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Old June 10th, 2009, 05:37 PM
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Winston Winston is offline
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Should I consider a change of food?

Just wanted some thoughts from people with some good food knowledge out there! I am wondering if I should consider a change of food for Winston?

I know many of you indicated that you have just reduced the food intake rather than the food but I am wondering about other factors as well.

As some of you may remember he was on vet prescribed garbage for many years and had lots of skin and ear problems and always scratching...once I changed him to Orijen all of that went away! all of it! Now I contribute that to a better quality food ingrediants.

Winston is going to be 10 in November and has showed some signs of aging. (after playing hard he has trouble getting up!) He has gained some weight since last yr but only 5 lbs. That is basically lack of excercise from the wintor months! (he hibernated with Mom all winter ) My other concern would be that some people have indicated that a older dog should not have the higher protein diets??? Orijen is 75% meat 25% fruit and veg..no grain and no by product??

His has had absolutely no problems on Orijen, Even his poops are perfect!! sorry to much info I know!

I guess I am wondering what to look at? not sure if I really need to or not? wet didnt say he was overweight?

Cindy
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Tabitha April 10, 1995 - August 23, 2013
Bomber April 10, 1995 - July 12, 2010
Winston Nov 15, 1999 - September 15, 2011
Sophie Aug 30, 2011

"UNTIL ONE HAS LOVED AN ANIMAL, PART OF THEIR SOUL REMAINS UNAWAKENED"
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
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Old June 10th, 2009, 06:23 PM
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luckypenny luckypenny is offline
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I would think if Winston is doing good on the Orijen, there would be no need to change. Which one are you feeding him? There is a senior formula.

http://www.orijen.ca/orijen/products/senior.aspx

As for the higher protein levels...it's quite the opposite of what you have heard...senior dogs need more protein, not less.

http://www.dogaware.com/wdjseniordiets.html

Keep up what you're doing and if you're worried about a little extra weight, perhaps an extra walk or two might just do the trick.
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Old June 10th, 2009, 07:20 PM
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Chaser Chaser is offline
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I would keep him on the Orijen - I know you feed the fish formula and even if you switched to Orijen Senior you'd be adding poultry back into the mix. Could result in the itchies and such.

I agree with LP that seniors need more protein....they burn it more efficiently than carbs, so an older dog that is slowing down is more likely to pack on pounds with a high carb diet.
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Old June 10th, 2009, 08:05 PM
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Frenchy Frenchy is offline
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I third the "keep him on Orijen" and if you see him gaining more weight , reduce the amount a bit.

have you started to give him gluco/chondro supplement ?
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Old July 18th, 2009, 02:55 AM
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How is Winston doing?

Did you keep him on the Orijen?

And, does he get glucosamine/chondroitin supps?
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Old July 18th, 2009, 03:06 AM
MadeleineI MadeleineI is offline
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Should I consider a change of food?

I'm a great believer in raw meat and bones. This means you are in control. The trouble with many brands is that their ingredients and so quality is likely to vary, which is outside your control. Couple that with some very toxic preservatives and you have a bit of a cocktail. Holistic vets have discovered, around the world, that when cats and dogs are fed raw meat and bones, many chronic disease disappears.
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Old January 9th, 2010, 03:53 PM
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Winston Winston is offline
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Well today I bit the bullet and switched Winston from the Orijen Fish over to the Orijen Senior. Really it is only a protein change. But he has been off since before Christmas. Runny poops, gas and I mean GAS! almost Nuclear in fact..and some days where he would not eat...Quite a bit of girgling...

I put him on the Metronaidazole but it didnt work for him so I am suspecting the food may be off or something??? cant really tell by smell beacause it is the fish formula which is pretty stinky anyway.

I have a little bit of food left to use for the switch but Winston is already pretty curious and liking the switch to a Turkey, Chicken protein. I fed him and he gobbled it up. A few minutes ago he was standing in front of his can asking for more!

Hopefully the novelty will not were off!
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Tabitha April 10, 1995 - August 23, 2013
Bomber April 10, 1995 - July 12, 2010
Winston Nov 15, 1999 - September 15, 2011
Sophie Aug 30, 2011

"UNTIL ONE HAS LOVED AN ANIMAL, PART OF THEIR SOUL REMAINS UNAWAKENED"
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
-Unknown
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