Decision of food is driving me crazy! (how much, shih tzu, allergy)

[TeddieXRuxpin]

I'm having sucha hard time picking a food to keep Ted on. I'd really like him on a grain free kibble, but then the protein is to high for comfort. He does seem to be laying around a bit more and gets tired on walks. While on a kibble with grain he was more active and ready to go. So I don't know what to do.

He's eaten Solid Gold: Hund-N-Flocken, Wee bits, and Barking at the moon.

I've thought about Wellness, Innova Evo, Natural Balance, Timberwolf..

How much protein should a semi active, 16.5 pound Shih tzu have? It's time to buy fod, but after a four pound bag of Barking at the moon I'm not happy. I was so upset about having him on a grain free food I dumper about half of the SG wee bits. I'd hate to have to go back and buy more.

Does any one have ideas?

[Radek]

We used Science Diet for our dogs, and they did great with it.

[TeddieXRuxpin]

Originally Posted by Radek

We used Science Diet for our dogs, and they did great with it.

I refuse to feed Science Diet; it's full of fillers, corn, and every kind of grain. Three of the first five ingredients are grain and one by-product. While I understand some dogs do ok on it..I wont pay that much for a grain based food. I really appreciate you replying though!

[cleosmom]

Refresh my memory, does he have allergies and if so to what? There are foods out there balanced with the carbs needed to drive the protien if that's a need.

[TeddieXRuxpin]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

Refresh my memory, does he have allergies and if so to what? There are foods out there balanced with the carbs needed to drive the protien if that's a need.

He's not been tested for specifics, but I'm pretty sure it is. He's been checked for other health problems and has come up very healthy. Fleas are our biggest reaction, but I make sure to take care of all of that. All I can say is I know when he has them.

I don't like the idea of a grain based food for the fact it's not a natural source for a dog.

Do you know how much protein would be recomended for a semi- active, 16.5 pound dog? I think the Barking at the Moon is very high, he's not active enough for such a high protien food.

[Honeycrisp]

I'd guess maybe 3/4 cup 2x a day - ? It would depend on calories too and if you add other things to it (lowfat cottage cheese, string beans, etc) and also if he gets snacks etc. In the winter mine are less active but I live in the northeast and it's pretty darn cold. Anyway, would probably start w/ 3/4 cup 2x a day - if he seems hungry, then would up it a bit, see how it goes. FOr protein, I'm guessing under 25% but I c/b way off and it's been a while since I read up on it.

[TeddieXRuxpin]

Originally Posted by Honeycrisp

I'd guess maybe 3/4 cup 2x a day - ? It would depend on calories too and if you add other things to it (lowfat cottage cheese, string beans, etc) and also if he gets snacks etc. In the winter mine are less active but I live in the northeast and it's pretty darn cold. Anyway, would probably start w/ 3/4 cup 2x a day - if he seems hungry, then would up it a bit, see how it goes. FOr protein, I'm guessing under 25% but I c/b way off and it's been a while since I read up on it.

That's what I was thinking. He will only eat once a day and it's about 3/4 of a cup. Doesn't matter the food, that's all he'll eat. I've tried to get him to eat twice a day and he is just not that hungrey.

With Barking at the moon Protein is I do believe 41-43% and that is way to high. All of the grain free foods I've see have high protein because htey have to get it form some where.

Do you have any grain less foods or high quality foods you'd reccomend? I'm planning on going tomorrow while I'm out and I was just going to pick up the Hund-N-Flocken again. Hund-N-Flocken prtein is 22% / Calories per cup 367, Wee Bits 28% / Calories per cup 380, and Barking at the moon is 41% /Calories per cup 465.

[Honeycrisp]

Mine are older and are on the Nutro Natural Lite, I think the percentage is about 18%, 2 have also had problems w/ crystals and while they're on prescription food, I think it may have had something to do w/ protein so they're on the Lite food. For younger very active dogs, I think higher protein may be OK but I don't know as I'd go really high unless maybe I mine were sporting dogs or otherwise very active. Wish I was more of a help. Just a thought though, that has nothing to do w/ protein, have you tried nuking his food for a few seconds, maybe 10-15? - I did that for a dog I sat for who was very picky (her mom even came w/ cooked scrambled eggs, chicken etc to add to the food) and she still sniffed and hesitated but once it was nuked, ate a lot better (didnt exactly devour it but did eat it in a few minutes), mine were dying to help, LOL!
Good luck shopping today, keep us posted -

[Old Man Winter]

Our dog was having breakouts on her feet constantly, we consulted the vet and put the dog on science diet. Her outbreaks got worse. After hecking around we found Canidae Platinum, our dog is doing really well on it. It is not cheap, but if it is good for our dog we don't care about the cost. Good luck in your search for good food. We are also looking into feeding the raw diet, and are finding some real positie feedback.

[cleosmom]

Canidae's Lamb & Rice is what I feed my two. Before switching to that they were on allergy pills three of four seasons. Now my Cleo might have one pill a year!