Chicken

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I was wondering if you could tell me why my dog throws up after eating boneless skinless boiled chicken breast?

She use to eat chicken and be just fine, but the last couple of times she's eaten it she's vomited. Should I worry about dog food with chicken as a main ingredient?

ANSWER: Hi Heidi,

Can you tell me, what breed of dog you have, what age, and are there any other unusual symptoms, dietarily? Loose stool, or scratching, or any coughing or other types of vomiting(bile in the morning, for example)?  Does she bolt her food down quickly?  What does her main diet consist of?
This may well be a veterinary issue, I need more info before I can comment.
All the best, Catherine

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Catherine,

My dog is a year and a half old basset hound. She does scratch and itch at times but it is mostly at night. Her main diet is Purina Little Bites dry dog food. She does tend to bolt her dog food but when she eats anything else (treats, etc) she chews it. She doesn't vomit bile in the morning, no coughing, no loose stool.

Thanks so much for helping!

Heidi

Answer
Hi Heidi,

I have one important suggestion for you here; instead of feeding a lower quality food and adding fresh cooked meat, why not switch to a premium brand and ensure better health over all? Then you can use many things for treats - if chicken doesn't agree with her, try sardines, bits of cooked beef heart, small amounts of liver, eggs, plain yogurt, home made or store bought premium cookies - lots of good things you can add to the diet. but, the quality of the basic diet is of paramount importance.

For your dog I would suggest a limited ingredient, novel protein diet; some excellent products include:


http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/dog_wellness_simple_food_solutions_index.html

http://www.californianaturalpet.com/products/default.asp?id=3

http://www.frommfamily.com/products-fs.php


http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/LambDog.html

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/VenDog.html


Because dogs are individuals, it may be necessary to experiment with these foods, try one for a while and monitor results, which should include good coat, relief of symptoms, good energy for his breed/age,  eight maintenance/muscle tone,  solid regular bowel movements and objective results from the vet. Of course he or she has to love the food as well!

Because Bassets are prone to a whole litany of congenital health problems, it's prudent to get on a quality diet asap.

My suggestion is to start with a premium food developed for a sensitive dog, and go from there. If chicken bothers him, he may well be able to tolerate turkey.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best wishes,
Catherine