People that dont feed their dogs dog food, rather homemade health meals... is that safe?
Some people are against the dry foods because of what it is made out of, so Im wondering if you make them homemade healthy meals and if its working out? I read this: "The best way to know what goes into your dog’s food is to make it yourself. With the recent pet food recall, many pet owners are doing just that. Though some experts argue that a homemade diet is best for dogs, this is best done temporarily until you can consult your veterinarian, as canines have definite nutritional requirements." What if my veternarian says NO and wants her to eat purina or Iams or something though? I wont know how much meat and veggies I need to give her, if the vet doesnt discuss it with me. Btw, theres been a lot of trolling going around. Id appreciate that if you are going to answer, that you act like an adult and give me mature input. If you dont agree with looking for what I believe to be healtier alternatives for the dog, DONT RESPOND. Its that simple. Wow Johnny D. Thank you so much for respecting me and doing exactly what I asked you not to do. This is Q&A's about NOT feeding them dog food.
Dogs - 11 Answers
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1 :
I homecook and have for the past 5 years. Here is a link to a yahoo group that can help: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Totally_Home_Cooking/?yguid=160465887 Ask lots of questions and read, read, read. Good luck :)
2 :
Some people cook for their dogs because they think it's healthier. I personally think making the food yourself is safer and you know what's in there. Only if you have an excellent brand of dog food on hand do you start feeding your dog gradually. Don't forget, many people out there have lost a lot of pets because of this poison food business. The 'big' dog commercial breed stocks have gone done because people are taking greater care and making food for their dogs. I know, isn't the trolling horrible? People are supposed to talk peacefully on here, not to insult each other. It gets really nasty sometimes. I think that if I had a dog I would cook for her. You can also ask if the veterinarian makes her/his own food for dogs or cats. Some do it with special order and of course, it's more expensive. Make the right choice for your canine!
3 :
I personally would never feed iams or purina(ESPECIALLY BENENFUL). Both have products included in the recent recall. I personally think that a homemade diet takes too much time. I dont get how peopele can homecook for their dogs if they have a job to get to. and is kinda risky if you dont know what your doing.I dont wanna risk malnutrition. Homemade diets can be very healthy though. If you know all the details of dog nutrition and if you have a good chunk of spare time on your hands daily than a homemade diet can be tasty and healthy too. I feed Canidae all life stages dry food. Try it. It isnt and will never be on that recall. http://www.canidae.com/
4 :
First off, I can't imagine a reputable vet saying no to this and refusing to discuss your dog's nutrition with you. If this is really happening, find a new vet. I make my dogs food and have since well before the recalls and scares. I use a mix of whole-grain brown rice, stew meat (usually beef, but sometimes lamb if it is on sale to give my boys a little treat) and veggies. I cook the rice thoroughly, the veggies have a little crunch because my dogs like the crunchy-ness and it helps to keep their teeth clean and I cook the meat medium-well to well (no burning or grill marks, burned meat is a known carcinogen). There is a lot of information on the internet about dog nutrition, but really, you should be filtering this through your vet as everything on the internet is suspect, IMHO. Seriously, if your vet nixes this, find a new vet. There is nothing remotely controversial about preparing your dog's food if you do it right. Do you think that show dogs eat IAMS? Hell no, they get their food prepared fresh.
5 :
I prefer feeding dogs, dog food particularly made for them in the market or pet stores. Some humans tend to feed their dogs exactly what they eat, which is not healthy. The human diet has more fat than what dogs require. Certain dog meals are made to keep them healthy. I've known quite a few dogs to get cancer or diabetes or some other sickness because their owners fed them homemade human cuisine and believe or not, McDonald's or some other fast food.
6 :
yes, it is better. You know what is going into your animal that way. Remember what they say if you animal turns away from the food there is something wrong with it. My dogs love fresh veggies and they are better for them I think. Also always cook their meats don't feed them fresh and raw meats. That can make them sick. Stay away from sausage it has killed some dogs.
7 :
Im guessing you had no intention in feeding them mcdonalds anyway, since you want a healthy diet for your dog.. so that was a pointless comment the other person made. If you do some research its much more likely that a dog will die of cancer (and other diseases) if you feed them commercial dog foods, not human foods. You know that euthanized animals are grounded up in that garbage. Google dead animals in doog food. Sick
8 :
I think so. Kibble is highly processed regardless of the quality of its ingredients. It is a good thing to feed fresh ingredients like meats, cheese, vegetables, fruits, grains to your dog. These are the things that are supposedly going into kibble anyway so why not feed them in their original state? On the downside, making home made food for your dog is definitely much more expensive and time consuming than feeding kibble. Kibble is more 'balanced' in that each bite has the same nutritional content whereas home made does not. If your dog gets sufficient variety during the week, that should not matter. I do not think feeding commercial dog food is a bad thing but I think it can be improved by adding fresh ingredients whenever possible. On the other hand, I think dog treats that aren't chews are unnecessary.
