Vitamins?

[littlepixie12]

Does anyone know a really good vitamin to feed their yorkie? I am torn between getting a chewable or one that I can breakup and put in their food

Thanks!

[Ladymom]

Are you feeding a high quality commercial diet? If so, you don't need to add vitamins as it is completely balanced.

[littlepixie12]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Are you feeding a high quality commercial diet? If so, you don't need to add vitamins as it is completely balanced.

well he is on Halo, which he loves but I was thinking of giving him the vitamins only when I would cook the meal for him as an extra

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by littlepixie12

well he is on Halo, which he loves but I was thinking of giving him the vitamins only when I would cook the meal for him as an extra

If you cook meals for him, it is more complicated than just adding vitamins. You have to follow a recipe prepared by a nutritionist and add the supplements specified in the recipe. Dogs have a much higher need for calcium that we do and the calcium to phosphorus ratio has to be exact or they can have skeletal, cardiac and neurological problems.

If you just occasionally cook a meal for him, I wouldn't worry about vitamins as he is getting all he needs from his commercial diet. Just make sure you keep his home cooked food to about 10% of his diet.

[littlepixie12]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

If you cook meals for him, it is more complicated than just adding vitamins. You have to follow a recipe prepared by a nutritionist and add the supplements specified in the recipe. Dogs have a much higher need for calcium that we do and the calcium to phosphorus ratio has to be exact or they can have skeletal, cardiac and neurological problems.

If you just occasionally cook a meal for him, I wouldn't worry about vitamins as he is getting all he needs from his commercial diet. Just make sure you keep his home cooked food to about 10% of his diet.

oh really? I didnt realize this.. do you think drinking milk or yogurt would solve this problem?

[ally173]

i use canine plus vitamin chew; ava loves them ;she thinks they are treats; eventhough she eats halo twice daily i still give it to her; because her lunch meal is boiled chicken. you can give maxie half of the chew cause he's a puppy http://www.entirelypets.com/canineplus1.html?__utma=1.998355764.1250275424.125 0275424.1250275424.1&__utmb=1&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1250275424.1.1.utmccn%3D(referral)%7Cutm csr%3Dentirelypets.com%7Cutmcct%3D%2F%7Cutmcmd%3Dr eferral&__utmv=-&__utmk=57776555

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by littlepixie12

oh really? I didnt realize this.. do you think drinking milk or yogurt would solve this problem?

No. The calcium to phosphorus ratio has to be exact, 1.2 parts of calcium for each 1 part of phosphorous (1.2:1).

Calcium & Phosphorous in Dogs* - Chinaroad Lowchens of Australia -

Most homecooked recipes call for adding bone meal or calcium carbonate, but the amount depends on the particular recipe.

As I said, an occasional homecooked meal is fine.

[littlepixie12]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

No. The calcium to phosphorus ratio has to be exact, 1.2 parts of calcium for each 1 part of phosphorous (1.2:1).

Calcium & Phosphorous in Dogs* - Chinaroad Lowchens of Australia -

Most homecooked recipes call for adding bone meal or calcium carbonate, but the amount depends on the particular recipe.

As I said, an occasional homecooked meal is fine.

hmm.. i have to figure this out.. I really wanted him to be a homecooked puppy.

[ally173]

homecooking takes a lot of time and energy; i had to do it for almost a year for ava because she was sick; however now i am so happy that she eats kibbles twice daily and i only cook once or twice a week now, because she eats chicken for lunch

[littlepixie12]

Originally Posted by ally173

homecooking takes a lot of time and energy; i had to do it for almost a year for ava because she was sick; however now i am so happy that she eats kibbles twice daily and i only cook once or twice a week now, because she eats chicken for lunch

I didnt want to give it to him exclusively just breakfast and dinner

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by littlepixie12

hmm.. i have to figure this out.. I really wanted him to be a homecooked puppy.

I home cook for Lady because at almost 14, she has so many health issues, including diabetes and allergies, I ran out of commercial foods she could eat.

There are so many wonderful high quality commercial foods out there, it really isn't necessary to home cook for a healthy puppy. If you do decide to, many people here consult with Susan Davis for a recipe.

Holistic Veterinarian Pet Nutritionist Holistic Pet Care

Balance IT is another option many YT'ers use:

Welcome to the Balance IT® Web Site

It's also important that dogs getting a homecooked diet get bloodwork every six months or so to make sure they are getting the proper nutrition. Bloodwork will tell your vet if the calcium to phosphorus ratio is correct.

[Lolapup]

Do you know if their recipes will work for a raw diet?