Raw food diet (dogs)

[Mikey]

The one I was looking at was vet medic?, don't know them...

[Glutton4...]

I've changed from Fr0ntl1n€ to @dv0c@te last year, and I buy it direct from my Vet. It covers all worms and external parasites, and is administered on their skin and not via their stomach. I don't bother during the winter months, but from about now (when I remember to get some ) until the onset of winter, I treat them every six weeks or so, as they do get walked in the countryside, and who knows what they come into contact with if they find a bird/fox/rabbit carcass to eat or roll on. I don't quibble on the price, as it's quick and easy to use, and I 'save' by not using it every single month as per 'their' recommendation (because 'they' want my money). Yup, I'm as cynical as TS!

[Mikey]

Am I right in thinking the flea element should be reapplied every 4 weeks while the worming element is good for upto 2 months?
Why don't you bother during the winter G4?

[Alison]

I don't bother so much in winter either and also use the same stuff as G4. There's not so many fleas etc about over winter (although not so sure this last year in the warmer weather) so I just keep an eye out.

[Glutton4...]

Yes, as Alison says, most of the nasties are only around in the warmer weather. As soon as I see gnats/mozzies around or get bitten by one (last week) I know it's time to start thinking about it.

The reason Fr0ntl!n€ became ineffective so quickly, is probably attributable as much to the frequency of use, as to anything else. The Horsey world for example, has become much more savvy in recent years, regarding parasite control, as the efficiency of wormers wears off and more, stronger, drugs are used to keep worms at bay. Many of us now send a dung sample for analysis, and, if clear, we don't dose the animal - simple as that. Yes we still treat for tapeworm once a year, but it's far kinder on the animal to not keep shoving all these nasty poisonous chemicals into them.

Feel free to do your own research into intestinal/gastric ulcers in Horses, for example - you'll find some horrific things.

Anyway, me being me, I don't automatically buy into the 'must be done every month' culture. I also firmly believe that many of this 'itch-scratch-itch' that many people have with their animals is attributable to diet in the first place. I have eczema - drives me potty at times, but I CAN regulate it by sorting out my diet.

Have we gone full circle yet?

[Mikey]

I can understand not doing so if your dog is outside during the winter, but won't fleas survive indoors overwinter?

I'm less bothered than the OH who is big style OCD, I have to steam clean the kitchen floor once a week just to keep her happy, and thats on top of vacuuming daily and mopping mid week. Before you ask, yes all wellies are left at the door and the dog has a bath twice a day poor mite. You could entertain eating off the floor, though I'm not sure I would.....

[Glutton4...]

You bath your Dog TWICE A DAY!!!!!!!??????? I'd get the Wife some ruddy therapy!

[Alison]

You bath your Dog TWICE A DAY!!!!!!!??????? I'd get the Wife some ruddy therapy!

Poor dog, is it really that dirty? There is evidence that too much washing isn't good for our skin (apparently daily showers can cause a lot of skin problems), wonder how it effects animals.


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[Alison]

I can understand not doing so if your dog is outside during the winter, but won't fleas survive indoors overwinter?..

They'll only survive if they're already there which is why you need to treat if you see anything. Honestly it's not a problem, I get more problems from gnats etc at the lottie


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[Mikey]

You bath your Dog TWICE A DAY!!!!!!!??????? I'd get the Wife some ruddy therapy!

Why do you think I have an allotment!

Poor dog, is it really that dirty? There is evidence that too much washing isn't good for our skin (apparently daily showers can cause a lot of skin problems), wonder how it effects animals.


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Honestly he's munting, we go out across fields and then when we come back he has a dip in the bucket. Its not a full on bath, no way is he getting in the house bath, I wash his legs, his tummy and undercarriage, front and face. I try to avoid washing his back and neck as thats where I put the advantage and I have no desire to wash it off, and reapply, besides this only gets dirty when he's been playing with other dogs.

He spends most of his time outside running flat out if I didn't know better I'd say he thinks he's a greyhound. Otherwise he's standing in the dirtiest water he can find for a drink, we don't do lead walking so when he gets home he looks somewhere between a drowned rat and a bog monster. So he has a bath in a builders bucket followed by a vigorous dry before being allowed in the house.

I'll take a pick in the morning to show you.

[mrswadders]

he sounds a right character, I love springers but wouldn't have the time to give them enough walks. My two are a lot more sedate, in fact the chug is the laziest dog that I have ever met! in fact I generally have to wake him up in the morning, if I didn't i'm sure he'd stay in bed all day!