posted 07-04-2003 08:01 PM         

Below is my favorite site because it has an "ingredient wizard", you can learn all about each ingredient, even ones they do not use in their foods. http://www.naturapet.com/display.php?d=home-tab http://forpaws.ca/main.php

Precise is what I am feeding my dogs currently. http://www.precisepet.com/ http://www.canidae.com/ http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com/ http://www.wysong.net/3coupon.htm http://www.flintriver.com/default.asp?gg=Y

You should ask your vet for guidelines concerning low fat and low fiber. How low?
I have a dog that is supposed to be on Science diet prescription...I think it is crap food, so I asked my vet to tell me exactly what my dog needed in his food that the prescription offered. He did, even got out the book and showed me exactly how much protien etc I should have in a food for him. I was able to research enough food to come up with two that I can feed him, they offer exactly what the science diet did, but without all the crud and poor quality. Keep in mind this is my opinion only...others may have some other ideas as well. Find what works for you and your dog. Smiles, Maisey

posted 07-05-2003 02:05 PM         

Celeste Yarnall PH.D author of "Natural Dog Care", talks about Diane's Stein dietary study where it is said that "...lack of pancreatic digestive enzymes resulted in signs of poor nutrition such as dry, lusterless hair and coat, flaky skin and increased intestinal fermentation; constipation; dehydration....[and other problems]"

Others say that raw meat provides the digestive enzymes that dogs need for digestion and that by cooking dogs food destroys the vital compounds therefore to compensate the dogs pancreas must secrete more of its own enzymes. Also by avoiding grains (carbohydrates) eases the stress on the pancreas. We do not feed our dogs grains, and they do very well on the raw diet. You can also buy digestive enzyme products that contain pancreatic enzymes, but they function best in an alkaline environment, and since a dogs stomach is acidic, might not be as beneficial on its own.

A site where you can read more about this diet: http://www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm
Natural diet: http://www.healthyvet.com/nut13.htm