Raw vs higher qualitydog food.

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

Daisy who is 3 weeks from being 12 has been on a diet of boiled chicken/pork/beef (lean) w/ rice ,greens and yogurt and at night she gets a cup of kibble. It was also easier to just feed lucky the same as they will swithch dishes .leave their food and walk off. Daisy's bout w/ pancreatitis is why we did it but she has lost about 4 lbs and really likes her food.However 2.79 a lb for chicken breast ,the amount of time I spend preparing(son is starting basketball season) Im thinjking we need to change . plus my experience w/ a freezer burnt cow tongue makes me miss kibble. So I have several questions:
1. Is raw ok now that we are watching daisy for pancreatitis /(her last blood work was perfect per my vet) Im trying to prevent any furtherissues.
2. My vet wants a high quality low fat kibble ? I need suggestions . I thought Totw was expensive and then i stared buying cases of frozen chicken breast/
3. My vet wants kibble because of the added nutrients . We give some additives ,ie fish oil and garlic/yeast.If I continue to cook I want to know they are getting what they need.They get a cup of kibble a day.
I know this is old stuff and people have asked this befor however Ifeel Daisy's age ,her pickiness as well as her weight make this an issue. Thanks
Maggi

[jocoyn]

Most of the quality kibble is high in fat content though perhaps the Natural Balance LID would sit well with her it is lower in fat and with good proteins. .... At her age and with specific problems I can't advise for or against raw.

My dog with digestive problems did not do so well on it as he would get bacterial overgrowth but his issues were immune-mediated and developed an allergy to chicken.

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

That is what i thought. My vet just carte blanche does not hold w/ RAW. I havent really met any that do in my area. I looked at ToTW and one other and the fat was considerable. We really watch what she gets now . Cooking her and Lucky's meals is expansive (I may put us all on kibble) all groceries are but their breath is better ,the dogs are not extreme in their bowel movements and Daisy w/ the weight loss moves alittle better. No onee pukes anymore. My bill at the butcher was 95.00 for 40 lbs of chicken breast . Half for the dogs,the other for us so that will las t about a month w/ other meat from the freezer.

[jocoyn]

Maybe he could give you target ranges for fat content which would help you figure it out? The main concern I would have with the raw chicken is the leg quarters are where you get the best price but the most fat - and the frames (leftovers from making boneless/skinless don't have enough meat. But maybe others will play in.

I know I had to add fat to this (fish oil) for my own dogs and the blood numbers were all good.

Here is the analysis for the LID Chicken. The fiber from the sweet potatoes would be a plus too I think. The protein is on the low end.

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dog...tml#Guaranteed

But I found this site too - may give resources to look at.
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-d...-fat-dog-food/

[sable123]

If the dog has had health problems then using an ad hoc diet is a big mistake in my opinion. I really hate the fact that people add oil to a normally active dog's diet.

One teaspoon of any oil is about 5 grams. If you assume it is 100% fat, then adding one teaspoon per cup raises the fat level around 4.5%. So you have to be very careful about adding oil to a companion animals diet.

You could be turning a 25/15 food into a 25/20 or higher fat very easily.

When you add things like raw meat you have no idea how much fat the dog is actually getting.

What is your budget on kibble?

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

Thanks Jocoyn. It sounds like a good place to start.I will ask him for target ranges

[sable123]

In Ohio, why not try Best Breed. I don't have any direct experience with it although I do know it is made at Ohio Pet Food, so that is a big thumbs up. I also know Gary Cotton is a well known vet when it comes to nutrition issues, especially GSD's. His diets tend to be lower in fat than many others, and the Senior Diet might be perfect for a dog that age.

Best Breed | All Natural | Holistic | Dog Food

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

Thanks Sable123 .Ive never heard of the Best Breed .Wiil check it out.

[sable123]

Originally Posted by Daisy&Lucky's Mom

Thanks Sable123 .Ive never heard of the Best Breed .Wiil check it out.

Sure no problem. This has all the hallmarks of good product. His name is on the door, he is a known expert, the plant is impeccable and the price is fair.

Are so many formulas needed, well probably not but the rest of the package is there.

I would have suggested Annamaet Adult but I don't know if you can get it.

[Daisy&Lucky's Mom]

Originally Posted by sable123

If the dog has had health problems then using an ad hoc diet is a big mistake in my opinion. I really hate the fact that people add oil to a normally active dog's diet.

One teaspoon of any oil is about 5 grams. If you assume it is 100% fat, then adding one teaspoon per cup raises the fat level around 4.5%. So you have to be very careful about adding oil to a companion animals diet.

You could be turning a 25/15 food into a 25/20 or higher fat very easily.

When you add things like raw meat you have no idea how much fat the dog is actually getting.

What is your budget on kibble?

I am setting my budget . I just priced Best breed at about 87,00 forr 33 lls thats a little steep. I looked at natural balance i need to check out the price. right now Im feeding
4 to 5oz of B/S less chicken breast 1 cup of rice /barley/whole grain pasta w/ a cup to cup and a half of vegetables w/ half cup of fat free cultured plain yogurt. We are soending about 55.oo a month on chicken about 20 on yogurt and about 20 on vegetables for two dogs . they get a low fat sr, dog kibble 1 cup in the evening.
Im calcualating its about 60.00 to 80,00 a month for what we are doing per dog.my budget is 100.00 t0 150. for kibble.
guys im new to this i grew uo w/ dogs who ereoutside and ate kibble and lots of fat ibnthe winter. I feed what i thought was good kibble . then i joined here and man was I wrong.

I like **** Van Pattens Food the tables and ingredients and fat content look good . Im checking out the breed best that Sable talked about and I went to Dog Food Chat to check on dry kibble ratings.
Daisy is heavy but she is healthy from a blood work standpoint.I want her to remain healthy ,find some treats she likes and maintain Lucky's health. I hopr I can do it for 150 or a little less for their main meals.