Gretel

Finnish Lapphund :)

Thanks. I'm obviously most concerned she doesn't get another obstruction while she's pregnant!

Thanks I shall try Tatum on the psyllium. Though maybe not just now? She 6 weeks pregnant so not sure I should change her diet much at this stage.

From past experiences they only tell there will be a delay after you've paid... That's why I stick to Natural Pet Store now! Yes Pookinuk did that to me too. Very annoying!

I've been buying from them for a while now. They are always very prompt.

Ingrid has lost a few teeth and she's never been good on chewing. She's always been an inhaler of food!

Sounds like we got the same order. I got the treats to take it over $100 for the free shipping :) I haven't opened them yet though. I've been giving the dogs some samples and they love the food. Though my old girl Ingrid had trouble chewing it. I'll have to keep her on the previous food cause she gobbles and choked on it.

Very cute :) How old is he?

Oh dear poor thing.

Tatum is licking beds again this morning With 6 coated dogs in the house they do get hairy. I wash them regularly. I really don't know why she does it but I wish she wouldn't.

Do you give it to the cats all the time?

She suggested olive oil but probably just about any would be fine. I've been thinking of using coconut oil cause a lot of people are talking about the health benefits of it.

I've had trouble with Tatum and hair balls. I posted in the health thread a while ago. The first one she had was last year when she had a blockage which needed surgery and it proved to be a hair ball. And then last week she was a bit off and salivating a lot when she ate. She had been mated so I was assuming she was feeling nauseous due to that. But then tea one night she just flat out refused to look at it and I immediately thought blockage again. Took her to the vet who palpated and said no blockage and she probably was pregnant. As soon as we got home she vomited a hair ball the size of a fat sausage and has been fine ever since. Considering she's a Cavalier it was rather big! I've no idea why she is consuming all this hair. She doesn't over groom. The vet has suggested a teaspoonful of oil every day and a pinch of electrolytes on her meal in case she is seeking out salt or something. I'll be very interested in reading the replies you get.

Bibianna - cavaliers due 28th

Karen Hedberg is at North Richmond :)

What a horrible thing to happen. I am sorry You must be feeling rather traumatised!

I do think it depends a lot on the breed. Five Cavaliers and one Finnish Lapphund here. All girls and no problems. The oldest Cav is the boss.

Beautiful photos :) You've captured them so well!

Both cockers I knew came from a long time show breeder. We don't see many cockers about anymore. I was pleasantly surprised to see lots when we went to England last year. They used to be so popular here when I was a kid.

Yes as far as showing the Cav is a lot easier. I love the look of an American in show clip but they certainly take work to look that good. Cavs are completely untrimmed for the show ring.

Cavaliers are certainly sturdy enough to be a family dog and to do whatever their family is up to. In over 30 years the vast majority of Cavaliers I've known have had lovely temperaments. Yes there are health issues but there are in every breed. I've only known a couple of cockers. One was very aggressive and the other was very timid. I realise that's not many dogs to base anything on but it has coloured my view of the breed. I've known some very sweet American cockers.

During pregnancy I give the simplest heart worm prevention. Usually mine have Sentinel and I know they say it's safe but I err on the side of caution and just give a valuheart or heartguard.

Lacey is a healthy 9 year old Cavalier. She's just started eating gardenia flowers. I know they aren't toxic but I'm a bit worried that she's just started doing it. Thoughts please?!

The amount they need varies. Just as an example mine have a handful of dry food for breakfast and then for tea they'll have a chicken carcass (or half if they are too big) or a wing or necks with sardines or a raw egg. Raw is more natural for a dog, closer to how an animal would eat. Cooking destroys vitamins and minerals. I like them to have wings or carcasses so they get some good chewing. Dogs look so satisfied as they crunch into them :laugh: and they are good for their teeth.

How is she on raw food? I'd always choose to feed raw meat and veg rather than cooked. Kangaroo is very lean so if you want some weight on her something more fatty would be better. Lamb or beef. Have you tried her on chicken necks or wings? Lots of dogs eat a perfectly healthy diet without dry food so you don't need to worry about not feeding kibble.