What to feed for optimal health

[Teegy]

Originally Posted by barneysmommmy

The reality is that we have to do something for Barney. He is very thin. You can see his hip bones. At his last vet visit, the vet said he really needs to gain at least another half pound. The only dry food he will eat is Anna's metabolic, not appropriate for a skinny dog. We have spent a lot of money trying a lot of different dry foods. The only way he'll eat them is if I hand him one kibble at a time as a reward for tricks. He uses more calories doing the tricks than he gets from the kibble.

My vet said they encourage owners to feed coconut oil to encourage weight gain, it's a safe triglyceride fat that absorbs into the system, would Barney be interested in a wee spoon of that a day?

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by Maximo

That is awesome! I pray my boys are around a long time too.

Dawn, please re-read the first post in the thread. The OP states that dogs cannot thrive on kibble and that they are bored eating the same thing every day. The OP more than implies that kibble causes disease.

Why is it not okay for other members to come in and disagree with these assertions? Isn't that the purpose of a discussion forum?

Also, this is hardly the first heated debate about dog food. It has always been a controversial subject here, and all over the internet.

It is perfectly Ok for you or anyone else to disagree. I don't see an issue with what the OP said in her org post. That is her opinion and I think she means well and has nothing but the best intentions when it comes to feeding healthy foods to her pets. Seems pretty clear cut to me... as far as the causing illnesses who knows it might and it might not. There is an abundance of links available here for anyone to read if interested. My problem with the thread was when the discussion took on a whole other meaning and went way out into left field and was a huge turn off for me once people started to get nasty with one another. So, Hopefully anyone reading this can weed through the nonsense and find the true facts about feeding their dogs and the benefits it has or does not have and will help other make an informed decision when trying to decide what to feed their own dogs.

[nanahas3]

How old is he? Our Laddy was a skinny little guy until he was 4 years old and now lol he is almost on the plump side. Laddy is a very active guy to but has a lot of anxiety issues. I always thought he kept his weight ran off.

[barneysmommmy]

Originally Posted by Teegy

My vet said they encourage owners to feed coconut oil to encourage weight gain, it's a safe triglyceride fat that absorbs into the system, would Barney be interested in a wee spoon of that a day?

He actually likes coconut oil. How do I know this? I used it to shine my wood cabinets and he ran around me licking it right off. I will try this. Thanks!

[barneysmommmy]

Originally Posted by nanahas3

How old is he? Our Laddy was a skinny little guy until he was 4 years old and now lol he is almost on the plump side. Laddy is a very active guy to but has a lot of anxiety issues. I always thought he kept his weight ran off.

Barney is kind of anxious also and like you said he runs non stop. He is only 14 months old. So maybe he will some day be a little plump. He actually has a lean build. He's tall and very narrow. He's a beautiful boy, just skinny. The vet was concerned because his hip bones protrude. I appreciate everyone's suggestions. Since I have coconut oil on hand, I think I'll try that and see if it makes a difference. I think the problem is exacerbated because we have chunky monkey Anna here who has the opposite problem. I have to be careful that the changes we make for him do not affect her. Coconut oil would be the easiest solution. Again, thanks every one for the suggestions.

[ShowGirlLola]

Have you tried health extension little bites for Barney? So far it's the only dry food Lola will consistently eat. If you ask the company they'll send you a few good sized bags.

You could also try farmina n&d, there's a thread about it. I'm interested in trying it, if Lola likes it I want to rotate between the two.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Just a comment about food threads here at YT. Food threads can foster a ton of debate - and can often hit a sensitive nerve, for whatever reasons. It's fine to disagree, have a passionate debate, argue respectfully with each other -- there is nothing wrong with a good argument/debate. This is a FORUM, after all, it's not a linear equation where the outcome of any thread question is supposed to go a certain way, and only that way.

I think it's clear that we all know there is no such thing as a *best* diet for dogs - there are no facts to prove that. It is a fact, though, that food threads at YT easily become passionate - so we may as well accept that fact. As long as it's a respectfully passionate discussion - it's all okay. All opinions are welcome.

Thanks for this clarification.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by chachi

No where on Jennys post was the word fact used she said her vet said it was the best food and shes entitled to say that I just wemt through and read her posts

You must not have read the back and forth of mine and her posts but whatever some people are only gonna see what they want to see.

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I certainly hope that if you ever think I am ganging up on you, that you will let me know.

Thank you Linda, I will let you know, but I don't think that will ever happen.

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

My probablem was not with people having an opinion at all my problem was with Jenny saying her opinion that raw is best is a fact. That was the only issue I was having.

Ok Taylor, this is for you...just kidding! This message is to everyone:
It was my opinion, based on scientific fact when I said raw was the BEST food.
I knew what I was getting into when I posted, that's why I mentioned that discussing food is like religion, so controversial (hope that comment didn't offend anyone). So I didn't get upset but was a little frustrated trying to get my point of view across. There's no 1 best food, like so many of you mentioned & that's true. I hope my posts or beliefs didn't offend anyone & we'll continue to be a passionate group of Yorkies & Dog loving ladies & gents!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

Thank you Linda, I will let you know, but I don't think that will ever happen.


