Rantings

OK, I have something to say. I didn't post yesterday because I was in a foul mood and it would surely have shown in anything I wrote. If you received an e-mail from me yesterday, I apologize if my mood came thru.

I was doing better today until I read something that set me off again and I'm going to write about it now, get it out of my system and hopefully get back to being my usual cheery, non-controversial self.

I have opinions, as do we all, and I have biases, as do we all. However, I do my homework and lots of research. I don't make outrageous statements based on unfounded rumors. I don't lie and I don't try to frighten someone into agreeing with me.

Why do some people feel it necessary when trying to make a point and convince others to see their point, to make unfounded statements or actual deliberate lies, or to frighten us? I don't like this behavior whether it applies to politics or dog food.

Today it applies to dog food. I know some people swear by feeding their dogs a raw diet. If it works for them, fine. It doesn't work for me and I've heard all the stories about why it's the only healthy way to feed an animal and how I'm killing my dogs by feeding them all sorts of scary things that the dog food companies scrape up off the streets to put in their products.

Now I'm not stupid. I know all dog foods aren't created equal. I know what's in the food I feed my dogs and I know what supplements I give them. So here is what I feed my dogs.


Seven of my dogs eat Science Diet products. The type may differ according to the individual's needs


Three of my dogs eat Blue Buffalo products.


Once a week my dogs each get a Brazil nut shaved on their food. Brazil nuts are the best natural source of selenium.


At least once a week my dogs get fish, usually sardines added to their food.


Their fish source may also be tilapia. They also each get one or two fish oil capsules daily.

Occasionally they get shrimp.


In season they get blueberries daily. If not in season, they get blueberry capsules.


They enjoy snacks of fruit, including apples and melon. Also oranges, strawberries or bananas.


They also snack on veggies rich in beta-carotene such as carrots and sweet potatoes and pumpkin. They also get green beans or peas, especially the dogs on weight control.




I make them a stew of turkey, rice or barley, carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes. This is spooned over their kibble about once a week.

I am not a veterinarian or a canine dietitian. I discuss my dogs diets and supplements with their veterinarian several times a year. He's the one who suggested the Brazil nuts and blueberries. I read up on canine nutrition and I try to use common sense.

It is my opinion that the raw diet is dangerous. Raw food carries bacteria. A young healthy dog may handle it well, but what if your dog has an immune problem that you might not be aware of. This is especially important to me lately because of Samba's compromised immune system. Consuming certain bacteria, for example salmonella, could make her very sick, or perhaps worse.

Recently The Delta Society, one of the largest organizations of therapy dogs, has stated they will no longer let dogs fed a raw diet work as therapy dogs around hospitals and nursing homes due to cross contamination from the muzzle of the dog to a person with compromised immunity.

There are many articles written by veterinarians available on this subject. Always check with your veterinarian before making a drastic change in your animal's diet.


I see the results in my wave of happy, healthy, active dogs. If you feel you must convince me to change my opinion on feeding my animals, use facts, not nonsense.