Can anyone help with a dog with a possible food allergy?

[Weeg]

I would do a lot more research first before just diving into anything. That recipe works for her but it may not work for you or even be the best thing. I would continue to look into the various raw options out there as well as the various kibbles and any treats and environmental factors. This is not something that should just be done impulsively. Listen to the advice and suggestions people are giving and then use that to continue your own research. Do not just jump into something. I do not mean this to be mean at all but you seem to be jumping around a lot whenever anybody suggests anything. Oh I’m going to try this no wait I’m going to try yours instead, etc. You do not have to agree with everybody or try everything. Just continue to research and then do what is best for your dog, which may not necessarily be what people have suggested.

You have a good point. I have never done this before so I am trying to look at everyone's advice! I will do more research and figure out what works best. Thank you!

 

[TwoCrows]

Definitely change the feed very slowly over a 30 day period. If you go too fast they can get diarrhea, constipation, nausea, etc...

 

[Weeg]

Definitely change the feed very slowly over a 30 day period. If you go too fast they can get diarrhea, constipation, nausea, etc...

Yes, we have plenty of Iam's left so we will integrate it slowly.

 

[clickchicks]

Had to do some digging, but here's one of the recipes I've used in the past. Preface: I spent weeks pouring over spreadsheets and nutritional info to balance this diet. I created it as a "sole" diet, meaning I would not be feeding anything else other than this. A core concept for raw is balance over time, meaning feeding a large variety of different foods over time to get all of your dog's nutritional needs. However, sometimes variety is hard to achieve or you need to feed a limited diet, which is why I went through all this trouble in the first place.

1 chicken leg quarter (weighing aprox. 8oz)
1 serving beef kidney and 1 beef liver, both about 1.2oz
½ cup of pureed raw asparagus (magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron)
½ cup of boil oats (another important source of magnesium and manganese)
aprox. 8oz of canned oysters (the only way to get enough zinc to balance)
½ of a large egg (if feeding two meals a day, 1 egg daily)
1 tsp of wheat germ oil (vit. e)
1 tsp of molasses (potassium, iron, manganese)
1 tsp of nutritional yeast
1 tsp ground alfalfa

This is 1 meal for a 75 lb active German Shepherd.

Since chicken is an issue for you, you can sub out the leg quarter for a turkey neck. You can start out without including the oats or the canned oysters, but I would recommend adding them in over time or sub out entirely for beef heart (zinc) and increased asparagus (magnesium and manganese).

 

[TwoCrows]

@Weeg keep us posted along the way! Which ever feed you go with, give it time to change your dogs chemistry. You should be able to tell in a month or two if its making a difference!

 

[ShrekDawg]

You have a good point. I have never done this before so I am trying to look at everyone's advice! I will do more research and figure out what works best. Thank you!

That’s a good idea! But the key is to listen to it all but still do your own research.

 

[21hens-incharge]

First...I confess to not reading all 12 pages.

Second...we have had 3 dogs that the breeders were all about diamond natural. All 3 had explosive diarrhea that resolved quickly with a diet change.
I cannot recommend a food that I have seen cause that issue.

I hope your dog gets sorted out soon @Weeg.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

@oldhenlikesdogs might possibly be able to help? I think she’s done a lot of research on foods and also the DCM thing ?

I'm only stepping into this because you tagged me. Dog food is such a sticky issue because everyone wants what's best for their dogs. What I have learned over the past 2 years about dog food, ingredients, and nutritional DCM makes me never want to feed a food that doesn't follow WSAVA guidelines. Those that do follow them do long term feeding trials on their foods. Many companies don't. Many companies don't even have a nutritional vet on staff.

I used to feed TOTW. Than I watched food companies replace ingredients with cheaper ingredients like peas, and beans so they all could get on the grain free bandwagon. My dogs got diarrhea on foods with peas in them. They got anal gland abscesses on TOTW. Diamond gave my dogs constant digestive upset. I swore it was the corn. Other brands were way too rich with high fat and protein. It just made my head spin looking for the best for my dogs.

2 years ago I switched to Purina pro plan and I haven't looked back. All 6 of my dogs are thriving on it. No throwing up, no gas, no loose stools. They have healthy coats, and are very active. I raised 2 pups on plain old Puppy chow, and I never seen such healthy looking dogs.

My oldest dog recently developed a heart problem. The first question from my vet was to ask if I fed grain free. It's enough of a risk that I'm not taking that risk anymore.

My brother fed his dogs a vegan diet for years and they lived long lives. I'm not buying into the whole dogs need meat. Dogs need a properly balanced diet formulated and tested.

Dogs can take up to 3 months to switch to a different food. Especially if you are going from grain free to grains. Mine all switched over without problems.

Feet licking is often from a contact allergy. Try washing your dogs paws when he comes in. Just dip them in a bucket of water. See if that helps.

Have you changed your flooring recently? Are you using different cleaners or laundry soap?

The limping I would get looked at. Lymes comes to mind as we have it bad here in Wisconsin. Bone cancers too, especially with excessive licking, which they can do because of pain. Licking also releases endorphins, so some dogs do it to feel better. One of mine will lick the couch wet if we let her. She enjoys licking.

Sorry for the long post. I'm definitely not looking to debate anyone, or offend everyone. These are just my experiences, and what I decided to do. We all gotta do what feel is best.

 

[Peaches Lee]

No advice on food recommendations (only that I think some people's dogs eat better than I do LOL!) but at his age and activity level, you may want to think about a joint supplement. I know this may be hard because you are considering food allergies--but the limping to me sounds like his joints could use a little help. Good luck!

 

[clickchicks]

I know this is off topic, but I just want to leave it here for consideration.

I'm open to seeing hard data that somehow links grain free dog food to DCM. I don't have a horse in the grain free vs grain debate, but I am extremely suspicious that food was zoomed in on so quickly.

Breed predisposition was the very first thing that came to mind when I heard about all of this, and it is still my leading theory.

It also frustrates me to no end how grossly overlooked Chagas disease is in the US. I've lost two dogs to Chagas, both of whom died of sudden heart failure (congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, and DCM are all common outcomes of Chagas). It took YEARS to get that diagnosis because almost no one is testing for it. I had to DEMAND the testing be done because my vet refused to believe me. The two dogs that died were littermates- I still had the mother and was able to convince the owners of the two surviving littermates to let me test. Positive tests came back on all. I'm still angry about it.