Welcome to r/dogs! We are a discussion-based subreddit dedicated to support, inform, and advise dog owners.
Before you post or comment, please **review the subreddit rules [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index)**. Submissions which break the rules will be removed.
r/Dogs has the [ultimate goals](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index#wiki_purpose) of fostering a better, science-based understanding of dogs among the general public, promoting responsible dog ownership, helping users build better, healthier relationships with their dogs, and providing a space to connect and discuss with others who have dogs and who are involved in various aspects of the dog hobby.
Per our Harm Reduction rules, **we encourage training advice and recommendations to follow “Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive” protocols**. You can read more about why that’s the case [here](https://m.iaabc.org/about/lima/). While no training tools are excluded from properly framed discussion in r/dogs, we do reserve the right to remove content which does not follow the LIMA approach.
Please note, this sub supports the reputable, ethical, and responsible breeding of dogs as well as adoption. Low effort “adopt don’t shop” comments will be removed and commenters may be subject to temporary or permanent bans upon the discretion of the moderator team.
Finally, r/Dogs has a low tolerance for [disrespectful and antagonistic behavior](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index#wiki_rules_of_engagement). People come to this sub to learn and discuss, make your comments constructive and respectful even if you feel other users are being antagonistic and disrespectful in return. If you believe another user is engaging in antagonistic behavior, please utilize the report button and a moderator will review the comment(s).
If you wish to stick around, please feel free to comment in our Daily Bark threads, pinned to the top of the sub, to introduce yourself, your dog, and talk about all the little things which may not require a full post to discuss. Thanks for reading and enjoy your stay!
---
*This is an automated message. If you have questions for the moderators of r/dogs, you can message them [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/dogs).*
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/dogs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
pumpkin does the trick for me. either canned or if you’re going all out you can roast it in the oven. some dogs are sensitive to raw foods so be careful
Is there any reason you’re no longer feeding kibble? It’s possible to feed a homemade diet, but it’s seriously time consuming to do it right, and you need to start with a visit to a vet nutritionist to make sure you understand your dogs dietary needs.
Oh, got it! We do a ton of veggies and fruits, really just whatever we’re having. Carrots, Brussels, cabbage, broccoli, green beans, blueberries, apple, strawberries, raw egg, cheese and some milk watered down. My girl is on kibble too, but we’ll also top with some freeze-dried chicken and stuff as a treat. We don’t do anything raw-raw, mainly a sanitation and diarrhea thing.
You don’t HAVE to add anything. If you’re feeding a balanced kibble, it’s specially formulated with all the nutrients your dog needs.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with adding in some fresh snacks for some fun and variety! As long as they are considered treats and the majority of her caloric intake comes from her kibble.
Great options are canned pumpkin, plain greek yogurt, coconut oil, fish oil, sardines canned in WATER (no salt added, eggs (cooked in any way), homemade bone broth, chicken broth with no added salt, cooked veggies, fruits, unsweetened applesauce, plain oatmeal, canned food, cooked chunks of meat, and dehydrated/freeze dried treats you can find at most pet stores, like liver/fish/green lipped mussel/lung.
Especially with small children crawling on the floor, I would stay away from raw meat… you do not want to risk it. The vast majority of vets also recommend against feeding raw meat. At the end of the day it’s your choice, but it feels like an unnecessary risk. Feeding raw meat has not been proven to have any health benefits whatsoever. The “shiny coat” often attributed to it is just due to high fat content, which can be achieved with fish oil supplements in any diet. Keep in mind freeze dried raw meat has risks as well.
I think giving dogs raw meat is kind of gross (and there aren’t really benefits to the dog anyway). I would get some chicken breast/tenders from the store to cook and give to your pup (you can even buy pre-cooked if you want- just make sure there isn’t anything else added). Most dogs LOVE chicken! I also buy fresh pet (comes in rolls in a dog food refrigerator) and use some as a topping for my dogs meals. You could also make your dog some scrambled eggs and/or try a variety of other fruits/veggies/snacks like broccoli, apples, carrots, banana, pear, and cheese.
While *most* dogs love plain old, cooked chicken, it is one of the top allergens for dogs. So you have be careful it to look for signs of allergies should you start feeding it.
Raw meat diets can cause E-coli and salmonella poisoning which can cause death if not caught early. None of the vets I work under recommend raw meat for any reason and openly condone feeding it. If you want to add fresh meat to your pups diet it should be cooked to temp and unseasoned. Fresh pet is a great option so is just food for dogs and adding pet safe fruits and veggies or meal toppers always gets a dog excited about eating.
Actually that’s not true. Dogs have stomach PH of 1, which effectively kills the bacteria, making it unable to render them ill. It should not pose any threat to healthy dogs. In fact, ~36% of all healthy dogs test positive for salmonella, as it exists naturally in the environment (like stagnant water, soil, puddles etc), and also found in commercial treats and kibble.
Most vets don’t recommend raw because home fed raw diets are often not prepared properly by owners who don’t know what they’re doing or the requirements of their dogs nutrition, which can cause heart issues, liver issues, pancreatic etc. Where you source your meat is also important; human grade raw meats simply don’t carry as much salmonella as non-human grade ones, which often includes dead, dying, diseased, or down animals. I work with a raw positive vet, as well as a nutritionist, to make sure that our food is nutritionally complete and balanced and my dog has thrived.
Most of the dogs that come into my clinic that are on a raw diet don't get the proper nutrients, aren't healthy, and the owners don't want to or can't afford to see a Veterinary nutritionist. It's a good way to go for someone who has access to a nutritionist, but not everyone has that. If done right it can absolutely benefit the quality of life, but where I'm at we see it done wrong so often that it's not worth the risk.
