What's For Dinner?

These days the topic of what to feed your dog can be as controversial as it is interesting. I want to be clear that I am not a professional canine nutritionist nor should I be considered an expert on the subject. I am only sharing what I have learned from those I consider experts, along with my own experience with feeding my dogs. The purpose in sharing this information is to cause you to examine your pet's diet and assess its quality. If you are considering switching your dog to a raw diet please consult with your holistic veterinarian. The information on this website does not take the place of a veterinarian's advice. I have not been compensated in any way by any of the companies that I mention on this website.

For many years now the mainstay of a canine diet has been the traditional bag of kibble, often purchased at the grocery store along with the family's food. This dry, hard, crunchy substance is supposed to meet a dog's daily nutritional requirements, but is this really good for your dog for his entire life? What's really in there? Can you even pronounce some of those ingredients that are listed? Would you want to eat hard, crunchy anything day after day, year after year? Is this kind of diet good for any living being for it's entire life?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-kibble. I'm just pro "real food" and variety for dogs.

Recently there has been a lot of information about kibble and it's pros and cons, and in early 2007 there was a massive pet food recall. Dogs were dying from the food they had been fed that contained cheap, substandard ingredients. No dog owner would intentionally feed his or her dog a food they knew to be unsafe so in many ways this tragic situation has shed light on an important matter and people have become very involved in educating themselves on what exactly they are feeding their dogs.

Pros and Cons

Most of the big name brands fall into the con column in my opinion. It has been widely reported that some dog food companies use the cheapest ingredients possible and there have even been claims that some dog food companies use diseased animals, euthanized pets, and even road kill. These reports explain that carcasses are sold to rendering companies, which can sell their "product" to dog food producers, which can be labeled simply as "meat." This kind of reporting should make you want to investigate exactly what you're feeding your dog. Many dog food manufacturers are owned by large conglomerates that own other companies that already produce foods and products for humans. They simply use the waste from that company's production in their dog foods. Nothing goes to waste. Dog food companies boast that their foods provide a "complete balanced diet" and I'm sure in some scientific study of weights and percentages that's a true statement. But most commercial kibbles have high filler content such as corn, wheat and soy, (to which many dogs show sensitivities) chemical preservatives, and who-knows-what-else, all of which really seem foreign to a healthy diet. These ingredients are inexpensive and that makes the cost effective for the company bottom line.

There are many choices for feeding your dog now besides cheap grocery store kibble. Why not consider feeding your dog something that is more suitable to an omnivore's natural needs? How about feeding him real meat, bones, vegetables, fruits and maybe a few whole grains? You know - real food! Some dog owners are returning to the basics and making their own dog food at home. There are now some small companies who use the highest quality ingredients (many of the ingredients are organic) to produce their kibble and canned foods - a much healthier option to the big box brands. There are freeze-dried foods, and for those who want to feed raw but lack the experience to make their own, there are even complete frozen raw meals.

Did You Say Raw Meat?

While some dogs may not be good candidates for a raw diet for many, this natural diet can be very beneficial. This type of feeding is sometimes called B.A.R.F. (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food). It's not as simple as simply throwing your dog a steak, a chicken neck, some hamburger and a bone.* This procedure should be researched thoroughly to make sure you understand how to best feed your dog. There are several good books on the topic and a reading of at least 2 or 3 of them should give you some perspective. (See Recommended Reading section). Also, careful consideration should be given to the ingredients you select as well as the handling of any raw meat. Vegetables are also an excellent source of nutrition for your dog. Fruit is also beneficial but beware of the sugar it contains. Fruit and veggies also make healthful snacks and give your dog some vital nutrients that are missing in processed food. If you'd like to give a raw diet a try, I suggest you find a holistic veterinarian or practitioner to help you set up a feeding plan for your dog. And as with any diet change, go slowly!

I'm Not Sure About This Raw Thing. Other Options Please!

