A DVM's Healthy Canine Recipe Guidelines

[ally]

~my apologies folks, please see below for an explanation.
forum mods - feel free to delete this entire thread.

[tahitigirl]

Hi ally.  I'm sure your vet friend is a good doctor, however, I strongly disagree with her nutrition suggestions.

I have just finished reading the following books:
Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to natural Health For Dogs & Cats, 3rd Edition
The Whole Pet Diet - Andi Brown
The Goldsteins' Wellness & Longevity Program

All three of these highly respected authors (2 are DVM's) agree that Protein should make up 75% of a dog or cats diet.

In the wild, do you think carbohydrates make up 58% of a canine's diet?  Impossible.  If you feed that many carbs, all you will end up with is a lethargic overweight pet.

Please do your research before you take a vet's or anyone else's opinion.  Including me.  Research what I've posted.  See if you can prove me wrong.

To be honest, it sounds like your vet is friends with the pet food companies who use corn as the main ingredient in their food.  How many farmers do you know who put up "scaredogs" to keep the canines out of their corn fields?

What do coyotes, wolves, and feral dogs eat?  Answer - protein.

[ally]

tahitigirl - as for research, trust me - I've done a TON.
I also have Dr. Pitcairn's book.  It's been a staple in my pet library since 1995.  (I keep getting the new editions too).

I've been through a plethora of things with my dogs over the years, including a now almost 14 year old lab who has survived cancer for over 2.5 yrs.  I must be doing something right since he's already far surpassed the odds and should have been dead in '04.  I never go only by what my vet or dog's oncologist tell me.  I challenge them whenever I feel the need.  I've been through enough illnesses between myself, my dogs and my family in my 40+ years to know there are always alternatives.

I appreciate your reply.  I am only trying to help.  I'm always respectful of everyone to do their own research and what feels best for them.  I hope that same respect can be extended not only to me, but to everyone here.


~edit for clarity...

[ally]

One more thing.

I am really getting sick and tired of everyone knocking all the vets as though they are all the same.
They are not. I realize some people's emotions are running high right now, but that doesn't mean every single vet in the country is the bad guy.  There do exist vets who are heros.  I know, because more than one of them have saved my pet's lives over the years.

Please do your own research before spewing at me that everything this vet or I know, is wrong.  I am not here to argue raw vs home cooked vs commercial.  You don't know this vet and you certainly do not know me.  I would appreciate being allowed at least some modicum of intelligence.  Every pet is different.  Those were only guidelines for the average dog I posted above as diets are most definitely going to vary depending on the needs of the dog.

[tahitigirl]

ally:
I Never said vets were bad.  If you will read my post, in the very first sentence, I said, "I'm sure your vet friend is a good doctor."  That being said, even my own personal vet, who has a wealth of medical knowledge, admitted to me that she, along with most vets, do not study much in the way of nutrition.  It's like the food pyramid for people.  We've all been told for decades to eat according to the pyramid.  However, we are now finding out that too many carbs can lead to diabetes, obesity, etc.

When I said research, I meant find some scientic information that proves more carbs are better for dogs than meat protein.

I don't doubt you have had dogs that were sick in the past and made a turnaround.  So have I.  I had a mixed breed dog that was fed a commercial dry food before I got him.  I stupidly continued the food, a premium brand.  He was overweight and had allergies and skin problems.  Finally, when he was 10 years old, after trying all kinds of vitamins, etc., I decided to make a complete change.  I switched him to a premium food that had a higher protein content and added hamgurger, chicken, salmon, eggs, and yogurt to his diet.  His allergies went away and his skin and coat became healthy and lusterous.  He died last year at the age of 18.  He wasn't sick.  He was happily playing with his toys the night before.  He just went to sleep and never woke up.  Have you ever wondered what caused your dog to get cancer?

Anyway, I didn't mean to "spew" at you.  I never meant to sound hateful.  You are right, I don't know you.  I'm sure you are a very nice person who loves their pets very much.  But it is pure common sense that meat protein is better for dogs than carbs.  This goes for any dog.  Old, young, whatever.

I challenge you to prove me wrong using scientific information that can be verified.

I would just hate for a pet owner to feed their pet a diet of 58% carbs and end up with a sick pet.  That's why I posted.

[ally]

tahitigirl, while I appreciate your last reply, I'm not here to debate.  I'm here to research healthy alternative solutions for feeding my pets and provide support to the many people who are aching over their sick or lost pets.  So far, I've been lucky.  My dogs are healthy & I pray they remain so.  I am doing everything I can to ensure they do.

But in light if your initial comments, I've decided to delete my original post.  The information has been welcome at enough places that I don't feel the need to spend time proving myself or my research.  I'm not here to debate.  Pets are getting sick and dying.  What free time I have, I'm devoting to learning all I can to keep my dogs alive.

Everyone please, please remember:  every pet is different.  There will be variables in their diet needs.  Continue researching via any option you have, but please don't rule out the advice & expertise of a good veterinarian.

I apologize to those who may have wanted to read the guidelines this vet generously shared.
I wish all of you the best in finding solutions to keep your fur kids healthy, safe & happy.

[Therese]

Hi ally, I saw your message that the thread could be deleted but both of you bring up some good points so I'm not going to hit the delete key. I think your brief discussion here just shows that different things work for different pets. There's no perfect answer for each pet.

[tahitigirl]

Ally - I apologize if I hurt your feelings.  That was Not my intention.