Skip to content

Basenji and food problem suggestions

Basenji Feeding
  • I can't comment on the feeds mentioned as I've no experience of them but I'm not sure from reading your posts whether you are changing food without gradually introducing the new ones over a period of at least a week.

    I know that you've alread had so many experienced advice so hopefully you have understood the necessity of this gradual changeover.

  • www.dogfoodanalysis.com seems VERY outdated. I have bought 2 of the brands/types they have listed and the ingredients are completely different. Don't forget that brands are constantly changing/upgrading the contents.

  • Also don't forget that Europe may have more stringent regulations on what goes into pet foods than on this side of the pond.

  • I'm just writing to update that since the switch back, Benji is doing well again. Bile only once so far, and no mud-pies at all either. Now we're learning to deal with the snow, but that's a whole other story.

    I'm still researching what new food to transition Benji over too, also he is only eating all his food late at night, none in the morning or during the day. Because of that pattern, I leave it out all day. If I really want him to eat twice a day, perhaps I should remove it at night all together to see if the next morning he manages to eat?

  • The best way to instill good eating habits is to decide when you want to feed him then offer him food at that time for 15 minutes. If he doesn't eat it then the food goes away. A healthy dog will not starve themselves and will get the idea that when food is offered to eat it or it won't be there later. Some dogs may miss several meals before catching on but that is okay. In the wild, dogs do not eat everyday so missing some meals isn't going to hurt them.

  • @starcentral:

    I'm just writing to update that since the switch back, Benji is doing well again. Bile only once so far, and no mud-pies at all either. Now we're learning to deal with the snow, but that's a whole other story.

    I'm still researching what new food to transition Benji over too, also he is only eating all his food late at night, none in the morning or during the day. Because of that pattern, I leave it out all day. If I really want him to eat twice a day, perhaps I should remove it at night all together to see if the next morning he manages to eat?

    Getting him to eat 2 times a day shouldn't take too long for him to figure out what is happening.

    Just put out the food in the morning. Remove the bowl after 30 minutes (or 15 like mentioned above, I used 30, so he gets some time to register the food). Then don't offer any food until the evening meal. Leave for 30 minutes, and remove.

    He most likely will get pretty hungry the first day or 2. But don't worry. Basenjis are the "world best" actors in faking starvation. Also their stomachs are developed in such a way they can go for long periods without food. Actually I read an article saying Basenjis are one of the breeds that could get by on 1 meal a day…but it was still recommended to spilt the amount and feed 2 times, for digestion/health reasons.

    I started a 2 times a day for Gizmo 2 weeks ago. His transition was more natural...he just stopped eating all his mid-day and evening meals, just left them half done. So I understood he didn't need 3 times a day anymore.

  • I'm so glad to hear that Benji is improving.

    Don't worry if he'll only eat once a day leave that to him to decide. In my experience if a Basenji only wants eat once a day that's all he needs.

    If the time is inconvenient to you do exactly as Ivoss suggests.

  • I realize this thread is very old. I joined here because I had ordered a new food online, basically because it was on sale and I had a coupon. It turned out to be a blessing. My basenji, Ginger, has ALWAYS has COARSE and pokey fur. It was like petting a brillo pad. But after this new food, it is super soft and these rashes that she kept getting on her belly has completely subsided. I don't really know WHY this food agrees with her better, but it does.
    I'm not trying to use different flavors of the same brand to see if they work as great for her. I ordered Journey brand dog food, the Salmon and Sweet Potato. I also tried the limited ingredient version and that was horrible. So I'm sticking with the regular grain free. I ordered on Chewy and they have bags at 50% off. You can also get a discount if you sign up to auto ship (which you could later cancel). Anyway, this was a HUGE blessing for me. I've had Ginger for 7 years with 7 years of battling and changing foods. FINALLY, she is eager to eat and is much healthier.

  • Purina isn't that great. With a dog with diarrhea, you need to put him on riced to firm up his stool. Bile usually is due to not eating often enough. Once a day won't do it, and in fact I feed my dog 2x a day with a snack midday and before bed.

