Hi everyone!

I feed my dog on Naturediet and wondered should I give any supplements along with this?

I've read that it is impossible for our pets to receive all their vitamins etc from food due to poor soil, environment etc. Is this true or just 'marketing hype'?

The supplements I was interested in are by Pet Nutrition Concepts (one of the founders is the actress Alexandra Bastedo - just thought I'd tell you that!).
They comprise of an Anti-oxidant (including OPC's); Multi Vit and Min and Essential Oil Formula.
They look really good but I wonder if they are necessary?

Also I am interested in digestive enzymes as my Sheltie is prone to tummy upsets and I thought this would help.
I thought I saw someone writing on this forum about a product called Nzymes Plus but I cannot find it using search. Did I dream it?!
I looked at the website and it does look good but it's shipped from America which makes it quite expensive. I thought if someone else was ordering we could share the cost.

Anyway, if you can give me advice on this I'd be very grateful!

Thanks!

Hi Lizzybif

I've recently done some research on Naturediet as am considering feeding it to my pup. I was actually really impressed with the quality of the ingredients they use, and the company's approach to dog nutrition. It's all wholefood (ie minimal processing, absolutely no artificial additives, and ingredients fit for human consumption). NatureDiet is a complete food so I would be wary of adding a vitamin supplement - an excess of vitamins (which are not naturally derived) can be as (if not more) dangerous than a deficiency (ie Vitamin A and some of the B vits).

I would do a bit of research on the proven efficacy of prepared digestive enzymes. From a human point of view most products on the market are pretty useless as they have been processed by the body before they have an opportunity to do any good. Bit of a pain if you're spending huge amounts of money on them!

I'm sure lots of other people more qualified to give advice on feeding for tummy upsets will be along shortly, but you could look into the use of probiotics - do a search on this site, I suspects there's lots of info as it's a common problem.

I would also advise you give NatureDiet a ring to discuss their feed and ask them for a detailed analysis of vitamin content. I found them very help and knowledge when I dealt with them.

Jo

Hi Jo!

Thanks very much for your reply. Much appreciated.

I did contact Naturediet and, as you rightly said, they advised me that over-supplementing can cause as much problems as under-supplementing.
They advised me to add Acidophilus and Bifidus to his food to help with tummy trouble.

I haven't been registered with Champdogs for long but I think it's great being able to communicate with people who love their dogs as much as I do and to help with the many problems our little darlings cause.

Liz

Glad you've got sorted!

It's a great site - I only found it recently though too. It's become a bit of an addiction though!

Liz

Have you tried the nature diet lite for your dog with a sensitive tummy ?

Min my eldest has had colitis for four years and has been on this now for three wekks and we have had no wind a solid poos since !

Lucy

Thanks Lucy!

Have you tried the other varieties of Naturediet?

I wonder why the light would be better unless of course it's the extra fibre?
I'll certainly give it a try.

It would probably help if he'd stop eating the seeds I put out for the wild birds. I don't think the seeds will do much harm but the birds poo in it!

He's a terrible scrounger so that probably doesn't help either!

Liz

No just this one for Min. I am keeping the my other younger ones on JWB duck as they are happy on that and in tip top condition so no need ! It is cheaper as well ! Let me know how he gets on. Give him raw carrots to chew on as this is Ok for Min as well and gives her the feeling she is getting more ! We don't give her biccies or anything as this upsets her tummy.

Lucy :)

I've started giving Benjy acidophilus and bifidus capsules so I'll see how he gets on.

If you want to give Min biscuits I have found that Burns Kelties are very good and there are no 'allergens' in them.

Liz

Hi Liz,

You can try giving a tablespoon of natural bio yoghurt for the upset tum. It has the acidophilus and bifidus bacteria in it and is all natural and the dogs love it. Mine asks for more, after licking the pattern off the plate. Added benefit is that you can have some too if you like yoghurt and it must be cheaper than the tablet form. Hope this helps!

Monty's Mum :)

Hi Liz

I am going to stick with the carrots as I know this is Ok with Min !

My husband went out last night with them and she went to do a poo and he said the look on her face actually having to use the muscles she hasn't been using for years to help the poo out was hilarious, he said she looked everso proud of herself when she had finished ! LOL !!:D

Lucy

Hello Both!

I can just imagine Min's face!

Did you ever think the day would come when we'd be excited over the 'consistency' of a dog poo! I've been known to shout HOORAY when a 'normal' one appears. It takes fellow dog lovers to understand!

With Benjy being such a scrounger looking at his poo has become a bit of a pre-occupation, to make sure that what went in, before I managed to grab it from him, does come through the other end!

I do give him yogurt, which he loves, so maybe I don't need to give him the acidophilus and bifidus.

Thanks again!

Liz