Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi All!
I started Peyton on the cottage cheese/flax from the Budwig diet yesterday. He gobbled it right up...I tasted it and blech but he loves it! I really haven't been able to find any guidelines on how much to give though. He's also on Wellness Core 1 C in the am & pm. We have to watch our weight around here...he's 84 pounds right now and a bottomless pit...looks at me like he's starving all day long! I'm thinking I will have to cut back on the kibble a little if he's getting the cottage cheese a couple times a day right? He also gets a couple Happy Hips duck chews throughout the course of the day. Any insight on the cottage cheese/kibble amts would be helpful!!!
Thanks!!!
Brenda
I'm not clear why you are incorporating the flax (it's utilization by dogs is questionable) and cottage cheese from the Budwig diet, but feeding a kibble (& treats) containing processed animal fats & meat as well as a significantly high carb count. I'm not questioning a dog's need for animal protein, just that there are at least 3 feeding philosophies in practice here.
Wellness is grain free , but most grain free kibbles still need a binder & they usually contain potatoes. The glycemic index of white potatoes is very high & converts rapidly.
It's going to be tough for Peyton to drop weight with both a high carb & high fat load. I'd be more concerned about carbs, but would have to consider the loss-benefit of potentially "empty" fat calories the flax is adding.
I can tell you, that a while ago, I was experimenting with a flax oil supplement & feeding much less than what's recommended in this diet and my always lean dog, gained weight.
These links might help you, as well as members who aren't familiar with the Budwig Diet for dogs, here are some links to introduce you to the concept:
- Shirley's Wellness Cafe: The Healing Power of Essential Fatty Acids
- Dr Johanna Budwig Pet Cancer Cure Testimonies
- The Holistic Dog: Budwig Diet
- Budwig Diet for Dogs and Cats
Budwig Diet recommends flax oil, however there is debate over its effectiveness. Tazziedog, Tripawds' resident vet, here says that dogs can't absorb it, but other holistic advocates disagree. Some say that giving enough of the flax oil for it to be effective in a dog would be impossible and/or unhealthy. I followed the Budwig protocol nearly exactly as you did, but I also didn't have to lose weight either (my problem was the opposite, I tended to have a hard time putting it on). I believe that one of the benefits of Budwig Diet is to help dogs with cancer keep weight on (avoid cancer cachexia) not lose it.
As for dosages, I ate 1 cup with dinner. While I digested it fine, many dogs don't do dairy. Sounds like Peyton doesn't have that problem though!
So yeah, littlemanjake is right, even grain free foods have a starch that binds the kibble together. And while Wellness Core is a GREAT food but you may want to investigate a lower carb / fat alternative. We recently posted about Wysong Epigen, which is grain and starch free, making it perfect for dogs fighting cancer. Wysong has a great coupon promo going on right now.
Dr. Demian Dressler, author of the Dog Cancer Survival Guide and the free Dog Cancer Nutrition book has some great tips for avoiding starches and carbs while going easy on your budget.
I know there's so much information that can drive anyone batty trying to figure it out. For my diet, my pawrents just decided to do the best they could without obsessing about it. Some of the protocols we followed weren't exactly scientifically proven, but they worked for us. I won't guarantee that what I ate helped me live longer or keep cancer away, or that it will work for all dogs (we're all different!) but I will say that while I was living with cancer I stayed healthy and strong and I beat the odds for a long time.
Oh boy, I'm not sure I answered your question but I just wanted to throw this out there. Try not to make yourself nuts finding the right combo. Do what works for you and Peyton, that's my answer! 😉
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Cynthia,
You are my "go to" person! I hope that is okay. So, I have a question please...
I feed our pups Blue Buffalo. Rocket is a fussy eater so I thought I'd switch to Wilderness (the smelly one, I thought). But I accidently bought "grain free " and didn't realize it until a week later. Cosmo is eating it but he is growing really fast. Went from 16lbs to 24 in 3 weeks. Should I worry about him not having any grains? Should I buy another bag of food or will it be okay to finish this one out which will be at least another week?
Mucho thankos!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Well, as a disclaimer, I should say I am a food NAZI. I am a raw feeder. I toured the Stella & Chewy's manufacturing plant before I fed their product…told you I was nuts! No grain, in any form, especially NO corn, unless it is procured illegally, ever enters the furry mouths in my house. Very few carbohydrates either, no molasses, and no kibble…. My one concession…..Isabelle does get some crappy treats from the mailman everyday, but she adores him & waits by his truck or follows him until he gets off of his route and I don't have the heart to tell him she can't eat his offerings!! I try not to shudder!!! Bet you didn't think you'd have to look at pictures just for asking me a question!!!
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Blue Bufffalo has good ratings from http://www.pets.....report.com. which is consistently reliable & a bit more thorough than some of the other reviews because they review individual products & not a sampling. I will check WDJ's annual review & let you know if anything is different. The company is pretty open with their information. (Checked and BB is on their recommended list…their criteria is broad, but practical)
Many of their sources are US (lamb from NZ, but that's where a lot of lambs live!), minerals are chelated (optimal absorption) and have had few problems historically. They voluntarily recalled some of their dry formulas due to excessive Vit D content in 10/10. Some of their canned varieties were involved in the mass melamine recall. They do source some additives from what they term "reputable" foreign sources. The lamb, puppy formula, Turkey & Potato and Salmon & Potato dry adult formulas contain canola oil, not necessarily bad, but not tested on dogs & no nutritional value. All of the regular dry formulas are extremely high in grains & carbs. The 2nd ingredient in the puppy formula's is a grain…rye, oatmeal…They wouldn't be my choice.
