Hello

[tooltime47]

My name is Dave. My wife and I are both retired and spend winters in Cape Coral FL and summers in Pinconning Michigan.

I found this forum as I was searching for the best food to feed my new 8 month old Westie, Casey. We just got him two days ago. We got him for a companion for our 6 year old Westie, Daisy. He is a Purebred and CKC registered.

Casey has some skin issues and we need to get him on the best diet possible. He has a rather large hot spot that he bites at. I can see no sign of fleas We were feeding Daisy Blue but she does not like it very well. She will not eat the small black pebbles so both dogs will be switched to what I find is best for Casey. I also heard from the pet shop that most of the nutrients in Blue are in the black stuff that she doesn't eat. I am considering a raw diet for both dogs.

[Scarlett_O']

Welcome Dave!!

I would HIGHLY recommend raw....all 7 of my pet carnivores are doing AMAZING on it, even my 5 with different allergies!

Check out www.preymodelraw.com(ran by a couple of our members,) also check out the threads in the raw feeding section, the stickies are especially wonderful!

Feel free to ask questions, start your own thread in the raw section and look around as much as needed!!

[whiteleo]

Hello and welcome, glad your considering raw for your fur kids!

[PDXdogmom]

Hi Dave. Welcome to you and your family.

It sounds like you're interested in raw and this forum is definitely the place to find the experts on it. I don't happen to feed raw, but I do have a couple of suggestions of kibble to feed while you research and look into the whole raw scenario.

I have a senior golden who has a lot of intolerances to many ingredients and often got hot spots, inflamed ears and generally poor coat and skin. I made changes to the types of formulas I fed him, have also supplemented with home-cooking and he is doing great.

I think "simple" formulas might be a good idea. Blue has a very complicated ingredient list. Some suggestions from my own past experience and a lot of people I'm in contact with:
NutriSource Super Premium Pet Foods | Dog Food | Cat Food

NutriSource formulas available at:
Cape Coral Cape Dog Bakery
1207 Cape Coral Pkwy E.
Cape Coral FL, 33904 239-542-9663

Cape Coral Discount Pets & Supplies
211 Hancock Bridge Parkway Unit 5
Cape Coral FL, 33990 239-573-7613

I've only tried their grain-free formulas. NutriSource also carries a single protein line of grain-free formulas called Pure Vita .

California Natural formulas have very limited ingredient lists and have helped many dogs. I prefer their "puppy" formulas (really "all life stages") simply because they have more protein, but you could always add a little something extra to their adult kibbles. The lamb meal or herring formulas seem to be extra helpful for many dogs.
Natural Dog Food, Cat Food and Puppy Food for Pets With Food Sensitivity

Hope this is helpful. I've only ever had large dogs, but Westies are one of the small dog breeds that I think are so cute.

[MollyWoppy]

Hi Dave, it's lovely to have you here. I'm just north of you actually, about 20miles. But we are here year round, don't have the brains to escape up north to the cooler weather.
I've been to both of the shops PDXdogmom mentioned, they are pretty good. They will order in practicably any type of food you want.
Actually, I have to watch my dog Mollie very carefully for hotspots, as soon as I see her start to worry one spot, I have to jump on her like a ton of bricks. But, every year, around this time, she starts to get really itchy. I am guessing it's from the drier, colder air, there's nothing else I can think of to explain it. My friends dogs are fine, they don't itch, so I don't know whats up with Mol.
It's funny too, like your pup, neither Mol nor Windy (the cat) seems to get flea's, even when Mol hangs out at the dog park. I can't explain that one, but I sure am happy about it, means I don't have to use any flea control.
Anyway, welcome, if you have any questions about any type of food, please ask.
And, it would be nice to see some pic's of your pup!

[Janet At Nutro]

Hello and Welcome Dave!

[AveryandAudrey]

The raw diet is amazing for skin and coat. my sharpei is great on it

[DaneMama]

Hello and welcome! Definitely ask any and all questions you have about raw or kibble and we would be more than happy to help!

[CorgiPaws]

to DFC!!

I highly recommend poking around the raw section... I'm confident we can help you make the switch and better the health of both your dogs! Healthy skin and coat are just two things on the endless list of benefits a raw diet provides.

[tooltime47]

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome. I will head over to the raw forum to see what I can learn. My wife is really concerned about feeding them chicken with bones. We were always under the impression that chicken bones were a no no.