Do you have a DOG....
funny thread!
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,840
Likes: 1
From: socal
hey kadeshpa, you mentioned that you fed him SD all his life. If he was healthy, the suddenly died... and you DID feed him SD all his life... how does it mean SD killed him? wouldnt the constant feedings of SD be considered a 'controled' experiment in the scientific method, since it was always there and consistent?
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 1
From: M.I.A.M.I., FLORIDA
Originally Posted by ToeKneeC,Jan 10 2006, 01:09 PM
i feed kirkland/costco branded dog foods to my 2 big big breeds (St. Bernard and a Golden Retriever). I used to feed 'em Canidae/Chicken Soup/California Natural, etc. But we're trying to bulk up the Bernie pup and the feeding schedule on Candidae was making me broke. Kirkland dog food happens to be produced by Diamond, but because it doesn't contain corn, there was no toxin found.
a good doggie food website: http://www.mordanna.com/dogfood/
a good doggie food website: http://www.mordanna.com/dogfood/
BTW didn't even know diamond did Kirkland... Whoa! Scarry thought!
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,601
Likes: 1
From: La Habra
I had an Australian Shepard live to 19 years on plain old Purina dog chow. Nowadays I feed my six-year-old Chocolate Lab Nutro's large breed weight control (he's a big/tall Lab at 115 lbs, had hip problems as a puppy, but just under "fat").
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,867
Likes: 0
From: Oh kwa tan zen wan
The size of your dog seems similar to Raj. His weight varied between 110 and 120. He was a BIG chocolate lab! I am 6' 3" and his head would come close to mine when he would stand up and put his front paws on me..
However, he was very lean and trim. The definition in his muscles would be clearly visible.
If I had to do things over, I would defi feed him home prepared meals and maybe add a bit of Innova brand dry food in his bowl.
However, he was very lean and trim. The definition in his muscles would be clearly visible.
If I had to do things over, I would defi feed him home prepared meals and maybe add a bit of Innova brand dry food in his bowl.
Administrator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 20,274
Likes: 4
From: Toronto, Canada
Pets are always a touchy subject because people are very attached to them. Everyone has their own theories but I do think it's a stretch to say SD caused liver cancer in your pooch. You have my sincere condolences but combining the news of your dog's passing and your condemnation of SD within the same post may have distracted people from recognizing your loss.
Now, feeding your dog the same food, day in day out, for 7.5 years may have been the biggest problem IMHO. I usually switch up brands every other bag to keep my boys diet varied. As good as some of the major brands are in delivering good nutrition dogs do get bored eating the same food all the time which can cause a number of eating disorders but can also condition your dogs digestive system (for good or bad). If all they do is eat corn or rice or beef or lamb or whatever you build a bias into their systems. Dogs are scavengers for the most part and I think they need some amount of variety to stay healthy.
Many people are feeding raw (BARF) now but I'm not a big fan of this personally. My aunt tried it for a while (about a year) and found her dog (same kind as mine) had loose and stinky poo. What comes out reflects a lot on what goes in and just like people having loose or clumpy and really bad smelling poops is a sign of trouble.
You need to take a close look at the ingredients in the food. SD for example lists corn at the #1 ingredient and you don't actually get to real meat until #3. It's mainly filler and carbs. Purina One which I prefer lists Beef as the #1 ingredient. Watch for fats, too much fat is really hard on the liver and is why you shouldn't ever feed your dog fatty food (like fat cut from a steak or fried food). I make an exception for french fries for my boys but they only get one or two little ones and then that's it.
If you just match your dogs nutritional requirements with a food that provides it you should be fine. We supplement this with something we call "soup" (a broth of lamb or beef and rice or barley and carrots and broccoli stewed into a thick porridge). They get a tablespoon of this mix in their meals mainly to add flavor, moisture and aroma. They love it, they eat all their food in one sitting and I know they are getting good nutrients to augment the rather boring nutrient pellets which is dry dog food.
Beware of soft treats. They are soft because they contain massive amounts of trans fatty acids (transfats). They are not only horrible as food but they are really bad for teeth. Always feed them hard biscuits and never, ever soft and chewy ones. Food is made soft and stays that way from fats. This includes dry food which is soft or food which contains soft bits.
I don't think it's all that complicated really. What's important is the health and happiness of the animal and that starts with what they put in their mouths. Garbage in, garbage out.
Now, feeding your dog the same food, day in day out, for 7.5 years may have been the biggest problem IMHO. I usually switch up brands every other bag to keep my boys diet varied. As good as some of the major brands are in delivering good nutrition dogs do get bored eating the same food all the time which can cause a number of eating disorders but can also condition your dogs digestive system (for good or bad). If all they do is eat corn or rice or beef or lamb or whatever you build a bias into their systems. Dogs are scavengers for the most part and I think they need some amount of variety to stay healthy.
Many people are feeding raw (BARF) now but I'm not a big fan of this personally. My aunt tried it for a while (about a year) and found her dog (same kind as mine) had loose and stinky poo. What comes out reflects a lot on what goes in and just like people having loose or clumpy and really bad smelling poops is a sign of trouble.
You need to take a close look at the ingredients in the food. SD for example lists corn at the #1 ingredient and you don't actually get to real meat until #3. It's mainly filler and carbs. Purina One which I prefer lists Beef as the #1 ingredient. Watch for fats, too much fat is really hard on the liver and is why you shouldn't ever feed your dog fatty food (like fat cut from a steak or fried food). I make an exception for french fries for my boys but they only get one or two little ones and then that's it.
If you just match your dogs nutritional requirements with a food that provides it you should be fine. We supplement this with something we call "soup" (a broth of lamb or beef and rice or barley and carrots and broccoli stewed into a thick porridge). They get a tablespoon of this mix in their meals mainly to add flavor, moisture and aroma. They love it, they eat all their food in one sitting and I know they are getting good nutrients to augment the rather boring nutrient pellets which is dry dog food.
Beware of soft treats. They are soft because they contain massive amounts of trans fatty acids (transfats). They are not only horrible as food but they are really bad for teeth. Always feed them hard biscuits and never, ever soft and chewy ones. Food is made soft and stays that way from fats. This includes dry food which is soft or food which contains soft bits.
I don't think it's all that complicated really. What's important is the health and happiness of the animal and that starts with what they put in their mouths. Garbage in, garbage out.
Administrator
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 20,274
Likes: 4
From: Toronto, Canada
Having said the above I have to say that my dogs generally eat better than I do. I can feed them a nutritious and balanced diet and suffer no pain whatsoever. They go to a doctor at least twice a year and get their teeth cleaned regularly. They get exercised every day for at least 45 minutes.
Yes, I'm way sure they are healthier and better cared for than I am
Yes, I'm way sure they are healthier and better cared for than I am
