Feeding MY Shar Pei / Feeding Your Shar Pei
Talk to 5 different people and you will get 5 different opinions on what brand YOU should feed!
In a quest to feed top quality food and provide a balanced diet, I rotate between a few different brands.
I use at "least" 3 brands and at least 3 different sources of protein in my feeding regiment
IE; duck,fish,buffalo,lamb,rabbit,etc.
I personally use and rotate between Go/Now/N-R-G/Wellness Core, Natural Balance Sweet Potato/Venison and TRUTH by Grandma Lucy's.
I fully believe that ALL dogs should have their source of protein rotated bag by bag. Feeding one single source of protein for the life of a dog can lead to issues such as what killed my heart dog Posh. Eosinophilic Bowel Disease. There are different kinds of IBD. Posh suffered from a rather bad form.
Switching the protein source from 30LB bag to 30LB bag CAN reduce the risk of IBD
I stick to fish, buffalo , lamb, venison and duck as my protein sources
What works for one dog may not work for another!
Please watch the protein content in some brands as they can run pretty high and may not be suitable for all dogs, and certainly not for puppies.
42% protein is TOO HIGH for a puppy of any breed
I will say again, what works for one may not work for another.
Do your research and know your dog.
Look for any sign that the food you are feeding may be causing issues.
Do not hesitate to switch foods and try something else.
Brand Suggestions:
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Wellness Core (grain free formulas)
Solid Gold
Orijen
Instinct (consider the rabbit)
Horizon Legacy (A Canadian brand food)
Innova EVO (high protein)
N-R-G (dehydrated)
GO (grain free formulas)
Now (grain free formulas)
Eagle Pack Holistic Blend
Truth by Grandma Lucy's
Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Venison
Before Grains Canned Foods
Feeding My Chinese Shar Pei TODAY!
I am a research nut when it comes to dog food for my Shar Pei. It's been my mission to feed the best well balanced, easy to feed food. I have done the kibble, dehydrated and now the freeze dried foods. I don't do raw for my own reasons.
I try and avoid chicken based foods and food with chicken of ANY kind in ANY form in it. I tend towards the mid to high grade foods. I switch often and NEVER transition bag to bag. I switch protein sources every few weeks for health reasons. Feeding one single protein source, IE; chicken/beef/fish/lamb whatever is not healthy for your dog or mine. It KILLED Posh!
I finally came to realize it's VERY hard to find foods that have ZERO chicken it them. How I tried! Read your labels.
I have just added a new food to Zephyr's meal plan. It's called TRUTH.
It's made in California by a company called GRANDMA LUCYS.
They have a fricken great and fun website!
http://www.GrandmaLucys.com
I started Zephyr on their LAMB based TRUTH line of freeze dried dog food.
Totally grain free!It's very very easy to feed and Zephyr LOVES it!
I was concerned about the foods true meat content but thru research have realized the meat is crushed and is not seen in large chunks throughout the bag. The bag has a portion of meat chunks at the top when you open it but the rest is simply in a smaller harder to see form.But it's in there!
Truth Lamb is a 26% protein food.
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This is the information I received directly from Grandma Lucy.....
A little background on our food: Grandma Lucy's has been in business since 1999. We started with our freeze-dried meatball dog treats later to add our freeze-dried cat treats. All of our products have been developed not only from our love for pets, but also our customer's love for their pets. We have always built products on customer needs and recommendations. With the food recalls, we had many panicked customers calling us to ask if they could feed our treats as their pet's sole diet. They said they had trusted our product over the years and knew it was made with only the highest-quality, human-grade ingredients all sourced in the United States so they would be safe with us. Our treats are not formulated to be an everyday diet so we quickly began developing a balanced diet for both dogs and cats. We worked with veterinarians and nutritionists to use the same high-quality ingredients already in our treats to produce a simple and balanced diet for all life stages.
Ingredients: As you know, our food is a complete, freeze-dried, simple to use diet. Our number one ingredient in all of our foods is meat (chicken or lamb). So that the pets cannot pick through the food and eat only the meat, most all of it is ground up and mixed throughout. So that customers see the high-quality meat we do use, we add the additional larger pieces at the top of each bag but again, most all of the meat is mixed in the rest of the food. The larger pieces of meat are more like an added bonus so you don't have to have one included in each meal. Our food contains a mix of, not only human-grade meat, but also other highly nutritious ingredients such as potatoes, vegetables and fruits.
