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Morning meaty bones
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Member Since:
18 June 2022
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29 June 2022 - 12:38 pm
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As I have surfed this incredibly helpful site, I've noticed a daily meaty bone is not mentioned as part of a balanced diet or as a natural recreational treat. I'm wondering why?

I buy these in bulk and they are suitable for small to medium-small dogs. Every morning my dogs relish their meaty bone as their 'breakfast' and also a boredom buster for a good 20 minutes. Low in fat these bones are too *big to swallow and then cause bowel obstruction (!!*except for large dogs!!).

I thought Trixie might struggle given she is missing one front leg but she loves them and enjoys working the bone until it is clean. She is so excited when I appear with the bone tub she practically levitates! After observing her a couple of weeks, I believe there is a physical, mental and emotional benefit to her morning meaty bone. 

I also watch the pack to make sure there is no possession aggression, but I am pleased to note Trixie is quite assertive in her little space when enjoying her bone and warns the others to keep their distance, which they all do. Trixie was fearful and had little confidence before we brought her home recently so it has been an impressive transformation for us all to observe.

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The Rainbow Bridge



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29 June 2022 - 3:24 pm
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Oh wow that's so wonderful she enjoys the treat! You're such a good dog parent!

Have you seen the Tripawds Nutrition Blog ? It's got lots of bones, raw, and homecooked food throughout it. We stopped updating the blog a while back, but want to keep the food & supplements conversation going here so thank you for starting one!

Our Wyatt Ray LOVED meaty bones but he tended to get way too possessive about them so we had to stop. Jerry, on the other paw, loved raw meat too, and did really well eating them for practically his whole life.

Would love to see what else you feed the pack that isn't out of a bag from the store. Recent studies show that dogs who eat fresh or raw foods tend to have better weights and less health issues! 

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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29 June 2022 - 7:07 pm
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So happy that Trixie is enjoying  her meaty bones AND that she gets a bit feisty  is anyone gets too close to her feast!!!

The visual  of her almost  levitating when she sees her meaty bone tub.  Yoo cute!

Chow down sweet Trixie👍

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

New England
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30 June 2022 - 6:07 am
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jerry said
Oh wow that's so wonderful she enjoys the treat! You're such a good dog parent!

Have you seen the Tripawds Nutrition Blog ? It's got lots of bones, raw, and homecooked food throughout it. We stopped updating the blog a while back, but want to keep the food & supplements conversation going here so thank you for starting one!

Our Wyatt Ray LOVED meaty bones but he tended to get way too possessive about them so we had to stop. Jerry, on the other paw, loved raw meat too, and did really well eating them for practically his whole life.

Would love to see what else you feed the pack that isn't out of a bag from the store. Recent studies show that dogs who eat fresh or raw foods tend to have better weights and less health issues! 

  

This is really interesting!  I cook for one of my dogs because she's an extremely picky eater.  My vet supports me on this, but I get alot of push back from people who probably mean well, but aren't well informed.  Do you have any links you can share to studies?  I'd love to have some good data supporting my dog's diet.  I'm also inclined to believe it's more important for her to be eating regularly than to regularly refuse to eat.  Her weight and activity levels are good.  My tripawd has a sensitive stomach and she's doing well on a commercial food right now.  I may try her on the home cooked diet at some point, but I'm concerned she may struggle to switching proteins between batches.

The Rainbow Bridge



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30 June 2022 - 12:09 pm
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Do you have any links you can share to studies?  I'd love to have some good data supporting my dog's diet.

Sure! Here's the one I was thinking of when I wrote that.

Owner perception of health of North American dogs fed meat- or plant-based diets

more about it here:

https://www.pet.....d-dog-food

Also see: 

https://ourpets.....od-healthy

https://honeysr.....Report.pdf

(more about it here)

And a study about the overall perceived and real risks of raw:

Raw diets for dogs and cats: a review, with particular reference to microbiological hazards

As you're experiencing, all dogs are so different in how they respond to diets, just like us. By keeping your vet involved, going slow and seeing what works, acknowledging what doesn't, and tailoring a feeding program to each, you're on the right track. 

New England
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1 July 2022 - 7:25 am
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Thank you jerry!  I will definitely take a look at those.

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1 July 2022 - 1:34 pm
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jerry said
Oh wow that's so wonderful she enjoys the treat! You're such a good dog parent!

Have you seen the Tripawds Nutrition Blog ? It's got lots of bones, raw, and homecooked food throughout it. We stopped updating the blog a while back, but want to keep the food & supplements conversation going here so thank you for starting one!

Our Wyatt Ray LOVED meaty bones but he tended to get way too possessive about them so we had to stop. Jerry, on the other paw, loved raw meat too, and did really well eating them for practically his whole life.

Would love to see what else you feed the pack that isn't out of a bag from the store. Recent studies show that dogs who eat fresh or raw foods tend to have better weights and less health issues! 

  

 I did surf Tripawds including the nutrition forums but obviously could not get through all articles and posts just yet! I am trying to learn as much as I can and as fast as I can for Trixie. I'm glad others are giving raw bones, I was worried there was something I didn't know. I'm cautious with the bones as a very large breed dog I knew and loved died from a small bone becoming an intestinal block. That was a terrible time.

