Expert: Kaza - 11/23/2010

Question
my male bischon is 18 mths and is overweight he weights 9.5 kilos (around that mark) i have been feeding him natures best dry food by hills. which is suppose to be natural.  i really need advise about what to feed him.  i am not happy about giving him raw meat but what like to try a simple raw diet which might include tin food.  i think that would be manageable for me. i do not have time to juice etc. please advise any alternative diet and how much my dog should weight, he is a bit bigger than bischons i tend to see around. thank you!

Answer
Well I am guessing that he larger of the type which is common these days, his eight would depend upon his bone structure but even as a larger bichon I would not like to see him above 7kg. Especially due to his age and knowing that these breeds lean towards patella luxation, stones, struvites and crystals and many other health disorders,which being overweight will increase.

A good start to the day is
30g cooked chicken OR lamb, or Turkey
1/2 tin carrots (small )
1/2 tin garden peas
mix with 2 tblespoons ground oatmeal
warm it through.

final meal of the day

1/2 tin of pilchards (drained) or Tuna in oil or salmon drained
2 tblespoons mashed potatoes can be dried variety made up with warm water no butter or milk.
1/2 tin carrots (small)
1/2 tin garden peas

fresh water through the day

treats can include a few slices of apple like pink lady, pear, cucumber. raw carrot batons, melon, banana,
vegetables can be given in place of fish for a change choose from :
carrot, green beans , small amount spinach, deseeded tomatoes only occassionally, mashed potatoes.


If you do this over a 3 week period there should be no side effects and you can also choose www.prizechoicefoods.co.uk for a pre made natural raw diet to be used once per week they are found in freezers in most pet stores.