A few questions, (printing out and giving to Mom.)

[milos_mommy]

alrighty guys. I'm going to try something here. I'm going to list a couple questions and ask you guys to answer them in this thread, then print it out and give it to momma.

1. What do you feed your dogs?
2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? (coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)
3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?
4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.
5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?
6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?
7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.

Thanks very much

 

[juliefurry]

alrighty guys. I'm going to try something here. I'm going to list a couple questions and ask you guys to answer them in this thread, then print it out and give it to momma.

1. What do you feed your dogs?
2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? (coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)
3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?
4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.
5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?
6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?
7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.

Thanks very much

I feed Eagle Pack large and giant breed puppy formula and Timberwolf Organics

I have always feed high quality foods (canidae, eagle pack, and Innova)

Foods vets commonly reccomend around here are science diet they have it for sale in their office's. They try to push the product on you because they don't know any better they were taught in college about nutrition from the people that make science diet and other poor quality foods so ofcourse those companies are going to make their foods sound to be the best. The vets also get a percentage of the sales of the science diet they sell in their office.

I consider Canidae, Eagle Pack, Innova, Nature's Variety, Timberwolf Organics all high quality food that I would reccomend to anyone.

health benefits to feeding a better quality is the dog will not be fed foods that contain by-products and many other bad ingredients. Poor quality dog foods cause cancers and many other problems in dogs.

The itching could be caused from the food but it could also be something else. You would first need to get that checked out by a vet to make sure that it wasn't something enviromental that was making him itch and scratch. I know our dog gets itchy when we use specific laundry detergents.

 

[~Jessie~]

1. What do you feed your dogs?

We rotate between Wellness Core and Orijen.

2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? (coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)

We actually started out feeding Madison Eukanuba and Nutro... we then learned about holistic foods. Rylie was started out on Innova and Wellness, and I noticed a change in both of their stools/coats. They started pooping less and it was smaller. I used to think that chihuahuas had naturally "wiry" coats until I switched to a high quality food... their coats are silky soft now.

3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?

Vets commonly recommend Science Diet, Eukanuba, Iams, Purina, etc. Many text books are actually written by pet food companies. Vets also get incentives to sell these foods. In actuality, foods like these are extremely grain heavy and have very little meat in them... the "meat" sources are generally low quality.

4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.

I feed grain free only, so brands that I would consider high quality are Orijen, Wellness Core, Innova EVO, and Nature's Variety. Other quality brands that cost less are Canidae, Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul, Artemis, Innova, to name just a few.

5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?

Feeding a low quality food to a dog is like feeding McDonald's to your child everyday. Sure they will survive... but will they be healthy and thrive? Dogs are opportunistic carnivores... meaning that meat is the best source of protein for them. Some health benefits are cleaner teeth, healthy skin, more food is digested and utilized, higher energy... some breeds are prone to ear infections, and a high quality food can help to prevent this problem.

6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?

My parents had a toy poodle named Daisy... she was constantly biting on her paws, and her paws were a funny color. Anyway, my mom switched from Pro Plan to Chicken Soup, and within weeks she stopped biting her feet.

Food is always the first thing that I'd switch if I noticed allergies.

7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.

Another benefit to feeding a high quality food- dogs eat less Less fillers= less poop as well.

 

[rlmtyco]

1. What do you feed your dogs?

I am currently feeding Natures Variety Chicken and Brown Rice

2. Have you always fed this?

No I havent always fed this, I used to feed Science Diet until I did research and learned how bad it is for my dog, I have changed foods numerous times since then but mainly due to the reason of switching his foods so he doesnt get bored and gets a wider variety of main ingredients. Tyco's energy, coat and everything got 10 times better once I changed him off Science Diet, very noticeble difference. Lost weight also


3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?

Typically Science Diet, I have heard they do this because Science Diet does alot of research and vets like that but the vets dont necessarily question the results.


4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.

Solid Gold, Innova, Natures Variety

5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?

Less health problems, more energy, same as a human (better quality food, better quality of life)

6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?

It very well may be, I have learned more and more about how food can affect a dog especially with allergies, I know they can develop allergies from eating the same food for long periods of time


7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.

