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My mutt Ace has problems with food allergies from ingredients found in commercial dog food. It is a never-ending battle trying to figure out what to feed this mutt. Right now he is on the regular Solid Gold dry food, but he still has itchy skin. I have never been excited about buying raw food for any pet (unless I get a pet tiger). And I barely cook healthy food for myself, so I am not willing to cook for my dog at this point. So for now, natural dry food it is. It was a big step for me when I bought that first bag of natural dry dog food.
Anyway, I know many people struggle with this same issue and more and more people are cooking for their dogs or buying raw food. I came across a post by Radha Deep on reasons to cook for your dog. Radha writes for the blog Dog Care Reviews. She also contributes to blogs such as Good Dog Food and has written an ebook on dog food recipes. I found her post interesting because she writes about how additives found in commercial dog food are used to increase the shelf life of the food, but these additives are often what cause allergies.
The option is there if you want to begin feeding your dog a healthier diet. About four months ago, I asked you what you feed your dogs and what food you think is best. Here’s what you said.
What do you think about his issue now? Does your dog have food allergies?
(Image from petsupplies4less.wordpress.com)
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September 11th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Yeah, I can barely feed myself also. We had to cook for my mutt when she got older since she wouldn’t eat anything else. It was worth it, of course, and she was quite happy.
September 11th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I am one of those raw food fanatics. When Biggie has eaten kibble, he’s had Eagle Pack Holistic (excellent) or EVO (even better). One thing with the raw diet is that if your dog does have a food allergy, it’s pretty easy to figure out the cause because you can just add/subtract an ingredient and see the results.
Biggie gets itchy with grain, so no corn or oats for him. He eats a combination of food processed organic raw vegetables, nonfat yogurt, canned pumpkin, and raw meaty bones – fish, chicken backs and necks, turkey necks, and some pork, beef or lamb. Of course, all of it is human grade and we know exactly what goes into it. And if you live in NY city with a big dog and have to pick up poop, raw is the way to go – it is “prepackaged” as Biggie’s walker used to say. And TINY amounts compared to kibble.
To give you a sense of how well dogs process raw: EVO is supposed to be the closest kibble to raw, and Biggie was eating 2 cups a day (he is 100 lbs). Other dog foods he’d be eating 6+ cups. On raw, he eats about 2 lbs (yes, pounds) a day, obviously a lot of it is water weight. His poops on raw are still significantly smaller than his EVO poops.
Here are some of my raw diet posts, if you want to learn more:
http://biggiezblog.blogspot.com/search/label/raw%20diet
Biggie-Zs last blog post..Wanted: Dog Walkers who actually know how to WALK a dog
September 11th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Thanks Biggie. I am thinking about the EVO food. A raw diet may be something to try in the future as well. I will check out your posts on raw food.
September 11th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
There are actually many EASY options for raw feeding. Take a look at Honest Kitchen, or Oma’s Pride. Volhard NDF 2 is an easy choice as well.
Granted, I spend more time preparing my dogs food but we’ve gotten it down to a science. Food comes frozen, we thaw it partially, break it up into feeding portions and stick it back in the freezer.
My dogs do GREAT on raw food. Pick up a copy of The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog.
September 12th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Thanks Sew Crazy (Jen). I will keep this in mind. I would be more likely to feed my dog the pre-prepared raw food rather than making him food myself. I used to work at a kennel and many of the dogs ate raw food. At the time, I thought those owners were nuts!
September 13th, 2008 at 6:22 am
a dogs diet has an incredible influence on his health and life span, and i think the effects of some kibble is really subversive, can weaken the dogs defense, encourage allergies over the long term.
also, its incredible to watch a dog eat raw food with such joy
K9 Amigas last blog post..In Dog I Trust,
September 13th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I have to say that this is a topic that’s been on my mind alot lately. I’ve looked into raw diets, but I just haven’t been able to afford it with 6 dogs in the house right now.
September 14th, 2008 at 6:14 am
When Chels was little I thought she may be allergic to fresh chicken (probably not the chook but the hormones etc) so I took her off it..
Recently i started to give it to her and she didnt seem to have the same skin reaction, however Im now at the vets for ear infection.
If its not the wet ’surfers’ ear the vet will test her for allergies (& chicken will be on top of my hit list)
Chels gets a mix of kibble, cooked mince/veges/youghurt/egg
Abz & Chelss last blog post..Spring
September 14th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Pre-made raw diets are EXPENSIVE. Do it yourself raw diets run us around $1/lb here in NYC, which means it’s cheaper elsewhere. But it’s a lot of work. Biggie eats about 2lbs a day – that’s $60/month. Yes it’s more than kibble but it’s not that much more than a high quality (expensive) one. I justify the cost and time in saved vet visits, and a healthier dog.
And, as Sew Crazy and K9 Amiga say, they eat the raw with such joy and they are just so healthy.
Biggie-Zs last blog post..Wanted: Dog Walkers who actually know how to WALK a dog
October 14th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I have have had 2 dogs live to be over 19 years without ever feeding commercial dog foods.I think that vets are paid by dog food companies to tell us should only feed commercially prepared food. Both dogs were small,one 15lbs one 25lbs, but I do feel that I must have done something right by cooking them their own food.
October 15th, 2008 at 6:42 am
Hi Dentist. Wow, that’s great your dogs lived to be 19. I’m sure in your case, your dogs were getting healthy, balanced meals, but just because food is prepared at home doesn’t mean it will be any healthier. Look at how unhealthy most people’s eating habits are. And then we expect them to prepare food for their dogs? Hmmm…
As for vets, not all vets recommend commercial pet food. They might suggest one food or another, depending on the owner and the dog. Most owners want to feed their dogs kibble. It’s easy and affordable, takes little time, etc. If you don’t trust your vet, I think it’s time to find a new one. Vets are animal lovers just like you and I.
March 4th, 2009 at 2:18 am
I suggest to the dog lovers to prepare food of their own at home. That is the best, balanced, nutritious food that you know as you have prepared. Ready made food is not trustworthy all the time. So take care of your dogs.
March 14th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
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March 18th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Dog food should be prepared at home, because we know what we have prepared, how much it is nutritious and healthy food for our pets.