About Laura Murphy Expertise Do you have a question about nutrition, including which food is best for your pet and which should be avoided? If you’re researching homecooked or raw diets, this is the place. I can tell you everything you ever wanted to know about raw feeding. Do you want to know whether or not you need to supplement your pet’s diet and, if so, which supplements are for you? I can help you with just about any question regarding canine and feline nutrition and feeding. Although I believe in the benefits of raw feeding, I respect anyone trying to do the best thing for their pets and will answer questions on any type of pet food.
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Laura Murphy
Experience An animal lover and owner all my life, I spent years as a foster parent for a national rescue group and as a volunteer at my local Humane League. Many years ago, I began researching and using natural health care methods to treat both my pets and my family. I have worked with holistic vets to develop and provide custom homeopathic and Bach Flower Essence blends for their clients. In 2002, I started Pets By Nature to give pet owners who are seeking a healthier and more natural way to feed and care for their pets a reliable source of education, support, guidance, and products. Relying on honesty, integrity, and openness with respect to natural health care for companion animals, I am able to provide quality products, services, and information with the intent of helping interested pet owners learn about and practice a more natural method of pet nutrition and health care.
Education/Credentials I am a college graduate and full time Business Systems Analyst. I have written many articles for publication on my web site and throughout the local pet community. I have been a vendor at local dog shows and do public speaking on the topics of pet nutrition and holistic health care.
Past/Present Clients My clients range from new pet owners to 4th generation raw feeding breeders. I enjoy a wonderful professional relationship with several veterinary practices who refer my diets, supplements, and homeopathics to many of their clients. I ship supplements and flower essences all over the world, and provide a quality frozen raw food to the Central Pennsylvania area. Virtually all of my marketing is word-of-mouth referrals from my current clients and I consider them all my extended family.
I have a three year old dog that I'm going to be switching her food from Pedigree (wasn't my choice, my parents paid for the food but now I have a job and can pay for it myself) to a different food.
I want to supplement what ever food I choose with Nature's Variety raw pellets. I know dogs are scavengers by nature so I plan on getting different meats to switch her diet around so she has some variation. They have venison, chicken, Buffalo(I think), rabbit and others that I can't remember. Do you think that's a good choice? Or do you know of a better raw food to feed?
Now my dilemma is what food to choose as her dry. ( don't have the freezer space or the money to do all raw, unfortunately)
I've heard good things about Innova Evo, Orijen, and Timber Wolf OceanBlue. Which one do you think would be the healthiest choice for my dog, or do you think there is another food that is higher quality and would be better? If you think I should use Innova Evo should I choose the chicken, original, or the red meat?
Also would it be a good (healthy) idea to give her raw chicken necks?
Are there any healthy treats you think I could give her? Or should I just stick to meat, like a piece of turkey or chicken?
Thanks for your time and help.
Answer Lindsey,
Thanks for my favorite kind of question. First, let me congratulate you for making the commitment to improving the most important thing you can ever do for your dog - her diet. Let me address each of your questions.
For the base diet, all the ones you mentioned are excellent, because they are all grain-free. The Pedigree she's been getting is extremely grain-heavy. Any one of those would be great. I would go with whatever is easiest for you to find, along with which one she likes best. There's a great site called www.dogfoodanalysis.com that rates dog food based on the ingredients. All those foods get their highest rating. If you go to the 6-star foods on their site, any of the ones you see listed there is a good alternative - they are all grain free and extremely good quality ingredients. It doesn't hurt to switch occasionally, too.
The Nature's Variety is an excellent raw food. (I make my own and am very picky, but I can't find fault with theirs.) Rotating a variety of different meats is the best way to go. They are all good. The best part about their food is that they include the ground bone (as I do in mine). This is essential to get all the nutrients you want.
The trick will be in finding the correct amount to feed, since you're combining two very different types of food. It's not rocket science - just keep a close eye on her and adjust up or down if she starts to lose or gain weight. Keep in mind that with the better foods, she'll probably act like she's starving all the time. Don't let her fool you. Determine the best feeding amount and stick to it and then adjust as necessary.
Raw chicken necks are great for most dogs. You don't mention what type of dog she is or how big. Dogs who calmly chew their food and bones do well with chicken necks. Dogs who tend to gulp, however, can have serious problems. I know of a wonderful lady who lost her mastiff when he gulped a chicken neck and it lodged in his throat, causing him to suffocate. I'm a little leary of feeding them to some dogs for that reason. Very small dogs do fine with them, because they are forced to chew them. If your dog gulps, I'd go with something else. Some grocery stores package up chicken breast bones or backs. These can be good alternatives.
Since you're going for variety, don't forget the benefit of table foods, provided they are healthy. You can always add lean meats (raw or cooked) or vegetables (always cooked) to her meals. Meat makes a good treat. Some people like to use raw baby carrots. The 94% fat free popcorn is a favorite treat in my house for the dogs, the parrot and even the rats.
If you like to cook, there are a couple of good treat recipes on my website at:
Click on the link on the right side of the page for the recipes. It can be fun to cook for your dogs. I'm especially picky about treats because it's so hard to find healthy ones. I do not feed garlic (it can be toxic to dogs) and almost every treat on the market (and many of the organic foods) contain garlic, so we always make our own.
The one other thing you need to know is that when you switch her food, you are going to notice a marked difference in what comes out the other end. She may have a short adjustment period, but eventually, you should notice a definite decrease in the amount of stool. Also, it should get considerably firmer than when on the Pedigree. If she ever has extreme diarrhea or constipation, buy a can of pumpkin (not the pie filling with the spices, but plain pumpkin) and give her a teaspoon to a couple of tablespoons (depending on her size) a couple of times a day. This will help with either condition. Most dogs love it and eat it right off the spoon.
Hopefully, this addresses everything you asked. If there's something else, let me know.