Higher quality food typically involves alot less eating because it is more concentrated on the stuff the dog needs opposed to all the filler that is in the other food to get you to buy more of it because your dog needs to eat that much more. I used to feed my dog about 1 1/2 cups of science diet, he eats about 3/4 cup of food a day now

 

[rlmtyco]

1. What do you feed your dogs?

I used to think that chihuahuas had naturally "wiry" coats until I switched to a high quality food... their coats are silky soft now.

I have to agree, Tyco's coat is so silky soft now it doesnt make any sense, people pet him and are amazed, they ask what kind of shampoo I used, etc...I use a good natural shampoo but never got this soft until I switched his food, it is so amazing, he never scratches either

 

[MafiaPrincess]

1. What do you feed your dogs?

Cider eats adult orijen, Smudge Innova puppy

2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? (coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)

Smudge came on proplan had terrible dandruff. There's none on Innova. Cider's climbed the food ladder as I learned with her. Her coat is nicer than it's ever been. Tear stains are less. Least amount of poop she's ever had, more rabitty than I've ever seen.

3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?

Science diet, iams, euk. They generally get kickbacks, don't get enough nutrition in school unless they specialize in nutrition. The bit they get is food company sponsored.

4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.

Orijen, Innova, Canidae, Fromms, Eagle pack holistic, wellness

5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?

Less vet visits, healthier animals. Nicer teeth, hopefully a longer life span in the best condition possible. Mine keep better muscle tone.

6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?

Would be the first thing I'd change. Easiest to rule out food allergies, easiest to treat food allergies.

7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.

 

[Erica1989]

1. What do you feed your dogs?
Casey eats Blue Buffalo dry (fish and potato for right now, we rotate forumlas) He also gets a tablespoon of canned food (Spot's Stew or Nutro Ultra) 500 mg Salmon oil and 100 ui Vitamin E
2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? (coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)
He was eating Science Diet when I got him, his coat improved a TON when I switched him
3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?
I'm not sure about this one... I've often wondered it myself...
4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.
Blue Buffalo, Cainade, Wellness, etc.
5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?
Better coat quality, better nutrition, think of it as A. eating McDonalds every day, or eating B. Healthy foods like salads and chicken, fish, etc. High quality has a better nutritional value, McDonalds (grocery store food) does not. The better the food, the better the life for the animal.
6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?
He may have environmental allergies, Casey does. Blue Buffalo is a good food for dogs with skin problems. Fish oil also helps a bunch.
7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.
A dog that eats a higher quality food will not need to eat as much because it is not filled with 'fillers'.

hope this helps a bit =] good luck

 

[milos_mommy]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Keep 'em coming, i'm hoping to get at least 10 by tonight.

 

[SisMorphine]

1. What do you feed your dogs?
They are fed a homemade raw diet

2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching?(coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)
No. Both have been on Evo and Nature's Variety Raw Instinct in the past. Their stools were normal, Wally's gas was WAY worse on the Evo. Since switching back to Raw, even from a high quality kibble, Wally's coat has more shine to it, the gas is all gone, and the stools are very small and very firm. Teeny's tear stains have started to go away in addition to almost no gas and small firm stools.

3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?
Hills (Science Diet), Purina, Eukanuba, etc. Vets recommend this because in most programs nutrition is an elective, and quite often it is taught in a seminar that is sponsored by these brands. My personal vet went into more indepth nutritional studies post-graduation, and she fully supports anyone who wants to feed high quality kibble and a raw diet. She does not carry Hills or Eukanuba, nor does she encourage anyone to feed such foods.

4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.
Innova (specifically Evo), Nature's Variety (specifically raw instinct) are my two favorites. A great website to find more info about specific brands and see them rated is http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/

5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?
You pay more for the food, but you feed less of it and it keeps your dog healthier, thus meaning less vet visits. With little to no carbs your dog's stools will be smaller, their skin will become better. You are creating an all around healthier dog.

6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?
VERY likely. My cat would scratch herself until she bled for the first 12 years of her life. She was one walking scab and the walls constantly looked like a murder scene. She was eating Science Diet and our vet never once mentioned switching foods (other than to "Allergy Science Diet" of course!). When I switched her over to the new vet she immediately changed her diet. Now at 19 years old she no longer itches until she bleeds and is MUCH more comfortable. Though allergies can be environment based, with a high quality food the effects of the environmental allergies can be less. A great thing to add to the food of an allergy dog is a touch of local honey and/or Acidophilus.

