Problems with home cooking

[Trina M. Shea]

I am new to this, but I recently tried one of our DK recipes and began to slowly mix it with Swayze's Innovo Adult kibbles.  He has always had digestive issues, so I know to move slowly.  Maybe I pushed too fast, but after several days, I pushed him to about 1/2 and 1/2.  His stools had already loose from the onset, but when I did this, he had outright diarrhea and some vomiting.  Would you assume he is allergic to something??  I also assume from what I am reading, that many of you out there feed no kibbles at all and are strictly "Cooking" all of your foods.  When I read what all is in Orijen or Innova, I wonder if I know how to get the right balance and right amount of suppliments - antioxidants, etc.  Am I missing some discussion where this has already been addressed??  I'm willing - I just don't feel confident - Thanks, Trina

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

Trina, I don't know what you were putting into your HC but is it possible that you need to add brown rice or other "binder." I feed the Evo on the side and leave it out for grazing and don't add to it. Diarrhea and vomiting, together is not usually part of the side effects of HCing but loose and smaller stools, is.

What is the recipe you used? That might give us a better idea of the problem. If the vomiting continues, you might ask your vet if there could be another problem.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I started home cooking a little over a month ago because Guinness had so many intestinal issues. He was diagnosed with IBD, and he just could not tolerate dog food (and I tried them all). I moved to home cooking completely,....never mixed with kibble. I started with the chicken and rice and introduced new foods slowly. Now he can eat just about anything, and his stomach issues are gone. Please search under "home cooking" and you will see a number of discussions. If you start with my first home cooking posting (Home Cooking Where Do I Begin), you will see a very rich discussion with valuable input from all the Food Group experts. You will also see a basic plan that I developed (with their input and some online research) and presented to my Vet for approval. I did keep my Vet in the loop as I made this move. You will also see follow up discussions about Supplements. This was also a concern of mine, but I'm comfortable now with my approach. After you have a chance to read these discussions, I'm sure that you'll have more questions. This is a great place to get answers.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's a link to Jane's discussion: "Home Cooking, Where Do I Begin":
http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/home-co...

[Trina M. Shea]

Jane - you are so helpful, and obviously well informed. I am going to your discussion as soon as I finish this!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea are never symptoms of an allergy...never. Food allergies manifest in the same way that inhalant allergies do...with itching, scratching, licking, hair loss, etc. So you can stop worrying about that.
Jackdoodle vomits from homecooked mixtures, too. He can't tolerate starches mixed in. Plain cooked chicken, beef, fish, eggs, he does fine with. He gets Orijen, but I add fresh foods such as the above. You might try that to begin with; a high quality premium kibble with fresh foods added is the next best thing to HC.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You might also try just feeding a very simple chicken and rice mixture to start. Cut the chicken up very fine...dogs don't really chew their food, and mix about 1 part rice with 2 parts finely cut cooked chicken. Don't worry about the vitamins, etc. for now. You can give kibble in the a.m. and the chicken rice mixture in the evening. If Swayze has a sensitive stomach, he may need to adjust to the fresh foods more slowly.

[Trina M. Shea]

Karen and Jack, I sent this request out right before I left for church this AM and then I had a really full day. I have just gotten home and checked my emails. I am sooooo impressed by all the responses and suggestions I have gotten today. I think I will go with your suggestion of mixing in high quality "People" food with his Orijen, starting slowly and just see where we go from there. He has stopped the vomiting and the bowels are beginning to "shape up" shall we say. I'm going to Jane's link to view those discussions as well. When you read a few of those warnings about dog food companies and what they are allowed by law to get away with, it makes you wonder if you can really trust any of them over the long run. I don't want to be an alarmest, but I would rather be able to do a well balanced home cooked meal and give him the kibbles only occasionally. I hope he can eventually adjust. Thanks again for you help - this is an incredible supportive group!!

[Linda & Charity]

I'm new to this group. Charity has had food problems since I got her. I have also tried many of the dry foods. She refused to eat it... probably because it made her sick. She wasn't doing well with rice or chicken even if it was cooked at home. I am now feeding her only LID dog food- Limited Ingredient Diet. We are using Natural Balance, the salmon and sweet potato mix of dry dog food as well as the same treats. It has really helped. No diarrhea or vomiting.

[Tammy & Gracie]

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/home-co...

You may want to read this discussion for info. Guiness had some digestive issues that have pretty much been cleared up with homecooking. HC sounds like a big deal but really isn't very difficult once you are used to doing it. My Gracie had had a turnaround with allergy symptoms since we began. Karen, will probably chime in and let us know about the quality (or lack of) in the food you are using. Welcome to the food group! We all learn lots here!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The Natural Balance isn't a bad food. It's a little low in protein, but many of the limited ingredient foods are.
Linda you might also look at California Naturals...they have an extensive limited ingredient line, too. Without knowing exactly what was going on with Charity, I hesitate to suggest changing her diet, especially since what she's eating now is working for her. But eventually she's going to need more variety and more protein. How old is Charity?