the Honest Kitchen Pet food

[dalpal]

I know you don’t want to hear this…but this coming from a dalmatian owner who has a male who blocked at age 1 1/2. The best thing you can feed your dog is raw and use distilled water only. Research shows that stones have a harder time forming in distilled water.

The key is MOISTURE. My dog gets Taste of the Wild or Nature’s Variety with raw on top and then soaked in distilled water (knock on wood, hasn’t had any urinary issues in 6 years).

Raw doesn’t have to be complicated, time consuming. If I didn’t own 3 70 pound dogs, I would ONLY feed raw. I buy 2 pound rolls from my farrier’s wife (who is a vet) and they run about 3.00 a roll. The rolls are by Blue Ridge. You can get tripe, beef, venison, turkey…I just cut a chunk and put it in each dog’s bowl with a half cup kibble and distilled water.

Not time consuming, not difficult. I have used Honest Kitchen and liked it, but only used it as a top dressing. I do think it is very pricey. And only tried it once.

I was told to have my boy on either a vegetarian kibble or prescription UD…HELL no…neither of those are appropriate for an active dog.

[wendy]

Why would reducing the protein change the pH of the urine? I’m assuming the stones are struvites. The high pH is actually caused by the bacterial infection, not the dog’s diet. Once the infection is cleared and the stones are dissolved by the treatment diet, the dog can eat anything.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/canine_struvite_bladder_stones.html

[GotGait]

[QUOTE=dalpal;5622422]

Raw doesn’t have to be complicated, time consuming.[/QUOTE]

Yep, I just thaw out the medallions overnight in the fridge. /yawn

[Nezzy]

Wow, i love how so many people know more than my Vet and have never even examined my dog.

[dalpal]

[QUOTE=Nezzy;5622711]
Wow, i love how so many people know more than my Vet and have never even examined my dog.[/QUOTE]

Nezzy, take a chill pill. People are actually trying to help you. You’d be surprised how may vets issue bad advice about diets.

When my boy blocked we went to NC State…every single bit of information I was given was immediately tossed aside by the one dal breeder/veterinarian in the area.

I also remember my equine vet spouting off to me about protein and PH balance…he looked at me like I had two heads when I corrected him and said…it has nothing to do with protein…it’s about PURINES. You need to avoid meats such as organ meats and red meats that carry higher purines…not PROTEIN.

I dont’ know what type of crystals you are dealing with or what type of dog. But I would certainly take the time to do my own research and talk to breeders before I took one person’s opinion…vet or not.

[dalpal]

[QUOTE=wendy;5622624]
Why would reducing the protein change the pH of the urine? I’m assuming the stones are struvites. The high pH is actually caused by the bacterial infection, not the dog’s diet. Once the infection is cleared and the stones are dissolved by the treatment diet, the dog can eat anything.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/canine_struvite_bladder_stones.html[/QUOTE]

In the dalmatian breed, that’s not completely true (not sure what type of dog the OP has)…we do have to watch out for foods high in purines…organ meats are high in purines. But most important is getting fluids into the dog and making sure they urinate several times each day.

[Nezzy]

[QUOTE=dalpal;5623089]
Nezzy, take a chill pill. People are actually trying to help you. You’d be surprised how may vets issue bad advice about diets.

When my boy blocked we went to NC State…every single bit of information I was given was immediately tossed aside by the one dal breeder/veterinarian in the area.

I also remember my equine vet spouting off to me about protein and PH balance…he looked at me like I had two heads when I corrected him and said…it has nothing to do with protein…it’s about PURINES. You need to avoid meats such as organ meats and red meats that carry higher purines…not PROTEIN.

I dont’ know what type of crystals you are dealing with or what type of dog. But I would certainly take the time to do my own research and talk to breeders before I took one person’s opinion…vet or not.[/QUOTE]

And i think you all need to get your vet’s license before spouting off to me about my dog. This thread was about Honest Kitchen and those who have USED it. Not those who just have opinions about everything and need to tell them without being asked.

