Yet another food question

[Marion Carmickle]

Riley was eating very well for about 2 weeks (we are still trying to move her over to California Natural) but this weekend she had a saliva "spit-up" and then a food "spit up" on Sunday. She hasn't been too keen on the dry food and likes to have a little canned mixed in but she isn't interested in that either. She is teething like crazy (lost two teeth at one time the middle of last week), so I am wondering if that is causing her to not have a great appetite. Our vet has her on a low residue canned for 48 hrs to give her GI track a rest and she ate that like a champ. My question: Should I try another dry and see if that will work better? I hate to use wet only because of benefit of dry food for her teeth and ease of feeding but I also want her to have proper nutrition. I am considering Wellness Puppy. I would appreciate your views. Thanks!

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Marion ~ Refresh my memory, how old is Riley? You may want to ask your holistic food provider to give you samples, try the California Natural Lamb and Rice, it can be gentler on the tummy. The herring and sweet potato is good also but it does not come in a puppy formula. If tha doesn't do it I would switch within the Natura brand first, maybe bump up to Innova ~ if your pup is over 6 months you may want to try grain free and go for Innova's EVO, these are all Natura products. Your store should take the food back and I would think be very generous and helpful with samples. Where do you live? Also I would really think about using enzymes. Email me if you want more info. I have a great relationship with our holistic provider, to the point she has invited me to tag along at merchant only exhibits with the different distributors. I will be glad to offer any help I can. This too will pass : )

[Marion Carmickle]

Riley will be 5 months old on the 24th. She is gaining weight (she now weighs 20 lbs) but I think she her teething may be affecting her eating. She lost 2 teeth last week and wants to chew on everything. My husband is taking her to the vet today for a checkup just to be sure that there is nothing else going on. I like the idea of going with the lamb and rice from California Natural...we may try that next. Riley is not much of an eater...she would much rather play and investigate everything around her but I do want to be sure she is getting the nutrients that she needs. I don't have a holistic provider...how does one find one? We live in San Antonio. I also would like to know about the enzymes. What is your feeling about the canned California Natural? Would it be good to add some of that to the dry? What about the fish oil capsules? Thanks for the information.

[Dianne Carter ~ Trinity Doodles]

Hi Marion,
I am going to back with you on finding someone in your area that can be helpful because I am at work right now and just want to get you a quick response. The teething can definitely tamper with the appetite, you might use some hollow sterilized bones with some homemade concocted filling ie... full fat yogurt (no art. sweeteners) which would be good for her digestive track, some dry kibble, etc... an outside or crate treat for sure. On the bones I would steer clear of peanut butter for now, I have a dog who is very sensitive to it and until you resolve the other issues you do not need to complicate it.

We do use the California Natural canned ~ very little. We use one can with two cans of water mixed to 14-20 cups of dry. Since you are not feeding the masses I would open a can and immediately blend it to the consistency you want with water, 1-2 cans and refrigerate what you do not use. It will be sooo much easier to scoop that out as needed than the hardened canned food.

Wholistic pet makes a very good enzyme product that aids in digestion however it is expensive. There are several comparable ones. Innova (also by Natura) has probiotics in it, good for digestion. I asked how old Riley was because many feel that you should not move to the high protein of EVO until they have done the bulk of their growing.

Many premium dog foods already add fish oils to their foods. I am not saying that it is a bad thing to add, but what result are you seeking with it. Start from there, then you will know if you should add it.

Don't suffer throught the bag of chicken and rice if it is not working, they should be glad to take it back and offer you credit.

Will pop back in later : )