Hi Peggy,
Sorry to bother you again with another question but, I checked out the
Earthborn dog food and found a supplier nearby. However, what is the
difference between the "Small Breed" and the "Adult Vantage"? Any idea?
Becky & the girls
--- In [email protected], Peggy & The Girls <phrpg5@...> wrote:
>
> Wow that is a drastic drop in the percentages! Well you have to do what you
> feel is best, and I always say each of our babies are different. Lots of
> luck!
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: Becky
> Date: 5/1/2012 5:56:47 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Re: Becky & Gracie
>
>
> Hi Peggy,
> I just went and took out the bag of Canidae Platinum that my daughter
> brought home for Grace. This is what I have been switching out for Pro Plan
> but slowly over the last few days. Alot of difference in analysis.
>
>
> Crude protein. 20%
> crude fat. 8.5%
> crude fiber. 4.00%
> long list of ingredients, but I am sure you could view on their website.
> This food is specifically for senior and overweight dogs. The feeding
> guidelines suggest for weightloss, 1/3 to 3/4 cup per day. Gracie is not
> completely switched over yet, but will be by the end of this week.
> My daughter is a vet tech, and has witnessed signifcant weightloss in dogs
> at the hospital where she works.
> So I will probably still continue giving this a try, but will keep Earthborn
> in my back pocket, in case I need to try something different.
> Still need to know where you purchase it.
>
>
>
>
> Becky & the girls
>
> Sent from Becky's iPhone
>
> On May 1, 2012, at 4:37 AM, Peggy & The Girls <phrpg5@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi Becky.
>
> Well Gracie is a senior, and seniors can't burn up a high protein and high
> fat diet, just like people, lol!
> I looked up your kibble and this is what it said:
>
> Chicken, brewers rice, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn, poultry
> by-product meal (natural source of glucosamine), animal fat preserved with
> mixed-tocopherols (form of Vitamin E), corn germ meal, fish meal (natural
> source of glucosamine), dried egg product, animal digest, wheat bran,
>
> Crude Protein (Min)30.0 %
> Crude Fat (Min)17.0 %
> Crude Fiber (Max)3.0 %
>
>
> IMO this is a very high protein. Most couch potatoe dogs only need 26-28%
> protein. 30+% is usually for very active and young dogs. The fat isn't to
> bad for an adult dog, but too high for a senior. Corn gluten meal is not
> healthy for dogs, and gluten as a general rule is imported from China, even
> for people food. Animal digest can be from any type of animal, even road
> kills that are bacteria ridden.
>
> I switched Gigi to Earthborn Adult Vantage. She seems to be doing well on it
> and I have even noticed a little more shine coming back to her fur. She has
> had a dry look because she can't have the fats that she needs for her coat
> and skin due to her liver issue. Gigi has also had seizures in the past due
> to the liver not functioning properly, but now that her diet has changed she
> hasn't had any in several months. She also had seizures from Rosemary which
> is in a lot of the natural foods and treats. Princess never had any reaction
> to Rosemary, but just to play it safe I stay away from it. The Earthborn
> Adult Vantage is 22% protein and 12% fat. She has also been a lot more
> active on it, as compared to sleeping a lot before. She has been on it for 3
> weeks now and I hope this works because I am so tired of trying different
> brands on her and the expense is a waste. She was on another brand for a
> couple of months but then I started to notice that her poop was too white
> and hard. I think that may have been because it had a lot of rice in it and
> she may have been having a hard time digesting and passing it out. But
> between the two brands because of the lower fat she seems to be doing better
> and did loose the 1/2 pound over maybe two and a half months. Which is
> considered a good ratio of time for a dog to loose weight. It wouldn't be
> healthy for them to loose to much, to fast.
>
> Gracie is a large chi, and may need more then the 1/3 per day that I feed
> Gigi. You would have to figure out what is best for her. This food is a
> Holistic food and everything is made in the USA and no fillers or junk in it
> So I am really hoping this works out. Gracie may do well on good chicken
> base diet of 26% protein and 14-15% fat. I don't think that she needs
> anything lower then that to start off with, as long as all her vital organs
> are healthy, she should still loose some weight and a good half to one hour
> straight walk would do her good too. When I walk my girls, we walk in the
> street at a comfortable but constant pace, no stopping and smelling the
> roses until before and after the walk.
