Raw/Natural Diet

[Kamila]

I just read a book about commercial dog food which basically says that the stuff we feed our dogs is what's causing the high rates of cancer and other illnesses. I thought that was all a result of inbreeding from purebred dogs and stuff like that, but this book (it's called the Dog Bible) says that commercial dog food is full of sawdust and ground-up beaks and hooves, with virtually no actual nutrients; and that the only reason dogs gobble it up is because it's sprayed with grease (mmm) before being packaged.
I am now kind of panicking - I lost a dog to cancer just over a year ago and would HATE to see it happen again with my new dog, who I've had for just over six months now. I'm thinking about feeding a raw diet - yogurt, grains, meat, etc - but don't know how much it's going to cost. I think probably quite a lot.
Has anyone tried 'real food' for their dogs? Is it much more expensive than commercial dog food? Did your dogs do well on it? Is it hard to figure out what to feed them, or is there like a recipe-book thing somewhere? I should probably talk to my vet first (i guess i will have to) but it would be nice to hear what real people have to say too.
I would appreciate any info you have, even just friend-of-a-friend stuff.

[Donna]

Hi I am just new here but here goes. I stopped feeding my dog ( Lady)
commercial food because of all the horrors that I read about . I purchased a book called. Dr. Pitcairn's guide to natural health for dogs & cats.its holistic ,it's great book . I don't really like the idea of raw food but there are one or two recipes for cooked food and my dog really loves it . there is herbs and vitimins that have to be added in to it .but I feel it's better for her ,she is happy and healthy .vet checked and after six months now he said she is doing fine .

[ericpotter]

I stopped feeding my dog, Bruno, on supermarket brand pet food and started him on Science Diet on the recommendation of my vet. He had a really sensitive stomach and was pooping blood and stuff like that - it was pretty bad - so I took the vet's advice and started him on the SD food for sensitive stomachs, and - after a bit of mucking about with the canned food (which was WAY too expensive for me) he settled into the kibble and he's absolutely fine and completely healthy. This was a couple years ago and the problem's never returned - so I'd say that not ALL commercial food is bad.
I read that book too, the Dog Bible, and it says that even Science Diet is bad food for dogs. Well I'd have to disagree with that, because Bruno is living proof that it actually does work: not only prevents disease occurring, but actually cured a condition (and a pretty bad one too! Pooping blood is no joke) that already existed.
So if you don't want to muck around cooking your dog three meals a day or whatever, maybe you should try Science Diet, it can't possibly more expensive or time-consuming than a "human food" diet.

[Donna]

what ever works for you and what ever you feel comfortable feeding your little friend is what is important . I also had a dog with bloody movements .
took him to the vet and they didn't seem to know what the problem was . they wanted to put him through a bunch of test and to feed the special food that vets sell @ three dollars a can, well after ten days and little sleep with the poor fellow he went into shock couldn't walk and just lay there and died . It was one of the hardest things that I have had to sit and watch . so I have tried to make myself informed about everything to do with dogs and after a year of total upset ( couldn't even watch tv with dogs ) I adopted my present little girl and the time it takes me to make her food is time will spent . I know what is going in to everything she eats . Oh the vet told me that Oscar (that was his name ) had reached his peak as far as age went and I should prepare myself for his death , he was only ten years old or seventy in dog years , which isn't that old . sorry to have rammbled on so . you have a great day .

[Dove]

We cook chicken thighs everyday for our dog Dutch. He had a very bad reaction to Science Diet on rec from vet, we thought he was going to die. He hated canned food. So we just started feeding him most items we eat, which is fresh vegies, broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, yams, salmon. He's not a beef dog. He weighs in at 115 give or take a pound. YOu would think that he would eat us out of house and home, but it's like feeding another adult man.

He is healthy has a really nice coat. we don't feed him soy, or breads, we do give him biscuits as a treat. I think different breeds have different allergies just like people.

[kuritsa18]

I think before you decide to start feeding your dog "people food" you should consult your vet and even other vets to get different opinions and recommendations. I also think you should do some research on dog food and different brands to really understand what is in the food your dog is eating; don't just take the opinion of the book you read because it could be biased. It is always better to try and see the story from all anlges to be fully informed and not just take the word of one person or book.

