Your Dogs Diet

           There is so much controversy regarding what to feed your dog and what not to feed your dog. Lately, with all the problems that have been reported regarding dog foods killing pets, I cannot recommend one over the other as this is something you have to decide on your own with much research. If I say for instance, use Pedigree, than lo and behold before I’m done typing this, something could come up regarding the contents of this food!

          What I can do , however, is to tell you what I do regarding my own pets food. I have researched  long and hard, asked experts plus a lot of trial and error.

            I do use pedigree products. So far this has been my best bet. But, I also feed other foods mixed in with it. Just as with people, every dogs needs are different. Be breed specific when considering what to feed your dog. Some dogs for instance need support with their skin and coat, while others may need support with digestion. Consider their type of hair, skin, body style, are they very active, sedentary, mediocre?

           When I feed my sweethearts  (dogs), I consider their age, coat, energy levels, allergies, even personality! Peggy Sue, my springer-cocker has allergies and trouble with flatulence, so I have to be sure she gets a tablespoon of plain yogurt mixed with her food daily. Max also gets the yogurt because he has constipation and needs the bone support. While on the other hand, a tablespoon of yogurt doesn’t agree with Chip, my chocolate cocker at all??? I alternate every day on the following; instant mashed potatoes mixed with a cup of pedigree dog food with a tablespoon of peanut butter on the side of the dish. Then some days it’s sweet potatoes mixed with their food. Some days, especially summer, a tablespoon of cottage cheese and rice mixed in their food. I have a cocker that loves bread and broccoli , but if you look on the list on this web site it says “no broccoli”?? One piece of broccoli will also provide a source of vitamin K.?? What do you do? Moderation! The list also says that garlic isn’t good for your dogs either, but you can go into any pet store and find garlic tablets made especially for dogs and it’s supposed to help keep flea’s and other pests off your dogs! We humans eat things that are not good for us every day! But, lo, we do it anyway! Moving on with the list of daily alternates that I give my dogs. Sometimes a little piece of cheese is o.k. Their favorite is when I cook liver for them and mix it with their dog food. Some days I put tuna in their dog food. Some days, I make scrambled eggs and mix it with their dog food. Their most common treat for training is cut up micro-waved turkey hot dogs or pieces of cooked liver.

            I always try to consider what is good for them, what they like to eat, and as long as you keep in mind what their needs are and remember not to give them what’s on the do not feed list, mixed with a good dry dog food they will be very happy dogs.

             When they are not feeling well, they get rice in chicken broth mixed in their food. When they are getting a little over weight, they get green beans mixed in their dog food. The tablespoon of peanut butter on the edge of their feeding bowls is like their desert every day! Older dogs get the steady tablespoon of yogurt and tablespoon of cottage cheese for bone and digestion support. Stool eaters get a little sprinkle of meat tenderizer mixed in their food. I know, it sounds awful, but some dogs DO eat their stool! On some days I’ll put a couple tablespoons of gravy in the instant mashed potatoes then mix with a cup of their dry food. They always see this as a yummy meal. Don’t let me forget to tell you all my dogs get one slice of banana (about a tablespoon) every day mixed in with the rest!  I don’t feed corn, dogs cannot digest corn. If your looking at a dog food, check to see if the first main ingredient is corn. If so, I wouldn’t feed that food to my dogs.

            Bottom line here is that you should do the research and make that decision along with your vet. Most vegetables and low fat meats are good for you AND your dog when properly washed and prepared. I don’t give my dogs bones. It scares me to think they could choke on them or how if swallowed could tear up their insides. Especially NO chicken bones. I don’t give my dogs food from the fridge that I wouldn’t eat. It will make them sick too! I cook their foods. I have heard all the advise on how they should have raw meat. It’s just my opinion, on what I have learned, that I cook their food.

             If I walk my dogs and I see them wanting to eat grass, I give them a little pepto bismol. Dogs normally tend to eat grass if their stomach is upset. Pepto bismol helps with loose stool as well. Ask your vet on the dosage, it will be according to your dogs size. Canned pumpkin or sweet potatoes will help a dog with loose stool also. Keeping in mind that I constantly watch my dogs feces, it should always be solid and dark brown in color. Watching their feces may sound really gross to you, but it’s the best way to keep an eye on their health. A dog really can’t look at you and say “Hey, I’m not feeling well”! But problems will usually show up in the feces first, before you notice anything else. If you spot worms, slime, green color, excessive black (pepto bismol will darken the stool for a day or so)blood, or just runny loose stool, it may be time for a vet check. Sometimes a vet may ask you to bring in a sample of the feces. Just use a sandwich bag, put your hand in the bag, grab the feces and reverse the bag as you pull your hand out.