Dogs developed by eating whatever they could scavenge so it
makes sense to me that their gastrointestinal (GI) tracts should always be
digesting something a little different.
Since every brand and type of food has a different combination of
protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals; I can be confident that if
one brand is lacking something another brand should make up for it (in theory).
Just about every time my dogs eat they get a different combination
of food. I have two to three bags
of different types of dry food and an assortment of canned foods in my house at
all times. I then alternate the
dry foods and add in a scoop of canned food to make it a little bit more
exciting.
You are probably thinking that suddenly switching a dog’s food
like that will result in a nasty bout of diarrhea. This is true if you feed the
exact same thing every single day, but if the GI tract is used to being
surprised then it adapts quite well.
As I said my dogs get a different mix of food at every meal and they
have lovely stool.
In addition to their diet I also give all the dogs an
omega-3 fatty acid supplement such as those found in fish oil. You can read in my previous post on fish oil and all the amazing benefits it provides to the body. Dogs have a difficult time utilizing
the fatty acids found in flax seed or oil so fish oil is a much better
choice. There are a variety of
human and veterinary products to choose from, just remember to find a reputable
brand such as Nutramax or Nordic Naturals.
Given the multiple pet food recalls some owners want to cook
for their pets feeling this is a safer alternative to commercial foods. I never recommend feeding a home cooked
meal unless the owner consults with a veterinary nutritionist or a website like
www.balanceit.com. Without specific guidelines and
supplements it is almost impossible to feed your dog a diet that meets all of his nutritional needs. Just throwing some meat and veggies
into a bowl is not providing your dogs with the nutrients he needs and will
result in health problems.
Despite what many pet foods companies will tell you corn is a
viable protein and carbohydrate source that provides many essential nutrients;
it is not just filler. I have no
problem feeding my dogs a diet that contains corn, however, I don’t want that
to be the only grain they eat.
This again illustrates why rotating diets is so important in giving your
dog a balanced diet.
Finally, the super high protein foods are not necessarily
better. Dogs are omnivores like humans
and are made to eat a combination of meat and plant material. These diets provide excess protein that
you dog does not need and excreting these proteins creates increased work load
on the kidneys. In animals that
have decreased kidney function these high protein diets are actually harmful
and can worsen progression of disease.
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This is my favorite brand |
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