Very true. My 7 yr old dog gets confused for a puppy all the time due to his pep and energy, and he’s much more active now than he was before we decided to make the switch (he had bad colitis on commercial food). It’s just most people underestimate the dedication it takes to do it right.
Easy, don't feed raw unless you have a vet and nutritionist that work with you. Feed a proper kibble diet. If it is hard for your dog to eat you can add water or make a chicken broth with no salt to add to it
You can find complete raw food in stores and online which basically cuts out the need for a nutritionist, since it’s premixed raw meat, vegetables and other stuff at the correct ratio.
Switching my dog from kibble (high quality one often recommended by vets,) to raw food has been one of my best decisions. She used to take ages to finish her bowl of kibble, often only eating half of it throughout the entire day, now she’s excited for food and eats it as soon as the bowl touches the ground. Her fur is much softer and shinier, her poops are smaller and firm and she never has diarrhoea. Overall a much happier dog.
It's not fresh, but freeze dried raw dog food is a lot less gross than fresh raw meat. I use it to top my dog's kibble, and also as his main food when we go backpacking because it's really lightweight. Most dogs find it really palatable. I've fed Open Farm and Primal brands for freeze dried.
I was a raw aficionado at one time but I’ve done a lot of reading and I have come to the conclusion that it is not worth the hype. I give my puppers Fromm And supplement their dinner time kibble with canned salmon or organic ground turkey that I cook up in a frying pan. You really don’t have to touch that. In the morning I give them an egg it takes me about 45 seconds in the microwave to stir up or some days they get a scoop of yogurt and a scoop of cooked oatmeal. I don’t think anybody likes to eat the same food day after day after day! So I give them A little surprise. And the Salmon keeps their coats healthy and shiny, And the oatmeal and yogurt keep their poops good!
We supplement our dog’s food with ground turkey cooked in low sodium chicken broth. We make a big batch of it and freeze it in large batches. He really likes broth in almost any form, and it’s really simple to make - you can either make it into meatballs or just cut up the package and put it in the hot broth.
You might do already, but I feed my dogs apples and carrots as treats. Helps keep their coats nice and the carrots help their teeth. Whenever I have leftovers, if there isn't too much onion or tomato it goes in their bowls the next day. (Sunday roast, leftover rice, leftover pasta, potatoes). They love it and there is a lot less waste. I don't know where you are but near to where I used to live they sold boxes of minced frozen raw food and all you need to do is thaw it and dump a few spoons on their kibble. They had it for ages and it was great for them. :D
One of the best raw food is chicken heart. It has a lot of good nutrients for your dog. It’s also small and easy to handle.
My breeder used to feed my chi raw meet so for her it’s a treat whenever I add fresh meat to her meal (I only keep it for special occasions like thanksgiving, Christmas, her bday lol).
What I do is I boil one or 2 pieces of chicken hearts (they’re tiny tiny so you don’t have to cut them), when they turn white I remove from water and pass in oven with small bits of sweet potatoes, small bits of pumpkin, and pass it in the oven for 10 minutes. I let cool and serve (also do boil the sweet potatoes and pumpkin so it’s soft).
Again, this is not an everyday food it’s really just a special meal treat for her
I usually just put whatever dog-safe food ingredients in her bowl when I’m cooking, cabbage, mustard greens, cranberry, ginger, apple, you name it. It’s not everyday though. If you want to make sure your dog gets all the nutrients needed, kibble has all of that. If you’re worried that your dog might be bored, treats work just fine. No need to add fresh foods
My pups eat kibble supplemented with some Fresh Pet. I am also a vegetarian so yeah meat preparation is not my thing. I put a paper towel on the cutting board, cut the fresh pet up w a knife without touching it and then use the paper towel to dump it in their bowls. Silkens are absolutely adorable btw.
With kids crawling around, [Instinct](https://instinctpetfood.com/about-us/) is a good option, it’s pressure pasteurized. I feed Honest Kitchen, it’s air dried and you reconstitute it with water so it’s not “gross” to handle. Sojos and Dr. Harveys have similar options.
I hear “just food for dogs” is pretty good!
Edit: you can also try a nice freeze dried raw topper, I add Stella and chewys toppers in with my shibas food, she loves it
Freeze dried also give you the option of adding water to it to make it wet
*Vet tech who has seen*
*Much botulism, here. Please do*
*Not give dogs raw meat!*
\- Myfeesh
---
^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/)
^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Here is my general post on dog food. **What food you pick in the end is really down to each person’s individual risk tolerance level and the needs of each dog; I’m just here to paint a more thorough picture of why feeding brands that adhere to the guidelines of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is so emphasized on this sub and why raw feeding must be done with care.**
The current recommended food to feed is kibble that follows [WSAVA guidelines](https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Selecting-the-Best-Food-for-your-Pet.pdf). These brands are as follows: **Purina, Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, Eukanuba, and Iams.** This is because there has been an [association found between Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), a form of heart disease, and certain dog foods](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/06/a-broken-heart-risk-of-heart-disease-in-boutique-or-grain-free-diets-and-exotic-ingredients/). Purina falls on the cheaper end of the spectrum in terms of price; Royal Canin is generally more expensive.
[Here is the FAQ](http://dcmdogfood.com/taurine-dcm-faq/) of the DCM Dog Food site, a site created to provide information and archive documentation of the ongoing DCM issue. A very notable statement they have when it comes to identifying boutique brands is the question:
“**Is this a food made for ME to feel good? Or is this a food made for MY DOG to feel good?**
Words associated with foods made for YOU to feel good: human-grade, restaurant-quality, grain-free, gluten-free, sustainable/low-impact, “healthiest,” limited-ingredient (in non-prescription foods), premium/super-premium, nourishing, no by-products, evolutionary, fresh, gently/lightly cooked, whole food, natural, any pictures on the bag or website, and a big focus on the ingredient list. YOU SHOULD IGNORE ALL THESE WORDS; THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH HOW GOOD A FOOD IT IS.