>
> Gee I am so sorry to hear that Sabrina was one of the dogs that suffered
> from the tainted foods. I sure hope that you had your name on the class suit
> and socked it to them. How sad that she has to suffer her whole life now. I
> think that I read on the Hills site, or maybe it was Dr. Fosters and Smith
> site, that those ID diets aren't suppose to be for life as the dog does not
> get enough vitamins from them, especially vitamin D, which the lack of can
> cause some pretty bad complications. Maybe you could research that a little
> more on those sites.
>
> <15480J~1.GIF>
>
>
>
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: Becky
> Date: 5/1/2012 2:14:26 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Re: Becky & Gracie
>
>
> Hi Peggy,
> And thank you for sharing all of the onfo with me.
> I know treats can be a real issue with the weight problems, and someone else
> bad suggested giving low sodium green beans or carrots for the treats. I
> think I will give that a try too.
> What kibble are you using that is lower in protein and fat?
> I currently feed Purina Pro Plan, tiny toy size.
> My little white chi, "Sabrina" has to eat Hills Prescription ID. She was
> one of the dogs who ate the tainted dog food about 5 years ago. We nearly
> lost her. She pulled through but has neroulogical damage leaving her with
> seizures. She will not eat on her own, I have to syringe feed her every 4
> to 5 hours. Our lives have been changed forever. So sometimes I allow
> Gracie to have some canned ID. Sabrina's food has to be put through the
> food processor, and I add baby rice cereal to get her through the night. It
> is very complicated. She will have IBS if I do not feed on time.
> It is a good thing I love her so much, because to be honest, I don't think
> many people would deal with this.
> So I have one who likes to eat, and one who will not eat. Pretty bizarre
> about Sabrina.
> But back to Gracie, yes, her weight gain began after spaying her at age 2.
> I have not had Gracie tested for thyroid, but had given some thought before,
> because I myself suffers with hypothyroidism. It makes losing weight very
> difficult, and gaining it very easy.
> Thank you for wishing us luck on her next test coming up in June.
> I will post about it at that time, because Mark also wants to know, he posts
> on this forum too.
>
>
> Becky & the girls
>
> Sent from Becky's iPhone
>
> On Apr 30, 2012, at 6:41 PM, Peggy & The Girls <phrpg5@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Becky, I think that when people don't respond to a certain post in regards
> to a health issue it is because they haven't had that problem and maybe don
> t know anything about it.
>
> Gigi gained over a pound within a couple of months after her spay too. Yet
> she was on the exact same diet with the exact same amount and the exact same
> treats, which are limited to only 2 a day. I found out that she has a
> border-line liver issue and cannot digest high protein or extra fat content
> in foods, because the liver can't flush them out. But spaying can change a
> dogs hormone level drastically as well. Gigi blew her coat for almost a year
> after the spay, that she actually looked like a short hair. Princess also
> blew her coat after spaying, but it started to come back 3 months later.
> Gigi had a very hard time with the after affects of her spay. She was a BYB
> when I rescued her and had several c-sections. The Vet said her organs were
> three times the normal size. He believes that she was continually bred with
> no rest in between. When I got her almost two years ago she was estimated to
> be about 5 or 6
> years old.
>
> So age, hormones and any main organ disfunction can have a lot to do with a
> dogs weight gain, and yes, lack of exercise. In Gigi's case exercise was not
> an issue because we go for half to one hour walks everyday and it didn't
> seem to help at all. She weighed a perfect 5 lbs 15 ounce when I got her,
> and within 3 months she was over 7 lbs at the time. Most people feed their
> chis 1/2 a cup of kibble per day, split into 2 feedings. Gigi was and is
> only on 1/3 cup per day, split into 2 feedings. I finally found a kibble
> that is much lower in fat and protein and she is now 6 and 1/2 pounds. I
> really don't think she will ever loose that extra 1/2 pound.
>
> As far as treats go, I only give her a small milkbone biscuit and that is
> broken in half and given each half twice a day. It is very low protein and
> very low fat. Both my girls love milkbones and they are so cheap too. She is
> on a very, very strict diet with absolutely no people foods because of her
> liver issue.
>
> I sure hope the Vet is wrong and your baby doesn't have Cushings disease.
> When Gigi goes for her next checkup with full blood test, I am going to
> request a thyroid test as well, just to rule out the possibility of another
> issue.
>
>
> <GIRLSC~1.GIF>
>
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: Becky
> Date: 4/30/2012 8:33:11 AM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] Re: Becky & Gracie
>
>
> Thanks Joan. You know I posted a message on this forum not too long ago in
> regards to Cushing's Disease. Gracie went for annual vaccines and bloodwork
> and her ALKP was slightly elevated. My vet says this raises concerns that
> possible Cushing's Disease may be starting to show. She will be retested in
> end of June. I am hoping that it was elevated due to a med she had been on
> prior to the test. But of course time and test will tell.
