Natural balance Sweet Potato and Fish - Spoiled Maltese - the largest maltese dog forum and website

fredsmama · 05-21-2009, 11:14 PM

Please do not think I am completely nuts!! Even tho I have owned dogs (springers) for years, I never had food issues. As a newbie to Maltese, I read this forum several times a day!! It is additive! I have searched the forum for advice on dog food. Anyway, after getting lost three times, finally finding the PetCo, worrying about being late to pick up my daughter from the airport (in the opposite direction!)--I rushed in and bought Natural Balance Sweet Potato and FISH, instead of Venison!! I did not realize this until I had gotten home--too far to go back---anyway, I put some in the bowl, mixed a little of his old food and Fred ate almost all of it. Reason for the switch to Natural Balance Sweet Potato was !. tear stains 2. GAS and 3. my 15 year ShitzuPoodle has been chewing one paw until it is stained brown. He chews it almost all the time. Several people have mentioned the success with Natural Balance Sweet Potato. But, has anyone tried the fish? The lady at PetCo told me that if the dogs did not like it, I could bring it back. I only bought a small bag to try it-this PetCo is over an hour from my house. This will be Fred's THIRD dog food. He was on Nature's Recipe lamb Meal & rice puppy, then Natural Balance Potato & Duck and now Natural balance Sweet Potato and Fish--you all must think I am crazy--but he is 5 1/2 months and I did this gradually. Frankly, he is not a big eater--he is gaining steadily, so apparently, he is getting enough to eat! It seems like most of you are using the Sweet Potato and Venison, not the Fish. Advice please--(my husband thinks I am nuts worrying about all this dog food!!!) I switched to Natural Balance because so many of you raved about what a great food it is.

mom2bijou · 05-21-2009, 11:49 PM

Hi! I use the NB sweet potoato and fish and have had great sucess with it. A few months ago I had posted that I was having allergy problems w/my pups. They were on NB venison. They were scratching and chewing their feet like crazy! I had tons of great suggestions but decided to try the fish. Lucky for me, Benny and Emma's allergy problems have certainly been reduced. Minimal tear stains and minimal chewing/scratching.

Being Petco is so far from your house, have you considered buying your dog food online? I use www.petfooddirect.com. If you sign up they almost always have a discount code and they sell Natural Balance along with a ton of other brands for treats too. Give it a shot...it may save you from the hour long drive to Petco.

Good luck with the new food!

**roxybaby22** · 05-22-2009, 12:06 AM

Every Maltese is different, so I think you should try the formula you have and see how it works.

Also, if you go to the Natural Balance website, there is a store locator at the top right. Maybe there are some places closer to you that carry it.

fredsmama · 05-22-2009, 10:53 AM

QUOTE (roxybaby22 @ May 21 2009, 10:06 PM)

Quote:

Every Maltese is different, so I think you should try the formula you have and see how it works.

Also, if you go to the Natural Balance website, there is a store locator at the top right. Maybe there are some places closer to you that carry it.[/B]

Thanks for the input--unfortunately, Lafayette is my nearest BIG town!! But, I don't mind driving to make sure my Puff and the older brother,Gus, gets the right food!! when I was in the store, there was a couple who looked confused-of course, I chatted with them

They had just been given a SIX weeks old VERY tiny Shitzupoodle--did not know what to feed it ,etc. I told them all about the "good" food-also said he was waay too young and to keep him warm,etc. I gave them as much advice as I could remember from the forum. The lady who gave him to them said "6 weeks was the right age". I hope he is going to be ok. Why don't people neuter their dogs--this was an "accident", they told me the lady said.

Anyway--I am just so grateful for this forum. Fred really likes the Sweet potato and Fish and so does the old dog. SO I may just be able to buy ONE food!! SO far, no problems with the poo, stools are firm-but it has just been one day. You people on this forum are the best ever-thanks so much as I know my questions seem sooo stupid!

**dwerten** · 05-22-2009, 10:59 AM

The good thing about the fish is it has omega 3 and is good for anti-inflammatory for allergies and for arthritis in old dogs

**krisT** · 05-22-2009, 04:26 PM

We switched from the duck to the fish and we love it. Im not so keen on the smell, but Cuddles itches less and while we have never had tear saining issues, her eyes have dried up a bit.

MySugarbears · 05-22-2009, 04:55 PM

We use the Sweet Potato and Fish and there haven't been any problems with fishy breath and the pups love it. I used to feed them NB Duck and Potato because Chloe is allergic to chicken come to find out she is allergic to poultry. I started feeding Sweet Potato and Fish and she has stopped chewing her feet and they're back to being white again instead of the pink brown they have been for so long.

theboyz · 05-23-2009, 08:15 AM

We use Royal Canin Potato and Venison with great results. Chase has colitis and our Vet changed him to this, so all three have to eat the same thing. Great and they love it. Great "poos" no gas and no allergies and easy on the tummies.

Kutsmail1 · 05-23-2009, 11:50 AM

I have had Zippy on it for better than a month now. I switched mainly because of tear staining. Now, it doesn't seem to be working on that issue. She does love the food, and I sure think it doesn't hurt to eliminate potential allergins so I am keeping her on it. I was also giving her a tsp of yogurt daily and using the spa lavish facial scrub on a daily basis until all "you know what broke loose" with my family between mom's cancer diagnosis, daughters college graduation, and a wedding popped on us all at once...among other things. I have not been diligent in taking care of Zippy's tear stains, but I can say that there is a definite difference in her coat! She is shiny and soft.

No GI upsets at all, but then Zippy usually doesn't have problems with that. I might give the venison a try at some point, but right now, I am very happy with the NB fish and sweet potato. I only give her the dry food, so don't know about the canned.

