diet

Question
I have a 5 pound toy poodle & would like your opinion on a home cooked diet.  What do they need?  Is a diet of eggs, hamburger, rice & veg. OK? He eats almost everthing. I have heard some disturbing things that go into pet food, that's why I am thinking of cooking for the little guy!
Thank you.
Teri

Answer
Hi Teri,

When my dogs have been sick, I've cooked for them, and rice, an egg (hard boiled and cut up), a little hamburger are all in the mix along with some bread that is broken up. I don't do that alot however, because I've found that for my dogs, Science Diet keeps them healthiest - it has less 'filler' than the cheaper brands and I've actually worked on the line to MAKE the stuff (yep, Hills Science Diet is made here in Topeka, Kansas - or was....unsure if it still is) and I know about the stringent rules the company follows to avoid contaminating the food...I hear Iams is also a good brand to use, but I've stuck with Science Diet for years and my dogs are very rarely ill, their eyes are bright and coats shiny.....and they have more energy than I EVER will again!

Truthfully, although cooking for your baby is a sweet thought, you might not get all the vitamins/minerals he needs......but maybe you will, so I can't say.

Another thing that is fantastic about Science Diet is that although it costs more, they eat less because it is denser with the things they need so they don't NEED as much, AND the excrement (okay, the poop) is MUCH easier to pick up/ clean up than that resulting from other foods. Once again, not all that filler.

You might want to talk to your vet about it - but for my money, I'd use a premium dog food.

Your new baby boy is a lucky guy - he obviously has a nurturing 'mom'.

Good luck in whatever you decide!

Kathryn