I personally don't think there is anything wrong with dog food. Sure some brands are better than others but if you buy a reputable dog food and do your research you can find a suitable food that will satisfy all of your dogs nutritional needs or most of them. Most dogs eat dog food for all of their lives and live long healthy lives. Maybe adding some extra things into their diets to meet the nessesary vitamin needs would be good such as fruits and vegtables once and a while. I know my dog likes to try fruits and veggies.

Also, now a days unless your are buying organic products which can be expensive most foods, people and dogs, have chemicals or some kind of modification in them so I don't know if it would be that much healthier. People still get cancer and all of those other deseases.

I think the best thing is to do some research, get some different opinions from vets and specialists, even get your dog checked out to see how its health is, and just try to give your dog a balanced diet that is nutritional and plenty of exercise. It is the same for dogs as it is for humans. There is no magic cure or special diet that will magically cure you or prevent disease all you can do is live a balanced and healthy life style

[Brandis mom]

Natural food is best. Iv'e been cooking for my dog for a long time now. It doesn't take a lot of time to do and I know exactly what is going into her body. We take care to feed our families and ourselves the freshest and most nutritious foods we can buy why not do the same for our dogs. They have a few restrictions on what they can eat (things we can eat but would cause severe health problems for them) but the list is short and it isn't hard to avoid those items.

Dr Pitcarin's book is one of the best books you can own. It's not hard and not expensive to home cook for your dog.

Brandi's Mom

[kuritsa18]

I still think you should consult a vet and do some more research instead of just taking the word of a guy who wrote one book. There are a lot of books and specialists out there and each one has their own opinions and findings. To one person that book might be the doggy food bible and to someone else it could be trash. It is always good to gather as much information as possible to make the best informed decision you can instead of just basing your facts or decision on one source.

Also, it depends on time and money. Some people are talking about buying natural or organic food but those products can still be pricey. It also depends on how much time you have to devote to cooking for your dog. If you are really busy then maybe you don't have the time to cook for your dog every day and maybe it would only be once a week. I'm just saying you have to take all aspects into consideration.

[Brandis mom]

Consulting a vet about canine nutrition is like asking a dentist to advise you about heart surgery. Vets are trained to cure and correct disease and health problems. They receive exactly one term of nutritional training, in the whole time they are in school. My vet admits he knows very little about the nutritional needs of a dog. He relies on the manufacturers test labs and canine nutritionists to tell him what is best for the animal. When I discussed feeding home cooked foods he counciled me against it because he admitted he couldn't advise me. Well, all of my dogs have been eating home cooked foods for many many years and are completely healthy.

Oh by the way Dr Pitcarin is a veterinarian and he does specialize in canine Nutrition... Read the book you'll have your eyes opened.

Brandi's Mom

[kuritsa18]

That's why I said research as many sources as possible to find all of the information you need instead of just one source or one opinion; If your vet doesn't know anything about dog nutrition then consult another vet or try contacting a nutritioist. Do the research!

I'm not saying home cooking for your dog is not healthy or bad but a lot of dogs eat only dog food and live just as long and healthy lives. I feed my dog dog food and some other stuff here and there and she is perfectly happy and healthy. Everyone I know feeds their dogs dog food with other stuff here and there and they are healthy and happy as well and are living long lives. Maybe you can try and find a study or research that has been done on this subject comparing dog food to home cooking; that would be very informative and helpful to a decision.

There are a lot of specialists for dog nutritian so again do your homework to get as much information as possible to make an informed decision for your self that is not based on only one source. I'm not saying the book is bad or the guy doesn't know what he is talking about. Compare it to diet and nutrietion books for people. Every author claims their diet or their book is the best and their diet is the healiest, etc. but everyone has a different point of veiw and opinion. What works for one person or dog might not work for another.

I'm just trying to give the guy a different point of veiw and perspective instead of a one sided argument saying that this is the end all of dog nutrition and you absolutley have to put your dog on a home cooking diet.