Rc Maxi Junior

[Steph M]

Anyone else had a similar reaction?

I don't really like the stuff and would like to have Gus off it sooner rather than later, and he's almost through the bag!

His poops are firm and fine, he's in really good shape, growing well and gaining weight but just itches, mainly overnight between pees. The bedding has been washed (in the machine with just apple cider vinegar and popped in the dryer with no softener/dryer sheets or anything, just in case) and the laundry doesn't house any chemicals or anything, the washing powder is even in a sealed tub.

I did notice last night he has faint dandruff, and the vet suggested it could also be the indoor heating making him itch.

Anyone else have a similar?

I know it's trial and error but what change worked for you guys?

He has a lot of meat, some bones, sardine and egg once a week.

We'll cut down the dry to just one meal a day eventually, ideally less, but speaking practically one would work.

Poor little bean, might give him an oatmeal bath tonight and see how that goes too.

[LisaCC]

I haven't fed that food before, but perhaps look at the ingredients carefully and try a food with different ingredients. Perhaps it's a food sensitivity

[cassie]

Could it be the grass or something else in his environment? Are Flatcoats prone to skin issues?

[Diva]

If he is almost through the bag and has just started itching it doesn't sound that likely it's the food. One of mine doesn't do well on RC, but I have many friends who swear by it. I would check really closely for flea dirt, especially around his tail, cut out any treat type foods you are feeding, get him out of the heated house as much as possible, add a fish oil or omega 3 supplement to his diet, and wash him with something very gentle, even the Calendula tea recommended on here sometimes. Is he changing his coat? If so a good bath and blow dry to get rid of the old coat. Also check your garden for any of the common plants that cause allergies - wandering jew etc. If it is the food you will soon find out when he finshes the bag, but it is often not.

Edited June 24, 2013 by Diva

[Steph M]

Well he itched a little from day dot really, so it could be food or environmental, but the food would be the easiest to change as a test and rule that out.

I've checked him and the cats for fleas, went over them with a fine toothed comb, literally, under chins, bums and ears especially and found nothing, then treated them all with a spot on just in case.

He has his sardines, but will add fish oil to his tea too.

I could well be wrong, but you never know really.

[aliwake]

Does his skin seem irritated at all?

He sounds very like Nixon - he spends ages grroming and scratching, and it's most noticeable after evening toilet trips cos you can hear everything when trying to get back to sleep...

Nixon's skin seems fine though, so I'm tempted to think he's just a fussy groomer. So hard to know...

Nixon's on Eukanuba, but doesn't seem to like it much. I'm actually considering trying the RC when this bag has finished. Does Gus like it?!

Nixon does look very healthy on the Eukanuba though. His poos aren't always the greatest, but he's had a lot of other tummy upsets that are likely responsible. Have been much better since giving him yoghurt.

[Steph M]

That's exactly the same. He's not red or anything noticeable, just always scratching and chewing himself. Poor bean.

He doesn't LOVE it, he will eat it, but much rathers it with some yoghurt and drags his heels if it's plain dry, could just be relishing not having any competition though. Haha.

I'm not sure what to try next though.

[Steph M]

Maybe Artemis. Looks good!

[aliwake]

Nixon's the same with the Eukanuba - he only gets excited if it's in a kong, but if I give him some in a bowl he'll stare at it for a while and eventually cave and start eating - and he's a lab!! Not what I expected at all....

I usually give the yoghurt after, cos I'm sure he's more than capable of eating all the yoghurt from around the kibble, and refusing to eat the kibble at all!

We're getting close to the end of a bag now, and I'm thinking of trying the RC lab junior, or maybe Advance? Have read a few recommendations for advance on here. They all have joint support which is what I'm most concerned with. I'd just feel a lot better if he actually liked it...

Re the scratching, I know Nixon has lost most of his puppy fur now, and for a while I think all the extra grooming was to help get rid of the old coat, so maybe Gus is in the same situation?

[Steph M]

Hahaha, I know! I see him wolf most other things, but his 'cereal'? No interest. He'd much rather get at the cats breakie (or litter tray )

All this legendary retriever appetite, we got the duds!

Can't hurt to try some! I know it is down to what they do best on, so trial and error! I'm almost settled on the Artemis next, just sounds more wholesome, though we will see! I could spend a bomb and he could well turn his nose up.

I don't know about the fur, that could be it. A good bath and brush might make some difference.

[aliwake]

Don't tell me Gus eats poo too?!!!

Nixon has been obsessed with possum poo from day 1, and now occasionally nibblies on his own So so so so so so gross! And yes, he likes it all more than his kibble!

The Artemis did look good - I didn't see any specific mention of glucosamine or chondroitin though? The way Nixon slides around on our timber floors I think his joints will need as much help as they can get...

