Spoiling our Dogs and Puppies

[DapperButch]

I worry when people give their dogs raw diets or just homemade diets. I understand that it is very complicated and complex to meet all of a dog's nutritional needs on your own.

I am sure some people do it well, but I have been reading more and more about concerns people not doing it well. In those cases, it would be better if the dog was on manufactured food.

I would like to hear thoughts from any raw diet/homemade food people here?

[SleepyButch]

I dog sat for a couple of dogs who were strictly on raw food. The owner got it from a local place that did all of the grinding and putting together or whatever the heck they do. Let me tell you... it was disgusting to see a chicken neck hanging out of the dog's mouth.. .not only that but the tripe had a really bad smell to it.. lol

I couldn't do it.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by SleepyButch

I dog sat for a couple of dogs who were strictly on raw food. The owner got it from a local place that did all of the grinding and putting together or whatever the heck they do. Let me tell you... it was disgusting to see a chicken neck hanging out of the dog's mouth.. .not only that but the tripe had a really bad smell to it.. lol

I couldn't do it.

I just think about the nutrients, vitamins, minerals, blah blah that can be missed. I dunno, maybe if you throw in a multi vitamin you are all good!

[ButchEire]

One myth associated with raw dog food diets is that they rely solely on meat and meat products. This is not the case and raw fed dogs are also typically fed vegetables, fish, eggs, yogurt and raw bones which all supply nutrients not found in meats. It's about variety, even in a raw diet.

Originally Posted by DapperButch

I just think about the nutrients, vitamins, minerals, blah blah that can be missed. I dunno, maybe if you throw in a multi vitamin you are all good!

[ButchEire]

As I said previously, I choose not to feed raw from scratch because it is time consuming. Dogs however, have less complex digestive systems and our own human-esque dog foods typically contain ingredients that dogs don't need or can't digest. I have researched canine diets for years, because I have a pug and they are notorious for health issues, most commonly, food allergies. I have had and continue to have support from individuals who breed and own pugs and who also feed their pugs raw and have done so for years with no problems. Of course, any dietary change would cause concern for nutritional composition but I have more concern for the unnecessary additives in commercial dog foods than I ever would in feeding raw/grain free/high quality/etc.. There are a lot of myths associated with raw diets for dogs and this website may help improve understanding of this approach.

Originally Posted by DapperButch

I worry when people give their dogs raw diets or just homemade diets. I understand that it is very complicated and complex to meet all of a dog's nutritional needs on your own.

I am sure some people do it well, but I have been reading more and more about concerns people not doing it well. In those cases, it would be better if the dog was on manufactured food.

I would like to hear thoughts from any raw diet/homemade food people here?

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by ButchEire

As I said previously, I choose not to feed raw from scratch because it is time consuming. Dogs however, have less complex digestive systems and our own human-esque dog foods typically contain ingredients that dogs don't need or can't digest. I have researched canine diets for years, because I have a pug and they are notorious for health issues, most commonly, food allergies. I have had and continue to have support from individuals who breed and own pugs and who also feed their pugs raw and have done so for years with no problems. Of course, any dietary change would cause concern for nutritional composition but I have more concern for the unnecessary additives in commercial dog foods than I ever would in feeding raw/grain free/high quality/etc.. There are a lot of myths associated with raw diets for dogs and this website may help improve understanding of this approach.

Great! This is why I asked. I don't want to make assumptions. Thanks for the response.

ETA: ButchEire, Do you think that there are a number of raw food diet makers who do not do this well? That are missing things?

[ButchEire]

From my experience, I think that commercial raw dog food probably has less nutritional value than home made, because it isn't served immediately. Nutritional degradation occurs in any food left for any period of time prior to consumption. Missing nutrients? I'd say that would be a risk if you are feeding the same food from the same manufacturer every day, raw or otherwise. Personally, I rotate vegetables and the kind of high-grade kibble I feed, to increase nutrient variety. It's not a perfect science. Heck, even we as humans occasionally have a tendency to eat the same things daily.

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Great! This is why I asked. I don't want to make assumptions. Thanks for the response.

ETA: ButchEire, Do you think that there are a number of raw food diet makers who do not do this well? That are missing things?

[christie]

Felix, our "only-child" Airedale, is the epitome of spoiled. He's just turned 21 months old and weighs in around 95-100lbs. He is certainly a "typical" Airedale, chock full o'personality. He is incredibly intelligent, very food motivated (which helps with training - he can have "selective" hearing) and I have managed to fall so very in love with our silly boy, in a short amount of time.

He came to us at the end of April through the NW Airedale Rescue, and his diet left a lot to be desired - not because I am knocking the cheaper pet foods, but because he had some gastro issues that made curbing him rather gross. We do feed him a grain-free food (Nature's Domain Turkey Sweet Potato - Costco) and his treats are knuckle bones, twisted pork skins and Blue Dog Bakery cookies. M.A. also bakes dog cookies, but when we catch them on sale, the Blue Dogs are just as good.

