Suzz writes and advises:
Bell started tear staining less than a year ago.
We did all the right things. filtered water, treats and food w/o colors or dyes but her tear staining continued.
During her physical the vet suggested we get her teeth cleaned as they were stained beyond her years. I never heard of this and it is an expensive procedure so I put it out of my mind. Meanwhile the tear staining worsened and also affected her little behind.
Her breath was horrible. We took her in and she had a scaling and 10 teeth pulled!!!! She had a baby tooth that never dropped out and she had a horrible infection!! Some of her teeth fell out just trying to clean them with the currette. We felt terrible!!!
The good news is she is healthy, happy, and full of energy!!! Dogs do not realize they are ill and it was so slow progressing, we did not know either. Another great thing is NO TEAR STAINING!!!!!!! I never put the two together. The drainage from the infection must have stained her saliva.
Now we brush every night and monitor her teeth for infection.
I'm not peddling anything. Just telling my story.
Suz
Showing posts with label tear staining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tear staining. Show all posts
Grooming Tutorials
BBirds Bichon Grooming Guide -- includes videos.
Kiyomi Ochiai's Grooming Page -- some of the pics may not show.
Kiyomi passed away July 1998 after a battle with cancer.
Bichon Grooming Pet Cut - long article how to.
Bichon Grooming
Tear Staining Causes and Cures -- comprehesive article concerning Maltese but applicable to Bichons also.
General -How To- Article on Dog Grooming -- step by step slide show
Kiyomi Ochiai's Grooming Page -- some of the pics may not show.
Kiyomi passed away July 1998 after a battle with cancer.
Bichon Grooming Pet Cut - long article how to.
Bichon Grooming
Tear Staining Causes and Cures -- comprehesive article concerning Maltese but applicable to Bichons also.
General -How To- Article on Dog Grooming -- step by step slide show
Stained Fur
AgentDoggett writes:
Hello everyone! I found some information on *staining that can sometimes occur around our baby's mouth and eyes. Riley's eyes aren't stained about all but he's started to have staining around his mouth and on the bottom of his paws from licking/biting.
The info below is very helpful and I've actually purchased the Apple Cinder Vinegar pills.
Tears Stains and Bacterial Infections: Wet areas on the face are a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Bacterial infections commonly occur in the tear ducts. Ptirsporum, red yeast bacteria, is at the root of most yeast infections. Tear stains also often occur at the same time as a gum infection or ear infection. Staining can also occur on a dog's paws from licking and around his mouth from infected saliva.
Apple cider vinegar (in its natural form from a health food store, not the pasteurized version from the Supermarket) is a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, and deodorant; It helps digestion and to remove tooth tartar; prevents tooth decay and hair loss (even mange), it also prevents and heals gum disease and skin problems; and will discourage fleas. Putting a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar per quart of water in your dog's water bowl or on food can clear up most active yeast infections and prevent future infections.
Apple cider vinegar tablets can be used if your dog refuses to drink the treated water or eat the food.
Hope you find this helpful! Have a superfantastic day!
Cheers! Angelia & Riley
Hello everyone! I found some information on *staining that can sometimes occur around our baby's mouth and eyes. Riley's eyes aren't stained about all but he's started to have staining around his mouth and on the bottom of his paws from licking/biting.
The info below is very helpful and I've actually purchased the Apple Cinder Vinegar pills.
Tears Stains and Bacterial Infections: Wet areas on the face are a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Bacterial infections commonly occur in the tear ducts. Ptirsporum, red yeast bacteria, is at the root of most yeast infections. Tear stains also often occur at the same time as a gum infection or ear infection. Staining can also occur on a dog's paws from licking and around his mouth from infected saliva.
Apple cider vinegar (in its natural form from a health food store, not the pasteurized version from the Supermarket) is a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, and deodorant; It helps digestion and to remove tooth tartar; prevents tooth decay and hair loss (even mange), it also prevents and heals gum disease and skin problems; and will discourage fleas. Putting a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar per quart of water in your dog's water bowl or on food can clear up most active yeast infections and prevent future infections.
Apple cider vinegar tablets can be used if your dog refuses to drink the treated water or eat the food.
