Why The Food You Give Your Dog Matters!
If you're like most dog owners, you probably assume that commerical dog foods with brand names that are easily identifiable - Purina, Iams, Pedigree, etc. - must be good for your pets, right? After all, millions of pet owners buy them and feed them to their beloved pets, and surely they wouldn't all give their dogs something harmful. Unfortunately, this may just be the case.
Now, before I get any further along, let me make it clear that I am not a veterinarian. I do, however, have a science background and education, and I've had more dogs in my care in one year than most people will have in a lifetime. As an observant and naturally curious person, I've paid close attention in the past 20 years to the general health of my pets and those I've had in my care through a rescue shelter I was involved with for several of those years. I've also picked the brains of several top vets in my state in my quest to get to the heart of the matter concerning the best dog diet.
What has become abundantly clear is that one type of diet stands well above all others in terms of fostering good health and long life. More on that later...
I've seen dogs fed commercial foods, both wet and dry, from the cheapest brands to the so-called "premium" brands. I've also seen dogs who were fed vegan or vegetarian diets, as well as those fed raw meat and bones (known popularly as the BARF Diet). While individual dogs will do just fine on any of these widely divergent diets, what I've looked for are general trends in population subsets. How do these 10 dogs fare in their lifetimes when they eat cheap kibble every day? How about those 12 dogs who are getting a vegetarian diet all the time? And what happens to those 25 dogs who are being given a raw meat and bones diet? These are the types of questions I've asked as I've dealt with large numbers of dogs and their owners or keepers over the years.
These have in no way been controlled experiments, and I would never attempt to pass them off as authoritative or as adhering to any strict interpretation of the scientific method. In other words, take my conclusions with a large grain of salt. I'm really just out to get the wheels turning in the minds of all dog lovers who read these words.
After all of this careful observation and tracking, clear patterns have emerged time and time again...
Dogs that eat commercial kibble or wet food have lots of health problems later in life and tend to die youngest. This is even true when they've been fed "premium" dog foods, sadly.
Dogs that are fed vegetarian diets do better, but must be given large amounts of alternative protein sources to make up for the lack of it in standard vegetarian fare. A purely vegetarian diet is difficult to provide that will satisfy a canine's basic nutritional needs, but it is healthier and leads to slightly longer lifespans than any commercial brand diet.
Without any doubt (based on what I've seen over many years and hundreds of dogs), the best possible diet to feed your dogs is raw meat and bones with an occasional slop made up of vegetables, fruits, and organ meat. I've seen clear and compelling evidence that this diet leads to three amazing results: much better overall health, excellent dental health, and longer lifespans.
Countless times, I've seen dogs with repeating, nagging health issues (obesity, allergies, etc.) turn completely around on a raw meat and bones diet. And it doesn't take long to see how much whiter and cleaner their teeth become. This is actually very important (dental health), because a growing number of vets suspect a link between the bacteria produced by poor dental hygiene and internal complications as dogs age. Because dogs have to crunch through raw chicken, beef, or pork bones daily, they get and keep very clean teeth in short order.
It still amazes me to hear the feedback from a dog owner who has converted to the raw meat and bones diet. Virtually without fail, they all become true believers. In some cases, the improvement in their dogs is nothing short of startling.
A common fear voiced by many owners is the worry over the bones getting caught in their dog's throat or splintering and cutting them internally. This is a common misconception that actually does apply to COOKED bones. Never give your dog a cooked bone (especially chicken bones)! Raw bones, however, are no more of a threat than any other mouthful of food your dog chews. I have yet to deal with even one case of a dog on this diet having any kind of serious problem with the bones (out of hundreds).
Yes, handling raw meat and bones requires a commitment many are uncomfortable with. You have to get over the 'yuckiness' and embrace the benefits to your dogs! Another issue is finding a good source of affordable products. It's a good idea to locate a chicken processing plant nearby. They will often sell chicken cages (breast bones and related parts). Chicken cages are ideal because they provide a good balance of meat and bone - not too much of either in proportion to the other.
However, you should not always feed chicken. Mix things up to vary their protein sources a bit. Get some pork and some beef now and then to keep things lively and to provide your dogs with important nutrional elements that the chicken alone probably isn't providing. And don't forget to mix up a slop of green veggies, carrots, apples, bananas, and some raw livers or hearts at least twice a month. [*Note: have your pet checked for allergic reactions to any of those ingredients before trying this for the first time. Adjust accordingly.]