Most people are comfortable with kibble so lets start there. Some of the smaller companies are definitely setting the benchmark for making quality foods. They use the best ingredients and go the extra mile to make sure that they do what they promise. Their foods leave out the cheap filler ingredients and they use natural preservatives. These foods have short ingredient lists. Do some homework and read labels. If corn, wheat, soy are included, pass on it. These unnecessary ingredients can be sources of allergic reactions in dogs and cause problems like constant itching. If the protein source isn't specifically named such as "venison" or "chicken" pass on it. Vague words like "meat" or "poultry" should be a caution flag. If they've added color, forget it - your dog doesn't care what color the food is - that's for you and you're not eating it. When choosing a kibble, a good rule of thumb is "less is more" meaning the shorter the list of ingredients, the better. The Whole Dog Journal does an annual review of dry, canned, and raw foods. They are a fair source of opinion as they accept no advertising from anyone. I suggest purchasing a subscription and using it as a guide. Also, if you are going to feed Kibble as the mainstay of your dog's diet, change foods about every 4 or 5 months, doing it slowly. Consider making meal-time exciting for him by adding some meat and vegetables to it! I lave listed the ones we like below.

Going To The Can

If kibble is the way you feel most comfortable feeding your dog, adding some high quality canned foods are another way of making his food more nutritious, offering him a wider variety, and making mealtime more fun and interesting. The canned foods produced by the smaller, more health conscious companies are more like a stew than what you might remember from the past. The Wysong Company has some interesting canned foods such as Rabbit Au Jus, Venison Au Jus, or Duck Au Jus. These are simple canned meat and organs and dogs love it. For dogs having digestive problems with common sources of protein, these novel proteins can be a convenient alternative. Our favorite canned selections are listed below.

Frozen Assets

In trying to meet the needs of those who desire to feed a raw diet, but are concerned about not knowing what to feed, some companies have begun to make complete frozen raw diets. These diets contain raw meat, vegetables, fruits, EFA's, and ground bones. So, if you want to feed a raw diet but aren't confident in your level of knowledge, one of these pre-made diets listed below may be right for your situation.

Home Made

Some people have gone right back to the basics and feed their dogs just like our grandparents did. They give them meat, vegetables and raw bones. Their dogs eat what their people eat, like one big happy family. Others opt for a more carefully planned out diet that they have worked out with their vet or nutritional counselor that consists of lightly cooked meat, vegetables, a little fruit and some whole grains in measured percentages. This offers peace of mind about healthy content without feeling concerned about feeding raw.

Tricks or Treats?

Most commercial treats are junk food. But, as pet owners have become savvier about nutrition, there is a growing trend toward making healthy treats for dogs and again, it's the smaller companies that have risen to the top in this category too. I usually give fruit or vegetables for treats but I do feed Nigel and Divot a few carefully chosen commercially made treats or some really wonderful specialty shop treats. See our "Products We Like" section for their favorite healthy treats.

Final Thoughts

I have alternated between feeding Nigel and Divot a fresh home-made diet, some high quality kibble and, a raw diet. What you decide to feed your dog is a personal decision. Your decision should be made based on your thorough research and thoughtful consideration. Whatever you decide as the best food for your dog, just make sure it's healthy and in correct portion for his needs.

* Never leave your dog unattended while he or she is chewing a bone or other chew treats.

For Recipes For Making Your Own Dog Food

Consult with a holistic veterinarian and establish a diet specific to your dogs needs. See list of books in our "Recommended Reading" section for additional information.

The list below is only a partial list of some of the highly rated available foods. These are foods that I have purchased and fed Nigel and Divot.

NOTE: These links are being made available as a courtesy to our web visitors. These links will open in a new browser tab or window, and link to external websites. Norwich Tales does not endorse, nor is it responsible for, content on external websites.

Some Highly Rated Kibbles

• EVO
• Timberwolf Organics
• Nature's Variety
• Wellness
• Merrick Pet Foods

Some Highly Rated Canned Foods

• Nature's Variety
• Merrick Pet Foods
• Spots Stew
• Wysong

Some Highly Rated Frozen Raw Foods

• Nature's Variety
• Aunt Jeni's Made 4 Life
• Wysong

Some Highly Rated Treats

• Canine Confections
• Real Meat Treats by Wilderness Foods, Ltd.

Helpful Sites for Health & Nutrition Research

• Natural Rearing