=> Mike Roberts wrote to Bill Mcgarrity <=-

 MR> @TZ: 412c

 MR> I suspect a lot of us are ignorant of what is bad for our dogs. I
 MR> bought anewfie puppy, many many years ago. The breeder encouraged me
 MR> quite heavily tofeed the dog a natural diet. Honestly, It was rather
 MR> expensive and difficult toprepare. She did also give the option that if
 MR> You did not do this, You wouldsign a paper saying You would only feed
 MR> him High quality Kibble. No Gravy traintype stuff. I opted to feed him
 MR> Iams Giant breed puppy food. She agreed thatwould be fine. It was not.
 MR> This guy grew into a monster... Not Fat, but BIG.And he did it way too
 MR> quickly. He ended up at 185 as an adult and as the vetsaid at the time,
 MR> he was amazed because he was not a fat dog. At that point hewas the
 MR> biggest newfoundland he had seen at his practice. However, he may
 MR> nothave been fat, but he grew so fast, his joints and his body in
 MR> general couldnot keep up with such rapid growth. I would never ever
 MR> feed a dog that extraprotein, large breed or not. At the time the
 MR> breeder thought that was great ifI was not going to feed him natural,
 MR> she had the eggs, and oatmeal and groundbeef etc all cooked over the
 MR> stove in a big pot. But it proved to not be thecase. He lived a long
 MR> life, for a newfie, but he was sore in his later years,He made it to 9.
 MR> Back then expectancy norm was about 5 or 6. I never new any ofthese
 MR> foods that are commonly listed today. In fact I had another newf,
 MR> whowhen a puppy was fussy and would not eat his food. I mean I had seen
 MR> him go 3days without eating his dry food. I then tried some other
 MR> things in his food.He loved Broccoli. I would regularly give him
 MR> Broccoli, I had no idea. Nothingcame of it that I know of, but I did
 MR> not know and many a day he did not eatunless broccoli was in his food.
 MR> Same with a common food on the no no list isgreen grapes, I did not
 MR> know that. My pugs love green grapes! No that I know,they don't get
 MR> them anymore. But for some reason, animals, under nocircumstances, I
 MR> was told by several vets, should get Onions or Avacados. MyParrot eats
 MR> all table scraps. The vet said, feed him anything, He is going
 MR> tooutlive You anyway, feed him regular food and he'll live even longer,
 MR> but donot give him onions or avacados, so it must be something that
 MR> could affectanimals across the board. I am just glad I was told and
 MR> have seen the list manytimes now, on the net and other animal lovers
 MR> etc.

There are many lists that specify those foods that are a no-no when it comes to
canines. Usually everything on the list dogs will go nuts over.  Just goes to
prove canines, like humans, will always love the things that will kill them
when it comes to food.  I call it the "McDonald's Effect"... lol!!

Protien is important when puppies are growing and should be somewhere in the
vicinity of 26-28% level whereas as an adult, it's 18-20%. Activity and if a
bitch is lactating will require more as expected.  Speaking of veggies, my boy
gets two cups of green beans every night as a filler.  It's very little
calories and helps as a digestive agent although with all the other supplements
I give both of them, they really never have an issue with being "irregular".


 MR> On the same subject and what You said, I have heard vet programs on
 MR> sirius andsome vets say if You want to do Your dog a favor and can
 MR> afford it. Feed Yourdogs a straight meat diet. Nothing but meat.
 MR> suggesting if one believes inevolution, that that is what their
 MR> ancestors ate and what we should be feedingthem now. But many cannot
 MR> afford it. But optimally they claimed it is whatwould be best for dogs.
 MR> Most people in the business try to sell dog food thatappeals to the
 MR> owners, not necessarily what the dog needs. These commercialswith
 MR> kibble with Vegetables, they claim is utter nonsense and is just
 MR> appealingto the owners.. 8( Have a good One!


Here is a list I normally will follow when it comes to meat...

Chicken - whole or any parts! (backs, necks, wings, etc.) 
Turkey - whole or any parts (wings, necks, etc.) 
Cornish game hens (whole) 
Beef (any cuts) 
Oxtail 
Pork (necks, ribs, any cuts) 
Rabbit 
Fish (canned sardines in WATER, not oil, or Jack mackerel) 
Quail 
Buffalo, kangaroo- almost anything you can think of! 

As I said, I feed high quality kibble without any "meal".  I use two suppliers
only due to my research in their processing.  I swear by them.  :)

Enjoy your day!!! 


Bill

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