DOG FEEDING INFO

COMMERCIAL DOG FOODS

How to select the best commercial foods

Here are the things that I look for in a commercial food::

• No generic fats or proteins (e.g., animal fat or meat meal) -- instead, look for named sources such as beef fat, chicken fat or lamb meal (the generic term indicates a mixture coming from a number of sources, a sign of a very poor quality food). I don't consider poultry fat as bad as animal fat, but chicken fat is better. Never feed a food that uses the generic ingredients "meat meal", "meat and bone meal", or "animal fat".
• Human grade ingredients (USDA approved). This item is somewhat controversial, as dog foods by law cannot be labeled human grade, but I look for companies that use human grade meats (not meats that were rejected by the human food industry). For even higher quality, look for hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, especially those that are free-range or pasture-raised (note that all poultry is hormone-free, as it is against regulations to give hormones to poultry).
• Avoid foods that use corn gluten meal, a cheap waste product from the human food industry that provides incomplete protein for dogs. I consider this ingredient to be one of the hallmarks of poor quality foods. Wheat gluten meal, one of the ingredients that caused illness and death due to contamination in the recent Menu Foods recall, is similar -- a cheap source of poor quality protein used primarily by the lower-quality foods. Rice protein concentrate, which was also involved in the pet food recalls, is a little better quality than the other two, but still provides incomplete plant protein rather than the more desirable animal protein. Soy protein has the same problem.
• No meat by-products or digest (meal is OK). There is some disagreement whether whole meat is preferable to meal. Meal has been rendered, but it is also dried, so if a meal is listed as the first ingredient, there is greater likelihood that the food contains more meat than grains. When whole meats such as chicken, lamb, turkey, etc. are listed as the first ingredient, there may actually be much less meat due to the weight of the moisture in the meat. Both whole meats and meals are considered acceptable as long as they are identified and not generic (e.g., not "meat meal" or "meat and bone meal"). By-products may be OK if the company specifies that they are human-grade organs such as liver and kidney, but otherwise they usually signify parts not considered fit for human consumption.
• No BHA, BHT or Ethoxyquin (artificial preservatives), another sign of a low quality food. Ethoxyquin is banned from use in foods for human consumption except for the use of very small quantities as a color preservative for spices. Note that ethoxyquin is used to preserve fish meal, which will not be disclosed on the dog food label since it is added before the fish meal reaches the manufacturing plant. In general, unless the manufacturer provides a statement on their web site that the fish meal in their food does not contain ethoxyquin, you can assume that is does. Contact the manufacturer if you are unsure.
• No artificial colors, no sugars and sweeteners (such as corn syrup, sucrose, ammoniated glycyrrhizin), no propylene glycol (added to some chewy foods to keep them moist, toxic in large amounts).
• As few grains as possible (a whole-meat source should be one of the first two ingredients, preferably two of the top three) -- watch for splitting, such as listing ground yellow corn and corn gluten meal as separate ingredients which together might add up to more than the first ingredient. Note that canned foods often have fewer grains than dry.
• Added taurine. Taurine was added to cat foods in the 70's when cats began going blind and dying due to taurine deficiency. Taurine is thought not to be an "essential" amino acid in dogs because they can convert carnitine to taurine. However, links are now being found between problems such as dilated cardiomyopathy and taurine deficiencies. Some dog food companies have begun adding taurine to their foods, and this is probably a good idea. Taurine is affected by heat, so there would not usually be enough natural taurine in processed dog foods, though foods that have a lot of meat will have more natural taurine. See the following for more info:
• Dietary Taurine Deficiency and Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy: a daunting disease of the heart
• Taurine
• Meets AAFCO Specifications. Although I do not consider AAFCO to know everything there is to know about nutrition, if a food specifies that it meets AAFCO specifications, it should be a complete diet. It is fine to use foods that do not meet AAFCO specifications as part of the diet, but you cannot rely on these foods as the sole source of nutrition without adding other foods and supplements to the diet.

Note that I am not overly concerned about menadione, a synthetic form of vitamin K that has many people worried (see The Dog Food Project, for example). See the section on Menadione in one of my articles on homemade diets for more information on this topic.

Best Diet
There is no "best" food for all dogs, as each dog is an individual, and what works well for one dog may not work at all for another. In addition, it is better for a dog to get a variety of foods, rather than just one food for its whole life. Feeding different commercial diets can help fill in nutritional gaps that a particular food or brand might have, as well as making it less likely that your dog will develop food allergies.

Rather than trying to find a single, "best" food, I recommend that you choose at least two or three different brands, using different protein sources, and rotate between them, anywhere from a daily basis to every few months. Variety is always better than feeding any single food, as it helps to guarantee that all of your dogs' nutritional needs are met and is more interesting for your dogs. The only warning I have about feeding a lot of variety is to not feed every exotic protein available (duck, rabbit, venison, etc.); always reserve one or two in case you ever need to do an elimination diet using a food your dog has never had before to test for food allergies.

In addition, I suggest adding some fresh foods to the diet, no matter what you feed, including eggs and meat (raw or cooked), canned fish with bones (jack mackerel, pink salmon, sardines), dairy (yogurt, kefir, cottage cheese) and healthy leftovers (see Adding Fresh Foods below for more info). This can be used to improve the quality of whatever diet you feed.

When you feed the same food continuously for a month or more, be sure to make the switch gradually to avoid digestive upset, but dogs that are used to getting different foods all the time rarely have any problems with it.

Exotic proteins and limited ingredient diets
Just a note about using foods with exotic proteins, such as duck, venison, buffalo, rabbit, trout, kangaroo, ostrich, emu, beaver, goat, quail, pheasant, eel, etc. These foods are formulated to be able to offer proteins that a dog has never had before for dogs with food allergies. I do not recommend feeding them to healthy dogs who have no allergies. If you feed these foods routinely, then if your dog does develop food allergies in the future, it is going to be very difficult for you to find a protein that he has never had before in order to try an elimination diet. I would reserve most of these exotic protein foods for dogs who  have food problems and need a special diet. Also, if you have a dog with digestive problems, don't just keep trying different foods, as they are more likely to become allergic to new ingredients while problems are occurring. If the first new diet doesn't work, you'll need to talk to your vet about using medications to get the problem under control before introducing any more new foods.

Corn, wheat, soy and other so-called common allergens
Foods considered to be "common allergens" for dogs are simply the foods most commonly fed. In other words, dogs are not inherently more likely to be allergic to corn, wheat, soy, rice, beef or chicken, etc., but they are more likely to be allergic to common ingredients in foods that they've been fed. Food allergies are also more likely to develop if the dog is fed the same food all the time.

There can be other problems with certain foods, especially grains. Gluten intolerance can cause digestive problem for some dogs. Sources of gluten include wheat (including Kamut and spelt), barley, rye, and triticale; oats are considered questionable (oats are gluten-free but processed oats can be contaminated with gluten), while buckwheat, corn/maize, and rice are gluten-free. Certain grains can contain molds or storage mites that can cause an allergic reaction. I don't believe that grains should ever be a large part of a dog's diet, but I don't consider corn or wheat to be worse than other grains, unless your dog has a specific problem with these foods. Keep in mind that corn gluten meal is a waste product from the human food industry used as a cheap source of low-quality protein and is a hallmark of a poor quality food.

I also don't consider it necessary to avoid using products that contain soy, as long as it is a small part of the diet, and used in place of grains or other plant products, rather than as a primary protein source in place of meat. Again, if your individual dog has a problem with soy, then you should avoid foods that use it.

The following web sites have some interesting information on food allergies and intolerances:

Food Allergies
Food Allergy Myths
Dietary Sensitivity--More Common than You Think?
The Pet Food Ingredient Game

High-Protein Diets
Contrary to many myths and popular beliefs, there is no harm in feeding a high-protein diet to dogs of any age, including puppies (see Large and giant breed puppies below) and seniors (see Senior and overweight dogs below and my article on Diet and the Older Dog for more information). Studies have proven that protein does not cause orthopedic problems in puppies, nor lead to kidney disease in older dogs. In fact, protein is extremely beneficial: it supports the immune system and the central nervous system, contributes to wound healing, helps build lean muscle, and is required for skin and coat health.