Hope you find this helpful! Have a superfantastic day!
Cheers! Angelia & Riley
Tear Staining
Ruxie asks:
I'm interested to learn how everyone has handled tear staining. I have heard so many different methods, but none are working for us. Please let me know your tips and tricks. Maybe there is one I can find that will work for us.
My Bichon is a few months shy of 3 years old. Her purebred name is Chloe Brooke Ruxpin, but we call her Ruxie. She does all the antics listed and is the most loving dog.
Tammy - British Columbia, Canada
Dreamed of owning Bichon since I was 8 years old,
now I'm 30ish with a dream come true.
Sophie2 responds:
My 20 month old Bichon has no tear stains, but we are very careful to make sure she eats or drinks nothing with food dye or chemicals that stain. She drinks distilled water because our local water supply has something in it that causes staining--probably iron. When I give her cheese as a treat, I use only cheese without food dye--for example, muenster cheese has dye in it--Swiss, does not.If I slip up and give her something with dye in it, the stains come back.
GidgetLpM responds:
I also found my Bichon rarely has tear stains, but in the summer he was drinking lake water, and he had some stains then.
I absolutely agree that they should only get distilled or filtered water (for this problem), and no chemicals in the food they eat (or colouring).
Good luck with your little one...keep us posted.
Lori
Callie responds:
I agree that you should only give your Bichon distilled water.
However, we've also found that putting in a pinch of chopped parsley with their kibble in the morning.
We feed Callie (our Bichon) about 1/2 cup of kibble with a pinch of dried, chopped, parsley each morning and she rarely has any more tear stains. You can buy this bottled parsley in the spice section of your grocery store.
Good Luck
Sue and Rich
GidgetLpM responds:
Thanks for the advice on Parsley! By the way...is 1/2 a cup of Kibble Callie's meal for the whole day?
Callie responds:
We give Callie 1/2 cup of kibble with parsley each morning and another 1/2 cup of kibble without parsley each evening. The parsley seems to really control the tear stains.
Rich and Sue
Sophie2 comments:
Eliminating food dyes is very important, I think. The issue of food dye is complicated--it's just not red dye #1 or yellow dye #2--it also includes things like annatto, which is also a red dye, but is not called a dye. So anything that isn't familiar to you needs to be checked.
MY2Bichons responds:
Hi!
Molly's groomer suggested giving her acidophylus for tear stains.
There is a pill you can give them or, since Molly is still so small, some yogurts have it too.
I give her 1/4 teaspoon of Dannon Plain Fat Free every day and it seems to be helping.
It hasn't affected her digestive system.
They said that I could give her up to a whole teaspoon when she gets bigger. Has anyone heard of this?
BijousMom responds:
My vet also has recommended that I give my dogs yogurt everyday -about a tablespoon- because it has probiotics in it-acidophillus- and will aid in digestion by adding the good bacteria back to their tummies. I haven't heard of it helping with tear staining but I know it helps with bad breath because many times the odors in their mouth come from their digestive system. It is especially important to give your dogs yogurt if they are on antibiotics because antibiotics kill off all the bacteria in their stomach including the good bacteria so feeding them yogurt adds back the good bacteria.
One thing that may help with the tear staining is adding vitamin supplements to their diet if you aren't already doing so. The breeder we got our puppy from shows Bichons and recommended to us to feed our dog a premium dog food-no by products, corn, bha or bht preservatives, along with supplements to help support their immune system to help them fight off allergies which often cause tear staining. I feed my bichons these supplements everyday in addition to their food and yogurt- 5 drops of vitamin e oil, 1/8 tsp of vitamin c, 3 brewer's yeast tablets (this is for flea and tick prev- do not give your bichon any flea and tick prev as it is very hard on their sensitive systems), and 1 tsp of Missing Link Plus.
www.puritan.com is a good site to buy vitamin e and c or do a search on the internet.
Tuscany0911 responds:
Hi Ruxie
Regarding tear stains; Most people try different foods, treats etc., but the largest contributor to this problem is water. Distilled water is the only water you should allow. It is free of iron which is the chemical that discolours the tear ducts thus causing the stains to occur around the eyes and mouth.
My Mikko has been stain free since I switched to distilled water.
