Trying a new food
I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has given us advice about what to do for Murphy's allergies. We have decided to take your advice and go food shopping for Murphy. I had been doing research on grain-free and trying to find different places that carry Canidae, we found an Ag center that said they did, but they didn't have the flavor we were looking for. We have not only decided to go grain-free, but also to eliminate Chicken and to look for a food that has Salmon or other fish, just until we figure out what the problem is. So, they suggested Taste of the Wild and they have tons of flavor choices which is a huge plus. We looked over the ingredients and it sounded great. All natural fish, fruits and vegetables are all included. No sign of grain, in fact it even says grain free on the bag. They were so helpful at that store. We mixed half a cup of his old food and half a cup of his new food to try and introduce it to him and to try and finish his old food. There isn't much of that left anyway. The price was really good too for a 30 lb bag, but I think a big part of that was because we went to an Ag store instead of going to a place like Petco which is where we used to go for food. We were buying a 17.5 lb bag of Nutro for $40 and we spent only $45 on a 30 lb. bag of Taste of the Wild at the Ag store. So, we'd be foolish to go anywhere else. I like to support the local stores anyway.
He seemed to really enjoy his new food. He had no problem eating it up. In fact, sometimes he'll dig in his bowl after he's finished. Like, he's searching for more. He hadn't gone number 2 at all until this morning about an hour ago, but when he did it was more solid than it had been, which is great news because he had been having very loose, nasty soft stools. I'm sure you get the idea. That isn't too much fun for us either because we bag his poop and put it in the garbage can outside. Some people might think its weird that we do that, but its convenient for us so we don't accidentally step into it and track it inside.
I know it can take awhile to see any results. I have been told it can take up to 3 weeks for this new food to take effect. I just hope that this is the solution.
He seemed to really enjoy his new food. He had no problem eating it up. In fact, sometimes he'll dig in his bowl after he's finished. Like, he's searching for more. He hadn't gone number 2 at all until this morning about an hour ago, but when he did it was more solid than it had been, which is great news because he had been having very loose, nasty soft stools. I'm sure you get the idea. That isn't too much fun for us either because we bag his poop and put it in the garbage can outside. Some people might think its weird that we do that, but its convenient for us so we don't accidentally step into it and track it inside.
I know it can take awhile to see any results. I have been told it can take up to 3 weeks for this new food to take effect. I just hope that this is the solution.
Comment
-
Comment by Judi, Dawn, Soffie & Griffyn on February 24, 2010 at 3:35pm
-
Sounds like you're on the right track. And I know lots of folks promote the "ease the food in routine" but, I just want to say that both Soffie and Griffyn, easily transitioned from one kind of food to another with no side effects at all. First when we switched them from Iams to another brand that we later found out wasn't much better. And then from that brand to EVO and from that to Wellness which is what they still eat. So... as with us all it's individual, but I think transitioning until the old food is gone, however long that takes, should be enough time. Just be sure to give the new food enough time to start to show it's benefits!
We wish you success for Murphy's sake!! : )
-
Comment by Sky and Lyla on February 24, 2010 at 1:43pm
-
If that does not make the itchies go away, check into mange treatments. My Aussie was itchy for almost 2 years (his entire life) and I thought it was food, but it ended up being mange. After 3 vets, and 2 skin scraping that kept coming back negative, we decided to treat for mange anyway, and for the first time in his life he is not itchy!
-
Comment by Jane Christensen on February 24, 2010 at 12:46pm
-
I have fed my dogs this and also the salmon Premium Edge...they are made by the same company and I know some people on here have some concerns about it BUT I have to say that even though I switched to Canidea...my dogs all thrived on Premium Edge and Taste of the Wild. Their coats and skin are beautiful with the salmon! When I switched to chicken they did start itching! My cats are still on these 2 as they puke on everything else. I don't regret using this food! Good luck ...I hope it works as well as it did for mine and it will even take longer for his coat but it will improve!
-
Comment by Beth on February 24, 2010 at 12:07pm
-
Sounds promising! I would still ease the switch in over a week or 10 days, even though the old food makes him itch, just to make sure the jump isn't too much for him. Sounds like you got a good price too! A woman I know who does rescue feeds Taste of the WIld.
Keep us posted on his itching. You are right, it can take some time, because the inflammation has to subside and that takes awhile sometimes even if the source of the allergy is removed. Jack had loose stools on one food after being fine on it for a year, and when we switched to a different protein and grain source in the same line, his stools firmed right up.
Good luck!
-
Comment by Alice on February 24, 2010 at 12:03pm
-
Finn had the same problem. He had loose stools for over a month and was treated for various things but nothing helped. Finally the vet said to switch his food because it may be that he had developed a chicken intolerance or has an allergy to some other ingredient.
After much research we switched him to Natural Balance Duck and Potato. Most of their foods are grain free, limited ingredient diets and ideal for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs. I didn't mix the food because he was already having digestive upset and I didn't want to keep him on the old food if that's what was causing it. I saw results the first time he pooped and it only got better from there. We've stuck with Natural Balance every since but he's now eating the Sweet Potato and Venison formula just to switch it up a little and avoid having him develop an intolerance to any more proteins.
-
Comment by Lisa B on February 24, 2010 at 11:21am
-
Check out Dick vaPatten's Natural Balance at Petco it worked for my corgis allergys. you will get softer stool at first but it firms up after bit and had the very best response and uses all non typical meats and vegtables. A friend of mine just recieved a seeing eye dog and the facility only uses Natural Balance and recommends it to all who the dogs are placed with. I tried Canidae also ubt natural Balance worked quickly and they like it. I use the duck and sweet potato. They do have a salmon but he smelled a little fishy on it and the vension gave him a strong venison smell also. Hope yoou get it resolved!
-
Comment by Nicola Porter on February 24, 2010 at 10:31am
-
Sometimes DH has picked a different food because our usual wasn't on the shelf. Same brand (pedigree). LO itches on that one but not on the regular one, so for some itchyness it can be the food.
Rescue Store
Stay Connected
FDA Recall
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Recall
Groups
We support...
Badge
© 2024 Created by Sam Tsang.
Powered by
You need to be a member of MyCorgi.com to add comments!
Join MyCorgi.com