The biggest difference in most puppy foods and small breed foods is the fat and protein contents. I have one that needs the higher calories found in the small breed and puppy foods.

If he has a sensitive stomach then you will need to transition very slowly to any new food and he may not transition to a new food.

My b-kids all love Instinct - every flavour I've tried has been a huge hit.

I'm always switching Magnum's protein, in the hopes of not enticing an allergy. So he has had most commericially-available protein sources. No problems at all (fingers crossed), even with chicken, which is the top protein allergen (according to my sources and research).

I'm surprised Orijen isn't on that list!

I have always found that when my Basenjis are ready to reduce the number of meals a day they just lose interest in one of the meals. At what time this happens varies - every pup is different.

@debbi:

I tried going to different grocery stores once my regular store ran out of pumpkin and told me they wouldn't be getting any more until Thanksgiving season rolls around. I have found it at other stores and bought in great quantity. You could also try Target and Walmart if they carry groceries.

Debbi J.

Wow find that hard to believe… our store out here have canned pumpkin year round? Of course fresh like sweet potato is a better choice then canned anything

First, I want to say that my B has liver disease, not kidney…but he is also supposed to be on a low protein diet. He was diagnosed at age 11...he is 15 now! The vet initially suggested Science Diet, and Senji would rather starve to death than eat that, but I digress. To get to the point, I cook for him. Usually boiled chicken or turkey, white meat or legs. The organ meat or red meat stresses his liver. I add rice and vegetables to the broth. He grew up eating mostly Pedigree, but they keep changing the formula. I put a little bit of dry dog food down and then the rice/meat mixture on top. If he doesn't eat the dry dog food, he tends to get runny stools. Throw in any vegetable you think your B will eat, such as carrots, green beans, zucchini, peas, etc. (No mushrooms or onions!)He also likes to eat scrambled egg, cottage cheese or yogurt. Occasionally, he'll eat some white fish or salmon too. His coat looks great and he still runs around like a pup!

the home made hot dog treats are a good one as listed above - instead of putting them in the oven you can also put the little cut up pieces in the microwave until they are dry-ish -

@curlytails:

Agreed about not feeding raw fish only. Our dogs get raw fish twice a week at most, usually just once.

I also found this link to be useful, just to get an idea of mercury content relative to kinds of fish:

http://www.gotmercury.org/article.php?list=type&type=75

Thanks for this link - I've bookmarked it. I like that it also gives you a PPM (parts per million) count for each fish. That way you can scroll down the list and pick out those with less mercury.

@tanza:

While I understand "financial" concerns, better quality food equals usually feeding less so what you spend up front is a savings in the end….

Not only that, but better health in the long run, so potentially less $$$ spent on vet bills.

Just like with us humans, you have to think outside of the box when it comes to how much you spend on food. In the long run spending extra $ on higher quality food may mean savings over time with our health.

WOW great pictures! He already looks like he is gaining weight, not "ribby" looking!

@Patty:

Shelley - yes, In my opinion giving Malaika a complete food as a mixer could result in her having too high a protein intake but obviously wouldn't have hurt on such a limited basis as I note you say that it is only on occasions.

Laughing Dog had a very good reputation and used to be recommended for dogs with behavioural problems but wasn't one of the big companies. However, they branched out into the complete food business but couldn't compete with the giants and had to close! I was nearly distraught but happily others have continued to produce the same formula.

Probably information overload, sorry!

Thanks Helena,
not information overload at all, i am glad of your opinion

@Patty:

Interesting that you had a problem with loose stools, Pat, because I had exactly the same but with a puppy who was eventually discovered to have Giardia. It did take us a very long time though and in the meantime the pup was suffering.

It also happened to a friend of mine herself who for years had a stomach problem that finally was discovered to be a Giardia infection. Because of my experience with the puppy, I had jokingly suggested the problem to her as well.

Yes… Giardia "hides" very well..... Many Vets will write it off to a sensitive digestive system when in fact it is not. Like I said with my OJ, once it was cleared up, he could eat anything...

What the puppy trainer taught me (and it's worked for me) is when she pulls I simply stop walking, and then wait until I can get her attention by saying her name once or she will look back to see why I've stopped walking. Tap your pant leg and call her back and when she gets to you praise her. She often walks in front of me and the trainer told me that should be acceptable (it has nothing to do with dominance) as long as she isn't pulling and I decide when/where we go.

@Ellusionz:

I've just swapped my dog to Wellness Core. It's high in protein which I was told is really good for the basenji breed with how active they are. Also grain-free. But they say it shouldn't be fed to dogs younger than a year. They sell it at Petco. There's also the regular Wellness that Petsmart carries thats been rated just below the Core. I researched the ingredients in the brands on dogfoodchat.com

I thought about going with a high protien …. i'll deff look into that for next time after this huge bag is done 🙂

I got Evo small red bites too, M.C. It was 14.99 where I am. I was out of dog food and on the short end of my pay check. Now I can eat too. LOL Great offer.

Fran, what does BAB after your name stand for?

Thank you to everyone for your help

I just got a call from the vet on Buddy's blood panel results and all looks good. I'm going to continue with the diet I'm feeding him since it seems to be working. His thyroid test last June from Dr Dodds also looked good. If your Basenji is experiencing any skin, coat or digestion problems try eliminating all grains including rice and see how it goes.

So it turns out she's contracted kennel cough. Last night she was up every few hours coughing and dry heaving. She was fine since Thursday when I took her to the vet and still hasn't thrown up. Just a really sore throat. And she's not coughing today, but we got some meds and I'm keeping her segregated from the other dog in hopes he hasn't caught anything yet. 😞 Luckily she's still eating, drinking and playing. I just see her rubbing her throat on things. My poor baby!