Good Luck. Maggie
Agentdoggett88 writes:
I've SO done my homework on the tear staining. Everything that I've read on these replies I've been told as well--however nothing has worked. The staining has nothing to do with the food, water, etc---the staining is caused by a bacteria that most dogs have. I found all sorts of remedies on the Internet---all of which were useless. Finally I called my vet and spoke to a technician who used to show Poodles and told me that they would give their dogs a PINCH of Tetracycline over their food every morning. Your vet has to prescribe the Tetracycline (Riley gets 500 mg). It comes in a capsule so I just open the capsule and pour the contents into a mini Tupperware container. A pinch is literally a pinch--I take my thumb and pointer and grap a tiny pinch and sprinkle it over Riley's food. He has never noticed it because he's never turned the food away.
Does it work you ask? ABSOLUTELY. Riley has ZERO staining ---not even a hint of it and prior to using the Tetracycline he had began to have the tear staining AND the staining around his mouth. I'm telling you--this is your miracle !!!! I spent way too much money on Riley to have his precious little face stained, hence my search to find a cure and not just a *band-aid for it. I shared my good news with everyone where Riley is groomed and everyone was thrilled (well, except for one of the guys who worked there who was trying to push their product that was supposed to *clean the tearing). So, everyone call your Vets and ask for the prescription.
I'm sure some of you are wondering if there are any side effects or if taking this long term could be harmful to your babies. Riley hasn't had any side effects and you're giving them such a tiny amount every day --any long term effects are unlikely. The technician said none of her dogs suffered from any side effects and they took the Tetracycline all their lives.
I'm so excited to share this with all of you. You're tear staining problems are now over. I promise you. Share your success stories because --trust me, you WILL have success with this method.
CALL THE VET NOW!
Cheers!
Angelia and Riley
GidgetLpM responds:
Hi again.
I just want to also thank Agentdoggett88 for her advice on tear staining... I have yet to have a big problem with Bailey,but lately (winter with salt on roads)... I notice just a little starting ( one eye worse than the other). He has never had it before and he is so cute... I would hate to see it start now.
I will ask the vet about Tetracycline.
Lori and Bailey
I'm interested to learn how everyone has handled tear staining. I have heard so many different methods, but none are working for us. Please let me know your tips and tricks. Maybe there is one I can find that will work for us.
My Bichon is a few months shy of 3 years old. Her purebred name is Chloe Brooke Ruxpin, but we call her Ruxie. She does all the antics listed and is the most loving dog.
Tammy - British Columbia, Canada
Dreamed of owning Bichon since I was 8 years old,
now I'm 30ish with a dream come true.
Sophie2 responds:
My 20 month old Bichon has no tear stains, but we are very careful to make sure she eats or drinks nothing with food dye or chemicals that stain. She drinks distilled water because our local water supply has something in it that causes staining--probably iron. When I give her cheese as a treat, I use only cheese without food dye--for example, muenster cheese has dye in it--Swiss, does not.If I slip up and give her something with dye in it, the stains come back.
GidgetLpM responds:
I also found my Bichon rarely has tear stains, but in the summer he was drinking lake water, and he had some stains then.
I absolutely agree that they should only get distilled or filtered water (for this problem), and no chemicals in the food they eat (or colouring).
Good luck with your little one...keep us posted.
Lori
Callie responds:
I agree that you should only give your Bichon distilled water.
However, we've also found that putting in a pinch of chopped parsley with their kibble in the morning.
We feed Callie (our Bichon) about 1/2 cup of kibble with a pinch of dried, chopped, parsley each morning and she rarely has any more tear stains. You can buy this bottled parsley in the spice section of your grocery store.
Good Luck
Sue and Rich
GidgetLpM responds:
Thanks for the advice on Parsley! By the way...is 1/2 a cup of Kibble Callie's meal for the whole day?
Callie responds:
We give Callie 1/2 cup of kibble with parsley each morning and another 1/2 cup of kibble without parsley each evening. The parsley seems to really control the tear stains.
Rich and Sue
Sophie2 comments:
Eliminating food dyes is very important, I think. The issue of food dye is complicated--it's just not red dye #1 or yellow dye #2--it also includes things like annatto, which is also a red dye, but is not called a dye. So anything that isn't familiar to you needs to be checked.