Consistency: Another very important aspect of our food is its consistency. During development, we wanted to be sure that our food more resembled a diet someone would make for their pets in their home. It needed to be hearty and more like a canned food or stew rather than a soup-type mixture. The only way to achieve this was utilizing our freeze-drying technology (I have attached some additional information on the freeze-drying process and why we feel it is so important). Having a dehydrated food would force us to completely grind up our ingredients so to assure rehydration. Freeze-dried foods can be easily rehydrated with warm water in a short amount of time keeping the food simple and convenient. The freeze-drying process also locks in all of the natural flavors and nutrients.
We do have more meat in our food than any other freeze-dried / dehydrated food on the market. We have dogs, including our own, that have been on the diet for over 2-years now and are doing extremely well. We have customers with dogs who have allergies or other problems switching to our food daily.
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Also on the menu for Zephyr:
I add TRIPE and BUFFALO by Before Grains, and use Natural Balance Sweet Potato/Venison kibble for fiber and bulk.
Sardines have always been part of his diet although I have stopped feeding him fish based anything as there is a new concern it is causing itching.
He also gets SHOW STOPPER by Animal Naturals ( www.an-nat.com ) It's an all in one coat and body optimizer.
This is simply what I do....
When your heart dog dies because of single source protein feeding, one tends to get a bit nuts, as I have.
Feeding is a project that is very important to me and the health of my Chinese Shar Pei.
I try my best. I can only hope it's enough in the long run.
When I see what some owners feed their dogs I want to be sick right their in the dog food isle!!
Please be careful when you research foods. Just because your neighbor feeds it, it doesn't mean you should!
Treats And Diet Additives Out Of Your Own Kitchen!
Lets face it, way back when, we all fed our canines food right off our plate! Funny? I had one that lived till he was 17 years old! He ate chicken bones, chocolate bars, mashed potatoes, and ice cream! His main diet was Gaines Burgers (yuck!) and canned Doctor Ballard's! Yes, he lived till he was 17, and I will tell you, he was healthy. Today would I follow that same feeding plan for my dog? NEVER EVER!
Having said all that please don't think all your dog food has to be made by a dog food company! Truth is there are many many things in your kitchen today that your canine can and will benefit from!
Many owners of today NEVER buy ready made dog food. They believe in making their own. This can be in the form of a complete and total RAW diet to simply adding extra's to their store bought dog foods.
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Fruits and veggies are one way to start adding BETTER ingredients to your dogs diets!
You can hand feed these as treats or add them to the bowl at supper time:
-Apple's
-Avocado's
-Banana's
-Cantaloupe
-Carrot's
-Green Beans
-Papayas
-Pumpkin
-Sweet Potatoes
-Watermelon
-Cranberries
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Other human food additives right from YOUR kitchen and fridge!
Pick a PROTEIN
Proteins are the building blocks of your animals diet
MEATS:
- chicken
- turkey
- duck
- lean beef
- bison/buffalo
- lamb
- venison
- emu
- ostrich
- rabbit
- salmon
- tuna
- pollock
- mackerel
- boiled egg
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FAT'S ??
Fats are not a bad thing if you use the right ones
Try adding a tablespoon of one of the following oils to your dogs diet
- safflower oil
- sunflower oil
- canola oil
- grape seed oil
- hemp seed oil
- avacado oil
- olive oil
- rice bran oil
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Carbohydrates provide sustained energy for your dog
- whole brown rice
- pearl barley
- oatmeal
- sweet potatoes
Try making up a cooked serving of one of the above carbohydrate's then add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of vegetable's and fruit. You can steam or cook the veg's and fruit then blend them together for a healthy hearty mash!
Don't ALWAYS feed the same ingredients!
Mix and match!
I also add yogurt, sardines, cottage cheese, cheese and peanut butter at various times and in various quantities.
*peanut butter, cottage cheese and cheese are high in fat so beware of that.
