VEGGIES IN DIET

[TALLMAN]

When time, energy(motivation) is available, I do not feed veggies or grains. They meet no known nutritional requirements for the canine carnivore and burden their pancreas. This, unlike the omnivores and herbivores that have different enzymes in their saliva, the correct bacteria, and length of digestive tract that is appropriate for veggie and grain digestion. Wolves never intentionally eat the stomach contents of their prey. I know of a 120 pound timber wolf that was fed only one whole processed chicken daily for 12 years. He was vet tranquilized annually for a complete workup and never required any supplement.

[S_B]

When time, energy(motivation) is available, I do not feed veggies or grains. They meet no known nutritional requirements for the canine carnivore and burden their pancreas. This, unlike the omnivores and herbivores that have different enzymes in their saliva, the correct bacteria, and length of digestive tract that is appropriate for veggie and grain digestion. Wolves never intentionally eat the stomach contents of their prey. I know of a 120 pound timber wolf that was fed only one whole processed chicken daily for 12 years. He was vet tranquilized annually for a complete workup and never required any supplement.

I have to respectfully disagree...wolves and other carnivorous animals actually do intentionally eat the intestines and stomach contents. In fact most will start eating their prey at the anus or right in the guts. Dogs get upset stomachs, at least as far as we humans can tell, and what do they eat? Grass!

The wolf who lived on whole processed chicken to age 12 just proves he was healthy enough to live that long from the care he received. I've known folks pets like those little pesky chihuahua's live to 19 on kibbles n bits.

Do we really know what actually is best to feed our dogs? I think it's a guessing game and we guage with our eyes (and emotions) as to whether or not what we feed is right.

Just how I see things, no disrespect intended.

S_B

[TALLMAN]

S_B, I understand exactly where you are coming from. I shared your beliefs until recently. The dog food industry has put so much out there, nobody is certain of much. My comments about wolves consuming stomach contents were drawn mostly from the book Wolves: Behavior, Ecology, and Behavior. By L. David Mech, considered the world's leading wolf biologist. He explains the vegetation in the intestinal tract is of no interest to a wolf. But, the stomach lining and intestinal lining is consumed and their contents further strewn about the kill site. This explains the myth. Your description of initial entry on many kills I have witnessed myself and therefore my beliefs I previously shared with you. I believe the book Raw Meaty bones in appendix B from Neville Buck from the Zoological Parks in Kent, England also shared Mech's observations. I still do not hold no truly non changeable beliefs no the subject. I appreciate your comments very much and sincerely consider all that is relayed to me.