Are you poisoning your dog?

December 15, 2:26 PMDC Dogs ExaminerMichelle Critchell

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   The Untimate Pet Food Guide

There are several schools of thought on commercial dog food vs. a raw diet.  Some believe that commercial food is poison to your pet and others feel that bones are hazards to a dog's system.

Some feed their dogs a BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food and Bones or Raw Food) Diet. This consists of raw meaty bones, vegetables, organ parts, and proteins like cottage cheese and eggs. Proponents of this diet claim it keeps their dogs healthier than commercially prepared diets.

Commercial food advocates say that additives such as omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are essential to the balance of nutrients for the dog, while raw food is missing essential vitamins and minerals.

Whether you choose to feed your dog the BARF diet or commercial food, it is important to be educated on a dog’s nutritional requirements, which are very similar to a human's.

Pet food specialist and dog trainer Liz Palika answered a question from the DC Dog Examiner during a Washington Post online discussion.  Palika is author of  The Ultimate Pet Food Guide and several other books on pet food, dog training, and pet care.  She is the founder of Love on a Leash, a nonprofit organization that provides pet therapy.

DC Dog Examiner:
Dear Ms. Palika, one of my Westies developed a minor skin issue. I feed her a high quality kibble. My mother came to visit for a week and cooked up a cauldron of what she calls "super puppy dinner" for her dog and shared with mine. My dog's skin seems cured. I have now ordered your book, "The Ultimate Pet Food Guide," for recipes. Do you think there was a direct correlation between the homemade food and the clearing of the skin issue? Thanks!

Liz Palika:
Definitely!! Gotta love that homemade chicken soup (or dog food)! Yes, keep in mind the high temperatures for producing dog and cat food kibbles can kill many of the important nutrients necessary for good health - including many amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and phytonutrients.

Read the full discussion at WashingtonPost.com.  Palika answers questions about pet allergies, dog crating, dogs on Prozac, and pet fears.

Consult with your vet before you begin any food regimen.
 

Here are few of Palika's Books:

  K.I.S.S. Guide to Training a Puppy

  Complete Idiot's Guide to Dog Tricks

Purebred Rescue Dog Adoption.  Rewards and Realities.

  The Untimate Dog Treat Cookbook