Ok Taylor, this is for you...just kidding! This message is to everyone:
It was my opinion, based on scientific fact when I said raw was the BEST food.
I knew what I was getting into when I posted, that's why I mentioned that discussing food is like religion, so controversial (hope that comment didn't offend anyone). So I didn't get upset but was a little frustrated trying to get my point of view across. There's no 1 best food, like so many of you mentioned & that's true. I hope my posts or beliefs didn't offend anyone & we'll continue to be a passionate group of Yorkies & Dog loving ladies & gents!

Thank you, Jenny! I am glad that you are aok. I never thought that you were feeling ganged up on and certainly would never have wanted that. For a time last night, I thought I had landed in the Twilight Zone.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by barneysmommmy

Barney is kind of anxious also and like you said he runs non stop. He is only 14 months old. So maybe he will some day be a little plump. He actually has a lean build. He's tall and very narrow. He's a beautiful boy, just skinny. The vet was concerned because his hip bones protrude. I appreciate everyone's suggestions. Since I have coconut oil on hand, I think I'll try that and see if it makes a difference. I think the problem is exacerbated because we have chunky monkey Anna here who has the opposite problem. I have to be careful that the changes we make for him do not affect her. Coconut oil would be the easiest solution. Again, thanks every one for the suggestions.

Start slowly with the coconut oil and work up. It can cause diarrhea when first introduced.

Teddy was extremely skinny/tall too. His hip bones didn't protrude, but his chest bone and leg bones did. He was like Barney, always busy. I think he was over 2 years old before he started filling in, developing muscle. He has a very fast metabolism, so I have to offer him kibble/treats almost around the clock. I have the same problem you have with Anna -- my Maxman does not need the extra food. It's hard to balance their needs.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

Thank you Linda, I will let you know, but I don't think that will ever happen.


Ok Taylor, this is for you...just kidding! This message is to everyone:
It was my opinion, based on scientific fact when I said raw was the BEST food.
I knew what I was getting into when I posted, that's why I mentioned that discussing food is like religion, so controversial (hope that comment didn't offend anyone). So I didn't get upset but was a little frustrated trying to get my point of view across. There's no 1 best food, like so many of you mentioned & that's true. I hope my posts or beliefs didn't offend anyone & we'll continue to be a passionate group of Yorkies & Dog loving ladies & gents!

I'm glad you said that, that way I dunno if it was how you worded it or how I read it but I was reading it that you where saying it as a fact. A lot of us I think base are opinions on scientific fats although I have come across some who don't on things that make me go huh. Heck politics might be a better comparasine to talking about food on here then even religion lol. Anyway I have no problems with anyone and I hope no one has problems with me but if they do I encourage them to pm so we can work it out. I'm happy happy happy

[chachi]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Just a comment about food threads here at YT. Food threads can foster a ton of debate - and can often hit a sensitive nerve, for whatever reasons. It's fine to disagree, have a passionate debate, argue respectfully with each other -- there is nothing wrong with a good argument/debate. This is a FORUM, after all, it's not a linear equation where the outcome of any thread question is supposed to go a certain way, and only that way.

I think it's clear that we all know there is no such thing as a *best* diet for dogs - there are no facts to prove that. It is a fact, though, that food threads at YT easily become passionate - so we may as well accept that fact. As long as it's a respectfully passionate discussion - it's all okay. All opinions are welcome.

I understand what you are saying ann and I respect what you have to say. The forum has just changed and I don't feel it's all for the best. It used to be about making friendships, supporting one another and sharing iand I'm talking way back I know when admin used. To post as fasteddie. We once asked him if we could have a debate forum and he said no he didn't want the forum to become about debating. Back then there was a common conccencious of wanting the forum to grow. Now it seems like it is all about debate or tearing apart someone else's opinion or action and that is just sad to me and I believe I overreacted but that's where it came from

[107barney]

Originally Posted by chachi

I understand what you are saying ann and I respect what you have to say. The forum has just changed and I don't feel it's all for the best. It used to be about making friendships, supporting one another and sharing iand I'm talking way back I know when admin used. To post as fasteddie. We once asked him if we could have a debate forum and he said no he didn't want the forum to become about debating. Back then there was a common conccencious of wanting the forum to grow. Now it seems like it is all about debate or tearing apart someone else's opinion or action and that is just sad to me and I believe I overreacted but that's where it came from

Some of my new BFFs are people from this forum. I thought everyone had done the same but reading your post now makes me realize some of why you've been so upset. I suppose it's hard for some to make friends. I've been here for five years and love the forum as it is.

[chachi]

I have friends that go way back I've been on the forum 9 years but they are on happier threads