Should I be worried? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

broodizt · 07-26-2008, 09:59 AM

Okay fellow yorkie lovers,

This is about the 3rd or 4th time I have posted this question in different forms on this forum. I hope I 'm not becoming a nuisance (LOL).

My baby girl Cassie is about 2lbs and she loves to eat. I first adopted her at 11 months old in April of 2008. Since then I have switched her from her regular dog food that the breeder was giving her, (puppychow) to several premium dog foods and then to home feeding through the information and support of several wonderful Yorkie Talkers.

My forever problem is, that she will not take any supplements at all with her food. I have spent hundreds of dollars on supplements which are now sitting in the closet on my shelf unused because she refuses to eat the food once I add the supplement. Just to make it clear I have tried everything, adding the supplement a grain at a time, giving it with peanut butter, mixing it in with other treats like cheese, etc. etc. etc. etc. She will not eat if the supplement has been added and she is too little to let her go without food for too long.

Anyway, frustrated as heck, I went to a natural foods store with many health items for pets, and dogs especially. The woman who runs the place is very well respected by my Vet who told me to go there to get the supplements and talk to this lady. This woman does raw feeding with her own dogs and I am told they are magnificent animals and she knows what she is doing. When I explained my situation to her, she told me not to bother with or worry about supplements, as Cassie is on a healthy diet and is probably getting all the vitamins and supplements she needs from the food I give her. I was so relieved, I cannot tell you, because I don't want to fight with my baby anymore and cause her stress.

Still, I worry. Do you think it is okay not to feed supplements? Is this woman right? She does get a healthy diet, but I want to make sure she is not being harmed by not getting supplements. Some of the things I feed her on her diet: Ground beef, lamb, chicken, or sometimes but seldom salmon. Broccoli almost every day, sometimes cauliflower, cottege cheese, eggs, american cheese (about 1/4 to 1/2 slice at a time), carrots, fruit such as bannana's plums, cantaloupe, peaches, apples, sometimes brown rice, chicken soup low sodium, corn oil or olive oil for her coat, oatmeal, etc.
So anyway, you get the idea.

I am not now feeding any supplements. I don't want to struggle with her anymore. Should I be worried? I need some reassurance here.

If you guys feel I absolutely HAVE to feed her supplements, does anyone know of a really GOOD TASTING vitamin mineral supplement that I could give her that she would think was a treat? Something made flavorful for dogs, kind of like the Flintstones for kids vitamins? I know it would not be like the Balance-It vitamins I bought for her and which is now sitting on my shelf unused, but it would be something. Please help. I am really getting stressed about this. I don't want her getting sick or some awful disease because of lack of good nutrition. I so hope this lady from the Health Food store is right. Any and all answers are greatly appreceiated. Thank you all so much for your time and caring. Shellie and cassie

Ellie May · 07-26-2008, 10:07 AM

If you are feeding homecooked, you have to supplement. It is absolutely not an option if you want the diet balanced. Dogs require tons of calcium and you would have to feed an extreme amount of food per day to even come close to all the other vitamins a dog needs.

I am sorry though because I would have no idea what to do.

broodizt · 07-26-2008, 10:10 AM

Oh my gosh,

I am at a loss. Should I go back to feeding premium dog food?

Little Bit · 07-26-2008, 10:10 AM

If you are feeding her correctly I wouldn't worry about the supplements. But if you do want to supplement here is one my dogs don't mind at all.
Daily Blend (16 oz) [03271] - $26.95 : Holistic, natural remedies for dogs and cats., Natural nutrition, food and supplmements for dogs, cats and horses.
This site is great for all kinds of things and they have very informative newsletters.

Ellie May · 07-26-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broodizt

Oh my gosh,

I am at a loss. Should I go back to feeding premium dog food?

Have you tried the tough love approach?
Put food down with vitamins and if she doesn't eat within a little while put it in the fridge and bring it out later?

If you have tried everything and she won't eat, then, in my opinion, you need to go back to dog food. I can't believe I'm saying this but it would probably be best. In the notes from Ellie's nutritionist it says supplementing is not optional. Dogs in the wild eat bones and that is where some of their needs are met (like calcium). I don't recommend allowing that but that is why it needs to be supplemented...

broodizt · 07-26-2008, 10:24 AM

I have tried this before and it didn't work. But I will try it again before making the decision to return to dog food. How long should I let her go without eating? She is so small i get scared letting her go too long. If she won't eat at all, what dog food should I feed her?

