admin answers:

Hi Steph,
You definitely want to feed your pup a decent food. As such, you should definitely avoid the cheapo brands at the supermarket and Wal-Mart. They really are crap. And, quite frankly, the “scientific” brands like Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba, Nutro, etc are not all that much better, especially for the price. The only “scientific” food I would recommend is Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy 32. Yes. It does have corn gluten meal, and some wheat. But, it’s primary protein source is chicken meal, which is the best for most dogs, unless they are allergic to chicken.

There are a variety of “holistic” brands out there. But, don’t let the words “holistic”, “natural”, or “organic” lull you into a false sense of security. A lot of those are crap too, but for different reasons. Unlike the large pet food companies like Purina and Mars, most of the small companies don’t manufacture their own food. Some manufacture their dry food. But, many use a company called Diamond (which also has a half dozen of its own brands, such as Chicken Soup, Premium Edge, etc). Diamond has a pretty shaky history of food safety. And, you are probably aware of the big Menu Foods scandal from last year. They make the wet foods for some of the biggest holistic brands, such as Innova, Wellness, Natural Balance, and Newman’s Own, to name a few. So, you should do a little web research on some of these brands in terms of recalls and safety.

We’ve recently switched to Pinnacle Chicken and Oats dry food for our Golden Retriever puppy. It’s not a Large Breed food per se, or even specifically a puppy food. However, it’s calorie (ME) content, as well as Calcium and Phosphorus content/ratio are just right for large breed puppies. The problem with most puppy-specific foods is that they are too high in calories and calcium, and have an improper calcium/phosphorus ratio for large breed puppies that cause them to grow to fast. Plus, a 7.5lb bag of Pinnacle is only $11.99 at a local feed store. That is just about the least expensive “premium” dog food I have seen, regardless of scientific or holistic.

If you want to stick with a food easily available at Petsmart, because that is where you go for all of your other pet needs, such as toys, training, etc, there are a few good brands amongst all the crap they have there. You can try AvoDerm Puppy formula, by the same company that makes Pinnacle (also with good calorie, calcium, and phosphorus numbers), Blue Buffalo Large Breed Puppy (a bit more expensive than AvoDerm), and By Nature Puppy. I would try them in that order.

Remember to avoid the crap treats, as well. Avoid the chemical and grain-filled garbage, and anything made in China. (Let me repeat that…AVOID ANYTHING MADE IN CHINA). Some Petsmarts carry Newman’s Own Organic treats, a good choice. Also, Active Care Joint Care Chews (from the makers of Pinnacle and AvoDerm) are great for large breeds prone to joint problems. They are kind of expensive. But, a great, natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin, better than synthetic supplement pills.

BTW, don’t put too much stock in sites like dogfoodanalysis.com. Their reviews consist wholly of a theoretical examination of the ingredient lists of the different foods. Unfortunately, by law, makers are allowed to deviate from the listed ingredients. (Sad, but true.) The owner of the site hasn’t actually used any of the foods. So, it is like reviewing a movie without actually seeing it, but judging it solely by the cast and crew credits. Check actual user reviews of the foods on the product pages of Petsmart, Petco, and Amazon websites, plus rating sites like rateitall.com, and dog owner forums, especially for your breed.

I hope that helps.

admin answers:

Gidday mate, please please please buy the book “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About IBS” ~

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446690910/healingchoice-20

Chapter 6 details precisely how to eliminate the yeast overgrowth known as candida albicans ……….. I personally eliminated a vast array of symptoms including fatigue and exhaustion, constipation, bloating, headaches and migraines, moodiness and irritability, achy bones, cramping, nausea, thrush, fingernail fungus all by simply eliminating the source of food for the yeast ie ~ yeast and processed sugar.

