| Question about Puppy Food Quantity |
[22 Dec 2009|09:12am] |
|
We recently changed Cooper's food after she just randomly decided one day that she wasn't going to eat Science Diet anymore. Switched to Advantage and she took to the change well and loves the new food. Coat is nice and shiny, poop is nice a solid :)
My question is about quantity of food suggested on the bags. With the Science Diet it was recommended that for a puppy 4-6 months that she eat 2-3 cups a day, but with the Advantage it says for her to eat 6 cups. Is it just me or is that a lot more food? Does this mean that there is more filler product? She doesn't want more food and still only eats about 2-3 cups even if we leave out 6.
And because everyone likes pictures, here she is, showing off her booties that are keeping her from chewing her dew claw stitches. She hates the booties but likes them 1000x more than the e-collar :)
|
|
|
[22 Dec 2009|12:06pm] |
Indigo would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas :)
( More )
|
|
|
[21 Dec 2009|11:54pm] |
Happy Holidays!
Love, Monty
|
|
|
[21 Dec 2009|07:57pm] |
Hum! Bryan's eating habits has been odd the last couple of weeks or so. At times he'll eat fine, and other times he wouldn't eat his food (but will eat anything else!). One night I added some water to his food, wondering if perhaps he had a tooth that might've been bugging him and the food was just too hard. But he ate hard rawhide just fine, no signs of pain or anything. Then I got to wondering if it was the food, so I went to PetCo and bought a small bag of Natural Balance (I've been feeding him Purina One lamb and rice for a few months now, and he didn't have any problems with this food before) just last night. He ate up the Natural Balance kibbles, and left the Purina kibble behind in the bowl (or on the floor).
Today, I gave him Natural Balance only, and he barely touched it. I even added in some Purina and mixed it up, and again he barely touched it all day. An hour ago, after several more attempts of trying to get him to eat from his bowl and he refused, I hand-fed him. I still tried to encourage him to eat from his bowl, and he just backed away from it. But he ate both Natural Balance and Purina from my hand with no problems. So now I'm wondering... did something happen one day when he was eating from the metal bowl? Did he perhaps somehow get his tongue stuck to the bowl on one of the really cold days outside? Bryan likes to have his water first before he eats so... his tongue getting stuck would make sense.
A cousin of mine commented on my status on facebook and said her dog was similar with the eating habits (not wanting to eat out of the bowl, etc.) until she figured her dog had a wheat allergy. I don't know if that's what's going on with Bryan, if he's got allergies or if he's just had some sort of traumatic experience with metal bowls. I don't know. I've fed Bryan 4 different brands of dog food since I adopted him in July 2008 (I bought the brand that the Humane Society had been feeding him and I slowly switched him out to Natural Balance, and later switched over to Nature's Recipe, then Purina One just a few months ago since it was a bit cheaper and I've been struggling to make ends meet).
I'm going to try using a plastic bowl tomorrow and see if that makes a difference for him. If not, then I'll probably call the vet and see what they think might be going on. He ate fine when I hand-fed him tonight, and he still gobbles up his treats and whatever food droppings and crumbs off the kitchen floor and stuff like that (he's practically the food vacuum!). I've checked his mouth, I don't see any inflammations or anything, and he's been eating up treats with no problems or signs of pain (and they're the same hardness/crunchiness as the kibble), etc. I'm doing what I can to make sure he's eating and happy and healthy. He was deemed completely healthy at his recent vet check-up 2 Friday's ago.
Just wondering if any of you guys dealt with something similar to what I'm dealing with right now with Bryan. Sorry this is so long.
|
|
| Puppy Supplies? |
[21 Dec 2009|06:04pm] |
| [ |
mood |
| |
 excited |
] |
Hello all, I'm slowly preparing thing for my new GSD puppy who will coming home with me later this year. I'm really excited(my first dog) and I want to make a list of supplies to pick up for him over the next few months. The breeder's sending a bag of whatever he's weaned on and I plan on switching him to RAW. So far I have:
find a vet
find a puppy K class
find a schutzhund club
crate
bed
chew toys
collar/leash(extra collar)
food bowels
grooming/dental stuff
treat pouch/treats
clicker
Pet Gates
Tags
blanket w/ mom's scent
Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
|
|
| crate trained dog doesn't want to go in his crate |
[21 Dec 2009|03:06pm] |
I pet sit part time for a local company and right now I am taking care of a client with three dogs. A chihuahua, a boston terrior, and a German Shepherd/Collie mix.