Ellie May · 07-26-2008, 10:32 AM

This was written by Ellie's nutritionist:
Frequently-Asked Question

Since she is so small I'd be worried to use that method and I really don't like any dog food, so I can't recommend one and feel comfortable with it.

I will say no Nutro, Eukanuma, Iams, Purina, Pedigree, Merrick (qualiy control issues), Royal Canin (unless vet diet) or Science Diet (unless vet diet or possibly Nature's Best).

Maybe try talking to a nutritionist and seeing if they have ideas before switching back?

broodizt · 07-26-2008, 11:14 AM

Thanks Ellie May and Little Bit for your input. It really helps alot. I am going to check out the vitamins you recommend Little Bit, because I really don't want to stop home feeding and I'm really not sure she is getting all she needs from home feeding without the supplements. I don't want to take a chance with her. Yet another vitamin for my pantry shelf. But if it works, it's worth it. Thanks so much for the suggestion, I REALLY appreciate it. You have given me HOPE.

Thanks so much, Ellie May. I do appreciate anything you have to say, it's always full of wonderful information- you are so knowledgeable about these matters-and I am just still a newbie when it comes to my baby Cassie. What you said was not what I wanted to hear, I wished that you could have said it was okay to just feed her a good diet. But that is why I value your opinion. I know you know your stuff-alot more than me. So thanks again so much for taking the time to help a newbie like myself. Hugs, Shellie

Wylie's Mom · 07-26-2008, 03:21 PM

Wow, what a tough one. When I used to homecook I used a multi-vitamin powder from Only Natural Pet. For calcium, I used eggshells (pretty much tasteless). Have you tried powders or are you crushing up vitamins bc crushed vitamins usually have a stronger smell?

For me, one of the reasons I moved to raw was bc of the balancing of supplementation - even with all of my research and everything I thought I knew, it still made me feel insecure. With raw, you don't need to supplement. And, raw just made more sense to me as being more species appropriate. My guys are healthier than ever.

That said, I think dogs can be healthy on premium dog food, homecooked, or raw (the latter being the best, imho) - you just have to find what feels best for you and your dog - and go from there.

Little Bit · 07-26-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Wow, what a tough one. When I used to homecook I used a multi-vitamin powder from Only Natural Pet. For calcium, I used eggshells (pretty much tasteless). Have you tried powders or are you crushing up vitamins bc crushed vitamins usually have a stronger smell?

For me, one of the reasons I moved to raw was bc of the balancing of supplementation - even with all of my research and everything I thought I knew, it still made me feel insecure. With raw, you don't need to supplement. And, raw just made more sense to me as being more species appropriate. My guys are healthier than ever.

That said, I think dogs can be healthy on premium dog food, homecooked, or raw (the latter being the best, imho) - you just have to find what feels best for you and your dog - and go from there.

I thought she meant raw (with bones, etc.). If it is cooked then it is a different story.

broodizt · 07-26-2008, 06:48 PM

Hi Ann,

Yes, I've tried the powders, Balance-it, plus liquids, plus powder I've made myself (Dr. Pitcairns Healthy Powder.) Believe me, I've tried them all. I am so frustrated. I just don't know WHAT to do. I really don't want to quit home feeding, but what am I to do? Maybe I ought to try raw as you suggest. I don't think she will eat it, and my Vet (the one who substitutes for my favorite Vet), does not think it is appropriate for dogs Cassie's size. She says she is so far from removed from the typical dog in the wild, it's like it's another species. But I might try it anyway, if I can get over the yuk factor, and if she likes it. Do you ever feed cooked food for treats? Like pieces of chicken, beef? Do you give peanut butter? What are you and aren't you allowed to do? Thanks again for your kindness is answering my call for help. I so much appreciated it!

