Canine Cuisine
Our choices for proteins from the commerical dog food companies
include not only the usual chicken and lamb but additional choices
of venison, trout, buffalo, rabbit, even kangaroo. If you want to
venture away from bagged food, you can go the distance and
jump on the raw food wagon.

Personal Choice
Most of my clients ask me what to feed their dog. I will
remind clients I am not a Vet or nutritionist but do share my
personal approach to canine nutrition and offer information
on the various feeding options available. I sum it all up
stating just because my dogs do well on a specific nutritional
plan, keep in mind every dog is different.

Relaxing after a meal (copyright 2008 Diane Rich)

The diet and supplements I choose to use are tweaked throughout
a year. I run annual blood tests on my dogs to compare against
their initial baseline tests to help me make decisions.

You need to do your own homework including talking with
your Vet, a canine nutritionist and possibly your breeder
regarding proper nutrition for your own dog.

Canine Nutritionists
This is a relatively new field available to pet owners. Holistic Vets usually
offer nutritional guidance, most conventional Vets do not.

Caveat Emptor as many people, some just licensed in human nutrition
and some licensed in pet nutrition getting into the canine nutritional field.
Some individuals may be more focused on selling you their own products
along with their consultations. Their products may or may not be the
way to go with your particular pet. Oversupplementation can be
unhealthy for your pet.

Agreeing to Disagree
I have attended seminars on raw diets and have quite a library on
the changing field of canine nutrition as I find the subject very interesting.
FYI, even with all the literature from these various authors, there are
some disagreements among those authors with regard to supplements
and menu selections.

Killing your Dog with Kibble?
Some authors on pet nutrition will tell you, you are killing your
dog with kibble as they suggest diseased livestock along with
road kill is used as the protein base for many dogs foods. I do believe
the less expensive dog foods choose less than healthy ingredients
including the protein sources. I am hopeful the more expensive
commercial pet foods sell us better quality.

It is also suggested that various useless fillers along with
restaurant grease in used cheaper dog foods to make delectable,
paletable kibble for our pets. By-products is not a word you
want to see on the list of ingredients in your dog's food.

Founding Father; Ian Billinghurst
Ian Billinghurst, an Australian Vet developed what is called the
BARF diet; I know, sounds "yummo" (Rachael Raye's word) but
it stands for Bones and Raw Foods or biologically appropriate
raw food. The belief is that feeding raw, meaty bones, raw
veggies, muscle and organ meats and supplements is far
superior to commercial dog foods or even home cooked diets.

Pearly Whites and other Benefits
What the raw food proponents all seem to emphasize is that
dogs on raw diets all have snow white teeth with no tartar,
no bad breath and are convinced the dog will be less likely
to succumb to a disease due to a stronger immune system from
fresh, raw foods, may possibly live longer, and have shinier
glossy coats. Note: bad breath may indicate other health
problems and should be addressed by your Vet.

Raw diets and supplements may be suggested to dog owners who
are painstakingly and lovingly trying to help their beloved pet
fight allergies or various diseases such as cancer, liver disease,
poor kidney function and diabetes.

Deadly E Coli or Salmonella
It is also suggested that the acid in the dog's stomach kills any
salmonella or E Coli bacteria. All the raw food proponents do
recommend that as you are handling raw meat
you must adhere to strict hygiene protocols so you or your
children do not get sick. Dog bowls and feeding areas need
special attention.

Bones
The raw food advocates also state that cooked bones
splinter and should not be given to a pet. Proponents also state
raw bones, if broken down and swallowed will not cause intestinal
blockage. Many Vets disagree as they treat dogs with both pearly
white but broken teeth from chewing on raw bones or perform surgery
on dogs with an intestinal blockage caused by small pieces of bone.

Not for Every Dog
There are concerns from Vets that a dog with a compromised immune
system may not be better off on a raw diet. There is information
that states dogs on raw diets long term are presenting symptoms of
malnutrition.

Some dogs turn their noses from raw food or have an adverse reaction
to raw. Some pets have a tough time making the transition and some take
to it immediately.

Long Lived Kibble Krunchers
In my years in the dog business I have known dogs that have
only eaten kibble all their lives and outlived the normal specs on
their lifespan with many living into the mid teenage years.

Bottom Line
Do your homework. If you are interested in raw diets, read up on
the subject from a variety of authors. Learn about your dog's
nutritional requirements and understand the diet may need tweaking
as the dog ages or develops medical challenges. Before you make the
switch consider having your Vet do a blood workup and urinalysis for a
baseline, then monitor yearly to ensure the nutritional approach you
are choosing is beneficial. Many conventional Vets are opposed to raw
diets so you may need to find a holistic Vet to guide you.

That being said, the raw diet is something I am considering even though
I have always fed kibble/canned and occasional cook for my pets.

Are you a bag person or raw food advocate?

Waiting for breakfast (copyright 2008 Diane Rich)

Bone Apetit'

Diane Rich
Diane Rich Dog Training, LLC
www.spokesdog.com