Boxer Food Problems

Question
We have 2 boxers, a 6 year old female and a 5 year old male. We have had food issues with both of them for many years. The male has always had horrible breath and doesn't want to eat. He has always been underweight. The vet has checked his teeth and other possibilities and found nothing. Our female is on thyroid medicine. She is overweight and always ravenous. Her food has been cut down to only 3 cups a day, and she still gains weight. Several years ago, both dogs started having frequent diahrea. The vet put them on z/d ultra. The diahrea was cured, but our male still did not eat well. Someone at the place that we used for boarding recommended Royal Canin Boxer formula. Our male started eating somewhat better, and our female, who had lost a great deal of hair from thyroid problems, grew all of her hair back. We've had no further problems with diahrea. Our new problem is the smell. Our dogs are house dogs, and since we started them on Royal Canin, they both have horrible breath, and their coats smell horrible. Do you have any dog food recommendations?

Answer
Hi Amy,

Wow.  :)  I sympathize...I have 7 dogs total and one of them has a thyroid problem as well.  Finding a food that all of them like and that doesn't make 2 gain weight, 4 lose weight, etc. is a real headache!!

I know you're only using it because it was suggested, but breed specific dog food is a marketing gimmick.  If you look on the website or the bag, it's also the perfect food for several other breeds.  :)

If they have horrible breath and skin, it's not a good food for them.

I would try a food like California Natural or Nature's Recipe.  I use the NR because it has no corn, wheat or beef (common allergens to Boxers) and is still affordable and easily found.  I've also used Chicken Soup brand dog food with great success and usually rotate that in with the NR.

I also like Purina One for 6 of them but my one with the thyroid problem tends to get patchy on it.  I've noticed his coat is much smoother on the NR.  They have different formulas, I use the Healthy Skin.

As far as your girl's weight.  I looked at the RC website and a normal Boxer should be getting between 3 and 4 cups a day.  These are just guidelines.  NR is the same.  Each dog is different...your boy may maintain a healthy weight on 4 cups and your girl may chunk out.

If she's still overweight on 3 pounds, cut her intake back by 1/3 cup for 2 weeks.  Weigh her before you do this.  At the end of the 2 weeks, if she's lost a pound, you're doing great.  If not, cut her back by another 1/3.  After 2 more weeks, weigh her.  When you've found an amount that is letting her lose weight, stay with that amount until she reaches her goal.  You can then play with the amounts and find out what she needs to eat, per day, to maintain the weight.

You can also up her exercise by 20-30 minutes a day.  A good power walk will do wonders.  :)

How do you know she's ravenous?  She can't tell you.  ;)  Almost any healthy dog will eat what you offer.  Treats, food, human food...you're her caretaker, you decide what goes in her mouth.  Humans tend to show love and affection through food and it's often humans that make their dogs fat...barring medical conditions of course.  She can only eat what you give her.  Cut out dog treats and junk.  If you can't bear to not give her treats, replace dog treats with slices of fruits or vegetables...even ice cubes.  Find something she likes.  I have a few that are suckers for baby carrots and one that would commit murder for a mushroom.  :)

If I can help you out anymore, please say.