Imagine this: You are a writer and editor for Parenting Magazine, and you write about infant toys, vaccination schedules, and nutrition for infants and toddlers. A friend texts you from the grocery store and asks, “What should I be feeding my 8-month-old baby?” And she genuinely expects that you can give her the name of a product that will supply all her baby’s nutrition for years to come.
This scenario is ridiculous – of course! – and for several reasons, most notably:
- No parent in their right mind would consider feeding their infant or toddler the same food every day for months or years.
- No parent in their right mind would save important infant-nutrition decisions for the moment she or he was standing in the store, about to buy food, with no clue as to where to start.
- No knowledgeable writer/editor would think they could advise someone by text about something as important as nutrition!
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All When It Comes to Nutrition
While parents may read informative articles about infant and toddler nutrition in Parenting Magazine and others, one would hope they make notes about any questions and discuss them with their pediatrician. Because, while the writer/editor is knowledgeable about infant nutrition, she doesn’t know anything about the specific baby’s health. She doesn’t know if her friend, the baby’s mom, is knowledgeable enough to know how much food she should be feeding her baby, or to recognize signs of a food allergy or intolerance. And sure, she might be familiar with some great brands of infant formula and baby cereal, but does she want an offhand text to be the basis of her friend’s child’s health?
She does not!
Obviously, I’m asking you to consider this scenario because I get asked for dog food recommendations all the time, and I really don’t see a difference between this request for advice and the one described above. If anything, a food fed to a dog for a year will impact a greater percentage of the dog’s life than an infant formula given to a baby for the same length of time will impact hers; dogs’ lives are short!
Consider Your Dog’s Needs
A suggestion for a dog’s toy or treat can be responsibly conveyed in a short text or phone message. But a recommendation for a dog’s sole diet should not be conveyed via text – perhaps not even via a long email! There are many factors to consider, not least of which is the dog owner’s ability to observe the dog’s response to a diet and take appropriate steps if the dog has adverse reactions to the diet.
When I’m asked in a casual way for dog food recommendations, I usually push back a little by asking the dog owner some questions. How old is your dog? How active? How is his weight? How is his health? What are you feeding now? Why did you arrive at this food? How long have you been feeding him this food? Are there ingredients that you know you need to avoid feeding to that specific dog?
And here are the clinchers: How much fat is in the food and how much protein? What are the six top ingredients in the food?
Choose What’s Best for YOUR Dog
If they can’t answer those questions – all of them – then I can’t give them a recommendation for another food or two to add to what I hope is their rotation of three or four products from at least three or four different companies. Actually, the fact is, I’m not going to give them a recommendation of a specific food anyway. What I will do is try to educate them about the factors they need to understand about the foods they have already chosen for their dog, and what they can do to improve matters. As just one example, if the dog is overweight, they should know what the fat content is in the food they give their dog, and look for foods with less fat. That single factor is far more important than what brand they buy, so don’t ask me about brands unless you know all the other, more important factors behind your food-purchasing dilemma!
I have started cooking toppers for my 4 year old goldendoodle. I buy packaged turkey or top sirloin (only proteins I’ve used so far) and then grind it myself. To that I add chopped carrots and green beans, spinach or kale, a small handful of peas, an apple, handful of blueberries and rice and water. I add a large scoopful to her kibble and she absolutely loves it. Here’s the question: I don’t have access to a farm so am buying the meat at the grocery store, being careful to get it as natural and unadulterated as possible. Obviously, the grocery stores are getting their meats trucked in already packaged, and I wonder about salt being used as a preservative. I’ve asked the meat department and they really don’t know for sure. Reading the package label is not a great deal of help either as I wonder if what is listed on the package is simply natural to the meat itself. Anybody know?
Have you looked into buying a side or quarter beef from a small farmer? I know a couple people who raise their own cows in their pastures with no harmful drugs. Then when it’s time to “harvest ” the cow, she is humanely killed. They don’t even know it’s coming. A lot of farmers post on homesteading or small farm pages on Facebook.
I looked into that too Carol, but unfortunately in my area, farms are becoming a thing of the past…most are being bought out by developers who then throw up expensive apartments or assisted living facilities. Farmers just keep getting pushed out around here.
If I had my way, that’s exactly what I would do, and use only organic veggies and fruits, especially those that are local.
