Expert: Kaza - 11/15/2008

Question
QUESTION: Thank-you for your advice..
I want to try the things you suggested..but..
What food/Brand do you recommend to feed them?
Now I give them Innova or Eagel Pack and I was going to try a dog food called AURA. Ever heard of it?
Is it better to cook for them?
What is Siet?
Where to I buy DAP Spray and Valerian drops and how many  drops do I put in their food along with how much ginger..raw or powder, etc.. I just want to get it right.
Thanks again for your help Kaza, it is greatly appreciated.
C

ANSWER: I would use the honest kitchen in the USA or Bravo foods these have excellent natural diets that can form part of the BARF diet which I recommend for all bichon breeds. DAP spray can be bought cheaply via ebay, Valerian can be bought from any good health food store and just a few drops daily will do the trick. dried ginger powder orbetter still use a ginger home made doggy biscuit , recipe on my site www.eurobichons.com

also try chamomile tea in the water before travelling it works a treat just add about 1/2 cup to the water bowl, keeps all dogs very calm.

Good luck

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank-you again for all your help.
I will round-up all the things you have told me about.
If the "Barf" diet is raw meat, I am really uncomfortable giving that to my babies. I have seen bad things happen with digesting raw meats.

I tried to find the recipe you mentioned on your site and I could not locate it there? I joined and looked at all the recipes and didn't find a single one with ginger in a home made biscuit.
Please can you help me find it?

Thanks again
C

ANSWER: Hi
many people feel uncomfortable feeding a barf diet, but its 100% natural and if done well will be beneficial, you can buy ready prepared blocks of these type foods that can also be warmed through, these I do recommend for transition onto the new diet.Bravo foods are excellent as is the honest kitchen.

I shall send you an email with biscuit recipe .

Best wishes

Kaza

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I will try some of the Honest Kitchen products.
I am just not sure which product to start off with, after looking on their website. Any suggestions?
Please could you email me the home made Ginger biscuit recipe. I have never received it from you as of yet.
My Bichon needs something for upset stomach.
Do these biscuits help with that also?
Thanks Again for all your help
C

Answer
2 tsp dried ginger
1 pk active dry yeast
     1 c  warm chicken broth
     2 tb molasses
 1 3/4 c  all-purpose flour to 2 c.
 1 1/2 c  whole wheat flour
     1 c  cracked wheat
   1/2 c  cornmeal
     1 tbs milk
   1/2 c  nonfat dry milk powder
     2 tsp garlic powder
     1    beaten egg

Instructions

Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees to 115 degrees). Stir in broth and molasses. Add ginger and 1 cup of the all-purpose flour, the whole wheat flour, cracked wheat, cornmeal, dry milk, garlic and 2 teaspoons salt. Mix well. On floured surface knead in remaining flour. Roll out, half at a time, to 3/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Brush tops with mixture of egg and milk. Repeat with remaining dough. Bake in 300 degrees oven for 45 minutes. Turn oven off; let dry overnight in oven. Makes 42 to 48 biscuits.

DAP is available from ebay (cheaper) or all vets, try any brand of barf food , whichever works for you and is readily availabale would be better.

For upset tums bake 1 apple in some water, mash to a pulp and serve to doggy, you can also use pumpkin or butternut squash.

Best wishes