More Dog Food Guilt- vent

 A lot of happy dogs have lived a lot of years eating Purina Dog Chow.  Your friend is obviously mistaken.  My dog eats kibble and is healthy and happy, and I love her, so your friends absolutism is mistaken.  Most dogs seem to be more concerned with quantity and promptness of meals.

I do give Piper fresh fruit and veggies as snacks.  She was really pleased with the broccoli   spear that I dropped on the floor, but now I think it's time for her to go out, run, and dilute the methane a little.

I think it must be very tiring to be a zealot about anything.

Countless millions of dogs live happy, healthy lives eating nothing but cheap kibble day in and day out.  Is that ideal?  Probably not.  But there's a universe of distance between a diet of nothing but cheap kibble and a 100% raw or home-cooked diet.

Dogs are hardy animals.  They've survived well for tens of thousands of years eating all sorts of stuff.  Do what works for your own dog and don't let the zealousness of your friend bother you.

Thanks for bringing me back to reality!  She is very convincing so it is hard to go 'against' her "teachings."

Anyway I plan to finish up the rmbs that were divided up, the spare box of THK Keen and then switch to try Acana Pacifica for a while (Echo's favorite training treats- loves them more than chicken or beef roast!) so I already know she tolerates it. The bichon girls- not sure but will see.

I need a mantra---- "everyone has their opinion" or some such.

Oy.

 You have to be realistic! Dog food is one of those slippery slopes. Everyone has an opinion and their opinion is the be all end all to how to feed dogs. The reality is that dogs have been living on cheap old dog food and human scraps forever. You have to decide what you are comfortable with. It doesn't have to break your bank or be the latest fad either.

shamrockmommy

so I already know she tolerates it. The bichon girls- not sure but will see

 Keep in mind that you do not have to feed all three dogs the same thing.........Different dogs, different needs.

shamrockmommy

I've almost been 'brainwashed' by a close friend who despises ALL kibble and thinks that you are killing your dog or do not actually love them if you feed them kibble.

Doesn't sound like a friend to me! You obviously adore your dogs, and care very much about their wellbeing. Anyone who makes you feel bad for all the great things you do is not doing you any favors.

She is very much a control freak, may be time to put some space between us in a friendly way.

I was actually thinking of ordering in some petguard for the bichons, which they have always done well on.  Will have to play around a smidge and see. Or see if Darby reacts to Embark (grain free).

Thanks so much for listening, you guys are the best!  (My ocd gets the best of me sometimes!)

shamrockmommy

She is very much a control freak, may be time to put some space between us in a friendly way.

Plenty of dogs have lived to ripe old ages on Science Diet and Milk Bones. And there are a lot of waaaay better quality kibbles on the market these days. Plus, if you feed your dog a high-quality kibble, you never have to worry about balancing vitamins, minerals, calcium levels, etc.

I dunno, saying all kibble is bad is like saying all frozen food is bad. Sure, I wouldn't recommend a diet consisting exclusively of frozen Bagel Bites, but that's totally different than, say, frozen pre-made meals ordered from a health food company.

shamrockmommy

I've almost been 'brainwashed' by a close friend who despises ALL kibble and thinks that you are killing your dog or do not actually love them if you feed them kibble.

Sounds like your friend is headcase.

Cita

Plenty of dogs have lived to ripe old ages on Science Diet and Milk Bones.

Or Purina One and Milk Bones (aka: my first Lab who lived 13 -healthy- years).

ETA: Apollo is on Orijen Regional Red (was on the regular Adult formula before) right now and doing great! Patty & Molson were on THK but honestly, I felt like it was little rip off....don't get me wrong, it's great food, but expensive!!! And we were going through a box a week for 2 approx. 25lb Cocker Spaniels! They both lost some weight on THK and Patty's coat was dull. P&M are now on TOTW and doing great- I'm very happy with it. All 3 of my dogs get a little raw every day, too.

You're doing just fine. I notice fanatics in all walks. I have known fanatic pagans, believe it or not. I recently met a guy who defines salvation by scriptures in Acts rather than in the 4 gospels and you cannot argue against him. He has his head set and that is all there is to it.

And yes, there are people that are that way about food. Human food, dog food. Whatever. They feel the need to control and to be seen as the authority and it must be done their way or no way.

So, yeah, you might end up creating a little distance. Just for the stress relief.

I agree dogs can get along just fine on kibble.  My neighbor has a gorgeous gorgeous lab, super shiny, beautiful white teeth. I never would've guessed she'd answer with "Pedigree" when I asked what she fed him.

Another neighbor has a gorgeously coated golden retriever, nice teeth. KIBBLES and BITS! Sooo..... I surmise I won't kill my dogs if I do kibble plus raw. 

DH gets a little testy when I spend 60-100 bucks on a box of THK. 

Anyway thank s for the pep talk guys!

shamrockmommy

DH gets a little testy when I spend 60-100 bucks on a box of THK. 

It's absurd considering they could be eating steaks for that!!