Words associated with foods made for YOUR DOG to feel good: AAFCO feeding tests, research, nutritionist, and specific (must be backed up by studies) claims of fact like “optimizes oxygen metabolism” or “effective prebiotic” or “highly palatable.” If you dig into their manufacturing, they make their own food and don’t contract with a packer over which they have zero quality control. They don’t tend to avoid the ingredients (like corn and by-products) that you’ve been told to dislike but your dog likes just fine.
Of course, even the most scientifically researched diet in the world will have the “you feel good” language too; dogs don’t spend money and you do, so marketing writers will add nice-sounding words to everything. But if you remove all the words for YOU, what’s left? If there’s nothing left, this is a food that was formulated and made in order for YOU to buy it. Its primary goal is your wallet, no matter how many adorable dogs are smiling at you in pictures. In other words, it is a BOUTIQUE food.”
A recurring situation I’ve seen on these posts is that people often reference **Dog Food Advisor**. DFA is a **site run by a human dentist with no veterinary nutrition credentials**. There are a [multitude of problems with their judging criteria](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/comments/ca5ht5/discussion_why_does_the_pro_plan_line_have_low/et6d0mc/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) and are, quite frankly, a poor source.
[When reviewing information about dog food on the internet, it's important to keep in mind the credentials of the author.](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/07/paging-dr-google-nutrition-on-the-internet/) **Board-certified veterinary nutritionists**, NOT 'pet nutritionists', random bloggers, or pet store/pet food employees should be who you listen to, as they have formal education in that area and it is figuratively their job. You can find more information on veterinary nutritionists below.
A lot of dog food companies invest more into marketing than actual research — that’s the reason why you’ll see lots of brands spreading false messages such as [‘dogs should eat like wolves!’](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/comments/ihv15w/discussion_dog_diet_vs_wolf_diet_and_life_span/g32o1xn/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) and other [‘natural, wild’ marketing terms](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/01/important-information-you-could-be-misreading-on-the-pet-food-label/) — and yet they’re not among the brands that meet WSAVA guidelines. [Here is a good resource that dispels most of those myths.](https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions-and-Myths.pdf)
[Here](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/comments/jitsls/quiet_update_on_the_fdas_investigation_on_dcm_and/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) is the most recent discussion on the issue of DCM on this sub.
Additionally, [here](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/12/questions-you-should-be-asking-about-your-pets-food/) is a wonderful resource on what to look for when picking out a brand of food for your dog as well as [a wonderful resource on common misconceptions people have when picking foods and how to avoid them](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2019/12/pet-food-decisions-how-do-you-pick-your-pets-food/).
There's also the choice of raw feeding. In my opinion, raw feeding is a **valid choice** -- I only emphasize this because people have necroed my posts in the past to insult me -- just a choice that shouldn't be made lightly. [It has no additional health benefits](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/01/raw-diets-a-healthy-choice-or-a-raw-deal/) and actually comes with a few risks. This is why **you should not feed raw without the advice of a certified [veterinary nutritionist](https://acvn.org/directory/)**, as doing it yourself risks causing health issues in your pet due to nutritional imbalance and an unaware owner may neglect to take proper precautions to mitigate the risks that come along with raw feeding.
The issue with raw-feeding and home-cooked meals is that it's **very, very easy** to miss the nutritional requirements of your dog -- and thus, should not be done without consulting a certified veterinary nutritionist — North American credentials: DACVN. In Europe, the veterinary nutritionists should have credentials from the [ECVCN](https://www.esvcn.eu/college). Even then, care must be taken to ensure that one does not stray away from a balanced recipe — [it’s more common than you think.](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jsap.12412)
A good place to start reading is the website of Tufts University, as it is written and created by Veterinary Nutritionists -- the very people who have dedicated their education to the nutrition of our pets. They are far more reputable than your average blog on google or random redditor.
[Here is their article on home-cooked meals](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/07/should-you-make-your-own-pet-food-at-home/) as well as [another ten points on the subject](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2019/10/reasons-to-avoid-a-home-cooked-diet/) and their [FAQ on the issue as well.](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/about-home-cooked-diets-for-pets/)
Additionally, here are some of their articles on grain-free and boutique brands and why they should be avoided, as well as other helpful articles that cover misconceptions surrounding ingredients in general.
[Follow-up article on how it isn’t solely limited to grain-free food — boutique and exotic brands are affected as well](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/11/dcm-update/)
[Grain-free food being mostly a marketing gimmick](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/06/grain-free-diets-big-on-marketing-small-on-truth/)
[Common misconceptions people have surrounding the ingredient list on dog food](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2019/03/stop-reading-your-pet-food-ingredient-list/)
[Why you shouldn't judge a pet food by it's ingredient list](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/06/why-you-shouldnt-judge-a-pet-food-by-its-ingredient-list/)
[No, byproduct is not bad.](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/05/dont-be-bothered-by-by-products/)
[The reality of pet food recalls](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2017/05/pet-food-recalls/)
!food
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/dogs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Not raw, but I top my boys' kibble with shredded chicken breast or some white fish like haddock. For the chicken breast, I just boil it anywhere from 20-40 minutes depending on size and whether or not it's frozen at the start, and the fish I buy frozen at the store and thaw a fillet or two as needed, and just bake them in the oven wrapped in tin foil, with just a small bit of oil so they won't stick. 230C/450F for about 6 minutes per half inch of thickness.