Even most dogs with kidney disease benefit from a moderate-protein rather than low-protein diet (see my Kidney Disease web page for additional info). There are very, very few health conditions where a lower-protein diet is needed, and even then, it's extremely important to feed adequate protein, as protein malnutrition will cause the body to break down its own muscle tissue to get what it needs, leading to muscle wasting and other serious problems. Even mild protein deficiency can significantly impair immune function. Dogs who get too little protein are also more susceptible to stress, including stress from injury or infection.

Dogs thrive on protein, the more the better. There is absolutely no reason to limit the amount of protein you feed your dog. Look for foods that are high in protein, rather than the typical high-carbohydrate diets that are more commonly available. Dogs have no nutritional need for carbohydrates; they are used in dog food mostly as an inexpensive source of calories (grains are also used to supply low-quality protein in some foods), and to help bind dry food together into kibble. Studies indicate that high-protein, low-carb foods with moderate amounts of fat also help dogs lose weight better than the traditional high-carb, low-fat (and often low-protein) weight loss diets.

There are a number of newer, high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets now being offered, for both adult and senior dogs. Some of these are also OK for puppies, if approved for them or for all life stages, but be careful of any with very high calcium percentages (best to stick to 2% or less calcium on a dry matter basis for large-breed puppies under the age of six months).

You can also increase the protein levels in whatever diet you feed by adding some fresh, high-protein foods, such as meat, eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, and canned fish with bones (jack mackerel, pink salmon, sardines). See Adding Fresh Foods to a Commercial Diet below for more info.

If you have a dog that is hyper-reactive to outside stimuli, you may be interested in How High Carbohydrate Diets Can Affect Some Dogs by noted behaviorist William Campbell suggesting a possible cause being a high carbohydrate diet.

Large and giant breed puppies (or any breed prone to hip dysplasia) should be fed a restricted diet to slow growth. Overfeeding encourages them to grow too fast, resulting in most of the bone and joint problems common in large breeds, including dysplasia, osteochondrosis, etc. Limit the amount you feed to keep your pup lean and slow-growing.
Never give supplemental calcium of any kind when feeding a commercial diet. Feeding an adult food to a puppy may cause excessive calcium intake, as the adult food might have more calcium for the same amount of calories than a puppy food would, while not providing the other nutrients required by puppies.
You should always feed puppies foods that are approved  either for puppies or for all life stages. If you feed a food that is approved for adult dogs only, there will be inadequate amounts of protein, and improper levels of calcium and other nutrients. Large Breed Puppy Formulas may not be the answer, as they often replace protein with carbohydrates. Protein and carbohydrates contain exactly the same number of calories per gram, so reducing protein in favor of carbohydrates provides less needed nutrition without reducing calories. High protein diets are preferred, as puppies need protein to thrive and studies have shown that high protein does not lead to developmental problems, but high fat diets may contribute too many calories, leading to rapid growth. See the following articles for more information:

• "Effects of limited food consumption on the incidence of hip dysplasia in growing dogs", by RD Kealy et al., in JAVMA, Vol. 201, No. 6, Sept. 15, 1992 (pp 857-863), "On the basis of our findings in the long-term study reported here, limited food intake has a beneficial effect on development of the hip joints in growing and adolescent dogs. Labrador Retrievers fed 25% less food than those fed ad libitum had less hip joint laxity when they were 30 weeks old than their ad-libitum-fed counterparts. Furthermore, by maintaining the dogs on the same feeding regimen until they were 2 years old, this beneficial effect was still present at that age, as demonstrated by the significantly lower frequency of hip dysplasia in the limit-fed dogs."
• Are high calcium diets related to bone disease? "While feeding a special formula large breed puppy food to your puppy is not bad, there are no concrete studies that show it is better than a balanced puppy food formulated for all puppies."
• Overfeeding During Growth "Overfeeding during the phase of rapid growth after weaning is linked to a variety of multi-factorial skeletal diseases including osteochondrosis, hip dysplasia, hypertrophic dystrophy and wobbler syndrome. A high protein diet (30% on a dry matter basis) does not increase the frequency or severity of skeletal abnormalities in giant breed dogs. So the excess weight during the period of rapid growth, rather than the protein content of the diet, is probably the factor which alters skeletal development.
• "Relationship of Nutrition to Developmental Skeletal Disease in Young Dogs "Excessive dietary energy may support a growth rate that is too fast for proper skeletal development and results in a higher frequency of skeletal abnormalities in large and giant-breed dogs Because fat has twice the caloric density of protein or carbohydrate, dietary fat is the primary contributor to excess energy intake. . . . Unlike other species, protein excess has not been demonstrated to negatively affect calcium metabolism or skeletal development in dogs. Protein deficiency, however, has more impact on the developing skeleton."
• Dietary Mineral Levels Affect Bone Development in Great Dane Pups "Controlling skeletal growth is considered critical in decreasing the expression of developmental bone disease in large and giant breed puppies. For these puppies, intake of calories and calcium should be restricted to a level that supports an adequate, but not excessive growth rate. If large and giant breed puppies are given unrestricted access from weaning to a puppy food with usual mineral and energy content, high mineral intakes may quickly result in bone mineral changes that could contribute to persistent skeletal problems."
• The optimal growth of large breed puppies "Excessive food intake (calories) during growth results in a higher risk of developing HD. . . . Research into the growth of Great Danes (Nap RC, The Netherlands,) has shown that the protein level of a diet has no significant influence on skeletal development. High protein intake does not result in increased risk for OCD or HD, and there is no effect on the development in the longitudinal growth of the bone."
• Canine Hip Dysplasia
• Unilateral Hip Dysplasia
• Feeding Puppies An Adult Food
• Successfully Raising the Large Breed Puppy

Prescription Diets While I think many prescription diets are inappropriate (particularly those for struvite crystals and stones), if you do need to feed a prescription diet, IVD (now owned by Royal Canin) appears to be better quality than Purina or Hill's. Since IVD was bought by Royal Canin, these diets no longer appear to carry the IVD name, but can be distinguished from the Royal Canin brand by the use of the word "Formula" in their names, such as "Sensitive Formula" or "Modified Formula". See them listed under "Limited Ingredient Diets" on the Royal Canin Veterinary Diets site. The Royal Canin Hi-Tor diets for special needs may also be better quality than Hill's or Purina, though I'm not as sure of this, they can be found at Waggin' Tails . If your vet does not carry IVD, you can call them at 1-800-466-0912 to find a local distributor so that your veterinarian can then order IVD diets for you. IVD Diets are also available through VetCentric, RxPetFood.com and Prescription Diets. Your vet must approve a prescription for you to be able to order this food for home delivery.
Wysong has introduced a line of freeze-dried prescription diets for a variety of conditions. These foods can only be ordered through veterinarians.
Note that prescription diets are not always needed. For example, dogs with liver disease do not need a diet change unless they are showing symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy. Prescription diets for weight loss are high in carbohydrates, which has been shown to be an ineffective method of weight control (see Pudgy Pups for better advice). A prescription diet is not needed for dogs with diabetes -- see the K9Nutrition FAQ for more info; also this article that concludes, "Consumption of diets with low carbohydrate, high protein, and moderate fat content may be advantageous for prevention and management of obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, and diabetes in cats and dogs."
Check my Specific Conditions and Kidney web pages for more information, as well as the K9Nutrition FAQ, and consider joining an email list to learn more if your veterinarian suggests putting your dog on a prescription diet.

Melamine and Cyanuric Acid
As everyone must be aware by now, there was a massive recall of pet foods beginning in March, 2007, due to contaminants that caused kidney failure in death in thousands of pets (see my Recall page for more information). Eventually, the cause was determined to be contamination with melamine and cyanuric acid, ingredients that are often added illegally to foods in China to artificially increase their protein level. Contamination was found first in wheat gluten, then in rice protein concentrate, then in corn gluten (in South Africa), and most recently in chicken jerky, all coming from China. Since that time, most of the better dog food companies have instituted testing for these two substances, and have taken steps to eliminate ingredients sourced from China. Unfortunately, there are a few ingredients that simply cannot be found elsewhere in quantity, including taurine, glucosamine and most B vitamins. Note that companies who say that all of their ingredients come from US companies are being disingenuous, as the original source of some parts could still be China.