Possessiveness is an important factor to consider. That's why I usually supervise the meaty bone time and have usually restricted raw hide chews as well. I then usually collect everything before I leave the area. So far with this new little rescue pack it is not proving an issue smiley_clap - but I stay close.

These photos are a good example of my "emergency" home cooked meal for the doggo's. I ran out of items before the next supermarket/vege market run so I used what was on hand, in this case mince, pasta and frozen vege's. One of my adorable cats, Soots, is having a snack as I try to take a photo!

I prefer lean mince 50%, 5 colours of veges +25% and brown rice max 25% of the final mix. I use far more organic turmeric and ground black pepper than most recommend. I premix my oil/vitamin/etc supplements and add them to the cooled mix later. I only keep the batches for 3 days and do not freeze. I vary the vege's, for example my older dog who had cancer and other ailments responded really well to beetroot. I just had to learn how to cut the chunks small enough and not over cook them.

I am adding a little warm water now to the mix to help "diet" a couple of the doggo's while sending them to bed with a full and warm tummy (it's winter here).

I also vary the meat from time to time. So the next batch will be white fish based (max 2 days in the fridge) and another batch might have chicken. To be honest this helps to prevent me from becoming lazy and relying on my "emergency" meals which I consider fast-food. I am grateful that I witnessed the dramatic results in my older dog once I took control of her diet - fresh is best and not that inconvenient. Also, I've found their poops end up smaller and less stinky. I just wish my cats would believe me!!!

soots eating dog food

emergency meal

The Rainbow Bridge



Member Since:
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1 July 2022 - 7:49 pm
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Lucky lucky pups! You really do go above and beyond with their food. It looks great. And yes I do recall that when we did feed raw/home cooked, poop patrol was a lot easier.

It's good that you are aware of the potential issues of raw bones, although I'm just so sorry about what happened to your dog. My heart goes out to you, that must have been awful.

And yeah we have lots of info here, it'll keep you occupied for a while 😉

What are the vitamins & supplements you use?

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18 June 2022
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3 July 2022 - 10:00 am
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jerry said
Lucky lucky pups! You really do go above and beyond with their food. It looks great. And yes I do recall that when we did feed raw/home cooked, poop patrol was a lot easier.

It's good that you are aware of the potential issues of raw bones, although I'm just so sorry about what happened to your dog. My heart goes out to you, that must have been awful.

And yeah we have lots of info here, it'll keep you occupied for a while 😉

What are the vitamins & supplements you use?

  

Thanks for the encouragement Jerry.

My supplement cocktail is evolving as I understand Trixie's injuries as well as the special needs for my other rescue dogs with skin and/or joint problems, etc. It also depends what I can buy at the time.

We typically have items available for a period and then not available for months on end. I often have to use 'human' supplements or livestock (cattle) supplements. I also vary brands to minimize potential toxicity, because I don't trust the transportation methods - especially in our long hot humid summer months - as being adequate.

At the moment I am using human Red Krill Oil, a pet Vitamin C supplement, a human UC-II joint formula and a dog/cat vitamin mix that adds Omega-6, Vit A, E, zinc. When the UC-II runs out I have Glucosamine HCI human 'Bio-flex' supplements. I also add a bit of organic Moringa powder, in summer I'll just add the fresh leaves and flowers from my tree.

It's a learning curve, I'm trying to avoid resorting to medicines that harm kidney's etc in the longer run. 

I welcome all advice including cautions and warnings.

I just have a few more limitations in what I can buy because of where I live, but it really is a wonderful place to live!

The Rainbow Bridge



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4 July 2022 - 11:08 am
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Thanks for mentioning the supplements. Everything you've mentioned are things that vets have recommended to us as being helpful. Our Wyatt was on UC-II as well. That was a recommendation from the orthopedic vet who cared for him during his senior years. 

You have a Moringa tree? COOL! 

These days we are all adjusting to limitations in what we can buy, even here in the states. You are doing a great job doing what you have to do for the dogs. Keeping the supplements rotated and using care with the sources where you get them is an excellent move! smiley_clap

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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4 July 2022 - 4:31 pm
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The amount of care and thought you give to each ofnyour dogs is commendable!  You know them so well and have aich great insight I to what's best for each one individually.  

Thanks for sharing  the info with us.  Just know that if you only do HALF of everything  you've mentioned  it's still more than most!  

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

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18 June 2022
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12
5 July 2022 - 6:22 am
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Thanks guys. All my animals except 2 of my cats (birthed in our garage by a stray) had a very rough start in life. It's amazing how little effort goes into making their food, I cook it when preparing a family meal and use some of the ingredients in our meal.

Supply shortages are really forcing us back to basics.

The Rainbow Bridge



Member Since:
25 April 2007
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5 July 2022 - 10:24 am
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It takes a very special person to do what you do for the critters! Knowing how to cook is a real help. Without a doubt your animals all appreciate the home made food!

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