I have a mini dachshund also who has had severe skin allergies and anal gland issues since the day we got her(13 yrs). we spent the money to have her fully tested with the dermatologist ($800) to find she has allergies to everything from grass to eggs to grain and it’s been a nightmare for her and us to find something that keeps her from suffering. We finally put her on primal Raw dog food and she seems to do well with that along with regular apoquel and cytomax shots from her vet. We had such trouble with her Anal infections we finally had to have them removed. It’s a constant battle but what we will do for our little fur babies. Just Food For Dogs also works very well except we found that she doesn’t do well with rice either. But that company is great for finding non-allergy meals for your animals. I just can’t afford it full-time. I would love to find a couple of options though that I could give her some variety
My dog cannot digest kibble ..she has a compromised GI, so I have switched her to a combination of raw as well as cooked human grade food. I make all the food myself, following recipes and guidelines from Dr. Karen Becker. (She has it on YouTube) I also follow Rodney Habib, who works closely with her and they have a wonderfully informative video on how to check your dry food ingredients listed on the bag of each brand & type of dry food. I found a little education went a long way for me! No processed treats either… bits of carrot, green bean, cooked liver or chicken heart or gizzard… all nutritious in small amounts and won’t add weight to your dog.
I feed my 2 pups (an 18 month old 11# terrier & a 13 yo Vizsla) a raw meat blend from Texas Tripe, along with cooked brown rice & vegetables, + supplements. They love it and its considered a species appropriate diet -(what they would eat as wild dogs.)
Interesting posts. Have been in dogs 50 years. Have found over the years dog food recipes keep changing and not for the best. I am a breeder of Cesky Terriers, I am now feeding Purina Beyond Salmon plus a tablespoon of salmon oil each feed. Am a firm believer in salmon oil for health skin and coat. Never thought of sardines until I read these posts. Sounds good to me. Beginning of Scandinavian heritage I know the value of fish to ones diet. If it’s good for me it’s good for my dogs. I am 82 years old.
Katherine, my dog absolutely loves salmon! I buy it and cook for her at least 3x a week. I never thought about sardines but I will look into those too.
And you’re right, dog food keeps changing and not for the better. When is enough enough? Every time I got into the pet stores, there is at least one new brand I’ve never heard of. Meanwhile, the lesser brands are still on the market. I picked one up last night and first ingredient was meat by-products, soy grits or some such thing, and even high fructose corn syrup. I really worry about feeding any commercial food.
I agree with you wholeheartedly about the value of fish. Unfortunately I cannot afford to buy as much as I would like, but when I buy salmon, my boxer usually gets 2/3 of it and I get 1/3. But she comes first 🙂
Thank you for sharing.
So if I may ask, what was everyone feeding that your dogs got pancreatitis?
All my dogs have eaten Regal. My current dog gets Real Lamb mixed with Regal Salmon (one cup 2x a day). At night he gets a scoop of moist food (Pedigree): 3 fish oil capsules and a Pet Tab. As a treat when we go out he gets a Nature’s Animals biscuit. When we come back in he gets 3-4 mini mixed Old Mother Hubbard.
Pedigree is one of the worst foods you can feed your dog. By products and pure crap. Check out the ingredients.
Patricia,
Our Australian Shepard was in hospital for a week with pancreatitis last year. We brought him home to die when my personal vet saved him with Massive steroids. Took 10 weeks to wean down on meds, he lost most of his 3 layer coat, and we were a mess. Could not get his coat to come back so I have been cooking his food for the last year. No prescription food or specialty food worked for him. I am now 1 1/2 year later slowly switching him to a holistic dog food, and he seems to be doing well. It is a lot of time and work, but IT WORKED. I am hoping the switch will help to put 5 pounds on him. Thank you Dr Menard and The Whole Dog Journal for helping us through this crisis. It has been a journey. Pancreatitis in humans and animals is the AWFUL! Hang in! Passing on email if anyone wants my recipe.
Thank You Laura. I am so sorry you had to go through that journey and so glad you are finding things that are bringing forth health. So far we are lucky, if that is even what it is, as he is bouncing back with the Royal Canin, soon to get off that. For the time being, we are going to go to transition to Stella & Chewy Raw Rabbit, which he did really good on at one time, though ultimately we want to cook for him, just trying to make sense of everything as we keep a close eye on him, and gently sort through all this. Again, so grateful for everyone’s shares. It really is contingent on each dogs needs. Also would love to know your recipe. Thanks tons!!!!! Continued healing and good health to you and your fur babe.
I would like to know this cooked recipe. Can u share it with me?
You mean you can send it out? I would like it.
I know less now than I did before reading this article.
Baffling isn’t it?!?!
I, too, find all the information on dog food pretty baffling. At one point, I thought I had a good handle on the latest regarding DCM in dogs. But WDJ’s recommended list of dog foods almost all included within the “first five ingredients” two of the items they said should NOT be in the first five! I still believe WDJ is a great publication, but I’m still struggling with all the information.
My little guy has been fed a commercial raw for the last 3 years but after a routine blood test it was discovered he has very high ALT liver enzymes this has been going on for a year so now he is on desensy, milk thistle which has helped his alt to come done still high but now his bile acid test is high so now I don’t know what to fed him. Wonder is now raw is not the way to go if his liver values are not good. Otherwise he has not symptoms, but I have never fed a kibble to a dog but I may have to