Food
Food as is one of the way how we can influence health of our dogs very significant way. In our kennel we feed fresh natural food, which is to my opinion the most appropriate for digestion by our canine companions. When I selected this type of feeding, I had on my mind that dogs are naturally carnivorous animals similar to their ancestors. Dog domestication is only 14 000-100000 years old, which is rather short period compared to the age of dog carnivorous ancestors (40 millions years). Therefore, I consider as the most natural food for them typical carnivorous diet - unprocessed meat and bones. Some additives are added as a source of vitamins and minerals (alfalfa, sea kelp, herbs, vegetables), for sound heart and healthy vascular system (oils) and additives to nourish joints.
Many people prefer dry granules, since it is more comfortable than to make their own dog meal. That is the main advantage of commercial foods. However, the fresh diet contains nutrients and vitamins in natural form, which is optimal for utilization by organism. In commercial dry food, protein source and vitamins are destroyed by high temperature at increased pressure during cooking process and additionally by forming of the final product - by process called extruding. Vitamins and oils are added at the end of the process to balance almost complete loss of nutritional values. In human is also preferred uptake of vitamins from fresh meal (meat, carbohydrate sources, vegetables, fruits) to food from fast food chains and supplemented by vitamin pills. Secondary question is also quality and origin of the ingredients used for commercial food. When you feed fresh food you see exactly what your dog eat and it helps to exclude health problems caused by food.
Some questions could be raised about quality of home made foods. These questions are mostly raised by companies having huge benefits from selling of dry foods. Usual and logical answer is that if you are able to prepare home made meal for your family at home, you will manage this task as well. Additionally, if you are organized, it might not take even too much time from you if you are very busy. Instead you will save on veterinarian visits and bills.
Some people might be afraid anyway, that they will not be able to administer nutrients and vitamins to dog in ´right proportions´. I am not worried for this, since natural sources are the most ideal for both human and animals. Ratios and proportions of nutrients have been ´optimized´ for carnivorous consumption by million years of evolution. Does human think that we can do it better by mixture of artificial vitamins? Hard to believe. Additionally, to make people more self confident to mix up their own food for dog could be also argument, that also dog food companies are doing mistakes. Examples of withdrawal of millions and millions of dog food bags, even by famous companies due to overdose of vitamins or bad quality of ingredients could be found e.g. in the book of Ann M. Martin ´Food pets die for´. The author is recognized as an international authority on pet food. She spent last 20 years on the research of pet food production.
Another question raised against feeding of fresh food is high content of water in it. Rationally, this question is created by people, who want to limit number of dog toilets. Water is basic and essential component of every cell. Without water, there is no life. Limitation of water intake must always lead to unhealthy condition for organism. It is needed for life and elimination of toxic compounds from organism. Fresh food containing naturally bound water is very beneficial for organism. It does not contain concentrated ingredients as it is in the case of dry granules. It helps body to eliminate easier and it does not make difficult condition for liver and kidney. Moreover, dry food creates rather hard condition in dog stomach. I would recommend to at least soaking in the water. Generally, it can be concluded, that high content of water is beneficial for health; it is negative only for comfort of dog owners.
Protein source
Cheapest protein source used in my home made meals is chicken. Many commercial foods are also based on it. Difference is, that I am using both frozen and fresh chicken of human quality, which is very cheap and does not make hole in any wallet. Human grade chicken is better quality than the one used for dog food production. Chicken from human shop contains high proportion of good quality meat. I have a doubt that best pieces of legs and breasts are used in commercial foods. Usually it is used only leftovers after human consumption. Another reason to feed chicken might be, that it is also good source of cartilage suitable for building of dog joints and maintaining its health (especially joints in legs and wings).
Very suitable, despite more expensive are red types of meats from beef, wild animals, lamb, stomach, hearts, kidneys etc. These meats are not only rich protein source, but they are rich on essential vitamins. Smaller amount of liver is suitable, 70-100 g served 2-3 times per week is sufficient (can be overdosed if fed in high amounts).
Suitable source is also stomach from different types of animals (sheep, cow, chicken etc.). Valuable by content of nutrients or as a tool to keep dog slim, since stomach contains very low content of fat.
Easily digestible and nutritious is fish by its content of proteins, minerals and essential fatty acid. Cheapest tuna fish from human shop is definitely good enough for dog dish and you will do something for your companion's health.
Eggs with and without shell should be added 2-3 times per week to dog diet as a source of proteins, vitamins and calcium (shell). Dogs are able to eat shell even without crushing it.