While this client is gone, she wants her dogs in crates. No biggie. They're all crate trained. Well, the big one, Chubs, does not want to go in his crate. He's lonely, I know and he knows what happens when he goes in the crate, he gets left alone for up to 13 hours, stuck in that tiny space. I understand that he doesn't like it, but his owner requested this and left him in the crate.
I spent an hour tonight trying to get him in his crate. I have another job and can't spend a long time there. I need to get in and out of the apartment as quickly as I can while letting them all do their business and feeding and watering them. I tried treats, cheese, toys, gently guiding him in the crate, roughly guiding him in the crate, its just not working. He tries to snap at me and growls at me. He just won't go.
Do any of you know a way to get him in? I really need to get him to go in quickly as starting today I can't spend more than 30 minutes on the job (which is all that is required of me for a 3 dog residence).
|
|
| Puzzle Toys |
[21 Dec 2009|12:39pm] |
| [ |
mood |
| |
 curious |
] |
Mala, my 3 YO cane corso/bullmastiff mix, is a ridiculously smart dog. She learn incredibly quickly and has a pretty high problem solving capacity.
As a result, I fear she may get bored when my wife and I are at work, particularly given her explosive exuberance when we come home.
I was wondering if anyone here had any suggestions for puzzle/problem solving type toys to help keep her entertained and engaged when we're away. Any thoughts are welcome, particularly if you can explain "WHY you like a particular item.
Thanks in advance.
|
|
| Merry Christmas from Axl! |
[21 Dec 2009|01:03pm] |
( Adorable Photo below! )
I hope everyone has a happy holiday season!
EDIT: I also wanna thank everyone for all the advice / support we've gotten from you all: Last night I was able to leave Axl out (hooked to my bed) and he didn't destroy anything (well, he did chew up the wire to my crappier soldering iron and crushed a lip-stick / marker SOMETHING top, but that's an improvement compared to what he'd normally get at..!) .. For the most part, he slept nestled against me on the bed for the better chunk of the night, chewing on one of his rawhides.
He's also going for the rawhides versus things he shouldn't... OMFG, he's LEARNING. Destructo-dog is leaving and leaving behind a well polished pup in it's place! I am SO excited! He's also getting REALLY good about coming when called and sitting instead of playing Keep Away when we have to go, and.. OK, need to stop gushing. I'm just so tickled pink at the good behavior and I'm so glad I got him, Wagger would never sleep with me in bed and Axl does, and when you live alone that helps fight off the lonliness pangs. Thanks to all of you, he'll be a perfect pooch in no time.
Just FYI, my co-worker has a shih-tzu (named Libby) whom Axl has a playdate with next Sunday.. (It's OK! Libby LOVES big dogs according to my co-worker!) .. I'll take photos a plenty! ^_^
Thanks again all!
|
|
| Chocolate? |
[20 Dec 2009|08:53pm] |
|
Okay, I just want a "been there done that" opinion. I have been reading that small amounts of white chocolate are fine for your dogs to eat. (http://www.k9magazinefree.com/k9_perspective/iss1p24.shtml) and that many gourmet dog treats are dipped in it. I was thinking of dipping some milkbones in some as Christmas treats, but frankly I am a bit scared to try it. Have any of you given your pups white chocolate dipped treats?
|
|
|
[20 Dec 2009|12:58am] |
Panda. One of the best things that ever happened to me.
couple more pictures behind the cut
( little man )
|
|
| Chloe is ready for Santa. |
[19 Dec 2009|09:37pm] |
I don't know why she decided to just hold her Christmas cracker for me, and look so cute, but I'm glad she did. (please ignore the clutter in the background- I had to move stuff around so I could vacuum.)
|
|
| More snow corgi! |
[19 Dec 2009|03:53pm] |
Everyone else enjoying the Blizzard? We got quite a bit of snow. I took Beaker out front to play in it and I could barely get the door open!
