Shiba Shake

BARF – Sourcing, Balancing, Preparing a Raw Food Diet for My Shiba Inu

shibashake — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 05:31:36 +0000

Disclaimer: Pet nutrition is a complicated topic with many grey zones and contradicting information from experts. Even pet nutrition organizations NRC (National Research Council), AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control), and FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) all have different guidelines, which disagree on what constitutes a complete and balanced diet. There is no consensus on what guideline is best or “right” for each individual pet. Therefore, the statement “complete and balanced” should be taken with a grain of salt.

This article describes how I source, nutritionally balance, prepare, and store raw dog food for my Shiba Inu. This is part 2 of our raw dog food series. If you have not read part 1, here is why I feed my Shiba Inu a raw dog diet.

BARF – Sourcing, Balancing, Preparing a Raw Food Diet for My Shiba Inu.

1. Raw Dog Diet – Sourcing

There are many different ways to source raw food for our furry companion. Much of it will depend on what is available where we live, because shipping options for frozen raw food is often limited. Thus to provide a variety of proteins and cuts means putting in the time to source it locally.

Proteins from the raw pet food store, Asian grocery store, and offcuts gifted from family and friends.

Option 1: Specialty Raw Pet Food Store

Raw pet food stores are a cost effective way to source raw food. Some raw pet food producers may have their own storefront to sell directly to consumers. However, most brands wholesale to pet stores that have a freezer section for raw pet food. A typical chain pet store will have a small freezer selection with limited options. Boutique pet stores will typically allocate more store space to raw pet food and offer a larger variety.

Kuma visiting the local raw pet food store. This raw food producer has a storefront to sell directly to consumers.

Raw pet food typically comes in pre-packaged portions of ground meat, and bags of offcuts such as animal organs, feet, neck, heads, etc. Some companies offer pre-made blends of meat, bone, and organs, which will help cut down meal prep time. However, it is usually unclear how much of each ingredient is blended together, so I prefer to purchase the ingredients individually.

Our haul from the raw pet food store.

Option 2: Grocery Stores

We can buy human-grade raw food at the grocery store. This generally costs much more because the products are cleaned and packaged well for display. Ethnic grocery stores often carry a larger variety of cuts, especially organ meats not commonly consumed in a Western diet. We live close to a Persian grocer, who carries many lamb and veal cuts as well as organs. Our neighborhood Chinese grocery store carries a great selection of chicken, pork, and seafood.

Option 3: Local Butcher

Butchers are an excellent source of proteins and cuts that are hard to come by. Often, butchers will sell cheap offcuts that are unsuitable for human consumption. We can establish a relationship with our local butcher and have them set aside specific offcuts for pick up on a regular basis. This is a good way to get whole prey.

Option 4: Raising Animals

If we choose to raise our own animals for food, it is important to check with local laws and regulations. The raising and slaughtering of animals is often heavily regulated due to concerns for health and safety, as well as the animals’ well-being. Animals are usually required to be inspected and butchered at a licensed facility. Failure to properly and humanely kill an animal can sometimes lead to felony cruelty charges and arrest.

Option 5: Fishing and Hunting

Finally, we can hunt or fish for whole prey depending on our local laws and regulations. Wild game is usually seasonal, and therefore not a consistently reliable option. It is always good practice to examine wild game for cysts, lesions, and other abnormalities. If we are unsure of its condition, it is best to err on the side of caution and not use it for consumption. More information on wild game can be found here.

Happy Shiba Inu Kuma is on a nutritionally balanced and varied raw dog diet.

2. Raw Dog Diet – Balancing Nutrition

Raw diets do not generally require extensive supplements or multivitamins to provide all essential nutrients. Appropriately selected whole foods can create a nutritionally complete diet for a dog without resorting to synthetic supplements. A rule of thumb for raw feeding is to offer a variety of different ingredients, including seafood, offal, red meats, and plant matter. The more varied the diet, the less likely that there are missing nutrients.

Kuma is fed without synthetic supplements because I am able to source whole foods to meet his nutritional needs. Pictured here are hemp seeds, unsweetened greek yogurt, kelp and veggie puree, green tripe, heart, smelt, mackerel, rabbit foot with fur.

Supplements may be a great option if the dog is allergic to certain ingredients, or if ingredients are not accessible. Dogs may also need supplements for specific needs (eg. medical). Note that dietary supplements on the market are not regulated to the same extent as medication and drugs, and may have questionable effectiveness. It is also easier to overdose on supplements than whole foods, so it is best to contact a veterinarian or nutritionist when in doubt about measuring supplements correctly.

