Can I use chicken broth to perk up kibble?

[Jerry_NJ]

I know the West Highlands White Terrier (Westie) breed is prone to food allergy problems.  Among the foods I believe should be avoided are wheat, corn, grain in general, chicken, and beef.  

I would like to have the option of using small amounts of chicken broth on the kibble I feed our Westie.  I am looking here for advice on the use of chicken broth (in small quantities, a couple of ounces a day) to perk up dog kibble.  

[Jerry_NJ]

Our Westie still likes the Natural Choice Sweet Potato and Fish kibble, with a little shot of hot water.  He is missing several teeth but has eaten dry kibble too.  Canned food he has been less than enthusiastic about, I had him briefly on a vet recommended potato and venison kibble and had a couple of cans of the same thing, except a compressed style food.  I had to throw most if it away.  In his case it is always best to buy a small amount and try before buying any bulk amount.    I have seen the Blue Buffalo brand in the big box pet stores.  We also have a small in town pet store that I'll talk food with next time I am in the area.  My goal here is to try to find a way to make his eating enjoyable or at least good enough for him to eat what I give him.   The vegetable broth Karla mentioned sounds like it is worth a try.  So far he seems to really like the current kibble.

[rottlvr]

I have a rat terrier that's allergic to wheat, etc. I buy canned food from Blue Buffalo--the Fish and sweet potato formula.   If you don't want to buy a canned product, I have also used sweet potatoes.  I either boil them (or you can microwave them) peel the skin off, and mash it up. I add about a tablespoon and mix it in with her food, I have also boiled fish and flaked a little in with her food.
Obviously the easiest (for me anyway) is the canned food. Take a walk through your local pet store, you'd be amazed how many "healthy" choices are out there.

[Jerry_NJ]

Thanks, I didn't know there was such a thing as vegetable broth... I'll look for it.  I know the rescue lady used home cooked chicken to get this dog out of a starvation refusal to eat, she also had her hands full getting yeast infection under control. She's the one who recommended the Sweet Potato and Fish formula, but I don't think she said anything about avoiding chicken.  I believe she said no beef (pork too I suppose), then too I've heard read all this in many places an may have disconnected from what she told me.  I have some written instructions from her I'll take another look at.

[Misfits4Me]

Jerry, if you think your Westie has allergies to either proteins mentioned, you can purchase low sodium Vegetable Broth.....It's actually very good!

[Jerry_NJ]

Thanks, the low-sodium is our "go to", and often enough to buy it in the quart paper carton, kept in the refrigerator when opened.  Interesting too on the warning about home made - often assumed superior - which I'll keep in mind.  Then too, home made chicken broth (soup) is not often made.  My wife does make home made soups, and I think that's were some of the "canned" chicken broth gets used.

In summary, concern about allergy to chicken on the one hand and use of perhaps an oz or two of low sodium chicken broth may not be in conflict.  Is the allergy concern mitigated by the fact that the broth is really just flavored water, not enough chicken to really amount to anything?  On another level, I have been told dogs are not so much allergic to chicken as they are to the chicken-related floor sweepings that make their way into prepared dog food that touts chicken as one of its key ingredients.

Related and directed to those with experience with the Westie (or similar) breeds.  

The Westie has a very perky set of ears, and ours has an ongoing itch (subject of some of my other posts).   This itch isn't not a major problem, bu tis ongoing.  

His fur/hair overall is very attractive and healthy looking, including how he looks behind the ears when he "walks" by.  But, if I reach down and fold the hair away from the back of the ears I find a lot of bare skin, perhaps as big as a quarter (25 cent piece) - the skin does not look irritated, but he does rub his ears on the rug (which may be an irritant on its own).   Do I have a question? Yes, do Westies normally have little or no hair on the base rear of their ears?

[Margot49]

Agree with Karla, low sodium canned.
Sometimes chicken broth from home made chicken soup can have too much sodium and fat and can cause "consequences" the next day.  :-)

[Misfits4Me]

Get the LOW SODIUM chicken or beef broth as your dog doesn't need the extra salt.....Other than that, there's no harm.....Karla

[deadgamegrrl]

I think as long as there are no chicken allergies, and there isn't an excessive sodium problem it should be fine!