Link's To Better Health!
These are NOT direct links. However they are worthy links to write down and look up
- www.ProzymeStore.com/aw
- www.bravorawdiet.com
- www.onlynaturalpet.com
- www.fullpetential.com
- www.BarfDirect.com
- www.rawadvantage.com
- www.azmira.com
- www.wet-noses.com
- www.pawnaturaw.com
- www.eFarms.ca
- www.greentripe.com
The "GO" line of Dog Food By Petcurean
NUTRIENT DENSE FOOD!
Feed Up to 40% Less!
Go Natural is a superior pet food that features exceptional formulas developed with certified veterinarians and nutritionists for a revolutionary way to feed your pet 'One Diet for One Life'. Go! Natural's healthy and delicious formulas are made with juicy cuts of fresh human grade de-boned Chicken Meat, fresh West Coast Wild Salmon, and a host of other fresh human grade meat protein sources.
Prepared with a blend of wholesome ingredients such as oatmeal, whole brown rice, potatoes, carrots, apples, cranberries, flax seed, garlic, yucca schidigera, sunflower oil, beta-carotene, glucosamine, chondroitin, and prebiotics , and no fillers or by-products. Go! Natural's wholesome formulations are slowly and carefully prepared to meet the exacting standards of Holistic veterinarians and pet owners alike.
This is why we believe Go! Natural is the healthiest pet food in the world!
5 SIGNIFICANT PERFORMANCE FEATURES
1. Feed One Formula for an Entire Lifetime
2. Feed Up to 40% Less
3. Government Certified 'Fit for Human Consumption' Ingredients
4.Solution Formulas
5. Quality Assurance
The "NOW" line of dog food by PETCUREAN
Minimizing Processing.....Maximizing Nutrition
Gently Coated with Natural Digestive Enzymes
utilizing only fresh, hormone free, deboned meats (Absolutely no rendered meats or oils), Farm Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, pre-biotics, pro-biotics and digestive enzymes.
100% GRAIN FREE
MODERATE PROTEIN & MODERATE FAT
SAFE.....CONVENIENT.......HEALTHY!
Finally, a grain-free pet food which combines only fresh deboned turkey meat, duck meat, and salmon with coconut and vegetable oils, garden fresh vegetables, farm fresh fruit and select anti-oxidant rich berries. NOW! pet foods are formulated without meat meals, by-product meals, or animal fats
(100% render free).
NOW! is the first ultra premium, grain-free pet food that features the appropriate, industry standard levels of protein and fat pet owners have been waiting for!
1. NO Rendered Meats
2. NO Rendered Oils
3. NO Grains
4. NO Ethoxyquin, BHA or BHT
5. Moderate Protein
6. Moderate Fat
7. Digestive Enzymes Plus Pre & Pro-biotics
PLEASE REFER TO petcurean's OWN website for more information on GO and NOW dog foods
N-R-G Dehydrated Dog Food
I love N-R-G !!! I found this brand about a year ago, 2007. I thought I'd simply add a small amount to Zephyr's kibble and go with that. Now I find myself feeding 50% kibble and 50% N-R-G.
I feed a 50-50 mix. N-R-G is a complete dog food and you can absolutely feed ONLY N-R-G if you want.
N-R-G is a dehydrated food that requires simply adding water, letting it REFRESH (absorb the water) for about 30 minutes, then feed!
This food is VERY VERY pure! I would highly suggest introducing it SLOWLY to your canines diet. I made the mistake of feeding too much too fast! A slow introduction is the best way to go.
N-R-G, in my opinion, is the next best thing to feeding raw, only far easier! The formula that I follow, 50-50 mix N-R-G and Go or Now kibble has improved my dogs stool 100%. One of the ways I judge my food is how it looks at the other end. And it looks good!
The following text was COPIED DIRECTLY FROM THE N-R-G website:
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N-R-G is nutrition from a less hurried time. Our technology locks nutrition
into N-R-G diets until re-hydration takes place at mealtime. The N-R-G
foundation for nutrition begins with ingredient selection. Our strict
selection protocol is the first step in ensuring your pet receives
uncompromised nutrition.