Wilderness, BB's grain free product's 3rd ingredient is potato starch, but on the whole would be the product I would choose for long term use if this is the brand of your choice, you want to feed kibble, and Freaky Ears (ISABELLE!!! that's not nice…) will eat it. It has some quality ingredients. Puppies don't need grain anymore than adult dogs, I would prefer their nutrient source come from meat. Weight control will be much easier on this formula. You will also have more leeway with treats you're giving if they don't already have a carb load and don't want to use grain free treats. Personally, I would add a probiotic daily & maybe lactobacillus a couple of times/week.
If you decide to switch back, you might do so gradually, the reintroduction of grains may cause some GI distress
This is just my two cents…but I'd keep them on Wilderness
Hey guys how about starting a separate topic about littlemanjake's food recommendations?
I want your brain littlemanjake, how do you know all this stuff? WOW!
Good info. Thanks.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Aww! I love looking at pictures of Isabelle!
What a nice mailman! But keep in mind, I made people cookies for Comet and glazed donuts were a Saturday night standard!
Thank you for you your helpful advice! Now I don't have to worry about feeding them the rest of the bag! I fear Cosmo is going to be a pudgeball regardless! For a puppy he kind of lazy and laid back and likes to find the closest soft spot to plop down on.
FREAKYEARS (for you Isabelle) - is funny about eating, sometimes he will and sometimes he won't. I can't let him get any skinnier since he is so thin to me. As bad as it sounds, I have been mixing whipped creamed cheese with his food so he'll eat. He lost a couple of lbs since Cosmo came because they run and play so much. I need him to eat when Cosmo does because I can't leave his bowl out because Cosmo is in search of food when he is not sleeping or playing. He has figured out that Rocket doesn't eat very much and can out run me to Rocket's bowl and snarf it!
With Rocket and Comet, Comet would leave his food alone and Rocket could nibble on it later. (well, sometimes she'd grab her a mouthful when he wasn't looking and she passed by it!)
My only issues with Rocket and Cosmo is eating! Cosmo is hungry all the time and Rocket is never hungry! It's frustrating!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Will FE eat wet food?
Since he's so fussy, it would be better for him to have a meat protein source (like Wilderness), as it will feed his muscle mass as opposed to just adding weight (fat).
What about adding regular meat, like cooked ground beef or chicken to their food. It would be OK for both of them.
It's better not to leave food out for picky eaters, it only encourages the selective behavior.
Will FE eat wet food?
None of your beeswax! Food is not on my agenda! I have better things to do!!! (like play frisbee!)
Mom is pretty lazy when it comes to kitchen labor! We are lucky she pours us some food at all! After Angel Comet died who told her it was feeding time, my mom barely remembered to feed me!
Just wanted to add some information about the Budwig diet and the reason you blend the Flax Oil and Cottage Cheese in for those who are unfamiliar with it:
"At the heart of the Budwig diet is organic, cold pressed, liquid flax seed oil blended with cottage cheese or “quark.” Dr. Budwig discovered that when these two foods are blended together, the sulfurated protein components in the cheese, such as cysteine, bond with the oil, making it more water soluble and easier to digest and metabolize.
Consequently, more of the essential fatty acids and electrons in the highly unsaturated flax seed oil reach the cells and have a healing effect on the cell membrane where carcinogens attach themselves. The membrane of each cell is made up of lipids. Flax seed oil can improve this important outer cell lining that is crucial to cell function and division."
From what I understand it's best to feed a BARF diet, but organic grain-free kibble is ok with added fresh organic veggies and fish (sardines, herring, etc). Also important to reduce dog's stress and increase time in sunlight.
My dog made the switch very easily, and she gobbles up her FOCC/fish mixture. Not sure yet if it is helping, but no symptoms indicating that her cancer has spread to her lungs so far, and it's been a month. Vet gave her 2-4 months, so I think we are on the right track since she's still perky and seems healthy. No change in weight, but I was giving her a lot of Fish Oil before, so maybe her metabolism was used to it?
Ellie, 8 yo German Shepherd
Rear left leg amputation 3/21/11 (happy 1 month ampuversary!)
Osteosarcoma, so far no signs of metastasis to lungs (using Budwig Protocol, meloxicam, grain-free diet only; no chemo/radiation)
Pawesome information, thanks so much for sharing it. Where did you find it?
Glad to hear Ellie's doing well on it. Keep it up Ellie!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh sorry, I should have included it! It's from an article at AkitaRescue.com that has a good outline of the Budwig protocol for dogs and cats. Here's the link: http://www.akit.....ormula.htm
I'm the first to admit that nutrition (animal and otherwise) is NOT my strong suit, but I am pretty good at research after years in grad school! lol It's finally paying off!
I have now also started my 12 year old husky on the Budwig diet because it seems that her "fatty tumors" which I thought were typical/common in older dogs seem to be growing and causing her discomfort. It's only been two days, but I'll let you know if I feel a difference after 30. All my dogs are good eaters with happy-go-lucky attitudes, so unless they are gushing blood it's hard to tell if they are uncomfortable. Ellie didn't even whine when she had a 14" tumor on her hock. She just lifted it up and kept on going. I think that's why it took 2 months for a correct diagnosis. The vet said there's no chance it could be Osteosarcoma because she'd be showing much more pain. He thought it was a ligament tear that was slow to heal. Even now when she gets tired (after 10 hops) she just lies down as if that was the plan all along. Such a trooper! <3
Ellie, 8 yo German Shepherd
Rear left leg amputation 3/21/11 (happy 1 month ampuversary!)
Osteosarcoma, so far no signs of metastasis to lungs (using Budwig Protocol, meloxicam, grain-free diet only; no chemo/radiation)
Thanks so much for the link, it's good to know for future reference.
All of your dogs are good eaters? Wow! That's a pawesome pack, you're so lucky. Let us know how the diet goes for the fatty tumors. Good luck!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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