Patti -- Our Baloo is almost 7 yo and has kidney failure. We put him on the Purina NF (12% protein) diet through the vet when he was diagnosed last January. In June, we switched to half-&-half NF and Canidae Maintenance (24% protein). We now have him on Canidae Senior (18.5% protein) mixed with the NF.
There has been a tremendous improvement in his coat, his energy level, just his overall well-being since we added the Canidae! A good friend of ours (a breeder) feeds Canidae (maintenance, not Senior) and swears by it. She has a dog with kidney failure also. Yes, we have had his urine & blood retested since the switch to Canidae - and his "bad numbers" are down from January. The Purina NF is available only through a veterinarian, I believe, since it is a "prescription" diet. The Canidae (Maintenance & Senior) can be found at any good pet store (probably NOT at PetSmart or the like). We get ours from a great little store here in Colorado Springs - Mike's Natural Pet. We do not feed a BARF diet. We DO, however, add fruits & veggies to Baloo's diet - either mixed with his food or as treats. We also add a non-calcium-based antacid - as a phosphorus blocker (helps the kidneys) - to his food (1 tablet 2X daily). That we get at Long's Drug - their brand Extra Strength Antacid - comes in 100 tablet bottles. Re: the veggies you are feeding her - and I could be wrong, so someone correct me please - but I thought peppers & mushrooms were not good for dogs. Hope this helps you with Holly. And I feel you should always check with your vet before making any drastic changes. Liz Steinweg & The Crew Blue Moon's Baloo Berry Torte "Baloo" - our rescue Berner-boy! Bobby Sox (husky-x), Figaro (20+ lb Forest Cat) Rio & Sahara (the "Rat Cats") and in loving memory of my 1st BMD - Toby (6/29/97 - 6/30/00) Colorado Springs CO http://www.csbservices.com/personal/personal.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "Patti Whyte" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Bernese Mountain Dog Mailing List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 6:54 PM Subject: Advice re low protein diet for Berner Looking for suggestions for DRY kibble, please, that would be low (20% or less) protein. I understand the benefits of a BARF diet, but don't want to do that at this point in her life.
