RAW FOOD VS DRY/CANNED I need opinions

[captianjack]

Please help, I have been to vet's' over the past weeks and
now I actually have taken my Yorkie to a dermatologist for
animals.

Now I will refresh in case you dont remember. My Jack has
been loosing fur in patches and there has been no sign of
fleas or any other type of parasites. Each vet we took him
to, recommended that we change his food and try fish oil
vitamines and change his shampoo as he probably has a
food allergy. His blood has been checked for thyroid and
any other possible hereditary or other blood disorder and it
all came up negative (thank heavens).

So today the dermatologist highly recommended a frozen raw
food diet, she told me there is most likely an allergy to grains
which is very common, and that raw food diets are good in
many several ways.

Please any feedback would be appreciated as you all have way
more experience then anyone.

Thanks ahead,
Love Jack and his mom

[sadiesamie]

I too, am still researching the RAW benefits and it seems like SO MANY Yters are feeding raw. I have learned a lot by doing a search on the forum for "raw diet" and I have read A LOT of valuable info.

You will definitely find what you are looking for that way. Just LOADS of valuable info. so a search for "feeding raw diet" here.

[captianjack]

Thanks very much I really appreciate it. Funny thing, even before I got Jack, I concidered raw food. Now I am being told it will help with his immune system. I would do anything to keep him healthy, his fur is looking so bad
and I am trying so hard to keep him in good shape so if the vet has no idea
and the dermetoligist is giving suggestions I am open.

Again thanks,
Jack and his mom

[laurenr]

Originally Posted by captianjack

Thanks very much I really appreciate it. Funny thing, even before I got Jack, I concidered raw food. Now I am being told it will help with his immune system. I would do anything to keep him healthy, his fur is looking so bad
and I am trying so hard to keep him in good shape so if the vet has no idea
and the dermetoligist is giving suggestions I am open.

Again thanks,
Jack and his mom

There is a member here - "Wylies Mom". She is extremely knowledgeable about nutrition. I know she highly recommends the raw diet. Do a search in this section, I know she posted about this in the past few days.
This week, I switched my little Mango to raw. She absolutely loves it. I am waiting to see how she handles it as it's only 2 days now.
Good luck!
Lauren

[laurenr]

Here are two links:
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=123950
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...highlight=diet

[marcerella02]

Raw, in my opinion, is the best thing you can give your dog. Layla won't touch it however. We have tired MANY times to get her to eat it but she doesnt' like it, so we still home cook.

[captianjack]

Thanks very much I really appreciate the help and answers,
I am having a little problem getting Jack to try it out because
he is so picky he won't try different things. There is hardly a
treat even that he likes.

[MyFairLacy]

I've been feeding raw for almost 2 years to Lacy with great results. I will never go back to kibble again.. And my older cat has had severe allergies her entire life with no foods helping (even special allergy foods), but when I switched her to raw (and I feed her the NV rabbit), she grew all her hair back and stopped scratching. She looks better than she has since she was a kitten...it's truly amazing how wonderful she is doing on raw

[sadiesamie]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I've been feeding raw for almost 2 years to Lacy with great results. I will never go back to kibble again.. And my older cat has had severe allergies her entire life with no foods helping (even special allergy foods), but when I switched her to raw (and I feed her the NV rabbit), she grew all her hair back and stopped scratching. She looks better than she has since she was a kitten...it's truly amazing how wonderful she is doing on raw

What is Lacy's favorite raw? Do you alternate the varieties too? I saw the beef medallions last year when we contemplated changing to the raw. The girl at the pet store gave me a bag free to try it. I only gave them a few pieces and they got scared about it so i had to stop. but when i gave it to them- they ate it and totally loved it. it was different too- it wasn't like introducing a new treat and seeing them get all worked up over it. it was i was bringing out the "dog" in them. Like they got all crazy for it. They LOVED it and they WANTED IT like as if they could not get enough of it. :-) the looks on there little faces- omg!!! it was so funny. the beef medallions didn't gross me out but the chicken sure did! yuk- but that is just something i will have to get over. :-)

They were sniffing EVERYWHERE (where i gave it to them in the kitchen) after I put it back in the fridge.

I like to hear you've been feeding it for 2 yrs. My girls itch and suffer allergies too. I am so excited once we finally talk with a nutrionist (we are waiting for a upc recheck in 2 wks first so we have the most recent labs.. they went 2 wks ago for complete blood work up)

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by sadiesamie

What is Lacy's favorite raw? Do you alternate the varieties too? I saw the beef medallions last year when we contemplated changing to the raw. The girl at the pet store gave me a bag free to try it. I only gave them a few pieces and they got scared about it so i had to stop. but when i gave it to them- they ate it and totally loved it. it was different too- it wasn't like introducing a new treat and seeing them get all worked up over it. it was i was bringing out the "dog" in them. Like they got all crazy for it. They LOVED it and they WANTED IT like as if they could not get enough of it. :-) the looks on there little faces- omg!!! it was so funny. the beef medallions didn't gross me out but the chicken sure did! yuk- but that is just something i will have to get over. :-)

They were sniffing EVERYWHERE (where i gave it to them in the kitchen) after I put it back in the fridge.

