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Old November 21st, 2009, 11:35 AM
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Tigergenesis Tigergenesis is offline
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Opinions needed - my dog & cat diet

I am looking for some honest feedback on my dog and cat's current diet. I would also like to know what type of supplements I should add to their diets.

CAT no dry, mostly raw w/ a little bit of can
Natures Variety Raw Diet - rotate with Chicken/Turkey, Lamb, Venison, Rabbit
Can - rotate w/ Evo 95%, Evangers Turkey & Butternut Squash, NV Instinct, occasional Merrick (Grammy Pot Pie, Thanksgiving, Turducken)


DOG mostly raw, with a little bit of dry
Natures Variety Raw Diet - rotate with Chicken/Turkey, Lamb, Venison, Rabbit
Dry - rotate w/ Taste of Wild, NV Instinct, EVO Red Meat, Horizon Legacy, Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural, BG Buffalo


I know to stay away from dry food for my cat - any issues with dry for dogs?

Again, what supplements should I be adding for each of them?
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Old November 21st, 2009, 01:19 PM
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Both meal plans look excellent to me! A bit of kibble is fine for dogs, although not necessarily fed at the same time as the raw. Glad to see that your kitty is kibble-free.

How old is your cat? Any ongoing health issues? There's usually no need to supplement commercial diets unless there's a specific reason to do so. For instance, an older cat might benefit from some glucosamine/chondroitin for arthritis, or a cat with digestive issues (stinky poop, gas, etc) might need probiotics and/or digestive enzymes.
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Old November 21st, 2009, 02:02 PM
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Thank you for your reply!

My cat is is 15 months old. No health issues at all. My dog is 7 years old w/ mild-moderate hip dysplasia, but as active as a pup! I do give her glycoflex.
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Old November 21st, 2009, 07:36 PM
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For my dogs I add egg, omega oils, and acidephelous.
I like the effect on their coats and skin. Sorry, but I am not familiar with the type of RAW food you are sourcing. Are your dogs getting meat on bone? What is the percentage of offal?
If you are feeding raw, you don't have to use dry at all. Do you use it for convenience or travelling, or do your dogs just like it?
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Old November 21st, 2009, 08:51 PM
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Your furries are stunning! I wouldn't add anything to your cat's diet (he's a Bengal, is that right?). Glycoflex is a great product, I give that to my feline senior citizen. Your pup might benefit from some extra Omega3 fish oil, which is anti-inflammatory.


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Originally Posted by Macomom View Post
Sorry, but I am not familiar with the type of RAW food you are sourcing. Are your dogs getting meat on bone? What is the percentage of offal?
Here are the ingredients for the Nature's Variety raw lamb, which is one of the better commercial frozen raw products on the market:

Quote:
Ingredients
Lamb, Lamb Liver, Raw Ground Lamb Bone, Lamb Heart, Lamb Kidney, Apples, Carrots, Butternut Squash, Ground Flaxseed, Chicken Eggs, Broccoli, Lettuce, Spinach, Dried Kelp, Apple Cider Vinegar, Parsley, Honey, Salmon Oil, Olive Oil, Blueberries, Alfalfa Sprouts, Persimmons, Duck Eggs, Pheasant Eggs, Quail Eggs, Inulin, Rosemary, Sage, Clove.
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Old November 22nd, 2009, 10:30 AM
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thank you both!!!

I will start looking into Omega-3 fish oil for my dog. I didn't know it was an anti-inflammatory - that will certainly help my girl.

Due to her hip dysplasia we need to really watch her weight, so my dog Kira is on a calorie restricted diet. I would love to give her 100% raw, but the price would be way out of my budget. So I give her about 40% high quality kibble with her raw. Once I get some bills paid down I will switch her to all raw. People are already shocked at how much I spend on their food, treats, daycare, insurance, etc each month - but I do it because I love them and want the best for them. I sacrifice as much as I can to go towards them...and it is so worth it.

If I need to make changes - please let me know. My animals mean the world to me and I want to give them the best.
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Old November 22nd, 2009, 03:08 PM
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Your furbabies are beautiful and lucky to have a mom that cares about their nutrition.

The salmon/fish oil to add Omega 3's to her diet is a good idea. If the brand you buy does not include vitamin e make sure to add some about three times a week as the salmon/fish oil depletes the body of vitamin e over time.
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Old November 22nd, 2009, 05:57 PM
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Thank you Rainbow! I added that to my notes.
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Old November 22nd, 2009, 07:24 PM
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Good luck Tigergenesis, and please keep the pictures coming. Your pets are very very pretty, both with such unique markings
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Old November 24th, 2009, 05:57 PM
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So I've been doing a little research and I could use some further direction.

I know that I want an oil with Omega3 not Omega6. I know that if it does not have vit E in it that I must supplement.

How much vit E should the oil have in it?
Any recommendations on particular brands?

Should I give this to my cat as well?
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