Eagle Pack, whose foods are EU (European Union) certified, which requires disclosure of the country of origin of all ingredients, has this to say: "Due to the global economy and worldwide outsourcing, some ingredients or supplements are not made in the U.S. or are not made in sufficient quantity. Most pet food and human food companies and makers of supplements most likely source some supplements from China. Most B vitamins for human and pet consumption come from China. In our supplements, U.S. vitamin maker BASF sources some vitamins from China. This will be true of the vitamin content for most pet foods you buy and for many pet or human vitamins you use. The Glucosamine we humans take as well as the Glucosamine in your pet’s food most likely is sourced from  China. The same is true for human grade Taurine. Some pet food makers seem unaware that some ingredients of necessity must be sourced from China; scary they don’t know."

Canned Foods and Refrigerated or Frozen Cooked Foods

Here are some of the better canned foods that I have heard about. This is not a complete list of the high quality foods available, which are growing all the time. For a more extensive list, see the Whole Dog Journal, which publishes an article on the best canned foods each January. You can also write to me for comments on any individual food you may be interested in (my email address is at the bottom of the page). I have added links to Amazon as a source for many of these foods if you are unable to find them locally, though shipping will add substantially to the cost.

Addiction ~ High quality ingredients. Exotic protein (venison, unagi [eel] and brushtail), grain-free, limited ingredient diets suitable for feeding to dogs with severe food allergies. I would not recommend feeding these foods to normal, healthy dogs, as it's better to reserve novel proteins for future use in case your dog ever develops food allergies. Note the vegetarian diet is not recommended (see Don't Bite on the Veggie Dog for more info on this topic).

Artemis ~ Available in Europe and Asia, as well as the US. Human grade, antibiotic- and hormone-free meats. Available from Amazon.

Canidae ~ Human grade, hormone and antibiotic free ingredients. Herring meal is ethoxyquin-free. All ingredients are tested for melamine and cyanuric acid. Available from Amazon.

Castor & Pollus Organix ~ Over 70% certified organic ingredients. Products are tested for melamine and cyanuric acid.

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul ~ High quality, hormone- and antibiotic-free ingredients. Offers higher-protein senior diet.

Doctors Foster & Smith ~ High-quality ingredients, high meat content.

Eagle Pack Holistic Select ~ Human grade, hormone and antibiotic free ingredients. Fish meal is ethoxyquin-free. "Eagle Pack Super Premium formulas are nutritionally balanced so pet owners can mix up to 25% raw food with the Eagle Pack formulas." Products are tested for melamine. Eagle Pack is EU (European Union) certified, which requires disclosure of the country of origin of their ingredients. They have eliminated Chinese-sourced ingredients except where it is not possible to do so (see above for more info). Available from Amazon.

Evanger's for Dogs ~ Evanger's also makes all meat diets that are not nutritionally complete but can be used short-term for elimination diets (to determine if your dog has food allergies) or in combination with other foods. Several varieties are grain-free. Note the Vegetarian Dinner is NOT recommended (see Don't Bite on the Veggie Dog for more info on this topic). Available from Amazon.

Fromm Four Star Nutritionals ~ USDA inspected meats, high quality ingredients. Several varieties are limited-ingredient and grain-free, with unusual proteins, which can help dogs with food allergies. One variety, Chicken Thighs, includes bones cooked to softeness, a natural source of calcium and other nutrients.

Go! Natural from Petcurean ~ Human grade ingredients. Available from Amazon.

Merrick Several varieties are grain-free, including their new Before Grain line (which is not a complete diet; includes a tripe variety). Merrick is available from Amazon.

Natura makes several varieties of recommended foods. All foods have been tested by an independent laboratory and found to be free of melamine and cyanuric acid (see press release).  "We have also directed our buyers to source ingredients from domestic sources and, in the few cases where an ingredient is only available offshore, we have instituted an elevated level of control and testing." Innova, EVO and California Natural are available from Amazon.

California Natural a limited ingredient diet that can be helpful for dogs with food allergies

Innova

Evo grain-free, high in protein and fat (both of which are good for dogs) and low in carbs. Now offering beef, chicken/turkey, duck, rabbit and venison varieties.

Natural Balance ~ Human grade ingredients. Fish meal is ethoxyquin-free. Products are tested for melamine and cyanuric acid. Several canned diets are limited-ingredient, which can help dogs with food allergies. Also see the new Eatables line, and they now offer a frozen Raw Food Diet and cooked Frozen Loaves in select locations. Dry and canned foods available from Amazon.

Nature's Variety Instinct and Prairie and Homestyle ~ Instinct is higher-protein, lower-carb and grain-free. The Venison variety should not be fed to large-breed puppies due to high calcium levels (the other varieties have much less calcium and should be OK). Available from Amazon.

Newman's Own Organics Available from Amazon.

Party Animal "Organic" Gourmet Dog Food Uses organic (hormone- and antibiotic-free) meats and other high-quality ingredients. Several varieties are grain-free. Limited availability, can be found at Whole Foods (see their store locator for other sources).

Performatrin Ultra ~ Human grade, hormone and antibiotic free ingredients

Pet Promise ~ hormone- and antibiotic-free ingredients from animals raised humanely on family farms.

Solid Gold ~ Solid Gold offers a Green Tripe canned dog food with very limited ingredients, which can help dogs with food allergies. Available from Amazon.

Spot's Stew from Halo Purely for Pets. Web site used to say they used human-grade ingredients, but this has been replaced with "highest quality ingredients," and there is no mention of whether their meats are homone- and antibiotic-free. Note these foods are higher in moisture (broth) than most canned foods, meaning you'll probably have to feed more than you would of other foods.

Timberwolf Organics Offers four new canned foods, all high-protein and low-carbohydrate. Available from Amazon.

Wellness from Old Mother Hubbard ~ Human grade ingredients. Products are tested for melamine and cyanuric acid. "Wellness® only uses ethoxyquin-free protein sources." Old Mother Hubbard also makes Neura Meats that are 95% meat, low carb. Wellness and Neura are available from Amazon.

Wysong ~ Wysong also makes All Meat Diets that are meant to be combined with their Call of the Wild supplement. They include some exotic proteins (duck, rabbit, venison) that can be used in an elimination diet to test for food allergies. Available from Amazon.

ZiwiPeak ~ New Zealand food made from human-grade, free-range, antibiotic- and hormone-free meats. Products are 85% meat-based and grain-free. Limited ingredients, may be good for dogs with food allergies. Widely available online; "Where to Buy" link indicates it is available at limited locations in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Available from Amazon.

"All Meat" Diets

All meat diets can also be used to supplement dry or canned dog food (as can fresh meat, cooked or raw). If you do this, I would stick to the more common meats rather than feeding exotic proteins, which should be reserved in case they are needed in the future for food allergies. See the section on Adding Fresh Foods below for more info.

There are two supplements that can be used with all meat diets to provide complete nutrition:

• Wysong's Call of the Wild supplement is designed to balance out all meat diets (home made diets that do not include bone).
• See Spot Live Longer is offering a new product called Homemade Dinner Mixes, designed to balance out a meat-based diet. This product is from the developer of Steve's Real Food for Dogs, a complete raw diet.

Canine Caviar makes a canned Beaver diet that is nothing but processed beaver meat (from animals harvested to control their population). This company also makes canned Duck, Turkey and Venison Tripe all meat varieties with nothing else added. Beaver variety is available by the case at Whole Pet Foods. Canine Caviar also offers frozen all meat beaver and turkey varieties.

By Nature, from Blue Seal, offers canned organic all meat chicken and turkey varieties. They also offer these same meats combined with limited vegetables and supplements. The all meat diets are definitely not complete, and there is no mention of meeting AAFCO guidelines even on the varieties that have added veggies and supplements, though they may. These foods contain only 20 kcals per ounce, which is lower than most canned foods, so you'd have to feed more of them. Available from Amazon.

Tripett offers canned beef and lamb tripe with very little added (just garlic and vegetable gum, plus fish oil and glucosamine/chondroitin in the lamb variety). Warning: tripe smells awful, but dogs love it. Available at SitStay.com and from Amazon.

PetKind Venison, Duck and Salmon has fish oil added, but is still not a complete diet. Due to having three different proteins plus fish oil, it would not be a good choice to use to test for food allergies. There is no mention of using human-grade ingredients.

Wellness makes 95% meat formulas designed to be added to kibble (they are not complete diets). They add natural flavors, cassia gum, and carrageenan, which should be avoided if you're trying to feed a true elimination diet to test for food allergies, but are otherwise OK. Varieties include chicken, beef, venison, salmon and turkey.

