Food
"Dogs do not actually prefer bones to meat; it is just that no one ever gives them meat."
Akan (West African) Proverb
Choosing your ridgeback's food is probably one of the most important things you must consider. What you may not know is that you never have to feed a puppy "puppy food". Most puppy formulas are way too high in protein and calcium for a large breed dog. This can cause a ridgeback's legs to grow too fast and therefore cause damage to the tendons, muscles and bones of the legs. You may be able to find a large breed puppy formula that has the right amount of protein and calcium. But you don't HAVE to feed your puppy this food but can if you prefer. Just know that you will have to change to an adult formula when they are about 6 to 9 months of age. There are so many types and manufacturers on the market that the decisions can be mind-boggling. So let's go over the different types and why some brands may be better than others.
Dry Food/KibbleDry food is one of the most common types of dog food because it is available everywhere and storing it is fairly easy. It doesn't need refrigeration and if you buy just enough for what your dog will eat in a certain amount of time, it will not go stale. Make sure the ingredients are wholesome, with a good grain such as oats or oatmeal, rice (brown rice is better), barley, rye, whole wheat, millet or quinoa and do not include any animal by-products. It should also be rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 for a healthy coat. There are many grain-free dry dog foods but be aware they may cost a bit more than dogs food that contain rice or other grain. There is also a concern that grain-free diets can contribute to heart disease in dogs (https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/study-grain-free-diet-for-dogs-leads-to-canine-heart-disease/). Therefore, I do not recommend a grain-free diet. I currently feed all of my dogs Fromm's Gold Adult dry dog food twice a day topped with Stella and Chewy freeze-dried patties along with other good brands. My dogs love this mixture and I haven't had any problems with digestion issues. The reason I say this is because one of my dogs, Dyna, had a sensitive stomach and it took me a while to find just the right brand of food that she could eat without causing an upset. Instead of feeding my dogs all different products, I fed them all the food Dyna could eat. It was much easier that way. What also helped Dyna was that I add a digestive enzyme to her food which eliminated her stomach problems immensely. (More information on digestive enzymes can be found lower on this page.) After sprinkling on the crumbled freeze-dried patties on their kibble, I add about a half cup to a cup of warm water to their bowls. This added water helps in digestion and will help eliminate the condition called bloat (more information on bloat lower on this page). Read the ingredients of the dry food and you should recognize all of the ingredients as foods you would eat. Never buy a food with corn meal and other fillers. These corn meal-type dry foods are cheap in price but they can cost you more in vet bills by causing serious problems in the health of your dog. Just remember, every dog is different. Some dogs can eat the corn by-product dog food with absolutely no problems. And I have no problem with anyone feeding their dog this type of kibble if it works for them. I have had to change my dogs kibble several times before I found the right one which satisfied everyone.
Weight chart
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Some people like to add canned food to their dog's dry food to give it more flavor. This is very acceptable as long as you choose a brand that is wholesome just like you would for dry food. Canned food will stick to the teeth of the dog so you may have to make sure to brush his teeth regularly to prevent tartar from forming. Canned food is also higher in calories so you need to feed less to your ridgeback but this may result in him not being satisfied and just wanting more.
Raw FoodMany friends of mine feed their ridgebacks a raw food diet. This is a diet I followed with one of my own dogs, Margo. It does not mean they feed their dogs off of the table. Those that prepare the food from scratch follow a very strict guideline to make sure their dogs get all the proper nutrients. For those who do not have the time to do the preparation of a raw diet, there are brands on the market that are frozen or dehydrated raw food completely mixed and packaged. The dehydrated food does not have to be refrigerated and is made with human-grade meats. Honest Kitchen is one of them. This kind of raw diet tends to be more expensive but many feel it is worth the price for their dogs. Margo preferred a fresh raw diet but she had also eaten ones that were frozen. I have found Margo had been healthier eating a raw diet due to her condition of DM. I did make sure she got all the needed nutrients. The frozen and dehydrated raw diets have these nutrients in them already. I ordered raw meat from My Pet Carnivore, a raw food supply company that offers a variety of products for a pet's consumption. The dog gets all the benefits of the raw meat including the organs and bones. To this product I added fresh vegetables and other supplements to help in the dog's immune system and over all health.