7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.
When I first got Wally he was on Eukanuba Low-Res and was eating 8 cups a day! Of course he was switched pretty quickly after that. When on the Raw Instinct he ate 3 cups a day. Talk about a difference!

 

[LoveNewfies]

1. What do you feed your dogs?

Both of my dogs eat Newfound Naturals dehydrated raw and now and then get Orijen and raw.

2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? (coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)

My Newfoundland came to us eating Diamond and she had a boat load of problems - too many to go into. She was eventually switched to raw, then to dehydrated. My Mini Schnauzer came to us on Chicken Soup For the Dog Lover...and switched to Newfound Naturals.

3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?

Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba, Royal Canin - primarily because they are large companies that the vets are familiar with, in addition to the fact that these are the brands most likely carried by vets. Science Diet and RC tend do have prescription diets carried specifically by vets.

4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.

Newfound Naturals, Orijen, Innova, Nature's Variety, Timberwolf Organics, Honest Kitchen, Canidae, Fromm, By Nature Organics - there are several.

5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?

A well thought out, more natural, high quality food is going to provide the necessary nutrients and amino acids from far better sources, ensuring better utilization and absorbtion. This will immediately give the dog's body what it needs to be healthy. A lower carb, higher protein (from meat sources) is going to be less stressful on the body as a whole, reducing the chances of chronic and/or acute illnesses. Higher end food companies typically strive to provide the most nutrients from food sources, and avoid adding unnecessary fillers, chemicals, flavoring, etc. that can be potentially damaging to the dog - think long term here.

One thing poeple really need to keep in mind is that dogs are fed the same thing every day, for years and years. Even though some of the ingredients may not look like they'd be harmful in such small amounts, years of repetitive un-natural and/or chemical iingredients can and do cause damage that manifests itself in the form of chronic illness, poor coat and skin, etc.

6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?

It is definitely a possibility that the food he eats plays a role. Poor ingredients can and often do lead to skin and coat problems, as well as diminished immune system function. Commercial foods with poor ingredients never have adequate sources of omega 3 fatty acids and are more likely to use very cheap fat sources that do not provide the dog with the right balance of fats for healthy skin and coat.

Regardless, the addition of omega 3 fatty acids with vitamin e would be wise to add to help him out.


7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.

Quite typically, you do feed less of the higher quality foods. Higher quality food, again, uses far better ingredient sources that the dogs are able to utilize better, provide better energy sources, don't use excessive fillers and typically create far less waste.

 

[gia's stepmom]

alrighty guys. I'm going to try something here. I'm going to list a couple questions and ask you guys to answer them in this thread, then print it out and give it to momma.

1. What do you feed your dogs?
Currently been feeding Nutro Ultra Adult to both dogs
2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? (coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)
We've fed many foods with the prior one being Mmillenia. We saw better stools and better interest in the food
3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?
probably the hills prescription foods. I don't like the ingredients but they do seem to work for a lot of dogs with diseases and thus, they are recommended by vets
4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.
Foods that have worked for us have been Nutro Ultra dry, canned chicken soup for the pet lover's soul, canned Merrick, Pro Plan Selects dry
5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?
Hopefully, a bit longer, better quality life and a good well being
6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?
Probably an ingredient in the food. If it is ALWAYS, then you could probably rule out seasonal allergies
7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.
Better quality food is more concentrated less fillers and has more calories per cup so you feed less.

 

[Whisper]

1. What do you feed your dogs?
Canidae All Life Stages.

2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? (coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)
No. They used to eat Iams and then Kirkland. Their coats and and stools were the first and biggest changes for the better after switching. Changes are still unfolding.

3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?
Vets often push Science Diet, Purina, Iams, Eukanuba, etc. Nutrition isn't even required by vets and when they take class it's often sponsored by those food companies which are big into advertising.

4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.
Some food brands I would consider high quality are Orijen, Innova, EVO, Canidae, Nature's Variety, etc.

5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?
Big common changes are coat softness, shininess (if that's a word), stool size, compactness, and frequency of pottying, clear and clean skin, breath, energy level, muscle tone, and natural odor.

