Down the Hatch
There's also the BARF alternative that an increasing number of pet owners are turning to. BARF stands for Bones and Raw Foods (but I have seen it referred to as Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods). In short, this means dogs are fed a combination of raw vegetables, meats, and meaty bones along with supplements instead of a "cooked" commercial diet. While this may sound unappealing to many, those who have switched to it seem to swear by it. Drawbacks of this diet would be the time involved to prepare it, cost, and risk of salmonella or other problems with uncooked poultry and other raw meats. Positives are health benefits for dogs with severe allergies or digestive problems that can't tolerate commercially prepared food, and a lack of fillers or possible contaminants in the food. I've included some new links on the website if you're interested in checking them out.
Of course, even more contentious than the boxers or briefs debate is the dry or wet food argument. Personally, my five all get dry food. I used to occasionally give them a little wet food mixed in with the kibble as a treat, but once I started doing research I found that some canned mixes are extremely high in sodium content. My two oldest (16 years and 10 years) get a LITTLE water on their food to moisten it, but that's all. And all of my dogs get part of their daily food through stuffed Kongs and homemade dog cookies. Talk to your vet about the pros and cons of dry versus wet food for your dog.
Finally, the subject of table scraps. While it's okay for a dog to OCCASIONALLY have a table scrap, it is NOT okay for you to make it a regular practice. Besides stomach upset, it can contribute to inappropriate behaviors such as begging and counter cruising. Mine get little plates of carefully selected scraps at holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, but that's it. And of course stay away from chocolate - they love it, but it can sicken and even kill dogs.
Once you pick a diet for your dog, stick to it and only change it unless it's medically necessary. Changes in diet can upset a dog's stomach and cause a finicky dog. A dog will NOT starve itself to death. It might go a day or two without eating, but eventually it will break down and eat what's
Latest Articles