ferky1 Posted July 16, 2003 Posted July 16, 2003 I know I know, not another food question....... sorry, I need help. Miles is a 14 week old Shih Tzu weighing in at a whopping 6 lbs. Since being weaned he has always eaten puppy Eukanuba. From the day we got him he has always been very itchy and the vet has ruled out fleas, mites or any other infestation, leaving us with the belief that he is either experiencing an allergy to grass/pollen or his food. The vet did not recommend changing his food, but I think that I am set on trying something a little better. In addition to having corn meal as a major ingredient (which I learned dogs can be allergic to), Eukanuba is owned by IAMs and I have heard enough about them to make me stay away. Any recommendations for a healthy, small breed dry puppy food? We have no intention of doing the BARF or other fresh food diet. Additionally, we are unhappy with the amount of food he eats. Miles is always happy to gobble up a treat or eat anything and everything he finds on the floor, but when it comes to his own food, he just doesn't impress. We feed him 1/2 cup twice a day and he is always excited and jumpy and can't wait to get at his bowl. After a couple minutes though he loses interest. For the past week I'd say that he hasn't eaten more than 1/2 cup a day, it might even be less. Is this something we should be worried about? He is otherwise very healthy, energetic and happy. He has always eaten the same food so is there a reason that he would suddenly stop liking it? Does this just sound like normal puppy pickiness? Help! I feel like my dog is starving himself! Quote
wolfsoul Posted July 16, 2003 Posted July 16, 2003 Pets first is a great company. some of their products son't contain corn. They have some products that are also great for dogs with allergies. My dog Leather is allergic to corn, as well as a number of other foods. She is on Pets First and hasn't had a problem since. She also hasn't had any tumors since (she has cancer). It has human grade meat and vegetables and is only preserved with vitamans A and E. [url]www.pets1st.com[/url] I also think Nutro is great. I believe that they have some dog foods with no corn. They have some great ingredients compared to most other foods. What have you heard about Iams to make you stay away from it? I myself, have not heard many good things. It was even on their website a while ago that they admitted that they do have a research lab and that they do tests on 19 dogs and an uncounted amount of cats. :o Quote
Mary's Mama Posted July 17, 2003 Posted July 17, 2003 First for the puppy not eating much, they will go through spurts of eating more and then eating less. It is part of the growth cycle. I wouldn't worry about it at all. He will not starve himself and 6 lbs at 14 weeks is a good weight. Also, if you are feeding meals great, if not please do so. Put his food down and then take it up 15-20 minutes later. He will learn he has to eat while it is there or it goes away. You could also try adding a small amount (tblsp) of wet food with a little water for gravy if you want. As far as puppy food goes, I dont believe it is necessary to feed him a puppy food. My pup started eating adult food (high fat/protein) at 14 weeks. He has grown really fast and I think if he had been on puppy food he would have grown too fast. Canidae is a great all life stage food and I highly recommend it. My dogs eat Solid Gold Mmellinnia. There is also Innova, Wellness, Natures Variety, Natural Balance, California Naturals, and many many more. It is a pretty personal decision, you need to decide exactly what you want in a food and then read the ingredients of the brands you are interested in. Good luck. Quote
Sanvean Posted July 17, 2003 Posted July 17, 2003 Macy was on Iams when we got her and was very uninterested in her food, as well. We've switched to the Natural Balance kibble (mixed with the rolls), and she gobbles it right up now! Quote
Daisysmom Posted July 17, 2003 Posted July 17, 2003 I bought Jake: Natural Blend [b]Holistic [/b]Dog Food (from food, food, food) The ingredients are: Chicken, brown rice, chicken meal, oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), brewers rice, dried tomato pomace, natural flavors, flax, fish meal, dried egg product, brewers dried yeast, canola oil, dried cheese, extract of chicory, salt, apples, blueberries, spinach, sweet potatoes, dried kelp, dehydrated alfalfa meal, potassium chloride, yucca schidigera extract, ginger, garlic, calcium carbonate, choline chloride, zinc proteinate, vitamin E Supplement, ascorbic acid, zinc oxide, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, extract of rosemary, manganous oxide, copper sulfate, vitamin A acetate, tuna