Normally, they add veggies because its cheaper. Dogs dont, naturally, eat cooked food, its that simple. I knew someone who literally, made their dogs a little human-meal, grated carrot, various veggies, primo meats, nice gravy, the works, everyday. Nutritionally, it was absurd-dogs loved it though, they also love chocolate, which from all accounts is disastrously bad for them. Ive also heard of someone who collects fresh roadkill for their dogs, with the occasional egg-very healthy dogs, apparently. Onions cause anemia, from what i read, whether thats true or not i dont know. Maybe some expert will chime in, but i dont beleive for a second dogs are omnivores like a bear, and most canids that eat roots(never heard of that) or grass do so for minerals and therapeutic reasons.
We have 2 cats now. Our dog (half rottweiler/half aussie shep) got liver damage and passed away after getting into the fertilizer our yard guys were using.
Natural Balance Venison and Rice dog food recalled From their website: We are receiving consumer complaints regarding the Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food, and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Foods. We do not know what is wrong with the food at this time, but we have heard that animals are vomiting and experiencing kidney problems. Although the problems seem to be focused on one particular lot, as a precautionary measure, we are pulling all dates of Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Food from the shelves. Please discontinue feeding all Venison and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food, and Venison and Green Pea Dry Cat Food. We are working closely with the FDA. We will update this website today, as more information comes available. NO OTHER NATURAL BALANCE PRODUCTS ARE AFFECTED. http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/
You can get chicken for around .69 to $1 a pound. I got this "recipe" off a web site. I'm filling a kettle with water, throwing frozen chicken parts in, some Uncle Ben's rice, and carrots. When the water is mostly gone, let it cool off. I throw some salt in, strip the chicken, and throw it in a food processor. They love it. I'm getting a nutritional supplement to add, and that is going to be it. The recalls are too much.
I read about wild dogs digging for roots a long time ago, i'll research it a tad more. My dogs like a raw egg on top of their dried food come to think of it. I'm going with raw eggs and ground up liver/chicken/whatever is cheap for a while.
Try the B.A.R.F. diet. (Bones And Raw Food) We put our 11 yr old shepard/collie on it about a yr ago and the changes have been remarkable. This is what dogs should be eating and not the mass marketed crap that's sold. Google it and you'll find lots of info. here's a few sites: http://tribes.tribe.net/rawfood http://www.mountaindogfood.com/ (watch the videos)
Lol, hadnt heard of that..sounds about right though. A park ranger guy, was saying during recent plague kangaroo problems, he saw packs of up to 15 wild dogs, unheard of normally. But they certainly weren't hunting wild cabbage, of that im sure.
That's what I feed my dog a few times a week. We also give him Purina One. He chases deer everyday (dont tell the DEC) but has yet to catch one.
Flytiger - I feel the same way and started looking into the homemade food as well. Just be carfeul with too much salt. I came across a site stating that it was not good for dogs. Apparently a dog's body cannot process excess salt and it can accumulate, causing kidney disease in old age. Was curious as to whether anyone else could chime in on supplementation. I read that calcium would need to be added. Anything else that I need to include?