Question
Max and Daisy
Hello,
I have owned two Boxers over the past 6 years. Sadly, my boy Max had to euthanized last Wednesday (2/24/2010). Although both of my dogs were rescues, we are researching and plan on getting a pup from a breeder. Over the last two weeks of his life, I was cooking food for him to ensure that he would eat and also to exclude corn from his diet. I was also giving it to my female Boxer. The ingredients are, whole chicken (no bones! and no organ meat), red kidney beans, mixed vegetables (canned), and brown rice. Throw it all in a pot and 3 hours later "viola" home cooked food. In addition to the food, I was/am giving 1 500mg glucosimine pill and 1 500mg omega3 fish oil. I plan to continue this diet. Can you suggest and changes or do you think I am missing some essential nutrients? Also, I was giving my biy 1000mg of L-Carnitine daily since we got him at 1 year old. He had a stage 2 murmur and this seemed to help. Ironically he was euthanized due to complications of hemangiosarcoma on his heart, which caused pericardial effusion. After two episodes it was determined that he should be euthanized. Since I have so much L-Crnitine left, is it ok to give to my female and eventually to the pup?
Thank you, Craig
RIP Max, 9/18/02 - 2/24/10
AnswerI am so sorry about Max. This is always so very heartbreaking, and it saddens me.
L-Carnitine is not necessary to give any dog unless to treat a disorder. Here is an article for what L-Carnitine is:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/carnitine-l-000291.htm
Please do not give supplements to dogs that are not being treated for any disorder. Except the omega3 fish oil and flax seed oil, daily dog vitamins (pups dosage or adult dosage or senior dogs dosage vitamins).
As far as the diet, cut out the red kidney beans, Never feed a dog beans of any type and they induce gas and dogs cannot tolerate beans due to gastro problems. It causes more harm than any nutrient value.
Veggies can be *potato in moderation (since it is a starch) and sweet potato (used in special dog foods for dietary problem dogs with food allergies and sensitive stomachs too), carrots (but not for dogs with diagnosed cancer), brown rice, cabbage, squash, asparagus, brussel sprouts, peas, lean chicken, lamb, lean, drained hamburger- but I prefer the turkey or chicken in place of hamburger, lean turkey (comes in a roll like hamburger), broccoli (in moderation), fish (tuna is okay if packed in water and very moderately as it is high in mercury content, but high on protein), yams, and some people say green beans is okay but it is another "bean" and I highly, do not recommend any type of "bean," and organ meat is good, too.
Plain, whole yogurt ( no flavor, and a store generic brand is fine) added to food every other day or so is great. Dogs love it, it is healthy, aiding in better digestion because of its natural good bacteria, just as it is for people. Yogurt (no flavors) also helps guard against yeast infections that can occur in their ears and open wounds.
*General rule is never feed your dog a "white" food either, but potato is moderation is okay occasionally.
Read these for foods NOT to give your dog (and has the list I just mentioned above):
http://www.treshanley.com/cic/dangerousfoods.html
http://therealowner.com/health/the-amazing-health-benefits-of-vegetables-for-dog...
http://www.goodpet.com/library/recipes.html
I always recommend steaming veggies and mix with meats, and use 20% added to dry dog food if you feed your Boxer dog food, which I recommend you do too. I recommend Dick Van Patten's (yes, the actor) Natural Balance at http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/ (to find a dealer Online, click on the red "shop Online" in the top, upper left)... read the ingredients on the dog food you choose, and if you do not want to buy it, at least find a comparable one with those ingredients to go by. Of course, you already know not to feed a Boxer (or any dog in my opinion) corn and glutens.
I hope this helps, and don't forget, you can add a pinch (not much) of salt to your cooked food to give a better taste. Dogs do love salty foods (especially potato chips which is not good!!!) and helps with a better balance. Of course, if there is a health issue, kidney problems, etc, then do not add a pinch of salt.
God bless Max at the rainbow bridge.
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