carbs in fruits/vegetables? itchy/scratchy

[DogueOwner]

Hello all, I have been feeding our 1 yr old boy Big Dog Natural (dehydrated raw) for a good six months. IMO, a fantastic, high quality food he really enjoys. Over time, we've noticed his increased scratching and a few small random hot spots, so I have decided to go back to straight beef and chicken. Problem is, our spoiled Dogue won't eat because I imagine the taste is bland. He'll eat chicken on the bone, but not the straight beef/chicken mix I get from my butcher. End result, wasting a ton of food as of late.

We sometimes put some coconut oil on the food, or Grizzly Salmon Oil.

Can anyone tell me their experiences with carbohydrates in fruits/veges? Did your DDB get dry and itchy? Also, I've read mixed reports of dogs not having nutritional requirement for fruit/veges which I tend to believe. There is a ton of info online support both sides of this argument.

I know, a few questions here. I appreciate your insights.

 

[NYDDB]

I feed raw to my Dogue, and have since he was weaned. I follow a basic Prey Model Raw diet/philosophy which believes that dogs have no inherent need for carbs, and in fact they may cause digestive upset and feed yeast in the body. Personally, I wouldn't mind feeding a few fruits or veggies now and again...except that Mateo won't eat them at all, LOL.

I believe that it boils down to what your dog, personally does well on- and that may vary from dog to dog. Maybe try removing all carbs and see how he does-- but give it some time.

 

[musicdeb]

I agree with NYDDB. It may be the chicken, some dogs are allergic to chicken in dog food and natural chicken. Try eliminating chicken from his diet for about a month and see if that helps. It may also be something new in the raw food that you buy, have you checked the ingredients?

Titan used to like green beans, he would not eat any other vegs or fruit, but decided he didn't like green beans either. He eats his meat and Acana Regionals Pacifica and Ranchlands.

Poor pup sounds like he's had some allergy issues. Been there, done that with Titan when I first got him. Vets, steroids, antibiotics and medicated shampoos until I started feeding him raw diet. His skin is now 100% clear!

 

[DennasMom]

Denna had some itchy issues, even after our switch to raw... we had to cut out all chicken.
She gets whole, raw sardines (~6oz per fish) as her source of Omega 3's... if she's out of fish, she gets salmon oil pills. About 2x a human dose seems to keep the itchies away.

Denna loves her fruit and veggies, so she gets them quite often, but I don't consider them a necessary part of her diet... if she had any new itchy issues, that would be the first thing to go, if I was suspicious of them at all.

I wouldn't think fruit or veggies would compound dry/itchy skin, per se (baring an allergic/sensitivity issue)... but a lack of oils, especially omega 3's, certainly would be a place I would look.

 

[DogueOwner]

Thanks all. I have heard from a few people it might be the chicken. Because of the cost, I'm buying in bulk and they may not be hormone/antibiotic free. Likely cutting out the chicken and going back to all beef.

When feeding raw, how are you feeding your pooch? ground chuck? Or store bought like Honest Kitchen..

 

[musicdeb]

I buy Titan's meat at the grocery store, i.e. Kroger or Fiesta Mart. I do not buy a lot of beef because of the prices have increased dramatically in a past few months. I buy Titan chicken and pork with some beef.