Abady (Natural Electives) also makes all meat canned foods, but they do not use human grade ingredients.

Refrigerated or Frozen Cooked Foods

Country Pet Pet Food is a frozen, cooked diet made from hearts, lungs, livers, kidney, meat and bone from range-raised lamb, beef, chicken and poultry, free of antibiotics and hormones. Also uses eggs, and one variety has a small amount of veggies. No grains. Made in New Zealand and available at some retailers such as Whole Foods. Note that Country Pet is made by Canz, who also make Butch and Real Meat labels. These foods appear similar and it's not clear what the differences are between the three lines. There is no AAFCO nutrition statement, probably because these foods are made in New Zealand. Their shopping site states that both Country Pet and Real Meat are "complete diets" and the Butch site says "All Butch products are made from fresh ingredients including beef, lamb, chicken, fish, eggs and cereals, which are scientifically blended with a range of vitamins and minerals for a perfectly balanced, complete diet for your dog or cat."

Freshpet makes two fresh (not frozen) refrigerated products: Homestyle Select and Deli Fresh. Both are pasteurized and "gently cooked with minimal heat." Homestyle Select is made of 70% meat and 30% vegetables and grains, while details are not given for Deli Fresh, so it likely contains less meat. No mention of human-grade ingredients. Homestyle Select is available at some Costco stores, and elsewhere. Deli Fresh is available at Petco, PetSmart and other stores.

Culinary Crossing offers several human-grade diets for adult dogs. These diets are lightly cooked and come refrigerated or frozen. Available from PetFoodDirect.com but is very expensive due to shipping cost.

Dry Foods (Kibble and Dehydrated)

ACANA from Champion Pet Foods (also see Orijen below) ~ Premium Canadian pet food, uses human-grade, antibiotic- and hormone-free ingredients. Offers higher-protein senior and light diets, and a large-breed puppy food with appropriate amounts of calcium and protein. All ACANA diets are high in protein, which is good, and ACANA also offers two high-protein, low-carb diets called Sport and Extreme, and a salmon and potato variety that may be beneficial for dogs with allergies, though it also includes other ingredients. Available throughout Canada, with one US distributor in Florida (note the distributor in Florida will ship). Available in some European countries as well.

Addiction ~ High quality ingredients. Addiction uses novel proteins (kangaroo, brushtail, venison), and limited ingredients suitable for feeding to dogs with severe food allergies. Offers raw dehydrated foods as well as regular dry foods. I would not recommend feeding this food to normal, healthy dogs, as it's better to reserve novel proteins for future use in case your dog ever develops food allergies. Note the vegetarian diet is not recommended (see Don't Bite on the Veggie Dog for more info on this topic).

Artemis ~ Human grade, antibiotic- and hormone-free meats. Weight management variety not recommended for that purpose (see above for more info), but might be good for a dog prone to pancreatitis or fat intolerance. Now offering a high-protein, low-carb, grain-free variety called Maximal Dog. Available from Amazon. Also available in Europe and Asia.

Back to Basics ~ Human grade, hormone and antibiotic free ingredients. Available from Amazon.

Blue Buffalo ~ Human grade, hormone and antibiotic free ingredients. Available from Amazon.

By Nature, from Blue Seal, offers an organic chicken formula that looks very good. Their regular formulas are OK, but make no mention of using human grade ingredients. They have a pork and sweet potato variety that might be helpful for dogs with food allergies, though it also contains other ingredients.

Canidae ~ Human grade, hormone and antibiotic free ingredients. Herring meal is ethoxyquin-free. All ingredients are tested for melamine and cyanuric acid. Available from Amazon.

Canine Caviar ~ Human-grade, hormone- and antibiotic-free ingredients. Offers a high-protein, grain-free Venison & Split Pea variety that may be helpful for dogs with food allergies, though it contains a number of other ingredients. Available from Amazon.

Castor & Pollux Organix ~ Over 70% certified organic ingredients. Products are tested for melamine and cyanuric acid. Available from Amazon.

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul ~ High quality ingredients. Offers higher-protein senior diet. Available from Amazon.

Doctors Foster & Smith

Dog Lover's Gold ~ Human grade, hormone and antibiotic free, free range ingredients. Also available in Europe.

Eagle Pack Holistic Select ~ Human grade, hormone- and antibiotic-free ingredients. Fish meal is ethoxyquin-free. "Eagle Pack Super Premium formulas are nutritionally balanced so pet owners can mix up to 25% raw food with the Eagle Pack formulas." Offers higher-protein senior diet. Dry foods are manufactured in their own plant. Products are tested for melamine. Eagle Pack is EU (European Union) certified, which requires disclosure of the country of origin of their ingredients. They have eliminated Chinese-sourced ingredients except where it is not possible to do so (see above for more info). Available from Amazon.

Evanger's for Dogs ~ Human grade ingredients. Available from Amazon.

Flint River Ranch (multiple distributors) ~ Human grade, hormone-free ingredients. "All Flint River Ranch pet foods and pet treats are Guaranteed Free of BHA, BHT, and Ethoxyquin."

Fromm Four Star Nutritionals and Gold Nutritionals ~ USDA inspected meats, high quality ingredients (note the Classic line is much lower quality and not recommended). Surf & Turf variety is higher-protein and grain-free. Dry food available from Amazon.

Go! Natural from Petcurean ~ Human grade ingredients. Now offering higher-protein, low-carb, grain-free varieties called Go! Now. Also offers a limited-ingredient Salmon & Oatmeal diet for dogs with food allergies. Available from Amazon.

• Merrick Pet Foods ~ Human grade ingredients. Now offering a new Before Grain grain-free line of foods (the dry foods are complete diets; the canned are meat only). Merrick is available from Amazon.
• Natura makes several varieties of recommended foods. They use human grade, hormone and antibiotic free ingredients. Dry foods are manufactured in their own plant. All foods have been tested by an independent laboratory and found to be free of melamine and cyanuric acid (see press release). "We have also directed our buyers to source ingredients from domestic sources and, in the few cases where an ingredient is only available offshore, we have instituted an elevated level of control and testing."

Innova offers adult, puppy and large-breed puppy and senior varieties. Both their Senior Plus and their Large Breed Senior diets are higher in protein. Available from Amazon.

Evo is a high-protein, low-carb, grain-free diet. The ingredients look very good, but I have heard reports of some dogs having problems on this diet, especially when used long term (problems include excessive water drinking in a number of dogs, probably due to the high protein content, and dry coat in a few, possibly due to the high calcium in the regular variety). I think it is better used as part of the diet, or as part of a rotation of foods, rather than fed all the time. Regular and Reduced Fat EVO varieties should not be fed to large-breed puppies under 6 months old due to the high calcium content. The Red Meat variety is lower in calcium and so it is safer, though the amount of calcium is still higher than is recommended for large-breed puppies. Mixing EVO half and half with a variety of animal protein sources (boneless meat, eggs, dairy, etc.) will reduce the overall calcium percentage in the diet to a more acceptable level. Available from Amazon.

California Natural Often recommended for dogs with allergies, has the fewest ingredients. Available from Amazon.

HealthWise Available from Amazon.

Karma Organic Ingredients are good, but this food is lower in protein and higher in carbs than I like to see. Adding some fresh, high-protein foods such as eggs and meat would improve the overall diet. Available at Amazon.