6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?
That's often one thing that changes when a dog is moved to a better food. I've seen that result a lot of times.

7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.
Sounds about right. Less will come out of him as well.

 

[Lizmo]

1. What do you feed your dogs?

Canidae All Life Stages

2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? (coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)


No. I we fed Purina High Pro before switching to Canidae. I saw most changes in stool type.

3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?


Most vets will recommend Science Deit because they are payed to.

4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.


Orijen, Innova EVO, Nature's Variety Instinct, Canidae...

5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?

Healthier Coats, small stool, cleaner teeth, more energy.

6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?


Very likely. Lots of skin issue's are caused by food.

7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.

That sounds right.

 

[noludoru]

1. What do you feed your dog?
Innove EVO Red Meat.

2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? (coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)

I have fed it for two months. His coat is shiny, smooth, softer, his doggy odor is gone. His chronic diarrhea has cleared up very well. I also fed it to my neighbor's dog for two weeks--the changes were AMAZING. She didn't get a greasy buildup on her coat anymore, she started losing some weight (she is severely obese), instead of puke-worthy breath I could let her lick my face, and honestly she smelled better. A lot better.

3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?

Science Diet (HILLS) is a big one. Vets will sell ANYTHING that makes them a profit, most of them. Vet school is expensive, setting up a practice is even more expensive, and most of them aren't loaded. The few nutritional classes they get are sponsored by big pet food companies (Purina, Iams, SD, etc etc) so they know virtually nothing about nutrition. These companies give them freebies (tote bags, stuffed animals, books, all sorts of crap) and free food for their own pets, and big bonuses for vets who will sell their food. sadly, some of these vets are so crooked that they are willing to buy their own pets high quality food or feed them raw and still they push Science Diet and its ilk to their gullible, ignorant customers. Ass Anne N. Martin says in her book "Food Pets Die For," if it would be considered unethical for doctors' offices to market dieting aids in their places of business, it's unethical for vets to push food and treats at their customers.

4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.
Innova, Wellness (Old Mother Hubbard), California Natural, Orijen...

5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?

I could give you a really long answer on this.. but I can sum it up in ONE sentence. (I know, I'm just that good!) What you don't pay for food now you will pay in vet bills and more later.

6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?

He eats a Hills product, right? What, corn, soy, etc which are the base ingredients in these foods are common allergens. If you take away the crap (and crap is what it is--in my opinion there is NO good reason to be feeding your dog a steady diet of corn and wheat, they are cheap fillers) and switch him to a good food with very few ingredients such as California Natural, so you can figure out what he's reacting to, the problems will clear up soon--unless they are being caused from an underlying medical condition, in which case he needs to be on a good food and needs veterinary care ASAP.

7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.

Probably because Dekka is fed a good, high quality diet, without the fillers. Milo's eating ten times what she is because the poor guy needs all that food to get the same amount of nutrition.

 

[verderben]

1. What do you feed your dogs?

My Am Staff's eat Diamond Natural Lamb and rice or Chicken and rice. My Crested eats Natural Balance.

2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? (coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)

No. I used to feed Science Diet ( this was like 6 or 7 years ago before I knew better so don't hold it against me !! ) My dog's have better coat, more actual muscle mass as opposed to fat, More energy.

3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?

Around here it's Science Diet. Science Diet funds alot of the vet schools, and gives out grants. Vets also get "kickbacks" for pushing thier food in ther clinics.

4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.

Diamond Natural, Natural Balance, Orijen, Evangers, Nature's Variety.

5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?

Better skin and coat, more energy, less fillers = less poops , Don't have to feed as much so actualy save money in the long run.

6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?

If the food has corn or wheat in it it very well could be why he is scratching. If my dog was showing signs of a skin allergy I would definetely check out the ingredients and if there is corn or wheat in the food, or a bunch of fillers in general my first move would be to switch to a food that is more meat and NO corn or wheat!

7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.

You don't have to feed as much with a high quality food.