Below are several key nutrients that can be low or missing in some raw food diets:

Omega 3 fatty acids (ALA, EPA and DHA) are often deficient in raw diets. This is because commercially farmed meats provide high levels of omega 6 and little omega 3. The imbalance can cause inflammation in the body. A good way to include ALA is by adding raw chia seeds or hemp seeds. EPA and DHA are found primarily in fatty fish. Commonly available fatty fish in stores are sardines, mackerel, anchovies, and salmon (more expensive). Kuma gets hemp seeds, as well as mackerel or smelt in his meals everyday. He also loves dried sardines, which I use as training treats because they are small and super stinky!

Zinc is involved in metabolism, cell replication, and wound healing. Zinc dietary needs can be met by feeding red meats such as beef, lamb, or venison. Excessive levels of zinc can impact the absorption of other dietary minerals, so be careful if using synthetic supplements. Kuma consumes beef and lamb regularly so I do not worry about his zinc levels.

Manganese is an important part of many enzymes and plays a role in the health and maintenance of bone and cartilage in joints. Manganese is often found in feathers and fur of whole prey. But if that is not an option, blue mussels and green tripe are also good sources of manganese. Kuma gets green tripe in his meals every day, and an occasional rabbit foot with fur.

Shiba Inu Kuma taking a nap after a day to fine raw dog food dining and outdoor exploration.

Iodine is inadequate from diets that do not consist of whole prey because iodine is found in the thyroid of animals. Whole fatty fish and shellfish provide some iodine but it is not sufficient to meet iodine requirements. Seaweed, such as kelp, have the highest concentration of iodine of all whole food sources. Kelp powder can also be used. Kuma gets kombu kelp blanched and puréed along with kale and spinach. The saltiness of the kelp also makes the purée more palatable.

Vitamin D is essential for dogs because they do not produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight like us. Vitamin D is found in oily fish, eggs, and organs. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin which means it can be highly toxic in large amounts, so be careful when using synthetic supplements for vitamin D. There were recalls of commercial pet food due to toxic levels of Vitamin D supplements that caused kidney failure and death.

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that protects cells from damage caused by free radicals. It is the most commonly supplemented vitamin in a raw food diet. This is because protein sources that provide adequate vitamin E are difficult to come by. Furthermore, vitamin E is not easily absorbed and less than half the amount in food is available to the body. Brain and heart are good sources of vitamin E.

3. Raw Dog Diet – Preparing and Storing

Some key items to have are: food scale, cutting board, knife and shears, ice cube trays, stackable Tupperware, deep freezer, masking tape, and large containers for thawing.

I prepare Kuma’s food once per week. Not included in the frozen tubs are fresh fruits and raw meaty bones.

It is essential to have a food scale, cutting board and a knife that can cut through small bones. Use a food scale to measure each portion so that we don’t end up over/under feeding. A good knife is needed for portioning meat. I found it extremely helpful to also have a pair of kitchen shears when working on items such as chicken carcasses. Having a cutting board with grooves will allow fluids to catch in the ridges so we don’t make a mess. Always practice good hygiene by washing all the equipment thoroughly after use.

Shiba Inu Kuma sunbathing by his raw dog food deep freezer.

Raw food can take up a lot of space, so having a separate deep freezer to store it is a good idea. Six weeks worth of raw food for Kuma fills up the small 3.5 cubic meter deep freezer. We also do not want to confuse Kuma’s food with our own because some of his food comes from the grocery store.If the food was freshly caught, or freshly butchered / processed, it is recommended to freeze them for 2-3 weeks before consuming. Storing meat in the freezer at -20°C (-4°F) reduces the temperature to a point that inhibits most bacterial growth. Thaw ingredients in the refrigerator for meal prep and refreeze any leftovers. Individual prepped portions should be moved from the freezer to the fridge the night before so they thaw in time for feeding the next day.

Shiba Inu Kuma cleaning up the container that was used to thaw raw ground meat.

Top: kelp and veggie purée. Bottom: yogurt and raspberry freezies, pureed pumpkin and carrot freezies.

Ice cube trays are great for freezing wet ingredients. Yogurt and canned pumpkin come in large portions that will not stay fresh for long in the fridge once opened. I also blanch vegetables and kelp, and then purée them in the blender before freezing them. Having pre-portioned frozen components will help speed up meal prep time and also reduce food waste. These also make great treats during hot weather.