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Other Feeding Information
Always remember to supply fresh water for your dog at all times. And never feed your dog too much to where he/she becomes overweight. A dog who gets regular exercise can eat a bit more than a dog who sits around all day. Your ridgeback should have a "waist" and you should be able to feel the ribs while sliding your hands along the sides (See diagram above).
I have also heard from people whose young dogs have continuous soft stools. They never get firm like they should be. A very common practice for pet owners to do is follow the feeding directions on the bag and feed their dog way too much food. If you cut back on the amount you give your dog, this will give the dog enough time to fully digest the food he/she has eaten and then the stools will be normal. Undigested food leads to soft stools. To fix a soft stool problem, add canned plain pumpkin to their food. The key to a healthy dog is to never overfeed!
If you feel you have any questions of what kind of food is good or what brand is acceptable to feed your dog, please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to help you decide on what your puppy or adult dog should be eating and what will fulfill his/her vitamin and nutrient requirements.
I have also heard from people whose young dogs have continuous soft stools. They never get firm like they should be. A very common practice for pet owners to do is follow the feeding directions on the bag and feed their dog way too much food. If you cut back on the amount you give your dog, this will give the dog enough time to fully digest the food he/she has eaten and then the stools will be normal. Undigested food leads to soft stools. To fix a soft stool problem, add canned plain pumpkin to their food. The key to a healthy dog is to never overfeed!
If you feel you have any questions of what kind of food is good or what brand is acceptable to feed your dog, please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to help you decide on what your puppy or adult dog should be eating and what will fulfill his/her vitamin and nutrient requirements.
Supplements
Along with feeding your dog the proper foods, there are several daily supplements that you may want to use for added health. Salmon oil is a wonderful addition for healthy coat and skin. I squirt about a tablespoon of Wild Salmon Oil on my dogs' breakfast once a day. Make sure you use wild salmon oil (there are several good brands out there) and the brands I have used and like are Alaska Naturals Salmon Oil, Grizzly Omega Wild Salmon/Pollock Omega-3 Blend, and Iceland Pure Unscented Pharmaceutical Grade Salmon Oil. I really like NaturVet Hemp Seed Oil with Krill & Salmon.
You may have heard of dog owners adding plain yogurt to their dog's meals. I have done this for years but now I add something that I believe to be even better. I add about a tablespoon or so of kefir to their morning meal (once a day). Kefir has so many good probiotics for a healthy gut. If your dog is experiencing tummy troubles or coming off of a surgical procedure, kefir will help sooth the stomach and is good for dogs and people alike. Make sure you use unsweetened, plain 1% fat kefir such as Lifeway or Wallaby both of which can be found at your local grocery store. Probiotics are important for good health and also comes in pill form but I feel kefir is the best.
Coconut oil has been a staple in my home for a long time and I have added a tablespoon to my dog's morning food, once a day, for its benefits of healthy skin and coat, powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agents, and improved digestion. I have stopped using it in my dogs' food since many of the foods now contain coconut oil as an ingredient and I have found the addition of coconut oil poured on their food has increased my dogs' weights where I would have to cut back on their food, hence they would not be getting the amount they should be getting. This is only from my own experience and other people may not have this issue. But like I said before, the foods I feed my dogs along with the treats they get on a daily basis all contain added coconut oil as an ingredient so they are still getting the benefits of the oil without the added calories. With that said, I still have coconut oil on my shelf and do use it for topical purposes. Coconut oil can be found anywhere from your local grocery store and online.
