Dr Bruce Syme Posted February 7, 2012 · Report post Hi Lavendergirl, The issue he has with chicken is the way in which it is farmed. High stress environment, un natural diet, low calcium levels are some of the issues. Free range, organic chicken is a great diet. Turkey, I imagine would be raised in a more natural environment but is probably fed a similar highly processed diet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beanzy Posted February 19, 2012 (edited) · Report post I just have to say that VAN has been a godsend for us. We recently picked up a 5 month old puppy who refused to eat (even though we gave her EXACTLY what the breeder recommended). In desperation I started trying little bits of everything I could find (different raw minces, chicken necks, cooked chicken thigh...you name, I tried it) and the only thing she would consider is the VAN ready made stuff (interestingly though, she will only eat the Allerblend). Although we had to hand feed her initially, she is now eating just fine which is a huge relief. I know this is starting to sound like an advertorial but I'm just happy that fussy puppy is actually eating. It's been a long time since we've had a baby in the house and we didn't relish having to tell her breeder she was on a hunger strike edited for horrible spelling.... Edited February 19, 2012 by Beanzy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skully Posted February 20, 2012 · Report post is it correct that you feed puppies twice as much as you would an adult dog? I have an 8 month staffordshire bull terrier who is around 13kg after they turn one do i just cut her food down? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Bruce Syme Posted February 20, 2012 · Report post I just have to say that VAN has been a godsend for us. We recently picked up a 5 month old puppy who refused to eat (even though we gave her EXACTLY what the breeder recommended). In desperation I started trying little bits of everything I could find (different raw minces, chicken necks, cooked chicken thigh...you name, I tried it) and the only thing she would consider is the VAN ready made stuff (interestingly though, she will only eat the Allerblend). Although we had to hand feed her initially, she is now eating just fine which is a huge relief. I know this is starting to sound like an advertorial but I'm just happy that fussy puppy is actually eating. It's been a long time since we've had a baby in the house and we didn't relish having to tell her breeder she was on a hunger strike edited for horrible spelling.... Glad to hear she is eating, maybe she likes the extra herbs in the Allerblend! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Bruce Syme Posted February 20, 2012 · Report post is it correct that you feed puppies twice as much as you would an adult dog? I have an 8 month staffordshire bull terrier who is around 13kg after they turn one do i just cut her food down? Hi skully, yep once they reach maturity their kilojoule requirements decrease unless, of course, they were in training for the Iditarod sled race! Keep an eye on your girls waistline and adjust accordingly when she reaches adulthood. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Danois Posted February 21, 2012 · Report post Ok - stupid question but my brain is overloaded tonight! I have just emptied a 1kg bag into a bowl to soak. Based on my dog's weight he gets 200gm mix/ 200ml water and 600gm of meat per meal. So....How much does 200gm of dry weigh after it is soaked? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Erny Posted February 21, 2012 · Report post Danois - work on the dry weight. So, you would add 200ml of water to the 200gm of the dry mix. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moosepup Posted February 21, 2012 · Report post Divide the mix into 5? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Danois Posted February 21, 2012 · Report post Thanks but I get that I add 200ml water to 200gm but I was wondering if anyone knew what 200gm weighed wet. The mix is way too big to be trying to manouevre it between bowls to divide into 5 and way. Was hoping someone had done the maths before and save me some time I did not have. I'll do 200gm seperately next time so I have the measure for the future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mushka Posted February 22, 2012 · Report post 200 ml of water weighs 200 grams. So, 200 g of VAN + 200 ml of water = 400 g. Thanks but I get that I add 200ml water to 200gm but I was wondering if anyone knew what 200gm weighed wet. The mix is way too big to be trying to manouevre it between bowls to divide into 5 and way. Was hoping someone had done the maths before and save me some time I did not have. I'll do 200gm seperately next time so I have the measure for the future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skully Posted March 30, 2012 · Report post Pebbles (9 month english stafford) has a rash on her belly and underarms that comes and goes, but gets worse after we mow the lawn. She pulls herself around on her belly to scratch it at times, but i've noticed that she's scratching it a bit more now. def not fleas would i be better trying her on the sensitive skin mix (even though i recently bought a 5kg bag of the normal stuff...damn) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mason_Gibbs Posted March 30, 2012 · Report post Pebbles (9 month english stafford) has a rash on her belly and underarms that comes and goes, but gets worse after we mow the lawn. She pulls herself around on her belly to scratch it at times, but i've noticed that she's scratching it a bit more now. def not fleas would i be better trying her on the sensitive skin mix (even though i recently bought a 5kg bag of the normal stuff...damn) I would finish what you have first... But thats just me. Rash on tummy i think is a contact allergy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Fox Posted March 31, 2012 · Report post Ok - stupid question but my brain is overloaded tonight! I have just emptied a 1kg bag into a bowl to soak. Based on my dog's weight he gets 200gm mix/ 200ml water and 600gm of meat per meal. So....How much does 200gm of dry weigh after it is soaked? 200g dry + 200ml water = 400g (+600g meat = 1kg of prepared mix per meal). So based on that, if you soak 1kg of dry with 1L water then add 3kg of meat you will get a total of 5kg pre made mix, or 5 meals for your dog. I make it up in this ratio for my pup then freeze in smaller containers for the week. Though I have found that she only needs about half of the recommended amount for her weight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mason_Gibbs Posted March 31, 2012 · Report post Ok - stupid question but my brain is overloaded tonight! I have just emptied a 1kg bag into a bowl to soak. Based on my dog's weight he gets 200gm mix/ 200ml water and 600gm of meat per meal. So....How much does 200gm of dry weigh after it is soaked? 200g dry + 200ml water = 400g (+600g meat = 1kg of prepared mix per meal). So based on that, if you soak 1kg of dry with 1L water then add 3kg of meat you will get a total of 5kg pre made mix, or 5 meals for your dog. I make it up in this ratio for my pup then freeze in smaller containers for the week. Though I have found that she only needs about half of the recommended amount for her weight. Yes my 2 eat much less than the recommended amt on the bag Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr Bruce Syme Posted March 31, 2012 · Report post Skully, the rash does sound like a contact allergy, however if you did want to turn your adult Complete Mix into sensitive skin you could buy the VAN Skin & Coat Formula and mix it through. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest lavendergirl Posted April 13, 2012 · Report post Does anyone know when the new Health Rolls will be available? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arjay Posted April 14, 2012 · Report post Does anyone use the premium choice or everyone usually get the complete mix? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crisovar Posted April 14, 2012 (edited) · Report post Complete Mix sensitive here, premium choice not available anywhere handy but this way I get to use a wide variety of meats and bones and it is very $$ friendly for me. Edited April 14, 2012 by Crisovar Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skully Posted May 14, 2012 · Report post have washed pebbles (english stafford) twice with VAN shampoo and she's developed dandruff... is this common? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crisovar Posted May 14, 2012 · Report post I have used the VAN herbal shampoo and found this once with my Lab but I hadn't rinsed him properly due to being interrupted by an emergency. Next time he was thoroughly rinsed and all was good no flaking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