Freezies are made with human-grade ingredients can be enjoyed by everyone

Stackable and freezer-safe containers are the best option for storing the prepped meals. Matching containers will stack well in the freezer and also nest inside each other in the cupboard when not in use. I use masking tape to label the containers with the primary proteins on the lid (T for turkey, L for lamb, etc.). This makes it easier to identify when doing protein rotation.

Containers in the freezer labelled with masking tape.

Visit with Shiba Inu Kuma

Adorable Shiba Inu Kuma out on another adventure with his amazing family.

BARF – Why I Feed My Shiba Inu a Raw Diet

shibashake — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 07:17:08 +0000

Disclaimer: Pet nutrition is a complicated topic with many grey zones and contradicting information from experts. Even pet nutrition organizations such as the NRC (National Research Council), AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control), and FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) all have different guidelines, which disagree on what constitutes a complete and balanced diet. There is no consensus on what guideline is best or “right” for each individual pet. Therefore, the statement “complete and balanced” should be taken with a grain of salt.

BARF, Raw Feeding, Raw Diet

B.A.R.F. stands for Biologically Accurate Raw Food. This is a model of raw feeding that mimics what dog ancestors (wolves) eat in the wild. Wolves are primarily carnivores that eat whole prey, but have been observed to eat plant matter such as grasses and berries in small quantities. The BARF model for adult dogs consists of 70% raw meat, 10% raw meaty bone, 5% liver, 5% second secreting organ, and 10% plant matter. NOTE: this is a general guideline, and it is totally okay to deviate from it based on an individual dog’s needs.

BARF – Why I Feed My Shiba Inu a Raw Diet

There are many reasons for and against raw feeding. The main argument for commercial pet food (dry and wet dog food), is that manufacturers need to adhere to nutritional and safety guidelines in their region in order to bring their products to market. Therefore, it is better to feed nutritionally balanced commercial pet food instead of unbalanced raw food. Commercial pet food is convenient and cost-effective. There are many brands on the market to choose from, and some have scientific research and backing.

In contrast, the raw pet food market is less regulated. The main driver for a raw diet is the focus on feeding whole foods that offer better nutritional value (bioavailability) compared to the byproducts and supplements commonly used in commercial pet food manufacturing. In addition, some dogs have food allergies or intolerances, and it can be difficult to determine exactly which ingredient is the culprit when a pet food contains so many ingredients. Raw feeding means having full control of all the ingredients so that we may easily eliminate or replace as needed. The tradeoff is the time, money, and effort needed to ensure that the raw food is nutritionally balanced. Raw food is also difficult to travel with, and therefore not suitable for all lifestyles. Note that veterinary associations and public health agencies discourage raw diets due to the risk of pathogens in raw meat that may cause illness in dogs, cats, and humans. Here are links to the stance of several North American agencies:

AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association)
AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association)
CVMA (Canadian Veterinary Medical Association)
PHAC (Public Health Agency of Canada)
CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention)

A nutritionally balanced dog diet makes a Shiba Inu happy, healthy, and wise.

Why I Feed My Shiba Inu a Raw Diet

It is accessible to me and I am willing to put in the extra time to research, source, and prepare raw food.
I dislike the use of synthetic supplements and preservatives in commercial pet food. There have been recalls of commercial pet food due to excessive levels of supplements causing toxicity in dogs, leading to kidney failure and death.
Shiba Inus are a basal dog breed and more genetically related to wolves compared to many modern domesticated dogs. I personally believe feeding Shibas a raw diet makes sense.
Food allergies usually manifest after prolonged exposure to one brand, type, or form of food. Doing a rotation of various proteins reduces the chance of developing food allergies. Feeding whole foods makes it easy to identify and remove/replace individual ingredients causing allergies
A raw diet is low in carbohydrates, which is excellent for weight control. While dogs can digest carbohydrates, it is not a biological requirement according to the nutritional guidelines. A low carbohydrate diet is also great for dogs with diabetes, as it will reduce the amount of insulin required for the body to process the glucose. I would know this, because I am a diabetic-in-remission myself, all thanks to a low carbohydrate diet.

Kuma’s stools are very small and do not smell bad. They are small enough that we use puppy/small breed poop bags to reduce plastic waste.

Animal-based whole foods have high bioavailability. There are also no filler ingredients so stools are smaller and less smelly.

