Question
Andy the mixed breed p
Catherine,
I am so relieved to find you! My questions have to do with treats and chews more than food. My pack consists of a rescued 9 year old Shiba male (neutered) from a puppy mill who has been with me since 2001, a 1 year old rescued Shiba female (spayed) also probably from a puppy mill, and a 16 week old very mixed breed puppy, also rescued. They are all eating Dry Natural Balance Duck & Sweet Potato moistened with the smallest amount of wet Natural Balance that I can get away with. The 9 year old Shiba male, Tenchi, is a very itchy dog who seems to do better when he is on this dry food (the more grain the worse his skin gets.) He also has ragweed allergies (like me) and every August he goes on Claritin and sometimes needs a week or so of prednisone or he rubs his face raw. Shredder (don't ask) the Shiba female, seems not to have any food issues. Andy, the puppy, has loose stools. He was on metronidazole in his foster home, but the stool sample showed no disease or parasites, so I am just taking him out very often and hoping he "firms up."
I am using Natural Balance biscuits for treats, but I am completely at a loss for what constitutes acceptable chew toys. I have Kongs in every size, but beyond biscuits, I don't know what's OK to put in them. I have heard so many horror stories about bones and rawhides and nylabones and every other thing that is offered that I do not know where to turn.
Finally, with a pack, there is the issue of resource guarding. Chewie items need to be yummy enough to hold their interest, but not so yummy that fights erupt. A delicate balance to achieve, I have learned in my many years of dog owning, most of which I spent in ignorant bliss.
I look forward to hearing from you, and thank you in advance for your wise counsel.
AnswerHi Mary,
It's nice to meet someone with Shibas - a breed I am especially fond of, as my brother 's dog is a Shiba and one of the most amazing little spirits I've ever known. I often think when the time comes for me to give up my beloved large breed dogs I would have Shibas. I might even have one before that time comes, lol! Your pack sounds wonderful, but they are spunky little guys aren't they?
As for your question; of course, you're limited by Tenchi's allergies, so you can't just use anything at all for chew toys. I use bullysticks for my guys but only 1-2 per week; I also give mine raw bones in the warm months when they can chew outside. Beef might not be such a great idea for Tenchi. Some of the dried salmon and tripe treats I've bought in past were huge hits, but they are very expensive and don't last long (the tripe throws them into raptures, but it's thirteen dollars for a couple of sticks that my big dogs just devour...so this is a special occasion treat for sure!) I've also used and recomended Sam's Yams in past; surprisingly many dogs just love them and while they don't last as long as, say, a bullystick, they last a little while and are not likely to cause itching. If you have a dehydrator you can make your own at a fraction of the cost, too.
As for stuffing Kongs, I think we are only limited by our imagination...as well as cost and availability, plus the dog's reaction, so I guess that narrows it a bit. <g> In the summer, I often make some yummy concoction out of pureed sweet potatoes with ground lamb, turkey, fish or whatever I have on hand - GLOP as I call it - and freeze in the Kong. The truth si, on matter what I put in it the dogs have it emptied pretty fast. I don't ever use rawhides or nylabones, or greenies...but I do use a good quality bullystick once a week or so, and some beef knuckles in the summer.
I don't know how helpful this is, but please also check out www.sitstay.com as I believe they have a wide range of products there such as the yams, that might be helpful for your pack.
For your pup with loose stool, I have just answered another question on that (Cindy with the Malamute) so please check that reply for some ideas. If I can help more in any way, don't hesitate to ask. Diet may be the answer, but various supplements can help a lot as well.
Nice to meet you and thanks for the picture of Andy! A very sweet boy indeed.
All the best, Catherine
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