Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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This has been bugging me for the longest time. Is nonfat yogurt okay to give dogs? Or is it better to give plain full fat yogurt? And is yogurt in general okay on a regular basis?
Rocket (aka monkeybutt bunny vampire pirate) isn't very food driven and doesn't drink very much water IMO (he's like a little camel!) so I test different things to get more fluid in him and one thing I've found he likes is plain yogurt in which I water down, freeze in cups and add a dollop of peanut butter on top.
He's on the thin side so weight isn't an issue but is nonfat yogurt okay and/or is yogurt in general okay on a regular basis?
I also freeze watered down can dog food - mostly water (thanks Cynthia for the tip) and he likes that too but for variety, he likes the yogurt also. And he's a type that you stick with what he likes since food (and water) are not on his agenda. He only wants to play frisbee!
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.
Abby says: "Those yogurt pops with the dollop of peanut butter sound really nummy. Mom??!! How come I never get that??"
Jackie says: "My vet said it was OK to give Abby a little yogurt - he didn't really say if it was OK every day though... Not sure about the non-fat vs. full fat question. I'm definitely no expert on doggy nutrition, so I'm sure others out there know better than me if it's OK on a regular basis. As for getting him to drink more water, I noticed there was some discussion about that the other day on bonecancerdogs on Yahoo. One person said she puts very small slivers of butter in her dog's water and he drinks a lot, chasing the sliver around in there. Or what about a wee bit of chicken broth mixed in with his water? Too boring?"
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Riley doesn't drink much water either so I mix her food up with about a cup of water so its pretty soupy and sprinkle the top with cheese and don't mix it...as for yogurt - Riley won't eat it....
Butter in water. Hmmmmmm! Kinda sounds gross but whatever works!
Yes, Abby - you got try it! We buy little dipping "to go" containers from Smart and Final with lids. The styrofoam containers are the best part afterwards!
I didn't think Rocket would eat plain yogurt either. Hence the peanut butter on top. But he does.
I just made some Wienie Cubes! I'm going to try that since I know he likes hot dogs. I hate to give them but it's worth a try. I'm using an ice tray with water and each one has a small piece of wienie in it. It's so bloomin' hot and he doesn't get thirsty?!!! And when he does get a drink, we all get quiet, stop what we are doing and hold our breath!
Riley, don't worry about I won't tell anyone that you and monkeybutt have something in common! Plus, he's so quirky - what little he drinks has to be outside. Will not drink water in the house! 5 water bowls in the house and one 3 inches from the back door and he will stand there until the door is open so he can drink from the outside bowl! Maddening!
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.
I always share my yogurt with the dogs.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
WIENIE CUBES!!!!! YUM! MOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!! Can I have wienie cubes!!!!
Mom adds unflavored Pedilyte to Daisys water so when she does drink ishe gets electric lights or electrolytes or something. ....
I like yogart, cottage cheese...Daisy won.t eat either.
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
So I am rethinking this.....maybe its yogurt Riley likes and its cottage cheese that she doesn't like ......we tried mixing meds in cottage cheese and she spit it all over the floor and has refused it every time we have tried to give it to her since then (and that was years ago)
as for yogurt - when she does get it - its usually the low fat Mountain High brand or something from the health food store....
I gave Champ and Lady a couple spoonfulls of yogurt for a long while since cockers tend to get yeast infections and I figured... if it works for us ladies, why not the dogs?...
They both LOVED the yogurt. I don't know if I used non-fat or not... but they loved it. Hmm... wonder wy I stopped???... *makes note to self to buy some yogurt*
I bet they would love the yogurt pops in the heat... I will try that... thanks for the idea.
Joy & Champ
I read a tip here somewhere to put water from canned tuna fish in their water. It worked great for Tate when he was in the depths of it post-amp. I tried chicken broth but that didn't do it for him.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
I'm not a dog nutrition expert, but Catie loved, and of course Riley still loves, a dollop of yogurt on their food.
And OUTSIDE water always tastes better than INSIDE water. Riley says so.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Most dogs can eat yogurt without issue (some are actually lactose intolerant). I would use the full-fat organic Greek yogurt since it is higher in protein. Cottage cheese is also good!
If you are looking for probiotic benefits just remember that dogs have different bacteria than we do in their gut so they would do better with a canine product.
Pam
It's the opposite…..Non fat Greek yogurt has a higher protein content than full fat or 2%.
There is quite a bit of evidence that many dogs benefit from active lactobacillus (acidophilus & bulgaricus) as well as strep thermophilus found in yogurt (just be aware, some manufacturers use genetically modified cultures)
Many holistic/integrative vets use human probiotics because it's easier to obtain products that are higher quality, with more reliable ingredient sources. It takes a tiny bit of research, but appropriate pure, high quality formulas are pretty readily available.
Have you tried Holly's favorite - salmon 'cicles? I freeze some canned salmon in about 1/4 cup of water in a little baggie and pop it out for her to eat. It helped keep her hydrated when she was going through chemo. And I bet these would taste GREAT outside. he he he If you serve them inside - make sure he eats them on a towel or something cuz they are smelly and the towel can then go right into the laundry.
And Holly and Zuzu both LOVE yogurt. Which reminds me - we need more salmon 'cicles and some of your frozen yogurt and pb treats in our house!
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
We have been having trouble getting enough fluids into Rio, too, to the point where we have IV fluids on hand "just in case." We started out by putting water in her food. We feed her some of the Honest Kitchen foods at most meals, and so that was an easy way to add a little extra fluids into her diet. I also save the water that I cook their veggies and stuff in, and put that into their dinners. Also, Honest Kitchen has a product called Ice Pups. You mix with water and then you can freeze it for a frozen treat or just feed as is. The girls absolutely LOVE it. Low sodium broth is another sneaky way I have to get more liquids into my little raisin.
Rio's mom
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
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