 

[SummerRiot]

1. What do you feed your dogs?
Riot is being fed; California Natural Puppy Lamb
Tyr is being fed; Momentum (high energy dog food for the working dog)
Princess is being fed; Eagle Pack Large Puppy

2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? (coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)
Riot has been switched from Innova, Fromm, EVO RM, SOlid Gold,Orijen etc. ONLY b/c he never kept or maintained his weight on them. Cal Nat. is the only thing that is keeping weight on him - the only reason why he isn't on the sled dog food full time(he rotates with it) is b/c Belgians should not be fed a Chicken based food primarily for long periods of time b/c it can damage their pancreas.
Also - when Riot was on Fromm he developed a LOT of plaque even when brushing his teeth.

3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?
Anything by Medical or Prescription hills - if your dog truely has a problem like kidney failure or liver disease; I have seen these foods do amazing things for the dogs - BUT if your dog is healthy and all organs work properly then there is no reason to be on them. The more they sell - they more you get a raise for.

4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.
Wellness, Solid Gold, Orijen, California Natural, Innova(all varieties).

5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?
Your dog is getting a HEALTHY diet - anything with corn, wheat, by products is all fillers that only act as either binder for the dog food or to make your animal THINK they are hungry. Its like feeding yourself McDonalds every day. You can live off of it.. no guaruntee you'll be healthy though.

6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?
It could be possible its the food, another possiblility would be air borne allergens or chemical/product allergens.
What you cluld start doing is elimanting soy, corn and wheat from his diet. Those are usually the three main allergy foods.

7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.
I'm not sure how this is a question but - You dont need to feed as much with a higher quality dog food b/c it doesn't have fillers in it.

 

[Melissa_W]

1. What do you feed your dogs?
Raw
2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? (coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)
No. I started out with Innova Evo and tried a myriad of foods. Nothing helped Kai's IBD except a raw diet. Not only did he stop throwing up constantly like he did on kibble, he stopping scratching so much once I switched him to a raw diet. His coat and teeth are also gorgeous, and he doesn't smell or have bad breath at all.
3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this? Vet's commonly recommend Science Diet or Hill's mostly because they don't know any better. They know very little about nutrition, just like MDs
4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.
Timberwolf Organics, Natura, Eagle Pack, etc
5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?
You will pay less in vet bills in the long term.
6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?
That's the first issue I would address.
7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size asMilo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.
I believe that.

 

[MoonStr80]

1. What do you feed your dogs?
Currently Rotation Home-Prepared & Canidae

2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? (coat, stools, skin, weight, teeth, breath, etc.)
Yep. It's been a year in half on Canidae, Coat, Stool, Weight also what not the energy & her moods has changed

3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?
Science Diet & Eukanuba. Because those are highly large chain companies, and the vets were paid to offer those brands to anybody

4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.
Eagle Pack
Canidae
Honest Kitchen
Nature Balance
Innova

So many to list

5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?


6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?
It could be genetic, allergy season?

Milo will need to go see a specialist an holistic vet. Natural Balance & California Natural are perfectly made for dogs who have allergies

7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.


Not sure if this is a question? BUT -- you want to stay away from high fat content & grain in smaller breeds they're prone to become obesity quickier then a hound breed

 

[noludoru]

How did things go?

 

[yoko]

1. What do you feed your dogs?
i feed yoshi innova
2. Have you always fed this? If not, what changes did you see after switching? no. use to feed beneful/puppy chow/whatever was cheapest *when got yoshi didn't have anymoney* her coat got softer... but that might have been because she hadn't been taken care of before i got her. her poo firmed up and her breath didnt smell horrid like it had been
3. What are some foods vets commonly recommend that aren't very good quality, and why do they do this?
no clue... my vet hasn't recommended any food...
4. Name a couple of food brands you would consider high-quality.
innova
canidae
nutro *compaired to what some dogs are fed yes i do consider this high quality*
5. What are the health benefits of feeding high quality food?
yoshi seems more energetic and less gassy... also she has allergies to some stuff she itches less
6. Milo has dry skin and possibly allergies, he's ALWAYS scratching himself or rubbing on something. How likely is it that this is caused by the food he eats?
yoshi has a problem with grass but after changing food the itching DID go down
7. I know Kerri's Dekka is the same breed, age, and roughly the same size as Milo. She eats Orijen, and the combined wet and dry food she eats is literally 1/8 of what Milo eats solely in kibble.
i don't really understand the question?