Adult Dog Diet

In response to a number of inquiries from people who have our dogs, the following is what we feed our adults.  We feed twice a day, so the following is split over two meals.

1 pound of raw* ground beef    We use ground beef which includes liver, heart, etc.  Inexpensive hamburger with a high fat content ( 20 to 25 percent) is a good alternative.   

(Optional - we also feed about a 1/3 pound of  fresh raw green tripe)

2 to 3 cups of dry food   We use Innova or California Natural**  A good  high quality natural dry food is recommended.  (Preferably not made by one of the large dog food manufacturers available in chain stores and supermarkets).

1 Vitamin C 1000 mg (Ester C is preferred)
 

The following are in one of the two meals:

1 Multi-vitamin  (Theragran-M, Centrum, or equivalent)

1 Zinc Tablet 25 mg

Fresh Garlic (approximately 1 teaspoon)

Yogurt (approximately 1 tablespoon, given periodically)

Cottage Cheese/vegetables/leftovers/etc.  (Given periodically) 

Sea Meal (approximately 1 teaspoon) This is a supplement from Solid Gold

Vitamins are soaked in warm water to dissolve, then meat, dry food, etc. are added and mixed.  (The vitamins we use are "people" vitamins, they are not "dog" vitamins which we find overpriced). 

Note - Innova has probiotic cultures and cottage cheese already included.  
If you are using Innova, you can reduce the yogurt and cottage cheese.  

A sampling of some better quality dry dog food brands with links to their websites:

        California Natural and Innova http://www.naturapet.com/     

        Cornucopia http://www.cornucopiaexpress.com/ 

        Fromm http://www.frommfamily.com/      

        Natural Life http://www.nlpp.com/      

        Old Mother Hubbard http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com/       

        Nutro Natural Choice http://www.nutroproducts.com/      

        Showbound http://www.integratedpet.com/ 

        Solid Gold http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/

        Wysong http://www.wysong.net/     

* About carnivores and Raw Meat 
* Article explaining the feeding of raw foods Nutrition 

**Innova and California Natural are available from Natura Pet Products, Inc.,  http://www.naturapet.com/display.asp

Older Dogs get Glucosamine - Chondroitin, or Fresh Factors natural food supplement tablets from Springtime, Inc. http://www.springtimeinc.com/dog/freshfactors.cfm

For a good analysis of the ingredients in dog food as well as a listing of natural vs. commercial dog foods, click here:  http://home.hawaii.rr.com/wolfepack/food.html

 For an enlightening report from the Animal Protection Institute about what is really in dog food 
 click here: http://www.api4animals.org/default.asp?ID=79  

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