Not sure how Xylitol is being marketed. It is an alcohol found in a lot of plants, including birch wood, which is the source of Xylitol used in medicines. And it is toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. Most of the time you find it in sugarless gum and candy.
Here is an FDA warning "Paws Off Xylitol": https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/paws-xylitol-its-dangerous-dogs
Thank you everybody so much! I appreciate all the info. I had some vanilla Breyer's all natural and gave my guy a taste of that... boy does he seem to think that's a great treat! Obviously, though I don't want that to be the only thing I do. I'm going to follow up with our vet on getting a draw for the full thyroid panel at hemopet once next pay check comes through. You were right he was only checked for T4. Thank again basenji forums!
I was looking back at pics from when he was younger and weighed more. I think he's always been a bit taller than standard and had a little barrel chest. Used to call him a basenji bouncer at the dog park. He was all about playing with the labs, pits and other big dogs - probably because he knew he could outrun them if they ever got too rough. He's much more about slow walks with me and lap snuggles these days ❤
8 mos old is still on Royal Canine medium size puppy as recommended by vet. Very interested in how you change up their food. Glad to hear that because I would like to change him from chicken based to something else as adult. Had always been advised not to keep changing food as it was hard on their system. Breeder advised to use high protein and fat dog food (60% protein, 30% fat). What is your opinion on this? I am starting to add 1/2 tsp coconut oil daily to dog food for winter feeding. Advised it had ingredients similar to mother's milk. What say you about this?
Gizmo is loving his raw bone from the butchers experience. He has had 2 so far. The rib bone goes down nicely, and I have not seen it break into any sharp shards at all.
But I still take it away once it is down to a small enough size so that he has the whole thing in his mouth and is chewing at it with is head up high. I don't want him to get too over excited and try to swallow it.
Today I was going to mix it up by giving him a rawhide bone instead…he just sniffed it and looked at me as if saying "Where is the good stuff!?!" :D
I give uncooked meaty bones 3 times a week to my Duna, The ones you use for the broth or meat soups and i get them from my local butcher that puts them away for me when i do the weekly meat shopping. Natural meaty bones are always the best!
