=> Mike Roberts wrote to Bill Mcgarrity <=-   
      
    MR> @TZ: 412c   
      
    MR> I suspect a lot of us are ignorant of what is bad for our dogs. I   
    MR> bought anewfie puppy, many many years ago. The breeder encouraged me   
    MR> quite heavily tofeed the dog a natural diet. Honestly, It was rather   
    MR> expensive and difficult toprepare. She did also give the option that if   
    MR> You did not do this, You wouldsign a paper saying You would only feed   
    MR> him High quality Kibble. No Gravy traintype stuff. I opted to feed him   
    MR> Iams Giant breed puppy food. She agreed thatwould be fine. It was not.   
    MR> This guy grew into a monster... Not Fat, but BIG.And he did it way too   
    MR> quickly. He ended up at 185 as an adult and as the vetsaid at the time,   
    MR> he was amazed because he was not a fat dog. At that point hewas the   
    MR> biggest newfoundland he had seen at his practice. However, he may   
    MR> nothave been fat, but he grew so fast, his joints and his body in   
    MR> general couldnot keep up with such rapid growth. I would never ever   
    MR> feed a dog that extraprotein, large breed or not. At the time the   
    MR> breeder thought that was great ifI was not going to feed him natural,   
    MR> she had the eggs, and oatmeal and groundbeef etc all cooked over the   
    MR> stove in a big pot. But it proved to not be thecase. He lived a long   
    MR> life, for a newfie, but he was sore in his later years,He made it to 9.   
    MR> Back then expectancy norm was about 5 or 6. I never new any ofthese   
    MR> foods that are commonly listed today. In fact I had another newf,   
    MR> whowhen a puppy was fussy and would not eat his food. I mean I had seen   
    MR> him go 3days without eating his dry food. I then tried some other   
    MR> things in his food.He loved Broccoli. I would regularly give him   
    MR> Broccoli, I had no idea. Nothingcame of it that I know of, but I did   
    MR> not know and many a day he did not eatunless broccoli was in his food.   
    MR> Same with a common food on the no no list isgreen grapes, I did not   
    MR> know that. My pugs love green grapes! No that I know,they don't get   
    MR> them anymore. But for some reason, animals, under nocircumstances, I   
    MR> was told by several vets, should get Onions or Avacados. MyParrot eats   
    MR> all table scraps. The vet said, feed him anything, He is going   
    MR> tooutlive You anyway, feed him regular food and he'll live even longer,   
    MR> but donot give him onions or avacados, so it must be something that   
    MR> could affectanimals across the board. I am just glad I was told and   
    MR> have seen the list manytimes now, on the net and other animal lovers   
    MR> etc.   
      
   There are many lists that specify those foods that are a no-no when it comes to   
   canines. Usually everything on the list dogs will go nuts over.  Just goes to   
   prove canines, like humans, will always love the things that will kill them   
   when it comes to food.  I call it the "McDonald's Effect"... lol!!   
      
   Protien is important when puppies are growing and should be somewhere in the   
   vicinity of 26-28% level whereas as an adult, it's 18-20%. Activity and if a   
   bitch is lactating will require more as expected.  Speaking of veggies, my boy   
   gets two cups of green beans every night as a filler.  It's very little   
   calories and helps as a digestive agent although with all the other supplements   
   I give both of them, they really never have an issue with being "irregular".   
      
      
    MR> On the same subject and what You said, I have heard vet programs on   
    MR> sirius andsome vets say if You want to do Your dog a favor and can   
    MR> afford it. Feed Yourdogs a straight meat diet. Nothing but meat.   
    MR> suggesting if one believes inevolution, that that is what their   
    MR> ancestors ate and what we should be feedingthem now. But many cannot   
    MR> afford it. But optimally they claimed it is whatwould be best for dogs.   
    MR> Most people in the business try to sell dog food thatappeals to the   
    MR> owners, not necessarily what the dog needs. These commercialswith   
    MR> kibble with Vegetables, they claim is utter nonsense and is just   
    MR> appealingto the owners.. 8( Have a good One!   
      
      
   Here is a list I normally will follow when it comes to meat...   
      
   Chicken - whole or any parts! (backs, necks, wings, etc.)    
   Turkey - whole or any parts (wings, necks, etc.)    
   Cornish game hens (whole)    
   Beef (any cuts)    
   Oxtail    
   Pork (necks, ribs, any cuts)    
   Rabbit    
   Fish (canned sardines in WATER, not oil, or Jack mackerel)    
   Quail    
   Buffalo, kangaroo- almost anything you can think of!    
      
   As I said, I feed high quality kibble without any "meal".  I use two suppliers   
   only due to my research in their processing.  I swear by them.  :)   
      
   Enjoy your day!!!    
      
      
   Bill   
      
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