Need advise / suggestions on limied ingredients / all natural dog food - YorkieTalk.com Forums

matese · 05-06-2014, 08:02 AM

Cody was put on Hills Veterinary Prescription Z/D dog food back in March, my vet said this would not be his permanent food. Last week I was running low on his food, I called my vet to see if he still has to stay on this. The Tech told me no, I asked what type of food should I get, she tells me since Cody scratches a lot to buy food that says sensitive skin on the bag & can. She said to make sure it is all natural and has limited ingredients!!!! Can anyone suggest to me what brands have limited ingredients and is all natural. I have had 4 yorkies, plus other breeds, never did one of them have skin issues. There are so many types of dog foods on the market. I want the best for my lil boy that will stop his scratching. Can anyone help me out?

elleste · 05-06-2014, 08:53 AM

Raw food or homemade - homemade is so easy and all natural! Use organic ingredients and make up in small batches - will keep in the refrigerator about a week.

Lovetodream88 · 05-06-2014, 09:01 AM

Do you know why he scratches? That I think would be the biggest question to have answered because it could be environmental and have nothing to do with food at all.

Verbena · 05-06-2014, 09:47 AM

I use Primal and Stella and Chewy freeze dried raw food. Galen loves it and it is great for them. Jenny uses it too. . . Maybe she will pop in

matese · 05-06-2014, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Do you know why he scratches? That I think would be the biggest question to have answered because it could be environmental and have nothing to do with food at all.

iyiyi, this is going to be a long reply to your question lol. Before I joined YT I never asked my vet many questions, yes I did ask questions of things I didn't understand. Since joining YT I have learned to ask many questions.. I adopted Cody through my vet this past Nov. When I first saw him he was shaved down and scratching, I blew off the scratching as there must be hair shavings on his skin making him itchy. A few days later I saw he had fleas, he was given 1 comfortis tablet. Fleas were gone and he was still scratching, back to the vet, he was being treated for colitis, which from what I read can cause itchiness. Ok colitis gone, still scratching, my vet gives him a shot to stop the itchiness, no, I don't know what the name of the med used. This is all before joining YT. A question I did not feel I needed to ask. This was given to another dog I had, that was eating sensitive dog food and was still rubbing her back due to being itchy. The injection worked on that dog, so I saw no need to ask her to repeat what the med was, but the vet did say what she was giving him, I just don't pay attention and unfamiliar names do not stick in my head.The injection helped, but he is still scratching, just not as much. I know I am going to get some flack on this, but, I trust my vet, I never felt I had to question her about any in office meds she dispersed. I know I should not ASSUME, but I am assuming just like a car that has intermingling issue, they check the smaller things first, process of elimination, an assumption on my part, this was not told to me by my vet. I am also assuming the injection may have been for environmental. I am assuming by giving natural / limited ingredients dog food if he is still scratching my vet will take the next step, what ever that may be. I have to find out how long he should be on this new food for the scratching to end. I would call the vet today to ask why the food and how long before I see results, but I have TMJ today and it is impossible for me to talk, pain is to severe. I thank you for your reply and will ask what that injection was for, environmental or ?

matese · 05-06-2014, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elleste

Raw food or homemade - homemade is so easy and all natural! Use organic ingredients and make up in small batches - will keep in the refrigerator about a week.

I have heard and read many negative reports about raw food. I adopted Cody back in Nov. he just turned 3 y/o I don't know what his past history was with food, and do not want to chance raw food without consulting my vet, what works for one baby may not work for another, please do not take offense. I am just an overly concerned mom. You say homemade food, I don't even cook for myself lol, when I got divorced, I got rid of the husband and the pots & pans lol, what kind of food would I use for homemade food.

matese · 05-06-2014, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elleste

Raw food or homemade - homemade is so easy and all natural! Use organic ingredients and make up in small batches - will keep in the refrigerator about a week.