Our protein is purchased fresh or flash frozen. We inspect every
purchase before it is loaded on our truck. Our specifications mean
animals live free range, and are fed a natural diet that does not contain
any meat meals or animals by-products. Strict standards ensure our
protein is the best quality 100% muscle meat your money can buy for
your champion pet. These standards are your guarantee that
inappropriate feeding practises that can lead to BSE and other diseases
or immune compromises are not part of N-R-G diets.
N-R-G shops North America for the freshest produce available, we
contract with local organic suppliers first, and barring seasonable supply,
growers that farm using environmentally responsible practises. We
purchase only table grade ingredients ( ingredients that same quality as
you serve at your family dinner table). Fresh, whole fruits and vegetables
are delivered daily and accepted only after inspection.
N-R-G grows a select variety of naked oats on the Canadian prairie and
on the rolling hillsides surrounding our production facility. Closely inspect
the N-R-G canine Blend and you can see oat hulls from the wild oats that
invade our cultivated oats. This is a natural result of our environmentally
friendly farming practises.
N-R-G, committed to serving the very best NATURALLY!!!
N-R-G offers three different feeding protocols. The three feeding protocols have more
similarities than differences.
1. They are all balanced for All life Stages
2. All three contain only edible, free range muscle meats ( no heads, beaks, feet or offal)
Why does N-R-G offer 3 very different diet choices if the premise of whole food nutrition
is simple.
N-R-G believes all dogs are individuals, just like their caregivers. While some dogs think
the perfect day revolves around napping on the couch , others just cannot get enough of
chasing their favorite ball. Age, activity and lifestyle all play a role in metabolism.
Individual taste, and diet boredom can make a pet caregiver desperate during the search
for a wholesome diet that tastes good and is readily excepted by their best friend.
As you explore the diet selections N-R-G offers, remember they are all balanced for All
Life Stages, all contain only edible free range muscle meat. We urge you to experiment
and try different selections as the months go by. Offer some food from your own dinner
plate once a week and make mealtime both fun and healthy.
The N-R-G family is dedicated to using the science of
ingredient driven nutrition to provide balanced nourishment
for canines. Our diets have evolved over 15 years.
For generations we have been breeding, working, and
interacting with canines while providing balanced whole
food nourishment.
N-R-G founders pioneered the dehydration of canine diets.
We have spent a decade developing our process to
maximize nutrient retention.
N-R-G is truly an artisan pet food. Our whole food diets are
hand made using free range meats and fresh vegetables to
maximize the availability of micro nutrients. Our squash and
oats are grown here on our farm and sourced from growers
that are committed to minimizing the use of chemical weed
control.
We remain committed to doing whats best NATURALLY.
Please refer to N-R-G's own website for more information
on this great line of dog food!
K9 Show Stopper Supplement
PLEASE CONTACT GAYLENE ROBERTSON OF WINTERCHILL ALASKAN MALAMUTES AND WINTERCHILL ADVENTURES FOR ALL THE INFORMATION NEEDED ON THIS GREAT PRODUCT. SHE HAS MANY OTHER LINES ALSO AVAILABLE FROM ANIMAL NATURALS.
CONTACT INFORMATION: OR E-MAIL GAYLENE AT: wnterchl@mts.net
K9 Show Stopper - Dog Coat & Skin Supplement |
| Advanced Dog Coat Formula and More! | |||||||
K9 SHOW STOPPER creates the visual impact that nature formerly reserved for a lucky few. It elevates shine and appearance to previously unattainable levels! ANIMAL NATURALS SHOW STOPPER is really 17 of today's most advanced nutritional supplements in one, scientifically balanced formula to produce magnificent dog coats, healthy skin and bodies that catch the judges' eye. Nutritional Makeover For Your Dog! With newly discovered dog coat & skin builders, plus dozens of time-proven biochemical factors, K9 SHOW STOPPER replaces expensive and hard-to-find individual products, saving you money and simplifying feeding.
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name!
CORE by Wellness
What is Protein-focused Nutrition?
