We switched our 2 boys to raw from kibble about 6 months ago. The switch came because we were simply exhausted from walking them 3 times a day because they had loose stool (we don't have fenced in yard, so we need to walk them to go to the bathroom). Our vet recommended more fiber in their diet to help with loose stool. This intuitively just didn't resonate with us. Basenji are one of the most ancient breeds of dog… why on earth would more fiber be a solution to their problem (I know the theoretical why, but logically it was counter-intuitive)? We read many sources or literature on the raw diet and thought this would be a good switch for them. Again, they are an ancient breed so moving toward raw foods seemed appropriate and logical. It took that about a month for them to get really accustomed to eating raw chicken quarters, rabbit halves or pork shoulders but now they have no problem gulping their meal right down, bone and all (for those of you who don't feed raw, gulping is a normal behavior and bone is an essential part of the diet). Their digestion issues have vanished and we've even seen marked improvement in their destructive behavior. Two super happy boys now, two super happy Basenji owners!!
Solid Gold & Avoderm Dry Dog Foods
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Has anyone used either of these dry foods? if so, what do you think?
Solid Gold Holistic Blend Adult Maintenance-States for Senior & Less Active-Oatmeal & Fish-This is low in fat-6% but has 18% Protein.
Avoderm Puppy-Chicken Meal & Brown Rice
I am able to pick up a bag of each 50% off because the bags are close to expiring.
Jennifer
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I used Solid Gold for many years with my last 2 Basenjis in the 90s and used the avoderm adult a little with my current Basenji. They were OK but the dogs after awhile then would develop allergies over time. I stopped using any kind of dry because I don't think he's digesting the grains of any kind including rice, oatmeal or barley and dry is way too processed. When I took Buddy off dry his health and coat improved and he never chews, licks or itches any more. That's just my experience with it. His blood panel/urinalysis last year showed some problems too. I had the urinalysis redone a month later, being off dry and everything looked good. Now tomorrow I'm having his blood drawn for another panel to see how everything looks so we'll see. I just feed high quality wet that has no grains, some frozen organic raw and some home cooked food as well. The blood panel should tell me if it's working. I'll post the findings.
Now I don't know if it's an individual genetics thing but my first Basenji (75-92) ate nothing but dry. I actually fed her Avoderm back in 82. I actually bought it from the health food store as they didn't have the pet stores like they do now. She lived to be 17-1/2 with very few health problems. -
I just got a call from the vet on Buddy's blood panel results and all looks good. I'm going to continue with the diet I'm feeding him since it seems to be working. His thyroid test last June from Dr Dodds also looked good. If your Basenji is experiencing any skin, coat or digestion problems try eliminating all grains including rice and see how it goes.