MY2Bichons responds:
Hi!
Molly's groomer suggested giving her acidophylus for tear stains.
There is a pill you can give them or, since Molly is still so small, some yogurts have it too.
I give her 1/4 teaspoon of Dannon Plain Fat Free every day and it seems to be helping.
It hasn't affected her digestive system.
They said that I could give her up to a whole teaspoon when she gets bigger. Has anyone heard of this?
BijousMom responds:
My vet also has recommended that I give my dogs yogurt everyday -about a tablespoon- because it has probiotics in it-acidophillus- and will aid in digestion by adding the good bacteria back to their tummies. I haven't heard of it helping with tear staining but I know it helps with bad breath because many times the odors in their mouth come from their digestive system. It is especially important to give your dogs yogurt if they are on antibiotics because antibiotics kill off all the bacteria in their stomach including the good bacteria so feeding them yogurt adds back the good bacteria.
One thing that may help with the tear staining is adding vitamin supplements to their diet if you aren't already doing so. The breeder we got our puppy from shows Bichons and recommended to us to feed our dog a premium dog food-no by products, corn, bha or bht preservatives, along with supplements to help support their immune system to help them fight off allergies which often cause tear staining. I feed my bichons these supplements everyday in addition to their food and yogurt- 5 drops of vitamin e oil, 1/8 tsp of vitamin c, 3 brewer's yeast tablets (this is for flea and tick prev- do not give your bichon any flea and tick prev as it is very hard on their sensitive systems), and 1 tsp of Missing Link Plus.
www.puritan.com is a good site to buy vitamin e and c or do a search on the internet.
Tuscany0911 responds:
Hi Ruxie
Regarding tear stains; Most people try different foods, treats etc., but the largest contributor to this problem is water. Distilled water is the only water you should allow. It is free of iron which is the chemical that discolours the tear ducts thus causing the stains to occur around the eyes and mouth.
My Mikko has been stain free since I switched to distilled water.
Good Luck. Maggie
Agentdoggett88 writes:
I've SO done my homework on the tear staining. Everything that I've read on these replies I've been told as well--however nothing has worked. The staining has nothing to do with the food, water, etc---the staining is caused by a bacteria that most dogs have. I found all sorts of remedies on the Internet---all of which were useless. Finally I called my vet and spoke to a technician who used to show Poodles and told me that they would give their dogs a PINCH of Tetracycline over their food every morning. Your vet has to prescribe the Tetracycline (Riley gets 500 mg). It comes in a capsule so I just open the capsule and pour the contents into a mini Tupperware container. A pinch is literally a pinch--I take my thumb and pointer and grap a tiny pinch and sprinkle it over Riley's food. He has never noticed it because he's never turned the food away.
Does it work you ask? ABSOLUTELY. Riley has ZERO staining ---not even a hint of it and prior to using the Tetracycline he had began to have the tear staining AND the staining around his mouth. I'm telling you--this is your miracle !!!! I spent way too much money on Riley to have his precious little face stained, hence my search to find a cure and not just a *band-aid for it. I shared my good news with everyone where Riley is groomed and everyone was thrilled (well, except for one of the guys who worked there who was trying to push their product that was supposed to *clean the tearing). So, everyone call your Vets and ask for the prescription.
I'm sure some of you are wondering if there are any side effects or if taking this long term could be harmful to your babies. Riley hasn't had any side effects and you're giving them such a tiny amount every day --any long term effects are unlikely. The technician said none of her dogs suffered from any side effects and they took the Tetracycline all their lives.
I'm so excited to share this with all of you. You're tear staining problems are now over. I promise you. Share your success stories because --trust me, you WILL have success with this method.
CALL THE VET NOW!
Cheers!
Angelia and Riley
GidgetLpM responds:
Hi again.
I just want to also thank Agentdoggett88 for her advice on tear staining... I have yet to have a big problem with Bailey,but lately (winter with salt on roads)... I notice just a little starting ( one eye worse than the other). He has never had it before and he is so cute... I would hate to see it start now.
I will ask the vet about Tetracycline.
