There has been a good deal of publicity recently regarding a nationwide dog food recall. Hopefully, you have had a chance to evaluate what you feed your Golden and ensure that he isn't eating any of the tainted food. The list of contaminated food items has expanded to include dog treats, so please do continue to stay informed about new additions to the growing number of wheat gluten-based products included in the recall. In the meantime, our RAGofAZ yahoogroups e-list has been discussing how to ensure that our Goldens are fed nutritional and safe food. There are many excellent commercial dog foods that are available locally; many can be delivered directly to your door! Some people choose to prepare home-cooked foods for their canine companions, but for many of us that is just not an option. Here are some things to keep in mind when trying to decide "What's for dinner?" for your special friend:
We don't eat the same thing every day, but our dogs do! Eating cereal only or grabbing fast food for every meal would have serious health ramifications for us. Making an informed choice about what is in the food you feed your dog(s) begins with reading the label on every bag. Proteins should be primary in the list of ingredients and in meal form (fresh meat is 70% water). Goldens are notorious for allergies, and corn and wheat are very often the big offenders — best to avoid them altogether. Remember that rice gluten, rice flour and rice are all the same thing essentially, and if they are the main ingredients in your dog's food, then you're feeding mostly cereal. There should be no ethoxyquin, soy, peanut shells, cellulose or sugar (fructose or sucrose) in your dog's food. By-products should be very suspect — kidneys and liver are fine, but hooves are not. Many foods and treats contain vitamins, minerals and even glucosamine, but you may wish to supplement your pet's diet. If your pet's food does not contain chelated vitamins or minerals or extra Omega-3 fatty acid, you may want to add flax seed or fish oil and extra vitamins. There are many wonderful supplements available.
Quality canned food can also be added to the dry. These are good sources of protein, but they have a good deal of fat and water, so we recommend adding just a spoonful for taste. Other fresh food can be added for extra nutrition — an occasional cooked egg, cottage cheese, and fresh vegetables are excellent ways to add protein and fiber. Substituting green beans for part of your dog's regular food is a good way to help him lose weight without feeling as if you are depriving him.
The BARF diet, feeding raw food, has some very strong advocates. The thought that this is how animals ate in the wild for years--before the intervention of man and the creation of commercially prepared foods-- has become accepted by mainstream consumers. In addition to being able to prepare your own food for your Golden, you can also purchase prepared raw meals at many pet food emporiums. There are many people who advocate this diet for dogs with cancer or some allergies. Since we are talking about raw meat and vegetables, it is imperative that care be taken in handling these during preparation or serving . We encourage you to investigate thoroughly the pros and cons of this diet before changing your pet's food.
Home cooking is a wonderful option if you so desire, and the crock pot is great for this. Begin with some chicken and brown rice, potatoes, or barley in water and add vegetables in the last hour (aids in vitamin retention). Broccoli, cauliflower, green beans and squash like zucchini are all good choices; use carrots sparingly as they do contain sugar. Your Golden will love this "stew" and you can serve it over your regular kibble as an option.
The manner in which you feed your dog is important as well. Bloat, or gastric dilation, is an all-too-real problem in large, deep-chested dogs and is life threatening. Allow your Golden a few hours before and after heavy exercise before feeding. Two or three small meals are far better than one large meal — imagine how you'd feel if you ate your day's quotient of food in one sitting. We recommend elevated feeding bowls for Goldens; they are able to eat in a more natural relaxed posture which ultimately leads to swallowing less air and better digestion. Always make plenty of fresh water available to your dog; dry food expands a great deal when it reaches your dog's stomach. I have chosen to add warm water to my four Goldens' food at each meal, and it seems to make it more palatable especially to the older dogs. (Do not add water if your dog does not consume all his food at once — it can become a breeding ground for bacteria). Washing the food and water dishes with soap and water daily will certainly make for a healthier and more enjoyable eating experience for your canine companion.
Veterinarians have long agreed that nutrition is vital to the health of our Goldens and, as in humans, eating better can help prevent a multitude of health problems. The silver lining to the cloud surrounding the tainted pet food is that many pet owners are truly thinking about what they feed their pets and hopefully up-grading to a more beneficial product.