Dog Food Questions - merged

Spudnik_2

I haven't made dried liver for a good couple of years (keep meaning to do it again - pups go wild for it!), and I can still remember how it smells. Yummy.

bagpuss_fan

No-one's mentioned worming. Raw meat is fine, but please don't forget to regularly worm your pup. This is essential!

BigMummaF

He enjoyed the hearts, & today has had ox liver casserole---it was cheaper than pigs, but disappeared as quickly!

The dried liver sounds interesting...further details please?

RooBee

I make dried liver by boiling up the liver and simmering for about 30 mins until. Then remove from the water, allow to cool and cut up into small pieces. Place on a baking tray in a cool oven (120 degrees) for 90 mins - 2 hrs. This will keep for a good couple of weeks in an airtight container in the fridge or can be frozen until needed.

I also make liver cake:
8oz liver
4oz plain flour (or rice flour if wheat is a problem for your dog)
2 eggs (including shells)
2 cloves garlic
vegetables (optional)

Put the liver in a food processor and blend. Add flour, eggs, garlic & veg & blend until fairly smooth. Pour into lightly greased baking tin and bake for about 30 mins at 180 degrees celsius.

You can substitute the liver for a tin of sardines (in oil or tomato sauce) or tuna.

HTH

boldaslove

we have an older dog (roughly 10 - 12 years old, rescue boy with arthiritis too amongst other things ). when we talked to our vet about supplements he mentioned that cod liver oil and glucosamine taken together might cancel out the effect of both. i've not researched this much but he seems to do well on his rimadyl and glucosamine chews. i'd just like to mention that the chain store 'pets at home' has a cheaper version of the pedigree joint care chews which is worth looking at.
as for food, it's trial and error. because of the medication and the age of your dog it can have trouble digesting heavy foods. naturediet is a pet food brand that uses natural ingrediants and no preservatives or 'fillers', they have a special food for older dogs, it is more expensive but you can buy it in bulk. search for the website or ask at your local pet shop. we tend to give our dog this with some light mixer or if he's having a particularly crummy day, toasted bread or rice. also sometimes we steam some veg (broccoli stems or cabbage) to bulk out his food, give him some vitamins and help keep his weight steady. i hate to be gruesome but we have noticed his 'movements' are more regular and less, well, gruesome to pick up! yuk!

also as a side note, learning a bit of doggy massage will do wonders

Be_Happy

We've been giving our 11 year old labrador Flexi-Joint tablets for dogs, containing glucosamine and chondroitin, for the last 2 years and they seem to be keeping her fairly agile. We buy from www.healthspan.co.uk (in their pet health section) at a cost of £11.90 for 240 tablets. Our dog's dose is 3 tablets a day.

Hope this info helps.

drof

I have two dogs aged 9 and 10, the younger one has hip dysplasia and arthritis in most of his joints he was on Metacam but I have now taken him off as I understand long term use can cause other problems. Instead he has Healthspan Flexi joints as well as omega 3 and oil of evening primrose every day and he is doing very well on this. I have also just changed their diet to a raw one as they both started having dull coats dandruff and itchy skin. They have minced raw meat tripe,chicken or lamb with pulverised raw vegetables. The difference in them is amazing even after a short time their coat condition is good, bright eyes and nice smelling breath and coat and they really love the new food they also seem to have more energy. I would recommend any dog owner to try a raw diet.

skyrocket

someone told me that tripe is the best thing to feed your dog. i have an outdoor fridge i can use to store it because by all accounts it stinks!
does anyone use it? where do you buy it from and how much does it generally cost?
any tips?

RooBee

I buy frozen tripe chunks from Pets at Home. I think it costs around £3.00 for a 2kg bag. I feed it about once a week as part of a varied BARF diet.

Yes, it stinks but you do get accustomed to the smell after a while. Just don't ever be tempted to cook it :rotfl:

foreign_correspondent

i bought my dog some dried tripe sticks from home bargains, (as treats, not main diet) - yes they stink!!! but the dog goes crazy for them