I have had several people ask me what I feed my guys as their coats are shiny, their eyes are bright and they have loads of energy.  While I have listed below the diet I've fed my guys for years; I also cook for them a fantastic stew and make all their treats.  I take feeding my guys very seriously, and took a seminar in Boston to learn how to do it.  There are several books discussing the topic, and several alternatives to 'kibble'.

As I've had such a great response from my canine agility students and massage clients, I am rolling out 4TheLuvOfDogz All Natural, Home Made Dog Treats.  Order your treats from me or purchase them at the Nederland People's Co-op! 

4TheLuvOfDogz Peanut Butter Biscuits

Delicious flavors include Peanut Butter, Liver and Bison; and some of my ingredients are Organic Quinoa Flour, Rosemary Leaves, Organic Kelp Powder, Lecithin Granules, Brown Eggs and Spring Water.

PLEASE READ IF YOU FEED YOUR DOG RAWHIDE TREATS!

Below I've listed the basic diet for Tiki, Bear & Baci.  Tiki had Science Diet for about a month before I determined she was allergic to her food, prompting me to do the switch to raw.  Talisker, my little Sheltie, was 8 1/2 years old when I switched him to raw, and as you can see, he loved it!  Bear & Baci were thrilled with their first raw food too.

The pack's daily food, twice a day is:

• Raw turkey necks or chicken backs for Tiki, Bear & Baci.  I purchase the chicken from Whole Foods in Boulder during the winter and Wisdom, a local farmer who attends the Boulder Farmers Market in the summer.  I also participate in a raw dog food co-op if you are interested in ordering bulk chicken with us.
  

Talisker eating his chicken wing.

• Nature's Variety Raw Frozen Diets
  Nature's Variety sources all their ingredients from the United States, except for the New Zealand Venison. This is a great way to feed raw as everything is included in the 'hamburger' patty.  Just make sure visitors don't throw them on the BBQ!  Check out Nature's Variety online calculator to see how much to feed your pup!
  
  
• BRAVO Green Tripe - This stuff smells horrible, they love it, and it's good for them!
  
  
• Dr. Harvey's Canine Health "The miracle dog food"
  This is a wonderful mix which is easy to make and is so healthy even you can eat it!  Just boil water, add meat, simmer and wha-la!
  
  
• Missing Link Plus (with Glucosamine)
  My guys get this every morning with breakfast to ensure they are receiving all the nutrients needed.  The Glucosamine is a wonderful addition, with the body releasing what it doesn't use.
  
  
• Vitamin E and Salmon Oil alternating every two days
  Very important for overall health and a shiny coat.
  
  
• Fresh veggies and fruits - blended carrots, bananas, broccoli are some of their fav's. 
  If I'm making some for me, they get some too.  I always purchase extra at the store, and we have them every day.
  
  
• I bake most of their treats, except for California Natural and Raw Frozen Bones. 
  
  
  
  Tiki with her Elk bone
  
  
  4TheLuvOfDogz Treats are prepared by me and are so good you can snack on them too!  Each package weighs approximately 1 pound, and sells for $15.00. The flavors are Peanut butter, Bison and Liver; and ingredients include Organic Quinoa Flour, Rosemary leaves, Organic Kelp powder, Lecithin granules, nutritional yeast flakes, brown eggs and spring water. 
  
  
  Biscuits in the making
  
  
  As the treat site isn't live yet, email me to order or complete & submit this simple form.

A must have in the kitchen is Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats.  The book is chock full of canine health information, recipes and is an easy read.  It was recently revised and now covers environmental matters, including pollutants both inside and outside the home, Mad Cow & Lyme disease; as well as how to provide the very best in companionship and lifelong care.

For home delivery, check out Left Paw Pantry! 
Ron has great products and delivers to your doorstep.

Why Raw -- Nature's Variety says it well...

• Some Benefits of Raw Foods
  
  • Minerals better assimilated
  • Vitamins more bioavailable
  • Beneficial antioxidants present
  • Amino acids more bioavailable
  • Natural digestive enzymes still present
  • Probiotics spared
  • Amino acids such as taurine are not destroyed 

• Some Negative Effects of Heat Processing
  
  • Loss of up to 100% of certain vitamins
  • Loss of up to 60% of certain amino acids
  • Enzymes destroyed
  • Probiotics destroyed
  • Loss of up to 10% of certain fatty acids
  • Fats can become toxic or rancid
  • Oxidation of cholesterol

Tiki at Granby Lake

If you have questions, please email me directly, or complete & submit this simple form.