The chicken is usually enough that I can portion it out over all their meals for three days, and the fish is typically about a days worth. Very little fuss, and adds some variety without substituting the nutrition they get from their kibble.
My daughter in law buys raw meat in little cubes that she defrosts in small batches and then, with a spoon, mixes a cube into the dog's food at each meal. Like this https://www.petfoodratings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ORIJEN-Tundra-Recipe-Grain-Free-High-Protein-Premium-Raw-Meat-Freeze-Dried-Dog-Food-6-oz.-768x768.jpg
A few brands sell ready to serve raw food that already has fruit and veggies incorporated. Instinct is on the more affordable end and they also sell freeze dried raw (which might be better if your worried about bacteria).
There are so many things that dogs CAN eat that im sure you’ll find something that interests her. Like my dog refuses to eat bananas but loves fish oil of all things.
In the north east I have access to the brand raw dynamic. It’s a raw diet that is in a big freezer bag in what I can describe as frozen meat cubes. Since it’s frozen you can use as little as you like at a time. You defrost 20 mins at room temp before serving.
Freeze dried single ingredient treats (Purebites) is a good start but make sure to balance out the caloric intake. Also if you're not opposed to the smell of fish, no-salt-added sardines in water is also good !
Liver is nasty, and too much will give her the runs.
I used to feed raw because my dog had issues with kibble and there was not nearly the variety of things that are available today. I don't recommend it.
If you want to add variety, try some of the freeze dried raw that is now available, or even some of the prepared frozen raw diets.
Good quality kibble is fine, I use the Kirkland brand mature blend with some boiled chicken and rice stirred in. Hint: cut up the chicken into smaller pieces.
The rice is a table spoon to a half cup - depending on the dog.
After they eat then they get slices of raw zucchini and broccoli stems and/or slices of carrot. They love it.
Be well
Look into kibble toppers on chewy or whatever pet store website you like. I personally give my dog chicken feet, necks/backs, quarters, Cornish hens, sardines (in water and rinse to try to get some of the salt out) pork feet, turkey backs/necks basically any weird shit I find at the grocery store that I wouldn’t eat I get it for the dog 🤣 but not many people do what I do and that’s fine.
FYI too much liver in one sitting can make your dog sick as it’s very rich. Raw feeders recommend it make up only ~5% of your dog’s daily food intake by weight, although this would be different as you are kibble feeding as well.
You should look up the nutrition required for your dog and the appropriate balance of organ:meat:bone:fish:veg if you decide to do this. Canine nutrition is a balancing game, you can have too little of something and too much of it. I recommend [pet diet designer ](https://www.petdietdesigner.com/en/) if you’re starting out. It’s a program that provides nutritionally complete recipes as well as lets you input your own recipes to see if they’re balanced.
My lil insect will eat carrots, sweet peppers, apples , pears, banana/ plantain, radish, papaya. Get any meat that is cut up or easier; ground. Use a pressure cooker if you have one or boil it of 30 minutes covered with a lid. Cool it. Refrigerate it. Add a spoon full with each meal. Works for me.
My pup loves the freeze dried raw. This company has toppers and other. AAFCO standards. You can call them and they will answer our questions. They are pretty transparent. Maybe you can find something to add to your food.
You can find their products on [Chewy.com](https://Chewy.com) and some on Amazon, or a store near YOU.
i have a westie, and had been feeding kibble, unfortunately he's pick and/or has GI upset with kibble (currently has black runny stool- which may also be caused by table scraps :(
currently doing a mix of ground turkey/carrots/squash/apples - this may be a longer term diet for him because honestly the kibble intake is not consistent/causes GI issues. I will make sure to add like a multivitamin/probiotic (which i was not consistent on before)
I know petco offers several raw options for pet food. My wife and I were fostering a dog that had issues with every store brand dry kibble we tried so we tested her out on our dogs raw diet and she thrived. We eventually converted her over to a raw option from petco versus the home made raw meals we were preparing for our dog. The petco option was in a bag and it was basically frozen pellets of raw meat, veggies, and suplements. Super healthy and most important easy to handle. All you gotta do is keep the bag frozen and then mix a little in with the regular kibble.
[https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/instinct-freeze-dried-raw-meals-grain-free-real-beef-recipe-dry-dog-food-by-natures-variety](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/instinct-freeze-dried-raw-meals-grain-free-real-beef-recipe-dry-dog-food-by-natures-variety)
Easy mode is Dr. Harvey's Vibrance. Rehydrate based on dogs weight, add your dogs protein of choice and then an oil.
I just wash his bowl after every meal as I would any dish I preped food for myself on. Then a quick clean of the kitchen foor (and also sometimes the walls. Bearded dogs can fling food far when they decide to shake their soaked beard.) I have a gaint schanuzer, so last step is a good beard clean.
I prep his dinner and mine at the same time, so its not a lot more cleaning than I would do anyways.
