Cecil, I would encourage you and any dog owner to seriously read up on raw-food diets for dogs. There were some clients of mine here in Lincoln that started up a company 15 years ago called sitstay. Although they no longer own the business, it's theme was "good for your dog supplies". I always knew if I purchased a toy, snack, chew bone or food from them that it was tried and tested and good for my dog.
I spent many hours with them learning about the advantages of raw foods and the poisons in store bought kibble. I could fill several pages of facts of store bought kibble but I'll leave the research up to you and other readers as there's tons of info on the web. There are also breed-specific books on raw food diets, to know the right foods for your breed.
Our Golden Retreiver (Sammy) is 3 1/2 now and has been on a combination of raw food, canned and supplemented with only the best kibble (many varieties and a little more expensive.)
As Darcie said, dried kibble has only been around for about 60 years. Prior to that our dogs ate table food, yet our table food back then was not processed but good natural foods we used to eat, and good for our dogs.
Store bought kibble, although extemely convenient to just scoop some into their bowls, cause week immune systems, allergies, hair loss, weight gain etc. She also said that on raw food, Sammy's poop will literally disentegrate in the yard because Sammy's digestive system has utilized all the nutrients. After about 3-4 days in the yard, the poop is nearly pure white and turns to dust with the tap of a shovel! So why does dog poop from a kibble-fed dog look the same and stink many days later? Lack of nutrients and nothing but fillers.
Sammy has not been to the vet in 3 1/2 years (for any health issues), his teeth are beautifully white, has a beautful coat and is a very happy dog!
Dogs have a very short digestive system and very acidic which is why they're able to eat the raw foods we cannot.
Cecil, having a larger dog, toss her a raw chicken wing or a turkey neck, steak, fish, etc. She will love you for it! Especially Yams, very nutritious and they LOVE them! When Sammy was little and I was told to feed him a chicken wing, bones and all, I watched him like a hawk fearful of choking. From then on, he ate chicken wings, thighs, turkey necks, meats, fish, fruits and veggies etc. Raw chicken bones are very soft and the marrow is good for them. NEVER give your dog a cooked bone!
By the way, if I were to put store bought kibble in Sammy's bowl today, he too would look at me like "you think I'm gonna eat that?" If I mixed some in with his regular food, it would be left in the bowl. I know because I've tried it. They KNOW!
At 3 1/2 and fairly active, Sammy is only getting around 3 - 3 1/2 cups of food per day. If you can feel their ribs, feed more. If you can't feel the ribs, feed less.
Sorry for the long post but I am truly sold on feeding our dogs what nature intended for them to eat. So please research a raw-food diet for your dogs, learn the right foods to feed them, exercise them, and one day you will know when they look you in the eye and say "thank you!"
