My new puppy!!!

[nita]

Personally have no dogs, no time. A friend of mine though that has Border Collies feeds hers strictly BARF (Bone And Raw Foods) diet. They figure that feeding bagged/canned/processed dog food is the same as feeding your snake nothing but snake sausages or eating nothing but KD and Chef Boyardee yourself.

Just some food for thought.

[sleddergirl]

I thinks its extremely dangerous and irresponsible to suggest a natural/BARF diet to anyone who is not familiar with the workings of a dogs body, the mineral, vitamin, etc. levels that are needed to properly sustain a dog in good health. The BARF community seems to think that their "diet" is the only answer for everyone and thats simply not true. JMO.

[nita]

Originally posted by sleddergirl
I thinks its extremely dangerous and irresponsible to suggest a natural/BARF diet to anyone who is not familiar with the workings of a dogs body, the mineral, vitamin, etc. levels that are needed to properly sustain a dog in good health. The BARF community seems to think that their "diet" is the only answer for everyone and thats simply not true. JMO.

People should research any animal that they are getting not just exotic animals, therefore technically they should know the simple workings of their dogs body and then they would research the appropriate way to go about providing a natural diet for their dog. Dog food allows people with little to no knowledge of their pet to maintain at least a degree of health for their pet though. I think the BARF community as you call it is just pushing for more educated dog owners. Just like we are constantly correcting heat rocks for iguanas and snakes, just cause the pet stores and manufacturers say it is good for the animals doesn't mean it is. They are just out to make a buck, I think processed dog food is in the same catagory.

[concept3]

I could not disagree with the BARF diet people more. Im sure it is a good diet, but their is also good quality dog foods out their. Just because you use it or support it dont say its the best or olny way. Your starting to sound like vegetarians.

[sleddergirl]

Originally posted by nita
People should research any animal that they are getting not just exotic animals, therefore technically they should know the simple workings of their dogs body and then they would research the appropriate way to go about providing a natural diet for their dog. Dog food allows people with little to no knowledge of their pet to maintain at least a degree of health for their pet though. I think the BARF community as you call it is just pushing for more educated dog owners. Just like we are constantly correcting heat rocks for iguanas and snakes, just cause the pet stores and manufacturers say it is good for the animals doesn't mean it is. They are just out to make a buck, I think processed dog food is in the same catagory.

To each his own, but like you said................you don't have a dog.......

[Dragons & Balls]

Well I do have a dog so I guess I can speak.

So let me ask you a question sleddergirl, Did you "Research" the dog food you feed your dog. Or are you one of those people that just goes with the masses?
So I suggest that people in the "Dog food in a bag/can" community do some research about the food they are feeding their dogs.

Here is a little reading for you to do

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/jesse.htm

[sleddergirl]

Originally posted by Dragons & Balls
Well I do have a dog so I guess I can speak.

So let me ask you a question sleddergirl, Did you "Research" the dog food you feed your dog. Or are you one of those people that just goes with the masses?
So I suggest that people in the "Dog food in a bag/can" community do some research about the food they are feeding their dogs.

Here is a little reading for you to do

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/jesse.htm

I'm certainly not debating the dog food industry as a whole, being of good quality food. The foods that I have and do give to my dogs are of great quality. My point was simply this, the BARF diet or any raw/natural diet, for that matter, are not the best choices for everyone or every dog, contary to the insistance of those who do choose to feed it.
As far as your link, there are vets in every country that will differ greatly in their opinions of manufactured dog food. I know vets that will tell you to feed nothing but Science Diet, I also know vets that wouldn't recommend Science Diet for anything. All an article does (especially on a website) is tell you the opinion of the author.
I spend about 40 hours a week in the pet food industry, so I can confidently say that I am 100% satisfied with my choice of dog food and the health benefits it provides for both of my dogs.

[Dozer]

my adult dogs get fed natural table scraps and everythin', as puppies though, they were on store bought kibble... all in all, its a very touchy topic, lets see how it turns out

Mike

[concept3]

their is no natural diet for dogs. All they are now is imbred mutations that cannot be called natural in anyway. What are you comparing them to? wolves? coyotes? Ha, If our dogs ate half of the things wild dogs ate they would die. Their is nothing wrong with feeding your dog a good quality kibble. Thats like saying crested gecko diet is no good for cresties, and when it comes down to it its just not true/

[Dragons & Balls]

Why feed your crestie "crested gecko diet" When you can feed it fruit or baby food or crix?

[Youkai]

The crested gecko diet actually is quite good, and many breeders will swear by it.
Babyfood by itself is pretty incomplete. Technically, crickets are as well since cresteds eat so much fruit in the wild. In fact, the CGD is so complete, that supposedly you do not even have to add supplements when feeding it. (Exclusively, I'd assume.)
Also, it's a lot different than dog food...

All the same, I prefer to give a varied diet. Superworms, silkworms, roaches, mealworms, CGD and babyfood. This is possible with geckos.

Very few people are going to feed their dogs a steady supply of rodents, rabbits, live game animals, etc.

There are some dog foods with fantastic ingredients, although they are more expensive.

The BARF diet has many of its own problems, on top of the fact that it may just be too hard for some people to manage or afford.

I think arguing this is fruitless. People prefer different things for different reasons. Both have pros and cons. Both work for the dogs...

And anyway, back to the original subject...

That puppy is really darn cute.