Little Bit, are you referring to Ellie May saying raw with bones? Thanks again so much for trying to help me. Shellie

Little Bit · 07-26-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broodizt

Little Bit, are you referring to Ellie May saying raw with bones? Thanks again so much for trying to help me. Shellie

I was talking about what you feed. I thought you were referring to a home made raw diet. Cooking destroys enzymes, and changes the composition of fats, etc., etc. There have been many who have done very well feeding yorkies raw. Maybe you could try it, but be sure you get good info to follow so that you do it in the correct balance. It probably wouldn't be as much work for you as cooking her food. It really is better for them.

broodizt · 07-26-2008, 08:59 PM

I guess I'll look into feeding raw. There is a Natural Pet Food Store not far from here. I'll go visit and see what I can find out. In the meantime though, I guess my question was can you mix raw food, say, her three meals a day being raw, and still give her treats like peanut butter, cheese, maybe dried chicken treats, etc. What would you give for treats or snacks?

07-26-2008, 09:59 AM	#1
broodizt YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Temecula Posts: 669	Should I be worried? Okay fellow yorkie lovers, This is about the 3rd or 4th time I have posted this question in different forms on this forum. I hope I 'm not becoming a nuisance (LOL). My baby girl Cassie is about 2lbs and she loves to eat. I first adopted her at 11 months old in April of 2008. Since then I have switched her from her regular dog food that the breeder was giving her, (puppychow) to several premium dog foods and then to home feeding through the information and support of several wonderful Yorkie Talkers. My forever problem is, that she will not take any supplements at all with her food. I have spent hundreds of dollars on supplements which are now sitting in the closet on my shelf unused because she refuses to eat the food once I add the supplement. Just to make it clear I have tried everything, adding the supplement a grain at a time, giving it with peanut butter, mixing it in with other treats like cheese, etc. etc. etc. etc. She will not eat if the supplement has been added and she is too little to let her go without food for too long. Anyway, frustrated as heck, I went to a natural foods store with many health items for pets, and dogs especially. The woman who runs the place is very well respected by my Vet who told me to go there to get the supplements and talk to this lady. This woman does raw feeding with her own dogs and I am told they are magnificent animals and she knows what she is doing. When I explained my situation to her, she told me not to bother with or worry about supplements, as Cassie is on a healthy diet and is probably getting all the vitamins and supplements she needs from the food I give her. I was so relieved, I cannot tell you, because I don't want to fight with my baby anymore and cause her stress. Still, I worry. Do you think it is okay not to feed supplements? Is this woman right? She does get a healthy diet, but I want to make sure she is not being harmed by not getting supplements. Some of the things I feed her on her diet: Ground beef, lamb, chicken, or sometimes but seldom salmon. Broccoli almost every day, sometimes cauliflower, cottege cheese, eggs, american cheese (about 1/4 to 1/2 slice at a time), carrots, fruit such as bannana's plums, cantaloupe, peaches, apples, sometimes brown rice, chicken soup low sodium, corn oil or olive oil for her coat, oatmeal, etc. So anyway, you get the idea. I am not now feeding any supplements. I don't want to struggle with her anymore. Should I be worried? I need some reassurance here. If you guys feel I absolutely HAVE to feed her supplements, does anyone know of a really GOOD TASTING vitamin mineral supplement that I could give her that she would think was a treat? Something made flavorful for dogs, kind of like the Flintstones for kids vitamins? I know it would not be like the Balance-It vitamins I bought for her and which is now sitting on my shelf unused, but it would be something. Please help. I am really getting stressed about this. I don't want her getting sick or some awful disease because of lack of good nutrition. I so hope this lady from the Health Food store is right. Any and all answers are greatly appreceiated. Thank you all so much for your time and caring. Shellie and cassie

07-26-2008, 10:07 AM	#2
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	If you are feeding homecooked, you have to supplement. It is absolutely not an option if you want the diet balanced. Dogs require tons of calcium and you would have to feed an extreme amount of food per day to even come close to all the other vitamins a dog needs. I am sorry though because I would have no idea what to do. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 Last edited by Ellie May; 07-26-2008 at 10:09 AM.