Sorry, thank you for your reply

matese · 05-06-2014, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verbena

I use Primal and Stella and Chewy freeze dried raw food. Galen loves it and it is great for them. Jenny uses it too. . . Maybe she will pop in

I live in Pa. Where did you buy Primal, Stella and Chewy freeze dried raw food. I have Pet Smart, Pet co & Pet Supplies in or near my area. Is Primal and Stella 2 diff. kinds of food? Thank you for your response.

EarthAngel · 05-06-2014, 12:32 PM

Do you know why your vet doesn't want him to stay on the Hill's Z/D prescription? Bentley has been on it for months and is keeping him itch free from food allergies.

Cha Cha · 05-06-2014, 01:22 PM

I alternate from time to time between Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Salmon and Potato to Taste of the Wild Grain Free Pacific Stream. I try to stay away from corn and chicken because it seems those are the two ingredients that really trigger Moka's itching.

Lovetodream88 · 05-06-2014, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matese

iyiyi, this is going to be a long reply to your question lol. Before I joined YT I never asked my vet many questions, yes I did ask questions of things I didn't understand. Since joining YT I have learned to ask many questions.. I adopted Cody through my vet this past Nov. When I first saw him he was shaved down and scratching, I blew off the scratching as there must be hair shavings on his skin making him itchy. A few days later I saw he had fleas, he was given 1 comfortis tablet. Fleas were gone and he was still scratching, back to the vet, he was being treated for colitis, which from what I read can cause itchiness. Ok colitis gone, still scratching, my vet gives him a shot to stop the itchiness, no, I don't know what the name of the med used. This is all before joining YT. A question I did not feel I needed to ask. This was given to another dog I had, that was eating sensitive dog food and was still rubbing her back due to being itchy. The injection worked on that dog, so I saw no need to ask her to repeat what the med was, but the vet did say what she was giving him, I just don't pay attention and unfamiliar names do not stick in my head.The injection helped, but he is still scratching, just not as much. I know I am going to get some flack on this, but, I trust my vet, I never felt I had to question her about any in office meds she dispersed. I know I should not ASSUME, but I am assuming just like a car that has intermingling issue, they check the smaller things first, process of elimination, an assumption on my part, this was not told to me by my vet. I am also assuming the injection may have been for environmental. I am assuming by giving natural / limited ingredients dog food if he is still scratching my vet will take the next step, what ever that may be. I have to find out how long he should be on this new food for the scratching to end. I would call the vet today to ask why the food and how long before I see results, but I have TMJ today and it is impossible for me to talk, pain is to severe. I thank you for your reply and will ask what that injection was for, environmental or ?

If it's environmental which most allergy's are then the food won't do anything. Royal Canin has a prescription hypoallerginic small breed food you may want to look into that.

matese · 05-06-2014, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EarthAngel

Do you know why your vet doesn't want him to stay on the Hill's Z/D prescription? Bentley has been on it for months and is keeping him itch free from food allergies.

When my vet put Cody on the Z/D he was being treated for Colitis, I wanted a proper food that would work with the meds he was on, not work against them. The Z/D I believe is for sensitive digestive systems.He was on Z/D the end of Feb. and is just finishing up on that, he's been scratching the entire time, not as much because he had been given an injection sometime in Jan. that was to have ended the scratching, it worked for a week or two, then he started scratching again but not as much as before that injection. In Feb. when my vet put him on the Z/D she told me it would not be permanent. As the beginning of my thread I stated I am nearly finished with the Z/D and called my vet to see if he was to still on it, the tech said no, So now looking for a good dog food with limited ingredients and all natural as per vets tech.

matese · 05-06-2014, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

If it's environmental which most allergy's are then the food won't do anything. Royal Canin has a prescription hypoallerginic small breed food you may want to look into that.

Thank you, I'll check the pet places near me. Most of the animal supply stores do not stock hypoallerginic foods, they have to special order it. thank you again for your reply.

matese · 05-06-2014, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

If it's environmental which most allergy's are then the food won't do anything. Royal Canin has a prescription hypoallerginic small breed food you may want to look into that.