Wellness CORE is based on the raw feeding philosophy of providing nutrient-rich, high-quality meat to a dog's diet. Each grain-free recipe is packed with meat from deboned turkey and chicken, turkey meal, chicken meal, whitefish meal and chicken liver along with a proprietary blend of fruits, vegetables, oils and botanicals that nurture your dog to the core.
Why is CORE different?
In a word…balance. When you add more meat to your dog's daily feeding program, you also add more protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus and calories. And since daily health requires a delicate nutritional equation, these levels must be managed to create balance, not excess-especially when fed everyday as the sole source of your pet's nutrition.
Considering your animal's whole health, we have created CORE with the meat content you're looking for but without the excess nutrient levels your dog does not need. CORE provides incredibly flavorful, protein-focused nutrition the Wellness Way with nothing in excess and everything in balance.
We are proud to add this choice to the Wellness line of natural food for pets. This diet supports our continued belief that thoughtfully balanced natural nutrition is the foundation of wellbeing, happiness and longevity we want for all of our family members, including our animals.
THE WELLNESS WAY™
 | All-Natural | ||
| Higher, not extreme levels of protein | ||
| Moderate fat & calories | ||
| Controlled minerals | ||
| Grain free, lower carbohydrates | ||
| Preventative health benefits | ||
| Delicious taste from higher meat content | ||
| Comprehensive "NO" list | ||
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DID YOU KNOW? The majority of the grain-free diets available today contain extreme, super-concentrated nutrient levels far beyond that of everyday super-premium dog food: • 75% more protein • 87% more calcium *ALL percentages calculated on a dry matter basis These nutrient levels (calories, fat, protein) have been historically recommended only during sustained levels of high stress, high energy and peak nutritional demand including: The high levels of Calcium and Phosphorus are generally not recommended for any special condition or circumstance. |
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CORE™ Ocean Formula
Grain-Free, Protein-Focused Nutrition
with Nothing in Excess and Everything in Balance
Wellness has redefined the world of grain-free, high-protein dog food!
CORE Ocean is a more thoughtful alternative in grain-free nutrition with a unique offering unlike any other high protein, grain-free dry food available today - and it's all fish based!
Supporting a dog’s OPTIMAL HEALTH to the CORE…
A grain-free fish-based choice for dogs over 1 year who need to maintain optimal daily health
More Meat from Only the Highest Quality, Human-Grade Sources
| 80% more meat than traditional dog foods that are formulated with grains, while still controlling mineral and fat levels! | |
| 4 Different Animal Protein Sources - Deboned Whitefish, along with high quality (low ash) Whitefish, Salmon & Menhaden Fish Meals |
Grain-Free and Lower Carbohydrates
| 100% Grain Free, Fish-Based | |
| Contains 35% less carbs than traditional diets | |
| Potatoes provide energy giving carbs and help keep the kibble firm |
Carefully Regulated Mineral Levels to Support Overall Metabolic Function
| We control minerals by using expensive lower ash, higher-quality meats that are carefully chosen and screened for the calcium and phosphorus levels | |
| High levels of Calcium and Phosphorus interfere with the absorption of trace minerals like Zinc and Iron. Over time, this can lead to deficiencies and result in poor growth rates, skin lesions, and red blood cell levels and many other health conditions | |
| We guarantee the maximum levels of calcium and phosphorus on every bag, unlike competitors who either do not list these numbers in the GA or simply put minimum amounts where actual levels can fluctuate above AAFCO maximums |
Preventative Health Benefits
| Fish & Flax Omega Blend provide a rich supply of Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids from salmon oil, flax and canola oil. This blend nutritionally supports healthy skin to produce a glossy coat at guaranteed levels on every bag. | |
| Herbs, Botanicals, Fruits & Greens provide Phyto-Chemicals, Micro-Nutrients and Antioxidants | |
| Living Food - Our ActiCoat System applies living, heat-sensitive Probiotic micro-organisms after cooking to support digestive health at a guaranteed levels on every bag | |
| Hip & Joint Health - Glucosamine and Chondroitin to help support long term bone and joint health at guaranteed levels on every bag |
Incredibly Tasty!
