Healthy Pets

[VintageFemme]

Originally Posted by Sachita

At this point you simply want to keep him comfortable. Side effects from drugs happen over a long time. I know how hard this is. When the quality of their life is over/low its time. having put down a few dogs just in the last year or so I decided if they can not use the bathroom or they stop eating. It's gut wrenching but often the right thing to do.

i completely agree. good to know about the side effects, thanks! he is still able to use the bathroom. i tie the strip of towel around his waist and off we walk very slowly only to the ends of the sidewalks around us. it's only his one rear leg that is so damaged. we sit down a lot when we're out and it's a very slow process but he still has so much life and joy in him. he loves to play tug o'war w/ the other towel i use to wipe his mouth after eating *lol* and chew on the rib bones i buy him. he eats really well still and has never met a bisquit he didn't love. i know our days are very numbered now and as long as he is still getting some joy out of life and still wagging that tail and perking those ears up, i have to call that quality. i can go the long haul with him and am doing now whatever it is he needs me to do. he's pretty much calling all the shots.

[Butterbean]

My baby, Blossom, was diagnosed with this in June. She spent 2 days in intensive care and has had a long recovery.

She's on prescription dry food and her vet taught me the basics of what I could cook for her at home.

The most effective/important aspects to this, that I have noticed so far, is that she really must have her sleep, and plain non-fat yogurt and pumpkin to keep her system balanced.

It really breaks my heart that her diet must be so strictly followed but the consequences of not adhering to it are so severe so....

[DapperButch]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0...n_Punches_Bear

[Sassy]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0...n_Punches_Bear

Agreed! Anything ever tried to gnaw on my puppy gal, I wouldn't think twice. That is MY baby.

[Sassy]

Hey fellow pet parents,

I wandered over into this thread to ask if anyone had any suggestions for a replacement for rawhide chews?

My 9-year-old mini doxie loves-loves-LOVES her rawhide chews. She gets a small one in the mornings while I have my coffee. And a second one sometimes if she's having a stressful day. (Usually lawn-service day -- *grrr/gnaw/grrr* "We hatesssezzz the lawn man we does, yes we does." *grrrr*)

But lately, I've noticed she doesn't necessarily act like she feels so good after she's had her treat. She does better if I keep the chews small -- she's a glutton and will devour whatever I put in front of her until it is gone gone gone. And I've tried a few different brands but I'm not terribly satisfied with any particular one yet.

She's so small she fattens up easily. So filled rawhide treats are a no-no. We use carrots for treats throughout the day. And she's got some food allergies so she's on a raw food (lamb) diet.

She's a hardcore chewer. It's got to be something tough enough to keep her interested for a while. I tried to get her to chew a nyla bone but she's adamant she doesn't like them. And I tried natural hooves once but *gag* those stank. I won't bring another one back in the house. But if the item is too hard she loses interest -- I tried antlers boiled in broth (the pet store salesman swore they were a big seller) and she wouldn't even take a second glance.

So, any suggestions?

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Sassy

Hey fellow pet parents,

I wandered over into this thread to ask if anyone had any suggestions for a replacement for rawhide chews?

My 9-year-old mini doxie loves-loves-LOVES her rawhide chews. She gets a small one in the mornings while I have my coffee. And a second one sometimes if she's having a stressful day. (Usually lawn-service day -- *grrr/gnaw/grrr* "We hatesssezzz the lawn man we does, yes we does." *grrrr*)

But lately, I've noticed she doesn't necessarily act like she feels so good after she's had her treat. She does better if I keep the chews small -- she's a glutton and will devour whatever I put in front of her until it is gone gone gone. And I've tried a few different brands but I'm not terribly satisfied with any particular one yet.

She's so small she fattens up easily. So filled rawhide treats are a no-no. We use carrots for treats throughout the day. And she's got some food allergies so she's on a raw food (lamb) diet.

She's a hardcore chewer. It's got to be something tough enough to keep her interested for a while. I tried to get her to chew a nyla bone but she's adamant she doesn't like them. And I tried natural hooves once but *gag* those stank. I won't bring another one back in the house. But if the item is too hard she loses interest -- I tried antlers boiled in broth (the pet store salesman swore they were a big seller) and she wouldn't even take a second glance.

So, any suggestions?

Pig ears.
-------

[Sassy]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Pig ears.
-------

I tried those once, too. *wrinkles her freckled nose* They also stink.

OK, maybe things that get chewed on naturally stink? *laughs*

Hmmm. OK, I'll try a pig ear one more time and see how that goes.

Thanks

[Guy]

Originally Posted by Sassy

Hey fellow pet parents,

I wandered over into this thread to ask if anyone had any suggestions for a replacement for rawhide chews?

My 9-year-old mini doxie loves-loves-LOVES her rawhide chews. She gets a small one in the mornings while I have my coffee. And a second one sometimes if she's having a stressful day. (Usually lawn-service day -- *grrr/gnaw/grrr* "We hatesssezzz the lawn man we does, yes we does." *grrrr*)

But lately, I've noticed she doesn't necessarily act like she feels so good after she's had her treat. She does better if I keep the chews small -- she's a glutton and will devour whatever I put in front of her until it is gone gone gone. And I've tried a few different brands but I'm not terribly satisfied with any particular one yet.

She's so small she fattens up easily. So filled rawhide treats are a no-no. We use carrots for treats throughout the day. And she's got some food allergies so she's on a raw food (lamb) diet.

She's a hardcore chewer. It's got to be something tough enough to keep her interested for a while. I tried to get her to chew a nyla bone but she's adamant she doesn't like them. And I tried natural hooves once but *gag* those stank. I won't bring another one back in the house. But if the item is too hard she loses interest -- I tried antlers boiled in broth (the pet store salesman swore they were a big seller) and she wouldn't even take a second glance.

So, any suggestions?

I give my kids the waggin train big blast. Its a baked pork skin twist with chicken liver center, without the mess. I pick them up at walmart, but have seen them at target.

They love' em

[Gentle Tiger]

Just popped in to say the furminator is my friend! There has been no kitty puke since adding a supplement and using the Furminator. We (the two furry girls and I) are all happy about it.