[SOLVED ] Q. Hello my 3 year old Cavalier has colitis. She cannot have any grains. Only meat and veggies. I am looking for new ways to help her gain weig...

Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :

A. Have you ever tried diets with hidrolized protein. They can contain grain but because the proteins are split in small pieces the body doesn’t recognized them and they didn’t react. One of the bests is Hill’s z/d ultra allergen free, is expensive but an excellent option for those dogs that can not eat some ingredients.

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The best diet for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is balanced and appropriate for their life stage and energy needs. This typically includes a combination of high-quality protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fibre from vegetables and berries.

Give Your Cavalier Bland Diet for a Few Days

At the end of a fast it`s best to slowly introduce a diet of bland, easily digestible food. Try boiled, unseasoned, skinless white meat chicken shredded over plain white rice. For dogs on grain-free diets, substitute mashed over-ripe banana or canned pumpkin.

Eggs are perfectly safe for dogs, Eggs are a great source of nutrition for your canine companion. They are high in protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and fatty acids that help support your dog inside and out. Remember that eggs are only as good as the chicken they come from.

A primary cause of skin allergies in Cavaliers are internal food intolerances or allergies especially to animal proteins such as chicken and beef. Cavaliers are prone to food allergies, specifically additives, fillers, and chemical preservatives that can trigger allergic reactions.

Cavalier puppies have tiny tummies and should be fed accordingly. Small meals, probably four daily to begin with, changing to three times a day by the time the pup is 10 – 12 weeks old. As an adult he will need one feed per day.

Not every dog can eat anything that comes their way without feeling any ill effect. The majority of dogs have an issue with digesting fats and protein, this is why most Cavalier King Charles Spaniels developed a sensitive stomach.

Quality Proteins

Lamb is a great choice when it comes to dog food for sensitive stomachs. Lamb isn`t a common protein, meaning that most dogs haven`t had the chance to develop an allergy or food sensitivity to it. It`s also an easily-digestible protein which is great for avoiding stomach upsets.

The short answer to the question “can dogs eat bread?” is yes. Dogs can safely eat bread in much the same way as humans—in moderation. Plain white and wheat bread are generally safe for dogs to eat, provided they don`t have any allergies, and it usually does not cause any stomach upset.

Can most dogs eat yogurt? Yes, but that doesn`t necessarily mean that they should. While yogurt is not toxic to dogs, many canines might have trouble digesting it because it contains lactose. And plenty of pups have trouble with foods that contain lactose, such as milk.

Symptoms that are frequently associated with grain allergies include red, itchy skin, hair loss associated with constant scratching and chewing, ear infections, and inflamed pads on the underside of paws, often combined with obsessive licking.

Foods that are overly fatty, such as fried chicken, are very toxic for dogs, says Hartogensis. If they eat enough, such foods can cause inflammation of the pancreas, causing that organ to produce enzymes that can severely damage your pet`s intestines.

Symptoms of Chicken Allergy in Dogs

Symptoms could include red or itchy skin (especially on the paws, abdomen, groin, face, and ears), rashes, fur loss, or hives. Skin and ear infections commonly occur. And wounds or “hot spots” may develop due to trauma from a dog repeatedly licking or chewing their skin.

Your Cavalier will need at least one hour of exercise a day, which we would recommend splitting into at least two walks with some time off-lead if there is a secure place you can do this.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel does require regular bathing and brushing. This affectionate little dog can be bathed as frequently as every week up to no longer than 6 weeks, depending on lifestyle, with a happy medium being somewhere in the middle. Maintaining healthy skin and coat are of primary importance.

Do not move your hands towards the dog`s face or over the top of the head. This may make the dog fearful or defensive. Begin to gently pet the dog in areas like the front of the chest, the upper and middle back, sides of the chest, and behind the ears.

Cavaliers are prone to separation anxiety. They need positive exposure to alone time from puppyhood, to prevent or minimize any separation anxiety issues as they get older. It`s much easier to prevent than to treat. Make alone time a positive and relaxing experience for your Cavalier King Charles.

A: Grain-free diets can be beneficial for dogs with sensitive stomachs. This is because grains have a lot of fiber, which can be difficult to digest and cause irritation in the gut. If you think your pup cannot handle high fibers or is sensitive to specific grain types, you should opt for grain-free options instead.

These include poultry (chicken, turkey, duck), pork, beef and fish. Muscle meat and by-products like heart, liver, kidneys and lungs are all nutritious sources of animal protein, as well as meals made from them. Grains and Oilseeds: Many types of oilseeds (soybeans) and grains (corn, wheat) also provide protein.

But can dogs eat tuna? The answer is no. You shouldn`t feed your canine companion the saltwater fish because it could lead to a number of different health problems.

Allergy concerns. Dairy is on the list of foods that can give your dog an upset stomach. If you want to be safe, then it`s best not to feed your dog any cheese at all.