[Diva]

Don't spend a bomb, ask for a sample to test his acceptance. Or if you do buy something like Artemis and he doesn't like it, take it back. Most of the'super premiums' will refund under those circumstances, no need to be out of pocket.

[aliwake]

Don't spend a bomb, ask for a sample to test his acceptance. Or if you do buy something like Artemis and he doesn't like it, take it back. Most of the'super premiums' will refund under those circumstances, no need to be out of pocket.

I've heard that. I was tempted to try it for our big bag of Eukanuba, but it says to return to place of purchase, and I couldn't find my receipt... typical. Will be putting the next receipt straight into the dog folder.

I think I will have trouble transitioning if he likes the new food - he's just going to eat around the old stuff :)

[Steph M]

Don't tell me Gus eats poo too?!!!

Nixon has been obsessed with possum poo from day 1, and now occasionally nibblies on his own So so so so so so gross! And yes, he likes it all more than his kibble!

The Artemis did look good - I didn't see any specific mention of glucosamine or chondroitin though? The way Nixon slides around on our timber floors I think his joints will need as much help as they can get...

He LOVES the cat poo. Rarely gets it now (perhaps is itching from withdrawal?) but every now and then he snaffles a good one. We thought he had stood in it and was banished from the couch and we were mystified cause we couldn't see any poop, til he kissed Brooke and we found out where the foul smell was coming from.

I hear you can feed them pineapple to make it less appealing, Gus will take a chomp of his own too now and then, he is not popular those days. He did it at his own puppy warming. Oh the shame!

We have no possum poo, but bird poo is a winner, and mum's dogs are possum poo fans, I am thankful we don't get many!

Doesn't it make you feel good to spend hours researching optimum food when they're just as happy eating poop.

I thought that too, but I can add glucosamine or something similar, our timber floors get a hiding too, and he bounds up the (admittedly low) single step to the yard, much to my disapproval.

How do you 'minimise strenuous activity' in a 10 week old puppy? Short of sedation...

[Steph M]

Don't spend a bomb, ask for a sample to test his acceptance. Or if you do buy something like Artemis and he doesn't like it, take it back. Most of the'super premiums' will refund under those circumstances, no need to be out of pocket.

Oh I tend to just drop it off to shelters, no biggie! We've been through fussy cats and GAWS benefit greatly from their pickiness.

Consider it raising a charitable puppy. Haha. I'm sure he will eat it regardless though.

As we've discussed, his tastes are pretty lowbrow.

[aliwake]

I feel so much better sharing the shame of having a poo eater! I am half hoping a different food might make his poo less appetising. He only started doing it after a stay at the vets - so maybe he thought he'd clean up after himself and discovered a taste for it?!

We set up a ramp for Nixon for the verandah steps when he was as small as Gus, and he loved walking down it. Was happier bounding up again, but I think it was definitely better for his joints. Just used some spare fence palings we had lying around. It was so funny watching him freak out and learn to walk down steps once he was bigger and I took the ramp away.

I keep his nails really short so he slides around inside like crazy, and his legs seem to go everywhere. I cringe watching it, and just have to hope we're not causing too much damage. If I thought he wouldn't chew them off I'd get him some of those non slip socks to wear inside.

[Salukifan]

Well he itched a little from day dot really, so it could be food or environmental, but the food would be the easiest to change as a test and rule that out.

I've checked him and the cats for fleas, went over them with a fine toothed comb, literally, under chins, bums and ears especially and found nothing, then treated them all with a spot on just in case.

He has his sardines, but will add fish oil to his tea too.

I could well be wrong, but you never know really.

Given that Day Dot was less than a week ago, I'd be hesitant to diagnose a food allergy. Have you raised your concerns with his breeder?

A scurfy coat can be a sign of stress - and he's been through a big upheaval coming to his new home.

Talk to his breeder. If he was raised on RC without issues, my guess is that this is not a food issue. Have a good look at the overallo balance in his diet. If you say you are feeding a lot of meat without bone, this is not good for a growing pup as it will create a calcium imbalance. Feed meat on the bone or the kibble.

Another reason for his lack of interest in kibble is perhaps you are feeding him too much? Do you add the sardines to his kibble?

The brand you feed is entirely up to you but if you change, discuss it with his breeder. If she's raising happy healthy pups on this food, think carefully. If the Artemis you are thinking about feeding is grain free, rethink that. A kibble with about 40% protein is unsuitable for a growing pup.

Resist the urge to wash him constantly or add more chemicals to his skin - its just overloading what may be a sensitive system.