I like to hear you've been feeding it for 2 yrs. My girls itch and suffer allergies too. I am so excited once we finally talk with a nutrionist (we are waiting for a upc recheck in 2 wks first so we have the most recent labs.. they went 2 wks ago for complete blood work up)

Lacy eats Nature's Variety. She's had every protein source they offer. I normally give venison, lamb, and rabbit and normally alternate between 2 of them every other day.

[laurenr]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I've been feeding raw for almost 2 years to Lacy with great results. I will never go back to kibble again.. And my older cat has had severe allergies her entire life with no foods helping (even special allergy foods), but when I switched her to raw (and I feed her the NV rabbit), she grew all her hair back and stopped scratching. She looks better than she has since she was a kitten...it's truly amazing how wonderful she is doing on raw

I am so glad to see you post this. About a month ago, Mango developed a habit of chewing on her front paw, not every day, but often enough to concern me. I am hoping that if is the start of allergies, the raw diet will alleviate the development.
I do have one question for you though. She was spayed on Monday, and threw up constantly for the next 2 days. It was really scary. The Vet thought it was the antibiotic and switched it.On the advice of Wylie's Mom, I gave her mashed potato to absorb the stomach acids. This was the first thing she kept down in days. I also started her on the raw, on the advice of the local pet store that stocks the better grades of food. For the past few days, I have been mixing half a raw medallion with the mashed potato, so as not to shock her little tummy.

However, last night after dinner, she threw up for the first time in days. Could this be because of the introduction to the raw diet? She is otherwise full of her usual energy and gives no indication of feeling sick.
Sorry this was so long,
Lauren

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by laurenr

About a month ago, Mango developed a habit of chewing on her front paw, not every day, but often enough to concern me. I am hoping that if is the start of allergies, the raw diet will alleviate the development.

For the past few days, I have been mixing half a raw medallion with the mashed potato, so as not to shock her little tummy.

However, last night after dinner, she threw up for the first time in days. Could this be because of the introduction to the raw diet? She is otherwise full of her usual energy and gives no indication of feeling sick.

Hope you don't mind if I butt in here, girl . The paw thing - could def. be seasonal - go to www.pollen.com - and check your area - right now it's off the scale in my area and Marcel is at his paws. So, it may be the time of year - or, it could be food related.

As for the nausea - I kind of doubt it's bc of the raw - esp. after a few days. Could she have gotten into anything? Is she still on antibiotics? If she is, the combo of antibiotics and diet change could do it (or, the antibiotic alone). So, see how she does and try to continue. Is she on lamb or? Give her a smooch for me!

[Pooch Lady]

Hello,
I'm not sure about the raw food, but I feed my 6 year old Yorkie Pebbles a dry food called Royal Canine for Yorkshire Terriers.
Green beans and a touch of garlic. The dry food is made for Yorkshire Terriers. That is what I really love about it.
Made for them so they have all the right ingredients Yorkies need. It also has small morsels and they are not really hard.
She eats them with no problem. The green beans are just a filler and she loves them. The garlic is for tast and mostly for fleas.
It works wonderful. No fleas here.
Except my babies breath isn't too cool.
Pebbles has never had any skin problems, or any problems. She is healthy and she is the Queen.
Hope your baby feels better. You should look into Royal Canine Yorkie food.
Good Luck...

[laurenr]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Hope you don't mind if I butt in here, girl . The paw thing - could def. be seasonal - go to www.pollen.com - and check your area - right now it's off the scale in my area and Marcel is at his paws. So, it may be the time of year - or, it could be food related.

As for the nausea - I kind of doubt it's bc of the raw - esp. after a few days. Could she have gotten into anything? Is she still on antibiotics? If she is, the combo of antibiotics and diet change could do it (or, the antibiotic alone). So, see how she does and try to continue. Is she on lamb or? Give her a smooch for me!

I am only too delighted for your insight! She is still on the antibiotic, until the small bottle is finished. I started her on the lamb - Nature's Variety, as you recommended in another thread. She loves it, whereas before I had to always coax her to eat her Evangers kibble, by coating it with their cooked chicken.
As for the paw licking, I don't know if this is coincidental or not, but she has not done this at all in the past few days. I will check out that pollen link though. I live in the hills here, and there is just SO much of it right now.

Anne, thanks again for saving our butts last week with that fabulous mashed potato idea. Mango was like a different dog after this "cure".
Hugs,
Lauren

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by laurenr

I am so glad to see you post this. About a month ago, Mango developed a habit of chewing on her front paw, not every day, but often enough to concern me. I am hoping that if is the start of allergies, the raw diet will alleviate the development.
I do have one question for you though. She was spayed on Monday, and threw up constantly for the next 2 days. It was really scary. The Vet thought it was the antibiotic and switched it.On the advice of Wylie's Mom, I gave her mashed potato to absorb the stomach acids. This was the first thing she kept down in days. I also started her on the raw, on the advice of the local pet store that stocks the better grades of food. For the past few days, I have been mixing half a raw medallion with the mashed potato, so as not to shock her little tummy.

However, last night after dinner, she threw up for the first time in days. Could this be because of the introduction to the raw diet? She is otherwise full of her usual energy and gives no indication of feeling sick.
Sorry this was so long,
Lauren

some dogs are more sensitive to change than others. I never had problems switching Lacy cold turkey to raw..but it might take a few days for her stomach to become accustomed to a new food