Big dogs: food, heath and exercise...

[ermgravy]

yum well it pans out dogs cant take high protein... feed it chicken 3 meals a day for a week.. solid stools... feed it salmon 3 meals for 1 day, runs.... and no this is not with a animal just introduced to feeding fish... ask anyone who's ever tried feeding fish to a dog for multiple meals it isn't pleasant and when asking nutritionalist about this first thing they come back with is protein content...

and the Lion case was a cub house raised by my aunt. She had lots of salmon for the bears and it didn't do well at all, loved it but couldn't take constant feeds on it....

 

[ermgravy]

apparently Servals have a tenancy to get the runs if feed high quantities of fish too...

 

[Red Devil]

The problem with feeding pets homemade diets is that one has to have a valid knowledge of canine and feline nutrition. Although commercially prepared pet food manufacturers do have their problems, please consider the fact that PREMIUM, commercially prepared pet foods are BALANCED and offer the pet the daily required nutrients that are needed for that pet to properly sustain life. Mixing of homemade diets don't offer consistency of nutrients. Excessive or inadequate nutrient levels often leads to disease. Also, one needs to be careful feeding high-protein diets to dogs. Dogs are not true carnivores. They're omnivores. Excessive protein in canine diets can lead to renal disease. By feeding high levels of protein to a dog, you're forcing the kidneys to work harder then they were designed to work. On the other hand, cats are true carnivores and can sustain a healthy life on high-protein diets. Cats, dogs and humans all have different metabolisms and physiological systems. What works for one, doesn't necessarily work for the other species. And, the raw diet is very risky, due to the potential of salmonella being present in uncooked meat.

yes i agree.. not something you should partake ... if you do not have time to do it right...by study and gaining knowledge... by being consistent... making it every day at same time as possible... and understanding your own dogs individual needs...

 

[Red Devil]

Raw meat isn't high protein. And what exactly doesn't carry salmonella? I breed mice, they do. I have a snake, he does. My iguana as well, so does his food, which also needs to be carefully balanced but you don't see many ig owners feeding dried out pellets full of fillers and coloring. They feed fresh veggies and don't have nutritionist degrees either. I don't make sure my diet is complete and balanced. Is there anybody on here feeding their fish a 100% complete and balanced diet? No, because just like cats and dogs, we don't know what that is, nor do pet food companies. They take some poor quality meat, process the crap out of it, throw in fillers and vitamins and ready to go! Yum. You think pet food companies make a 100% quality balanced food, you haven't looked at a label lately. The vast majority of them are full of grains and veggies, it's not like it's a secret that dogs are carnivores and have no dietary use for carbs. Or that cats and ferrets are obligate carnivores and really can't handle that stuff. Most treats? Full of sugars, dyes, by products, things pet food companies know harms animals, but it's cheap and it sells and that's what really matters. I've dealt first hand with my animals harmed by kibble and you couldn't pay me to go back.

the only problem i have in your statements.. is one time with salmonella could be the last time your see your dog alive.. have to avoid this.. the other animals you mention are able to handle salmonella since they themselves are carriers..you have to be extremely careful you do not pick it up from them.. they are FINE with it.... the other statements you mention are true ...

 

[Red Devil]

I think we should stop and smell the roses... theres so much good information here.. this is a great thread with alot to gain by understanding and looking at ALL the info available and ALL the information that you ALL have brought to this thread.. this is why i am here.. i want to learn more.... please do not argue about the different views.. just discuss... once you get into arguments it detracts from learning and absorbing and keeping our train of thought.. we are here to improve the quality of our pets lives.. we are seeking advice.. not everyone has to agree.. and like previously mentioned.. the most important key is that every dog is individual.....each one needs their own specific diet...... these are only stepping tools to the basics.. everything else should be modified or increased etc to your specific breed.. or specific health problem... etc.

 

[DavidW]

There's a cautionary quote I am fond of:
" do not invest your ego in your position, lest your position fall , and your ego go with it"
It would seem to be becoming applicable here

 

[West1]

Been getting lost in info for a couple days on this site. I think there is some good stuff here, Atleast for newbies to homefoods like myself. Thought I would share...

http://www.dogster.com/forums/

 

[ermgravy]

the only problem i have in your statements.. is one time with salmonella could be the last time your see your dog alive.. have to avoid this.. the other animals you mention are able to handle salmonella since they themselves are carriers..you have to be extremely careful you do not pick it up from them.. they are FINE with it.... the other statements you mention are true ...

too a certain extent that statement is true Liz Kibble does content many Bacteria. The chance of dangerous levels are low but well possible.

I think we should stop and smell the roses... theres so much good information here.. this is a great thread with alot to gain by understanding and looking at ALL the info available and ALL the information that you ALL have brought to this thread.. this is why i am here.. i want to learn more.... please do not argue about the different views.. just discuss... once you get into arguments it detracts from learning and absorbing and keeping our train of thought.. we are here to improve the quality of our pets lives.. we are seeking advice.. not everyone has to agree.. and like previously mentioned.. the most important key is that every dog is individual.....each one needs their own specific diet...... these are only stepping tools to the basics.. everything else should be modified or increased etc to your specific breed.. or specific health problem... etc.

I turn arguments to awkward illogical posts at 4.00am apparently.... just like to apologise on my part in that... wasn't looking for a fight just took objections to way things were said and not per say the points made.

There's a cautionary quote I am fond of:
" do not invest your ego in your position, lest your position fall , and your ego go with it"
It would seem to be becoming applicable here

dont post hi at 04.00am is another brillant tit bit!

Been getting lost in info for a couple days on this site. I think there is some good stuff here, Atleast for newbies to homefoods like myself. Thought I would share...

http://www.dogster.com/forums/

West1 Nice link bro looks like so really good advice on some threads on this link....

 

[DavidW]

@ erm
'nothing good ever happens after midnight'
!!

 

[ermgravy]

things just anit what they used to be!


And now for something controversial whilst all going off about the questionable risks of food poisoning you have all skipped over the real issue i came up against on a personel level with a raw diet and i think one that should be addressed. most the links everyone have posted cover salmonella and bacteria to some extent and in various lights. that facts are a well raised healthy pup it simply doesn't pos the biggest of risk's. It is there documented time and time again in black and white.

No for me its not bacteria it's possibility of parasites that makes me think long and hard if im doing the right thing but sourcing meat from human food sources and keeping Bear in top condition should be enough to deal with this factor I hope... Certainly neither is heard of commonly, either food poisoning or parasites...