong opinions about almost all commercial foods and their ingredients.  But when you've tried so many different things, your animal continues to suffer, and then you find something that works, you want to fall on your knees in thanks.  It might not be "optimal" and it's easy for people who have less severe problems (or stronger opinions) to judge, but in the end, you have to do what you feel comfortable with and what works for your dog.  It's great if you can homecook and research every ingredient listed on a label, etc. but sometimes you just want to be able to feed your dog, have it enjoy a decent quality of life, and not develop a PhD level of knowledge about dog food!     With my Airedale, I put him on something (from Science Diet, again) that worked and never thought twice about it.  He had a good quality of life and I was happy.  I'm putting more time and effort into my current dogs' diet, but both still include prescription kibbles and if it has to stay that way, oh well.  They're doing well, they're more comfortable, and again, I'm happy.  Screw the critics! 

I wonder how many dogs are WORSE off be ause owners are always listening when told their food is crap, their dogs can't be doing well on it, etc and they keep switching around instead of with a food that has been working just great for their dog.  i agree 100%,  Go with what works for you dog and ignore all the bad comments about that food--no matter what the brand, high, middle or low end.

Oh, this is frustrating.  She will eat the canned z/d but WITH the homecooked.  I think that defeats the purpose of using it at all.  Or maybe I should just give it to her like that for now??  I don't know.  I can't stand arguing with her over eating either. 

Edited--I think I may have found a way.  I froze the canned z/d in an ice cube tray so she can eat it frozen like a treat.  I will be really happy if this works out.   

 That's great! Whatever works!  I have stuffed the canned food into a Kong and frozen it also.  Woobie will scarf up the canned no problem but sometimes he's a bit "meh" about the dry.

I've never even seen the canned. What is it like? I ask because... you know, allergy dog and all. That might end up being what we have to do in the future. It's probably not got the nasty stuff the dry has, right? 

 I'm not sure the ingredients are different (haven't checked) but the canned is like a solid grey/brown gelatinous goo.  Think canned cranberry sauce.  It doesn't smell as good as the dry either.  I have to chunk it up with a knife.  It must taste pretty good, Woobie has never refused it, like he sometimes does even with salmon!

That sounds gross, LOL! Emma loooves the Z/D dry, but she does not tolerate much dry, at all. Too much makes her tummy go *boom!*. 

Update!  I'm lovin' life. . .she's eating the frozen z/d like it's ice-cream, YES!!!  She's going to be on daily medication for a short while longer though.  And, she's going to get bland homecooking also, not just the z/d.  It's really not much of a change as far as what I have to buy because she always had canned food with homecooked anyway.  So, now it will just be the z/d instead of anything else.

She's feeling well though, we hiked three miles today.  And, she got brushed on the deck because it was so nice out.  She's sleeping well while DH and I do stuff and come in and out.  I think she's fine.