Homemade diet - Page 2 - Chihuahua Forum : Chihuahua Breed Dog Forums

pupluv168 · #9 11-15-2012, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lulu'smom

I once fed Lulu a homemade diet for a very short time in which she developed a terrible allergy to chicken and she was never satisfied/always hungry. Before that when I didn't know any better I also fed her a poor quality kibble that was touted as great quality #1 vet approved. There is salmonella in items like chicken in a raw diet, but a dog's digestive system is such that salmonella is not a problem for them. Cooking their food does destoy vitamins and enzymes therefore certain things must be added to their diet to compensate. I personally did not attempt to figure out what needed to be added to compensate because I was afraid that I would accidentally do irrepairable damage to her based on my researched which said an incorrectly done homemade diet is the worst diet to feed a dog-even worst than a 1 star dog food. All that said, I admire those that can feed raw-I cannot. I just cannot bring myself to hand Lulu a chicken wing to munch on as much as I would like to (alergy aside) because I have a debilitating fear she will choke on it in front of me and I will not be able to help her. I feed her Ziwi Peak. It is dehydrated raw. For me it is the best of all worlds and one of the greatest foods available. Go to their website and study their ingredients. Dee suggested Lamb--I feed Venison--either is good. I would not feed grains at all, and as far as vegetables, it is said they must be pureered to be any nutrional value because of dog's short digestive system. I feed Lulu the occasional baby carrot or green bean for treat, and I don't puree, but I'm not looking to do anything but treat. The short of all this is...my opinion--stop the homemade diet and change to either raw, Ziwi Peak or a frieze-dried raw or 5-star kibble.

I agree with Tina. Raw, Ziwipeak or other premade raw, or a good quality kibble are the best options.

Homemade diets CAN AND DO cause irreparable damage. Cooking meat eliminates many nutrients and enzymes. Fruits and veggies are unnecessary and often indigestible.

I've known several dogs personally that became ill, including vitamin deficiencies and malnourishment, while on a homemade diet.

Regarding raw: salmonella is in nearly everything, even commercial made kibble. Dogs are not susceptible to salmonella and other bacterial diseases like humans due to a much less hospitable digestive tract that simply doesn't allow bacteria to live.

Wicked Pixie · #10 11-15-2012, 11:21 PM

A lot of dogs can show sensitivity to a particular protein when it is cooked, but are totally fine on the same meat raw.
If you want to try feeding a raw diet, there is a lot of knowledge and support available on this forum. I feed raw, as like you I just don't trust the big dog food companies.
If you feel DIY raw isn't for you, then the next best thing is premade raw, then ZiwiPeak air dried raw. If you wish to feed a kibble, there are lots that are better quality, such as Acana, that do limited ingredient kibbles.

PearlyQ · #11 11-15-2012, 11:51 PM

Thanks for all of your advice! Who would ever think that one would have to fret over dog food..hahaha. But these little Chihuahuas take our hearts and we want only the best we can give them.

For the time being, I will continue on with the W/D. But I will start looking into some of the diets mentioned here, including the raw diet. I kinda like the idea of the freezed dried stuff.

pupluv168 · #12 11-15-2012, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PearlyQ

Thanks for all of your advice! Who would ever think that one would have to fret over dog food..hahaha. But these little Chihuahuas take our hearts and we want only the best we can give them.

For the time being, I will continue on with the W/D. But I will start looking into some of the diets mentioned here, including the raw diet. I kinda like the idea of the freezed dried stuff.

I'd highly recommend Ziwipeak. It is air dried raw. Comes in a bag like kibble, looks like little pieces of jerky. You scoop and pour it just like kibble. Very convenient and healthy for them.

Buildthemskywards · #13 11-16-2012, 12:02 AM

I too would recommend Ziwipeak. Very easy and convenient. It works out very reasonably priced when you take into account how little of it they need.

woodard2009 · #14 11-16-2012, 12:24 AM

I had considered homemade meals when my chi started having terrible allergy problems. Through thorough research I found that it was very tricky to create the right balance of vitamins, minerals, protein, etc. in the food for the dog. They can become very sick if they're body is not getting what it needs. For this reason, I feed ZiwiPeak & raw & she's doing great with the food. She still has major allergies, but I strongly believe they are environmental.