He's a little guy so these pictures just crack me up.
( Beaker, the reindeer nobody ever knew about. )
Anyone else have some blizzard pics?
ETA: Also, I need a pinch of advice.
( The problem. )
|
|
| Bad Breath |
[19 Dec 2009|11:23am] |
|
A cure for bad breath in dogs is fresh, chopped organic parsley added to the dog's food daily.
|
|
| A Dog-Gone Christmas |
[19 Dec 2009|09:38am] |
|
Happy Holidays to one and all at Dog Lovers!
I'm new to the community. My name is Jody, and I currently have one dog named Maggie, and two cats, Minute and Little Guy. The icon is is of my boerboel mastiff, Zilla, who crossed the bridge last April, 2009. She was a wonderful and beautiful girl. I miss her.
Here's a fun link for the holiday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUtPKbMwnRo
|
|
|
[20 Dec 2009|12:45am] |
Hello! I'm CAPS, and I'm new to this community. I have two dogs:Shiro (1), a 6-year old male maltese, and Bambi (1) (2), a 4-month old long-haired chihuahua puppy(also male).
Shiro's personality is somewhat worrisome to me. He's a good dog, really! He only barks when necessary, doesn't display aggressive behavior(save for occasional crankiness),and he's always friendly to other dogs. What is worrisome about him is the fact that he prefers to be left alone most of the time. He doesn't enjoy hugs and he doesn't like to be carried. You can usually find him lying alone at his favourite spot and licking his paws(I'm going to get that checked out. I'm starting to think it's a compulsive habit.) When you move near him, he'll wag his tail a little at first, then look out for telltale signs that you're about to carry him and move to somewhere you can't reach. Am I worrying for nothing? Or is there something wrong with his behavior? Most of the dogs I've met really enjoy human affection, but he doesn't seem to.
This is also partly why I got another dog. I thought that if he didn't want affection from humans, then he could still have another doggy companion around. Unfortunately, he doesn't like Bambi either. He growls when Bambi goes near and moves away immediately. It's a pity because Bambi likes him soooo much. :(
ON A LIGHTER NOTE, one of our hamsters escaped this afternoon, and Shiro found it for us. He's always the one who finds the lost hamsters.
|
|
| UK Dog Food |
[19 Dec 2009|01:19pm] |
I know it's another dog food post, but I couldn't find anything in the tags about dogs in the UK. All the food which is mentioned in these posts (or well most) aren't available here - so I'm wondering what everyone feeds?
I've got Izzie on James Wellbeloved kibble which is supposed to be a premium brand over here, but in comparison to those available in America it's not too great. I also mix in raw (chicken/turkey bones etc), egg and some yoghurt. Not everyday but maybe once a week jst for some variety and a little extra. She is healthy and has a lovely coat so don't get me wrong I'm quite happy with what she's on, but if theres something else better then it's worth a try.
Also for Christmas, I was planning on making a doggy cake. Whats everyones thoughts on the ingredients in this one? It won't obviously all be for one dog, we have four dogs which come with us to my parents house on Christmas day. Or if anyone has any others they've tried/tested then that would be great
( And so it's not all text )
|
|
| Warm coats for sighthounds |
[18 Dec 2009|06:38pm] |
|
My whippet seems to have... misplaced... her outdoor coat. It was shaped kind of like a horse blanket with a waterproof outside and a fleece lining. So i'm looking for a warm, waterproof (hopefully, but not completely necessary as she doesn't spend much time outside when it's cold) that isn't too expensive. i've found a few for sighthounds but they're 75$+. i paid $30 for her other one. so if anyone know where i could get one similar to the one she had or something else that would work for the odd sighthound shape.
|
|
| navigation |
| [ |
viewing |
| |
most recent entries |
] |
| [ |
go |
| |
earlier |
] |
|
|
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
candy_kisses777's Friends Page
drained
