Basenji Feeding

Dogs of all breeds and mixes will most certainly eat things that are toxic to them. I am not sure what universe someone is from that doesn't know this, but just in case anyone here believes this dangerous nonsense, please don't assume your dog knows what is poison or not. Over 100,000 dogs are poisoned each year from everything from yard chemicals, flea/tick treatments, to-- yes-- thing they eat. Dog eat toxic food every day, and die often. Chocolate, raisins, rat poison, even freaking old fashion car antifreeze, avocados, cigarettes, caffeine, owners medicine left out, artificially sweetened candies (xylitol). As for milk or dark chocolate, neither is safe, but please read and don't accept misinformation there either. ""Cocoa, cooking chocolate and dark chocolate contain the highest levels, while milk chocolate and white chocolate have the lowest. ... The high level of theobromine in dark chocolate means it takes only a very small amount to poison a dog. Less than an ounce of dark chocolate may be enough to poison a 44-pound dog.""

I feed good quality grain free kibble, but I change that source ever few weeks.. I never have to worry about food changes and/or tummy upsets.. they are used to much change. That said, I always feed veggies, fresh, raw, steamed... eggs (same as veggies) raw meat and cooked meat.

we still have "butchers" here in Australia. these are usually local shops, that sell meat. After they have cut up the large sides of beef, they are left with some bones. The bones you are after are the breast bone, which is usually discarded as waste, but is good for dogs. Get them to cut the bone (which is about 1 metre (about 1 yard) long), into the size that is good (mine are cut into chunks about 7.5cm (about 3 inches)) or whatever size you want. The cutting is done on a bandsaw so no effort on their behalf. The advantage is that there is no debris left for the motor mower to fling at your windows, or for insects to settle on. Even at the supermarkets there are some to be had, but find out from the meat section when they get deliveries. You will pay more at the supermarkets, but you should not pay more than necessary.

@redial Yes - but it is messy ! The pate works a treat - he regards every medication as a treat (Hoover gets a small piece at the same time) and I never have any problem. In fact as they are both loathe to venture out last thing at night these wintry days - leaving the comfort and warmth of leather armchairs - I have taken to rattling the packet ! It gets them out in seconds ! (Subterfuge though - they don't get anything and I hope it will be Spring again before they realise they have been conned !)

I agree. Feed'em raw! Meat and bones!

You can also FREEZE the kong. Makes it last much longer. :)

Zande’s recommendation is spot on for a healthy dog who is simply picky. I cried myself to sleep many times over one of my dogs. I was convinced he was going to die! He’d like a food a few days and then stop. I mixed everything into it, tried raw (he hates it), tried every protein, every type of food, etc etc. Same results!! The only thing that worked was finding a food he liked and I felt comfortable feeding and stuck with it. Yes he’d skip some meals but at 5 years old he now eats his food with very little issue. You REALLY have to practice tough love and sick to it. If your dog is healthy it WILL work! For the record, I feed Fromm and rotate flavors. He does not do grain free as the good carbs help keep weight on him.

We tried Purina Pro Plan food on our 3 rescues. Even though we gave this to them a little at a time to blend in over several weeks, they ALL had very runny stools and it would not stop. In fact, the more Pro Plan they got the more trips to the yard. Gave it up, and no more problems. This was Pro Plan dry and wet. Same results either way.

I'd never heard of it so thanks for bringing it up. We have a better chance for that than U.S. brands. (I'm in Israel.)

Sounds good. We feed lamb ribs for chews (when in season) - soft enough but still good for the teeth. Any non-weight bearing bones are good. We get ours at a butcher shop, sometimes for free. Otherwise we find stuff in specialised (web)shops: camel hide, kangaroo, tendons, trachea, dried lung. There's a lot of stuff out there.

People that feed raw add raw eggs all the time. I have from time to time... as I feed a modified raw diet

I tried to get to the bottom of it, but I didn't find much. I did find an article that said food prices in general may be rising due to El Niño, so that may be a factor. Also, an article about general consumer dissatisfaction with higher pet-food prices: http://www.petbusiness.com/January-2016/The-Cost-of-High-Prices/ And, stats from last year that show that pet food prices fell to a fairly low point in August 2015 (which may explain why they're going back up now): http://www.petbusinessprofessor.com/petmarket/buying-pet-products-price-matters-petflation-update-and-more/

@Baba-Bamidele I change kibble so that no matter where I am, where I go, if I need food for the girls, I have a number of different choices. Do not have to rely on just one. And I don't have to worry about the standard "change food slowly".... they are used to many, many changes

Chance had tummy issues for many years with long bouts of diarreah, and we have tried many foods, probiotics, home cooked meals etc..until we found Acana grasslands. He has been on it for a few years with good results. Occasionally he gets loose stools, but it's probably because he ate something on the street. [image: 1455757515192-41fidhvdrfl._ac_ul320_sr240-320_.jpg]

I second the Fromms! Loved it, the company is so transparent, easy to reach and very willing to help you with questions and concerns- so aside from being grain free and of good quality..its a win-win I was forced to switch because Oakley has very specific dietary needs and unfortunately Fromms doesnt make a low protein, grain free option (I wish they did). Good Luck

I go by the old rule "the eye of the master maketh the horse". It applies to dogs as well. You may start with a rule of thumb, but pay attention to what your eyes tell you and you won't go far wrong. If your dog is gaining weight past the ideal, time to cut back, and vice versa.

i use blue buffalo basic grain free on both of my boys. no issues. used to feed the taste of the wild (until that recall they had years ago)

Like your recipes and will try today as expecting few guests today. Will share my reviews after having a bite of your recipe.

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/natures-domain-dog-food/ is really good for breaking down ingredients…..I mean they categorize tons of different brands fairly well and explain how they came to that conclusion. Costco has some cheap "good" options so I hear. It really is worth it to invest in a high protein (and high fiber) food; I only feed my 37 lb. dog a little less than half a cup of taste of the wild twice a day, and my 21 lb. dog gets 1/4 cup x 2 times a day. My little dog had ribs showing until I switched her from the corn based diet her breeder had her on to TOTW. Not to mention she was crapping like a million times a day, and had absolutely disgusting skin. Corn is absolutely terrible - goes right through them and they end up looking really skinny but real 'grain's are notorious for causing allergies. ...... With just my 37 lb. dog and a 30ish lb bag of taste of the wild ($ 55 dollars here in Alaska, so cheaper elsewhere) lasted well into the third month. So, that's about maybe 22 bucks a month [overestimation] spent on food for one dog…..which is pretty affordable really. And, of course, most brands are cheaper in the lower states anyways, possible to find even cheaper brands that are healthier than Eukanuba.

I got samples of Amore Pet food and she loved those ! But they are a tad expensive >.< more then NRG I think 10lb bag is $110 and 20lb bag is $240 and the smallest they have is a 2LB bag for $26 bucks and according to there feeding guideline she's supposed to get 3/8 of a cup which is 6 table spoons >.< haven't done enough math to see how long the 2lb would last - not long I think !