This is the main idea behind the success of the raw meat and bones diet: it comes closest to simulating the exact types of foods dogs ate all during their evolution. Think about it. Did dogs eat processed commercial food from bags or cans? Did they grow and harvest vegetables, fruits, and grains? Did they dine on cooked meats? Of course not! They evolved eating prey the pack took down and scavenging the carcasses of former kills. All raw!
You might be wondering, given this evolutionary perspective, why I'm suggesting that you prepare and feed a veggie-fruit slop every now and then. Good question! It's a bit unsettling to ponder, but consider the state of the prey (or dead bodies) that dogs ate all those years they were evolving. The animals they ate also ate, and more often than not, that meant their stomachs contained undigested vegetables, fruits, and other plant matter. The dogs dining on them didn't ignore that stuff - it got eaten along with everything else that could be stripped from the body.
So you see, this diet works because it mimics what dogs naturally fed on for tens of thousands of years. It really is that simple. There's nothing deep or esoteric about it at all.
Just try it. Take this challenge: give your dogs a raw meat and bones diet for 60 days. Try to find a meat and bones source that is close to a 50/50 meat-bone ratio (chicken breast cages from a processing plant are great, but you can also try pork necks or beef ribs from any grocery store). If you go the pork or beef route, give your pet plenty of time to wear down the raw bones. Chicken bones are soft and easily chewed up, but pork and beef bones take much longer. If you don't see any noticeable improvements - healthier coat, more energy, better teeth, excellent blood work-ups - go back to his former diet.
If you do take the challenge, I'm betting you'll be fairly amazed and continue. About 90% of those I know who've tried it stick with it. Give it 60 days. Isn't a healthier, happier dog who lives longer worth it?
John Schwartz has written extensively about dog health issues, safe dog health, and humane dog training practices. He is a passionate advocate for ethical dog adoptions and promotes spay and neuter education. His website can be found at dog health
efficient cleaning crew Highland Park ..She is the protector of cats, women and children. The... Read More
It has been said that everything old is new again.... Read More
So what does it mean to float a horse's teeth?... Read More
Mistake #1:"Here, Kitty Kitty..."Unless they have been educated, new horse... Read More
Over the past couple of years, animal rescues have been... Read More
Can Your Dog Stomach This?There's an old adage that says... Read More
What kind of materials should you use when constructing a... Read More
You are ready to bring your Boxer home? First, you... Read More
Fleas have plagued dogs, cats, and their owners since time... Read More
Almost all communities in the U.S. require at least one... Read More
According to recent statistics, an astounding 65% of all U.S.... Read More
Just like humans, dogs are subject to diseases and illnesses.... Read More
Now that you're dog has shown you so much love... Read More
Dog fashions are all the rage and have become quite... Read More
Dog bite injuries are alarmingly the most common condition that... Read More
HistoryThroughout the US and in many parts of the world,... Read More
Obesity is one of the most important health concerns facing... Read More
Let's think about this for a minute: God did not... Read More
Dog careAccepting responsibility of your new pet friend is truly... Read More
When I carried him home, he was this tiny little... Read More
Every year, many cat owners decide to get their cat... Read More
Aggression behavior in a dog is a normal form of... Read More
Let's take a look at the different stages, but before... Read More
Why The Food You Give Your Dog Matters!If you're like... Read More
A couple of years ago a Japanese electronics company came... Read More
scheduled maid service Park Ridge ..Americans are more concerned about health than ever before, so... Read More
Most dogs live between ten and seventeen years. The relationship... Read More
Do you want a Westie as a pet? What are... Read More
Animal Communication, or telepathy with animals, is as common an... Read More
Do you have a home robotic vacuum cleaner? They are... Read More
The proper selection of a training collar can have a... Read More
Having a dog is a little like having a baby.... Read More
Are you thinking about getting some discus then and want... Read More
Even with the best care, cats can become ill. Sometimes... Read More
Nutrition and Your Dog's Behavior Proper nutrition is the fundamental... Read More
Even a cat that compulsively cleans itself can benefit from... Read More
Dog flea control and management requires an integrated approach. For... Read More
Unfortunately, there are a number of household items which we... Read More
Dog obedience training starts even before you get your puppy... Read More
If you are having behavioral issues with your dog that... Read More
Dog eye problems can occur at any time. You should... Read More
Cockatiels are one of the most lovable pets in the... Read More
Many dog owners find themselves frustrated, deeply concerned and even... Read More
You may have heard that pets have been scientifically proven... Read More
So you want to keep discus fish or are already... Read More
"On Trust" & "Paid For" for are one of the... Read More
As a parent, you want to be able to give... Read More
Bringing home a Pug can change our life, but it... Read More
We all know that good food, a loving home and... Read More
One of the most difficult hurdles that any new puppy... Read More
Pet |