"Power foods" for Newfs?

[NewfieMama]

I had Zuzu at the acupuncturist/chiropractor today for treatment and Adequan, and to evaluate her for stem cell therapy.

At her last surgery on November 7, she weighed 119 lbs. Today, she weighed 101. Ugh! The vet says she totally supports a lean dog to ease strain on her skeleton and thinks she absolutely needs to build muscle...but she also said she could use probably 10lbs of fat AND 10lbs of muscle.

She has been on the same food/amount since last Spring, when she weighed 135 (and needed to lose 10). She gets 3 cups/day of Nature's Domain Salmon formula. It's grain free and both dogs do well on it (Cooper gets 4 cups/day and maintains 130). I had started with that amount to reduce her weight, then when she blew her knee and was laid up for 3 surgeries June - November, I kept her on it, and the vets were supportive of her being in the 115-120 range.

So rather than simply upping her kibble by 1/2 - 1 cup per day, I wanted to ask if there were any great "power foods" that I could give her that might help build muscle/improve her energy as well as adding a bit of chub.

Thoughts? Thanks!!!


Mary

 

[ardeagold]

Satin Balls....When Mira got so sick after her spay and spondylosis, she lost a full 12 lbs. I had to put her on Satin Balls to get the weight back on. It worked.

They're a pain to make...but I'd just make them into baseball sized balls, then flatten them and put them into individual sandwich bags and freeze them. Then I'd take them out to thaw the day before I needed them. Worked well.

Over time I had to start decreasing the satin balls and adding to kibble...and then eliminating them from the kibble.

I started her on PURE satin balls tho...for each meal. They're a complete meal, nutritionally, but follow the recipe EXACTLY. Even our Holistic Vet likes the recipe for nutritional needs.

But they put on weight quickly...so just be aware.

This is the ORIGINAL recipe. Do NOT change it. There are modified versions but many dogs won't eat them if there's modification, so IMO it's best to stick with this. The oil we used was Grapeseed Oil...and that's what Mira liked best. (It doesn't have the toxic issues that grapes/raisins do for dogs...so it's okay)

Also...I always would halve the recipe. This version is very difficult to work with because of volume.

http://www.lgd.org/library/satinballs.html

 

[Jeannie]

Satan balls. There is a sticky at the top of the food and diet forum that has the recipe. They are fed raw.

 

[janices]

http://www.k9power.com/dog-nutrition-supplements/active-dog-performance-dog-supplements.html

I've not tried the Healthy Gainer so can't comment. I do use the SuperFuel & Showstopper.

 

[R Taft]

I second satin balls....I have used it on several dogs and Katy post Surgeries

 

[NewfieMama]

Hmmm, OK, for the satin balls...if I am replacing a whole meal, how much do I give her? What if I am adding it to her meal? Is one course of action better than another? E.g. is it better to feed satin balls alone for a whole meal?

Janice, the superfuel looks amazing. That site in all is pretty incredible - like GNC for dogs.

I really want to help her out.

Thanks!!!

 

[janices]

Janice, the superfuel looks amazing. That site in all is pretty incredible - like GNC for dogs.

I keep my still active showing and working newfs on Super Fuel. Showstopper don't have to break it to let newfs blow coat like others used before. I buy both and mix in baggie to give with 1 meal a day. Handler we have turned us on to using both. Think should treat them like athletes cause that's what they are. Their other stuff I haven't tried so can't comment. Site ships pretty quick from our experience.

 

[ardeagold]

Satin Balls would be the whole meal to start. It's a complete diet. All you need is about a week's worth at the beginning. You don't need to mix with kibble...just feed it. I made baseball sized balls and flattened them into patties.

If you want to mix with kibble, then give about one a meal mixed in. With the regular amount of kibble. I never did that at first tho...I'd give a couple of patties per meal. Then I was adding kibble as the days wore on and was cutting back on the satin balls.

It puts on weight FAST. Remember to use the cheapest ground beef. It has more fat.