[Pancakes]

[QUOTE=Nezzy;5623158]
And i think you all need to get your vet’s license before spouting off to me about my dog. This thread was about Honest Kitchen and those who have USED it. Not those who just have opinions about everything and need to tell them without being asked.[/QUOTE]

Nezzy, unfortunately, that’s what happens with some users on this forum…you literally have to just ignore the posts that don’t have any useful information to you on them sometimes. Some are trying to help but don’t know how to phrase things without sounding condescending or all-knowing.

[Nezzy]

[QUOTE=Pancakes;5623199]
Nezzy, unfortunately, that’s what happens with some users on this forum…you literally have to just ignore the posts that don’t have any useful information to you on them sometimes. Some are trying to help but don’t know how to phrase things without sounding condescending or all-knowing.[/QUOTE]

i think you are right. It just seems that some people like to fight about anything.

[Pancakes]

[QUOTE=Nezzy;5623227]
i think you are right. It just seems that some people like to fight about anything.[/QUOTE]

That, and there are some people on here who firmly believe they are the only ones who hold the answers…this goes for all of the discussion forums on here! :lol:

Also, you must understand that dog nutrition and feeding is a VERY controversial subject right now. I don’t know why people get so touchy about it, to be honest, and so riled up to the point where they’re angry. I am sad about this because I can’t even have a reasonable discussion as a vet with people about their dog’s food. Then you have those that believe that all vets are completely stupid and being fed money by Hill’s… also untrue. But regardless, it’s a touchy subject and it’s best to take answers with a grain of salt.

[Nezzy]

i agree. Thanks.

[wendy]

NEVER blindly believe a medical professional. Go check. It’s easy enough to look things up these days, and make up your own mind. You’ll need to know what kind of stone your dog had- there are three types and treatment/prevention is different for each.

I’ve used Honest Kitchen, carefully read their nutritional information, and believe their diets to be unhealthy as formulated, particularly the Preference. I do not recommend them. If all you wanted was people saying “yeah it’s great” well, sorry, don’t bother posting.

Raw is easy- I feed Nature’s variety raw and their Instinct kibble. Just the difference in poop quality/volume is enough incentive to avoid carb-heavy low protein diets.

[lovey1121]

Pancakes, thanks for coming on here and giving your opinions-it is great to have veterinarians take time to answer queries here. Nezzy, it sounds to me like you are a wonderful and uber-caring momma. My advice? Take what makes sense to you from this forum and throw out the rest.

[GotGait]

[QUOTE=Pancakes;5623239]
Then you have those that believe (as in the other thread) that all vets are completely stupid and being fed money by Hill’s… also untrue. But regardless, it’s a touchy subject and it’s best to take answers with a grain of salt.[/QUOTE]

Well yeah I’m touchy since I didn’t say “all vets are completely stupid” - not even the one I was annoyed with. I was annoyed she kept pushing the product despite me asking her over and over not to. I flat out told her at one point, "I will not feed SD. Ever. " and she still kept at it. Be one thing if my dog had been in there for some nutritional issue, but he was in there for a toe. Other than that, she was great. Fixed my doggie up real good.
And the taking money from Hills thing was a joke because she was so adamant and in my face she was like a sales rep. I went back and edited my post to reflect that. No where did I call her “stupid”.

[Pancakes]

[QUOTE=GotGait;5623736]
Well yeah I’m touchy since I didn’t say “all vets are completely stupid” - not even the one I was annoyed with. I was annoyed she kept pushing the product despite me asking her over and over not to. I flat out told her at one point, "I will not feed SD. Ever. " and she still kept at it. Be one thing if my dog had been in there for some nutritional issue, but he was in there for a toe. Other than that, she was great. Fixed my doggie up real good.
And the taking money from Hills thing was a joke because she was so adamant and in my face she was like a sales rep. I went back and edited my post to reflect that. No where did I call her “stupid”.[/QUOTE]

I’m sorry if it seemed like I was targeting you – I’m not. I fixed my statement which really did sound like that, I apologize. I saw the edit you made to your OP on the other thread (thank you!). Believe me, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard that statement on COTH, not by a long shot, about stupid vets and being paid by Hill’s and all that. I understand it was a joke on your part, but some people TRULY believe it! It seems to come up every time people talk about dog food…ugh. Look for the threads… they’re there. It’s just frustrating. I understand how it must have been frustrating for you too to have that conversation with your vet. She should have backed off, for sure.

