Frequently Asked Questions:
The products we use and recommend and where to find them
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This list may be updated from time to time but will be a good explanation of the products we use and where they can be purchased. We do not get any compensation for any of the products or recommendations.We are providing links and places to purchase but you may find other sources for the same products or be able to buy them locally to you.
** Please note we are not recommending Grain Free kibble dog foods anymore as the high pea and legume content of all grain free foods is causing an alarming high rate of taurine deficiency which causes Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in certain breeds. Goldens are especially susceptible to this deadly disease. Do not feed a grain free kibble **
** Please note we are not recommending Grain Free kibble dog foods anymore as the high pea and legume content of all grain free foods is causing an alarming high rate of taurine deficiency which causes Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in certain breeds. Goldens are especially susceptible to this deadly disease. Do not feed a grain free kibble **
Food recommendations:
The best diet for your dog is a homemade, balanced diet. It may sound hard but it's a lot easier than you think! Here is a link to the diet outlined by Natures Farmacy on a blog post HERE You can order a laminated, easy to follow card from them (free!) HERE
If you feel you must feed a kibble, here are a few of the ones we recommend:
**Note: we have not fed all these different foods but have read the labels and researched the products and they appear to be healthy, super premium products**
** If a dog food is listed for "All Life Stages" then it is great for feeding puppies and adult dogs**
Farmina Natural Chicken and Ancient Grains - purchase HERE or HERE (This is probably one of the best quality foods available right now, however is a little more expensive, especially if you are feeding multiple dogs) This food is non-GMO as well
**Note: we have not fed all these different foods but have read the labels and researched the products and they appear to be healthy, super premium products**
** If a dog food is listed for "All Life Stages" then it is great for feeding puppies and adult dogs**
Farmina Natural Chicken and Ancient Grains - purchase HERE or HERE (This is probably one of the best quality foods available right now, however is a little more expensive, especially if you are feeding multiple dogs) This food is non-GMO as well
Victor Dog Food - search for a local dealer HERE or order HERE (Hi Pro formula or Professional formula are foods we have fed for years and the dogs do really well on them)
Daves Naturally Healthy Dog Food - Search for a local dealer HERE or order HERE
Holistic Select Adult Chicken and Brown Rice - Search for a local dealer HERE or order HERE
Nutro Ultra - Buy Here, or Here
American Natural Premium - Search for a local dealer HERE or order online
Adult food HERE or Puppy food HERE
Annamaet Adult Dog Food Search for a local dealer Here or order Here
Daves Naturally Healthy Dog Food - Search for a local dealer HERE or order HERE
Holistic Select Adult Chicken and Brown Rice - Search for a local dealer HERE or order HERE
Nutro Ultra - Buy Here, or Here
American Natural Premium - Search for a local dealer HERE or order online
Adult food HERE or Puppy food HERE
Annamaet Adult Dog Food Search for a local dealer Here or order Here
Primal Dog Food is a really good dog food, however it comes in frozen patties so you have to have freezer space to store it. Find a dealer close to you HERE for the frozen patties or you can order the easy to use and travel with freeze dried nuggets HERE, HERE and HERE
There are many other really good dog foods available. We highly advise if you feed something that is not on the above list that you look for foods that are ONLY 4 or 5 star foods on Dog Food Advisor. (Do not choose anything lower than a 4 star food) They have done all the leg work and have rated all the foods based on quality of ingredients as well as the many other resources on their site, click HERE
Canned Meat
There are a few higher quality canned meats that you can mix in with your dogs regular meal. Not only do they love the meat, it's useful if mixing in pills or supplements that they may not eat without some meat to hide the flavor of it.
Here are a few we have used and where to buy
Newmans Own Organic canned meat - buy it HERE
Nulo feestyle canned meat - buy it Here
Evangers Organics canned meat - buy it HERE
Organix canned meat - buy it HERE
Again, Dog Food Advisor is a great resource if you are unsure about the quality other brands.
Bones
You can read about healthy bones to give your dog HERE, HERE and HERE.