As a dog gets older, muscles get weaker and a dog may need a supplement to help in movement and joint support. The product I use and have for many years is Platinum Performance CJ for dogs. My holistic vet had put Margo on this and I have continued with Dyna, Newby and Randi. I feel it is one of the best products for muscle and joint support. Not only does it have glucosamine, it lists many amino acids, macrominerals, trace minerals, vitamins and chondroprotectives. You would not need to add any other vitamins to your dog's diet. This product covers it all. I add two scoops to their dinner meal, once a day. You can buy it online from Platinum Performance (which I do) or from a local holistic vet. I also have on hand a bottle of Cosequin DS which you may have seen advertised on TV. The reason I have this is when we travel I find bringing a bottle of chewable pills instead of a powder mixed in their meals is easier and I am content in knowing they are still getting the benefits of glucosamine. I buy Cosequin DS from Costco when they have it on sale. Many dog owners use Dasuquin with MSM which is one I would highly recommend.
If your dog is experiencing pain and inflammation, the addition of turmeric is a healthy way to help reduce these afflictions. Randi had a pinched nerve in her spine from rowdy wrestling with Brody. Along with chiropractic treatments, I gave her a chewable turmeric tablet for dogs once a day. The brands I like are Brutus & Barnaby Turmeric Formula Soft Chews and Zesty Paws Turmeric Curcumin Bites. She LOVED these! I buy mine from Amazon but you may be able to find them at a local pet store as well. You can make your own tablets from recipes online but I just don't have the time to do this. Turmeric is also good for humans too.
Now let's talk about CBD. Many people have said CBD has made a big difference in their health as well as their pet's health. Others have said it didn't make a difference. I think it may have to do with what exactly are you trying to fix. There is no miracle cure for certain ailments but I believe in CBD, when used correctly, can help in reducing pain and inflammation. It certainly can't hurt to give it a try. I do use CBD for my dogs and prefer Holistic Hound 500mg CBD. This brand is certified USDA Organic. I have also bought the CBD treats in chew and biscuit forms. These are good for travel and when the 4th of July comes around. You must be aware there are CBD products out there that are not good, phony products pretending to be the true beneficial CBD oil. You need to do your homework and find a reliable source to buy the best product available. I also like Pet Releaf chews and biscuits and cbdMD Pet CBD Oil and treats. They can be purchased from these companies online.
You may have heard of dog owners adding plain yogurt to their dog's meals. I have done this for years but now I add something that I believe to be even better. I add about a tablespoon or so of kefir to their morning meal (once a day). Kefir has so many good probiotics for a healthy gut. If your dog is experiencing tummy troubles or coming off of a surgical procedure, kefir will help sooth the stomach and is good for dogs and people alike. Make sure you use unsweetened, plain 1% fat kefir such as Lifeway or Wallaby both of which can be found at your local grocery store. Probiotics are important for good health and also comes in pill form but I feel kefir is the best.
Coconut oil has been a staple in my home for a long time and I have added a tablespoon to my dog's morning food, once a day, for its benefits of healthy skin and coat, powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agents, and improved digestion. I have stopped using it in my dogs' food since many of the foods now contain coconut oil as an ingredient and I have found the addition of coconut oil poured on their food has increased my dogs' weights where I would have to cut back on their food, hence they would not be getting the amount they should be getting. This is only from my own experience and other people may not have this issue. But like I said before, the foods I feed my dogs along with the treats they get on a daily basis all contain added coconut oil as an ingredient so they are still getting the benefits of the oil without the added calories. With that said, I still have coconut oil on my shelf and do use it for topical purposes. Coconut oil can be found anywhere from your local grocery store and online.