Peace!

[GotGait]

[QUOTE=Pancakes;5624185]
I’m sorry if it seemed like I was targeting you – I’m not. I fixed my statement which really did sound like that, I apologize. I saw the edit you made to your OP on the other thread (thank you!). Believe me, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard that statement on COTH, not by a long shot, about stupid vets and being paid by Hill’s and all that. I understand it was a joke on your part, but some people TRULY believe it! It seems to come up every time people talk about dog food…ugh. Look for the threads… they’re there. It’s just frustrating. I understand how it must have been frustrating for you too to have that conversation with your vet. She should have backed off, for sure.

Peace![/QUOTE]

No problem, sorry about my joke. I definitely wasn’t clear about that the first time. Peace.

[dalpal]

[QUOTE=Nezzy;5623158]
And i think you all need to get your vet’s license before spouting off to me about my dog. This thread was about Honest Kitchen and those who have USED it. Not those who just have opinions about everything and need to tell them without being asked.[/QUOTE]

Oh my goodness…and here I was trying to give you some useful information on stones and some ideas to try to help your dog.

And as I said in the original post…I have used Honest Kitchen, I think it is a great food, and I think it is pricey.

I don’t know what else you want to hear??? People were simply trying to help you with ideas (at least I was…having a stone former).

Yes, you have to decide what information is useful and what is not…but it sounds like you had a closed mind from the beginning, so why post at all. If you like the food and don’t want to switch to anything, why ask for anyone else’s opinion or maybe just call your vet and ask her/him???

[dalpal]

[QUOTE=wendy;5623621]
NEVER blindly believe a medical professional. Go check. It’s easy enough to look things up these days, and make up your own mind. You’ll need to know what kind of stone your dog had- there are three types and treatment/prevention is different for each.

I’ve used Honest Kitchen, carefully read their nutritional information, and believe their diets to be unhealthy as formulated, particularly the Preference. I do not recommend them. If all you wanted was people saying “yeah it’s great” well, sorry, don’t bother posting.

Raw is easy- I feed Nature’s variety raw and their Instinct kibble. Just the difference in poop quality/volume is enough incentive to avoid carb-heavy low protein diets.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you…I had a dog that I followed everything the vets told me to do…and I cannot tell you how sickly that poor animal was. It was when I finally started asking breeders, pet store owners, etc that I finally started realizing that it’s okay to question something that the “professional” tells you. They are not always right.

I do not hold a DVM license…but sometimes people’s experiences are helpful when it comes to an animal health. Collaboration is the key. Not one person (vet or anyone else has ALL the answers)…I read many articles on the subject by the DCA research vet, went to see her with my dog…the collaborated with my main vet and also with other DCA researchers and breeders…VERY useful information from different sources and knock on wood (haven’t had an episode in 6 years).

[dalpal]

[QUOTE=Pancakes;5623239]
That, and there are some people on here who firmly believe they are the only ones who hold the answers…this goes for all of the discussion forums on here! :lol:

Also, you must understand that dog nutrition and feeding is a VERY controversial subject right now. I don’t know why people get so touchy about it, to be honest, and so riled up to the point where they’re angry. I am sad about this because I can’t even have a reasonable discussion as a vet with people about their dog’s food. Then you have those that believe that all vets are completely stupid and being fed money by Hill’s… also untrue. But regardless, it’s a touchy subject and it’s best to take answers with a grain of salt.[/QUOTE]

I don’t think I have all the answers, I come on this site for help and advice all the time. I have learned a few things from folks on this site. I have experience with stone formers and was simply trying to offer some helpful suggestions…like distilled water.

[EqTrainer]

Well… i can tell ya’ll that when I have a doggie diet question, I ask Dalpal!!!