In short, yes. Broccoli is a safe and tasty treat for our canine companions and it can even provide them with health benefits. Dogs can eat broccoli stems and florets – fresh, frozen, raw or cooked.

Can Dogs Eat Chicken And Rice Every Day? It is not a good idea to keep your dog on a daily diet of chicken and rice for long. While this dish is extremely healthy for dogs, it does not contain all of the nutrients they need, which they get from other sources such as red meats and vegetables.

Cooked beef can be given as meal toppers or treats. However, you cannot feed your dog only cooked beef every day. Dogs need a complete and balanced diet with the correct proportions of nutrients. Even though dogs can eat different types of meat including pork and chicken, meat-only diets do not qualify.

Yes, dogs can eat carrots. In fact, not only is this vegetable safe, but it also can serve as a healthy, low-calorie snack for your pup.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. How do I determine how much my overweight pet should weigh?

ANSWER : A. There are many tools to determine overweight and obesity levels in pets. A new tool, morphometric measurements and body fat index, are available to accurately determine a pet’s ideal weight; this will allow an accurate determination of the amount of food a pet should receive to achieve weight loss. Feeding the correct amount will lead to greater weight loss success.

There are many weight loss food options to help pets reach their ideal weight. Your veterinarian can help make a ideal weight recommendation. Here are some tips to help your dog lose weight in a healthy and safe way:

1. Diet: Providing a healthy and well balanced diet is essential to your pet’s overall health. Finding the right food for your dog can be a challenging process. For those overweight animals many commercial dog companies offer weight loss diets, but it is important to evaluate food labels for adequate nutritional content.

You want to ensure you are not missing other essential vitamin or mineral content. Volume of food is also important and the amount of food that works for one breed of dog may not be the same for another breed of dog. Portion control as opposed to free-choice feeding can help your dog to drop a few unnecessary pounds.

There are also prescription weight loss foods designed by veterinary nutritionists, such as Hill’s r/d (http://bit.ly/1AoENSd). Some pet owners find that home cooking is the best option for helping to provide a well-balanced and realistic diet plan. There are websites such as balanceit.com that offers recipes to fit your dog’s specific needs. Consulting with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to find the appropriate diet is a great way to help your dog be as healthy as possible.

2. Exercise: Another great tactic for weight loss for your dog is exercise. Whether this is through running, walking or playing with a favorite toy all of these are wonderful types of exercise to help keep your dog at a lean and healthy weight.

For those pet owners with busy schedules utilizing professional dog walking services or playtime through dog daycare services is another option. It has been shown that those pet owners that exercise regularly with their pets generally live a healthier lifestyle.

3. Physical therapy: As animals age pet owners offer encounter their favorite canine having more difficulty walking and have a dwindling desire to play with toys. Physical therapy, specifically hydrotherapy is a wonderful way to help older and arthritic animals gain more mobility and lose weight. Hydrotherapy has been proven to have several therapeutic effects on the body including, muscle strengthening, relief of swelling, decreased joint pain, less stiffness in limbs, improved circulation, weight loss, and increased tissue healing to name a few. For more information on the benefits of hydrotherapy:
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4. Veterinary visit and blood work: Weight gain can also be related to underlying health concerns such as hypothyroidism or other endocrine disorders. Scheduling a veterinary evaluation and routine blood work can be another important component in increasing the longevity of your dog’s life. Conditions such as hypothyroidism that predispose dogs to gain weight can be treated with a daily medication to improve hormonal balance. If feel that your dog is unnecessarily overweight there can be an underlying health condition that needs to be addressed.

5. Healthy treats: Pet owners love the chance to reward their favorite canine companion with treats and most dogs jump at the chance to consume these delicious products. The problem is many treats, which can include commercial dog treats or table scrapes can add many unnecessary calories to your dog’s daily intake. Reading labels and making note of the calories in these treats is an important component of understanding your dog’s overall health. Treats should not exceed more than 10 percent of your pet’s daily calories. There are healthier treats that can be offered to your pet to keep calories lower yet provide a fuller sensation. A pet owner can add steamed or pureed vegetables, such as carrots, green beans or sweet potato to add more fiber and thus a fuller feeling for your dog.

Read Full Q/A … : How Do I Determine if My Dog is Overweight? – Pet Health Care

Q. My cat will not eat the renal food my veterinarian recommended, can I feed a grocery store food?

ANSWER : A. Your veterinarian recommended a therapeutic kidney diet because it has ingredients that will help slow the progression of your cat’s conditions, especially phosphorus and lower protein levels. Many of the non-prescription or grocery store foods generally have high levels of phosphorus and would not be ideal for your cat.

To help your cat accept the new food It is important to do a transition. There are two reasons to do a transition:

1) Occasionally a pet will have a GI upset when switched to a new diet,

2) A pet will accept a new food better when a transition is done to allow the pet to get use to the new texture and flavor.

