Archive for the ‘Diet and Nutrition’ Category

Dear Dr. Brown,

This is a question about putting my dog on a grain-free diet.

We adopted a little senior Shih Tzu named Panda, who we adore. From the beginning, he licked his front legs (especially the left), which resulted in staining of the fur. I initially thought that this was a habit that he developed as a result of stress.

I did try to take him to a veterinarian to have this evaluated (as well as for a corn that he had on a paw pad) and the vet that I took him to would only have the vet tech look briefly at his legs. (For some reason, the vet did not want to meet with me personally about it.) The vet tech did not have any decisive answer about the licking. She said that it might be an allergy, but I should make another appointment to meet with the vet about it. (I was pretty annoyed by this, because that was supposed to have been the appointment with the vet.)

A different vet who I brought Panda to initially said that Panda might just do it out of habit and when he is really working on the foot/leg I should spray bitter apple on the foot to get him to stop. This only works temporarily.

A third vet said that sometimes a dog just starts licking a foot or leg and there isn’t anything there, it might have developed initially at his previous home because he was bored or stressed there.

Here is the question—-I am wondering if I should put my dog on a grain-free diet to see if the licking stops. Is that the only way to determine whether the licking is a from a grain allergy?

Panda is on a super-premium organic food (Castor and Pollux Organix Dry with a dollop of C & P’s natural stew style food), he gets a daily multivitamin, as well as an omega-3 pill everyday.

Should the switch to Grain Free food be only done under a vet’s care? Or is it OK if I switch him to the grain free to see if he stops licking?

Also, if he goes grain free, does this mean that he can’t have his treats that have organic quinoa and peanut butter? I guess quinoa is considered a grain?

Any advice that you could provide would be appreciated.

Thank you very much,
Michelle, Panda’s Dog Mom

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My grandmother has a chihuahua that was previously mine. He’s abnormally tall and large. He wasn’t like this before. What caused this?

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Is avacado bad for dogs?

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Is “chicken meal” just as good as “chicken” for the first ingredient of dry dog food?

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Enter your question here is bacon is good for dogs

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EntMy 14 year old dog was just diagnosed with diabetes, Instructions from our Vet are: gradually change her diet from her regular food to Overwight Management food, feed her twice a day , one and 1/2 cup s each time, after feeding her, give her an insulin shot (12) and the feeding and insulin should be 12 hours apart. She also has cancer near her rib cage which the Vet operates on about every 4 months. Surgery is now being delayed because of the Diabetes. I am very concerned and we don’t want to loose our Pepsi. Our Vet is very good and we have an appointment next week to our Vet to check on her b;ood sugar. However I know humans cab check blood sugar with an instrument I seeon TV. Whjat am I looking at in the near future four our Pepsi? I am a contibuter and live in Litchfield Park, AZ)

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I have a 5 year old female indoor cat. We had her spayed and she is a indoor cat now. Her skin is dry and she is always chewing and scratching. Our Vet told us to put her on Science Diet for Sensitive Skin and we use a good shampoo with oatmeal and aloe. She is gaining weight now too, can you help us!

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I adopted a six year old mini poodle a few months ago; her previous owner had never feed her any kind of dog food. I have offered her a cornucopia of different dry and wet food brands as well as flavors, yet she rejects them all! I have put dog food in the microwave to see if it would make it more appetizing, but still she refuses to eat it. The only improvement after three months is that she has acquired a taste for dog treats like pepperoni sticks and begg’n strips, should I see this as a sign of hope that she’ll eventually eat dog food too? Is it possible that she might be too old to learn to eat dog food? Can I feed her human food and still meet her nutritional needs?

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What about a diet of bread and hot dogs for a dog with renal failure? I am taking care of a 13 year old lab recently diagnosed and was told not to give her anything else. I am very worried as to how to handle this with the owner.

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I have an 8 yr old male poodle mix who’s recently been diagnosed as being diabetic.I have 2 questions. 1.I cook for him boiled turkey w/brown rice & sometimes w/green beans. What else may I fix for a variety and sufficient nutrients? 2.I give him his insulin shots based on what the vet says his blood sugar is. Question 2: Is there a way I can check his blood sugar at home? Twice daily trips to the vet is becoming more expensive than the insulin,test strips and syrings.

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