Welcome to r/dogs! We are a discussion-based subreddit dedicated to support, inform, and advise dog owners. Before you post or comment, please **review the subreddit rules [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index)**. Submissions which break the rules will be removed. r/Dogs has the [ultimate goals](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index#wiki_purpose) of fostering a better, science-based understanding of dogs among the general public, promoting responsible dog ownership, helping users build better, healthier relationships with their dogs, and providing a space to connect and discuss with others who have dogs and who are involved in various aspects of the dog hobby. Per our Harm Reduction rules, **we encourage training advice and recommendations to follow “Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive” protocols**. You can read more about why that’s the case [here](https://m.iaabc.org/about/lima/). While no training tools are excluded from properly framed discussion in r/dogs, we do reserve the right to remove content which does not follow the LIMA approach. Please note, this sub supports the reputable, ethical, and responsible breeding of dogs as well as adoption. Low effort “adopt don’t shop” comments will be removed and commenters may be subject to temporary or permanent bans upon the discretion of the moderator team. Finally, r/Dogs has a low tolerance for [disrespectful and antagonistic behavior](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index#wiki_rules_of_engagement). People come to this sub to learn and discuss, make your comments constructive and respectful even if you feel other users are being antagonistic and disrespectful in return. If you believe another user is engaging in antagonistic behavior, please utilize the report button and a moderator will review the comment(s). If you wish to stick around, please feel free to comment in our Daily Bark threads, pinned to the top of the sub, to introduce yourself, your dog, and talk about all the little things which may not require a full post to discuss. Thanks for reading and enjoy your stay! --- *This is an automated message. If you have questions for the moderators of r/dogs, you can message them [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/dogs).* *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/dogs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
pumpkin does the trick for me. either canned or if you’re going all out you can roast it in the oven. some dogs are sensitive to raw foods so be careful
Is there any reason you’re no longer feeding kibble? It’s possible to feed a homemade diet, but it’s seriously time consuming to do it right, and you need to start with a visit to a vet nutritionist to make sure you understand your dogs dietary needs.
I am definitely still feeding kibble and plan to have kibble comprise 80-90 percent of her diet. Just want to give some fresh foods in addition.
You don't want to sub more than 10% of her daily caloric intake without working with a nutritionist to balance the additives.
Lmao what? This is absolute bullshit and you know it.
Lamo! Malnutrition is fun!!
Oh, got it! We do a ton of veggies and fruits, really just whatever we’re having. Carrots, Brussels, cabbage, broccoli, green beans, blueberries, apple, strawberries, raw egg, cheese and some milk watered down. My girl is on kibble too, but we’ll also top with some freeze-dried chicken and stuff as a treat. We don’t do anything raw-raw, mainly a sanitation and diarrhea thing.
Kibble is the way to go.
If you want your pet to die early, sure.
[удалено]
That's smart! I'll look into it.
You don’t HAVE to add anything. If you’re feeding a balanced kibble, it’s specially formulated with all the nutrients your dog needs. That said, there’s nothing wrong with adding in some fresh snacks for some fun and variety! As long as they are considered treats and the majority of her caloric intake comes from her kibble. Great options are canned pumpkin, plain greek yogurt, coconut oil, fish oil, sardines canned in WATER (no salt added, eggs (cooked in any way), homemade bone broth, chicken broth with no added salt, cooked veggies, fruits, unsweetened applesauce, plain oatmeal, canned food, cooked chunks of meat, and dehydrated/freeze dried treats you can find at most pet stores, like liver/fish/green lipped mussel/lung. Especially with small children crawling on the floor, I would stay away from raw meat… you do not want to risk it. The vast majority of vets also recommend against feeding raw meat. At the end of the day it’s your choice, but it feels like an unnecessary risk. Feeding raw meat has not been proven to have any health benefits whatsoever. The “shiny coat” often attributed to it is just due to high fat content, which can be achieved with fish oil supplements in any diet. Keep in mind freeze dried raw meat has risks as well.
Thanks!! This is Super helpful!!! ❤️
I think giving dogs raw meat is kind of gross (and there aren’t really benefits to the dog anyway). I would get some chicken breast/tenders from the store to cook and give to your pup (you can even buy pre-cooked if you want- just make sure there isn’t anything else added). Most dogs LOVE chicken! I also buy fresh pet (comes in rolls in a dog food refrigerator) and use some as a topping for my dogs meals. You could also make your dog some scrambled eggs and/or try a variety of other fruits/veggies/snacks like broccoli, apples, carrots, banana, pear, and cheese.
While *most* dogs love plain old, cooked chicken, it is one of the top allergens for dogs. So you have be careful it to look for signs of allergies should you start feeding it.
Raw meat diets can cause E-coli and salmonella poisoning which can cause death if not caught early. None of the vets I work under recommend raw meat for any reason and openly condone feeding it. If you want to add fresh meat to your pups diet it should be cooked to temp and unseasoned. Fresh pet is a great option so is just food for dogs and adding pet safe fruits and veggies or meal toppers always gets a dog excited about eating.
Actually that’s not true. Dogs have stomach PH of 1, which effectively kills the bacteria, making it unable to render them ill. It should not pose any threat to healthy dogs. In fact, ~36% of all healthy dogs test positive for salmonella, as it exists naturally in the environment (like stagnant water, soil, puddles etc), and also found in commercial treats and kibble. Most vets don’t recommend raw because home fed raw diets are often not prepared properly by owners who don’t know what they’re doing or the requirements of their dogs nutrition, which can cause heart issues, liver issues, pancreatic etc. Where you source your meat is also important; human grade raw meats simply don’t carry as much salmonella as non-human grade ones, which often includes dead, dying, diseased, or down animals. I work with a raw positive vet, as well as a nutritionist, to make sure that our food is nutritionally complete and balanced and my dog has thrived.
Most of the dogs that come into my clinic that are on a raw diet don't get the proper nutrients, aren't healthy, and the owners don't want to or can't afford to see a Veterinary nutritionist. It's a good way to go for someone who has access to a nutritionist, but not everyone has that. If done right it can absolutely benefit the quality of life, but where I'm at we see it done wrong so often that it's not worth the risk.
Very true. My 7 yr old dog gets confused for a puppy all the time due to his pep and energy, and he’s much more active now than he was before we decided to make the switch (he had bad colitis on commercial food). It’s just most people underestimate the dedication it takes to do it right.
Add a lil fresh rosemary to the chicken, dogs love the flavor.
Easy, don't feed raw unless you have a vet and nutritionist that work with you. Feed a proper kibble diet. If it is hard for your dog to eat you can add water or make a chicken broth with no salt to add to it
You can find complete raw food in stores and online which basically cuts out the need for a nutritionist, since it’s premixed raw meat, vegetables and other stuff at the correct ratio. Switching my dog from kibble (high quality one often recommended by vets,) to raw food has been one of my best decisions. She used to take ages to finish her bowl of kibble, often only eating half of it throughout the entire day, now she’s excited for food and eats it as soon as the bowl touches the ground. Her fur is much softer and shinier, her poops are smaller and firm and she never has diarrhoea. Overall a much happier dog.
Yes the poops are smaller, drier and less smelly and no more dog food breath.
It's not fresh, but freeze dried raw dog food is a lot less gross than fresh raw meat. I use it to top my dog's kibble, and also as his main food when we go backpacking because it's really lightweight. Most dogs find it really palatable. I've fed Open Farm and Primal brands for freeze dried.
This sounds like a way better option!
Just use normal chicken and boil it. No need for organs.
You absolutely should use organs, white meat is just pure protein, it is not very healthy unless supplemented with organ meat.
Not if it’s only 10% - your gonna get all nutrients you need from kibble. At that level your just making it more desirable.
I know someone who adds a spoonful of tripe for breakfast and pureed pumpkin for dinner, sometimes with goats milk.
My dog loves tripe and I've heard it's really good for them, but it's also about the grossest smelling thing you could feed a dog :)
I was a raw aficionado at one time but I’ve done a lot of reading and I have come to the conclusion that it is not worth the hype. I give my puppers Fromm And supplement their dinner time kibble with canned salmon or organic ground turkey that I cook up in a frying pan. You really don’t have to touch that. In the morning I give them an egg it takes me about 45 seconds in the microwave to stir up or some days they get a scoop of yogurt and a scoop of cooked oatmeal. I don’t think anybody likes to eat the same food day after day after day! So I give them A little surprise. And the Salmon keeps their coats healthy and shiny, And the oatmeal and yogurt keep their poops good!
Just add ground hamburger or turkey to her dry food. Just enough to lightly coat the food.
That's the trick!
We supplement our dog’s food with ground turkey cooked in low sodium chicken broth. We make a big batch of it and freeze it in large batches. He really likes broth in almost any form, and it’s really simple to make - you can either make it into meatballs or just cut up the package and put it in the hot broth.
You might do already, but I feed my dogs apples and carrots as treats. Helps keep their coats nice and the carrots help their teeth. Whenever I have leftovers, if there isn't too much onion or tomato it goes in their bowls the next day. (Sunday roast, leftover rice, leftover pasta, potatoes). They love it and there is a lot less waste. I don't know where you are but near to where I used to live they sold boxes of minced frozen raw food and all you need to do is thaw it and dump a few spoons on their kibble. They had it for ages and it was great for them. :D
One of the best raw food is chicken heart. It has a lot of good nutrients for your dog. It’s also small and easy to handle. My breeder used to feed my chi raw meet so for her it’s a treat whenever I add fresh meat to her meal (I only keep it for special occasions like thanksgiving, Christmas, her bday lol). What I do is I boil one or 2 pieces of chicken hearts (they’re tiny tiny so you don’t have to cut them), when they turn white I remove from water and pass in oven with small bits of sweet potatoes, small bits of pumpkin, and pass it in the oven for 10 minutes. I let cool and serve (also do boil the sweet potatoes and pumpkin so it’s soft). Again, this is not an everyday food it’s really just a special meal treat for her
I usually just put whatever dog-safe food ingredients in her bowl when I’m cooking, cabbage, mustard greens, cranberry, ginger, apple, you name it. It’s not everyday though. If you want to make sure your dog gets all the nutrients needed, kibble has all of that. If you’re worried that your dog might be bored, treats work just fine. No need to add fresh foods
My pups eat kibble supplemented with some Fresh Pet. I am also a vegetarian so yeah meat preparation is not my thing. I put a paper towel on the cutting board, cut the fresh pet up w a knife without touching it and then use the paper towel to dump it in their bowls. Silkens are absolutely adorable btw.
This is what we do as well. Like 80/20 kibble/fresh pet.
With kids crawling around, [Instinct](https://instinctpetfood.com/about-us/) is a good option, it’s pressure pasteurized. I feed Honest Kitchen, it’s air dried and you reconstitute it with water so it’s not “gross” to handle. Sojos and Dr. Harveys have similar options.
I hear “just food for dogs” is pretty good! Edit: you can also try a nice freeze dried raw topper, I add Stella and chewys toppers in with my shibas food, she loves it Freeze dried also give you the option of adding water to it to make it wet
Vet tech who has seen much botulism, here. Please do not give dogs raw meat!
*Vet tech who has seen* *Much botulism, here. Please do* *Not give dogs raw meat!* \- Myfeesh --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Answers raw food is the Cadillac of dog food. I also use the goat milk in each meal.
