How I Feed My Dogs

 I chose foods that are made with quality meat as the first ingredient, whole grains and I like the addition of herbs, fruits and vegetables.  I chose foods that do not have things in them that I find offensive – like by-products[i], corn, soy, or wheat or chemical preservatives.

 I rotate prepared foods … I feed each food for 6 months then switch.  The amount of time your pet is on the chosen food is a personal choice – you could switch with each bag, every 3 months, every 6 months …etc ….  

 I add water to my pet’s food – enough to see it in the bowl but not so much to cover the kibble.  I believe this most closely mimics a natural diet which would be 75% + water. Do I base my doing this on any concrete research?  No, my reasoning is that if I feed dried up kibbles the dog loses moisture from the intestinal tract to process the food and that may reduce the availability of the nutrients. The downside to adding water is that dental care is an issue -  dry kibbles work to reduce tarter and plaque buildup.   

 I feed my dogs twice a day – puppies need a third meal when they are very young.

 I give my dogs fresh foods like green beans, tomatoes, carrots, celery, squash, apples, bananas – I avoid gassy foods like cabbage[ii] (see document titled Toxic Foods) and I give my dogs treats from the table (not at the table!).  All of these things add varied nutrients and WILL NOT HARM YOUR PET IN ANY WAY – despite what you may have been told by the veterinarian and other “pet professionals”.  Moderation is the key to treating your pet – remember a fat pet is not a healthy pet.  You do not want to create a nutritional imbalance by feeding your pet more treats than their balanced prepared food. Resist those pleading looks and know that your dog is just as happy to go for a walk as it is to finish your leftover meatloaf!