Can Holistic Grain Free be problematic?

**nmhmadison** · 10-29-2011, 11:20 AM

I've been feeding my 11 year old quality food for years (Holistic Blends, Wysong, Solid Gold). However, lately she has been having frequent issues spitting up/mostly dry heaves in the middle of night. It is like something is stuck. Then she goes back to sleep.

I've talked to vet but curious to know if others have experienced this with their Labs. We give her pepcid 2X a day but not sure it helps.

I understand high protein quality food should not cause this but have never tried a different diet. Any thoughts? Thanks.

**BigBrownDog** · 10-29-2011, 12:27 PM

What times are you feeding her? I had a dog who would throw up bile when her stomach was empty - I had to add more food to her evening meal to prevent the 4 AM bile barf.

**nmhmadison** · 10-29-2011, 12:51 PM

She eats at 5P in the evening.

**Tanya** · 10-29-2011, 02:07 PM

can you try feeding twice a day?

and just because a dog is "holistic and grain free" doesn't mean a dog will do well on it. Lots of dogs did badly on the popular Orijen (though my own boy did great on it and I fed it for years) even if it was rated "great".

is pepcid ac safe to dog for a long period of time? I know you can give some here and there but not sure how safe it is if used over more than a few days.

**Belles mom** · 10-29-2011, 03:18 PM

Is it like a gagging sound? Or really like dry heaves?

I'd suggest feeding twice a day.

**SharonaZamboni** · 10-29-2011, 05:14 PM

Bean started to vomit bile when his belly is too empty, usually in the wee hours. He eats twice a day (also holistic), but I've increased his portions, and he hasn't vomited since. Try giving your dog a little food late in the evening, like a bedtime snack. As well as feeding 2X day.

**Sophiesmama** · 10-29-2011, 06:58 PM

If the throw up is a frothy foamy liquid it indicates an empty stomach. I would feel a light meal in the later evening. It won't hurt to give it a try.

**flynbyu2** · 05-03-2012, 06:39 PM

Feeding twice a day has several benefits IMO. First on my list is reducing the risk of Gastric Dilation with Volvulus, more commonly known as Bloat. Bloat is the second leading killer of dogs, the first being cancer. When the food is split up into two smaller servings, there is less weight in the stomach which could reduce the chances the stomach willl twist into the torsion mode. The second reason is just what you have described which is your dog being too hungry and getting an upset stomach because of it.

**tammyhuffman** · 05-03-2012, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by flynbyu2

Feeding twice a day has several benefits IMO. First on my list is reducing the risk of Gastric Dilation with Volvulus, more commonly known as Bloat. Bloat is the second leading killer of dogs, the first being cancer. When the food is split up into two smaller servings, there is less weight in the stomach which could reduce the chances the stomach willl twist into the torsion mode. The second reason is just what you have described which is your dog being too hungry and getting an upset stomach because of it.

This thread is from October, 2011 - not sure if you noticed that!