FYI, I think one of your pups littermates may be with a friend of mine here in Canberra. :)

Edited June 25, 2013 by Haredown Whippets

[Steph M]

Well he itched a little from day dot really, so it could be food or environmental, but the food would be the easiest to change as a test and rule that out.

I've checked him and the cats for fleas, went over them with a fine toothed comb, literally, under chins, bums and ears especially and found nothing, then treated them all with a spot on just in case.

He has his sardines, but will add fish oil to his tea too.

I could well be wrong, but you never know really.

Given that Day Dot was less than a week ago, I'd be hesitant to diagnose a food allergy. Have you raised your concerns with his breeder?

A scurfy coat can be a sign of stress - and he's been through a big upheaval coming to his new home.

Talk to his breeder. If he was raised on RC without issues, my guess is that this is not a food issue. Have a good look at the overallo balance in his diet. If you say you are feeding a lot of meat without bone, this is not good for a growing pup as it will create a calcium imbalance. Feed meat on the bone or the kibble.

Another reason for his lack of interest in kibble is perhaps you are feeding him too much? Do you add the sardines to his kibble?

The brand you feed is entirely up to you but if you change, discuss it with his breeder. If she's raising happy healthy pups on this food, think carefully. If the Artemis you are thinking about feeding is grain free, rethink that. A kibble with about 40% protein is unsuitable for a growing pup.

Resist the urge to wash him constantly or add more chemicals to his skin - its just overloading what may be a sensitive system.

FYI, I think one of your pups littermates may be with a friend of mine here in Canberra. :)

It's been almost 3 weeks, and it's got to be something. The food is one I can easily check and change.

I don't want him uncomfortable, nor do I want it to become a 'thing'

Plus I'd like to move away from the RC regardless, on my own personal preference.

I did read that about the grain free, and will have a chat to the vet first, but the puppy one does have Whole Brown Rice, Pearled Barley, White Rice, Oatmeal, and Millet. So do feel like that's a start, but a chat to his breeder and vet is in order first off, of course.

I have to sit down and pop her an email tonight, haven't had much in the way of time this week, unfortunately!

Just testing the waters here seeing if anyone else HAD had any issues with RC, trying to rule as much out as we can!

He's only had 2 baths, one afer the plane (for obvious reasons) and the other before puppy school after he took a mud bath, so happy to leave the bath but if it might help to find something neutral and give him a tub we can do that, but yeah, just as happy to leave it. It's a bit of a battle. Haha.

His coat is pretty good, it's shiny and healthy, but he's just a bit itchy and flaky. He isn't dull or anything that might tell.

Also, he has meat on bones. Lots of meaty marrow bones and chicken wings/necks and meaty soup bones. Don't give him much off the bone, though he did have chicken hearts the other night, but majority is on the bone.

I think so! I know one is in Canberra!

Little girl?

[Salukifan]

I've asked the owner of the pup here what she's feeding and will report back. He's a male. Is your pup from Skyehaven?

But littermates can be different!

Problem with black dogs is any amount of scurf is obvious but it could be the heating.

There are plenty of good brands of food and frankly, if your dog doesn't mind, I dont' think it hurts to change it up a bit. Proplan is another popular brand amongst folk I know. Don't let the vet talk you into Hills Science - its rubbish.

I've got one dog who won't eat anything BUT Royal Canin. I raised my 2 youngest on RC and have dogs ranging up to nearly 16 years old on it.

Edited June 25, 2013 by Haredown Whippets

[Steph M]

I've asked the owner of the pup here what she's feeding and will report back. He's a male. Is your pup from Skyehaven?

But littermates can be different!

Problem with black dogs is any amount of scurf is obvious but it could be the heating.

There are plenty of good brands of food and frankly, if your dog doesn't mind, I dont' think it hurts to change it up a bit. Proplan is another popular brand amongst folk I know. Don't let the vet talk you into Hills Science - its rubbish.

I've got one dog who won't eat anything BUT Royal Canin. I raised my youngest on RC and have dogs ranging up to nearly 16 years old on it.

He is! I thought a little girl went to canberra, dare I ask the puppy's name? ;)

That's it, and I am hoping it is just heating. We turned his laundry duct off and replaced it with a hot water bottle, I've enforced lunch time outside for an hour or so (puppy and boyfriend could use their vitamin d) and told Brooke to put a dang jumper on instead of putting the heater on. Haha. There's no lose there even if it isn't the cause. The power bills will thank him.

Yeah, some variety won't hurt him, he's a bit of a glutton lately so may as well make it interesting.

I get a bit uncomfortable when the vet pushes ANY food on you. Always feels fishy. I agree on the Hills though, ick.

Our cats are really funny too, one will eat anything, the other will eat one flavour of the fussy cat grain free from the shops, I ran short one night so grabbed that and he won't bother with anything but now. Little monster!