How much food to feed?

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Yes, that's totally fine - variety is a good thing! Don't let the "extras" exceed about 15% of their total diet - that way, the vit/min etc ratios/RDAs will still be in balance.

Yep, PB okay. Mine love it too.

I don't do the livers - that's totally up to you. You can give it either raw or cooked. Raw would give you the most nutritional benefit. Just be warned: livers can cause some dogs some looser stools.

I feed raw (have for 8-ish years) - right now feeding Better In The Raw - where you just add your own raw meat.

As far as good kibbles, these: Natures Logic Venison, Wellness Core (Simple is great too!), Solid Gold Wee Bits, Natures Variety Raw Boost, Natural Balance LIDs....

But remember to always save/hold back some novel proteins in case of allergies later in life!!!

You feed raw... That it seems enticing because I wouldn't have to deal with a muck up done by some worker who might not really care at all if they mess up or not....

I was always afraid of buying a bag of dog food and the dog dying from it... Id feel at fault. My problem with raw is... how do you even go about it? Sounds rather expensive to cater to a dog like that...

I mean chicken or turkey would be cheap enough. But things like beef, etc would cost a lot... unless you're talking about ground beef. lol which I am not sure if that's good or bad.

Vegetables would be fine too but I wouldn't know how to balance it out. Isn't there a company that makes kibble that doesn't have a bad track record?

A bag of wellness costs us 70-75 bucks which lasts about a month and a half or two months or more. Not quite sure yet.

If I wanted to go with raw, where would I even find the stuff at a more reasonable price? Beef is expensive and pork is a little too, and chicken isnt but I doubt i should -only- be feeding chicken and then if the dog doesn't have a balanced diet it would suck. It might not even get enough nutrients from that.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

Recalls could mean the dog would die because of their carelessness and I am pretty sure you cant sue the company for their carelessness either...

No we need a better system that regulates dog food better.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

You feed raw... That it seems enticing because I wouldn't have to deal with a muck up done by some worker who might not really care at all if they mess up or not....

I was always afraid of buying a bag of dog food and the dog dying from it... Id feel at fault. My problem with raw is... how do you even go about it? Sounds rather expensive to cater to a dog like that...

I mean chicken or turkey would be cheap enough. But things like beef, etc would cost a lot... unless you're talking about ground beef. lol which I am not sure if that's good or bad.

Vegetables would be fine too but I wouldn't know how to balance it out. Isn't there a company that makes kibble that doesn't have a bad track record?

A bag of wellness costs us 70-75 bucks which lasts about a month and a half or two months or more. Not quite sure yet.

If I wanted to go with raw, where would I even find the stuff at a more reasonable price? Beef is expensive and pork is a little too, and chicken isnt but I doubt i should -only- be feeding chicken and then if the dog doesn't have a balanced diet it would suck. It might not even get enough nutrients from that.

You can check out balanceit.com and you can home cook they have the recipes and supplements and it's safer in my medical view

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

No we need a better system that regulates dog food better.

I think they should implement stricter rules/laws on food companies (not just dog food companies because its not just that) and harsher penalties that cannot be avoided or circumvented in any shape or manner. Where there's someone who checks out the companies, and someone who checks on the people who do those checks. I know it sounds silly, but I mean common look at the many recalls at the pet food companies, and human foods that get away with so many things...

Did you know potato chips and other highly processed foods could contain toxic substances linked to cause cancer? Even things like pringles. So if foods made for human consumption aren't even safe - whose to say they will take it seriously with dog foods? I know it's not something that would merit a direct comparison but I mean really. Food is food regardless to who or what it is aimed at.

And you know companies can get away with putting these things into our foods because of loop holes and such.

My point is, I think the whole food regulation whether it be for a four legged friend, or yourself -- all of it should be completely overhauled highly regulated with the utmost strictest, unbiased scrutiny to where no one can alter it to their own companies' agendas.

Sorry if it comes off over-zealous it's just how I feel about all of these things whether it's for dogs or for people I really think things should be made safe.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

You can check out balanceit.com and you can home cook they have the recipes and supplements and it's safer in my medical view

I know it's a rather personal question, but just so I can get the gist of things.. How much do you spend on your dogs diet say monthly and what do you feed them? I know you can get certain things for cheaper if you know where to look and you buy scraps, but scraps can sometimes be high in fat.

