yogurt in food

I've read that mixing a teaspoon of yogurt in Sebastian's puppy food will help with digestion among other things. The only problem is he would prefer a teaspoon of cottage cheese in his food instead. If I try to sneak 1/2 yogurt and 1/2 cottage cheese he still won't eat it, but if it's just plain cottage cheese he eats it all as long as he is hungry. Is cottage cheese okay to use at every feeding? I've tried to give him his food just dry and he really doesn't like that either. Any suggestions?

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Kim, Remy Le Beau, Lord Sebastian, and Sir Oliver

Deb and MacKenzie and Ester's picture

How old is he?

Cottage Cheese is high in sodium so not necessarily the best option, but you can use it in moderation. If he doesn't like it then I would find something else.  I personally prefer to use a probiotic powder instead of yogurt.  I have been told that you can't possibly feed enough yogurt to get the benefits needed, not sure how true that is.  Also dogs can become lactose intolerant. My Cleo is and pukes if she is fed any kind of dairy. 

Have you considered finding a quality canned food to mix with his kibble or it may be time to find a kibble that he likes.  When I've had to feed canned food (ie after surgery) I have always had good luck with Merrick.

Is he still on puppy food? 

 

he is almost 10 weeks

and right now he is on Blue Buffalo Lamb and oatmeal puppy, but I'm thinking of switching him over to Natural Balance sweet potato and bison but they don't make it in puppy only adult dog food. Would that still be okay? I am more than willing to try a canned puppy food to mix in with his kibble, just need suggestions on what would be best for a bully puppy's tummy.

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Kim, Remy Le Beau, Lord Sebastian, and Sir Oliver

Katie and Chumlee MN's picture

I believe that is all life stages

 The NB, I could be wrong. 

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Skasqueeeeeeakaaay!!

 

Katie & Chumlee


thanks

Katie and Uncle Chumley!!! I've noticed the last couple of days he has really loose stools and suspected the cottage cheese, but he won't eat without it. I know if I just keep giving him dry kibble, eventually he'll get hungry enough to eat, but I cave before that happens LOL!!!

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Kim, Remy Le Beau, Lord Sebastian, and Sir Oliver

Katie and Chumlee MN's picture

Don't cave

you can soften his food with some water as long as it doesn't contain citric acid as an ingredient.  If ingredients are preserved with citric acid and state that, it is okay to add water.  I wouldn't add any dairy to his food the poor guy :(  Also overfeeding can make his tummy gurgle too but it is so hard with them little ones to know how much they need and there are different views on feeding them.

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Skasqueeeeeeakaaay!!

 

Katie & Chumlee


Deb and MacKenzie and Ester's picture

No Need

to add anything at 10 weeks. It will definitely upset the tummy and system, making soft stools.  Feed 3 smaller meals a day. He will eat when he is hungry and if he doesn't eat in 15 minutes pick up his food and save it for the next meal.  If you start adding stuff now he will learn quickly that if he doesn't eat he gets special goodies and that can lead to a picky eater. Add some warm water to his food and let it sit for a few minutes to soften it.  Are you feeding what the breeder had him on? 

she gave me a small bag

and I was slowly transitioning him over, but her food is now gone. I will try the water next time I feed him, he only gets less than 1/2 cup each feeding. Thanks for all the great suggestions. Believe it or not, he's not my first puppy so I should know all this, but he's my first bully and I want to start him out right especially since I don't know how long I'll have him because of his heart condition.

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Kim, Remy Le Beau, Lord Sebastian, and Sir Oliver

RobinandLeo's picture

try not to use cottage cheese especially with his heart conditio

it contains LOTS of sodium and that can lead to fluid retention that will make his heart work even harder. You know how MD's are always telling heart, high blood pressure and diabetes patients to stay away from salt!

Something I gave my boy that had all the heart problems was dried dandelion leaves. It is a mild diuretic and assists in not allowing excess fluid to accumulate. Dried dandelion leaves are available at any Health food store, of course you could collect and dry your own, just be sure no chemicals have been applied to them (think lawn care products).

thank you...

thank you, I will go to our health food store and look for some. How much should I give him and how often?

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Kim, Remy Le Beau, Lord Sebastian, and Sir Oliver

RobinandLeo's picture

if I remember right,

I gave Christopher a half teaspoon on the morning and evening meals when he was full grown (about 50 pounds).

So for your little guy I'd go a quarter tsp. or less, twice a day and increase the amount as he gets larger.

There is a tea I brew from the dandelion leaves and sweeten with honey for my pregnant girls to help with water retention if they are prone to have water pups - seems to work.

thanks...

my husband is going to "Foods for Living" next weekend and see if we can find some and Katie suggested something as well to try.

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Kim, Remy Le Beau, Lord Sebastian, and Sir Oliver