The classic telltale signs of a yeast overgrowth ……. Candidiasis …… Are those of a white tongue (thrush), toenail or fingernail fungus, jock itch or athlete’s foot, and vaginal yeast infections……….. An overgrowth of yeast can affect virtually every system of the body with the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, endocrine, nervous and immune systems being the most susceptible…. Common symptoms of candidiasis include:

Digestive disorders, including IBS;
Gastrointestinal symptoms: thrush, bloating gas, rectal itching;
Vaginal yeast infections;
Urinary tract infections;
Athlete’s foot or jock itch;
Fungal toenails or fingernails;
Cravings for sugar, bread, or alcohol;
Diaper rash;
Fatigue;
Irritability (especially when hungry);
Premenstrual syndrome and menstrual problems;
Fibromyalgia;
headaches;
Brain fog;
Skin problems or itching;
Numbness or tingling in the extremities;
Respiratory problems;
Depression;
Hypoglycemia;
Short attention span;
Loss of libido.

Candidiasis almost never occurs in people with healthy immune systems who eat a diet low in sugar and yeast….you need to avoid all yeast and sugar products to kill a yeast infection ……… Sugar will literally feed the yeast overgrowth allowing it to flourish……… Ditch the alcohol and sodas and diet sodas too if you drink any ………. Antiobiotics, especially broad – spectrum antiobiotics will also kill the helpful bacteria which you need for a healthy gut …….. Supplement with a good quality probiotic to rebalance gut flora ……… This part is absolutely essential for without the good flora your system will remain completely out of whack …… Eat more alkaline forming foods such as leafy and green vegies, fishes such as tuna, salmon, sardines and whiting, organic nuts and seeds such as almonds and brazil nuts…….. All these foods are rich in magnesium and will thus encourage the production of hydrochloric acid in your tummy aiding in digestion and effective elimination ……..the leafy greens and fishes are also rich in calcium and protein and the fish are a rich source of vitamin D too ……. Eat organic brown rice and quinoa (prounounced keen ~ wah) as they are both a rich source of the B complex of vitamins and will provide you with the carbs you need for sustained energy and the quinoa is also rich in calcium and iron ………. Don’t forget about getting enough iron on a daily basis too ie ~ lean red meats ….. Avoid sugars such as honey, molasses, fructose, maltose, lactose (that means all milk and dairy products) and fruit juices …… Avoid artificial sweetners and foods containing brewer’s yeast – ie – alcohol such as beer, wine, brandy, whiskey, rum, ciders and root beer…. Avoid baker’s yeast ie ~ breads and rolls and pastries …. Avoid mushrooms … Avoid fruits and vegies with any sign of mold growth on them …. Avoid fermented beverages and condiments including mayonnaise, ketchup, pickled vegies and pickles, salad dressings (use lemon and olive oil instead), soy sauce and vinegar …. Avoid all types of hard cheeses which are a pretty good source of mold…. Avoid processed and smoked meats and fish, including hot dogs, sausages, luncheon meats etc……. These meats are processed with sugar, spices, yeast and other preservatives …. Avoid canned bottled or frozen fruit and vegie juices cos they have loads of sugar and are commonly made from overripened or damaged produce; generally the skin of the fruit contains surface mold and rotten spots, which are pulverised into the juice… Avoid dried fruits…. Avoid coffee & tea as much as you can as caffeine will aggravate yeast overgrowth………………… You don’t need to use medications to kill a yeast overgrowth ….. Simply eliminate their food source and they will disappear on their own …… If you normalise the bacterial flora in the gastrointestinal tract you will feel much better and in most cases won’t need drugs ♥

truly, eat loads and loads of green and leafy vegies, squeeze lemon juice over it to spice it up and help torch bacteria and bolster both your immunity and digestive process ……..eat some low sugar fruits each day too such as strawberries, pears and watermelon and cold water fresh fishes and brown rice / quinoa and watch it clear up…….. Oh, drink loads and loads of fresh filtered water to … To ensure you are properly hydrated as the healthiest and happiest body will always be the most hydrated one .