• Natural Balance Ultra Premium ~ Human grade ingredients. Fish meal is ethoxyquin-free. Products are tested for melamine and cyanuric acid. Three limited-ingredient, grain-free varieties available, which may be good for dogs with food allergies: Potato & Duck, Sweet Potato & Fish, and Sweet Potato & Venison. Also now offering a frozen raw formula in select locations. Note that their Dog Food Rolls make great treats, but are not recommended as a major part of the diet due to the high amounts of sugar (sucrose). As always, the Vegetarian Formula is NOT recommended (see Don't Bite on the Veggie Dog for more info on this topic). Dry and canned foods available from Amazon.
• Natural Planet Organics ~ Many organic ingredients. Available from Amazon.
• Nature's Variety Prairie and Instinct ~ Human grade ingredients. Instinct is higher-protein, low-carb and grain-free (it uses tapioca). The Chicken variety of Instinct should not be fed to large-breed puppies due to high calcium levels (the Rabbit variety has much less calcium and should be OK for large-breed puppies, and the Duck & Turkey variety is in the middle). Available from Amazon.
• Newman's Own Organics ~ Human grade, hormone and antibiotic free ingredients. Available from Amazon.
• ORIJEN from Champion Pet Foods (also see ACANA above) ~ Premium Canadian pet food, uses human-grade, antibiotic- and hormone-free ingredients. Fish meal is ethoxyquin-free. All foods are high-protein, low-carb and grain-free, including their senior and puppy diets. Puppy diets have the proper amount of calcium (not too much, as is found in some high-protein foods). Also offers a 6 Fresh Fish variety that may be beneficial for dogs with allergies, though it includes a number of ingredients. Available throughout Canada, and distributors in the US are being added now. ORIJEN is also now available from Waggintails.com and from Amazon.
• Performatrin Ultra ~ Human grade, hormone- and antibiotic-free ingredients
• Pet Promise ~ hormone- and antibiotic-free ingredients from animals raised humanely on family farms. Their "Healthy Weight & Aging" formula is lower-fat but still higher-protein. I'm not thrilled with their use of corn gluten meal and soy flour, both of which are sources of incomplete, poor-quality protein, but feel their commitment to humanely-raised animals and high-quality meat products still makes this a superior food. Available from Amazon.
• Solid Gold ~ Offering a high-protein, low-carb, grain-free variety called Barking at the Moon for adult dogs (not recommended for large-breed puppies under the age of six months due to high calcium content). Available from Amazon.
• Spot's Stew from Halo Purely for Pets ~ New dry-food options from a company that used to only offer canned. Web site used to say they used human-grade ingredients, but this has been removed, and there is no mention of whether their meats are homone- and antibiotic-free.
• Taste of the Wild ~ several higher-protein, lower-carb, grain-free formulas. No mention of human-grade ingredients, and this food is made by Diamond, so it's unlikely. Exotic proteins are used, but not exclusively, so most of these foods wouldn't be a good choice for a dog with food allergies (for example, the High Prairie Canine Formula contains both bison and venison, along with lamb, chicken eggs, fish and other ingredients), but might help a dog who has problems with grains. Remember too that it's a good idea to reserve at least some exotic proteins for future use in case needed for an elimination diet or to treat severe food allergies. This food appears to be better quality than anything else made by Diamond, but is not in the same league with other grain-free formulas listed here. Available from Amazon.
• Timberwolf Organics Offers two grain-free varieties: Ocean Blue and Wild & Natural (the latter is also high-protein and low-carb). Note that ingredients for some products have changed recently (as of 12/07), so if your dog begins experiencing problems after doing fine in the past, it may relate to the change in formulas. See the Dog Food Project for more info (ingredient comparison here). Available from Amazon.
• TLC Whole Life Dog Food Ingredients are not human-grade or antibiotic-free, but uses whole grains and natural preservatives, including ethoxyquin-free salmon. Also offers free shipping.
• Wellness from Old Mother Hubbard ~ Human grade ingredients. "Wellness® only uses ethoxyquin-free protein sources." Also offers Simple Solutions using exotic protein sources (duck and venison) for dogs with food allergies. NEW: now offering high-protein, low-carb, grain-free product line called CORE for adult dogs, including a reduced-fat version (good for dogs who need to lose weight, or who have problems tolerating too much fat), and a fish-based variety called Ocean. All products are tested for melamine and cyanuric acid. Wellness and CORE are available from Amazon.
• Wenaewe ~ Organic, also available in Europe and South America
• Wysong ~ Human grade ingredients. Available from Amazon. In addition to their regular foods, Wysong has introduced a line of freeze-dried prescription diets for a variety of conditions. These foods can only be ordered through veterinarians.

Dehydrated Foods

N-R-G ~ Dehydrated Canadian pet food, uses free range human grade meats. Limited availability but can be found here.

ZiwiPeak ~ New Zealand dehydrated food made from human-grade, free-range, antibiotic- and hormone-free meats. Products are 85% meat-based and are grain-free with little or no carbs. Limited ingredients, may be good for dogs with food allergies. Also good for use as training treats. Widely available online; "Where to Buy" link indicates it is available at limited locations in the US, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Also offers a canned version. Available from Amazon.

SEE ALSO: Dog Food Mixes below for dehydrated foods designed to be mixed with fresh foods. Some of the Frozen Raw Food Products (widely available and local) also offer freeze-dried versions.

Soaking Kibble It is best to soak any kibble in warm water or broth (watch out for too much sodium), to help with digestion. Soaking dry food in heated water for 10-15 minutes starts breaking down the binders in the kibble, releasing some of its tasty fat and flavoring and cutting down the time it takes the stomach to break it down for its trip through the small intestine. Note that once dry food has been soaked in water, it cannot be left out or it will go bad, so this can only be done with food the dog eats right away. Also, the Purdue Bloat Study showed a link between soaking kibble that contains citric acid and bloat, something to be aware of if your dog is deep chested or from a breed prone to bloat. Contrary to popular belief, hard kibble does NOT keep teeth clean. See the following articles for more info:

• Periodontal Disease & Dental Home Care
• Canine Dental Care
• Oral Disease in Dogs and Cats
• Wysong Dentatreat

SUPPLEMENTS

1. Fish Oil or Salmon Oil: An important source of Omega-3 essential fatty acids. Omega-3 EFAs are beneficial to the immune system, the nervous system, the heart, and help stop inflammation, such as in arthritis and allergies. They also support brain development of puppies and fetuses. This is probably the most important supplement to give, no matter what you feed, as Omega-3 EFAs are hard to find even in a natural diet, and are highly perishable when exposed to heat, light or air, so they do not survive in commercial foods even if added. Omega-3 EFAs are found in fish body oil, not liver oil. They are also found in flax seed oil, although that form is not as well utilized and some dogs can be allergic to flax. Recommended amount is 1000 mg fish oil (containing 300 mg combined EPA/DHA) per 30 pounds (14 kg) of body weight. Maximum dosage for dogs with health problems would be 1000 mg fish oil (300 mg EPA/DHA) per 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of body weight. You can also use sardines in place of fish oil supplements; one small sardine supplies over 100 mg EPA/DHA. Vitamin E should also be given whenever oils are supplemented (even small amounts are adequate, but highest recommended dosage would be 100 IU per day for small dogs, 200 IU for medium-sized dogs, and 400 IU for large dogs). Note that fish oil is not the same as cod liver oil, which is high in vitamins A and D. Never add cod liver oil to a commercial diet, as they are already high in vitamin D, and too much is harmful.
2. Probiotics: Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that live in the intestines and help control yeast and harmful bacteria, as well as helping with digestion and intestinal health. These friendly bacteria are destroyed whenever antibiotics are given, and can also be flushed out of the system if your dog has diarrhea. It is recommended to use probiotics for six months following any antibiotic usage. Dogs that are under stress or that have digestive problems or problems with yeast (usually manifested as itchy skin, ear infections, and chewing at feet) may benefit from routine probiotic supplementation. A supplement that contains multiple bacterial strains is preferable to those that have only a single strain (usually acidophilus). There are two strains that have been found to be particularly beneficial for dogs: Lactobacillus sporogenes (see dosage recommendations for dogs here) and Enterococcus faecium (found in many supplements, including Jarrow Formulas Pet Dophilus and Berte's Ultra Probiotic Powder). Supplements that also contain prebiotics, which are foods that nourish the beneficial bacteria themselves, such as FOS (fructooligosaccharides), chicory (found in Ark Naturals Gentle Digest and others), inulin, and larch (arabinogalactin -- see dosage for dogs here) may be especially helpful to dogs with diarrhea. You can use products made for dogs, or human-grade probiotics that you would find in a health food store. Kefir, which is easy to make at home, is also a good source of beneficial bacteria. Plain yogurt can also be used, though most brands contain only acidophilus. Most probiotics must be kept refrigerated.
3. Vitamins: Although commercial foods include a minimal supply of added vitamins (the original ones are destroyed by processing), supplementing can be beneficial, especially vitamins E, C (with bioflavonoids), and B-complex. Unfortunately, most pet multi-vitamins, such as Pet Tabs, contain too little of anything to be very useful. For the most part, I don't recommend supplementing minerals, other than small amounts of selenium, except in whole food form, due to the potential for overdosing or not using proper combinations (for example, zinc can be dangerous if given in large quantities or not properly balanced with copper). Vitamin D should also not be added to a commercial diet. See below for some recommended brands.
4. Digestive Enzymes: Since enzymes are destroyed by cooking, commercial foods are enzyme dead. Adding digestive enzymes may be beneficial if your dog suffers from digestive disorders, liver problems, pancreatitis, or is otherwise unhealthy and may benefit from getting additional nutritional value from their food. Digestive enzymes should be given about 20-30 minutes before feeding to be effective. Animal-based enzymes, such as protease and lipase, help more with the breakdown of nutrients, while plant-based enzymes, such as bromelain and papain, seem to help more with gas and inflammation.