**LUCY N PETS<** · 05-23-2009, 01:24 PM

I am currently considering changing to the fish also, how much and how often do you feed and do you moisten it or keep dry? My Sparkle is 4 1/5 lbs.
I checked website for petco and it doesn't say or give directions.

Thanks for your help,
Lucy

05-21-2009, 11:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
mom2bijou Maltese Guru Name: Tammy Dog's Name: Benjamin & Emma Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 4,659	Hi! I use the NB sweet potoato and fish and have had great sucess with it. A few months ago I had posted that I was having allergy problems w/my pups. They were on NB venison. They were scratching and chewing their feet like crazy! I had tons of great suggestions but decided to try the fish. Lucky for me, Benny and Emma's allergy problems have certainly been reduced. Minimal tear stains and minimal chewing/scratching. Being Petco is so far from your house, have you considered buying your dog food online? I use www.petfooddirect.com. If you sign up they almost always have a discount code and they sell Natural Balance along with a ton of other brands for treats too. Give it a shot...it may save you from the hour long drive to Petco. Good luck with the new food! __________________

05-22-2009, 10:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
dwerten Maltese Guru Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 3,396	The good thing about the fish is it has omega 3 and is good for anti-inflammatory for allergies and for arthritis in old dogs __________________ <span style="color:#FF0000"><div align=\'left\'>HAPPY THANKSGIVING

05-22-2009, 04:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
krisT Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 189	We switched from the duck to the fish and we love it. Im not so keen on the smell, but Cuddles itches less and while we have never had tear saining issues, her eyes have dried up a bit. __________________

05-22-2009, 04:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
MySugarbears Maltese Guru Name: Debbie Dog's Name: Chloe, Riley and Noelle Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: crestview, fl Posts: 4,074	We use the Sweet Potato and Fish and there haven't been any problems with fishy breath and the pups love it. I used to feed them NB Duck and Potato because Chloe is allergic to chicken come to find out she is allergic to poultry. I started feeding Sweet Potato and Fish and she has stopped chewing her feet and they're back to being white again instead of the pink brown they have been for so long. __________________ The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. -- Samuel Butler

05-23-2009, 08:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
theboyz Maltese Guru Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Traverse City, Michigan Posts: 4,232	We use Royal Canin Potato and Venison with great results. Chase has colitis and our Vet changed him to this, so all three have to eat the same thing. Great and they love it. Great "poos" no gas and no allergies and easy on the tummies. __________________

05-21-2009, 11:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
fredsmama Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Iberia, LA Posts: 159	Please do not think I am completely nuts!! Even tho I have owned dogs (springers) for years, I never had food issues. As a newbie to Maltese, I read this forum several times a day!! It is additive! I have searched the forum for advice on dog food. Anyway, after getting lost three times, finally finding the PetCo, worrying about being late to pick up my daughter from the airport (in the opposite direction!)--I rushed in and bought Natural Balance Sweet Potato and FISH, instead of Venison!! I did not realize this until I had gotten home--too far to go back---anyway, I put some in the bowl, mixed a little of his old food and Fred ate almost all of it. Reason for the switch to Natural Balance Sweet Potato was !. tear stains 2. GAS and 3. my 15 year ShitzuPoodle has been chewing one paw until it is stained brown. He chews it almost all the time. Several people have mentioned the success with Natural Balance Sweet Potato. But, has anyone tried the fish? The lady at PetCo told me that if the dogs did not like it, I could bring it back. I only bought a small bag to try it-this PetCo is over an hour from my house. This will be Fred's THIRD dog food. He was on Nature's Recipe lamb Meal & rice puppy, then Natural Balance Potato & Duck and now Natural balance Sweet Potato and Fish--you all must think I am crazy--but he is 5 1/2 months and I did this gradually. Frankly, he is not a big eater--he is gaining steadily, so apparently, he is getting enough to eat! It seems like most of you are using the Sweet Potato and Venison, not the Fish. Advice please--(my husband thinks I am nuts worrying about all this dog food!!!) I switched to Natural Balance because so many of you raved about what a great food it is.

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05-22-2009, 12:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
roxybaby22 Maltese Guru Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,563	Every Maltese is different, so I think you should try the formula you have and see how it works. Also, if you go to the Natural Balance website, there is a store locator at the top right. Maybe there are some places closer to you that carry it.

05-23-2009, 11:50 AM	#9 (permalink)
Kutsmail1 Maltese Guru Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 655	I have had Zippy on it for better than a month now. I switched mainly because of tear staining. Now, it doesn't seem to be working on that issue. She does love the food, and I sure think it doesn't hurt to eliminate potential allergins so I am keeping her on it. I was also giving her a tsp of yogurt daily and using the spa lavish facial scrub on a daily basis until all "you know what broke loose" with my family between mom's cancer diagnosis, daughters college graduation, and a wedding popped on us all at once...among other things. I have not been diligent in taking care of Zippy's tear stains, but I can say that there is a definite difference in her coat! She is shiny and soft. No GI upsets at all, but then Zippy usually doesn't have problems with that. I might give the venison a try at some point, but right now, I am very happy with the NB fish and sweet potato. I only give her the dry food, so don't know about the canned. __________________ Zippy's mommy & personal slave email address

05-23-2009, 01:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
LUCY N PETS< Maltese Guru Name: Lucy Dog's Name: Breeze, Savannah and Sparkle Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,350	I am currently considering changing to the fish also, how much and how often do you feed and do you moisten it or keep dry? My Sparkle is 4 1/5 lbs. I checked website for petco and it doesn't say or give directions. Thanks for your help, Lucy