Lori and Bailey
Stained Fur - Iron Issue
Tory asks:
Hi, I am a new member. It's nice to see so many Bichon lovers! My Bichon, Jessie, is 7 years old. We changed her food about 3 months ago, and have now noticed that she is getting brownish hair under her mouth, her tear stains are darker and also around her anal area.
The vet said he thought she might be getting too much iron, but we don't know.
Does anyone have this problem?
Thank you!
GidgetLpM replies:
Hi Tory and Welcome.
Yes I do know about these brown spots and stains and they do have something to do with iron, etc. that is in the food. For more info. on this go to http://www.Dr.Weil.com and click on Discussions and go to Holistic Pet Care....lots of talk about it there too!
Also make sure your Bichon only gets filtered water....this helps.
Good Luck.
LpM
CanadianGurl5760 writes:
Yes I am getting those problems with Keisha.
She also has brown hair or I thought it was because she was a messy eater.
Also she was in heat but she seems too have dark hair around where she pees from.
How long are dogs usually in heat for? Maybe her urine is too strong i have no clue.
I am still feeding here puppy food as she is only 10 1/2 months.
~~ Canadian gurl
Hi, I am a new member. It's nice to see so many Bichon lovers! My Bichon, Jessie, is 7 years old. We changed her food about 3 months ago, and have now noticed that she is getting brownish hair under her mouth, her tear stains are darker and also around her anal area.
The vet said he thought she might be getting too much iron, but we don't know.
Does anyone have this problem?
Thank you!
GidgetLpM replies:
Hi Tory and Welcome.
Yes I do know about these brown spots and stains and they do have something to do with iron, etc. that is in the food. For more info. on this go to http://www.Dr.Weil.com and click on Discussions and go to Holistic Pet Care....lots of talk about it there too!
Also make sure your Bichon only gets filtered water....this helps.
Good Luck.
LpM
CanadianGurl5760 writes:
Yes I am getting those problems with Keisha.
She also has brown hair or I thought it was because she was a messy eater.
Also she was in heat but she seems too have dark hair around where she pees from.
How long are dogs usually in heat for? Maybe her urine is too strong i have no clue.
I am still feeding here puppy food as she is only 10 1/2 months.
~~ Canadian gurl
Tear Staining
Fudgie advises:
To those with problems of " tear staining" I have found giving your Bichon only distilled water will help greatly.
Sophie responds:
I'll try the distilled water, as it sounds like less work.
Right now I can control tear staining by using Peroxide 3x/day and putting a few drops of white vinegar in her drinking water.
Fudgie responds:
I tried that and also brushing aloe (pure strength) under her eyes--but nothing has worked as well as distilled water--they are completely without stain now--and none of the problem of having to clean with solution!!!! Also, I was told you must be extremely careful around the eyes with the peroxide.
Meme reponds:
What a great idea!!!! and perfectly harmless to our poochies!! actually probably more healthy for them anyway!! Thanks!!!!
LaceyJane responds:
I have had Lacey on Distilled water since the day I brought her home-still have tear staining-I have also tried California Natural Food no other treats only all natural no luck yet she is 10 months.
Fudgie responds:
I can't understand why the distilled water has not cleared up your puppy's eyes--it has worked perfectly on mine. I did use full stength aloe (applied with q-tips several times a day and some say peroxide--but I have found distilled water has worked wonders.
Callie responds:
To all with tear staining problems: Our Bichon, Callie, has allergies.
She is five years old. I have only used distilled water since we got her two years ago.
I had read on the internet that adding a pinch of dried parsley to their food helps.
This took care of it within a week. Although she now has some staining, it is because her allergies are in full force. Try the dried parsley - it really worked and is very inexpensive. I told my allergist about it and she is recommending it to other Bichon owners.
Aspen97 asks:
Is that okay for Bichons that are on special IVD dog food b/c of IBD?
(unanswered)
To those with problems of " tear staining" I have found giving your Bichon only distilled water will help greatly.
Sophie responds:
I'll try the distilled water, as it sounds like less work.
Right now I can control tear staining by using Peroxide 3x/day and putting a few drops of white vinegar in her drinking water.