Here are some examples of supplements that may be beneficial, listed in alphabetical order by category. It is not necessary to use more than one of these at a time, but doing so should cause no problems. If you like more than one, you might want to alternate using them daily or weekly, particularly for those which contain herbs, such as Hokamix , as herbs may lose their effectiveness if given continuously, better to give off and on. Just as with diet, providing variety by rotating between different supplements is preferable to always using the same one.

Whole Food Formulas:

• Animal Essentials Herbal Multi-Vitamin 1.888.463.7748
• Dr. Harvey's Golden Years Geriatric Supplement, E-mune Boost Immune Support Supplement, and MultiVitamin, Mineral & Herbal Supplement 866-362-4123
• Endurance made by Wendy Volhard and marketed by Handcraft Collars, 800-837-2033
• Essentials 4 Life 519-372-1818 (Canada)
• Genesis Resources Canine Antioxidant Formula 720-406-7475 ~ available at Only Natural Pet Store
• Hokamix 800-825-1669 ~ Hokamix is an herbal supplement that provides "vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants, trace elements, essential fatty acids, chlorophyll, fiber, proteins,  carbohydrates and other nutrients that occur naturally in the herbs."
• Invigor from The Honest Kitchen 1-866 4-DRY RAW (1-866 437-9729) ~ Invigor is a whole food antioxidant blend. Also see their other whole food supplements, Sparkle (Skin & Coat Support) and Perfect Form (digestive support) on same web page.
• Missing Link (available at some pet supply stores and also at KV Vet) 800-774-7387
• Nupro 800-360-3300 ~ I have stated in the past that Nupro had too much vitamin D, but the company provided me with a more recent nutritional analysis showing this is no longer true. This supplement provides an appropriate amount of vitamins A, C, D and many of the B vitamins, along with an assortment of minerals. It is fine for adult dogs and puppies, whether added to commercial food or homemade. Write to me privately if you'd like a copy of the new analysis (my contact info is at bottom of page).
• NutraChew for Dogs 800-PETS-NOW
• Standard Process Canine Whole Body Support 800.807.8080 ~ Standard Process supplements are frequently recommended by holistic vets. Hard to find other than through vets.
• Wellness Super5 Canine Supplement from Old Mother Hubbard 800-225-0904
• Wellness from PHD 1-800-863-3403 ~ Wellness is a "Multiple Vitamin, Mineral / Herbal Blend" containing both whole foods and synthetic ingredients. Also see their Unleash probiotic and enzyme supplement.
• Wholistic Canine Complete from The Wholistic Pet 1-888-ILASAND (452-7263) ~ note this product contains rosemary, which should be avoided for pets prone to seizures (it's fine for normal dogs). They also offer a Joint Mobility version that adds glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM in appropriate amounts.
• Wysong AddLife (replaces C-Biotic) 800-748-0188, 1-517-631-0009 ~ Also see Wysong's Call of the Wild supplement, which is designed to balance out all meat diets (home made diets that do not include bone), and their Wild Things veggie and fruit formula.

• All Systems Go! Total Health Aid from Aunt Jeni's 301-702-0123 ~ All Systems Go! is a whole food green blend with herbs.
• Animal Essentials Organic Green Alternative Herbal Blend 1.888.463.7748
• Ark Naturals Nu-Pet Granular Greens 800-926-5100
• Berte's Green Blend 866-368-2728 ~ Berte's is a sea blend, good for trace minerals. It can be combined with Berte's Daily Blend Plus (below, formerly called Immune Blend). Don't combine it with Berte's Daily Blend, which already contains kelp and alfalfa.
• EarthGreens and EarthOrigins from Urban Carnivore in Canada, 1-888-665-0856
• Monica Segal Fortified Blend
• Preference from The Honest Kitchen, 866 4379 RAW. This is not a supplement but a dog food mix designed to be combined with fresh foods. It contains alfalfa, sweet potatoes, cabbage, celery, apples, spinach, organic kelp, coconut, bananas, zucchini, and honey.
• Solid Gold Seameal Powder 800-364-4863

• Alive! from Nature's Way 800-962-8873 ~ This is a human supplement that includes whole foods as well as synthetics. It seems to offer a good blend, including green foods, veggies, fruits and enzymes. Give full human dose (3 tablets) to large dogs, 2 tablets to medium-sized dogs, and 1 tablet to small dogs daily. Also sold through KV Vet.
• Azmira Mega Pet Daily 800-497-5665 ~ Mega Pet Daily is "a high potency, quality, nutritional supplement of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in a base of Alfalfa, Watercress, Parsley, Rice and Lecithin."
• Berte's Immune Blend 866-368-2728 ~ Immune Blend is a multi-vitamin supplement with selenium that is good for healthy dogs, and those that are ill. It contains small amounts of probiotics and digestive enzymes, along with l-glutamine, which is good for intestinal problems. I would give half the recommended dose. You can also use Berte's Daily Blend but I think it is better for dogs being fed a home made diet, as it contains vitamin D, and commercial dog foods are already high in vitamin D (again, I think it is fine to give half the recommended dosage).
• Canine Basic Nutrients and Canine Basic Geriatric Nutrients from Thorne Veterinary (303) 702-1986. Available from Wellvet 303-702-1986, and HolisticPetInfo 877-5-PetCare (877-573-8227) ~ Basic Nutrients are combinations of whole food and synthetic nutrients, designed to provide "optimal levels of most important nutrients for optimal body functions." Thorne Research vitamin supplements are hypoallergenic and contain no fillers, so may be a good choice for dogs with food allergies. The geriatric formula contains acetyl-l-carnitine plus alpha lipoic acid, which have been shown to aid memory and ability to learn in older dogs. See Nutritional Supplements Improve Memory in Old Dogs for more information.
• Canine Plus and Canine Plus Senior from Vetri-Science. Available from HolisticPetInfo 877-5-PetCare (877-573-8227), KV Vet, and VetAmerica. Also called Top Dog from Mountain Naturals, and Canine Discovery from US Animal Nutritionals. These products are made by the same manufacturer as Cell Revive below.
• Cell Revive 440/880 888-340-1995 (always check their Specials for current discounts) ~ Cell Revive is an antioxidant supplement that provides a variety of vitamins and minerals. It does not include a B-complex vitamin, which should be given separately. Note this supplement is identical to Cell Advance by Vetri-Science (also available at KV Vet) and Cell Discovery from US Animal Nutritionals. I use half the recommended amount.
• Dynamite Showdown (360)736-9150
• EarthGreens from Urban Carnivore in Canada 1-888-665-0856
• Grandma Lucy's Vitamin Balls 1-800-906-LUCY ~ Combination of human-grade whole foods and synthetic vitamins and minerals.
• Small Animal Antioxidant and Immugen from Thorne Veterinary (303) 702-1986. Available from Wellvet, 303-702-1986 and HolisticPetInfo (Small Animal Antioxidant and Immugen) 877-5-PetCare (877-573-8227).

For more information on supplements for all diets, see Vitamins and Supplements and http://www.critterchat.net/vet5.htm
Also check out The Canine Vitamin Advisor, lots of info on vitamins and herbs tailored to your specific dog.

See Shopping for Dog Supplements for some information on how to identify better brands. This article refers to NASC members, which you can see here (click on Member List). For the most part, of the names that I recognize, I agree that these are good companies, with a few noted exceptions: I do not recommend Hartz Mountain products, some of which have been investigated and recalled by the FDA, and Consumer Labs recently found that Nutri-Vet joint supplements had far less glucosamine and chondroitin than specified on the label. I also have some reservations about Sergeant's Pet Care Products.