> A person named Mark was the only one who responded with any experience with
> Cushing's Disease. He was very informative and supportive. I just hope
> that the test in June comes back normal.
> Another thing, Gracie's mother and 2 Aunts were fat little chihuahuas. So I
> don't know, maybe it runs in the family?
> Anyway, thank you for your advice on diet. She does seem to like the
> Canidae that my daughter brought home. Usually, Gracie turns her nose up to
> diet foods.
> I will do anything for my chihuahuas, I love them like kids. In fact, I
> tell everyone, I have my kids, and also have my furkids!! LOL!!
>
>
> Becky & the girls
> Gracie & Sabrina
>
> Sent from Becky's iPhone
>
> On Apr 30, 2012, at 3:12 AM, "Joan" <joan_croft@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi Becky,
> I have heard of quite a few Chihuahuas that develop thyroid problems which
> cause extra weight.
> Desi is all fun...and so he loves to run around and he will sometimes just
> jump out of the chair and walk around the house looking all over...so I call
> him the 'inspector general'!
> Dolly would rather lay and look pretty than to be out running around. She
> gets upset at Desi sometimes and then she will chase him and be screeching
> at him. Not always sure what happened to start it. But, sometimes when Desi
> goes outside to go potty in the evening, Dolly doesn't want to go out there.
> So this evening I went out in the back and was making sure that the branches
> of the bottlebrush tree weren't growing into my neighbors 'airspace'. Desi
> was on the patio, and the moment that I made the littel three brick high
> jump from the planter, he started his zoomies. He loves to do zoomies and I
> rather that he do them back there than on top of my bed. He was having so
> much fun and finally, I just had to open the door to come in and then he
> came zooming in the house too.
> I have heard about dogs gaining weight after being spayed. Some vets say
> that is a myth. I know when Dolly was a puppy, I had a difficult time when I
> was feeding her...I always thought that I needed to be feeding her more, but
> then I looked at the size of her and realized for her size she was getting
> enough.
> However, I sometimes think that the bags of dog food have the
> recommendations by size of the dog to be a bit too much. Dolly & Desi eat
> the RC Chihuahua and if I fed either of them what the bag says, they
> probably woudl weigh as much as Grace in a month. So it is your job to just
> cut back a kibble or two at a time and then cut back a little more in a week
> or so. She won't even know that you are doing that. I was a bit nervous when
> I started that with Desi, but he doesn't know. He just knows now that if it
> is gone, it is gone.
> Remember it will take her a little while to lose teh weight, but the
> important thing is that her intake is being adjusted and it will make a
> difference. Dolly is usually a free-feeder so she rarely overeats. Some love
> to eat, and some could care less. Good luck.
>
> --- In [email protected], Becky <stewartgang@> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Joan, thanks for all the info.
> > Gracie is now 6 years old. She started to put on weight about a year after
> she was spayed. I really feel like she is not over eating, but rather, not
> getting enough excercise.
> > In fact today, I had her in the pool for some stress free joint excercise.
>
> > She weighs 12 pounds right now. She used to be at a steady 8.
> > I am going to try extra hard to be sure she is excercising every day. I
> hope this will make a difference. My daughter is a vet tech, she brought me
> a bag of Canadai for weight loss.
> > But one point you made was the one about treats. Gracie likes her evening
> treats. Guess I need to stop that.
> >
> > Becky & the girls
> >
> > Sent from Becky's iPhone
> >
> > On Apr 29, 2012, at 4:02 AM, Joan Croft <joan_croft@> wrote:
> >
> > > [Attachment(s) from Joan Croft included below]
> > > From: Joan Croft [mailto:joan_croft@]
> > > Sent: Saturday, April 28, 2012 8:40 PM
> > > To: '[email protected]'
> > > Subject: Becky & Gracie
> > >
> > > Hi Becky.
> > >
> > > How old is Gracie, and how much does she weigh?
> > > Can you post a picture to see just how fat she is?
> > >
> > > I have to say I really felt that I was the worst Chi-momma in the world.
> > > First I should have recognized that he was the fattest little puppy that
> I
> > > had ever seen. He looked like a little bear cub.
