What do you feed your dog & why?
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I would love to try raw, but have always been afraid I'd skip some important thing. I feed Chicken Soup for the dog lover's soul, Canidae and for Lyric, who has a tendancy toward very loose stools, he gets Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance, venison and brown rice. I don't like that he's always eating the same meat. But there are lots of suppliments in there.
What I understand is that dogs are carnivores, digestion-wise, anatomically, teeth, jaws etc. But are omnivores behaviorally. They will eat other things when necessary and they like other things. My dogs like my raspberries and will nibble a few off the bush. But their monogastric digestive system is that of a carnivore. Do I have that right Mordy?
Also, Mordy, do you have a specific diet already worked out that you could share that would work for my 95 LB Doberman, my 13 lb Chi mix and my 5 Lb Chihuahua? I wouldn't have a clue how much to give and what to give, how to vary it enough etc. I'd love your opinion.
Thanks! Interesting thread.
What I understand is that dogs are carnivores, digestion-wise, anatomically, teeth, jaws etc. But are omnivores behaviorally. They will eat other things when necessary and they like other things. My dogs like my raspberries and will nibble a few off the bush. But their monogastric digestive system is that of a carnivore. Do I have that right Mordy?
Also, Mordy, do you have a specific diet already worked out that you could share that would work for my 95 LB Doberman, my 13 lb Chi mix and my 5 Lb Chihuahua? I wouldn't have a clue how much to give and what to give, how to vary it enough etc. I'd love your opinion.
Thanks! Interesting thread.
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Thanks for all the info guys. I'll do some more research on my own.
For help on feeding working dogs, I suggest this: http://www.sleddogcentral.com/forum/
Under the feeding and dog food sections.
I dont think it matters that everyone on there are dog mushers. Sled dogs are some of the hardest working dogs I know. They're geniuses when it comes to food, suppliments, exersize and health care for the working dog.
Also, to check to see if the Kasco is availible:
http://www.royalcanin.us/retailer.html
For help on feeding working dogs, I suggest this: http://www.sleddogcentral.com/forum/
Under the feeding and dog food sections.
I dont think it matters that everyone on there are dog mushers. Sled dogs are some of the hardest working dogs I know. They're geniuses when it comes to food, suppliments, exersize and health care for the working dog.
Also, to check to see if the Kasco is availible:
http://www.royalcanin.us/retailer.html
Heheheh . . . mine eat those, but with the heads . . . and they catch their own out in the pasture, along with groundhogs, barn rats (Kharma is the only one who will actually eat those), and other varmints . . . and I suspect Shiva has found a way to kill and eat skunks without getting sprayed. She's come in licking her lips with skunky breath a couple of times recently, and I found a skunk hide laying in the yard. 
Howdy!!! I'll peruse that sight you mentioned. Mine do quite well on Beneful, Dinovite vitamins, cubed raw meat (it's range fed beef or goats and we butcher our own), Brewers Yeast, and healthy treats. They'll feed themselves on an assortment of small animals, rabbits, field mice, squirrels,etc. on my ranch...Mmmmmm Yum!!! None of them have any allergic reactions with the feeding regimen. They are the epitome of health, intelligence, beauty, vigor, and stamina, so much so, fellow cattlemen are quite jealous of my dogs, particularly when working cattle or goats---they're champs. Bi-annual vet physicals are always negative for any abnormalities. Their home and workplace consists of 47717 acres which they'll work from sunrise to well into the night without any problems whatsoever. They're also Loved & Spoiled as well.
A dog's digestive tract is only minimally different than that of an obligate carnivore (like a cat for example) and they do have certain capacities to convert plant-based vitamin precursors that cats for example don't have. Being monogastric doesn't automatically designate a carnivore though, humans, rabbits and horses for example are monogastric too. Monogastric herbivores just digest food in a completely different process than ruminants.
I don't have anything specifically prepared, but I'll be happy to discuss the topic with you. Wanna email me?
I don't have anything specifically prepared, but I'll be happy to discuss the topic with you. Wanna email me?
weylyn said:
Skunk meat? That's a new one!
We kind of figure that an alligator wouldn't stand a lot of chance once Shiva found out they taste like chicken, lol! I've never seen such a food-focused dog. You should see her face light up when she spots a groundhog!
Well, I have been reading about two different kinds of kibble for Jackson. One is Wellness, which my groomer sells and the other is Life's Abundance Health Food. They have a comparison chart for many other foods on the Life's Abundance site.
http://www.healthypetnet.com
Anyone heard of either of these? Compared to the Pro Plan he is currently on, they both seem to be better. My bf thinks we should wait until we switch him off puppy chow, but I dunno if we should wait another 4 months...Wouldn't it be better to feed him better sooner? It's like putting of a balanced diet for yourself isn't it? That was my example for him when we discussed it.
http://www.healthypetnet.com
Anyone heard of either of these? Compared to the Pro Plan he is currently on, they both seem to be better. My bf thinks we should wait until we switch him off puppy chow, but I dunno if we should wait another 4 months...Wouldn't it be better to feed him better sooner? It's like putting of a balanced diet for yourself isn't it? That was my example for him when we discussed it.
As I posted before, my guys were on Wellness, but Roxy had chronic diarrhea, which I now believe was totally because of the food. Since the switch to Eagle Pack, she has had the runs, but it's been random, and there have been other events that were most likely the reason. Like french fries or Chinese food LOL
From what I've heard Puppy Chow isn't all it's cracked up to be. Hades was fed puppy food, but it was too much hassle to get two different kinds of food, and hasn't been fed puppy food since he was about 4 months old. I don't think he's any less healthy because he hasn't been on puppy food.
LOLFrom what I've heard Puppy Chow isn't all it's cracked up to be. Hades was fed puppy food, but it was too much hassle to get two different kinds of food, and hasn't been fed puppy food since he was about 4 months old. I don't think he's any less healthy because he hasn't been on puppy food.
That is awesome, that you give them all of that variety. I would not doubt that your working pups are kept very healthy! I just wanted to add the info on a kibble that is even more cost efficient, but also an improvement quality-wise, for who ever is interested.
About the Canidae eating, I can understand that! I would rather eat sugary stuff than healthy foods any day but I can't, unfortunately.
About the Canidae eating, I can understand that! I would rather eat sugary stuff than healthy foods any day
but I can't, unfortunately.Howdy Ihartzgo!!! When I initially responded to the thread, I should've included all the other "goodies" I mix in with the Beneful. Right now it's their day off and as I type, my dogs are enjoying some Frosty Paws---it's so H-O-T today (heat index is 112) that it goes without saying, they'll be some cool and contented pups!!!
ihartgonzo said:
That is awesome, that you give them all of that variety. I would not doubt that your working pups are kept very healthy! I just wanted to add the info on a kibble that is even more cost efficient, but also an improvement quality-wise, for who ever is interested.
About the Canidae eating, I can understand that! I would rather eat sugary stuff than healthy foods any day but I can't, unfortunately.
About the Canidae eating, I can understand that! I would rather eat sugary stuff than healthy foods any day
but I can't, unfortunately.