oil, sage, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, sodium selenite, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, calcium iodate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, biotin, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus lactis fermentation product, dried Bifidobacterium bifidum fermentation product, dried Enterococcus diacetylactis fermentation product, folic acid. "There's a new kind of dog food from the family of Royal Canin called Natural Blend holistic dog food. Besides having all-natural proteins, grains, fruits and vegetables, Natural Blend contains herbal supplements and antioxidant vitamins that may help reduce the occurrence of common canine health problems. COME IN AND DISCOVER for your dog what humans have known and used for many years." [url]http://www.naturalblend.com/[/url] He loves it, and you can get it at Petco or a place like that. I feel very good about giving it to him. Quote
DogPaddle Posted July 17, 2003 Posted July 17, 2003 I like these kibbles; Wellness Solid Gold Mmillenia Canidea GO! - not sure may only be available in Canada? Quote
alicat613 Posted July 18, 2003 Posted July 18, 2003 Pets1st does make some great foods, but it is only available in lower mainland Canada and parts of the west coast. Additionally they are having problems exporting to the US right now because of that one cow. Natural Balance's kibble is really small and dense with no common allergens. My cats (one of whom has numerous allergies) have done great on their cat food. The rolls have a lot more stuff in them, some of which may cause the same problems. [url]http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com[/url] Wysong makes an Anergen line that is extremely simple, although my cats HATE it (it is actually a cat AND dog food!). I don't really care for their other foods though. [url]http://www.wysong.com[/url] California Naturals (also makes Innova) at [url]http://www.naturapet.com[/url] has some really basic lines as well, like their Chicken and Rice. Wellness is a great line and very palatable. My cats (8 and 10 pounds) steal the dog biscuit crumbs of Wellness we use right out from under my 130 lb puppy! [url]http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com[/url] Quote
ferky1 Posted July 22, 2003 Author Posted July 22, 2003 Thanks for the advice everyone. The wife and I went with Wellness for Puppies and Miles is loving it. It has only been 2 days so he's only getting 25% Wellness and 75% Euk, but he's definitely eating more and while he is still not finishing any meal, only the Euk remains. He has yet to leave one morsel of Wellness. His stools are much softer (too much information!), but I'm not concerned yet because they are still well formed and I always thought that they were bordering on 'too hard' before the Wellness. I'm keeping an eye on them though :wink: The itchiness is still there but since he's still consuming the Euk, I'm not giving up hope that he was just allergic to the food. I really hope it's not something environmental. Thought you'd like to see some newer pics: [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RABSA54TzJEd8eDCG4vXih4lhTNRLPGBqnNc8*5LfLxH04s8AgyRZhjmHUisXZolAQDHAArrhkp!tzmjckEefUpuwQ0IZwOgWw!!V!*n9Z4/Miles%2010.jpg?dc=4675431386445605696[/img] [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RgCuBuQUtOId8eDCG4vXikhydEnskC3D!rN1igTJWIKMNS80qzCNHVZuU!t3ScgVFiZYpx412XoHni4ph9UrsUqyLHa5UD4DfzGBs2sOM9Q/Miles%20duck.jpg?dc=4675431386513911584[/img] [img]http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0SwDTAkoWyEod8eDCG4vXikdyYG1zG!n6S1CUBw0xk4eO8FM4958A7zMDQjqldz5MAfxE8YV*DdLZvKPtoKN4Rxi8UyxHpseGoVw9hHnPUga301eTR73IDw/Miles%20on%20sofa.jpg?dc=4675431386558028851[/img] Quote
alicat613 Posted July 23, 2003 Posted July 23, 2003 Oh wow, perfect timing! I've been trying to find out the size of the Wellness puppy kibble. Is it small enough for a 3 month Chi? It's a great food and most dogs just love it! Quote
ferky1 Posted July 23, 2003 Author Posted July 23, 2003 The Wellness puppy kibble seems small enough for even the tiniest puppies. While they are bigger than the puppy Euk we had been feeding, they are more brittle and less dense so they are very easy for puppy teeth to break apart and crunch up. I never loved how hard Miles had to work to break up his Euk. Sometimes it sounds like he's trying to eat rocks. The Wellness seems much more puppy and teeth friendly. [edit - if you want I can take a pic tonight to show you the exact size] Quote
alicat613 Posted July 23, 2003 Posted July 23, 2003 Great, thanks! I'll take your word on it! :D My puppy has that duck too, the yellow one, but ours is soooo much dirtier! Quote
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