Fudgie responds:
I tried that and also brushing aloe (pure strength) under her eyes--but nothing has worked as well as distilled water--they are completely without stain now--and none of the problem of having to clean with solution!!!! Also, I was told you must be extremely careful around the eyes with the peroxide.
Meme reponds:
What a great idea!!!! and perfectly harmless to our poochies!! actually probably more healthy for them anyway!! Thanks!!!!
LaceyJane responds:
I have had Lacey on Distilled water since the day I brought her home-still have tear staining-I have also tried California Natural Food no other treats only all natural no luck yet she is 10 months.
Fudgie responds:
I can't understand why the distilled water has not cleared up your puppy's eyes--it has worked perfectly on mine. I did use full stength aloe (applied with q-tips several times a day and some say peroxide--but I have found distilled water has worked wonders.
Callie responds:
To all with tear staining problems: Our Bichon, Callie, has allergies.
She is five years old. I have only used distilled water since we got her two years ago.
I had read on the internet that adding a pinch of dried parsley to their food helps.
This took care of it within a week. Although she now has some staining, it is because her allergies are in full force. Try the dried parsley - it really worked and is very inexpensive. I told my allergist about it and she is recommending it to other Bichon owners.
Aspen97 asks:
Is that okay for Bichons that are on special IVD dog food b/c of IBD?
(unanswered)
Tear Staining
Melissa writes:
Tear Staining? It's a thing of the past with our 3 Bichons.
I began home-cooking for my female Bichons when they were pregnant, and nursing and noticed that there was no staining at that time. Now, I home cook for them all the time, and they are all tear-stain free.
It requires little time, and a few good wholesome recipes.
Along with the homemade moist food, they get a quality, all natural dry dog food.
I add Essential Fatty Acids to their food as well. It works wonders for humans with skin problems, and makes a noticeable improvement in the skin and hair coat of my fluff's. They're usually suffering from winter-itch by this time of the year after the furnace has been on all winter, and the house is dry. There are several good brands on the market. I would just make sure that your source is fresh, and that it is kept refrigerated after opening. I purchase mine, which is made for dogs, at a Health Food Store.
DarStar responds:
Please tell us about your recipes, etc. I am in agreement with you after reading Protect Your Pets on our recommended reading list. I don't want to feed my doggies & kitties unknown animals from the rendering plants and who knows what.
The pet food industry is very profitable but not looking out for the health of our loved ones. We need to inform ourselves and be open to new and different feeding and care. After all, we chose to be responsible for them Right now I am switching to Flint River Ranch dog and cat food (gradually of course). But I am open to home made recipes if the results are so positive :)
Ronny responds:
I have never had a tear staining problem with my Bichon Spencer, I also am careful with what he eats, I home cook foods along with a premium dry, although Bichons have a difficult time digesting fats, a small amount is a good idea, he is tear free and healthy.
Spencer also has the winter itching, which will go away shortly, I make sure he is shampooed with an oatmeal based shampoo and a conditioner with emollients included in the formula. Because Spencer has skin problems anyway, as most Bichons do, I give him a small amount of Benadryl per his vet.
I was also told by another Bichon owner, that he was told to use alcohol free baby wipes to clean the eyes, this helps prevent infection and staining.
Melissa responds:
Hi, DarStar asked me to share a recipe for my homemade Bichon food.
The recipe that I use most frequently is easy and fast to make and my gang love it. The ingredients that I use are organic, and the meat is from cattle or chickens that are fed organically grown/produced feed.
I boil lean ground beef until it's just cooked.
While it's simmering, I steam a sweet potato then puree it. It's rich in beta carotene, vitamin A, and is high in fibre.
To this I add cooked brown rice. I also add either steamed spinach, Swiss chard, broccoli, or green beans.
Once everything has been steamed and chopped or pureed, it's added to the cooked beef mixture.
Finally, I add either soaked, cooked, black beans or lentils.
As far as spices are concerned, I keep it simple.
A bit of salt (for the iodine) is added.
I also add roasted garlic. When roasted, the garlic is not as pungent as sauteed garlic. I always return a bit of the broth from the boiled ground beef to the mixture.
Dogs require a certain amount of fat in their diet from an animal source.