There is more of a chance with a hydrolyzed protein or different (high or low) fiber level food to cause a GI upset. Transition recommendation:

1) Recommend ¾ old diet – ¼ new diet

2) Do this for a few days; if no GI upset, go to the next step

3) ½ old diet – ½ new diet

4) Do this for a few days; if no GI upset, go to the next step

5) ¼ old diet – ¾ new diet

6) Do this for a few days; if no GI upset, go to the next step

7) End with 100% of the new food.

Sometimes a transition should be longer, especially for cats. Use the same recommendation, but instead of a few days, recommend doing each step for a week or more. If you cat is still not interested in the new diet you can research other non-prescription diets focusing on the labels for appropriate levels of phosphorus and protein.

Also, home cooking may be an option but make sure to provide adequate nutrients. A good website to consult is balanceit.com. This website helps you to create well balanced home cooked recipes and offers supplements to add into the diet.

Read Full Q/A … : The Best and Worst Pet Foods: 13 Pet Foods Ranked

Q. Hello my 3 year old Cavalier has colitis. She cannot have any grains. Only meat and veggies. I am looking for new ways to help her gain weight

ANSWER : A. Have you ever tried diets with hidrolized protein. They can contain grain but because the proteins are split in small pieces the body doesn’t recognized them and they didn’t react. One of the bests is Hill’s z/d ultra allergen free, is expensive but an excellent option for those dogs that can not eat some ingredients.

Read Full Q/A … : Ask a dog-related question for Anne to answer » Heronbank …

Q. How do I know if I am losing my cat. She is 8 and weighs about 20lbs. She is having issues breathing and I don’t have any money to take her to the vet

ANSWER : A. Your cat really should be seen by a vet. Her weight may be the only thing causing her breathing problems, but without an exam, there’s no way to know for sure.

If you are in financial difficulty, there are ways of still getting your pet treated by a veterinarian. Ask if they take Care Credit and apply online. This is a credit card specifically for medical, dental, and veterinary expenses.

Call a local animal shelter or college of veterinary medicine in your area and ask if they have a low- or no-cost veterinary care program.

GiveForward and Youcaring.com are crowd funding websites that help you raise money to help take care of your pets

Harleyâ€™s Hope Foundation is an organization that ensures low income pet parents and their companion or service animals remain together when issues arise.

Many breed rescues and groups have specials funds available for owners who need financial assistance, such as the Special Needs Dobermans, Labrador Lifeline, and Pitbull Rescue Central.

Banfield Pet Hospital has its own programs for owners that canâ€™t afford their petâ€™s care.

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance (FVEAP) works with seniors, people with disabilities, people who

have lost their job, good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten who may need financial assistance to save a beloved companion.

The Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that provides financial assistance to cat and kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness or injury strikes.

God’s Creatures Ministry helps pay for veterinarian bills for those who need help.

IMOM is dedicated to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker

is financially challenged.

The Onyx & Breezy Foundation has many programs including helping people with medical bills. They are a good resource for information.

Brown Dog Foundation provides funding to families with a sick pet that would likely respond to treatment, but due to circumstances, there is not enough money immediately available to pay.

Some groups help with specific disease, such as Canine Cancer Awareness, The Magic Bullet Fund, Helping Harley Fund, and Muffin Diabetes Fund.

The Pet Fund and Redrover.org are great sources for help to care for your pet.

The Humane Society website has many links to other organizations that help with veterinary expenses.

Read Full Q/A … : Vetinfo

Q. 13 yo Dalmatian, suffers from colitis and arthritis. Vet recommended Chappie, and gave her all her life. Should we change it considering her problems?

ANSWER : A. Chappie was the original name of the product that is now known as Pedigree. Pedigree is considered a “grocery” style food, meaning it may not be as high quality or include higher quality ingredients as other products. However, the Pedigree line has expanded quite a bit in recent years and now offers many products tailored to dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds.

If your dog has done well on the product, you may be able to just switch over to a variety that is geared more to your dog’s needs such as a large breed senior formulation. Senior formulations often have added supplements to help with joint pain and arthritis later in life. However, if your dog has been experiencing problems with the food product, switching to a higher quality food such as one without grains may help. Higher quality foods will often have alternate grain sources to prevent digestive upset as well as higher quality meat cuts listed on the top of the ingredient list.

if you do decide to switch foods, the process should be done gradually over 7-9 days. For the first 2-3 days 25% new/ 75% old should be given, then 3 days of 50/50, and 2-3 days of 75% new / 25% old before finally switching over. This will help minimize any stomach upset from changing to a different food too quickly and allow the intestinal bacteria to adjust.

Read Full Q/A … : Best Low Fat Dog Foods

Q. Can you put your sick 16yr cat down with pills, cannot afford a veterinarian.

ANSWER : A. If you are in financial difficulty, there are ways of still getting your pet treated by a veterinarian. Ask if they take Care Credit and apply online. This is a credit card specifically for medical, dental, and veterinary expenses.