See the section on Dog Food Mixes below for supplements that can be added to incomplete homemade diets to help balance them and make them complete.

Click here for my web page on diet and supplements for specific medical conditions. Here are additional supplements I've seen recommended for specific needs:

• Cholodin for canine cognitive dysfunction and helping to keep older dogs mentally alert. It contains choline and phosphatidylcholine, along with a few additional nutrients. See Alzheimer's in Dogs and Cats for more information. Also see Cognitive Disorder, Alzheimer’s Disease for more information on this topic from the same author.

ADDING FRESH FOODS TO A COMMERCIAL DIET

It is generally better to add animal protein sources rather than plant foods (grains, legumes and vegetables), since commercial diets are usually high in carbs and dogs have no nutritional need for them, while protein provides a number of benefits (see High-Protein Diets above for more information). Animal source proteins, including eggs, meat, organs and dairy are the best foods to add. If you are feeding a large percentage of homemade food, then it's OK to add some carbs, such as pasta, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, etc., but animal products should always be at least half what you add.

Most dogs do fine when fresh foods, whether raw or cooked, are added to commercial diets, but a few may have problems. If your dog develops diarrhea or any other digestive problems when you add fresh foods, try feeding the two types of food separately. You can also experiment with different foods and different ways of preparing them -- some dogs may do better with raw food, for example, while others do best when the food is cooked.

Here are foods you can add to a commercial diet:

• Eggs: raw or cooked, such as lightly scrambled, soft- or hard-boiled. Whole raw eggs are fine, as the yolks contain plenty of biotin to make up for what the raw egg whites destroy. One of the healthiest and easiest to add foods.
• Muscle Meat (including Heart): any kind of meat, either ground or chunks (small enough to avoid choking). Feed raw or lightly cooked (never feed cooked bones). Add 1/2 tsp. ground eggshell (you can grind them in a clean coffee grinder or blender), or around 1,000 mg calcium from any other source, per pound of meat to give the proper calcium/phosphorus ratio. Adding calcium  is not necessary if the added meat is only a small portion of the diet, or if you are adding raw meat with bone that is consumed.
• Liver and other Organ Meat: feed small amounts of liver at a time, as it is rich and can lead to diarrhea, but it is very dense nutritionally and good to feed. Kidney is similar, but not quite as rich. Most other organ meats, like hearts and gizzards, are nutritionally more like muscle meats and can be fed in greater quantity, though a few dogs will react to these as well if too much is fed at one time.
• Canned fish with bones: Sardines (preferably packed in water rather than oil), Jack Mackerel and Pink Salmon: Full of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and provides trace minerals. Bones are cooked to softness and are safe to feed (no need to add calcium to this food, since the bones supply it). Never feed raw salmon or trout from the Pacific Northwest (California to Alaska), as it may contain a parasite that can be fatal to dogs. I don't recommend feeding much tuna, as it is more likely to be contaminated with mercury, and does not include bones, which are nutritious. Sardines can be used to replace fish oil supplements; one small sardine has over 100 mg of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.
• Yogurt: plain, preferably organic. Whole milk (rather than low- or non-fat) is fine unless your dog needs a low-fat diet. Kefir is another cultured milk option. Dogs who have problems with cow's milk products may do better with those made from goat's milk.
• Cottage Cheese or Ricotta Cheese: low-fat or whole milk.
• Garlic: may help repel fleas (although this is anecdotal) and has other health benefits as well. Garlic can be toxic in  large quantities. Give no more than 1/2 to 1 small raw crushed clove (one small part of a bulb) per 20 pounds of body weight daily.
• Canned Pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix): great for digestion, helps both diarrhea and constipation. Use in small amounts, as too much can also cause diarrhea.
• Veggies: preferably pureed raw or can be steamed (whole raw veggies, such as broccoli or carrot sticks, are not harmful but can't be digested by dogs so they don't get any nutritional value from them). Good veggies include carrots, celery, all kinds of greens (kale, collard greens, mustard greens, bok choy, dandelion greens, cabbage, spinach, chard, parsley, cilantro, etc.), lettuce (anything but iceberg, which is not very nutritious), broccoli, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, asparagus, turnips, parsnips, etc. Do NOT feed onions. Warning: If your animal is having any symptoms of arthritis, inflammation, respiratory problems or any other conditions that involve swelling or mucous, stay away from the nightshade family (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant).
• Pasta, Grains and Starchy Vegetables: some dogs with allergies, digestive problems, seizures or arthritis do better if grains are removed from the diet (this may also apply to starchy veggies). Dogs who need to lose weight will do better with added high-protein foods rather than carbohydrates (see Senior and Overweight Dogs above for more info). Commercial foods are high in carbohydrates, so it's best not to add more unless you are feeding a high percentage of homemade food -- if so, it's OK to add some carbs, but animal products should always make up the majority of what you add. Grains and starchy veggies, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes and winter squashes, need to be cooked in order to be digestible. Grains include white rice, brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, barley and more.
• Fruit: banana, papaya, apple, pear, blueberries, avocado, etc. Note that avocado pits and skin are toxic to dogs. The fruit from Guatemalan avocados is also somewhat toxic, while the fruit from Mexican varieties is not. The popular Hass variety is a hybrid with some Guatemalan heritage, I'm unsure what it's level of toxicity is. See my post for further info.
• Green Tripe: not the bleached kind you get from the supermarket (which is not harmful but has very little nutritional value). Green tripe smells awful, but dogs adore it and it's quite healthy for them. See my list of known green tripe suppliers and the section on Frozen Raw Foods to locate a supplier near you.

Recreational bones can help keep the teeth clean, avoid gum disease, and provide a great deal of chewing pleasure and exercise. I like to give large beef ribs, and take them away once all the meat has been removed, but these bones may be consumed by larger dogs and more aggressive chewers. Knuckle bones are good recreational bones, especially for large dogs. Marrow bones are OK but can be a problem if the dog can get them between their molars and crunch down, as they are very hard and can cause broken teeth. The marrow is also very rich and may cause diarrhea (you can scoop some of it out with a spoon before feeding to help). Bones get harder as they dry out, so to avoid problems with broken teeth, it's better to take the bones away after a reasonable amount of time (anything from a few hours to a day or two). Bones should always be fed raw, as cooked bones become hard and brittle, which can be dangerous if consumed.

Foods to Avoid or Restrict
While most foods safe for people are also safe for dogs, there are a few notable exceptions. Here are some foods you should not feed your dog:

• Onions: can cause a form of anemia. Reaction is dose-dependent and will build up over time. Small amounts are not harmful, but there’s no reason to feed them.
• Grapes and raisins: cause kidney failure in a few dogs for unknown reasons.
• Macadamia nuts: toxic to dogs, even in very small amounts.
• Raw salmon, trout and related andromadous fish from the Pacific Northwest (California to Alaska): can carry a parasite that causes Salmon Poisoning in dogs. Cooking will destroy the parasite. Note that canned salmon is cooked and therefore safe.
• Chocolate and caffeine: toxic to dogs.
• Xylitol, a natural sweetener, is toxic to dogs.

• Garlic: beneficial in doses up to 1 small clove per 20 lbs of body weight, but can cause anemia if given in larger quantities.
• Avocado: fruits of Guatemalan species are mildly toxic to dogs, causing digestive upset, while fruits of Mexican species are safe. Note that the popular Hass variety is a hybrid and toxicity level is unknown. Pits and rinds of all species can be toxic.
• Cruciferous vegetables are very healthy, but can suppress thyroid function if large amounts are fed raw. Feed in limited amounts, or cook first. The cruciferous family includes include arugula, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, bok choy, cabbage, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, turnips, turnip greens, watercress, rutabaga, daikon, kohlrabi.
• Spinach and swiss chard should also be fed in limited amounts due to their high oxalate content.  Cooking removes some of the oxalates, though in this case you should not feed the water, as that’s where the oxalates go.
• Potatoes (the regular kind, not sweet potatoes), tomatoes, peppers (all kinds) and eggplant may aggravate arthritis pain, but are otherwise fine to feed. Grains and starchy veggies may also aggravate arthritis and other forms of inflammation.

