upset stomach

[chris nanney]

My neighbor's dog, an aussie, has upset stomach and symptoms of food allergy (currently on Eukanuba lamb and rice). Currently on a prescription diet with the idea of gradually introducing the regular food back. They shop at Petsmart for food so I told them to try a different food, even if it's just switching to the Eukanuba chicken based food to see if it makes a difference. Pro Plan makes a salmon based food that is available at PetSmart. Any other suggestions they might try?

[Sheenagirl]

I would suggest staying with a limited protein diet, i.e., California Natural Chicken and Rice. One protein (chicken) hopefully the Aussie isn't allergic to chicken. They could also try Lamb and Rice. But unfortunately I don't believe the Calif.Nat. is sold at Petsmart. If they don't have anyother Pet Supply stores in their area and have to go to Petsmart then I would suggest Nutro Natural Chicken. The other foods you mentioned are not very good foods. There are foods for sensitive stomachs also at the Pet Supply stores (I don't think Petsmart carries these either). Good luck ;)

[CarolineS]

If it is food allergy, your neighbours will have to switch the Aussie to a food that contains ingredients that he's never eaten before. If he's ever eaten a dog food with chicken in it for any length of time, chances are he'll be allergic to it too. There are foods that contain duck, fish, venison or even kangaroo. Some novel carbs are oatmeal and potato. I know that Wellness makes a line with very unique ingredients. I doubt they'll find what they need a PetsMart.

I've never seen the ProPlan Salmon food, but I'd be very surprised if salmon were the only protein source in it. They would need to check the ingredient list very carefully to make sure it didn't contain anything the dog had eaten before.

[rottsnroses]

From the ProPlan website, here are the ingredients in the Sensitive Skin & Stomach Formula:

Salmon, brewers rice, canola meal, oat meal, beef tallow preserved with mixed-tocopherols (source of Vitamin E), tuna meal, salmon meal, brewers dried yeast, natural flavors, salt, potassium chloride, vitamin supplements (E, A, B-12, D-3), choline chloride, zinc sulfate, ascorbic acid (source of Vitamin C), ferrous sulfate, riboflavin supplement, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, biotin, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, copper sulfate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of Vitamin K activity), calcium iodate, sodium selenite.

[CarolineS]

This looks like it would be very high in fat. High fat diets often do help dogs with skin problems, but they are h*** on dogs with gastrointestinal problems.

It doesn't contain one protein and one carb either which again isn't good for a dog with allergies. It has two main protein sources, salmon and tuna, and three carbs. There is also the possibility of the dog being exposed to some beef proteins in the beef tallow.

As usual, Purina's offering falls short.