Hazz

Lonsdale and Billinghurst also have books on the subject

Ruthless there are many ways of feeding raw diets everyone will have a slightly different method due to what works for their own dogs. Technically grains provide no nutritional benefit, nor do fruit and veg if they are not prepared properly. Also some people can go overboard with the supplementation of vits and mins to the point where many have no benefit to the dogs well being. What I suggest is to do as much research as possible, I advise more books (by actual veterinarians and nutritionists) rather than internet sites and then trial a diet you think will benefit your dog and don't be afraid to ask questions

Thanks Fastgals, that is the reason why I asked. But I can understand how it may aid a delicate stomach

True RedMal that is the very reason us BARFer's puree veg/fruit matter to replicate the eating of the preys stomach. Fastgals - can I ask you the reason you feed rice ???

Kelp is a valuble source of minerals in particular Iodine, Breakdown of Kelp - 15% sodium, 13% potassium, 3% calcium and trace amounts of iodine, manganese, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, zinc, cobalt, chromium and molybdenum. Over feeding kelp as a supplement can be toxic to your dog causing it's thyroid to shutdown. My mix doesn't smell awful at all, I use all human grade ingredients and there's no 'pongy' odour - what particular mince are you using ?

It is a far better choice to buy fresh ingredients and do it yourself providing of course you are able to provide a properly balanced diet to your dog. If not the frozen patties are the next best choice.

Unfortunately any change in your dogs diet (addition of more omega 3/6's and coat supplement) will take at least 3 weeks to show on the outside so will miss your specialty and royal but will work for future shows The coat preparations, particulary the rinse PF suggested will work very nicely

Anyone know any general supps that don't include kelp ?

Yep we have them too

Very interesting Nadia, although does not surprise me at all Great vet you have there

I'm fairly certain that the 'other' heartworm vac was tested and approved also, it killed a fair number of dogs before it was taken off the shelves. Edited to add: I agree nothing is fail safe, every owner has to make their own decision of whats right for their pet. What gets up my goat is the countless vets giving the vaccine without providing the owner with the pro's and con's of doing so nor outlining other available options.

Our dogs are on monthly treatment You have to think about how this treatment would effect your dog later in life, by consistently being exposed to the 'chemical' in such high level in order to cover for an entire year - you have to wonder what effect this would have on the dogs system.

As above I do both, you need a certain level of obedience to exceed in agility and really the more control you have the better especially with a fast/independent dog

We switched over to BARF from a premium quality kibble and the results have been amazing, I'll never touch commercial food again. Don't let people bager you with inaccurate information, if your pup is happy and healthy on your current diet then there is no need to change it.

Any responsible and registered breeder will not allow a puppy to leave prior to 8 weeks. As what's been said above I would be finding a more suitable (registered and responsible, prehaps look on the DOL breed pages) breeder to buy a puppy from that cares about their puppy's well being not the $$$

Paps are renowned for it, male and female. Desexing can help.

Get your hands on some of the BARF books (BARF diet, Give your dog a bone) they are a world of knowledge and great info when starting out. I feed Roo but it is very lean and dogs do need a certain amount of fat in their diet hence I also feed chicken and beef and an assortment of different bones (roo/chicken/ox/pork etc) - variety is the spice of life

Although I'm not Nekhbet , unfortunately there's no charts to be able to say what weight a specific breed should be at a specific time. I believe you should be able to easily feel the ribs by running your hands along her sides but not be able to see nor count them.

Is it reccommended by the producer of this product to use kibble in conjuction with the product or are your dogs not eating it ?

Hi Dan, I *think* the 'elimination diet' was to rid the toxins out of her body (from eating the foods she's allergic to) also this was suggested by my normal vet. Also to avoid contact with the other allergens. I'm really at a loss as what really to do, the vet has said to put her on this diet for 4weeks to see if there is improvement but really she can't be on the diet forever I've PMed you the list of the things she's allergic to.

Interesting, I got my test results back and she has both contact (atopic ?) and food allergies, with only the elimination diet suggested at present. Just thought I'd add the test was done via her blood which like Spike's was also sent to the US for testing. What do you do with a dog allergic to so many different things ? what should be done first ?

Are the vaccines the only way to go properly ? I recently had a test done on one of my girls, and the first course of action the vet has suggested is an elimination diet (meat/bone based - of the meats she's not allergic too of course ) and trying to keep away/contact from other allergens. She's also on an antihistimine (25mg twice daily), 3000mg eveing primrose oil (the same with fish oil) and has Panolog cream twice/once daily for her bumps/sores. edit: Sorry to hi-jack your thread Spikey

Rice, pasta etc (grains) in my opinion is useless nutritionally but many people use it as a 'filler'. Fruit and veg (if pulped to the point that the cellulose in the cell wall is broken) can provide your dog with essential vitamins, instead of having to add 'chemical' vitamins in powder form. grating and chopping fruit/veg is a useless exercise as the dogs body can not break down the cellulose which forms the cell wall in plant matter. Also cooking fruit/veg/meat also makes the feeding of the home diet is not worth the effort as enzymes are denatured at 40 degrees thus rendering the products nutritionally useless your your dog. edited to add: I agree with Pax make sure you've wormed her with a all wormer tablet rather than a puppy suspension

As Pandii suggested do a search on BARF and you find loads of info, if your feeding dry, try to get a good quality food specifically formulated for large breed puppies

Agree with Mickatie, try dampening it and mixing in some mince, yogurt if she likes it. BBQ chicken mixed through the meat can entice a stubborn dog too