07-26-2008, 10:10 AM	#4
Little Bit Tiny Dog Big Heart Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 6,205	If you are feeding her correctly I wouldn't worry about the supplements. But if you do want to supplement here is one my dogs don't mind at all. Daily Blend (16 oz) [03271] - $26.95 : Holistic, natural remedies for dogs and cats., Natural nutrition, food and supplmements for dogs, cats and horses. This site is great for all kinds of things and they have very informative newsletters. __________________ Little Bit

07-26-2008, 10:32 AM	#7
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	This was written by Ellie's nutritionist: Frequently-Asked Question Since she is so small I'd be worried to use that method and I really don't like any dog food, so I can't recommend one and feel comfortable with it. I will say no Nutro, Eukanuma, Iams, Purina, Pedigree, Merrick (qualiy control issues), Royal Canin (unless vet diet) or Science Diet (unless vet diet or possibly Nature's Best). Maybe try talking to a nutritionist and seeing if they have ideas before switching back? __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

07-26-2008, 03:21 PM	#9
Wylie's Mom Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 35,889 Blog Entries: 2	Wow, what a tough one. When I used to homecook I used a multi-vitamin powder from Only Natural Pet. For calcium, I used eggshells (pretty much tasteless). Have you tried powders or are you crushing up vitamins bc crushed vitamins usually have a stronger smell? For me, one of the reasons I moved to raw was bc of the balancing of supplementation - even with all of my research and everything I thought I knew, it still made me feel insecure. With raw, you don't need to supplement. And, raw just made more sense to me as being more species appropriate. My guys are healthier than ever. That said, I think dogs can be healthy on premium dog food, homecooked, or raw (the latter being the best, imho) - you just have to find what feels best for you and your dog - and go from there. __________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann \| Pfeiffer \| Marcel Verdel Purcell \| Wylie \| Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Last edited by Wylie's Mom; 07-26-2008 at 03:22 PM.

07-26-2008, 10:24 AM	#6
broodizt YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Temecula Posts: 669	I have tried this before and it didn't work. But I will try it again before making the decision to return to dog food. How long should I let her go without eating? She is so small i get scared letting her go too long. If she won't eat at all, what dog food should I feed her?

07-26-2008, 11:14 AM	#8
broodizt YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Temecula Posts: 669	Thanks Ellie May and Little Bit for your input. It really helps alot. I am going to check out the vitamins you recommend Little Bit, because I really don't want to stop home feeding and I'm really not sure she is getting all she needs from home feeding without the supplements. I don't want to take a chance with her. Yet another vitamin for my pantry shelf. But if it works, it's worth it. Thanks so much for the suggestion, I REALLY appreciate it. You have given me HOPE. Thanks so much, Ellie May. I do appreciate anything you have to say, it's always full of wonderful information- you are so knowledgeable about these matters-and I am just still a newbie when it comes to my baby Cassie. What you said was not what I wanted to hear, I wished that you could have said it was okay to just feed her a good diet. But that is why I value your opinion. I know you know your stuff-alot more than me. So thanks again so much for taking the time to help a newbie like myself. Hugs, Shellie

07-26-2008, 06:48 PM	#11
broodizt YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Temecula Posts: 669	Hi Ann, Yes, I've tried the powders, Balance-it, plus liquids, plus powder I've made myself (Dr. Pitcairns Healthy Powder.) Believe me, I've tried them all. I am so frustrated. I just don't know WHAT to do. I really don't want to quit home feeding, but what am I to do? Maybe I ought to try raw as you suggest. I don't think she will eat it, and my Vet (the one who substitutes for my favorite Vet), does not think it is appropriate for dogs Cassie's size. She says she is so far from removed from the typical dog in the wild, it's like it's another species. But I might try it anyway, if I can get over the yuk factor, and if she likes it. Do you ever feed cooked food for treats? Like pieces of chicken, beef? Do you give peanut butter? What are you and aren't you allowed to do? Thanks again for your kindness is answering my call for help. I so much appreciated it! Little Bit, are you referring to Ellie May saying raw with bones? Thanks again so much for trying to help me. Shellie

07-26-2008, 08:59 PM	#13
broodizt YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Temecula Posts: 669	I guess I'll look into feeding raw. There is a Natural Pet Food Store not far from here. I'll go visit and see what I can find out. In the meantime though, I guess my question was can you mix raw food, say, her three meals a day being raw, and still give her treats like peanut butter, cheese, maybe dried chicken treats, etc. What would you give for treats or snacks?