    Many if not most foods we can get are available in Canada.

    from DogFoodAdviser... I don't think the best reviewer but safe:

    Dog Food Form Rating
    Acana Regionals Dog Food Dry 5 stars
    Horizon Legacy Dog Food Dry 5 stars
    Merrick Grain Free Dog Food Dry 5 stars
    Nature’s Variety Instinct Dog Food Dry 5 stars
    Pinnacle Peak Protein Formula Dog Food Dry 5 stars
    Taste of the Wild Wet 5 stars
    Victor Grain Free Dog Food Dry 5 stars
    Wellness Core Dog Food Dry 5 stars
    Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Grain-Free (Dry)
    Fromm Four Star Nutritionals (Dry)
    Fromm Gold Coast Dog Food (Dry)
    Fromm Gold Dog Food (Dry)
    Fromm Heartland Gold (Dry)

    https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-dog-foods/best-grain-free-dog-foods/best-grain-free-dog-foods-dry/

    You might also switch to fish based. Protein allergies are most common with poultry and beef.

    I personally love

  • We tried Purina Pro Plan food on our 3 rescues. Even though we gave this to them a little at a time to blend in over several weeks, they ALL had very runny stools and it would not stop. In fact, the more Pro Plan they got the more trips to the yard. Gave it up, and no more problems. This was Pro Plan dry and wet. Same results either way.

Suggested Topics

  • Suggestions for food allergies?

    Basenji Feeding
    13
    0 Votes
    13 Posts
    22k Views
    Buddys PalB
    @LewieFitz: no- antibiotics (for a bacterial infection) would not clear up a yeast infection as it is a fungal infection. You may see some improvement but not a complete cure. You would need an antifungal for a yeast infection. a substance that is know for qualities of anti-fungal,yeast,bacterial is coconut oil. google and read about it, most dogs love it, I use it for cooking and cleaning/treating my cast iron skillet. Also to treat my cutting board as veggie oil goes rancid.
  • Food recall

    Basenji Feeding
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    9k Views
    sabaS
    Ive just put one of my guys on TOTW, and just bought a bag yesterday. Thankfully this bag appears to not be affected, BUT… I have 4 sample packs, one of which is open and has been fed to the dog... I cant find a Production Code box on any of the sample packs ??? Should I just chuck them out, or does anyone know how I can check to see if these are contaminated ??? ETA Im in Australia, and have heard nothing about this recall, until I came here today...
  • URGENT: NATURAL BALANCE Pet Food Problems

    Basenji Feeding
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    9k Views
    KipawaK
    The word "Made in China" doesn't appear on any human or dog/cat food that comes into our house. I even question things that say don't say they are "Made in China" but say something like "Distributed by So and So company, anyplace". I need to know the maker of the food is getting the ingredients from North America and that the food is manufactured and packaged in North America. More recently I am not buying other products Made in China (e.g. drinking glasses, plates, coffee cups, food containers, etc.) but this can be way more difficult. :(
  • "human" food or dog food?

    Basenji Feeding
    30
    0 Votes
    30 Posts
    15k Views
    P
    I once had a pup under treatment at the Bristol Veterinary hospital. When they finally sorted the problem I was told now you'll be able to give him real food meaning kibble!1 I always feed raw and whatever but never complete dog food. Having said that it seems that over here we get a new dog food manufactutrer every month and all claim that theirs is the best!!
  • Baby Food?

    Basenji Feeding
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    S
    I give it to dogs who don't eat…or to hide pills in. But not as a regular thing.
  • Good Food

    Basenji Feeding
    12
    0 Votes
    12 Posts
    4k Views
    Chelbell26C
    @Robin_n_Jack: I was having the same problem with Jack recently…he's 2...he wouldn't eat, I called it his anorexic phase. He would eat acouple of bites in the morning, ad about half of his food in the afternoon. There has been a lot of excitement around lately (Dad's home, and we are packing to move) so I thought that might have something to do with it, and I figured he would eat when he was hungry. He hasn't been acting lethargic or sick, just not eating. Finally, after trying everything I could think of, treats in with the food (worked for a little while) pretending to eat it my self and trying to hand feed him(he looked at me like "If you think it is so good, why don't you eat it?) this morning I mixed some water in with the food. Next thing I know, it was all gone. Yay! no more Ally McBeal doggie! Glad to hear that he is eating again. :-) I think we all know what its like to worry that your B isn't eating enough. :rolleyes: