Rutland Manor Labradoodle Breeding & Research Centre Important information about canine DIET
Dogs across the world are victims of Lifestyle Diseases just like humans are. The tragic part is that we have come to accept and even expect it! Our dogs ARE what they eat, just as we are. Before reading down the page, please watch this video with noted veterinarian Dr Karen Becker on informed decisions on canine diet.
When I was a young girl growing up, there was no such thing as commercially prepared dog food such as kibble, nor artificially prepared dog treats. Dogs ate the household leftovers, fresh raw meaty bones, and scraps from the butcher. Their coats were naturally glossy, and teeth naturally white and strong. Vet visits were rare other than for vaccination and accident.
How times have changed! And not for the best. Dog diseases such as Diabetes, liver and kidney failure, allergies, sensitive stomachs and Addisons are pandemic in the 21st century as succeeding generations become weaker and with weakened immune systems, similar to humans since convenience 'foods' saturated with chemicals, carcinogenic food dyes and preservatives have replaced old fashioned home cooking.
Feeding Raw and Fresh is Quick, Simple and Inexpensive
There is no need to weigh or measure the food you give your Australian Labradoodle Dog or Puppy. They are not generally a gluttonous breed and will not eat more than what they need.
If he's hungry, give him more, if he leaves some, give him less. Their appetite varies from day to day just like our own does. If he doesn't want his yogurt today, don't assume that he doesn't like yogurt, take it away and offer it to him again tomorrow or the day after.
FUSSY EATER?
Dogs eat what they 'know' they need on any given day. Often, dogs are thought to be 'fussy' because they refuse the same kind of food that they loved for the past week. Trust your dog's judgment. He knows what he needs better than we do. Variety is the key to good health and dogs instinctively know it.
The physiology of the dog is quite different to that of humans. They are built for 'feast and famine' and the human concept of 'three balanced meals a day' does not apply. Essential nutrients may be spread over the course of a week.
If he's hungry, give him more, if he leaves some, give him less. Their appetite varies from day to day just like our own does. If he doesn't want his yogurt today, don't assume that he doesn't like yogurt, take it away and offer it to him again tomorrow or the day after.
FUSSY EATER?
Dogs eat what they 'know' they need on any given day. Often, dogs are thought to be 'fussy' because they refuse the same kind of food that they loved for the past week. Trust your dog's judgment. He knows what he needs better than we do. Variety is the key to good health and dogs instinctively know it.
The physiology of the dog is quite different to that of humans. They are built for 'feast and famine' and the human concept of 'three balanced meals a day' does not apply. Essential nutrients may be spread over the course of a week.
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FEEDING FRESH AND RAW IS QUICK EASY AND NATURAL
When your new puppy comes home, for the first twenty four hours you should feed him/her cooked Chicken (with the bones removed) and mixed with a little bit of cooked rice. This is a bland meal that will not upset the puppy's stomach after his or her journey and the stress of changing home. After the first twenty four hours, the diet should be just the same as it is on this page for grown up dogs, only in smaller quantities and three times a day for the next couple of months. Quantities increase as the dog grows. |
Your Rutland Manor puppy has already been fed :
fresh raw meaty rib bones,
fresh raw chicken backs/frames/thighs/necks,
cheese,
plain yogurt
chopped or minced raw fresh beef or lamb.
sardines (the tinned variety packed in OIL)
lactose-free milk
fresh raw calf liver,
lamb hearts and brains
green leafy vegetables and carrots mixed in a blender and stirred through chopped meat OR v8 Vegetable juice a little poured over the meat feed
Eggs, either raw, scrambled or boiled
PLEASE GIVE YOUR YOUNG PUPPY AS MUCH AS HE/SHE WANTS TO EAT AT EACH MEAL TIME. They are not generally greedy dogs and will only eat as much as they need.
fresh raw meaty rib bones,
fresh raw chicken backs/frames/thighs/necks,
cheese,
plain yogurt
chopped or minced raw fresh beef or lamb.
sardines (the tinned variety packed in OIL)
lactose-free milk
fresh raw calf liver,
lamb hearts and brains
green leafy vegetables and carrots mixed in a blender and stirred through chopped meat OR v8 Vegetable juice a little poured over the meat feed
Eggs, either raw, scrambled or boiled
PLEASE GIVE YOUR YOUNG PUPPY AS MUCH AS HE/SHE WANTS TO EAT AT EACH MEAL TIME. They are not generally greedy dogs and will only eat as much as they need.
RAW MEATY BONES are excellent for dogs
COOKED MASHED PUMPKIN, fresh or canned is a miracle worker for diarrhea or constipation provided there is no bacterial or viral infection causing the problem. It's good to try first before rushing off to the vet.
Inflammation is an often silent pre-cursor to disease. Prevention is so much better than treatment!
COLD PRESSED Flax Seed Oil is fabulous for skin and coat, and is a natural anti‐inflammatory. It contais the essential Omega 3 Fatty Acids that most other oils do not have.
One Tablespoon for a large adult dog, or a teasponful for a little dog or puppy, given two or three times a week provide essential Omegas and boost the immune system. It isn't necessary to give it every day to a healthy dog.
Did you know that one hard boiled egg each day is a natural anti-inflammatory for you and for your dog?
COOKED MASHED PUMPKIN, fresh or canned is a miracle worker for diarrhea or constipation provided there is no bacterial or viral infection causing the problem. It's good to try first before rushing off to the vet.
Inflammation is an often silent pre-cursor to disease. Prevention is so much better than treatment!
COLD PRESSED Flax Seed Oil is fabulous for skin and coat, and is a natural anti‐inflammatory. It contais the essential Omega 3 Fatty Acids that most other oils do not have.
One Tablespoon for a large adult dog, or a teasponful for a little dog or puppy, given two or three times a week provide essential Omegas and boost the immune system. It isn't necessary to give it every day to a healthy dog.
Did you know that one hard boiled egg each day is a natural anti-inflammatory for you and for your dog?
Feeding Fresh is so Easy!
Once or twice each week as you're preparing the vegetables and leafy greens for the family, you could put some aside into the blender.
Add water or stock and blend until it's a sloppy mixture then mix it through some chopped or minced beef or lamb from the butcher. A stock cube will add some flavour if your dog doesn't immediately love it, but I think you'll find that he will. A raw egg ,shell and all can also be added into the blender. If you're feeding a puppy under six months old, it is better to omit the shell.
This meal mimics Nature just like the stomach contents of the wild dog's prey. For treats, instead of using those highly processed dyed, preserved, coloured (and expensive) items, try using LITTLE PIECES OF CHEESE. Practically every dog loves cheese.
Add water or stock and blend until it's a sloppy mixture then mix it through some chopped or minced beef or lamb from the butcher. A stock cube will add some flavour if your dog doesn't immediately love it, but I think you'll find that he will. A raw egg ,shell and all can also be added into the blender. If you're feeding a puppy under six months old, it is better to omit the shell.
This meal mimics Nature just like the stomach contents of the wild dog's prey. For treats, instead of using those highly processed dyed, preserved, coloured (and expensive) items, try using LITTLE PIECES OF CHEESE. Practically every dog loves cheese.
COOKING VEGETABLES FOR THE FAMILY?
You could put the raw choppings scraps into your blender, add a little water or stock and blend to a sloppy consistency then mix it through your dog's minced or chopped meat. EASY!
This is a handy meal in which to add herbs such as milk thistle (don't give to pregnant females) and nettle. Both are great blood purifiers and tonic for liver and kidneys.
BOILING OR SCRAMBLING EGGS FOR THE FAMILY?
Just pop an extra one in for your dog. Easy!
GOT SOME TOAST LEFT OVER FROM BREAKFAST?
Give it to your dog! Easy!
(they love peanut butter and it's good for them too)
BUY SOME CUBED CHEESE AND USE IT FOR TREATS. Easy!
Dogs love cheese and it's good for them too!
COOKING CHICKEN FOR THE FAMILY?
You could get into the habit of buying an extra piece or two and give to your dog ---caution: NOT cooked with the bone. WHY? Because dogs have powerful hydrochloride acid stomach juices which dissolve RAW bones. Cooking changes the molecular structure of bones and the dog is not able to digest them. Cooking makes them brittle and serious damage (even fatal) can be done to your dog's insides if you feed cooked bones of any kind.
We all probably know someone who says they have fed cooked bones to their dog for years and nothing has happened. This may be so, but do you really want to take the chance?
You could put the raw choppings scraps into your blender, add a little water or stock and blend to a sloppy consistency then mix it through your dog's minced or chopped meat. EASY!
This is a handy meal in which to add herbs such as milk thistle (don't give to pregnant females) and nettle. Both are great blood purifiers and tonic for liver and kidneys.
BOILING OR SCRAMBLING EGGS FOR THE FAMILY?
Just pop an extra one in for your dog. Easy!
GOT SOME TOAST LEFT OVER FROM BREAKFAST?
Give it to your dog! Easy!
(they love peanut butter and it's good for them too)
BUY SOME CUBED CHEESE AND USE IT FOR TREATS. Easy!
Dogs love cheese and it's good for them too!
COOKING CHICKEN FOR THE FAMILY?
You could get into the habit of buying an extra piece or two and give to your dog ---caution: NOT cooked with the bone. WHY? Because dogs have powerful hydrochloride acid stomach juices which dissolve RAW bones. Cooking changes the molecular structure of bones and the dog is not able to digest them. Cooking makes them brittle and serious damage (even fatal) can be done to your dog's insides if you feed cooked bones of any kind.
We all probably know someone who says they have fed cooked bones to their dog for years and nothing has happened. This may be so, but do you really want to take the chance?
Rutland Manor puppies and dogs are fed holistically and have vibrant health.
Kerrie Isabella Amelia & Moxie (aka Andy, aka Spirit)
BUT I am noticing that although my own dogs rarely have serious illness, those I send elsewhere sometimes do! In searching for a common denominator, I have found that dogs fed on commercial dog food are most often the ones who can develop a lifestyle disease caused by diet or over vaccinating
I have never believed that dogs are carnivores, but that they are omnivores, meaning that they eat not only meat, but benefit from and like, raw vegetables and fruit in small quantities and dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, eggs and lactose free milk.
I have never believed that dogs are carnivores, but that they are omnivores, meaning that they eat not only meat, but benefit from and like, raw vegetables and fruit in small quantities and dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, eggs and lactose free milk.
At Rutland Manor we do feed a small amount of holistic dry kibble. Firstly because we realise that some people will feed their new puppy on kibble so their little systems need to recognize this as 'food'. Secondly, so that if we are traveling with our own dogs they too will recognize this as food and not be upset by the temporary change.
CAUTION: Pet food labeling legislation is slack. "Natural" doesn't necessarily mean what we may think. That 'plump chicken' on the packet could be feathers and ground up claws and beaks - it's not illegal to misrepresent it that way. 'Meatmeal'can and often is, rendered down road kill, or even deceased animals sent from laboratories or vet clinics to commercial dry food companies that render it down into a powder which can then legally be called 'meatmeal'. Ghastly, but true.
AVOID: Pet food which has listed as ingredients, Corn, Wheat, or Grains. Wheat and Corn and their by-products are known triggers for skin problems, hot spots and allergic reactions in dogs.
There ARE a few 'Do's' and some 'Don'ts'
NO grapes or raisins
NO chocolate
NO cooked bones - ever - Dogs have powerful hydrochloride digestive juices that nature designed to dissolve raw bone so that it doesn't splinter inside the dog. Cooking bones changes their molecular structure in such a way that the dog's digestive system can no longer dissolve the bone. It is then brittle and can splinter inside the dog, and cause horrendous injury even resulting in death. You may get away with it a hundred times - but is it really worth the risk?
There are many good books on the market about the Raw Food Diet for Dogs. Susan K Johnson is our favourite author on these. Try 'Switching to Raw'
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