Diets for Dogs

[Orchid]

Sparkle, you also mentioned that Bogie had arthritis. My Toby also suffers from it and is almost crippled. The combination of arthritis and overweight had created an near life threatening condition for him. My vet suggested I give Toby Ascripton, a human aspirin, for his arthritis and, of course, the beans for his weight. It's been a year and, although he's not a puppy anymore, I do believe he's able to get around a lot easier and he also ventures further out into the yard than he used to. You may have to get the Ascripton at a drug store. I haven't been able to find it at Walmart. I had to go to Walgreens. I, too, give apples as a treat. But my chow hounds will eat anything. Cheryl

[Barbzeee]

Sparkle... never give can veggies..loaded with salt and other additives.. I do frozen cut green beans and put them in micro or steam and when you cut back on the extras ..the green beans will look good... been doing this for over 40 years.. yes, they do have a tad bit of gas..I also have my critters lay down after feeding.. as with big dogs you don't want them jumping around.. mine rest for half hour and then I let them out to potty.. I also give carrots and green peas.. and not a bean or pea left...



Any dog I've ever shown and there has been many over the past 45 years.. all go on this program.. they have to stay lean and build muscle..lots of endurance..

Don't give up on Bogie.. he's just been spoiled a long time.. LOL... I also at night time do give my critters some slices of apples with their treats for bed..in fact they let me know it's bed time and don't forget it either... Yes, I am allowed a slice too...



Now after I've eaten all that cake OUch..

So just close your eyes and put the food down... he'll eat it....

Good Luck

God Bless
Zeee

[JanetA]

Never never microwave veggies... takes ALL the nutients out of them,,, i read this in a health blurb. infact,, several health blurbs.

Also never microwave things in saran or thin plastic of any kind,, outgasses carcenogens! ;( don't want that nasty cancer!

[sharon]

So Zeee, is 1/4 cup total of dog food enough for a chihuahua? She weighs around 10# now. I don't want to starve her or have her get sick. Thank goodness she loves veggies and fruits of all types. She's basically like me, a garbage disposal. Unfortunately, every time I change her diet, she gets the runs, especially from chicken or beef. She's always had a funny tummy, but she likes to keep it full!

And Tina and Vickie, quit picking on poor Chewy, she didn't bite you! Just growled a little! 'Course you were pre-warned not to stick your hand near her. And she did take treats gently, didn't she?

[Getupngo]

My min pin is on a diet and I swear that she comes into the room sometimes just to pass gas and then abruptly leaves. Pay back I presume.

OMG, I just burst out laughing when I read this. Years ago, I gave my spaniel the leftovers from a burrito. Later, she was lying next to us in the kitchen, and cut one that was so putrid, SHE sniffed, got up and scampered out of the room.

[Sparkle]

Okay, frozen Grean Beans, don't microwave them, get ready to pass out from the gas. I heated up some soup for lunch and Bogie cried! But he's already looking better, he's lost that bloated look in his tum. Cheryl, when I was in Mexico I asked the vet pharmacy for a pain med. for a dog with Arthritus. He looked at me funny and said, we have the medication for that. So I bought a bottle of Rimadyl. Tried Bogie on half the recommended dose and the next morning he was rolling around in the bed singing "I feel good!". So he has been on half a pill for 6 months. It isn't cheap, even in Mexico it was 60.00 a bottle, so heaven knows what it costs here. He still doesn't do the five mile hikes he used to, but neither is he yelping with pain. I understand that Rimadyl can cause kidney problems, that's why I gave him a half dose to see how he would do. Even if it takes a couple of years off his life, he still has a much better quality of life than he did.

[Bethers]

Bogie gave me a look like Mom was starving him - and I told him to get used to it. I've always paid attn to how much food my dogs get - and they always have gotten treats. I worry with Peaches because she doesn't overeat - so I can put food in her bowl and she only takes what she needs. I'll have to watch to make sure she doesn't start overdoing one day. Tips never overate - would have if I'd given him much people food or canned - but because he was a finicky eater, Moxie and I would both urge him to eat - Moxie better than me - and when he didn't eat enough, I mixied some people food in his bowl to get him to eat.

As to the microwave taking out the nutrients, ANY cooking will take out nutrients if overcooked, which is how most of our parents cooked vegies. I consider any cooked vegie as pretty much nutritionless - unless they are still crispy. And if you really want the nutrients - eat them raw. Luckily I like most vegies best raw - always have.

Bogie, we'll get you to the beach soon - we'll have fun walking there But you'll be walking on the opposite side of the beach from me if your gas gets worse!

[sharon]

Well, don't know how well this is going to work. Went to Wally World and got frozen green beans, put them in a little hot water to thaw them, gave Chewy 1/8 cup of kibble with 1/8 cup of beans. She ate the beans and left the kibble. sigh. Hopefully she'll go back and eat the kibble. I knew she liked green beans, but this is a little ridiculous!

[Barbzeee]

Sharon... little Chi's have big mouths LOL but that dry food is enough.. with the veggies..yep my Cresteds will sometimes eat the veggies and leave the dry food..but then come back and challenge the big ones.. on their food LOL try also putting in some carrots too.. they love them..cut up nice and tiny looks for a lot of food ...LOL

Well, as far as not to or to cook.. I steam veggies and my critters have been doing just fine... Now maybe ya wanna ask .. "Where the veggies come from" now that part I'd worry ...

If ya wanna think about "canned food".. now another worry... and yep even the water..omg... we can go on a long road on these subjects...but..

I just use plain ole common sense ! and experience of "what has worked..." Like if it ain't broke don't fix it !!

Sharon.. your Chi will do fine..

Sparkle.. Bogie will survive.. and all the beach coming soon will even do better...but a little beans between friends..makes for a lot of conversation !!


God Bless
Zeee

[sharon]

Diet Report: So far 4 meals of kibble and beans, no gas, no diahrea (which is what I was really worried about) and she seems fine. She loves the beans so that's a plus. Looks like she's on her way to getting her svelte bod back! The vet is gonna be so impressed! Thanks everyone! Wish she liked carrots, to give her a little variety, but it's one of the few veggies that she's not cared for.

[Getupngo]

Maybe a green bean diet would work for me ......

[Redetotry]

Both of my Havanese love veggies. When sugar snap peas are in season I swear Winnie knows when I reach for one even if she is in another room. Those I don't cook as I like them best raw raw. That and tiny bites of broccoli are the only raw I give only because they are climbing the cabinet wanting some NOW, they also love baked sweet potatoes. If your dog gets diarrhea when changing diets give them canned PLAIN pumpkin.
Good luck with the diets, feeling of Winnie I think she's next!

[AlmostThere]

I had no idea how my pug would relate to green beans so I experimented yesterday. I fixed my lunch and had some steam mixed veggies which contained green beans. I put one on the floor for him and he sniffed it and left it. I then proceeded to eat my lunch and when I finished and he knew for sure he wasn't going to get anything, he went over and ate the bean! Huh! Not sure how he'd like them as a meal, but now I know he'll eat them. I do know he loves brussel sprouts!

[sharon]

Maybe a green bean diet would work for me ......

Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing, Janice!!

[sharon]

BJ, canned pumpkin???? How do you give it, mix with their food?