> > >
> > > I think at 8 weeks he was 3 lbs and 11 oz. I know, some of you have full
> > > grown chis that are that size or less. Before my vet weighed him, when
> he
> > > just picked him up for the first time, he said ââ¬ËOh, heââ¬â¢s a
> > > hefty
> one!ââ¬â¢ I
> > > guess that is polite for ââ¬Ëwho the heck has been over feeding this
> puppy!ââ¬â¢
> > > Andââ¬Â¦in only 8 weeks of his life!
> > >
> > > Well, he told me to cut back the amount of the then ââ¬ËRoyal Canin
> > > Baby
> Dogââ¬â¢
> > > and I did, I looked at the amount on the bag and I was feeding less than
> it
> > > said to. (However, right now, Dolly & Desi get about half of what the RC
> > > Chihuahua bag says that they should get. I think it both increases their
> > > sales, but also promotes little chubs)
> > >
> > > At that time, Desi had to go every week or so for his boosters, and he
> was
> > > gainingââ¬Â¦but he was a puppy so we couldnââ¬â¢t starve
> > > himââ¬Â¦he had bones
> and
> > > muscles and things that needed to be nourished and grow. I think at
> > > 12-weeks was when he was put on RC Small Breed Puppyââ¬Â¦I guess less
> > > fat
> maybe?
> > > Well, I fed him about halfââ¬Â¦and this puppy was hungry because he had
> been
> > > free-fed at the breeder and was accustomed to eating all day long. He
> would
> > > come and cry and cry and then when I would feed him he would be by his
> bowl
> > > before I could put the food in. He would wake me up in the morning with
> > > many, many kisses at 5 amââ¬Â¦he was hungry ââ¬" and why was my sleep
> > > more
> > > important? He was still eating three times a day then, so it was easier
> to
> > > cut back when it had to be done over three feedings.
> > >
> > > Right before he was 4 months old, the vet diagnosed a dangerous
> testicular
> > > problem and so he had to be neutered right away. Wellââ¬Â¦it took about
> four or
> > > five cuts in his little round belly to untangle and free the testicle
> that
> > > was not attached to anything. But, I think that during that surgery, the
> > > vet saw the total thickness of that fat layer he was carrying around. So
> > > before he was four months old, he was on RC Adult Chihuahua food. I
> worked
> > > with the vet in adjusting what he was getting.
> > >
> > > The good thing about my vet ââ¬" and maybe you can get your vet to do a
> deal
> > > like this with you ââ¬" is that he told me that I could bring him in any
> time
> > > FOR FREE, and he would weigh him, feel him to see if his ribs were
> really in
> > > there, and then let me know if we should cut back more or maybe even
> give
> > > him a little more. So if I had to cut his food back to half ââ¬" I would
> start
> > > cutting it a little bit each meal over maybe a weekââ¬Â¦they really
> donââ¬â¢t notice
> > > that they are missing 10 pieces (RC Chihuahua ââ¬" very tiny) in each
> feeding.
> > >
> > > Remember that I did all this under the guidance of the vetââ¬Â¦because
> > > he
> was a
> > > puppy. There were a few times that the vet would tell me to give him a
> > > little more, and I could see he was growing up and out ââ¬" and then a
> little
> > > too round.
> > >
> > > I think he was maybe 11 months old when the vet said that he was a good
> > > healthy weight and his bones and everything could be felt and not
> sticking
> > > out. So, he said to give him a little moreââ¬Â¦but I saw him gaining and
> just
> > > cut back a little more.
> > >
> > > With both of mine wanting to be inseparable, Desi was always with if I
> had
> > > to take Dolly for something, so he had some extra feels in between his
> > > visits. The thing is that Desi loves Dr Bullard...maybe because he made
> him
> > > a lean playinââ¬â¢ machine.
> > >
> > > At about 14 months, Desi was pretty much lean and staying very steady in
> his
> > > weight. Ohââ¬Â¦I didnââ¬â¢t think that day would ever come. And then
> > > right
> before
> > > he was two, I noticed that he had gotten a bit wider around his
> rearââ¬Â¦he had
> > > been very narrow and I even asked the groups if males have smaller
> builds
> > > than the females (Dolly is thin, but her rear bone structure is wider.)
> > >
> > > I noticed this about three months after I had surgery and thought maybe
> I
> > > just didnââ¬â¢t remember how narrow he had been. I took him to Dr
> Bullardââ¬Â¦Desi
> > > had gained weight, but he was still just as lean. The vet and I think
> that
> > > because he was taken off of puppy food so early, that part of his bone
> > > development was delayed. He has been about the same size ââ¬" with no
> growth
> > > spurts for almost a year, so I am ho=
>
>
>
>
>
> =
>
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