As a dog gets older, muscles get weaker and a dog may need a supplement to help in movement and joint support. The product I use and have for many years is Platinum Performance CJ for dogs. My holistic vet had put Margo on this and I have continued with Dyna, Newby and Randi. I feel it is one of the best products for muscle and joint support. Not only does it have glucosamine, it lists many amino acids, macrominerals, trace minerals, vitamins and chondroprotectives. You would not need to add any other vitamins to your dog's diet. This product covers it all. I add two scoops to their dinner meal, once a day. You can buy it online from Platinum Performance (which I do) or from a local holistic vet. I also have on hand a bottle of Cosequin DS which you may have seen advertised on TV. The reason I have this is when we travel I find bringing a bottle of chewable pills instead of a powder mixed in their meals is easier and I am content in knowing they are still getting the benefits of glucosamine. I buy Cosequin DS from Costco when they have it on sale. Many dog owners use Dasuquin with MSM which is one I would highly recommend.
If your dog is experiencing pain and inflammation, the addition of turmeric is a healthy way to help reduce these afflictions. Randi had a pinched nerve in her spine from rowdy wrestling with Brody. Along with chiropractic treatments, I gave her a chewable turmeric tablet for dogs once a day. The brands I like are Brutus & Barnaby Turmeric Formula Soft Chews and Zesty Paws Turmeric Curcumin Bites. She LOVED these! I buy mine from Amazon but you may be able to find them at a local pet store as well. You can make your own tablets from recipes online but I just don't have the time to do this. Turmeric is also good for humans too.
Now let's talk about CBD. Many people have said CBD has made a big difference in their health as well as their pet's health. Others have said it didn't make a difference. I think it may have to do with what exactly are you trying to fix. There is no miracle cure for certain ailments but I believe in CBD, when used correctly, can help in reducing pain and inflammation. It certainly can't hurt to give it a try. I do use CBD for my dogs and prefer Holistic Hound 500mg CBD. This brand is certified USDA Organic. I have also bought the CBD treats in chew and biscuit forms. These are good for travel and when the 4th of July comes around. You must be aware there are CBD products out there that are not good, phony products pretending to be the true beneficial CBD oil. You need to do your homework and find a reliable source to buy the best product available. I also like Pet Releaf chews and biscuits and cbdMD Pet CBD Oil and treats. They can be purchased from these companies online.
Digestive Enzymes
Our Dyna had always had stomach problems and we could never figure out what exactly was going on. Dyna would go through periods of not eating, vomiting yellow phloem, and bloody diarrhea. Did she eat something she wasn't supposed to? Was it allergies? Neither turned out to be the case. After years of trying to find the best food for her so she could have a happy life and gain weight like she should be, we discovered that, like many other dogs, Dyna needed a digestive enzyme to help her digest her food properly and not cause the reoccurring stomach irritations. Ever since I had been adding the enzyme to her food, Dyna was happy and healthy and could eat the same food as my other ridgebacks. She looked forward to her meals with gusto and we couldn't be happier. Who knew that a simple thing as a food supplement could cure such a worrisome problem! You can order many of them from Amazon, from local pet stores or directly from their websites. The digestive enzyme products I use with great success are NaturVet Digestive Enzymes Plus Probiotic Dog & Cat Powder Supplement, PetAg Prozyme All Natural Enzyme Powder Supplement, In Clover Fresh Digest Daily Intestinal Aid for Dogs, and Dogzymes Digestive Enhancer Dissolvable Powder.
Bloat
Bloat is a serious condition in dogs especially in the large breeds. Bloat is when the stomach fills with gas and expands putting pressure on other organs in the body. Sometimes the stomach will flip and twist cutting off the blood supply to vital organs resulting in shock and then death. It is very important to notice the signs of bloat so that you can get your dog to the vet immediately and have the surgery necessary to fix this torsion before it is too late. If your dog is exhibiting drooling, restlessness, a swollen stomach and vomiting without anything coming out, please do not hesitate. Many veterinary surgeons will perform a tacking of the stomach to the wall so that this will not happen again. In fact, many will do this procedure when the dog comes in for a spay or neuter. As a precaution, do not let your dog run and jump right after eating. Allow his or her body to digest the food for a while and then resume normal activities. While I have never had any of my dogs go through this, I do know of several friends of mine in the ridgeback community that have unfortunately lost their precious pet to bloat.