9 :
The best thing you can do for your pet is make it's own food. We've been feeding home cooked food for 6 months now and the results are so dramatic I still can't believe it. I see so many people that "think" they know what their talking about on this subject and really have no idea the bad missinformation their putting out, especially to continue to trust and recommend ANY commercial pet food. (never again will we dish that trash out to our pets) I gave you a link below to the vet/nutritionist/teacher/writer our book is written by that has all the different recipes. My GF got the book on Amazon.com (I linked his nutrition page first for you) That book has NO DOUBT bought our remaining two Yorkies many more years now of extra life not to mention extra quality of life, our 11 year old is like a puppy now litterally the way he wants to play all day rather than just sleep like before. The first week on his new home cooked food his cloudy eyes I thought were from aging cleared up to a nice black again and crystal clear. You'll see differences in the first two weeks and it only gets better over the months. You'll have to make a trip to the health food store to get a few things first, (kelp, nutritional yeast etc...) then we only had to get one thing online that we couldn't find locally (a bonemeal/ phosphorous in proper ratio mix). Don't buy any of the vitamins listed in the book from a Chinese made source.(only about 2 or 3 anyway) The rest you buy at the grocery store. The book explains that your pets diet needs to be balanced and he shows you how with the recipes and supplements. You sound genuinly interested and that's why I decided to answer your question. Most people only ACT like they care but in reality can't be bothered to properly take care of their pets, members of my own family do this as well and it makes me sick to see. My one brother still feeds "Old Roy" to his two dogs, pretty sad commentary on what that says about him after what he's been told about that food. So far a Chinese Crested I am helping care for that is dying of kidney failure has gained an extra 3 months of QUALITY in it's life since being on the Pitcairns' kidney diet he wrote. Prior the dog was starving itself and wouldn't eat any type of other foods, this food he gobbled down so fast it was sad at first when he was introduced to it in his diet. Most vets have very LITTLE to NO training in nutrition so they really are not the best source to ask. Also it puts them in a rock and hard place to say don't trust the food we sell even though most I'm sure know it's trash. Most vets if they take the class are tough nutrition from a pet food co. rep. anyway so do you want to trust that info? I won't. Just "an example" of what goes into some of the recipies is organic eggs, ground turkey, whole wheat bread, oil, oatmeal, supplements etc... depending on what you want to make them. Buy the book and get started, you won't be sorry. Your pet will be healthier, happier and that will make you feel good as well knowing your doing your best for them and the results you'll see very soon will surprise you. Put your trust in this book because the research has been done by a professional in the field. I'd call this author "the Patch Adams" of the pet world. I intend to send this guy a thank you letter in the future for writing this book and let him know how much benefit our dogs recieved from his knowledge. Don't just try any recipie given out on here (Yahoo Answers). The second Chinese Crested I'm caring for with the other, he lost at least 5-8 lbs. of bloat after being on the Pitcairn diet after only 2 months, after his third month just recently the vet told me his body weight and shape are "perfect" right now. Again, his eyes were all cloudy and leaking gunk prior, he was sickly, now they are cyrstal clear and he is very healthy. I generally don't stop in here much anymore because I'm tired of seeing these idiots telling others things like "don't feed your dog table food", "make him eat his own, he won't starve himself to death and he'll eventually eat after a day or so". That kind of info is cruel and sick!!!! God forbid your pet would want to eat something that tasted good and was actually nutritious, rather than ground up euthanised pets, roadkill and poisons just to name a few key ingredients in some of the commercial pet foods. Edit: Large amounts can be made at one time and frozen, this doesn't have to be a "daily" making of the food. Just heat and serve.
10 :
Yes, i only believe in cooking for my own dog. I have since feed my dog for almost 9year. And i only cook special dog food for them everyday with fresh meat,brown rice,egg,green veggie,carrot & garlic and feed them without any other junk food , and as for fruits only red or green apple after their every meal time. I only believe in cooking by my own hand food is the best,instead of buying those commercial dog food,as you won't know what they have put in that bag. (even they have indicate on the bag,YOU did not go for testing, how would you know it real or not what they have put in the bag.) So, i always ask all my friend to only cook for their precious dog with the right ingredent, to keep their dog healthy. And it really sad to see some people is still feeding their dog with some bad commerical dog food. And i know there's alot of people don't agree with me,then why don't they do a test on themself, by eating their dog food,and see will they grow better or not.
11 :
I feel homemade is healthier if you can do it. I live in the middle of a rural area full of slaughter houses and meat processing plants. I KNOW, because I have seen it and have had family working in these places, that animals that are not good enough for human consumption are sold to pet food companies. If a pig comes in with an infection or some other problem that the vet will not clear for processing into human food, the pig is secluded with a group of other substandard pigs. The pet food company, the BIG one that starts with a P, comes and buys these pigs or cows or whatever animals are rejected to take to make into petfood. Almost all pet food makers do this same thing at markets and meat processing plants around the nation. Trucks of animals come to the plant. Vets either clear or reject each animal for human consumption. The rejected animals are sold for petfood. The same thing happens at the grainery market. If a load of grain is rejected due to mold or too much debris, the petfood companies will buy it. The same thing with grease. In back of every fastfood place you see a grease bin. That is the horrible smell you smell in back of those places at time. All that grease goes to petfood factories. Those substandard, rejected ingredients are what go into most pet foods. Very few use human grade ingredients. So, yes, if you can make your own from human grade ingredients it is better. The problem comes when you have many dogs and simply cannot make enough to feed all of them
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