Best food for...

[Caty M]

Dogs can't survive without meat, unless the plant material they are eating is processed in some way. If a dog were to be dropped on an island with no animals, no fish and no animal products, it would starve. They can't cook. If an animal was dropped on an island where all it could eat was other animals, it would thrive.

[xellil]

Yes, I would be very interested to know what "behavioral issues" are caused by a lack of some nutrient.

If were to buy into the fact that dogs are omnivores, I would definitely buy fresh fruit/veggies/whatever just to make sure my dogs weren't being poisoned by aflatoxins or melamine or some other horrible thing people think up to cheap out on dry food.

[xellil]

Dogs can't survive without meat, unless the plant material they are eating is processed in some way. If a dog were to be dropped on an island with no animals, no fish and no animal products, it would starve. They can't cook. If an animal was dropped on an island where all it could eat was other animals, it would thrive.

The dog food industry is very powerful. The PMR industry doesn't exist. Therefore, we are to believe that a dog can be put out to pasture in a cornfield and consider it fine dining.

[Caty M]

Of course dogs should get more than one source of protein.. they should get fish, beef, chicken, turkey, lamb and whatever else your budget can afford. They do not need PLANT protein. Meat contains every essential amino acid and a varied diet will have them in the right proportion for the dog.

[greyshadows]

I definately agree dogs do need meat. I guess my husband would say so too! He would starve if I dropped him on a desert island without steak! I see on another thread that there is going to be several vegetarian and vegan food lines. I wonder if anyone will use it and if they will post here?

[Caty M]

If dogs need meat they are carnivores

I doubt anyone would use it on here. Most "dog-savvy" people are NOT impressed with a vegetarian food. All the food is is grains. Your personal beliefs (animal rights etc) shouldn't be imposed on your dog who has no such care in the matter.

[biancaDB]

If dogs need meat they are carnivores

thaaaankkk youuuu

[Celt]

The concern I have with rotating diets is this; The more protein sources an animal is exposed to, the more potential allergens are on the list if the animal ever presents with a food allergy, meaning it will be more difficult to find an appropriate diet that the animal is not allergic to. This goes especially for puppies with soft stool, because the gut is already more permeable, so larger protein pieces are passing through the gut and are more likely to initiate an allergic response by the body.

I wrote a long reply but it "disappeared", so I'll give a shorter version. Most "protein" allergies (from my understanding) are either from "long exposure" or "immediate". It has always been my opinion that "limiting" a pup's diet caused most "sensitivities". In my family, we have, generally, fed a mutlitude of foods from various sources. It is difficult to get a "variety" within a company's "line" because while the "flavor" changes the rest of the "recipe" remains the same. Even different brands often have similar ingredients with only a difference in placement of ingredients, but this is why we add in "extras" (meat scraps, bacon drippings, potato skins) fairly often.
If I ever own a dog with "sensitivities", I would find a food that worked then I would look for others that have similar "recipes" so as to add at least a minimal variety to its diet. My mind always thinks of worst case scenarios, like what would happen to my dog if, for whatever reason, I'm unable to get that particular food. Better to have a selection to choose from, imo. (hope this made sense)

[magicre]

I definately agree dogs do need meat. I guess my husband would say so too! He would starve if I dropped him on a desert island without steak! I see on another thread that there is going to be several vegetarian and vegan food lines. I wonder if anyone will use it and if they will post here?

personally, i think people are mostly sheep and they are followers. if ellen degeneres and alicia silverstone, both fairly well liked celebs and they aren't the only ones.....there will be a group of followers.

i am afraid for the dogs....i really am.

[xellil]

Drew Barrymore just adopted a dog. I wonder what she's going to feed it. Wouldn't it be nice if just one celeb came out and said dogs should be fed meat. I guess that's not the trendy thing to do right now.