| Real meat provides the all natural mouth-watering taste that dogs love |
Designed for Everyday Feeding
| Carefully controlling the levels of fat, calories and minerals support the most important part of an animal...the CORE and allow the pet parent to safely feed every day | |
| Great for dogs of all lifestyles: for working and highly active dogs or dogs with a more sedentary lifestyle. |
Comprehensive “NO” List
| No Meat By-products, No Wheat or Wheat Gluten, No Soy, No Dairy, No Corn, No Artificial Colors, Flavors or Preservatives |
Product Ingredients
Whitefish, Whitefish Meal, Salmon Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Potatoes, Dried Ground Potato, Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a natural source of Vitamin E), Pea Fiber, Tomato Pomace, Natural Fish Flavor, Flaxseed, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Kale, Broccoli, Spinach, Parsley, Apples, Blueberries, Vitamins & Minerals, Choline Chloride, Chicory Root Extract, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, Dried Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Products, Rosemary Extract.
This is a naturally preserved product.
*Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles.
Nutritional Adequacy Guarantee
100% Complete and Balanced Nutrition for Your Adult Dog
Wellness CORE Ocean Formula Adult Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.
Product available in the following sizes:
4 lb. Bag
12 lb. Bag
26 lb. Bag
The Missing Link / Canine Formula
I'm a big fan of this product! I have personally used it in my OWN diet for many years. The canine formula is a wonderful addition to your Shar Pei diet! I use the the PLUS formula because it contains GLUCOSAMIN while the original formula does not. This product is sold in many of the BETTER petfood stores but can be found at www.designinghealth.com. This is a U.S. product.
THE MISSING LINK
In nature, dogs consume foods that are whole, raw and fresh, while domestic animals generally have a diet of processed foods only. The Missing Link was developed to target the nutritional gap between what nature provides and what is available in commercial foods. Formulated with all-natural, human-edible-quality whole foods and food concentrates, The Missing Link reintroduces unprocessed, nutrient-rich foods into your dog's diet. The Missing Link is a dry granular powder, nitrogen flushed and vacuum-packed for freshness to protect its precious nutrients. It includes important nutrients like Omega-3 and Omega-6& essential fatty acids, enzymes and probiotics, fiber, phytonutrients, and vitamins and minerals. Missing Link Plus includes glucosamine for extra joint support for older dogs and those with arthritis or joint stiffness. For years, veterinarians and pet owners have added The Missing Link Canine Formula to commercial foods to promote: Canine Formula Ingredients: Canine Plus Formula Ingredients: Feeding Guide: Up to 20 lbs: 1 tsp 1 pound is approximately a 2 month supply for a 40 to 80 lb dog.
Flaxseed, rice bran, primary dried yeast, blackstrap molasses, sunflower seed, freeze dried beef liver, dehydrated alfalfa, dried carrot, shark cartilage powder, freeze dried fish protein powder, barley grass leaves powder, dried kelp, freeze dried oyster powder, zinc monomethionine, lecithin, chromium yeast, selenium yeast, niacin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, garlic powder, yucca schidigera extract, riboflavin, thiamine hydrochloride, folic acid and cobalamin
Flaxseed, glucosamine hydrochloride, freeze dried liver, blackstrap molasses, rice bran, primary dried yeast, sunflower seed, dehydrated alfalfa, dried carrot, shark cartilage powder, freeze dried fish protein powder, freeze dried oyster powder, barley grass leaves powder, dried kelp, zinc monomethionne, lecithin, chromium yeast, selenium yeast, pyridoxine hydrochloride, niacin, garlic powder, yucca powder, yucca schidigera extract, riboflavin, thiamine hydrochloride, folic acid and cobalamin
20 - 40 lbs: 2 tsp
40 - 80 lbs: 3 tsp
80 - 100 lbs: 4 tsp
Over 100 lbs: 6 tsp
Johnny Be Good "Coat Booster"
As a second choice to The Missing Link product, you may want to try JOHNNY BE GOOD. It is made in Argyle Manitoba, but can be shipped anywhere. It can likely found in most Canadain pet stores. I found it at PETLAND.
JOHNNY BE GOOD is simuliar to The Missing Link, but contains far less ingredients, and is LESS expensive. I have used both, but lean toward the more complete Missing Link.
