Comments for Home Dog Food http://www.homedogfood.com Exploring alternatives to dry dog food Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:14:45 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 Comment on Extended Shelf Life and Shortened Dog Life by Terry L. http://www.homedogfood.com/pet-food-industry/extended-shelf-life-and-shortened-dog-life/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Terry L. Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:14:45 +0000 http://www.homedogfood.com/?p=3#comment-21 Angelica, It was nice to hear from you and I sympathize with the concerns about your dog's health. Sorry I am not much help on breed specific dog food, although there were some interesting comments by William D. Cusick in his book 'Canine Nutrition Revised.' He ties breed origins with food grown in those climates as being most ideal for a specific breed. Since Schnauzers originated in Europe, maybe wurst/beef & pork, barley/grains and potatoes are most agreeable with them? Frankly, I a believe a fresh, natural food diet is best for all dogs and side with holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists who have concluded that many of our pets health problems from allergies to cancer, stem from poor nutrition...poor nutrition resulting from the preservatives found in all packaged and even store bought, so called "fresh" wet dog food. Mostly because of convenience, we have fed Molly kibbles from the bag. But, if we reduce the overall amount of preservatives she eats, she will undoubtedly have better health. Over the last six months I have been giving Molly about a 50-50 diet of fresh food and kibbles. I also monitor her stools to see that they are normal. I don't know if it is because of this diet change from 100% kibbles, but she seems to be scratching less (same flea treatment regimen) and her coat is shinier than ever. When fixing fresh oatmeal for my breakfast (unsalted), I make extra for Molly. For her, I combine 3/4 cup lightly cooked oatmeal, 1 large egg, 1 tablespoon tuna fish with oil and 1/3 cup fresh frozen peas. Sometimes cooked, whole grain brown rice is substituted for the oatmeal and 1/3 cup chicken or beef meat is substituted for the tuna. She still gets high end kibbles for dinner, but which do you think she likes best? I hope this helps. Best wishes in having a healthy Schnauzer! Terry Angelica,

It was nice to hear from you and I sympathize with the concerns about your dog’s health. Sorry I am not much help on breed specific dog food, although there were some interesting comments by William D. Cusick in his book ‘Canine Nutrition Revised.’

He ties breed origins with food grown in those climates as being most ideal for a specific breed. Since Schnauzers originated in Europe, maybe wurst/beef & pork, barley/grains and potatoes are most agreeable with them?

Frankly, I a believe a fresh, natural food diet is best for all dogs and side with holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists who have concluded that many of our pets health problems from allergies to cancer, stem from poor nutrition…poor nutrition resulting from the preservatives found in all packaged and even store bought, so called “fresh” wet dog food.

Mostly because of convenience, we have fed Molly kibbles from the bag. But, if we reduce the overall amount of preservatives she eats, she will undoubtedly have better health. Over the last six months I have been giving Molly about a 50-50 diet of fresh food and kibbles. I also monitor her stools to see that they are normal. I don’t know if it is because of this diet change from 100% kibbles, but she seems to be scratching less (same flea treatment regimen) and her coat is shinier than ever.

When fixing fresh oatmeal for my breakfast (unsalted), I make extra for Molly. For her, I combine 3/4 cup lightly cooked oatmeal, 1 large egg, 1 tablespoon tuna fish with oil and 1/3 cup fresh frozen peas. Sometimes cooked, whole grain brown rice is substituted for the oatmeal and 1/3 cup chicken or beef meat is substituted for the tuna. She still gets high end kibbles for dinner, but which do you think she likes best?

I hope this helps. Best wishes in having a healthy Schnauzer!

Terry

]]> Comment on Extended Shelf Life and Shortened Dog Life by Angelica http://www.homedogfood.com/pet-food-industry/extended-shelf-life-and-shortened-dog-life/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Angelica Tue, 15 Jun 2010 11:02:43 +0000 http://www.homedogfood.com/?p=3#comment-20 This was a very interesting article. I myself have a miniature schnauzer (now a little over 1 years old) that I've had since he was 3 months old. We got him from a breeder who feed him organically and home made his food since the time he was born. I chose to start him on Orijen...mainly from my own research on the ingredients and after advice from my friends. A month after having him I talked to a client about her schnauzer who had many health problems that required hospilization and lots of medication. She warned me about a dog food that she purchased that was very expensive, "top of the line", sold at PetSmart. I, of course, cannot remember the name! I've been warned about Science Diet (which I believe has a formula specifically for Schnauzers) and If i were to guess which one I thought it was BLue Buffalo because the only thing I can remember is her saying something about 'Blue Ribbon' or 'First Ribbon'. Any knowledge on a particular brand that has been feared of being harmful to shnauzers? I recently went and saw the Royal Canin for Schnauzers and was sceptical. Also, I know that for something being 'organic' it should also be locally grown...which Orijen is not considering it is from Canada (And i live in the South)...should i switch to something more centralized to where I live or know of anyone/website who can give me some answers? In short the main reason for my concern is that he has really bad allergies that include constant Sneezing,skin dryness, coarse hair and a dull coat. I know that this may mean he is allergic to something in our home (good luck with that right?). He's typically has always had this issue but it's worsened (high pollen counts maybe?)...but my concern is his food--because I know how crucial Schnauzers diets are to their health and since they are prone to allergies and dry skin. Maybe there is something i'm missing. Could you help me out? This was a very interesting article. I myself have a miniature schnauzer (now a little over 1 years old) that I’ve had since he was 3 months old. We got him from a breeder who feed him organically and home made his food since the time he was born. I chose to start him on Orijen…mainly from my own research on the ingredients and after advice from my friends. A month after having him I talked to a client about her schnauzer who had many health problems that required hospilization and lots of medication. She warned me about a dog food that she purchased that was very expensive, “top of the line”, sold at PetSmart. I, of course, cannot remember the name! I’ve been warned about Science Diet (which I believe has a formula specifically for Schnauzers) and If i were to guess which one I thought it was BLue Buffalo because the only thing I can remember is her saying something about ‘Blue Ribbon’ or ‘First Ribbon’. Any knowledge on a particular brand that has been feared of being harmful to shnauzers? I recently went and saw the Royal Canin for Schnauzers and was sceptical.
Also, I know that for something being ‘organic’ it should also be locally grown…which Orijen is not considering it is from Canada (And i live in the South)…should i switch to something more centralized to where I live or know of anyone/website who can give me some answers?

In short the main reason for my concern is that he has really bad allergies that include constant Sneezing,skin dryness, coarse hair and a dull coat. I know that this may mean he is allergic to something in our home (good luck with that right?). He’s typically has always had this issue but it’s worsened (high pollen counts maybe?)…but my concern is his food–because I know how crucial Schnauzers diets are to their health and since they are prone to allergies and dry skin. Maybe there is something i’m missing. Could you help me out?

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