Lack of Appetite in an Elderly or Sick Dog
Feeding a sick or elderly dog can be quite challenging at times. There may be a time that a rehabilitating dog will not eat. Or you may have an elderly dog that has stopped eating completely. Dogs may go one or two days without eating and then finally start getting back to normal again by eating their food with gusto. I am not talking about this type of situation where a dog may be experiencing a type of tummy upset. Dogs are smart. They will not eat if they are not hungry or if they are not feeling well. What I want to talk about is the dog that shows absolutely no interest in food no matter what it is for longer periods of time. It is very important to get nourishment into your dog’s body no matter what it is and finding what they will finally eat is trial and error. But I will tell you what I did with our girl, Dyna, who was 14 ½ years old, until she passed away.
First, give your dog the kibble or what you normally would feed them. If the kibble is not to their liking, try one or more of the following suggestions. I have done them all at different times for variety and have had success with most of them.
There are many other types of toppers that you may want to try. What I mentioned here are just a few and what have worked for me (especially the goat’s milk). Of course, if your dog is not eating for longer than two days, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian. It is important for your dog to eat and get nourishment. Your vet should be able to help finding the cause of a lack of appetite and hopefully it isn’t anything serious.
First, give your dog the kibble or what you normally would feed them. If the kibble is not to their liking, try one or more of the following suggestions. I have done them all at different times for variety and have had success with most of them.
- Try pouring about a half cup of unsalted or low-sodium bone broth over the kibble. I used the Pacific brand from the grocery store.
- Try adding a bit of canned dog food to the kibble. I like the Koha brand and used the Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey Entrée.
- Another canned food to try is green beef tripe. Dogs usually go crazy over tripe. Normally, tripe can smell horrendous, but the Solid Gold Green Cow Tripe Recipe is perfectly “tripe-smell-free”.
- The Honest Kitchen has a product called Pour Overs. They are slow-cooked stews that come in different flavors.
- There are several companies that make a flavor seasoning product to sprinkle on the dog’s food to entice them to eat. I have used Basics Flavors Food Topper and Treat Mix for Dogs. It comes in four different flavors: Peanut Butter, Chicken, Cheese, and Seafood.
- There are products that when added to the food it stimulates the dog’s appetite. I have used Dog Sure Powder, Dyne High Calorie Liquid Supplement, and Agatha’s Elixir. Any of these will make sure your dog is getting proper nutrients until they recuperate and can finally eat as they normally would.
- Add goat’s milk to the kibble. I can’t tell you how much Dyna LOVED goat’s milk. This is available at the grocery store or you can buy a powder to mix yourself from the pet store.
- The Honest Kitchen also makes a powder in several different flavors that you mix yourself and add to their food. I have tried and like Pumpkin Spice Latte, Turkey Bone Broth, Eggnog and their powdered Goat’s Milk.
- There is a product called CannaGurt which is endocannabinoid system support. It is freeze-dried goat’s milk with hemp oil. You mix it yourself and add it to their food. This is a safe CBD product for dogs. It has the awesome nourishment of goat’s milk with the added benefit of CBD.
There are many other types of toppers that you may want to try. What I mentioned here are just a few and what have worked for me (especially the goat’s milk). Of course, if your dog is not eating for longer than two days, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian. It is important for your dog to eat and get nourishment. Your vet should be able to help finding the cause of a lack of appetite and hopefully it isn’t anything serious.
Helpful Links
My Pet Carnivore
Fromm's
Stella & Chewy
Honest Kitchen
Dog Food Advisor
Pet Releaf
cbdMD Pet (Paw CBD)
Platinum Performance
Bloat
Dogzymes
In Clover Fresh Digest
NaturVet Digestive Enzymes
PetAg Prozyme All Natural
Fromm's
Stella & Chewy
Honest Kitchen
Dog Food Advisor
Pet Releaf
cbdMD Pet (Paw CBD)
Platinum Performance
Bloat
Dogzymes
In Clover Fresh Digest
NaturVet Digestive Enzymes
PetAg Prozyme All Natural
Health
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a strong and relatively healthy breed but there are a few medical conditions that may come up in certain dogs. Most of these conditions are hereditary and can be avoided through the proper testing and intelligent breeding.