This is also another brand that we have found that the dogs really like HERE or HERE (NOT the filled variety) These Red Barn bones will tend to crumble as they are chewed down and will generally not break off in large pieces. Strong chewers always need to be monitored and any pieces that break off and could be swallowed should be tossed. If you suspect your dog is chewing off large pieces, throw the bones out and find something else that they can't swallow or possibly choke on. Also HERE and HERE for a couple of more choices
Himalayan Dog Chews are another great, healthy and safe dog chew. They are literally compressed cheese with just a couple of healthy ingredients. There are several kinds and sizes available but HERE is one brand on Amazon, HERE and HERE and HERE (large container)are several that Amazon Prime carries. It will take several days to weeks for average chewer to go thru these. For super chewers, they may eat them faster, but will give them plenty to chew on for a while. Our dogs really love these! Here is a link for a larger quantity that we usually buy ourselves
Bully sticks are great for puppies, as they can't devour them with their tiny teeth but they keep them busy! THIS ONE or THIS ONE or THIS ONE HERE have been good ones we've used and the pups love them!
Supplements
Supplements
If you have an Honor puppy/dog then you have no doubt gotten our "puppy packet" with several recommendations and the articles of why these supplements are important. There are several blog posts on here too with great articles for the need for extra supplementation.
Vitamin C - A great antioxidant and also help with collagen production for healthy hips, elbows and all joints of the growing dog until the bone plates are closed. Vitamin C should be given for the entire lifespan of the dog. Puppies start out on 500 mg. daily in food and we slowly progress them up to 4,000 mg. by 4 months of age. They should stay at that level until 2 years of age, when the bone plates are done closing, and at 2 years of age can be dropped down to 2,000 mg. daily for the rest of his/her life. Vitamin C and be increased during times of stress such as surgery or if an injury happens. The rule of thumb is to give Vitamin C to the point of a loose stool and then back down a bit, so the above doses are a general guideline of what we feed. Your dog may need less if he/she is having trouble with loose stools at these levels, but we find most Goldens handle this level very well. This one or this one are great options.
A probiotic is essential for a healthy gut, which in turn helps them get the full benefit from their food, helps digestion and helps keep the immune system strong.
DocRoy's is what we currently use on our own dogs. It contains pro and prebiotics and is great for puppies and adult dogs. It can be ordered HERE on Amazon or you can go to the Revival Animal Health site here
A good multi Vitamin/Mineral supplement will ensure your dog is getting a well balanced diet and all the nutrition they need. We feed and recommend NuVet Plus wafers or powder. NuVet products have superior quality products and really good prices that we have used on our own dogs and recommended for many, many years! This is only available thru breeder and veterinarian referrals. If you have any trouble ordering, call the 800# on the website and they will answer any questions. USE CODE 83900 WHEN ORDERING. Feed according to label instructions and use for the lifetime of your dog(s)
We currently recommend Krill Oil for supplementation over the standard Fish Oil or even Salmon Oil. The thought being that krill are very small but have very high levels of Omega 3, DHA and all the other benefits provided. Here is a great article by Dr. Becker of why Krill oil is superior to Salmon and other fish oils. Krill Oil can be purchased at any GNC, health food store or Costco for a quantity discount, but here are a few good ones here, here, or here.
Apple Cider Vinegar has too many health benefits to even begin to list here but you can read more about why we recommend it so highly in this post. You want to make sure to get organic with "the mother" which looks like some stuff floating at the bottom of the bottle. Braggs is the most commonly available brand and can get it at most grocery stores and health food stores but here is a link if you prefer to get it on Amazon.
While canned pumpkin is not a supplement, it is one of the things you should always have on hand for your dog. It is a super quick way to firm up any loose stools or diarrhea but can also help with constipation. You want to make sure you are buying just plain pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling that has sugar and spices in it. We suggest organic, which can be found in most grocery stores that carry organic canned vegetables or you can order online here. If you want to check out the some of the benefits of canned pumpkin, click here
This post contains some affiliate links, any proceeds from purchases on these links goes directly back to Honor Service Dogs, Inc and supports their non-profit mission