The Shar-Pei Forums-Health Behavior Diet & Rescue Info and Discussion Group

I have been reading everyone's thoughts on diet for their dogs. The one thing I can agree on is that there is no one diet that works for all Shar-Pei and that you need to ensure that their diet is balanced, contains all the necessary nutrients, and is composed of high quality ingredients. It sounds simple but is difficult in practice.

But I am curious to hear if you are as careful with your own nutrition? How many refrain from eating processed foods (the equivalent of junk dog food) and are getting their 5+ veggies and 4 fruit servings/day? The caretakers need to be just as vigilant about maintaining their own health and well-being. Are you home-cooking for yourself and your family?

And do you take your dog for a 20+ min walk every day? Both will be healthier and saner for doing it

Please post your thoughts on health & nutrition for Shar-Pei owners here! ~ Linda

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Linda Tintle DVM
http://www.wvc.vetsuite.com

Good Morning Ma'am,

Well, I wish I could say that I'm as selective with foods for myself and hubby than we are with our Shar Pei babies. Chu & Ling have been eating Merrick Cowboy Cookout, but we are slowly switching them to Before Grain.

Our furbabies do get out for walks with their daddy. Plus we have a nice size backyard where they run around and play

I think that your posting might inspire me to look at what we are eating as well....we need to live healthy lives for our furbabies.

Great questions Dr Tintle, I do take Apple on two walks a day, one a.m. and one p.m. and both are a little more than 20 minutes each. She has learned how to run laps around me on her leash, and she gets her running in that way. She is a very, very happy Pei.

Diet? I do get in my veggies/fruits, don't eat any processed foods . I only consume grassfed meats and poultry; unfortunately, at times I do eat poultry which is not free range, but I am getting better at avoiding it. I drink only raw milk, if I eat cheese it is only rbgh free, I am doing my level best to avoid any food that has hfcs, and no GMO food at all either. I am very conscious of my food choices, and eat as much organic as I can afford, but at times it has to be the other. I gave up sugar for lent and have stuck to it and feel good about that and don't intent on returning. Oh, and I gave up drinking soda pop in 2006.

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jimmie and apple

I home cook all our foods and make sure we all get our vitamins, minerals and fruits and veggies everyday. We rarely eat processed food or fast foods. I grown my own veggies seasonally and we eat much from the garden all year as I freeze and can. I don't know how much organic meat we eat as I do use a old fashioned butcher , but the meat is so much better tasting than grocery store and my butcher assures me that as much as possible he uses local farmers. We use organic milk and cheese where possible.
Hopefully I will get back to walking as the weather gets better here in Wi . I have a few pounds to shed, but I am okay as I'm off most medicines that made me gain weight.

We are on plant-based low fat regime. It has been a year for my husband and about 8 months for me. I have never felt better. No one is more surprised than me. We have a vegetarian fridge for my husband and me and a dog fridge in the garage full of muscle meat, organ meat, bones and eggs, etc.

We have to walk the pei. With three of them, if they aren't walked, we are setting ourselves up for problems. They need a mile or two a day. They are testy and grumpy if they don't get their exercise. We found an enclosed field near us and as soon as we have a bit of time, they get to run their butts off while we walk the perimeter.

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Toni- Cosmo, Pei-le and Kaïa's mom

Well My pei probably eat healthier than I . Although this last year or so I have started eating better and exercising and I am down 42 lbs. I am definetly and my husband for that matter works in progress with our eating habits. We love to go out to eat wine tastings etc...

I think were "busted" I feed the dogs only the best and cook for them to..Myself I could do much better.
I wonder if its just Pei Moms that go out of there way for there fur children? Now that I think back I always tried to do the best for my animals..With Pei I think were more concerned because of the health problems they have or can have.
How many of us go out to see if there poop is ok..I just did that this morning....

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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shar-peifsf

great question! I try to eat healthy, my diet consists of some fruit, veggies, fish, chicken, mashed potatoes,whole grain breads, and cheeses. i do not cook often except in the summer, then i cook out on the grill each night. my weakness is desserts and coffee! i try to buy organic products most of the time. i hardly ever go to a fast food restaurant, but i do get curb side take away from the Outback often. once in awhile i eat steak and bacon for drinks it's water, coffee, iced tea,red wine or protein drinks. i'm sure i should consume more fruits and veggies but i fit them in each day. i take a daily multi-vitamin and get 20+ minute walks in each day. my weight is the same as when i was in high school...120 and my BP was just taken 100/60 despite me always being stressed out i used to work out daily at a health club and i plan to start up again. my dogs are fed very well, many times i forget to feed myself, but never my dogs

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100/60!! I don't think I've ever met someone with BP that low!

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We have three peis. Three completely separate dietary needs. Our dogs eat better than us. Really.
Luckily for two of our dogs, hubby is a dietician/chef. So we all do get proper nutrition.
Our vet came up with a diet for Tea because has compromised kidneys and congestive heart failure
from surviving phase III heart worm.
I recently lost my job so we may cut major corners on our grocery bill not the dogs. Snickering.
AND I do indulge in pizza weekly!
The trio get walked by lil ole me every day. I wish 20 minutes was enough for the Noodle.
Sigh.

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My peis eat healthy, but I have to admit we do not always eat the best stuff. I try to cook 5 days a week, and when Argo out I try to order veggies. It does not always work out that way. I know better, and really there is no excuse.

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Peaches, Oscar, Pogo, and Luna
RIP Peaches 1-1998 - 3-2011

I admit I'm a poop checker

Crystal, Yes my BP was just taken last week at Lankenau hospital and it's 100/60 it's been as low as 80/50. I'm not sure why it's so low

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busy: we are busted. Diet/human -wise.
poop>And yes, I pick it up so WHY WOULDN'T I look at it? LOL

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Well at least I'm not the only one to check poop and have low BP of strange levels 100/60 I'm guilty!
I was at the Dr. last week though and he was a new one and kinda rude and mine went up to 148/100. I was very surprised - It has never been that high - I've always had too low Bp and they always told me to eat salt

Sassy, Mine has never been that high either. when i was younger it was 120/60. I never use salt but i'm thinking of using it because sometimes i get very light-headed. i have bad circulation too, my hands and feet turn blue at times

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One of the reasons I posted the question is because I have become much more cognizant of the relationship between our diet and health and its impact on chronic inflammation & aging because of my research into Shar-Pei health problems. My diet is completely different now than 5 or 6 yrs ago. I also take a slew of supplements to offset disease (my version of HyVitality Human and really try to exercise vigorously on a routine basis. I also weigh about 45 lbs less. I am much healthier now thanks to my Shar-Pei and very grateful for that. ~ Linda

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Linda Tintle DVM
http://www.wvc.vetsuite.com

Dr Tintle I do not know how you do all you do..Plus all the internet people you help..You must be in good shape...You must have a lot of stress .I do know exercise helps.....

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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shar-peifsf