Where I used to work(I used to work at a deli that would cut you deli meats and cheeses) the top or bottom pieces that people wanted to avoid would be cut off and sold separately for a cheaper price than say the same amount of a regular cut.

Not saying one should feed a dog deli meats- heck no. But the same applies to butchers which I also had the pleasure to work in.

You can sometimes get the uglier parts of a cut if you specifically ask for it and you would get it drastically discounted or even free sometimes. My concern is that those cuts can sometimes be high in fat. This is the same meats that they throw in a clean sterile bucket that hotdog companies buy.

Still I'd rather the cleaner and more leaner cuts. Don't need artery clogging meats on their diets.

Do you cook your meats, boil them or do you feed it completely raw? Because if it's 100% raw (uncooked) I can see some health issues with that. Especially with chicken, or fish.

[JennaPenny]

Although I eyeball it, I took a lot of nutrition classes, so the measuring I have down to a science. She gets approx. 1/3 cup of either kibble OR boiled food (with a lot of fresh veggies and now additives!) twice a day. Since the predisone was shown to have an amazing effect on her health, she's been hungrier. She gained a pound, and for the first time has a bit of chunk to her and no rib bones. We are very happy with this weight, so no more weight as she's so small. So I give her (thanks Matese!!!!) green beans up to three times a day, with a small carrot every so often cut up for her snacks.

She still gets what we call "nut nut" butter, but, it was either that or the chicken hot dog for her medication. We chose the nut nut butter that we grind ourselves. We tried to NOT give her the meds without a bribe. however, I knew she was taking them too easily, and I went looking about 3 weeks ago. Yep, sure enough, my clever gal hid them behind and under things. so, nut nut butter it is- until her allergy panel comes back.. then we'll see.

[JennaPenny]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

I know it's a rather personal question, but just so I can get the gist of things.. How much do you spend on your dogs diet say monthly and what do you feed them? I know you can get certain things for cheaper if you know where to look and you buy scraps, but scraps can sometimes be high in fat.

Where I used to work(I used to work at a deli that would cut you deli meats and cheeses) the top or bottom pieces that people wanted to avoid would be cut off and sold separately for a cheaper price than say the same amount of a regular cut.

Not saying one should feed a dog deli meats- heck no. But the same applies to butchers which I also had the pleasure to work in.

You can sometimes get the uglier parts of a cut if you specifically ask for it and you would get it drastically discounted or even free sometimes. My concern is that those cuts can sometimes be high in fat. This is the same meats that they throw in a clean sterile bucket that hotdog companies buy.

Still I'd rather the cleaner and more leaner cuts. Don't need artery clogging meats on their diets.

Do you cook your meats, boil them or do you feed it completely raw? Because if it's 100% raw (uncooked) I can see some health issues with that. Especially with chicken, or fish.

Chewie, although her diet is mainly of home-cooked meals or Fromms kibble, I still give her the Primal raw chews, and, OCCASIONALLY, if she's still SUPER hungry despite the snacks and meals, I will give her primal bison. I generally prefer to boil that myself, though. Is it expensive? No. If she eats the good stuff right now, she'll be healthier and happier. It's all about what we consider best for her.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by JennaPenny

Although I eyeball it, I took a lot of nutrition classes, so the measuring I have down to a science. She gets approx. 1/3 cup of either kibble OR boiled food (with a lot of fresh veggies and now additives!) twice a day. Since the predisone was shown to have an amazing effect on her health, she's been hungrier. She gained a pound, and for the first time has a bit of chunk to her and no rib bones. We are very happy with this weight, so no more weight as she's so small. So I give her (thanks Matese!!!!) green beans up to three times a day, with a small carrot every so often cut up for her snacks.

She still gets what we call "nut nut" butter, but, it was either that or the chicken hot dog for her medication. We chose the nut nut butter that we grind ourselves. We tried to NOT give her the meds without a bribe. however, I knew she was taking them too easily, and I went looking about 3 weeks ago. Yep, sure enough, my clever gal hid them behind and under things. so, nut nut butter it is- until her allergy panel comes back.. then we'll see.

What's predisone and nut nut butter? I give mine carrots every so often. My mom gets mad because she wants her to be in that strict regiment but I feel bad for her... eating kibble day in and day out.. I every so often feed her carrots (3-5 chunky small ones about 2-3inches long), sometimes I give her a slice of turkey ham(I know i shouldnt but its very rare like maybe once a week if even), a slice of whatever meat I am eating, as my diet I like it simple. If I am eating chicken I eat it mostly boiled. I dont like fried stuff much... If I do however have cooked chicken (skillet) I end up only giving the white part and only have I run it through water in the sink and try to get as much grease out. My foods dont ever have condiment on them(like spices) as I am not too much of a fan of that. Unless its specific meals.

Most of what I give her is veggies though, steamed, boiled or raw.

Like carrots, lettuce, sometimes broccolli, etc. Never beans, rice, or anything dangerous for her.

I very rarely give her hotdogs. I never give anything overly processed outside of the ham, or hotdogs and again-- very rarely and sparse.


I am very careful what I give her and how much because she's known to throw up a lot of things. One time my family came over with my very young cousin(long story) and he would accidentally drop a piece of pizza crust on the floor and the dog would be eating at it. Of course I'd have her drop it, but whatever she'd eaten she'd throw it back out later. Now we're more careful to keep her away when children are eating....


Anywho, my point is, she has variety because of me, because I figured out what upsets her stomach and what doesn't. But she doesn't get a lot of it imho because Im careful to not overfeed.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by JennaPenny

Chewie, although her diet is mainly of home-cooked meals or Fromms kibble, I still give her the Primal raw chews, and, OCCASIONALLY, if she's still SUPER hungry despite the snacks and meals, I will give her primal bison. I generally prefer to boil that myself, though. Is it expensive? No. If she eats the good stuff right now, she'll be healthier and happier. It's all about what we consider best for her.

What meats do you use though? never heard of primal bison- not sure what it is. Kibble I guess is still good to have around- in case you need to go somewhere and need to leave your dog with someone-- they cant muck up kibble. SO i guess variety is key. But I am scared of tainted kibble killing a dog. :C I am not sure if there's ever been a case of a dog that died due to eating recalled foods.

[JennaPenny]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

You feed raw... That it seems enticing because I wouldn't have to deal with a muck up done by some worker who might not really care at all if they mess up or not....

I was always afraid of buying a bag of dog food and the dog dying from it... Id feel at fault. My problem with raw is... how do you even go about it? Sounds rather expensive to cater to a dog like that...

I mean chicken or turkey would be cheap enough. But things like beef, etc would cost a lot... unless you're talking about ground beef. lol which I am not sure if that's good or bad.

Vegetables would be fine too but I wouldn't know how to balance it out. Isn't there a company that makes kibble that doesn't have a bad track record?

A bag of wellness costs us 70-75 bucks which lasts about a month and a half or two months or more. Not quite sure yet.

If I wanted to go with raw, where would I even find the stuff at a more reasonable price? Beef is expensive and pork is a little too, and chicken isnt but I doubt i should -only- be feeding chicken and then if the dog doesn't have a balanced diet it would suck. It might not even get enough nutrients from that.

I have the recipe from my vet for boiled food. If you want. I add the additives plus additional fresh veggies; just for my own peace of mind. I know that sometimes a boiled diet isn't varied enough. She doesn't react well to Beef, so we feed her chicken, turkey, (duck is now out) bison, lamb, and some fish. I add green veggies a lot. Carrots and the other stuff sparingly. No corn. I also sometimes dry eggshells and add those, too. Raw is expensive, but worth it. IF your puppy can handle it.

[JennaPenny]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

What's predisone and nut nut butter? I give mine carrots every so often. My mom gets mad because she wants her to be in that strict regiment but I feel bad for her... eating kibble day in and day out.. I every so often feed her carrots (3-5 chunky small ones about 2-3inches long), sometimes I give her a slice of turkey ham(I know i shouldnt but its very rare like maybe once a week if even), a slice of whatever meat I am eating, as my diet I like it simple. If I am eating chicken I eat it mostly boiled. I dont like fried stuff much... If I do however have cooked chicken (skillet) I end up only giving the white part and only have I run it through water in the sink and try to get as much grease out. My foods dont ever have condiment on them(like spices) as I am not too much of a fan of that. Unless its specific meals.

Most of what I give her is veggies though, steamed, boiled or raw.

Like carrots, lettuce, sometimes broccolli, etc. Never beans, rice, or anything dangerous for her.

I very rarely give her hotdogs. I never give anything overly processed outside of the ham, or hotdogs and again-- very rarely and sparse.


I am very careful what I give her and how much because she's known to throw up a lot of things. One time my family came over with my very young cousin(long story) and he would accidentally drop a piece of pizza crust on the floor and the dog would be eating at it. Of course I'd have her drop it, but whatever she'd eaten she'd throw it back out later. Now we're more careful to keep her away when children are eating....


Anywho, my point is, she has variety because of me, because I figured out what upsets her stomach and what doesn't. But she doesn't get a lot of it imho because Im careful to not overfeed.

Predisone is a steroid. We have her on an allergy med due to her light allergies, but we suspect the predisone is what is giving her relief. heck, we think she needs more than a bit, as she responded SO well to the injection. We are waiting on the results of the allergy panel as we speak, but we suspect it's addisons. "nut nut" butter is peanut butter. I only use enough to make her med swallowed, or I'd completely eliminate that. You CAN Feed your dog rice! I feed her rice, enriched no yolk noodles, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cous-cous. Rice isn't dangerous!


I have her on the chews for her teeth issue, so I gave that link, but this is the food we feed her raw- I love this brand, and use it exclusively. http://www.primalpetfoods.com/product/detail/c/11/id/33

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by JennaPenny

I have the recipe from my vet for boiled food. If you want. I add the additives plus additional fresh veggies; just for my own peace of mind. I know that sometimes a boiled diet isn't varied enough. She doesn't react well to Beef, so we feed her chicken, turkey, (duck is now out) bison, lamb, and some fish. I add green veggies a lot. Carrots and the other stuff sparingly. No corn. I also sometimes dry eggshells and add those, too. Raw is expensive, but worth it. IF your puppy can handle it.

Bison??? The hell do you even get that from? xD A regular supermarket does not carry bison from what I can tell... Bison is essentially beef isn't it? Bison to my understanding are essentially cow... Not same species and all but yeah...

Chicken, turkey is easy to do. Some fish-- would have to be freshwater-- strictly freshwater. Salt water fish or anything from the sea to be blunt carries large trace amount of mercury... pollution, plethora of chemicals, and heavy metals.. it may not be affecting the fish because they got used to it but if it certainly affects us- more so a smaller animal.

Btw, the bigger/older the fish the more trace metals. pollution, etc is concentrated in it...

It's why there's warning of only eating sea food once a week if anything.


I guess farm raised tilapia would be good. When I had turtles I used to feed them that, as it was clean, and I ended up doing research on them. Tilapia is a really healthy fish full of nutrients and is very lean unlike say a catfish, and certain other fish...

Salmon would be good, but if I am correct salmon are born in freshwater and travel through estuaries(probably) right into the sea where they live most of their lives in. That being said, from their time in the sea they would have considerable amounts of junk in them...

Lamb, I am not sure I've seen that in the grocery store but to be honest I don't eat lamb(if ever) so I probably missed that.



For now all I can think of is Chicken, turkey, pork, farm raised tilapia, carrots, vegetables like peas(peas are really really good for digestion), maybe berries(antioxidants), kale is a good dark leafy green. not sure if they can eat it but idk rabbits, reptiles, fish, people can eat it mostlikely dogs have no issue with that?

Boiled liver would be good once a week I would assume. The liver is where a lot of the fats, proteins, vitamin and minerals is supposed to be stored which is good for the body and mind.


Not sure what additives you add to your dogs' meals but all I can think about is adding small doses of vitamin and mineral supplements to the diet, but really small doses. So it doesn't become too much and only every other day if anything... If I can figure out the proper dosage that would help a lot. Because when you cook foods- boiled or otherwise nutrients are -always- lost. So adding some back would help improve it's quality of life I would think.

It's more of the messiness of the food I have to figure out how to deal with.


The food if boiled would have to be drained out and dried up enough so the stool doesn't become soo runny... Dont like the idea of runny stool...


If you feed fruits, what kinds do you feed? whenever we get bananas I'd eat most of it and leave the tips to them (like 2-3 inches of banana). I hate strawberries and apples so I don't bother buying them to share... Plus their seeds are toxic(apples)

I think I heard avocado is toxic to them(sad really I love avocado). Not sure if garlic too or something like that. Although Im pretty sure ive seen my dog eating something with garlic and it being fine. Or eating something its not supposed to and it being fine(in small quantities) like a piece of cheese that fell to the floor(she has a habit of jumping at us when we're eating so if we're eating something with loose or chopped cheese a bit of it could fall to the floor..

Anyways asides from this, not really sure what else would be needed.

[FlyingNimbus]

Originally Posted by JennaPenny

Predisone is a steroid. We have her on an allergy med due to her light allergies, but we suspect the predisone is what is giving her relief. heck, we think she needs more than a bit, as she responded SO well to the injection. We are waiting on the results of the allergy panel as we speak, but we suspect it's addisons. "nut nut" butter is peanut butter. I only use enough to make her med swallowed, or I'd completely eliminate that. You CAN Feed your dog rice! I feed her rice, enriched no yolk noodles, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cous-cous. Rice isn't dangerous!


I have her on the chews for her teeth issue, so I gave that link, but this is the food we feed her raw- I love this brand, and use it exclusively. Recreational Bones For Pets: Raw Buffalo Marrow Bones 6-Pak

Rice isnt dangerous-- just starchy which is unneeded carbs... I know I shouldnt be speaking since im not healthy myself but a dogs body would take it worse.

Addisons? cous-cous? Potatoes are also starch/carbs.

I would think a whole egg(boiled) would be good for a dog every so often. It's full of the good cholesterol. Maybe half an egg for a smaller dog?

[JennaPenny]

Originally Posted by FlyingNimbus

Rice isnt dangerous-- just starchy which is unneeded carbs... I know I shouldnt be speaking since im not healthy myself but a dogs body would take it worse.

Addisons? cous-cous? Potatoes are also starch/carbs.

I would think a whole egg(boiled) would be good for a dog every so often. It's full of the good cholesterol. Maybe half an egg for a smaller dog?

they have to have carbs with a boiled diet. they need, bone meal, vitamin additives, veggies, carbs, and protein. I put egg shells dried myself for added calcium.

Please understand that, lol. Carbs are needed. There are a ton of recipes. I got the medical diet straight from my vet.

chewie DOES get an egg twice a week-half of one each time. we left the yolks out seeing if it hurt her, and then added it back in with no issues.

I take the egg shells and dry them then sprinkle them on her food.

[JennaPenny]

Originally Posted by JennaPenny

they have to have carbs with a boiled diet. they need, bone meal, vitamin additives, veggies, carbs, and protein. I put egg shells dried myself for added calcium.

Please understand that, lol. Carbs are needed. There are a ton of recipes. I got the medical diet straight from my vet.

chewie DOES get an egg twice a week-half of one each time. we left the yolks out seeing if it hurt her, and then added it back in with no issues.

I take the egg shells and dry them then sprinkle them on her food.

Addisons, simply put, is the opposite of cushings disease. I will be FOREVER grateful to the person who brought it to my attention she could be suffering from it. My chewie could have been dx'd when 90% of her hormones were gone. Usually they go into shock. She can't handle stress, either, and usually will go into gastroenteritis from it. That was the first clue it was a big issue. up until a month ago, before the steroid shot the vet on call gave her, she wouldn't eat ANYTHING without us coaxing her. Nothing. No boiled diet for more than 2 days. No kibble. Snacks, even. For example- thanksgiving, I put her into doggy daycare- for her own protection. they had a huge german shepherd (biggest one I've seen in my life. I'm just under 5'1 and his head came to my shoulder) and I KNEW the house wasn't dog proof. I was right. The dog was eating a 2 liter plastic bottle. I kid you not. Any way, we put her in at 12 noon on Thursday morning and got her at 6am Friday morning. She was SO sick that she vomited in the vets office after her shot. My husband yelled at my daughter recently. Just once, and she had yet ANOTHER bout of gastro. However, she was watched overnight last weekend and her shot stopped her from getting sick. She threw up a tiny bit of bile and was playing within two hours. any way, maybe over-explanation, just wanted to have you know what it was.