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Is it ok to feed a puppy only on chicken and rice? Will he be deprived of nutrients by doing this?
Yes most definitely. We can help you correctly balance the diet for a puppy if you wish to continue feeding a homemade diet.

What is the optimal protein content (percentage) and the optimal calcium content in a large and giant breed puppy food and if only minimal percentage of calcium or no percentage is given, how can I know what the true content is?
The research indicates that 25-35% protein and 0.9-1.1% calcium on a dry matter basis will help minimize the clinical expression of DOD in large breed dogs. Correct you cannot use the information on the bag. You will have to call the company or search online to find the nutrient target levels for the product. The name and contact information for the company is required by law to be on the bag. Product information on the web may not be accurate unless you are on the company's web site.

Hello. I am a Veterinarian. A breeder of English Mastiffs has been told by another breeder that she should limit the protein in her 6 week old pups and should supplement with Vitamin C. I told her that I do not think that is the best thing to do. Please comment. Thanks
Both are incorrect. Feeding Vit C is thought of no value but probably not harmful. The protein level is not protective of Development Ortho Diseases, in fact was clearly shown 10-15 yrs ago in a series of well-done studies that protein has nothing to do with DOD. However calcium and energy intake does sig affect growth and so feeding a properly designed large breed puppy food is key to minimizing the clinical expression of DOD.

I would like to have some homemade recipes for a Bichon Frise 8yo , who has had two bladder surgeries for stones in the bladder the oxalate type. I have been using Hill's Science UD with the daily addition of CitraVet-faithfully added. I would appreciate any advice you have regarding this matter.
There is no diet that is 100% effect against this stone. The best you can do is to be sure the urine specific gravity is less that 1.020 and the urine pH is between 6.8 and 7.4. If this is not true on the canned u/d product, then you need to add water to effect and additional potassium citrate to effect. You need to check these urine benchmarks. If you need more help with this problem or the dog is gaining too much weight on the high fat u/d, please let me know.

I have a 7 year old Chocolate Lab that the vet tells me she has a thyroid problem which she is on medication for but that she also has allergies that she takes benedryl 2x daily for. She never seems to get over the allergies. Her eyes are always red and her ears frequently have yeast infections. We have tried NUMEROUS foods to try to alleviate some of her medical problems but haven't had a lot of success. What would you suggest?
The dog may not have a food allergy but environmental allergies, so then you can feed any food you wish. The dog may have an allergy to food mites .... has the dog been tested for environment allergies using a blood test? If the problem is with the food, and you wish to conduct a food trial, we can help you with that rather easily.

Can you please give me some information regarding a balanced homemade dog food for dogs with food allergies. If possible if you could give me some recipes it will be greatly appreciated
If the dog only has a food allergy and no other medical conditions ...... Certainly. Go to www.petdiets.com. You begin the process by logging into your account or opening an account for you, your pet and link it to your Vet info, then click on ‘Homemade diets’ (upper left) dog and cat picture. Select the “all options” to see all of our ingredient options or the novel protein diet.

You may select ingredients similar to those you are now feeding if they are successful or select a protein source the dog has not previously eaten. The software will re-balance your diet properly and suggest vitamin & trace mineral supplements. The cost is $25 for the first recipe and $12 for each thereafter purchased at the same time. Recipes are available for immediate download after payment.

I will be bringing home an English Springer Spaniel puppy who will be weaned by the breeder onto an adult Purina Salmon Select dry food (I think it is Pro Plan). She will be 8 weeks old. I do not want to continue her on an adult food and wonder if something like Halo Spot's Stew Dry Puppy Food Salmon would be better.
"HALO, Purely For Pets® Spot’s Stew® Puppy Formula Wild Salmon Recipe Dry Dog Food is formulated to ‘meet’ nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth and gestation/lactation." I would prefer a puppy or growth diet that has passed AAFCO “feeding trials" and not just shown to be ok on paper or chemical analysis. I would suggest Purina Pro Plan puppy or growth product. There plenty of growth diets that have been shown in feeding trials to be appropriate for pups I do not see why we have to settle for those that do not conduct feeding trials in this early stage of life.

I would like a healthy recipe to cook at home for my 3 yr old 10lb. pomeranian
Certainly. Go to www.petdiets.com. You begin the process by logging into your account or opening an account for you, your pet and link it to your Vet info, then click on ‘Homemade diets’ (upper left) dog and cat picture. Select the “all options” to see all of our ingredient options or one of several specific diet types.

You may select ingredients similar to those you are now feeding or select new ones. The software will re-balance your diet properly and suggest vitamin & trace mineral supplements. The cost is $25 for the first recipe and $12 for each thereafter purchased at the same time. Recipes are available for immediate download after payment.

Potassium citrate granules come combined with cranberries. Is this beneficial for a pup who has a history of calcium oxylate stones? Or, should I be using plain potassium citrate granules?
Thank you!
Yes ... depending on the dose and the rest of the diet must be low oxalate and protein, moderate in calcium, and the water intake must be v high in order to get the maximum effect of preventing oxalate formation and even then the stones may reform.

I recently purchased some of your diets for my shih tzu, Teddy. I am curious about the addition of corn oil in the recipe because I have read that corn products are not healthy for dogs. What nutritional purpose does the corn oil serve in the recipe? Can I substitute something else for it? I do want to follow your diets exactly as written but I also do want to understand the nutritional reasoning behind each ingredient. I also did order the Balance It supplement you recommend. Thank you for your help!
The negative hype about corn oil has no basis but it actually contains 54% linoleic acid which is needed in the diet for dogs and cats. The next best option if you can find would be sunflower oil but it will cost more. Let me know if you have other questions.