Raw meaty bones help keep teeth clean. The act of pulling bits of meat, gristle, and cartilage off the bone is similar to what brushing and flossing do for human teeth.

Kuma has clean teeth and his breath does not smell. We do not brush his teeth or rely on commercial teeth cleaning chews.

How to Calculate Raw Food for Adult Dogs

The amount of food a dog needs will depend on age, activity level, and whether they need to gain or lose weight. The average adult dog should be fed 2-3% of their body weight each day. A dog that is very active or works all day can be fed 3-4% of their weight, while an overweight and sedentary dog may only need to be fed 1.5-2%. It is totally okay to deviate slightly from day to day, and adjust based on the individual dog’s needs. If the dog is gaining or losing weight, the amount they eat will also need to be recalculated and adjusted frequently.

Kuma gets slightly more food on days we go out on long hikes together.

Kuma is a neutered young adult dog weighing 12kg. His vet says he is at a healthy weight, and we should maintain it. He is moderately active, so we feed 2.5% of his weight daily to maintain.

12000g x 0.025 = 300g total weight of food to feed each day

300 x 0.70 = 210g meat
300 x 0.10 = 30g bone
300 x 0.05 = 15g liver
300 x 0.05 = 15g second secreting organ
300 x 0.10 = 30g plant matter

Examples of Kuma’s breakfasts and dinners.

I also weigh and record each portion of food in a notebook when feeding Kuma. This is an optional step, but I do it as a precaution in case Kuma ever gets sick and the vet asks what/when he was fed.

A whole day of food for Kuma looks something like this:

Ground turkey (137g meat)
Lamb neck slice (32g meat 16g bone)*
Chicken neck (11g meat 21g bone)*
Smelt (16g meat)
Mussels (8g meat)
Chicken heart (8g meat)
Green tripe (4g meat)
Beef liver (14g)
Beef kidney (15g)
Plant matter: kelp + veggie purée, raspberries, carrots, pumpkin, hemp seeds
Others: unsweetened Greek yogurt

Total: 216g meat, 37g bone, 14g liver, 15g second secreting organ.

*I calculated the meat/bone ratio of raw meaty bones using this tool.

I do not weigh the individual plant matter because they are usually mixed in with wet components such as yogurt.

Shiba Inu Kuma is ready to answer questions about raw dog diets, raw feeding, and BARF.

FAQs About Raw Diet

Q: Can raw food make my dog sick?

A sudden change in diet can make a dog sick, or the dog may be allergic to new ingredient(s). As with any food transitions, it is best to gradually do it over a period of 1-2 weeks. New ingredients should be introduced one at a time and observed for allergies and intolerances. Furthermore, any food (even human food) can be contaminated with bacteria if the processing facility is contaminated.Therefore, we should practice good hygiene by washing hands and disinfecting surfaces, regardless of what we are handling.

Based on what I have read, it is rare for healthy adult dogs to get sick from Salmonella or E. coli due to their strong immune systems. However, according to the CDC, even animals that appear healthy and clean can be carriers of both Salmonella or E. coli. Therefore, it appears that the primary risk is to the human family around our dogs. Nevertheless, this survey shows that transmission from pet to human is present but rare.

Q: Aren’t bones dangerous?

For a 12kg dog like Kuma, a chicken foot or chicken neck each day is sufficient for his raw meaty bone quota, and to keep his teeth clean.

Some bones are dangerous. Cooked bones can splinter and cause damage to the GI tract. Machine-cut bones may have sharp edges that can cause lacerations to the dog’s mouth, so always inspect a chew before giving it to the dog. Weight-bearing bones and hard chews (antlers, hooves, marrow bones, etc.) may cause tooth fractures. Because of these reasons, it is best to stick to appropriately sized raw consumable bones, especially if the dog is a big chewer. Bones from small animals such as chicken, duck, turkey and rabbits are safest to consume and generally easy to access. What is safe or dangerous also depends on the individual dog, for example whether they are chewers or like to swallow food in large chunks. As with most things, a healthy dose of caution and common sense will be useful here.

Q: How expensive is raw feeding?

The price varies by quite a lot. It can be extremely expensive if you are buying human-grade cuts in small quantities from the grocery store. Much like commercial pet food, there are different price points depending on the quality of the ingredients going into the final product.

Q: Will raw food cause nutritional deficiencies?