Bones
Chicken bones are soft enough for dog not to damage teeth. Other types of bones are suitable as well; however they should be originated from young animal (sheep, calf, turkey etc). Bones are very nutritious since they contain minerals (calcium, phosphorus) necessary for dog to build their own bones. Moreover, the bone marrow is very rich in vitamins. Bones should never be fed cooked, since they can splinter and get stacked in dog throat.
Supplements
Alfalfa powder is excellent and cheap natural source of vitamins and chlorophyll. Sea kelp powder such as from Ascophyllium nodosum contains minerals; it is excellent as a natural pigment enhancer and has a positive effect on dog teeth (like Plaque off). Vitamin C is important antioxidant, which should be served in the form of salt, e.g. calcium ascorbate. It does not acidify stomach content as ascorbic acid. Joint nutrients, such as glucosamine, chondroitine and MSM (e.g. Glucovett) should be fed in moderate maintenance doses during the whole dog lives.
Vegetables and fruits
Vegetables are additional source of vitamins and fibers. Chlorophyl content in green herbs such as parsley, mint, alfalfa has positive effect on teeth of dog and keepdog breath fresh. Daily dose is approximately three large spoons of vegetable mixture added to meat. It is good to rotate different combinations of 4-5 types of vegetables. Suitable are e.g. sweet potato, potato, broccoli, celery stalks, squash, green parsley, dandelion, alfalfa, mint etc. Try always to add some green herbs. For taste it could be added ginger or little garlic (not too much, since excess is poisonous for dogs).
Many dogs like fruits, which are also suitable part of their diet. We should keep on mind, that they are carnivorous animals and not to add too much fruits into their daily diet. We are feeding sometimes apples, bananas and pears. But attention should be paid if fruits are not causing any allergic reactions or excessive gas production in intestine.
Cereals
Cereals are not essential part of dog diet, because dogs are carnivorous animals. However, occasional addition of cereals such oat flakes, pasta, boiled potatoes (e.g. 1-2 times per week) are suitable if the dog has very high demand on energy. Then, we should keep on mind to clean dog teeth after consumption of cereals.
Oils
Oils are are added to keep healthy heart and vascular system. Suitable are different type of fish (salmon oil, cod fish and cod fish liver oil) and plant oils (flax seed oil, avocado oil, walnut oil, sunflower oil etc…) rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They should be added in daily dose 3 large spoons for adult dog. Exception is cod fish liver oil, which is very rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and can be overdosed. This oil should be limited to one tea spoon per day.
Teeth
Another benefit of chewing of raw bones is taking care of the dog teeth. Teeth of dogs chewing raw bones and meat are significantly whiter and have less plaque compared to ones eating dry food containing cereals. Bones are cleaning teeth mechanically during chewing and meat contains enzymes degrading food residues on dog teeth. These enzymes as any other proteins are inactivated by boiling.
The best results are obtained by combination of chewing of raw bones and occasional use of enzymatic toothpaste (e.g. Bucadog). It contains active enzyme glucose-oxidase which degrades saccharide residues and cleans dog teeth.
Definitely should be avoided toothpastes creating foam during cleaning containing sodium dodecyl sulphate or sodium lauryl sulphate. These are not safe for dog since it is not possible to prevent at least partial swallowing of the toothpaste by dog. Therefore is good to use toothpaste without these ingredients, which are harmful if swallowed.
Joints
Healthy joints on elbows and hips are essential for every dog to pass happily through his life and especially through his veteran age. Therefore feeding of your dog from puppy time and taking care for his joints might prevent later unnecessary damages. Even in the case of bad genetic disposition, good food and suitable supplements might improve quality of joints.
Glucosamine is the most known supplement serving to dog to built their own cartilage. However, if fed as the only joint nutrient, it is not sufficient. Best supplements are containing beside glucosamine or glucosamine-HCl also chondroitin, MSM and vitamin C. Role of vitamin C is to act as an antioxidant and to protect joints against oxidative damages. Dogs can produce their own vitamin C, however due to different environmental influences it is suitable to supplement it.
Jarmila Nahalkova
Recommended literature:
Kymythy R. Schultze, C.C.N., A. H. I (2007): Natural nutrition for dogs and cats. The ultimate diet. Hay House, Inc.
Carina B. MacDonald: Raw dog food. Make it easier for you and your dog!
Ann N. Martin (2008): Food pets die for. NewSage Press, Troutdale, Oregon.