If you are simply looking for less shedding and better skin and coat for less money, try JOHNNY BE GOOD. Check them out at www.coatbooster.com
DIRECT LINK:
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Food Allergies in Shar Pei and Other Canines
Here is some really good information about food allergies. Something many of us deal with. Please check out the source of my information at:
Food allergies account for about 10% of all the allergies seen in dogs and cats. It is the third most common cause after flea bite allergies and atopy (inhalant allergies). With the advent of lamb and rice diets many people feel that they are preventing or treating food allergies. The fact is that nothing could be farther from the truth.
The entire process of a pet being sensitized to a particular agent in food and the complicated antibody response that occurs in the intestinal tract in pets with food allergies are not very well understood. Despite our lack of understanding of the actual disease process, there are many things that we do know including the symptoms, how to diagnose food allergies, and also how to treat them.
Food allergies affect both dogs and cats. Unlike atopy, there is no strong link between specific breeds and food allergies. Food allergies affect both males and females and neutered and intact animals equally. They can show up as early as five months and as late as 12 years of age, though the vast majority of cases occur between 2 and 6 years. Many animals with food allergies also have concurrent inhalant or contact allergies.
Food allergy or intolerance?
There is a distinction that needs to be made between food allergies and food intolerances. Food allergies are true allergies and show the characteristic symptoms of itching and skin problems associated with canine and feline allergies. Food intolerances can result in diarrhea or vomiting and do not create a typical allergic response. Food intolerances in pets would be similar to people that get diarrhea or an upset stomach from eating spicy or fried foods. Fortunately, both food intolerances and allergies can be eliminated with a diet free from offending agents.
Common food culprits
Several studies have shown that some ingredients are more likely to cause food allergies than others. In order of the most common offenders in dogs are beef, dairy products, chicken, wheat, chicken eggs, corn, and soy. As you may have noticed, the most common offenders are the most common ingredients in dog foods. This correlation is not a coincidence. While some proteins might be slightly more antigenic than others, many proteins are similar in form and the incidence of allergic reactions are probably associated with the amount of exposure. For example, pet foods have historically been made up of beef, chicken, corn, and wheat. In an effort to combat food allergies, several companies produced a diet made of lamb and rice. There was nothing special about lamb and rice diets except those two ingredients were normally not present in pet foods. Animals had not eaten lamb or rice before, and therefore, had not developed an allergy to it yet. If the main ingredients in pet food become lamb and rice, then it would stand to reason that the most common problem foods could become lamb and rice. The determinant of whether a food is likely to cause a food allergy or not is based on the structure and size of the glycoprotein in the food. In addition, many lamb and rice-based foods contain many other ingredients, and if the animal has a food allergy to any of them, this lamb and rice food will do nothing to treat the food allergy. In addition, while many people criticized and blamed preservatives and flavorings as a source of food allergies, studies have shown that they are not the causes, and while we may not have justifiable health concerns about preservatives, food allergies is not one of them.
Symptoms
The symptoms of food allergies are similar to those of most allergies seen in dogs and cats. The primary symptom is itchy skin. Symptoms may also include chronic or recurrent ear infections, hair loss, excessive scratching, hot spots, and skin infections that respond to antibiotics but reoccur after antibiotics are discontinued. There is evidence that dogs with food allergies may sometimes have an increased incidence of bowel movements. One study showed that non-allergic dogs have around 1.5 bowel movements per day where some dogs with food allergies may have 3 or more per day.
It is difficult to distinguish an animal suffering from food allergies from an animal suffering from atopy or other allergies based on physical signs. However, there are a few signs that always make me suspect food allergies. One of these, is a dog with recurrent ear problems, particularly yeast infections. Another, is a very young dog with moderate or severe skin problems. A third tip off, is if a dog suffers from allergies year-round or if the symptoms begin in the winter. And the final clue, is a dog that has very itchy skin but does not respond to antihistamines or steroid treatment.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis for food allergies is very straightforward. But due to the fact that many other problems can cause similar symptoms and that many times animals are suffering from more problems than just food allergies, it is very important that all other problems are properly identified and treated prior to undergoing diagnosis for food allergies. Atopy, flea bite allergies, intestinal parasite hypersensitivities, sarcoptic mange, and yeast or bacterial infections can all cause similar symptoms as food allergies. Once all other causes have been ruled out or treated, then it is time to perform a food trial.