We've tried the hooves and he loses interest. Kongs? Pulleeezzeeee - he puts the "power" in power-chewer. We have a couple of bones that we fill with peanut butter and toss in the freezer - he has to work longer to get it all out.

He loves raw veggies - I learned quickly that he adores cucumbers, carrots and sweet potatoes. I had the makings for a cucumber salad on the butcher block, left the room and came back to his having eaten three whole cucumbers!

Having come through rescue, you're never sure what kind of issues you may come across - we're so lucky that he has such a sweet disposition and is very social. He has a fan club at the dog park and a "girl friend" Lucy, at the dog-sitter. He comes to my office a couple of times a week and everyone just loves to see him come bounding in the door.

Its really fun to watch his personality develop - he has recently started being more vocal - not barking, but more grumbling and warbling. He just keeps me laughing.

He must know I am typing about him - he has just brought his "baby" and nosed it into my lap... that's my cue for play time!

[ArtistLady]

Originally Posted by christie

He came to us at the end of April through the NW Airedale Rescue, and his diet left a lot to be desired - not because I am knocking the cheaper pet foods, but because he had some gastro issues that made curbing him rather gross. We do feed him a grain-free food (Nature's Domain Turkey Sweet Potato - Costco) and his treats are knuckle bones, twisted pork skins and Blue Dog Bakery cookies. M.A. also bakes dog cookies, but when we catch them on sale, the Blue Dogs are just as good.

Rescue dogs are the best! I volunteer for two different shelters and I have not found rescues to be any more prone to any issues (behavioral or physical) than dogs from breeders. Actually quite the opposite. I have learned from working with rescues that most breeders are not to be trusted unfortunately and the dogs suffer as a result. I am not saying all, just most. Plus, dogs are intelligent and seem to know they have been rescued and are appreciative!

I just received a Costco membership for Christmas. How is that food working out for your dog? I have been buying Blue Dog food but it is costly. I have small dogs (Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua) is it in big pieces? I also buy Blue Dog Bakery cookies! I make homemade cookies for them but they go through them really fast so I keep the Blue Dog cookies as backup.

[ArtistLady]

Also, is anyone familiar with the website?
http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/

[christie]

Originally Posted by ArtistLady

Rescue dogs are the best! I volunteer for two different shelters and I have not found rescues to be any more prone to any issues (behavioral or physical) than dogs from breeders. Actually quite the opposite. I have learned from working with rescues that most breeders are not to be trusted unfortunately and the dogs suffer as a result. I am not saying all, just most. Plus, dogs are intelligent and seem to know they have been rescued and are appreciative!

I just received a Costco membership for Christmas. How is that food working out for your dog? I have been buying Blue Dog food but it is costly. I have small dogs (Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua) is it in big pieces? I also buy Blue Dog Bakery cookies! I make homemade cookies for them but they go through them really fast so I keep the Blue Dog cookies as backup.

Felix is just one of many rescues I've had over the years and that he ONLY didn't have any training and was (is) still very puppylike in a lot of aspects was fortunate, in my experience. Maybe my previous rescues were just more challenging due to the extremes they had experienced! Its good to hear that the majority are rather resilient and have happy outcomes.

We're really pleased with the Nature's Domain. In comparison to one of the other spendy name-brand dog foods, the ingredients and nutrition levels were exactly the same (I can't remember the one we compared to - it might have been Taste of the Wild, but I am not certain). For the price, I'm all about it.

The other things you might find at Costco are the rolled pork skins and the bully sticks. They've been out of both for a while, but like with a lot of things, its kinda hit and miss. We need the jumbo dog beds, and for $20, they hold up REALLY well.

[Bard]

we have two both are rescues Phoebe our Whippet- Jack Russel and Gracie a Sheppard - Terrier mix Phoebe cane destroy a toy in seconds flat they both love the snow and bound all over even Grace even with having only 3 good legs gets around very well and can almost catch Phoebe .. almost or Phoebe is letting her. Phoebe is very nervous around people and Grace is the protector they both love to cuddle and even know when I get ready for work that they go to their beds I made Phoebes bed for her when we got her.. spoiled or babies never

[Sachita]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

I worry when people give their dogs raw diets or just homemade diets. I understand that it is very complicated and complex to meet all of a dog's nutritional needs on your own.

I am sure some people do it well, but I have been reading more and more about concerns people not doing it well. In those cases, it would be better if the dog was on manufactured food.

I would like to hear thoughts from any raw diet/homemade food people here?

My biggest concern with raw diets is that most of the commercial human meat out there is full of hormones and who knows what. If not properly stored you can get all types of bacteria. Organic or grass fed is so very expensive. If you have a small dog then it would be an option.

I don't feel 100% raw is good. Dogs are omnivorous like humans. So if you're making dog food, which I think is great, you just have to make sure they are also getting some fruits and veggies for essential vitamins.