What do you feed your dog?

[CAJ1]

I have been feeding my 16 week old lab on pedigree puppy dog food, just the dry food as the vet said the canned stuff had no nutritional value and was mainly water. I looked online though and Pedigree seems to have a lot of bad reviews! Pup seems fine on it and likes it. I was also wondering if I can add anything to dry food that would add a bit of variety to her meals, preferably something that has nutritional value and won't upset her young tummy!

What do you feed your dog and what would you recommend for a puppy?

TIA

[woofgang]

see.....20 posts, 20 different answers

[RATTER15]

I agree, in my opinion it is the best way to feed any dog, including a puppy, its backed by a worldwide trend switching to RAW feeding, and now taking strength in the showing circles, their are now many show dogs across the world picking up prizes.

I know many people will fight RAW feeding to the bitter end but the proof is out there if they are willing to do the research with an open mind.


In my opinion :-)

[jules77]

I know we have been down this road before Ratter, but for everyone that advocates Raw, there is another person that doesnt, and in my experience it isnt suited to all dogs.

[RATTER15]

I agree Jules, the problem is most of those that are against raw have never researched it and know nothing about it.

We researched it thoroughly before switching over to raw and based on all the evidence we were in no doubt at all that raw was the way forward.

We now belong various groups around the world who offer support and advice for people looking into feeding raw.

There is even an Irish Wolfhound RAW feeding forum, with Wolfie owners from all over the world contributing. It is a bit strange with some of the foreign RAW feeders when you here of them feeding reindeer, elk, moose, ox, and lots of green tripe and pumpkin is a big favourite among Raw feeders, I wish we could get it here more readily. Many of these Raw feeders are highly respected in the showring and displaying some amazing dogs.

It will take over without a shadow of a doubt, its all down to education and doing the right research.

OK, I accept there will always be a few die hards and of course those who just cannot possibly feed raw for lack of freezer space etc and other issues im sure, it is a lot more involved than pouring kibble into a bowl.

[barb1314]

I can't feed raw for 2 reasons.Even one raw bone makes Lottie very sick and I don't own a freezer or have space for one BUT i agree that logically it does make a lot of sense and I know many people who feed raw. Their dogs though are in no better condition than mine and I do try to vary Lottie's diet as I can't imagine eating the same meal every day of my life! I do see both sides of the argument though so please don't shoot me down :)

[RATTER15]

Barb, I wouldn't shoot you down for having an opinion lol, Whilst I say its a better and more natural diet, I'm not saying that a Raw fed dog will look any different than any other dog, I'm saying that a raw fed dog is less likely have so many of the illnesses that manufactured dogs will have and I know of a lot of cases where dogs have been cured of various illnesses just by getting these dogs away from all the chemicals that go into these foods. Our own Shih-tzu had suffered from itching and skin problems for 10 years and the vets could find nothing, as soon as we changed him onto RAW it stopped. One of the main reasons we switched to raw was that we could not get our dogs to eat kibble, no matter what brand we tried, they would eat enough to keep them alive and that was about it, they now clear their bowl and look for more.

[barb1314]

Oh bless em Ratter,that's lovely to hear. Lottie clears her bowl but she does also love her fruit,veg and fish so I do feel I'm giving her the best I can. She also has salmon oil and glucosamine as she has elbow problems. I have heard a lot of stories about the benefits of BARF,especially with allergies and skin problems so it's certainly a beneficial diet for some dogs. Bet your dogs are very chuffed!! If I had a freezer and a dog who could stomach raw bones I'd definitely give it a go. My border collie had the same sensitive stomach unfortunately but she did live to 16!

[jules77]

Ratter, apart from the skin problem your dog suffered with, why is a dog not fed on a raw diet likely to suffer more illnesses? I am interested in scientific evidence.........as opposed to something that Billinghurst or the like has written.

[RATTER15]

Jules, you want me to provide you with Scientific evidence lol, Do you really think that im going to scour the web looking for that for you! there is plenty enough evidence for me.

Its OK Jules, you for one will never ever be convinced. I don't have any desire to convert you Jules, I just tell it how it is. :-)

[RATTER15]

Jules, I'm assuming you forgot his actual title
"something that Billinghurst or the like has written"

you have conveniently dropped the "Dr" from his name :-) getting a bit close to scientific proof maybe? :-)

[jules77]

I just felt you should provide evidence before you recommend something as the best diet for all dogs. As far as I am aware Dr Billinghurst is a vet who has written some books, and not a scientist? I know I wont change to a raw diet with the dogs I have now, but never to say never in the future (would never feed bones though), I was genuinely interested in what evidence you had found in your research, as I havnt seen anything to back up Billinghursts' claims on the benefits of a Barf diet over a good quality kibble.

[RATTER15]

Like I said Jules, I'm not trying to convert you, and bones is actually a vital part of their diet. As many dogs have died from inhaling kibble as have died from damage caused by bones. Bones "must" be raw and not leg bones, leg bones are too hard and can wear and fracture the teeth. Personally, I have never known a dog to have a problem from eating a "raw" bone but I'm sure there are many stories of such.

[Chaffinch]

My JRT's love "live" food, which does'nt stay live for long! they do prefer rabit to rat, but will eat anything that moves lol

[CAJ1]

Sorry for the delay in replying - I've had problems with internet connection! Thank you very much for all of your answers, very informative. I will make sure if I do change her food I do it slowly. I gave her few bits of apple the other day (no core) and she loved it! Gave her a bit of carrot which she made a massive with just chewing it into tiny bits but not swallowing it lol!

Not sure if this link will work but I'll try anyway - here are a few pics of Rosie from 8wks to 17 wks if anyone is interested: http://www.facebook.c...94996567&l=a100acc1ed

[RATTER15]

A delightful looking pup :-)