Make sure that you only eat organic nuts and seeds like almonds, brazil nuts and sunflower seeds too as they “preserve” the commercial varieties with sulfites and other nasty chemicals that will upset sensitive digestive systems.

Hope you feel better soon

peace 2 you

admin answers:

The best thing you can do for your pet is make it’s own food. We’ve been feeding home cooked food for 6 months now and the results are so dramatic I still can’t believe it. I see so many people that “think” they know what their talking about on this subject and really have no idea the bad missinformation their putting out, especially to continue to trust and recommend ANY commercial pet food. (never again will we dish that trash out to our pets)

I gave you a link below to the vet/nutritionist/teacher/writer our book is written by that has all the different recipes. My GF got the book on Amazon.com (I linked his nutrition page first for you)

That book has NO DOUBT bought our remaining two Yorkies many more years now of extra life not to mention extra quality of life, our 11 year old is like a puppy now litterally the way he wants to play all day rather than just sleep like before. The first week on his new home cooked food his cloudy eyes I thought were from aging cleared up to a nice black again and crystal clear. You’ll see differences in the first two weeks and it only gets better over the months.

You’ll have to make a trip to the health food store to get a few things first, (kelp, nutritional yeast etc…) then we only had to get one thing online that we couldn’t find locally (a bonemeal/ phosphorous in proper ratio mix). Don’t buy any of the vitamins listed in the book from a Chinese made source.(only about 2 or 3 anyway)
The rest you buy at the grocery store. The book explains that your pets diet needs to be balanced and he shows you how with the recipes and supplements.

You sound genuinly interested and that’s why I decided to answer your question. Most people only ACT like they care but in reality can’t be bothered to properly take care of their pets, members of my own family do this as well and it makes me sick to see. My one brother still feeds “Old Roy” to his two dogs, pretty sad commentary on what that says about him after what he’s been told about that food.

So far a Chinese Crested I am helping care for that is dying of kidney failure has gained an extra 3 months of QUALITY in it’s life since being on the Pitcairns’ kidney diet he wrote. Prior the dog was starving itself and wouldn’t eat any type of other foods, this food he gobbled down so fast it was sad at first when he was introduced to it in his diet.

Most vets have very LITTLE to NO training in nutrition so they really are not the best source to ask. Also it puts them in a rock and hard place to say don’t trust the food we sell even though most I’m sure know it’s trash. Most vets if they take the class are tough nutrition from a pet food co. Rep. Anyway so do you want to trust that info? I won’t.

Just “an example” of what goes into some of the recipies is organic eggs, ground turkey, whole wheat bread, oil, oatmeal, supplements etc… Depending on what you want to make them.

Buy the book and get started, you won’t be sorry. Your pet will be healthier, happier and that will make you feel good as well knowing your doing your best for them and the results you’ll see very soon will surprise you.

Put your trust in this book because the research has been done by a professional in the field. I’d call this author “the Patch Adams” of the pet world. I intend to send this guy a thank you letter in the future for writing this book and let him know how much benefit our dogs recieved from his knowledge.
Don’t just try any recipie given out on here (Yahoo Answers).

The second Chinese Crested I’m caring for with the other, he lost at least 5-8 lbs. Of bloat after being on the Pitcairn diet after only 2 months, after his third month just recently the vet told me his body weight and shape are “perfect” right now. Again, his eyes were all cloudy and leaking gunk prior, he was sickly, now they are cyrstal clear and he is very healthy.

I generally don’t stop in here much anymore because I’m tired of seeing these idiots telling others things like “don’t feed your dog table food”, “make him eat his own, he won’t starve himself to death and he’ll eventually eat after a day or so”. That kind of info is cruel and sick!!!! God forbid your pet would want to eat something that tasted good and was actually nutritious, rather than ground up euthanised pets, roadkill and poisons just to name a few key ingredients in some of the commercial pet foods.

Edit: Large amounts can be made at one time and frozen, this doesn’t have to be a “daily” making of the food. Just heat and serve.