I find that the beef is lean enough that I can return a couple of ladles of the broth without adding too much fat.
If I use chicken instead of beef, I refrigerate the broth until the fat has solidified and then I can easily skim most of it off the top.
I pour the broth into ice-cube trays and can then take a couple out, zap them in the microwave, and add a bit of the organic broth to their dry food in the morning, just for a little extra taste.
I can use the cubes in cooking for Tim (dh) and I, too.
My male Bichon, Good Karma, has a sensitive gut. His system handles this recipe well.
There is also a product on the market that you mix with your meat and veggies to make a meat loaf. It smells great when baking, and the dogs love it.. It's made by a Canadian Company, "Essex Cottage Farms". I find it convenient when I have a nursing female as I go through so much food ensuring that mom has lots to eat. The loaves are convenient, and easy to make. I'm sure there is a Company in the U.S. producing a comparable product.
Tear Staining? It's a thing of the past with our 3 Bichons.
I began home-cooking for my female Bichons when they were pregnant, and nursing and noticed that there was no staining at that time. Now, I home cook for them all the time, and they are all tear-stain free.
It requires little time, and a few good wholesome recipes.
Along with the homemade moist food, they get a quality, all natural dry dog food.
I add Essential Fatty Acids to their food as well. It works wonders for humans with skin problems, and makes a noticeable improvement in the skin and hair coat of my fluff's. They're usually suffering from winter-itch by this time of the year after the furnace has been on all winter, and the house is dry. There are several good brands on the market. I would just make sure that your source is fresh, and that it is kept refrigerated after opening. I purchase mine, which is made for dogs, at a Health Food Store.
DarStar responds:
Please tell us about your recipes, etc. I am in agreement with you after reading Protect Your Pets on our recommended reading list. I don't want to feed my doggies & kitties unknown animals from the rendering plants and who knows what.
The pet food industry is very profitable but not looking out for the health of our loved ones. We need to inform ourselves and be open to new and different feeding and care. After all, we chose to be responsible for them Right now I am switching to Flint River Ranch dog and cat food (gradually of course). But I am open to home made recipes if the results are so positive :)
Ronny responds:
I have never had a tear staining problem with my Bichon Spencer, I also am careful with what he eats, I home cook foods along with a premium dry, although Bichons have a difficult time digesting fats, a small amount is a good idea, he is tear free and healthy.
Spencer also has the winter itching, which will go away shortly, I make sure he is shampooed with an oatmeal based shampoo and a conditioner with emollients included in the formula. Because Spencer has skin problems anyway, as most Bichons do, I give him a small amount of Benadryl per his vet.
I was also told by another Bichon owner, that he was told to use alcohol free baby wipes to clean the eyes, this helps prevent infection and staining.
Melissa responds:
Hi, DarStar asked me to share a recipe for my homemade Bichon food.
The recipe that I use most frequently is easy and fast to make and my gang love it. The ingredients that I use are organic, and the meat is from cattle or chickens that are fed organically grown/produced feed.
I boil lean ground beef until it's just cooked.
While it's simmering, I steam a sweet potato then puree it. It's rich in beta carotene, vitamin A, and is high in fibre.
To this I add cooked brown rice. I also add either steamed spinach, Swiss chard, broccoli, or green beans.
Once everything has been steamed and chopped or pureed, it's added to the cooked beef mixture.
Finally, I add either soaked, cooked, black beans or lentils.
As far as spices are concerned, I keep it simple.
A bit of salt (for the iodine) is added.
I also add roasted garlic. When roasted, the garlic is not as pungent as sauteed garlic. I always return a bit of the broth from the boiled ground beef to the mixture.
Dogs require a certain amount of fat in their diet from an animal source.
I find that the beef is lean enough that I can return a couple of ladles of the broth without adding too much fat.
If I use chicken instead of beef, I refrigerate the broth until the fat has solidified and then I can easily skim most of it off the top.
I pour the broth into ice-cube trays and can then take a couple out, zap them in the microwave, and add a bit of the organic broth to their dry food in the morning, just for a little extra taste.
I can use the cubes in cooking for Tim (dh) and I, too.
My male Bichon, Good Karma, has a sensitive gut. His system handles this recipe well.
