[Ladysmom]

Since the calcium to phosphorus ratio has to be exact (1.2:1), I would not be comfortable making substitutions to a recipe.

Calcium & Phosphorous in Dogs* - Chinaroad Lowchens of Australia -

Homecooking can do more harm than good if it's not done correctly.

 

[Ladysmom]

Just a heads up to those who are using the Animal Essentials multivitamin supplement along with homecooking like I am. It doesn't contain iodine so you have to add iodized table salt or Lite Salt w/potassium iodide like Morton's. Check your recipe. Lady's recipe calls for light salt.

Iodine is important for proper thyroid function. A Yorkie on another forum I belong developed an iodine deficiency on a homecooked diet the member got from an holistic pet nutritionist. She was adding AE calcium and multivitamin. Her Yorkie had gained weight and wasn't able to lose it. They discovered the deficiency by testing her iodine level and a thyroid panel. She had her recipe reviewed by a veterinary nutritionist at the vet school who noticed the lack of iodine. Correcting the deficiency in her diet was that was needed, not thyroid medication.

Kelp is also a great source of iodine.

 

[Ladysmom]

thanks for all your replies!

I did order the animal essentials calcium. I guess it does make sense that if yogurt has phosphorus in it as well, the calcium would cancel the phosphorus so that they would need additional calcium anyway.

Yogurt is great to add to their diet. Lady gets a big dollop of organic yogurt everyday.

I recently discovered Stonyfield's YoBaby when my daughter left some of my grandson's behind. It is even lower in sugar than Stonyfield plain, which is what I had been using. It comes in blueberry and apple. Lady loves it!

 

[Ladysmom]

Thanks for this encouraging post. I'm always lurking around the HC threads/posts as I have a deep interest in doing this for my pup but I've found that it can be very confusing at times and overwhelming with much contradicting info out there to make it even more confusing. To boot, I'm not receiving much direction from my current vet so I haven't taken the plunge just yet. In the meantime, I've ordered Dr. Beckers book which I'm looking forward to reading and which I'm hoping will shed some light and provide specific direction to those of us that aren't fortunate enough to have a Vet that does as far as HCing goes.

About the Animal Essentials - if you don't mind answering -
1. Is there a too young time to start?
2. You wouldn't supplement with this unless he's on a home cooked menu correct?

About Probiotics -
Is there a non yogurt one that you would give your pup?

Wow....goat's milk yougurt? I haven't seen this one yet. He does love the goat's milk though...thanks for this suggestion. He looks forward to his morning milky.

Many of us use the Animal Essential Plants Enzymes and Probiotics.

Plant Enzymes & Probiotics - All Natural Digestive Aid

You shouldn't add extra calcium if he is getting a high grade commercial diet. It already has the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio.