Question:
Hi, I have a 16 month Cavalier King George Spaniel who refuses to eat
kibble or eat out of a dog dish/bowl. Occaisionally can get her to eat
kibble if I put a handful just on the carpet Normally will only eat
what we eat. My question is with regards to tomato sauces. Is it
ok to feed her spaghetti sauce? Often she throws up after eating .
Not sure if is intolerance to something I'm feeding her or if she's just
eating too quickly. Very concerned that I may be causing her harm with
what I'm feeding her . Some guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Mack01

Answer:
Dogs are carnivores hence they must have a great deal of protein by way of meat in their diet.

If you are going to home cook for your small dog you should ensure it is balanced

1/3 protein (meat,fish,egg)
1/3 veggies (steamed/boiled)
1/3 carbs (rice,pasta)

It's very easy to make a large batch of food that will last a week or more. You can freeze half and keep half in the refrigerator.

I make huge stock pots of stew made with either beef and beef liver
or chicken and chicken liver and gizzards and hearts.

NEVER mix two different kind of meat/products
IE do not give your dog beef and chicken in the same meal

Stay away from hamburger it's too greasy and causes pancreatitis.

Tomato sauce can contain high amounts of sugar which your dog does not need.

Cut your meat and veggies to small sizes (carrot, celery, potato, broccoli, turnip, parsnip, green beans, cauliflour *stay away from onions*)
Put in a large pot with water and cook it on a medium low boil with a handful of rice and some elbow noodles.

I save the broth and make ice cubes with the left over stock...they're a great treat to chew on.

If you make a large pot it will last your dog a long long time. You can also add a teaspoon of powdered milk to the meal each day along with some vitamin e and fish oil ....to ensure bone and teeth strength as well as promote healthy skin and coat.

I hope this helps

You should feed your dog 2 times a day not just once...and if you can it would be great if you devided that into (3) meals (morn,afternoon and eve)

I'll give you an idea of what my dog eats......

Answer:
Thanks so much for the great information and the picture
was terrific. Keira loves stews and vegetables. When she was a
pup she loved chewing on frozen veggies. She has a particular
love for broccoli! She's soooo much better with her veggies than my
children ever were
Would love to feed her 3 meals a day but both my husband & I work
all day. I only returned to work after 1.5 yrs. off, just before Xmas and my husband, who's retired, just started working again full time 2 wks. ago.
She appears to be tolerating it well but my husband shares everything he eats with her much to my dismay, so I'm surprised she's handling
this so well.
Unfortunately neither one of us has been doing much cooking lately. Like so
many empty-nester's the appeal of cooking just for one or two just isn't there
hence Keira's bad eating "choices". Think I just needed a little incentive
Thanks again, I really appreciate it (Sorry for rambling)

Answer:
Geeze, Luba - that looks darn good! Better than what I had for dinner, no doubt.

Mack01, I share my dinner with my dog too, but only after she's eaten her own and only if it's something that won't upset her stomach, like chicken, salmon, beef and occasionally pasta, but only in very small helpings - more like a treat.

Answer:
Actually a dogs diet should consist of 75% protein and 25% carbohydrates.
There are carbohydrates in almost every food out there, veggies included.

Answer:
The protein amount seems to cause some controversy even among naturopath vets. IMHO 75% is too high, and high protein diets have been known to cause organ disease.

Answer:
But aren't dogs carnivorves? Anscestors lived totally off meat, with the exception of a few grains caught in their prey's stomach. They ate eggs as well. Cause organ disease in who? I don't think enough people feed their dogs high protein diets to even consider a study worthwhile or is there one available? Or is it just yours and your vets humble opinion?

Answer:
Chany it appears as though you are attempting to start a bitter debate here and I'm not going to join you.

However if the thread starter has any questions I'd be happy to answer them.

Answer:
I know it doesn't provide any answers, but I did a quick Google search and found a very interesting website on this issue - and NO I am not trying to start any debates, just supply information that others may find interesting - LOL!!)

http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/protein.html

http://www.thepetcenter.com/imtop/contrast.html

More food for thought - no pun intended... or was there.....

Michelle

Answer:
OMG a bitter debate because I think differently than you? I know you follow Dr. Stanley Coren for advice and I will to when it comes to behavior, but not to nutrition.
Thanks Michelle you basically proved my point for me with those articles but I guess that this will end up being my humble opinion right?
BTW I wasn't trying to start a bitter debate I was trying to find out where your getting your facts from because IMHO they're wrong.
Your feeding a 1/3 protein diet not enough! Sorry!

Answer:
Actually, dogs are on the omnivorous side of carnivorous, and eat a more varied diet than, say, cats - who are strictly carnivorous.

Answer:
Thx cmt I have read that article before

I've done my research, and I am happy with the findings that I concluded through months of looking over the options in books, research papers, speaking to others who feed natural diets, consulting breeders and discussing with my own vet and a couple of holistic ones....as well as some looking on the net too.

There are litterally dozens of books currently on the market about feeding your dog natural diets. Some of them are by lay people and some by vets.



And yes LR you're so right about a dog being an omnivore...it's said they are both omnivorous and carnivorous.

Answer:
Actually thank you L.R. but I did know that. However they are not like us or maybe they are. Has anyone heard of Dr. Atkins? Same theory more protein, way less carbs.
You also believe I'm assuming in the 1/3 diet?
Also not to start a bitter debate but L.R. why have you not come on before and corrected Luba about calling dogs carnivores? She actually mentioned it in her first post here. Or maybe Luba your Romper Room mirror showed you your friends. You know those other ladies were so right. Aah but it brings back junior high school days. Thanks ladies!

Answer:
Thanks to all of you for the helpful information - greatly appreciated.
In past always had cats, first time dog owner.
I can't believe I didn't know about this site before this since I have so
many questions on all kinds of different topics.
While on this topic would you (all) please provide me with any favorite
webb sites with recipes for my girl? Know about onions and chocolate
but I want to make sure that she's got the best balanced and
nutritional foods available. She has a very sweet tooth - which
other's here cater to. She has gained some weight over the winter
which needs to come off and then maintained at the best optimal
weight for her size & breed. Best guess is that she's 7 - 10 lbs. over
suggested weight. Also breath becoming a problem - think bad
eating habits are a contributing factor.
Thanks again! Have a great evening/day

Answer:
Don't u forget we'd love to see pictures of your doggie

This is what I'd suggest you do, get digging and try some research on your own. That way you can weed out what you feel isn't right for you or your situation. Read and compare different alternatives. If you want to go the natural route, invest in seeing an alternative vet who deal with holistic approaches. They can help you with your diet choices.

Not a good idea to feed sweets. BUT you can prepare healthy snacks, and what I find is great is chopped apple. Chocolate is toxic, thats what you've probably heard Over abundance of grapes can be toxic as well and usage of onions is not recommended.

Again, educate yourself with reading material. Maybe go to a bookstore like Chapters or even the library and get as much info as you can. You'll be glad you did!

Answer: