The truth about your dogs food......

[Gwenoakes]

Channel 5 tonight 9p.m. if anyone is interested.

[Mercedes]

I was really looking forward to watching that programme Gwen, but I actually found it a bit disappointing. From what people are saying on some of the raw feeding fb groups people are now worried that their dogs could have salmonella shedding all the time from their dog's coat as that woman who run's Lily's Kitchen food mentioned that.

I loved the guy from Honey's and the Holistic Vet too, but apart from them there wasn't enough information on the crap that goes into processed food

[Gwenoakes]

Tbh not too concerned about salmonella. Clare has researched and yes dogs can succumb to it, but from what we have learnt it is not very often and if you face facts any animal can pick up anything in the garden, when walked and eat it and you have buckleys chance of even knowing what it was, let alone knowing if it erupts into salmonella whether it caused it or not.

I have read somewhere on line that the best thing to feed dogs raw, is mice, apparently it is very good for them. Also it said on there that there were more cases of IBD and other probs with our animals now than there ever has been and if people fed the Barf diet that would decline.

I was very interested in the fact that vets have approx half a days training on nutrition, then they have the ordacity to make derogative (poss sp) remarks about the Barf diet! Also the Blue X rescue saying that the money restrictions would not stop them feeding the diet that was best suited to the animals needs, then saying money restrictions would stop them! Rather a non sensical remark imho. They also admitted that they get food from the manufacturers which helps with the money situation!! Now, either I have got that wrapped round my neck or, well.........but my mind is boggling.

Cant remember who said it, but someone said that Wolves would be better off on a manufactured food!!!! For pity sake!!!

It was soooo sad to see a dog being fed weetabix of all things for breakfast.......I give up, I truly do...........

[Mercedes]

Tbh not too concerned about salmonella. Clare has researched and yes dogs can succumb to it, but from what we have learnt it is not very often and if you face facts any animal can pick up anything in the garden, when walked and eat it and you have buckleys chance of even knowing what it was, let alone knowing if it erupts into salmonella whether it caused it or not.

I have read somewhere on line that the best thing to feed dogs raw, is mice, apparently it is very good for them. Also it said on there that there were more cases of IBD and other probs with our animals now than there ever has been and if people fed the Barf diet that would decline.

I was very interested in the fact that vets have approx half a days training on nutrition, then they have the ordacity to make derogative (poss sp) remarks about the Barf diet! Also the Blue X rescue saying that the money restrictions would not stop them feeding the diet that was best suited to the animals needs, then saying money restrictions would stop them! Rather a non sensical remark imho. They also admitted that they get food from the manufacturers which helps with the money situation!! Now, either I have got that wrapped round my neck or, well.........but my mind is boggling.

Cant remember who said it, but someone said that Wolves would be better off on a manufactured food!!!! For pity sake!!!

It was soooo sad to see a dog being fed weetabix of all things for breakfast.......I give up, I truly do...........

Totally agree Gwen, I was really hoping the programme would go into more depth about what is in most kibble food, but it just kind of skirted around it and I'm sure if people really knew what was in a lot of the dried foods they would think twice before feeding them. Considering the title of the programme they didn't really tell you what you should know.

I am sure Lily's kitchen will be inundated with orders after the founder of it went on about the salmonella in raw food. There have been cases of dried fooding being recalled as it has been found to have salmonella in it and I really can't see how even if a dog did get it that it could affect their skin and hair

Then there was the bit with the Senior Lecturer & Clinical Nutritionist from the Royal Veterinary College saying that dogs have evolved to eat a different diet which surely must be rubbish too. Obviously dogs on the outside don't necessarily look like wolves but their digestive system and teeth have not changed.

Peter Southerden who is the RCVS & European Specialist in Veterinary Dentistry was the "expert" who said captive wolves would be better off on a commercial diet

If you ever want to trawl through all the Freedom Of Information letters there are loads of them on this site and they make fascinating reading

http://www.ukrmb.co.uk/showcontent.toy? ... nid=162360

[Benny&Co]

I'm about 15 minutes in watching it, but Hubbly is on a work conference call so I've had to pause it for a bit.

Sounds a bit disappointing from what you're saying.

[Gwenoakes]

I would love to look at the link, Mercedes, but just havent the time at the moment. I will look at it eventually though.

It was to me anyway, very disappointing Benny & Co. Will look forward to your thoughts though when you have seen it all.

Its the same old story ........ manufacturers rule the roost. It was the same in the horse world years ago and only over the last few years has it changed, not only with feed but also other alternative methods for healing processes. Even the poo samples that we use instead of the constant worming with chemicals, which incidentally the worms are becoming totally resistant to now and everyone is panicking because there are no new wormers coming forward to deal with this. It is not rocket science surely because everything could/can become resistant if it is used too frequently.

[Benny&Co]

I agree it could've gone into more depth about what actually goes into dog food and not focussed on the likes of Chum, Barkers and all that.

I liked the guy from that website that analyses dog food and the Honey's people and have put in an enquiry to them to see if it'll be suitable for our Benny.

As you'd imagine, they're inundated with enquiries at the moment.

Will let you know.

[jannie]

I think the programme went as far as it could without facing the threat of legal action by the pet food companies. But, believe you me it is only a matter of time before these companies face the courts.

I am ashamed and embarrassed to admit that we have always fed Barney on one of the leading brands of dried food as we were recommended it by the breeder and appears to be endorsed by the kennel club.

That is until recently when tests showed Barney was malnourished. His health has steadily gone down hill over the last 18 months or so. He has become progressively weaker and was almost operated on for a ruptured cruciate (another story) but despite extensive X-rays and scans the vets couldn't find anything wrong except ulcerated dew claws. He had these removed and he was better for a while then the lameness came back. We now know the reason his dew claws were ulcerated was because he was chewing at them and he was better after removal because of the course of antibiotics. The reason he was chewing at them was because he had a yeast infection which also affected his ears and his paws. By licking and chewing at his paws he made them sore so he became lame. He also has an enlarged liver caused by his poor diet. I now know that these big brand dog foods have cereals in large quantities and cereals have no place in a dogs diet as they cause yeast infections.

I have spent the last couple of months studying every paper I can find on pet dog nutrition, as has my lovely new vet, and as a result Barney is now weaned onto a 75% meat protein and 25% fruit and veg diet and is already showing signs of improvement. So my advise is whatever you feed your dogs, make sure the label says NO CEREALS.

I would hate anyone to feel the way I've been feeling ... completely heartbroken to think that the so called balanced diet I've been feeding my beloved Barney has made him so ill.

[Benny&Co]

Oh Jannie, it sounds like Barney and you have been having a terrible time.

Do you prepare Barney's dinners yourself?

I really hope you've turned a corner and he'll be feeling better soon

[Gwenoakes]

Jannie, we can only do our best unfortunately, hopefully he will continue to improve and go from strength to strength. When you get a vet like we once had that said the BARF diet was rubbish and tried to get us to feed Lexi on complete dog food that they sold, you really dont stand a chance. In fact that was the deciding factor in leaving that particular practice amongst other things.

We put Bella our Staffie on Glucosomine for a while because she was getting a little stiff, she is 11 yrs old. She took a massive downward spiral and then I remembered that Terry and I tried them years ago and they made us feel terrible, including feeling sick, so took her off them and she has come good.

We have tried to wean Bella off manufactured food and onto the BARF, but she has other ideas although does always eat her veg. It is ongoing and will be for some time I think.

Lexi was on the BARF diet until the IBD hit and Teddy is also on it and absolutely loves it, but he still learning to eat his veg and fruit, but he is getting there.

[jannie]

Thanks Bev and Gwen.

Do you prepare Barney's dinners yourself?

I'm preparing some of his food fresh, but I have to be practical as we spend a lot of time touring with the caravan so I've also sourced a couple of freeze dried, cereal free foods which he loves. Very expensive .. but would rather pay for good food then vets bills.
I also have to be mindful of his beard which can be a real problem. I've been giving him probiotic yogurt to get the yeast infection under control .. well you can imagine the state he gets into!!!!!!!

When I lived on the farm we fed the dogs on lights, leftovers and raw bones and they lived long healthy lives. I wouldn't give Barney raw bones as I have nowhere for him to bury them as the farm dogs did once they had cleaned them of meat and gristle. Dogs will eat the bones fresh if they can't bury them to prevent them from being stolen. My daughter has been a vet nurse long enough to teach me that is not good news for dogs intestines and it would be s@ds law with Barney he'd be one to get in trouble.

Barney is showing signs of improvement everyday on his new diet.. he actually went up the stairs yesterday to sunbathe under the velux window, the first time in over a year that he's managed the stairs.

[Benny&Co]

Wonderful news, glad to hear of Barney's improvements.

[urbanchicks]

I missed the programe is it on again or on any other on demand channel ?

Maggie

[kate egg]

I missed the programe is it on again or on any other on demand channel ?

Maggie

http://www.channel5.com/shows/the-truth ... -dogs-food

It is available till 28th February

[Benny&Co]

I'm going to start our Benny on the Honey's range.

Will let you know how we go