Elimination diets and provocative testing: A food trial consists of feeding an animal a novel food source of protein and carbohydrate for 12 weeks. A novel food source would be a protein and carbohydrate that the animal had never eaten before. An example would be rabbit and rice, or venison and potato, or duck and rutabagas. These are homemade diets but there are several commercial diets available on the market. Special Foods produced by Hill's and Purina, and a food named EXclude are used by many dermatologists. Regardless of the diet used, it must be the only thing the animal eats for 12 weeks. This means no treats; absolutely nothing but the special food and water. Young growing pets have special dietary needs and a homemade diet that only contains one protein and one carbohydrate with no multivitamin or fatty acid may not be suitable even for only twelve weeks. For puppies undergoing a food trial, a balanced commercial diet like the ones listed above is recommended.
| A food trial consists of feeding a dog a novel food source of protein and carbohydrate for 12 weeks. |
Veterinarians used to recommend that a pet only needed to be placed on a special diet for 3 weeks, but new studies show that in dogs, only 26% of those with food allergies responded by day 21. However, the vast majority of pets responded by 12 weeks. Therefore, it is very important to keep the pet on the diet for the entire 12 weeks. If the dog shows a marked reduction or elimination of the symptoms, then the animal is placed back on the original food. This is called 'provocative testing' and is essential to confirm the diagnosis. If the symptoms return after going back on the original diet, the diagnosis of a food allergy is confirmed. If there has been no change in symptoms but a food allergy is still strongly suspected, then another food trial using a different novel food source could be tried.
We must reiterate that placing a dog on a commercial lamb and rice formula dog food is not an acceptable way to diagnose or treat food allergies. Lamb and rice are no longer considered novel food sources and most commercial lamb and rice diets also contain wheat, egg, corn, or other ingredients that can be the cause of the food allergy. Despite the implication by dog food companies to the contrary, these foods do not prevent food allergies nor are they considered adequate for diagnosis. While these diets may provide adequate nutrition, they are not a substitute for a true, novel protein source diet.
| The only way to accurately diagnose food allergies is with a food trial. |
Blood Testing: Many owners and veterinarians attempt to look to other tests to diagnose food allergies. Blood tests such as the RAST test or the ELISA test can be performed to screen for food allergies. In addition, intradermal skin testing could also be performed. Despite the fact that these tests are routinely performed and used as a diagnostic aid, there is no evidence that blood tests are accurate for the diagnosis of food allergies. Veterinary dermatologists insist that there is no merit in these tests whatsoever in the diagnosis of food allergies. The only way to accurately diagnose food allergies is with a food trial as detailed above. While the intradermal skin testing is excellent for diagnosing atopy (inhalant allergies) it is ineffective for food allergies. While the ELISA and to a lesser extent the RAST test can be used to help in the diagnosis of atopy, they have no benefit in diagnosing food allergies. In our review of all the current books and articles on veterinary dermatology and allergies, we could not find a single dermatologist that endorsed anything other than the food trial as an effective diagnostic aid. If you want to diagnose and treat food allergies you must do a food trial.
Treatment
Once we determine a positive diagnosis, then the treatment is very straightforward. The owner of the animal has two choices. They can choose to feed the animal a special commercially prepared diet or a homemade diet.
If the owner chooses to feed the homemade diet, then they can periodically challenge the pet with new ingredients and determine which ingredients are causing the food allergy. For example, if the animal's symptoms subsided on a diet of rabbit and potatoes, then the owner could add beef to the diet for two weeks. If the animal showed no symptoms, then they could then add chicken for two weeks. If the animal began to show symptoms, then it could be assumed that chicken was one of the things the pet was allergic to. The chicken could be withdrawn and after the symptoms cleared up, a different ingredient could be added and so on until all of the offending ingredients were identified. A diet could then be formulated that was free of the offending food sources.
If homemade diets are used, it is essential that they be balanced, with correct amount of ingredients, vitamins, and minerals.