Raw diets generally do not require extensive supplementation or multivitamins to provide all essential nutrients. Appropriately selected whole foods can create a nutritionally complete diet for a dog without resorting to synthetic supplementation. I will address tips on balancing raw food in a separate article. Deficiencies also don’t become apparent overnight. Regardless of what type of food your furry friend eats, always keep an eye out for changes in their stool, energy level, behaviour, as well as coat and skin condition. It is important to take our dog to annual vet check ups where a professional can perform a proper physical and dental examination. When in doubt, we can also request bloodwork to spot any abnormalities. NOTE: dogs fed on raw diet will have higher BUN (blood urea nitrogen) readings due to the consumption of more protein.

Part 2 of this series describes how I source, nutritionally balance, prepare, and store raw dog food for my Shiba Inu.

Visit with Shiba Inu Kuma

Happy Shiba Inu Kuma out on another day of adventures.

What to Feed a Dog to Keep Him Healthy and Happy

shibashake — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 21:42:01 +0000

There are four primary dog feeding strategies:

Dry dog food (kibble)
Wet dog food
Homemade dog food
Raw diet (BARF)

There is no definitive answer as to which dog feeding method is best.

This article summarizes each method, and presents their pros and cons. Based on this, we can decide what to feed our dog, based on his lifestyle and preferences.

What to Feed a Dog to Keep Him Happy and Healthy.

1. Dry Dog Food (Kibble)

Dry Dog Food (Kibble).

When considering which kibble to feed our dog, it is important to keep these things in mind –

Note what the main ingredients are.

A good rule of thumb to distinguish the major components of a food is to look for the first named source of fat in the ingredient list. Anything listed before that, and including it, make up the main portion of the food, other items are present in much smaller amounts to add flavor, function as preservatives or because of their dietary benefits (e.g. probiotics, vitamins and minerals).
~~ [ Excerpt from the Dog Food Project ]

Look for a kibble with meat as its primary source of protein.
Avoid kibble with wheat, corn, or soy as its main ingredients. For sources of carbohydrates, potatoes and rice are easier to digest. Many dogs are allergic to wheat and corn.
Avoid any food with wheat or corn gluten. Here’s why.
Avoid kibble with too many “by-products” in their ingredient list.
Avoid kibble with many generic ingredients, for example poultry meal or fish meal. Instead, look for chicken meal or salmon meal.
Avoid kibble with artificial coloring and preservatives, for example BHA or BHT.
Avoid kibble with too much filler material, such as corn hull.

Kibble can be easily used in interactive toys.

I have done a fair amount of research into dry dog food, because both my dogs have sensitive digestive systems. My Shiba Inu is allergic to wheat, and my Siberian Husky is allergic to most types of grains (wheat, corn, oats), as well as some types of fish.

Here are some good kibble brands that are well-reviewed by many dog owners:

Wellness CORE – My dogs are currently on Wellness CORE. They seem to really love the kibble and are doing well with it.
Orijen – This was actually my first choice during our kibble switch-over. However, my Sibes are allergic to some types of fish and all their kibble formula contains fish.
Blue Wilderness – Very well reviewed and the chicken formula has a similar ingredient list to Wellness CORE.
Nature’s Variety Instinct – This kibble has a simpler ingredient list with two main components – chicken meal and tapioca. It also has a 42% protein content which looks good.
Taste of the Wild – I have never tried Taste of the Wild, but they also have a well reviewed grain-free kibble with good ingredients. I love their cover art.
Innova EVO – On March 2013 there was a voluntary recall of EVO products. As a result, we decided to switch over to Wellness CORE.

** Note that all of the above brands are grain-free, high-protein kibble. There may be some concern over high-protein dog food causing kidney disease, but this is a myth that has been debunked.

Just be careful not to give high protein food to large breed puppies as it may cause overly rapid growth, which will stress bones and joints.

Other dry dog food brands:

Canidae is often recommended as a good, medium-cost quality kibble. I have never tried Canidae, but their ingredient list looks sound.

Solid Gold: I did not include Solid Gold because their high protein kibble, Barking to the Moon, contains generic fish meal as its primary ingredient. Instead, we want to look for salmon meal, herring meal, or whitefish meal which is in Orijen 6, and Wellness CORE Ocean.

Pros

Better for dental health because it is less likely to stick on, and stain teeth.
Easy to transport and use in dog obedience training, handling, and dog grooming.
Easy to stuff in dog toys.
Balanced nutrition for our dog.
Has good fiber content, resulting in more regular stools.

