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Vets Questions - Part 2
Question
We are feeding our dogs a natural diet but they are not too keen on the vegetables .I try to disguise them in different ways but to no avail. Is there a diet supplement that I can give them that will make up for anything lacking in their diet.
Preferably a multivitamin or similar that has everything they would need in it. We have a Golden Retriever who is 8 and a bullmastiff who is eleven months old. Both are fit and well.
I would also ask if you are considering bringing out an all in one diet ....that is a meat pack with the vegetables already added...or even a pack that contains vegetables that have already been food processed. It would certainly save a lot of time!!!!
I look forward to hearing from you - Deborah Thomas
Answer
Deborah,
What I do with my lab is to put the veg and fruit and nuts and seeds in the processor. Then I mix this with Prize Choice mince or chunks.
For fussy dogs, the thing to do is to make up your veg mix and add it gradually over several weeks. Start with a tablespoonful mixed with minced meat so the dogs can't notice. Mix well in. Then just gradually increase the amount over the weeks till you're at about 2:1 veg to meat. If they go off it, then just go back to where they are happy and build up again.
Nick.
Question
I have 3 dogs, and have just changed them onto BARF diet. What do I do when on holiday? I changed them over slowly so as to prevent upset tummies. Would it be alright to use the Natures Menu? As I know it will keep without refrigeration, or will a sudden change upset their tummies.
Thank you for your help in advance - Kat Castle
Answer
You can change over to a raw food diet in 24 hours, although usually 4-7 days is fine. Changes in the food is fine - it is usually if the new food contains something that the dog is not able to tolerate that you'll get problems. Dogs are scavengers and are, therefore, designed to eat a massive variety of foods from day to day - like us!
Best foods to try are Pet Project Fresh Start or Nature Diet or the Nature's Menu ready cooked foods.
Nick.
Question
I have got 1 20 month old rottie male, he has eczema > > patches on his ears and feet, it clears up, then he starts licking, biting, scratching other areas, his ears are a mess no cream works, he is fed a complete diet, I have changed my GSD’s onto barf food and also the rot, do you think this will help resolve the issue, and why. I look forward to hearing your views. - Tracy C Janines GSD's
Answer
Yes, I think this may well help a lot. I always change skin cases onto a BARF diet.
The reason why is that often the gut does not recognise denatured (cooked) proteins and these cause irritation in the gut and skin. Giving the dog food that the gut can recognise helps immensely. If in doubt, contact your local complementary veterinary practitioner by ringing the British Homeopathic Association on 0207 5667 800 for a list of UK vets doing homeopathy. Most of these will be able to help.
Best wishes, Nick.
Question
Dear Nick
Vaccination - vs – Homeopathy
In the few litters I have had - papillons, I have usually had puppies vaccinated with the annual boosters after that.
A friend swears by a homeopathic alternative suggesting it is more effective so better for the dog.
I have my doubts. What is your view please? Thank you very much - Dorothy Rowe, Plymouth
Answer
Dear Dorothy,
I personally do not believe that homeopathic remedies can offer anything like the cover offered by a vaccine. However, they will not cause any of the potential problems either.
The best thing is to use the nosodes to help the animal deal with the vaccines, after consultation with your local complementary veterinary practitioner (ring the British Homeopathic Association on 0207 5667 800 for a list of UK vets).
I have seen animals die while on nosodes, so cannot say they protect.
Best wishes, Nick
Question
I have just started my dogs on the BARF diet – they will now eat the raw meat but still do not like the raw veggies - must the veggies be raw or can I feed them cooked? I liquidised some carrots which I thought would be palatable, added some salad greens, olive oil, blackberries and strawberries, but they do not seem to be interested.
They had previously been used to veggies in the cooked form so maybe they are still expecting them in that state? Should I keep trying to feed the veggies raw? They do enjoy raw chicken wings. - Sylvia Nicoll
Answer
Raw is best! Steamed or very lightly cooked veg is OK, but it contains less vitamins and other essential nutrients.
Try making the veg into a puree with a blender. Avoid strong flavours and flavours that clash until your dogs have begin to accept the veg mix.Then mix it onto the wings or chicken pieces rather than give it separately.
You can always add a little flavouring to the mixture, either some chopped meat/mince or the corner of a gravy cube.
Question
I have a 2yr old flatcoat bitch who is in great condition, having being fed Burns and James Wellbeloved. However, I want to feed BARF and am changing her over slowly (she is a fussy eater!). She loves the bones and raw meat, but it is the vegetables that concern me.
Some say to feed every day, others a couple of times a week. How do I work out if she is getting enough minerals and vitamins? I am still training her - what can I give as rewards? I use liver and sausage, but the BARF diet seems to recommend no pork and limited liver.
Lastly, she has never been to the vet, so I haven't a clue how much she weighs! How do I work out quantities - or shall I just watch to see if she gains/loses weight?
I really want to do this, but I am nervous about making the final switch! Help! - Debbie Kings
Answer
Firstly weight; you are best to watch increases and decreases in weight rather than fix on an absolute amount. With veg I recommend daily amounts, as this enables you to feed a greater range of different things. Just like people, dogs do best with five portions of fresh fruit and veg each day.
Some antioxidants are not stored in the body for long, so unless topped up repeatedly they fall below useful levels.
Daily veg feeding also enables you to get the flavour right. Dogs have a much lower density of tasts receptors on their tongues, but they still know what they don't like. Mix flavours that work well together rather then ones that don't work.
Question
Would it be possible for you to list which bones are suitable to feed. Without an anatomy degree I am finding it hard to know what to buy and/or which bones that my butcher gives me are rec bones or feeding bones.
Example: A pig's head. Is that ok? Including the jaw bone? Lamb's spine? Beef ribs? My fella isn't mad on chicken and he weighs 27kg. - Celia Kerr
Answer
The best bones to feed are those that will not splinter or form foreign bodies when swallowed. Bones should never be fed cooked or baked, as this hardens the bone and makes it more likely to break the dog's teeth. It also tends to crack into large sharp shards that can damage the dog's stomach and intestine.
Some bones are definitely not good; for example the ball shaped part of the hip joint can be crunched off and swallowed, causing an obstruction. Certain species of animals carry higher levels of worms and bacteria. Any kind of raw pig meat should not be fed, so a pig's head is not good.
Spinal material has also got some risks, because the vertebra are covered in shary projecting spines that can case an obstruction if individual vertebrae are swallowed whole. It is far better to feed sinewy leg bones with plenty of meat, cartilage and connective tissue left on. marrow. A large thigh bone is fine, but sawn so the hip is missing and the kneecap is also taken away. Bones cut from the forelimb of large animals are fine too.
Question
My bitch golden retriever has a bladder urine crystal problem which I have been told to treat by feeding her a Hills prescription dried food. She also has a problem with a full bladder causing leakage. For this she is taking Propalin Syrup etoquinol, can this diet help at all with this illness?
This diet is also costing me a lot of money would the Barf diet help her at all. - Mrs Shelley Pritchard
Answer
Dear Shelly,
You may find that a good BARF diet costs as much as a proprietary diet, so I'd suggest not going into it purely on economic grounds. It is more work, but we've seen health improvements beyond our expectations in very many healthy and sick dogs.
I have used a natural diet that is tailored to increasing urine pH keep dogs ealthy for years. You will need to find your nearest complementary veterinary practitioner by ringing the British Homeopathic Association on 0207 5667 800 for a list of UK vets.
Incontinence can be helped a lot with acupuncture. Talk to the complementary veterinary practitioner about this, too.
