Expert: Jannie Balliett - 10/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: Good morning Jannie, In the past I've read somewhere to give boxers yogurt with there food to help with stomach problems. Is this true and how much per boxer, we have one that's 92 pounds, one that's 81 pounds and one pup that 35 pounds.

ANSWER: HI Leasa,

You've got some big, healthy Boxers! How old is the 35lb. "pup" 6-7 months old?

Yes, yogurt is great for their digestive tract, just as it is ours.

Yogurt aid in "good bacteria" that can kill the bad bacteria picked up in foods, airborne, etc.,

But-- the kind of yogurt is advised:

Whole, plain, unflavored yogurt (the white yogurt without flavorings)...

You can buy your grocer's generic brand to save money.

Put 1 cup a day on their dry food and mix or leave it somewhat on the top for them to lick- it's a treat- they LOVE it.

I promise that any Boxer eating a cup a day (even the pup can have 1 cup), will have a healthy digestive tract and fewer illnesses!

Also, it adds in stimulating their eating- so if one hasn't eaten that day and gets a "dry stomach" (when they heave and vomit clear-bubbly junk- not yellow which is an indication of bile and kidney problems) then let them lick some yogurt off a "designated" big, dog spoon. Anything like that triggers their eating- it can be a spoon of creamy (not crunchy) generic-brand peanut butter too.


Have fun :)

(1 cup each for any age and weight over 35-45 lbs.)


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

QUESTION: Yes they are very large, our vet tells us they are some of the biggest boxers she's seen. They will be 2 yrs old on 12-24-09 their dad was 85 pounds. They come hip high to me (i'm 5'6") She says they are really healthy, no extra fat. The pup will be 8 months on the 13th of Nov.

Thank you for your help they love the plain yogurt on their dog food this evening.

Thank you again,
Leasa

Answer
I'm glad they liked it! They think they are really special now.

If you ever get the chance to attach a picture of them- you can attach it here.

I guessed the pup's age just about right :)

They are big Boxers. Boxers can be small framed, medium and large framed. Yours are large framed and weight right for that.

They sound wonderful!