Margo with her wheels.
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Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is a devastating neurological disease that affects Rhodesian Ridgebacks among many other breeds. Called the "old dog disease" the symptoms usually do not show up until the dog reaches the age of 8 or 9 years old. It begins by causing severe weakness in the hind quarter of the dog. The first tell-tale sign is the scrapping of the toes nails on the pavement as the dog walks. Another test would be to take the dogs leg and turn the foot so that the dog is standing on the top of its foot. A normal dog will right his foot immediately but a dog suffering from DM will leave the foot as it is, not able to correct it. This progressive paralyzing disease works it way up the spine and eventually to the front legs.
Degenerative myelopathy causes cells on the spinal cord to die. This results in the inability to transmit movement commands from the brain to the limbs and sensory information from the limbs to the brain. Research has identified a mutation in a gene that contributes to the increased risk of developing the disease. The only way to truly diagnose DM is unfortunately after the dog has dies and the spine can then be examined. There is no cure but there are things you can do to slow the process down. Hydrotherapy; a wheeled cart, and acupuncture have all helped in the treatment of a dog with DM such as our Margo (left). Without treatment, a dog diagnosed with DM has one year to live. Margo had DM for 4 years after the initial symptoms appeared although she could no longer use her wheels. Keeping the dog healthy through good nutrition is also important. |
There is now a DNA test to identify the mutated gene and help in knowing if a dog may come down with this disease. This simple DNA swab test is given through the OFFA and is very helpful to breeders in knowing which dogs to breed and what combinations will help eliminate the dogs from developing DM. I have all my dogs tested....Margo was the only one to have the two "affected" genes. When purchasing a new Rhodesian Ridgeback, always ask if the dogs used in breeding have had their DM testing done. There is no reason a breeder does not do this simple and relatively inexpensive test. Knowledge is a reliable breeder's responsibility.
Dermoid Sinus (DS)
A dermoid sinus is a congenital defect in which the skin fails to separate completely from the ectodermal neural tube during embryonic development. Located along the dorsal midline, these tubular blind sacs extend from the skin ventrally into the underlying tissues. The dermoid is mostly found in back of the neck but can also be anywhere starting with the top of the head to the end of the tail. Research is being done to determine whether the dermoid is just an hereditary condition (which it is) or one that results from the lack of folic acid in the diet of the dog. A dermoid can be easily removed by a skilled vet surgeon familiar with the condition. Once removed, a dog will continue with his normal life as if nothing has ever happened. Dogs with a dermoid sinus are not used in a breeding program.
Early Onset Adult Deafness (EOAD)
Early Onset Adult Deafness (EOAD) has been recently affecting quite a few litters in the ridgeback community. This condition is hereditary and does not show up until the dog is 1 to 2 years of age. There is a simple DNA swab test being done by Embark. Again, any reliable breeder should have all their dogs tested for this disease and have the results available before any breeding is done. I have had all my dogs tested and I am happy to report that 3 of my dogs are clear of EOAD and one is only a carrier.
Helpful Links
Orthopedic Foundation of Animals (OFFA) DM DNA Testing
Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS) Health & Genetics
Embark
Help'em Up Harness
Eddie's Wheels
Natural Healing Whole Dog Wellness
Dr. Jean Dodd's Canine Vaccination Protocol
Whole Dog Journal
Four Paws Five Directions by Cheryl Schwartz, DVM
(A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs)
Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS) Health & Genetics
Embark
Help'em Up Harness
Eddie's Wheels
Natural Healing Whole Dog Wellness
Dr. Jean Dodd's Canine Vaccination Protocol
Whole Dog Journal
Four Paws Five Directions by Cheryl Schwartz, DVM
(A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs)