Dear Old Trainer: Is dry kibble good enough to provide all the nutrition my dog needs? Or do different dogs need different kinds of nutrition? What do you suggest?
Amy, San Francisco
A: When it comes to what is the most healthy diet for a dog, Amy, The Old Trainer is reminded of a passage in one of John Steinbeck's short stories, "... it was 5:00, the magic hour when the fishermen who knew for a fact that the best time to fish was the daylight hours were being replaced by the fishermen who knew beyond any doubt that nighttime was the best time to fish."
You have the raw food diet crowd who say that your dog will die if you don't feed it what they consider raw foods.
That group is further divided between those who insist that only the raw carcass of a free range chicken is acceptable because that is how the wolves did it in the old days, those who say as long as it is raw and contains bones it is acceptable, and those who argue that commercial "raw food" is acceptable.
Then you have the manufacturers of commercial kibble. They insist that your dog can get all the nutrition she needs eating nothing but kibble.
Every one of the factions has veterinarians who agree with their position, and there are an equal number of vets who disagree with the vets who agree.
The Old Trainer believes that kibble can be a part of a healthy diet, but is insufficient, by itself, to provide for your dog's nutrition needs over the long term.
He uses a mix of one-third kibble, one-third beef or chicken, and one-third rice. Use only the best kibble you can find. Check the ingredients and choose a brand with the best ingredients.
The amount varies from dog to dog, depending on age and amount of exercise, but for a young, active dog, ¾ cup of the mix per 20 pounds of weight is a good starting point. Feed the full amount once a day, always at the same time. You should be able to feel all your dog's ribs, but not see them.
The Old Trainer cooks a large pot of rice early in the week and keeps it in the fridge. His dogs get a beef bone every third day. The bones keep their teeth healthy and provide additional nutrition. Rib bones, their favorites, they can chew up. Some types they can only chew on. Dogs love leftovers, so add them any time you wish. If you do, subtract kibble from the mix to keep the daily volume the same.
February is Spay And Neuter Month: Many shelters and vets are offering reduced prices on spaying and neutering this month. Anyone who has worked animal rescue knows that millions of wonderful dogs are euthanized because there are just too many dogs. Twenty five percent are purebred dogs. Do your part and have your pet spayed or neutered. Encourage your friends to do the same.
Don't miss the dog lover's favorite TV show this Sunday: Be sure and check the "Puppy Super Bowl" on Animal Planet Channel this Sunday starting at 4 p.m. They put a camera on a dozen puppies playing in a pen decorated like a football field and it is the best show of the season. The Old Trainer and his pack are big football fans, but we spend almost as much time watching this show as we do the real Super Bowl.
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