chicken and rice

Question
My dog has always had awful bad breath. She presently has a possible parasite problem for which she is taking pills and on a diet of chicken and rice.  Her bad breath is gone with this diet!  She was on a dry food of lamb and rice for six years and I could see the dog food build up around her gums even if I brushed them with dog toothpaste once or twice a week.

I would like to keep her on this diet.  Do I need to supplement it with anything else? I cannot afford to have her teeth cleaned and this diet seems to do the trick.

Sincerely
Susan

Answer
Susan,
Chicken and rice is a wholly deficient diet for a dog. It lacks calcium, iodine, Vitamins A and D and a whole range of minerals- potassium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese.
If you plan to keep her on this, you absolutely must learn how to supplement correctly, or else hire someone to balance the diet for you.
Is there a reason you can't use other foods like rd meat (for iron and other minerals and vitamins) organ meat( vitamin A) and fish (sardines, salmon for example)?

My yahoogroup offers extensive free nutritional advice, you could start there:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ThePossibleCanine-Nutrition/

I do consultations professionally, if you need  more help, but start there and get that dog on some supplements asap!
All the best, Catherine