AUSgrey

https://truthaboutpetfood.com/purina-responds-to-online-rumors/

Sage advice- thank you kindly.

Apologies- I checked Dr Judy Morgan’s qualifications and it seems she has retired from practicing as a vet and is now an educator - advocate for the health and care of companion animals. Dr Conor Brady is the author of “Feeding Dogs” (quote from book - Dr Conor Brady forensically translates the available research on a great variety of topics, detailing for us not only what dogs should eat but what they are currently being fed. Crucially, modern diet strategies are linked to many of the diseases that plague our pets today, including obesity, cancer, pancreatitis and bloat. As the scientific and corporate tricks reveal themselves, the fantasy of a 'complete' diet falls away, replaced with the knowledge that formulating a balanced dog diet by ourselves is not only uncomplicated but utterly essential to their health and longevity.)

New information about DCM…

Thank you - we’re in Victoria, Australia so we have access to quality free range meats/bones. Dougie had teeth extracted before we adopted him so we are keen to keep those that remain in good health. Will be interesting to see the results of the dry fed v raw/home cooked analysis by Wylie Vet Hospital https://experiment.com/projects/who-has-more-health-problems-raw-or-dry-fed-dogs

Wow! Quality of life right to the end… Must have been a delicious meal???

Hello Bill, Coming to you from Ballarat, Victoria, Australia! We have a 9 yo boy, Dougie and would love it if he lived to 20, just like Susie. I wonder if you, or anyone else on this forum could find out what such long lived dog owners did (specifically) to get their fur babies to reach such an “old age”? Activity? Food? Social activities? We recently heard of Bobi in Portugal living to over 30 (although that seems to be under discussion). Is it possible to find out more about the lives and daily living protocols of these older greys? Many thanks 🙏 Cindy and Dougie

Thank you again - such valuable advice. Sorry you were bitten. We get warned with a growl when Dougie is displeased but he is generally good humoured and we have so far avoided a snap!!!

Thanks so much- that is so helpful and very generous of you to share this. Will be making those treats, for sure. We are brushing Dougie’s teeth each day - we keep the brush by the back door so he gets a water only brush over his teeth and gums up to 3x per day with an occasional enzymatic brush. It wasn’t easy to begin with - he is 9 yo and we’ve only had him for one year, but now he sees the toothbrush and that means either outside or for a walk so he wags his tail at the brush!!! Love that you feed loads of well chopped veggies! If too chunky, they aren’t digested well! Is the anchovy/sardine oil by Nordic Naturals? Dougie does not do well on salmon oil… thanks again for taking the time to respond. 😊

From Oz, sending you and Dan our kindest thoughts - Buddy will be greatly missed. We are looking into the future with our senior dog and know that we can learn from such gracious people as those on this forum. Thank you and all the very best.

Of course - please feel that we are thinking as much about you as Buddy. It is a lot of mental and emotional energy we expend when trying so hard and not feeling that we are making any difference - having someone to help and share that heavy load and feeling supported by someone with great experience… that’s all…

PLEASE consider this: https://www.caninenutritionist.co.uk/success-stories/beanie-update/

Just a thought… saw this recently and it might be of some help if things continue: https://youtu.be/Ed_8I3mJVsg?si=SJSXZaHFjHhBeYYs

Dougie (9 yo neutered ex racer) did not want brunch today (a feast of kangaroo and veg by Lyka here in Australia). He is on the slim side and should not go without food at the moment. We happily watched on as he demolished a frozen, skinned duck neck instead, then, encouraged by this, we warmed up his kangaroo meal topped with canned wild caught salmon. Voila! Gone in a minute. Salmon works most of the time… sending you our best wishes.

Thanks so very much Jerilyn and greysmom. Such good advice! Totally agree that a properly formulated diet is essential for a healthy dog. Have recently come across the work by Dr Conor Brady (on dog nutrition) and it helps to hear from others who are greyhound specific. And it seems even in this category, each dog is or can be somewhat different, requiring a nuanced approach. Thank you again for your detailed reply - very kind of you to do so.