DOG FOOD MIXES

These foods appear to provide a complete diet when fresh foods are added per instructions:

• The Honest Kitchen (866) 437-9729 ~ The Honest Kitchen offers dehydrated foods that can be used as complete diets, but  are designed so that you can add your own fresh foods (Preference variety must have fresh foods added). Includes some grain-free versions (Force, Embark). Embark and Thrive are suitable for puppies and for pregnant and nursing mothers. Also available at SitStay.com and Amazon. Foods are made in a human food manufacturing facility, and are tested for melamine.
• West Coast Canine Life (250) 598-8370 ~ West Coast Canine Life offers several different varieties, including different mixes for those who feed raw meaty bones (where the bone is consumed), and for those who don't. They also have a mix especially for puppies, and a number of mixes for specific health problems, such as gluten-free.
• Grandma Lucy's True Grain-Free Dog Food 1-800-906-LUCY ~ Human-grade ingredients. Approved for all life stages. Available at SitStay.com.
• Sojo's European-Style Pet Food Mix 888-867-6567 ~ Note Sojo's also offers a grain-free mix called Europa
• Monzie's Organic Müesli 707-824-1031
• Urban Wolf (866) 530-0322 ~ Urban Wolf is a Grain-Free mix uses Sweet Potato and vegetables. Also offers a Dietary Balancer for Puppies.
• Know Better Dog Food 1.866.922.6463 ~ Know Better offers two varieties: My Master’s Choice, which includes dried liver, and Better in the Raw, to which you add liver, in addition to meat, oil and other healthy foods.
• Furoshnikov's Formulas 612-388-2315 ~ Offers two Furoshnikov's Formula products: one is a mix of organic brown rice and dehydrated carrots, the other is a vitamin-mineral mix meant to balance out a limited homemade diet.
• Solid Gold Holistique Blendz 800-364-4863 ~ Solid Gold says this food "was created to be used as the nutritionally balanced base, to which additional raw (or cooked) meat, vegetables, Buckaroo Beef or canned food can be added." See page 11 of the Solid Gold catalog for more info.
• Black Forest Canid Formula from Timberwolf Organics 407-877-8779
• Wendy Volhard's NDF (Natural Diet Foundation) marketed by Handcraft Collars, 800-837-2033 ~ Now available as a single mixture (NDF2) in addition to the original AM and PM separate mixtures. I have a report that one dog with EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) was put on NDF and is thriving -- no more yellow stools, food is being digested well. She also takes pancreatic enzymes. Also see the K9-EPIGlobal email list for more information on this condition.

• Noah's Kingdom 800-662-4711 ~ Noah's Kingdom is also carried at California Pacific ~ 888-766-9725
• Happy Dog Food 800-359-9576 Happy Dog Food is similar to Noah's Kingdom but much cheaper, includes separate vitamin and herbs powder
• Dr. Harvey's Canine Cuisine (866) 362-4123 ~ It is not clear how much calcium Dr. Harvey's product contains, and whether it would really provide a balanced diet. It would be fine to feed occasionally, but look for a product that gives you more information for long-term use. Also available at SitStay.
• Essex Cottage Farms 866-530-0322
• Spectrum Pet Care's "Just Add Base Mix" and "Mix & Fix" 866-354-2832

• See Spot Live Longer is offering a new product called Homemade Dinner Mixes, designed to balance out a meat-based diet. This product is from the developer of Steve's Real Food for Dogs, a complete raw diet.
• Wysong's Call of the Wild supplement is designed to balance out all meat diets (home made diets that do not include bone).
• Furoshnikov's Formulas offers a mixture called Vitamins & Minerals for Home-Cooked Dog Food, designed to balance out a limited, high-carbohydrate diet.
• Balance IT is a supplement designed to balance a very limited, high-carbohydrate diet (similar to the supplements added to commercial foods). I don't recommend their recipes, which are extremely high in carbohydrates with minimal amounts of protein, but you can enter "VIN" or "Wal-Mart" or "homemade" in the Promo Code to get a free recipe. If possible, choose one that says "high protein" (even the "high protein" diets are high in carbs, but not as bad as the others).

RAW FOOD PRODUCTS (Frozen and Freeze-Dried)

Widely available complete raw diets (meeting AAFCO guidelines):

• Dr. Billinghurst's BARF Diet

Available through distributors in the US and Canada, or can be ordered online, shipping charge is $25 minimum.
BARFWorld offers complete diets (BARF Diet), as well as mix and match minces (BARF Mates -- see below for how to use these as a basis for a homemade diet). Diets do not claim to meet AAFCO guidelines, but appear to be complete and state "Dr. Billinghurst's BARF DIET™ is nutritionally sound and nutritionally adequate. This means - in addition to containing those nutrients which 'must be present' in processed pet foods, the Dr. Billinghurst's BARF DIET™ diet also contains many other essential nutrients."
 
• Home Made 4 Life

American Manufacturer: Aunt Jeni's ~ 877-254-6123 or 301-702-0123 (Maryland)
Canadian Manufacturer: Pets 4 Life ~ 519-372-1818 (Ontario)
US Retailers in many states, also several Canadian distributors.
Home Made 4 Life is complete diet consisting of ground meat and bones, organ meat, vegetables, and a variety of other healthy ingredients. No grains. Lamb, Chicken, Beef, Rabbit, Turkey and Goat varieties available, as well as cat food. All ingredients are human grade. Jennifer Boniface (Aunt Jeni), MS, is an Animal Nutritionist and quite knowledgeable about canine diets. "Home Made 4 Life has been formulated and analyzed by qualified, degreed, experienced Animal Nutritionists not only to meet but to exceed CVMA, NRC, and AAFCO requirements." However, the beef and goat varieties are not appropriate for large-breed puppies due to high calcium content.
 
• Steve's Real Food for Dogs

Eugene, Oregon 1-888-526-1900 or (541) 683-9950
Retailers across the country in most states.
Steve's is a complete diet consisting of ground meat and bones, organ meat, vegetables, and a variety of supplements. Has a tiny amount of rice bran, but no other grains. Chicken, Turkey, Beef and new Turducken varieties available, as well as cat food. Now available in patties as well as nuggets, which are bulkier and more expensive to ship. Freeze-dried version is also available, but very expensive. "All formulas of Steve's Real Food for Pets are formulated using the AAFCO nutrient profiles to meet the nutritional requirements for all stages of your dogs life from weaned puppy through seniors."
 
• Stella & Chewy's

Wisconsin (888) 477-8977
Retailers around the country and available online from SitStay.com and Amazon.com (freeze-dried only)
Stella & Chewy's offers frozen and freeze-dried chicken and beef products for cats and dogs. "Steaks" are 96% human-grade, free-range meats and bones, and 4% organic fruits and vegetables. Hormone- and antibiotic-free. "All food meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages." Opened their own processing plant in May, 2007. Calcium percentages are not given, so unsure whether they're OK for large-breed puppies.
 
• Primal Pet Foods

San Francisco, California 415-566-4652
Available at retailers around the country, including Whole Foods. Also available online from Only Natural Pet Store.
Primal makes both complete diets (Formulas) and blends that are not complete (Grinds and Mixes, see below for more information on how to use these products as the basis for a homemade diet). Grinds are meat, bone and organs only; mixes add fruits and vegetables as well. Uses 100% human grade, hormone, antibiotic and steroid free meats, poultry and game, certified organic produce, certified organic minerals and unrefined vitamins. Formulas are available in chicken, duck, beef, lamb, pheasant and venison varieties. Grinds and mixes come in turkey, chicken, buffalo and sardine varieties. Only the venison formula has an appropriate amount of calcium for  large-breed puppies, the rest should not be fed due to high calcium content.
 
• Northwest Naturals

Portland, OR 1-800-782-6328
Retailers in many states.
Northwest Naturals offers complete raw diets that meet AAFCO guidelines. Mixes are about 78-80% meat and include ground meat and bone, organ meat, vegetables, and a variety of supplements, no grains. Chicken, Turkey and Beef varieties are available, plus one for cats. Available in the form of both nuggets and "dinner bars", for easy storage and feeding. Meat is human grade. Although AAFCO is not mentioned on their web site, in private communication they have assured me that "The products are balanced/complete and meet all AAFCO objectives." Calcium percentages are not given, so unsure whether they're OK for large-breed puppies.
 
• Paw Naturaw Organic Frozen Raw Diets 

Wisconsin (866) 729-4738
Retailers at several locations in the Milwaukee-Madison-Chicago triangle. There are distributors in several states and Canada. Also available through