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Post by tara on Nov 17, 2006 15:01:26 GMT -5
Okay I have a question. Somewhere I read that greys may not digest chicken really well. My Tyson is every once(maybe once or twice a week) in a while gets loose poops. My vet recommended trying a hypo allergenic food (no wheat, corn or soy). However it has chicken as the first protien source should I try something with no chicken. The food he is on comes in vegaterian, venison or duck. would any of these be an option to try. We have ruled out worms. Thanks for the help Tara
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Post by GreyPoopon on Nov 17, 2006 16:11:51 GMT -5
There are a lot of foods on the market without chicken and also without wheat, corn, or soy. Both the foods that I use qualify. The greys are on Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish, and the poodles are on Wellness Simple Solutions Venison (+ Rice). There are many others.
Don't forget treats--it doesn't take much to cause a reaction if the dog is sensitive enough.
I realize that there are a lot of opinions on what food allergies are common, but I have yet to see any decent statistics. For what it's worth, three of mine are allergic to chicken, but only one each to wheat, soy, or corn.
You can get information on allergies using a blood test. It's called the SPOT test, and it's available from Spectrum Labs. However, in the past the blood tests were unreliable, and a lot of vets still think they are. As well, it's expensive: about $250 + GST for the food panel, about the same for the environmental panel.
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Post by tara on Nov 18, 2006 7:52:07 GMT -5
Both my Lab and Grey are on Natural Balance (Lab reduced calorie cause he is chubby and he too is allergic to wheat-tested and Tyson the grey is on the Ultra Premium). I would like to rule out all the obvious possibilities before doing the testing. Thanks. Tara P.S. Is the Sweet Potato and Fish more expensive than the Premium? Not that it matters anything is cheaper than the $84.00 a bag prescription stuff our Lab was on until I found the Natural Balance which he is doing better on.
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Post by GreyPoopon on Nov 18, 2006 15:16:34 GMT -5
Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Fish costs me $63.99 at Ren's in Oakville. The bag is 28 lbs.
Edited to correct the price, which is $1 higher than I had said. As well, Ren's has a bag program, so that if one buys 10, the 11th is free.
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Post by jiffer on Nov 18, 2006 18:55:03 GMT -5
I'm a big fan of Lamb as the primary meat source. Three of ours don't do well at all on chicken (unless I want to clean up large puddles of poo).
We use Technical Lamb Meal and Rice on ours and it's greyt. It's also made in Canada.
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Post by tara on Nov 21, 2006 12:42:14 GMT -5
Thanks, what about duck is it the same as chicken? I am thinking I may try the fish/sweet potato his next bag. it is the same brand but I must still do the gradual switch right? thanks again Tara P.S. I am really stingy with treats because they both have allergies, they only get them when we go away and they are kenneled up. And those are wheat free. I have tried many and even ONE medium sized milk bone with set off my Lab's wheat allergies.
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Post by GreyPoopon on Nov 21, 2006 17:03:22 GMT -5
Duck is not the same as chicken. Two of my three that can't have chicken are supposed to be OK with duck; one not. I believe in changing food gradually.
As for the treats: wheat is not the only issue. I have two that cannot have a Medi-treat: they can't deal with the tomato pomace. The safest course when testing foods is to use their "regular" kibble as a treat.
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Post by tara on Nov 29, 2006 13:30:22 GMT -5
I ordered the sweet potato and fish @ $69.99 for 28 lbs. My pet store also has a frequent buyer plan. They also gave me some samples to try with him. So I am adding half a sample per feeding and so far no problems and he has had no loose stuff. Now they also make sweet potato and fish bicuits. I would love to give more treats but every time I do they get loose. Should I give these a try? I feel I have tried every kind of treat imaginable. I feel horrible because their treats are their kibbles, how boring for them.
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meganm
Junior Grey Lover
Puppy Love
Posts: 292
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Post by meganm on Nov 29, 2006 14:20:23 GMT -5
OOH. We did Whitefish and Sweet potato with wellness brand and OMG the smelly gas was UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!! we currently use the Nature's recipie Venison formula and it works wonders. (aslo less expensive )
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Post by tara on Nov 29, 2006 16:41:45 GMT -5
Nature's Recipe is the brand of food?
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