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Can anyone advise me on what would be a good healthy meal alternative to giving my dog actual dog food? I know about boiled rice and potatoes, but is there anything else i can give him? I'm sick of feeding him that bland dog food. I spend good money on his dog food, but I'd rather take that money and buy him some good food. You know dogs would much rather have something with a lil taste to it. Any advice is greatly appreciated
It is very important that your dog gets a complete and balanced diet. It is very safe and easy to do so by feeding a commercial dog chow. It is true that many people do prepare their own dogs' food, but it is time consuming learning how, and difficult to do right. Mess up, and you can ruin your dog's health. I am sure your dog would rather you spent the extra time going on a walk or playing fetch. What dogs want more than anything else is your time and attention. They don't appreciate the time you spend on the computer learning what you will need to know to prepare a safe diet for your dog.
Frankly, I suspect dogs getting Old Roy are better off than many getting home made chow.
I DO play with my dog and walk my dog. as a matter of fact, the majority of my time is spent with my dog, who by the way, i consider my son. i dont plan to entirely stop feeding him dog food. i was just coming on here to ask if there was something else i could give him at times. my dog means everything to me. dont stick up ur nose at me and tell me.... ("They don't appreciate the time you spend on the computer learning what you will need to know to prepare a safe diet for your dog.") if u werent gonna just offer an answer, then just keep ur mouth shut please, thank you
Lets try to keep this an unhostile place now. What Labman is saying that any other diet besides dog food is not good for your dog. Dog food is designed to meet your dogs digestive needs since it is way different than ours. The only thing I avoid with dog food is fillers such as corn meal. I use a brand that can only be found in feed stores called Buckeye. I have a black lab, australian cattle dog, and shi tzu. The cattle dog would get diarrhea on Purina Dog Chow. When I started using the Buckeye, his diarrhea went away. Not only that, but they love it!! Anyway, giving your dog anything else but dog food is THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO FOR THEIR DIET. Not only is it not good for their digestive tract, but they will go away from dog food expecting to get treats all the time. I used to show dogs across the country and I had the hardest time keeping my dogs on their regimine when using bait in the show ring. They got to where they only wanted the bait and would literally loose weight whenever we were on the road. Remember, these are just suggestions.
No one suggested that you didn't spend time with your dog.
You know, this kind of forum is for answers to questions, by people with experience in certain areas. You came here seeking advice that labman is certainly qualified to answer, yet you become argumentative and defensive when given said good advice. If you wish to get advice on something that could potentially harm your animal, search elsewhere.
It has been suggested to me that those of us answering questions try to maintain a level of friendliness and not berate those coming for advice. Frankly, I am growing weary of those that come for advice only to reject the advice and get 'uppity' about the tone. If you wish to get honest answers, expect honest answers, not fluff.
and he wasnt hostile at all by saying that my dog doesnt appreciate the time i spend on the computer learning what i will need to know to prepare a safe diet for my dog right?
if you dont agree with what i ask or what i respond to someone else, then why not just leave it alone and keep on truckin? it would be nice if the people who do answer the questions keep it answer only and keep their extra little opinions to themselves. i accept advice, i just dont like it when people feel they have to add that extra little smart comment about it. its not necessary
Absolutely not--to say it bluntly. Dogs are carnivorous by nature-they need protein in their diet, not startches. High protein dog food with the least amount of fillers and corn additives is what you want.
I don't think so. And there is no good reason to do so.
What is good for dogs and people is a complete and balanced diet and not too much of it. Even is somebody made a people food as good for them as dog chow is for dogs, it would never sell. People demand a verity and often insist on eating too much carbohydrates and fats rather then veggies and cheese that has things they need too. So the things we don't eat enough of are ''good'' for us. If your dog was eating a diet short in fat, protein, and whatever else is in cheese, then cheese would be ''good'' for it. If your dog is eating a complete and balanced dog chow, then cheese or anything else that isn't a complete and balance diet really does not improve its diet.
Now let's all simmer down a little before I have to start editing or deleting posts and issuing warnings. Many people have strong but divergent views on proper feeding of dogs. I feel I have better access to quality information than many, but must tolerate temperate dissent.
Labman,
I agree--I forgot to mention that another definitive way to tell if your dog is getting the correct nutrition is by their coat. If you notice their coat is dull or they have excessive shedding, then he/she probably is not getting a properly balanced diet. I know this is gross, but another way to tell is if they seem to have excessive "poo." If your dog's body is rejecting most of what they eat, they will "poo" a lot more. That's one of the reasons why I went to the Buckeye brand. Less "poo" that is more consistent and my dogs' coats are just as shiny as could be! They almost look like I sprayed oil on their coats!
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