Cotton wool coat

I have a three-year-old neutered Golden Retriever.
Even though he is fed a good diet, his coat is like cotton wool!
I wondered if anyone could suggest anything to make it more silky and shiny - but not too high in calories as that is an issue also!

Thanks

Wendy, via email 

Food for thought!

Dear Dogs Today 

My German Shepherd has a pancreas problem, she takes panzym medication. I have been feeding her Burns chicken and brown rice but have just bought her new Oscar dog food complete dry food. 

It is hard to say which food is best as each day her motions range from fairly solid to loose, and in fact, they can change within hours. My husband will feed her sausages and chicken slices as he doesn't think it's fair not to give her any meat, but I don't know whether I should carry on with the Burns food or swap to Oscar chicken and fish. 

Can anyone help?

Lynne, via email 

Laddie's new diet

Help!

My Affenpinscher Laddie keeps gaining weight! I have tried feeding him carrots and fruit but he wouldn’t touch them, nor would he eat boiled cabbage. I feed him Lily’s kitchen, which he loves and I have also cut his portion sizes down. I don’t want to put him on a prescription diet and I’m not prepared to starve him.

He’s regularly vet checked, and although he is almost nine and has a heart murmur he is very healthy. What can I try to keep his weight under control?  

Thank you 

S. Thompson

Feeding BARF without a freezer

I want to feed my dogs a natural diet but am unable to store raw food so it is not an option.

Can you advise on what options there are for those of us who want to give our dogs a good biologically-appropriate diet but without all the rubbish that’s in some foods?

Kind regards,

Mrs E. George, Wiltshire

Home cooked meal

Hello

Is there anyone who cooks daily for their dog(s) that can either recommend a good nutritional recipe book to buy, or advise what to add as a minimum to a dog's daily diet should I prepare her food myself?

Would it be beneficial to your readers to run a series of articles advising on how to prepare and what to cook your own dogs daily food. Or maybe for you guys to publish a book, I am sure it would be a great seller at present.

Thank you,

Dianne Evans, by email

Calorie counting

I give my dogs two walks per day, but it is nearly impossible for a small (Affenpinscher) castrated dog fed good quality food not to be overweight. It’s only a little, but he has a serious heart condition, and needs to lose a small amount. He is genuinely hungry; I can’t give him any less than I do now. He needs a big scrummy biscuit with as few calories as possible. Please help us! He is eight years old and I won’t feed rubbish.
Sheila Thomson, Dunbar, West Lothians

Food for thought

After reading your dog food feature in the September issue I’m keen to try my dogs on raw. 

Any advice on how I start? Both are male Labs and currently eat a high-quality tinned food.

D. Barretto, by email

Age concern

My Golden Retriever is now 10 and is a lot slower than she once was. Is it worth me switching her to a senior diet? What I want to know is what differences there are between adult food and senior food, and if the dog’s body changes to the point where a change in diet if necessary.

If you could provide me with some information I would be very grateful.

Mrs P. Austin, by email

Healthy renal diet

Any advice on feeding a renal diet for my nearly 13-year-old dog (for early stages kidney failure – that shows in blood, but not behaviour)?
Fat content of prescription diet seems high (22%). For the price I could feed pre-prepared raw (presumably more balanced than I could prepare myself), or other good protein food, but how to lower phosphorous levels?
Happy to research but don't know where to start! It doesn't have to be raw, I am opening my mind to any helpful food.
Any clues please?
Tamsin, by email

Common culprit

I have a two-year-old Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier who scratches a lot and her skin is a bit flaky. She just looks so uncomfortable, poor thing. My vet has confirmed she doesn’t have mange and has suggested it might be an allergy to an ingredient in her food, so I have changed brands but this hasn’t had much affect.

A friend at training suggested I try an elimination diet to see what the cause might be. Could you tell me if you think this will help, and if so, what are the common culprits as I think I should begin with one of those?

Ms Sanders, by email

Plenty of fish

I’ve noticed an increase in the number of dog foods available containing fish, mainly salmon. Is it ok for dogs to eat fish and, if so, what are the benefits?

Thanks.

Lisa Johns, by email


Harringtons Pet Food says...

Fish is a valuable source of protein for dogs. As on the whole it is low in saturated fats but high in unsaturated fats such as Omega 3.  This is particularly the case for fatty fish such as salmon and trout.  A diet high in omega 3 may help maintain a healthy heart and vascular system and it can have beneficial effects on the joints.  Omega 3 helps to maintain supple skin and a glossy coat and it has been shown to play a supportive role in immune system function.

Fish is also palatable to many dogs and can be a useful alternative protein source for animals that suffer from allergies relating to meats such as beef and chicken.

A square meal

I am looking for a quality feed which has a low level of high quality protein, for my 12-year-old active in mind and body Beardie cross. His current food is 38% protein (from meat) and I am concerned this may be too much for the kidneys to deal with.

Thank you.

Sally, by email

Diet help for kidney disease

Hi there,

Just had my dog diagnosed with Kidney Disease. Normal practice I understand is to feed a low protein/low phosphorus diet but I have also read its better to feed a higher quality protein. I am not confused.

Can anyone else tell me what they have tried with success or at least to keep her comfortable. I know there is no cure for this disease so won't to make sure she has the best why she is still with us.

Many thanks

Jan, by email



Alison Logan, vet, advises...

Actually, there is no confusion. You are considering two different aspects of the protein in the diet and, as you inadvertently but correctly say, a dog with kidney disease needs a lower level of higher quality protein.

Kidney disease affects the ability of the kidneys to excrete the waste product urea from the body which arises from the liver breaking down surplus dietary protein. It therefore makes sense to try to feed only as much protein as the body needs, reducing the amount of urea produced so that the kidneys can cope with excreting it. Many of the effects of kidney disease arise from excessive levels of urea in the blood so your dog will feel better if these levels can be brought down.

Your vet will probably have advised feeding a prescription diet formulated to meet all the needs of a dog with kidney failure. Thankfully, there is a choice so that if your dog dislikes one diet there will be another one he can try. This was not the case when I qualified more than twenty years ago!

It is possible to home cook a suitable diet but there are different ideas out there as to the ideal recipe.

Is my dog's diet appropriate?

I have just received the February issue of Dogs Today, and can't believe how much wonderful information it contains. I was especially interested in the article 'Wet, dry or raw?' relating to different feeding options.
I have a Bichon Frise called Lily who is 15 months old and the love of my life, so I want to feed her properly. Could you tell me if what I'm feeding her is appropriate and nutritious?
Lily has breakfast and dinner comprising roast chicken or liver or lambs' kidneys, mixed with either a little kibble or rice with veg (carrots or sprouts). I cook all this daily for her as she likes her food warm.
I also make her treats myself by roasting thinly sliced chicken and beef chunks until dry and crispy.
I want to keep Lily fit and well so would appreciate your comments and advice.
I can't wait for the next issue.
June Bailey and Lily, Westbury, Wiltshire

Growing old gracefully

I have a Border Collie bitch who is nearly 10 years old, and I have recently noticed that her tail has lost some of its bushiness, especially around the base. Is this normal as a dog ages?
She is fed a raw chicken wing every morning and a scoop of Burns every evening, sometimes with added meat and veg. Should I supplement her diet in any way to help her cope with the ageing process?
She is spayed and weighs 15kg so is quite a small collie. She has so far shown no signs of athritis and is happy and active.
Mrs V Garrad, by email