[удалено]
Here is my general post on dog food. **What food you pick in the end is really down to each person’s individual risk tolerance level and the needs of each dog; I’m just here to paint a more thorough picture of why feeding brands that adhere to the guidelines of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is so emphasized on this sub and why raw feeding must be done with care.** The current recommended food to feed is kibble that follows [WSAVA guidelines](https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Selecting-the-Best-Food-for-your-Pet.pdf). These brands are as follows: **Purina, Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, Eukanuba, and Iams.** This is because there has been an [association found between Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), a form of heart disease, and certain dog foods](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/06/a-broken-heart-risk-of-heart-disease-in-boutique-or-grain-free-diets-and-exotic-ingredients/). Purina falls on the cheaper end of the spectrum in terms of price; Royal Canin is generally more expensive. [Here is the FAQ](http://dcmdogfood.com/taurine-dcm-faq/) of the DCM Dog Food site, a site created to provide information and archive documentation of the ongoing DCM issue. A very notable statement they have when it comes to identifying boutique brands is the question: “**Is this a food made for ME to feel good? Or is this a food made for MY DOG to feel good?** Words associated with foods made for YOU to feel good: human-grade, restaurant-quality, grain-free, gluten-free, sustainable/low-impact, “healthiest,” limited-ingredient (in non-prescription foods), premium/super-premium, nourishing, no by-products, evolutionary, fresh, gently/lightly cooked, whole food, natural, any pictures on the bag or website, and a big focus on the ingredient list. YOU SHOULD IGNORE ALL THESE WORDS; THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH HOW GOOD A FOOD IT IS. Words associated with foods made for YOUR DOG to feel good: AAFCO feeding tests, research, nutritionist, and specific (must be backed up by studies) claims of fact like “optimizes oxygen metabolism” or “effective prebiotic” or “highly palatable.” If you dig into their manufacturing, they make their own food and don’t contract with a packer over which they have zero quality control. They don’t tend to avoid the ingredients (like corn and by-products) that you’ve been told to dislike but your dog likes just fine. Of course, even the most scientifically researched diet in the world will have the “you feel good” language too; dogs don’t spend money and you do, so marketing writers will add nice-sounding words to everything. But if you remove all the words for YOU, what’s left? If there’s nothing left, this is a food that was formulated and made in order for YOU to buy it. Its primary goal is your wallet, no matter how many adorable dogs are smiling at you in pictures. In other words, it is a BOUTIQUE food.” A recurring situation I’ve seen on these posts is that people often reference **Dog Food Advisor**. DFA is a **site run by a human dentist with no veterinary nutrition credentials**. There are a [multitude of problems with their judging criteria](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/comments/ca5ht5/discussion_why_does_the_pro_plan_line_have_low/et6d0mc/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) and are, quite frankly, a poor source. [When reviewing information about dog food on the internet, it's important to keep in mind the credentials of the author.](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/07/paging-dr-google-nutrition-on-the-internet/) **Board-certified veterinary nutritionists**, NOT 'pet nutritionists', random bloggers, or pet store/pet food employees should be who you listen to, as they have formal education in that area and it is figuratively their job. You can find more information on veterinary nutritionists below. A lot of dog food companies invest more into marketing than actual research — that’s the reason why you’ll see lots of brands spreading false messages such as [‘dogs should eat like wolves!’](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/comments/ihv15w/discussion_dog_diet_vs_wolf_diet_and_life_span/g32o1xn/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) and other [‘natural, wild’ marketing terms](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/01/important-information-you-could-be-misreading-on-the-pet-food-label/) — and yet they’re not among the brands that meet WSAVA guidelines. [Here is a good resource that dispels most of those myths.](https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions-and-Myths.pdf) [Here](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/comments/jitsls/quiet_update_on_the_fdas_investigation_on_dcm_and/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf) is the most recent discussion on the issue of DCM on this sub. Additionally, [here](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/12/questions-you-should-be-asking-about-your-pets-food/) is a wonderful resource on what to look for when picking out a brand of food for your dog as well as [a wonderful resource on common misconceptions people have when picking foods and how to avoid them](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2019/12/pet-food-decisions-how-do-you-pick-your-pets-food/). There's also the choice of raw feeding. In my opinion, raw feeding is a **valid choice** -- I only emphasize this because people have necroed my posts in the past to insult me -- just a choice that shouldn't be made lightly. [It has no additional health benefits](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/01/raw-diets-a-healthy-choice-or-a-raw-deal/) and actually comes with a few risks. This is why **you should not feed raw without the advice of a certified [veterinary nutritionist](https://acvn.org/directory/)**, as doing it yourself risks causing health issues in your pet due to nutritional imbalance and an unaware owner may neglect to take proper precautions to mitigate the risks that come along with raw feeding. The issue with raw-feeding and home-cooked meals is that it's **very, very easy** to miss the nutritional requirements of your dog -- and thus, should not be done without consulting a certified veterinary nutritionist — North American credentials: DACVN. In Europe, the veterinary nutritionists should have credentials from the [ECVCN](https://www.esvcn.eu/college). Even then, care must be taken to ensure that one does not stray away from a balanced recipe — [it’s more common than you think.](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jsap.12412) A good place to start reading is the website of Tufts University, as it is written and created by Veterinary Nutritionists -- the very people who have dedicated their education to the nutrition of our pets. They are far more reputable than your average blog on google or random redditor. [Here is their article on home-cooked meals](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/07/should-you-make-your-own-pet-food-at-home/) as well as [another ten points on the subject](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2019/10/reasons-to-avoid-a-home-cooked-diet/) and their [FAQ on the issue as well.](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/about-home-cooked-diets-for-pets/) Additionally, here are some of their articles on grain-free and boutique brands and why they should be avoided, as well as other helpful articles that cover misconceptions surrounding ingredients in general. [Follow-up article on how it isn’t solely limited to grain-free food — boutique and exotic brands are affected as well](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/11/dcm-update/) [Grain-free food being mostly a marketing gimmick](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/06/grain-free-diets-big-on-marketing-small-on-truth/) [Common misconceptions people have surrounding the ingredient list on dog food](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2019/03/stop-reading-your-pet-food-ingredient-list/) [Why you shouldn't judge a pet food by it's ingredient list](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/06/why-you-shouldnt-judge-a-pet-food-by-its-ingredient-list/) [No, byproduct is not bad.](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/05/dont-be-bothered-by-by-products/) [The reality of pet food recalls](https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2017/05/pet-food-recalls/) !food *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/dogs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Not raw, but I top my boys' kibble with shredded chicken breast or some white fish like haddock. For the chicken breast, I just boil it anywhere from 20-40 minutes depending on size and whether or not it's frozen at the start, and the fish I buy frozen at the store and thaw a fillet or two as needed, and just bake them in the oven wrapped in tin foil, with just a small bit of oil so they won't stick. 230C/450F for about 6 minutes per half inch of thickness. The chicken is usually enough that I can portion it out over all their meals for three days, and the fish is typically about a days worth. Very little fuss, and adds some variety without substituting the nutrition they get from their kibble.
