Hi all.

I've just bought a 13 week old golden retriever puppy and was advised to feed her on Dr Johns. Unfortunately I have heard some bad things about DR JOhns (including the fact that it can cause skin rashes and skin disorders.)

I was wondering if anyone had a good alternative that I could feed her?

On another topic (slightly related) my fathers dog is now 16 weeks old (also a golden retriever) and has had severe diarrohea for the last 8 weeks. The vet has given tablets and just done a biopsy and I waswondering if there was anything you experts could advise? She has lost an extreme amount of weight and we have tried everything including starving her, feeding only water, feeding chicken and rice for a week....nothing seems to work - please help!!!

Thank you

Amanda Williams

"Unfortunately I have heard some bad things about DR JOhns (including the fact that it can cause skin rashes and skin disorders.)"

I've never heard that and have been feeding Dr Johns for over a year with no problems in my dogs. They are on Silver and when working, go up to Gold However, I am feeding my 12 week okd pup James Wellbeloved and she's doing well on that.

Helen

Hi,
I have all three of my bullmastiffs on Dr Johns silver, and one of the reasons i started using this food, was because of one of my bullies having a skin problem!!! Since using Dr Johns we have had no skin problems. I have used this food now for over 4 years.
James Wellbeloved is a food i used when they were puppies.
Have you tried using "Bio Yoghurt", just a spoon full at first, instead of food, then mix with the chicken and rice for a few feeds.,to help stop the diarrhoea, it is quite good.
Karen.

I think you'll find that most people have heard bad things about most brands of foods or diets in general. The best thing is if your pup is doing well on it then don't change. All the best.
Bec

Hi i have always used live yogurt with bran over the top this always works you can put the bran on each meal until poos harden up and the live yogurt will help settle the tummy, all the best jackie:-)

I used to feed mine on Dr Johns only stopped because nobody sold it her in South Manchester and when they did they'd have it for a couple of weeks and then none for months, but my dogs did brilliantly on it.

pups can get upset tums for a number of reasons, sudden hot weather can do it, change of home and a different diet can do it.

Everybody has their favourite puppy food which ever you choose stick to it don't keep changing. If they have an upset tum mashed potatoes is better than rice. Don't obviously add butter or milk just mash the potatoes and add a little of their own food to it.

Some dogs have a tendency to have skin problems so keep clear of wheat in the complete feeds.

I've been feeding Dr john for a few years now, my dogs have never looked better, I was a bit dubious to start with as it is so cheap, but the results speak for themselves!
Wendy

Thanks to everyone for your help. I've decided to feed Lady on Eukanuba, but I do apprecaite the help from everyone!

Amanda

Now that is ironic :D

Just a quick message to say glad you found something that suits, however, I wont use Eukanuba because of the testing on animals that IAMs/Procter and Gamble do/did. It's not as if it's even a very good quality food, especially when you think of the price.
Here's a link that might help:

http://www.uncaged.co.uk/petfood.htm

Also, I dont know whether it says on there, but James Wellbeloved has also been taken over by someone who does animal testing.
Dont get me wrong, I know some animal testing (taste testing etc) is necessary, but this goes further than that apparently.

Autarky puppy is a good food and not too pricey either ;)
Lisa
xxxx

Do you know if Hills do animal testing as well

Yes they do apparently, but just going from what I've read on the link :(
Lisa
xx

I am now changing my dog over to wafcol salmon and potato but this is mainly due to a food allergy, as she now has more sore patches