If it's environmental then "I blame YT for not dusting and vacuuming daily"

tokipoki · 05-06-2014, 02:18 PM

My parents have a beagle that has a lot of environmental allergies as well as some food sensitivities (noticeable with higher protein/fat foods and more complex ingredient lists) that seem to aggravate the paw chewing/licking/ etc. Natural Balance LID formulas have worked really well for her. Of course my parents still have to deal with the symptoms she has with the environmental allergens (particularly grasses, pollens, etc.) but she has done great with the NB...my parents tend to rotate the duck & legume and the sweet potato & bison kinds with her but haven't had any issues switching between various LID formulas.

She seems to really like the taste, has good stools, good coat, and good energy. These formulas are lower in fat and protein so I might supplement with a few simple items like fish oil or boiled chicken (or something you know your pup tolerates well) to boost the nutritional content of the food if I was going to feed it full time to my pups.

05-06-2014, 08:02 AM	#1
matese Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa. Posts: 69,269	Need advise / suggestions on limied ingredients / all natural dog food Cody was put on Hills Veterinary Prescription Z/D dog food back in March, my vet said this would not be his permanent food. Last week I was running low on his food, I called my vet to see if he still has to stay on this. The Tech told me no, I asked what type of food should I get, she tells me since Cody scratches a lot to buy food that says sensitive skin on the bag & can. She said to make sure it is all natural and has limited ingredients!!!! Can anyone suggest to me what brands have limited ingredients and is all natural. I have had 4 yorkies, plus other breeds, never did one of them have skin issues. There are so many types of dog foods on the market. I want the best for my lil boy that will stop his scratching. Can anyone help me out? __________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog

05-06-2014, 09:01 AM	#3
Lovetodream88 Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md Posts: 23,249	Do you know why he scratches? That I think would be the biggest question to have answered because it could be environmental and have nothing to do with food at all. __________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart!

05-06-2014, 09:47 AM	#4
Verbena Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: with my flying monkeys Posts: 15,620 Blog Entries: 7	I use Primal and Stella and Chewy freeze dried raw food. Galen loves it and it is great for them. Jenny uses it too. . . Maybe she will pop in __________________ Teri . . . Galen Jameson Frazier Seraphina Luna Rosencrantz, Saber Tooth Tiger, Pussy Willow Pandora Guildenstern Last edited by Verbena; 05-06-2014 at 09:48 AM.

05-06-2014, 12:32 PM	#9
EarthAngel Donating YT 6000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: New York Posts: 18,134	Do you know why your vet doesn't want him to stay on the Hill's Z/D prescription? Bentley has been on it for months and is keeping him itch free from food allergies. __________________ Dyan, Mom to Bentley

05-06-2014, 01:22 PM	#10
Cha Cha Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Where the deer and the antelope play Posts: 7,069	I alternate from time to time between Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Salmon and Potato to Taste of the Wild Grain Free Pacific Stream. I try to stay away from corn and chicken because it seems those are the two ingredients that really trigger Moka's itching. __________________ Shelly and the girls Moka Mylee

05-06-2014, 08:53 AM	#2
elleste YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: May 2014 Location: Toronto, On, Canada Posts: 4	Raw food or homemade - homemade is so easy and all natural! Use organic ingredients and make up in small batches - will keep in the refrigerator about a week.

05-06-2014, 02:18 PM	#15
tokipoki Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 1,485	My parents have a beagle that has a lot of environmental allergies as well as some food sensitivities (noticeable with higher protein/fat foods and more complex ingredient lists) that seem to aggravate the paw chewing/licking/ etc. Natural Balance LID formulas have worked really well for her. Of course my parents still have to deal with the symptoms she has with the environmental allergens (particularly grasses, pollens, etc.) but she has done great with the NB...my parents tend to rotate the duck & legume and the sweet potato & bison kinds with her but haven't had any issues switching between various LID formulas. She seems to really like the taste, has good stools, good coat, and good energy. These formulas are lower in fat and protein so I might supplement with a few simple items like fish oil or boiled chicken (or something you know your pup tolerates well) to boost the nutritional content of the food if I was going to feed it full time to my pups.