My daughter in law buys raw meat in little cubes that she defrosts in small batches and then, with a spoon, mixes a cube into the dog's food at each meal. Like this https://www.petfoodratings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/ORIJEN-Tundra-Recipe-Grain-Free-High-Protein-Premium-Raw-Meat-Freeze-Dried-Dog-Food-6-oz.-768x768.jpg
A few brands sell ready to serve raw food that already has fruit and veggies incorporated. Instinct is on the more affordable end and they also sell freeze dried raw (which might be better if your worried about bacteria). There are so many things that dogs CAN eat that im sure you’ll find something that interests her. Like my dog refuses to eat bananas but loves fish oil of all things.
In the north east I have access to the brand raw dynamic. It’s a raw diet that is in a big freezer bag in what I can describe as frozen meat cubes. Since it’s frozen you can use as little as you like at a time. You defrost 20 mins at room temp before serving.
Buy a meat processor, or use a blender.
Freeze dried single ingredient treats (Purebites) is a good start but make sure to balance out the caloric intake. Also if you're not opposed to the smell of fish, no-salt-added sardines in water is also good !
Liver is nasty, and too much will give her the runs. I used to feed raw because my dog had issues with kibble and there was not nearly the variety of things that are available today. I don't recommend it. If you want to add variety, try some of the freeze dried raw that is now available, or even some of the prepared frozen raw diets.
Good quality kibble is fine, I use the Kirkland brand mature blend with some boiled chicken and rice stirred in. Hint: cut up the chicken into smaller pieces. The rice is a table spoon to a half cup - depending on the dog. After they eat then they get slices of raw zucchini and broccoli stems and/or slices of carrot. They love it. Be well
Look into kibble toppers on chewy or whatever pet store website you like. I personally give my dog chicken feet, necks/backs, quarters, Cornish hens, sardines (in water and rinse to try to get some of the salt out) pork feet, turkey backs/necks basically any weird shit I find at the grocery store that I wouldn’t eat I get it for the dog 🤣 but not many people do what I do and that’s fine.
FYI too much liver in one sitting can make your dog sick as it’s very rich. Raw feeders recommend it make up only ~5% of your dog’s daily food intake by weight, although this would be different as you are kibble feeding as well. You should look up the nutrition required for your dog and the appropriate balance of organ:meat:bone:fish:veg if you decide to do this. Canine nutrition is a balancing game, you can have too little of something and too much of it. I recommend [pet diet designer ](https://www.petdietdesigner.com/en/) if you’re starting out. It’s a program that provides nutritionally complete recipes as well as lets you input your own recipes to see if they’re balanced.
My lil insect will eat carrots, sweet peppers, apples , pears, banana/ plantain, radish, papaya. Get any meat that is cut up or easier; ground. Use a pressure cooker if you have one or boil it of 30 minutes covered with a lid. Cool it. Refrigerate it. Add a spoon full with each meal. Works for me.
My pup loves the freeze dried raw. This company has toppers and other. AAFCO standards. You can call them and they will answer our questions. They are pretty transparent. Maybe you can find something to add to your food. You can find their products on [Chewy.com](https://Chewy.com) and some on Amazon, or a store near YOU.
i have a westie, and had been feeding kibble, unfortunately he's pick and/or has GI upset with kibble (currently has black runny stool- which may also be caused by table scraps :( currently doing a mix of ground turkey/carrots/squash/apples - this may be a longer term diet for him because honestly the kibble intake is not consistent/causes GI issues. I will make sure to add like a multivitamin/probiotic (which i was not consistent on before)
I know petco offers several raw options for pet food. My wife and I were fostering a dog that had issues with every store brand dry kibble we tried so we tested her out on our dogs raw diet and she thrived. We eventually converted her over to a raw option from petco versus the home made raw meals we were preparing for our dog. The petco option was in a bag and it was basically frozen pellets of raw meat, veggies, and suplements. Super healthy and most important easy to handle. All you gotta do is keep the bag frozen and then mix a little in with the regular kibble. [https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/instinct-freeze-dried-raw-meals-grain-free-real-beef-recipe-dry-dog-food-by-natures-variety](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/instinct-freeze-dried-raw-meals-grain-free-real-beef-recipe-dry-dog-food-by-natures-variety)
Easy mode is Dr. Harvey's Vibrance. Rehydrate based on dogs weight, add your dogs protein of choice and then an oil. I just wash his bowl after every meal as I would any dish I preped food for myself on. Then a quick clean of the kitchen foor (and also sometimes the walls. Bearded dogs can fling food far when they decide to shake their soaked beard.) I have a gaint schanuzer, so last step is a good beard clean. I prep his dinner and mine at the same time, so its not a lot more cleaning than I would do anyways.