There is also a product on the market that you mix with your meat and veggies to make a meat loaf. It smells great when baking, and the dogs love it.. It's made by a Canadian Company, "Essex Cottage Farms". I find it convenient when I have a nursing female as I go through so much food ensuring that mom has lots to eat. The loaves are convenient, and easy to make. I'm sure there is a Company in the U.S. producing a comparable product.
Tear Staining
Sophie's Mom asks:
My 4 month old Bichon, "Sophie" has developed tear stains.
Although I remove the crust daily from around her eyes, I cannot remove the stains on her fur. Any suggestions??? Products? etc.
Jean responds:
Tear stains are usually caused by allergy or most likely those beef jerky snacks or commercial dog food (like grocery store types) with the dyes in them.
Lisa responds:
I agree with Jean...I had heard that the type of food will cause the stains...My Bichon has never had that problem and he eats Nutro lamb and rice dry, with wet lamb and rice. And he usually only eats Nutros lamb and Rice sticks, and once in a great while, Puparoni....but not very often....
He used to scratch alot...and the vet changed his diet a few times, and the lamb and rice based products have helped...He hardly ever scratches now...It seemed to solve the problem...I remove "pookies" daily as we call them...When we got him at 8 weeks, he had the stains and they were feeding Purina One and when we switched his food to a vet recommended brand, once his stained fur grew out, it never came back.
Paula responds:
In my research on tear stains, I discovered that the stains are caused by a chemical reaction between the between the fluid from the eye and the "hair" on the face.
There are numerous Tear Stain Removal treatments at any pet store.
Consistent cleanliness and use of one of these solutions should eliminate the stain problem.
I have also found that keeping the coat groomed and trimmed, especially around the eye area, makes a big difference in the eye drainage problem. I hope this is helpful. Paula
Sophie's Mom responds:
Thanks everyone for the advice. Sophie has been eating Nutro Max since the day we brought her home and she gets high quality treats (Mother Hubbard). I don't think it is her diet that is causing the stains. I'll check into the allergy thing. I have noticed that the professional grooming works wonders - she goes once/month.
AbbiesMom responds:
Tear stains can be nearly eliminated with 25mg per day of tetracycline. It neutralizes the pH in the tears. You vet will prescribe. The amount is small and will create any problems. It has worked very well for our Abbie.
My 4 month old Bichon, "Sophie" has developed tear stains.
Although I remove the crust daily from around her eyes, I cannot remove the stains on her fur. Any suggestions??? Products? etc.
Jean responds:
Tear stains are usually caused by allergy or most likely those beef jerky snacks or commercial dog food (like grocery store types) with the dyes in them.
Lisa responds:
I agree with Jean...I had heard that the type of food will cause the stains...My Bichon has never had that problem and he eats Nutro lamb and rice dry, with wet lamb and rice. And he usually only eats Nutros lamb and Rice sticks, and once in a great while, Puparoni....but not very often....
He used to scratch alot...and the vet changed his diet a few times, and the lamb and rice based products have helped...He hardly ever scratches now...It seemed to solve the problem...I remove "pookies" daily as we call them...When we got him at 8 weeks, he had the stains and they were feeding Purina One and when we switched his food to a vet recommended brand, once his stained fur grew out, it never came back.
Paula responds:
In my research on tear stains, I discovered that the stains are caused by a chemical reaction between the between the fluid from the eye and the "hair" on the face.
There are numerous Tear Stain Removal treatments at any pet store.
Consistent cleanliness and use of one of these solutions should eliminate the stain problem.
I have also found that keeping the coat groomed and trimmed, especially around the eye area, makes a big difference in the eye drainage problem. I hope this is helpful. Paula
Sophie's Mom responds:
Thanks everyone for the advice. Sophie has been eating Nutro Max since the day we brought her home and she gets high quality treats (Mother Hubbard). I don't think it is her diet that is causing the stains. I'll check into the allergy thing. I have noticed that the professional grooming works wonders - she goes once/month.
AbbiesMom responds:
Tear stains can be nearly eliminated with 25mg per day of tetracycline. It neutralizes the pH in the tears. You vet will prescribe. The amount is small and will create any problems. It has worked very well for our Abbie.
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