Hilary's Blend

[Tanya]

Has anyone used Hilary's Blend?

Looking at options for Rocky as the vet wants him on a kidney friendly diet (low phosphereous). The prescription diets are not only full of cheap fillers but INSANELY expensive. seriously, $40-50/week for an 80pd lab. for crap ingredients. I can't afford that long term. The vet DOES have and recommend hilary's blend though. I'd have to try it out and see how it would end up costing but it can't be as much as the RC/Hills. Or at least I would be making it. Some of the ingredients are odd. Like butter and pears (and you can't change or skip ingredients or you throw off the entire balance).
HILARY'S BLEND (formerly THE BALANCER) supplement for home-made meals

the other option is talking to a dog nutritionist and getting a home cooked recipe (recipes) but I am having a hard time putting my trust in even the recommended ones (I know vet's don't learn that much about nutrition but so then how do I take the word of someone that took a few nutrition classes and some herbal remedies classes - which is great but i'm putting a lot of trust in them).

[Snowshoe]

Used the supplement and I think two recipes for Oban when he was recovering from the diarrhoea, as per the new Vet he goes to. Oban is better, stuff did no harm at least, not using it now. We did also contemplate recipes designed specifically for Oban and the Vet had two recommendations. I've lost their names but if you like I could ask her for them again. I did go to a seminar by Monica Segal and I think she will custom plan a diet too.

[Tanya]

Used the supplement and I think two recipes for Oban when he was recovering from the diarrhoea, as per the new Vet he goes to. Oban is better, stuff did no harm at least, not using it now. We did also contemplate recipes designed specifically for Oban and the Vet had two recommendations. I've lost their names but if you like I could ask her for them again. I did go to a seminar by Monica Segal and I think she will custom plan a diet too.

yes i just joined a facebook group that I believe is moderated by her so the name is familiar. would have to do a "consult" with her and look into her qualifications. I have some trust issues

Would the recipies be from the Hilary's recipe book? if so I'm checking with my vet if they will photocopy or if they will make me buy the book :P

[Snowshoe]

Yes, they were from her book. My Vet did pick out the ones she wanted me to use and sent them to me by email but you can find some of them on line for free.

[Tanya]

Yes, they were from her book. My Vet did pick out the ones she wanted me to use and sent them to me by email but you can find some of them on line for free.

Thanks and some friends have the book. the question will be if I get the regular supplement or the other one (for kidney's).

Interestingly the more I read, the more I need to confirm what level he is at to determine if I move to prescription food or not. apparently for level 1-2 you don't necessarily want to go all out with the prescription food (though recommend finding a food lower in phosphorous). Not sure if I am missing something on why my vet wanted Rocky on the prescription food ASAP before knowing all the results?? Finding a food lower in phosphorous is another issue (and which ratio do I even look at haha total matter or dry matter!)

[Sue-Ram]

If I was in your shoes, I would have to find an option other than cooking because I just don't. So I'm wondering if a half prescription/half regular kibble would be enough to lower the level of phosphorous and it could be less expensive.

[Tanya]

honestly if it's not a recipe with 50 weird complicated ingredients and is SAFE (i mean actually honestly appropriate and balanced) I don't mind cooking. I talked to friends who made one of the Hilary's blend recipes and they said they cooked enough for almost two weeks and froze. the ones I looked at had few ingredients (10-15 maybe including oils and stuff). With now only having a senior dog - I have time to do it. And I do cook for myself all the time, so it's not the end of the world. and the price of the prescription is just OBNOXIOUS (but yes I considered using kibble then adding but then it gets complicated to ensure it's still balanced). I suspect I may wait until Rocky passes to get another dog (and then may need time to save up, depending if I can live without a dog for a bit, or can make do with fostering during that bit)

My biggest concern is doing it right.

[Snowshoe]

I only had two recipes because we were looking for a very low fat diet. They had few ingredients and I did make batches and froze. That was two years ago and when Oban got sick again I stopped using them but they are still in the freezer and I have used one now and then to see how it goes. The biggest complication was weighting ingredients and portions. And I do regret buying safflower oil solely for those recipes but I was afraid to substitute anything. Oban still does his hopping up and down, can't wait, oh it's SO Good, when I feed one of those. He doesn't do that with kibble.

[LabMunsterBracco]

Probably best to not play nutritionist or vet and listen to an actual one. The RX diets will keep your dog alive, notwithstanding "the fillers".

[Tanya]

Probably best to not play nutritionist or vet and listen to an actual one. The RX diets will keep your dog alive, notwithstanding "the fillers".

and i just can't afford $50/week for however long he has. this diet (Hilary's blend) is actually approved by my vet and i would buy it at the vet's.