Ugh, Thor stinks might need more food suggestions

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Since we moved into this duplex Thor's odor is really pungent. Every time I walk into the unit I smell dog not only that he's shedding like crazy. I figure he's just blowing coat but this seems to be excessive I can stroke him and pull back a hand full of hair. His coat is also very dull and bland. So I know its his diet.

I feed Thor TOTW because its only thing that's worked for me that hasn't given me mushy stools numerous times a day. Although he has some horrible gas! LOL! In the past before I fed raw I tried Chicken Soup, Eagle Pack, Canidae, Solid Gold, and yes Nutro. I would love to feed raw again but I don't have any butcher shops near me. I just brought another bag of TOTW but in the mean time I'm searching for a new food.

I feed a raw egg every now and again, I tried the fish oil pills but I have to force feed him it because he won't swallow it. Any suggestions?

 

[Kelly]

Is it possible he needs his anal glands done?

 

[ruthcatrin]

Can you get The Honest Kitchen nearby?

 

[STEVSH]

Really? What TOTW are you using? I switched from Chicken Soup to TOTW - Sierra Mountain and it's like night and day. In fact, I have not heard or smelled a fart from Topaz in weeks!
Good luck and I hope you find one that helps in that area then!

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Is it possible he needs his anal glands done?

When I bathe Thor I always express his anal glands. He just had a bath about 2 weeks ago.

Can you get The Honest Kitchen nearby?

Never heard of it?

Really? What TOTW are you using? I switched from Chicken Soup to TOTW - Sierra Mountain and it's like night and day. In fact, I have not heard or smelled a fart from Topaz in weeks!
Good luck and I hope you find one that helps in that area then!

I've been feeding Thor TOTW for about 2 and a half years now. I rotate flavors with no sensitive tummy or stool issues. I just don't feel as though he's getting the best nutrients out of the food.

 

[mastiffmedic]

I feed precise holistic complete grain free, even with the grain formula Biggs never had any major gas issues and his coat looks great.
http://precisepet.com/dog-formulas/precise-holistic-complete/dry/large-breed-adult/
http://precisepet.com/dog-formulas/...lete/dry/grain-free-pork-with-garbanzo-beans/

 

[ruthcatrin]

That was my other question, if you'd tried any of the other formulas and if they did the same thing.

http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/ Not the cheapest food ever, but you have to remember that its dehydrated and you rehydrate to feed, so that 10lb box that looks so expensive actually makes about 40lbs of food (depends on exactly how much water you use to rehydrate). Not really worth the online order unless you're only buying samples or are buying LOTS, but if you can find it locally....

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Ruth do you use the food? Yeah I saw the price and my jaw dropped LOL!

MastiffMedic, I think Smart_Family mentioned but there are no stores around me within 25 or 50 miles the carry specialized foods. You'd think being closer to the city I'd have better selections.

 

[Smart_Family]

I can't do it right this second but if you give me a zip or a town/city closest to you, I can try to find some options later on this afternoon.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Ruth do you use the food? Yeah I saw the price and my jaw dropped LOL!

Yah, once you actually take the rehydrated weight into account its not quite so horrid, still not cheap, but not as bad as it looks upfront.

I have though I've switched to truely raw for now, and I keep a couple of the smaller 4lb boxes on hand for 'emergencies', travel, and what not. It stores well, the dogs like it (assuming I get the right 'flavors' anyway), and its easy to make up.

 

[mastiffmedic]

Ruth do you use the food? Yeah I saw the price and my jaw dropped LOL!

MastiffMedic, I think Smart_Family mentioned but there are no stores around me within 25 or 50 miles the carry specialized foods. You'd think being closer to the city I'd have better selections.

www.petflow.com

I've used them before and they've worked out really well. You can even get on a schedule. I'll go back to them as soon as they start carrying the grain free line from precise holistic complete. I've emailed them and they're working on it. The prices are very comparable to buying in the store. Shipping is $5 for all orders which is a good deal and they carry a ton of brands.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Thanks Mastiffmedic, checked out the site fantastic, now all I have to do is choose a food! I like Earthborn Holistiscs

 

[mastiffmedic]

Earthborn holistic looks like a quality kibble and I don't think they've had a recall in the past. Here's a couple of reviews I found.
http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/petsumer-report-review-of-the-month-5.html
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/earthborn-holistic-primitive-natural/

 

[DDBsR4Me]

That was my other question, if you'd tried any of the other formulas and if they did the same thing.

http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/ Not the cheapest food ever, but you have to remember that its dehydrated and you rehydrate to feed, so that 10lb box that looks so expensive actually makes about 40lbs of food (depends on exactly how much water you use to rehydrate). Not really worth the online order unless you're only buying samples or are buying LOTS, but if you can find it locally....

I'm curious what does this stuff look like once you add water? Is it like mush or is it kibble like? Just curious...considering getting a small box, I'm pretty sure my pet food store carries it. I wish they had a lamb formula...my boy really likes lamb above all else.

Right now I'm feeding Acana Grasslands..just started feeding it about 2 weeks go

 

[ruthcatrin]

Its a mush. Think can food not kibble, there are larger chunks in it, but definetly not kibble.

If you have access to a reliable source for lamb yourself you could get their Preference formula, its designed WITHOUT protien so that the owner can add the protien source (for dogs with food allergies or odd requirements) and not have to worry about a balanced diet.

 

[angelbears]

Could it be stress? With the move and all.

 

[NeoBull]

The shedding and dull coat are new issues right? Not since you started feeding TOTW?

I'm curious because I switched Branka to TOTW (from Nature's Domain) and like 5 days later she started shedding. It's been about a month now and her coat looks dull... I thought it had to do with blowing the coat and maybe even going into heat because she went into heat the day after I noticed the shedding... As far as the gas, it's a million times better with TOTW.

If it's the food I don't know what I'll do, I don't think I can afford anything better Maybe I'll just start adding some fish oil and give it a little more time.

Smart_Family... Should I add Fish oil? Coconut oil? Olive oil? a combintation of them? Rotate them? Any of them? lol

 

[mmyrto]

i buy from mrchewy.com free next day delivery for orders more than 49$.
as for the honest kitchen i checked the feeding instruction and is the same as with dry food for example is 3 1/2 cups to 4 1/2 cups for dogs 71-90 lbs and its bfr adding the water so it doesnt matter if it 10lbs of food makes 40lbs of wet food. you still get 10lbs for 79 $ for example Acana pacifica is 63 $ for 29 lbs...so its really double the price.

---------- Post added at 06:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:41 PM ----------

and also the feeding instructions stop at 90 lbs, dont know why they dont say anything for larger dogs..

 

[mmyrto]

and also the feeding instructions stop at 90 lbs, dont know why they dont say anything for larger dogs..

 

[ruthcatrin]

i buy from mrchewy.com free next day delivery for orders more than 49$.
as for the honest kitchen i checked the feeding instruction and is the same as with dry food for example is 3 1/2 cups to 4 1/2 cups for dogs 71-90 lbs and its bfr adding the water so it doesnt matter if it 10lbs of food makes 40lbs of wet food. you still get 10lbs for 79 $ for example Acana pacifica is 63 $ for 29 lbs...so its really double the price.

I'm not sure where you're getting that 3.5 - 4.5 cup figure? http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/products/learn/how-to-feed/ according to that page an adult dog 71 to 90 lbs You start with 2.5 - 3 cups dry. I don't have a box handy to check if the boxes say different but I can go dig one out if you want me too.