Cons

Does not smell or taste as good as the other dog foods.
Our dog may not want to eat kibble, and instead try to hold-out for something better.
May make our dog thirsty. Therefore, provide free access to water all day long.
Cannot be sure about quality of ingredients. There have been a fair number of dog food recalls on kibble.

2. Wet Dog Food

Once we have finished our research on dry dog food, we can just get the wet or canned versions of our favorite kibble brands. Doing this will ensure the same high quality ingredients, and packing process.

I only give my dogs a small amount of wet food everyday. They get their wet dog food in the form of frozen Kongs, which they work on at night while in their crate.

2. Wet Dog Food.

Pros

Tastes good.
Will not dehydrate our dog.
Balanced nutrition for our dog.

Cons

Difficult to handle and stuff in toys, unless frozen.
Difficult to use for training, handling, or grooming.
Not as good for dental health.
Cannot be sure about quality of ingredients. There have also been some wet food recalls.
Expensive.

3. Homemade Dog Food

The most difficult part of feeding our dog homemade food, is ensuring that it has the proper nutritional balance.

The American Veterinary Medical Association warns against feeding our dogs table scraps. Table scraps tend to be too rich, and may contain foods that are poisonous to dogs. The AVMA also discourages using homemade food as our dog’s primary feeding method.

The AVMA does not recommend that people attempt to prepare home-cooked meals for their pets because pet nutrition is very complicated and unique to species and individual animals.

~~ [ Excerpt from Tips On Cooking Your Pet A Home-Cooked Meal, AVMA ]

3. Homemade Dog Food.

If we absolutely want to try this dog feeding method, the AVMA recommends the book Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: the Healthful Alternative by Dr. Donald Strombeck, or the www.petdiets.com website.

I will sometimes microwave some simple people food for my dogs, but only as a supplement to their mostly dry dog diet. In particular, my dogs really like melted cheese, boiled chicken, microwave sausage, and bacon.

When I need my dogs to endure an unpleasant dog grooming session, e.g. nail grinding or teeth brushing, I will sometimes microwave them a mix of salad greens (lettuce, and carrots), boiled chicken, vienna sausage, cheese, and a very small amount of bacon bits.

Pros

Very tasty.
Our dog will probably work hard for homemade food.
High quality, human grade ingredients.

Cons

May not have balanced nutrition for our dog.
Difficult and dirty to stuff in toys.
May be time-consuming to prepare.
Expensive.

Homemade, wheat-free, birthday cake for Sephy and Shania.

4. Raw Diet (BARF)

A raw diet consists primarily of uncooked meat, edible bones, and organs. Sometimes eggs, vegetables, fruits, and vitamin supplements are added to create a more balanced meal.

Whether to feed our dogs a raw food diet, is a hot debate with strong proponents and opponents.

Pros

Very tasty.
Bones help to clean teeth.
Nutrients are not destroyed by cooking.
May lead to better health.

Cons

May not have balanced nutrition for our dog.
Bones can splinter and become a choking hazard or cause intestinal perforations.
Raw food may carry bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.
Difficult to use in training, or to stuff in food toys.

For a more comprehensive discussion on the pros and cons of a raw diet, check out this wonderfully researched article by Alisa, or refer to the links below:

Useful Dog Feeding Sites

Dog Feeding - Whichever dog feeding strategy you choose, make sure that it has complete and balanced nutrition.

Happy Dog Thanksgiving!

shibashake — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:10:52 +0000

My dogs say woof and a very happy Thanksgiving to you!

It is the holiday season, and although things may be a bit tough this year, I am thankful that I get to spend the holidays with family, friends, and my silly dogs.

My dogs are really looking forward to Thanksgiving turkey and Thanksgiving potatoes.

Happy Dog Thanksgiving!

However, remember to feed in moderation.

Make sure that the bulk of their food is their usual balanced meal, with only a little bit of turkey as a treat. Too much turkey will give your dog a tummy ache, and result in a “yucky, liquid, mess” on the floor.

Do not put spices, salt, or any additives on the turkey you plan to give to your dogs. Keep it simple, and no onions, or anything else on this list.

Most importantly, spend some quality time with your dogs and take them on many hikes. Interactive toys are great for rainy days in the house.

Have a very happy Thanksgiving! Hugs, licks, and a merry woof, woof from my dogs!

Have a very happy Thanksgiving! Hugs, licks, and a merry woof, woof from my dogs!