Food and Health Q&As

How do you clean your dog's ears?

Cali was spayed yesterday and we picked her up today. She is already licking her stitches and the vet said she will need to wear a cone collar for 14 days. He said the bitter apple stuff doesn't usually stop dogs from licking itchy wounds. Should we go along with the collar or try something else?

Hello Cindy, I am getting ready to take possession of my new working female GSD (8 weeks old) today. I want to use this dog for serious personal protection work and was wondering what your opinion was on spaying her. I know with males it is said that it is better to wait if you are going to neuter them but what about females? I don't want to do anything that will hurt her drive. At what age, if at all, do you recommend getting a female spayed that will be doing personal protection wo...

Cindy Thanks for your previous help. Here is my question. I switched to RAW 2 weeks ago and am having no problems at this time. The question is about the chicken I am feeding. I have 2 local sources, one sells leg quarters for .59 per pound. They appear to be fresh, young chicken quarters, not frozen, with no back or other parts attached. The second source sells them frozen for .39 per pound. These are larger with pieces of back and often small bits of liver attached. They are probably ...

Hi, What is the recommended dosage of Fish oil for dogs? Thank you, Ezriyah

I have a quick question. I am going to be doing a lot of traveling this summer and I have been looking at Honest Kitchen. I try not to give my dog kelp or alfalfa because of the allergy risk. Is there enough kelp in Honest Kitchen to be a possible problem? Thanks.

Hi Cindy, What do you suggest to use to cool the crates when the car is moving? My car's fan does not seem to work well during the summer months and would like to use something to move the air around so my dogs don't overheat when in their crates in the back of my Trailblazer. I do have harnesses to put them in the back seat but I feel they are safest crated. I appreciate your advice. Carol

Hello, I bought your training videos and several other items over the years and you gave me great advice for my Max(a pup at that time) and it worked out great. It was greatly appreciated. I have recommended and have been visiting your website ever since. Now that my Max is getting up in age(9 years old), his vet found some evidence of spondylosis on his rear spine. Vet said no need for meds at this time since it's still a mild case and the dog is walking and running fine with no appare...

Hi Cindy, I have a question about your supplements, one is the Joint Oats for dogs the other is the Grand Flex. Out of those 2 which would you recommend for my dog? She is a 2 1/2 year old German Shepherd and very active. Also does either one have a flavor? Thanks, Wadd

Hello, I read some of the posts on your site about bloat and torsion. We had a black lab not a GS, however what I am reading sounds like our guy had torsion. What pains me is that we may have had some "signs" early on in his life that, had we known maybe he would still be here. He was a big lab, when healthy about 85 lbs, but always slender. You could always see at least one rib on Rouge, sometimes two but feed him like crazy. What seemed "fat" to us on Rouge was probably normal girth o...

Is my (almost) 19 week GS male ready for a prong collar? I don't know what size or how heavy to get or whether a quick release one is better. HELP! Also, I cut his toenails - just the ends - and played with his feet while I had him on his back between my legs. (That was the only way I could see well so as not to "quick" him. I NEVER DID! All of a sudden he will not let me do this and I can tell he is serious about trying to bite me. I don't want to scare him, but I want to be able to cut h...

I have a German Shepherd (not from you), he is 14 weeks old. After 9 weeks both of his ears stood up, not straight up, they actually leaned towards the middle quite a bit. However, a few days ago his left ear just went down and has not gone back up. Does this mean that he has a broke or lame ear now? This has me really worried since both ears were up, but now one won't stand. Is this normal, or did he hurt it some way? Will it ever go back up or not? Thanks for your help, and answers. Otto

Hello, Our family has a nice 3 year old collie?/husky?/mix dog named Brody that we adopted from the Denver Dumb Friends League. He is very athletic and has learned simple commands such as sit, stay, etc. He's pretty good about coming when called, especially if he thinks there is any chance food might be food involved. I walk him every day and he eagerly trots out ahead, leading the way. My issue is running with him, which I do 3 or 4 days a week. Lately, he has begun hanging back behind...

Cindy First Let me thank you for taking the time to help all of us dog lovers, we appreciate it. I have just switched over to RAW this week with no problems in the transition. My 60# dogs are being fed each a chicken leg quarter twice a day. They really enjoy it but will not even touch it until I use my cleaver and chop them into smaller manageable pieces, is this a problem? They are not glutens or gulpers and seem to chew each piece before swallowing. Also would a piece of calve's liver c...

I've read Leerburg's info and all the threads on Neutering. And tons of other material, experiences, etc. I've gone through this 7 years ago with my Adult. But the more I read the less convincing the messages are on either side. Do you think the Puppy's behavior (dominance) can be controlled by continuing to be a Leader? Or for ultimate security because both dogs are involved should the Puppy be neutered? If it was my decision straight-up I don't want to do it... but I don't want to miss m...