Feeding my new Sheltie

Question
Hello,
We have adopted a 3yr old female Sheltie who is just a pleasure to be around. We are currently feeding her Eukanuba Adult Light Small breed (premium dog food in Australia)and we occasionally give her Eukanuba Healthy Extras dog treats. She seems to tolerate this food well, and her appetite varies depending on her level of activity. Occasionally, we have tried adding something else to provide some variety to her diet, such as fresh  cooked meat, cooked rice or cheese but this seems to upset her digestive system and gives her the runs. What can we add to her feed (if anything) to prevent her from becoming bored with her food? She sometimes looks at me with those beautiful brown eyes pleading for something different! Also, I read on a different website that Processed Dog Foods contain preservatives and may be harmful and that a home cooked diet is best for Sheltie's. What are your thoughts about this? We want to maintain her good health and give the best diet possible. Many thanks.  

Answer
Hi Jenny,

Sorry for the delay, I haven't checked my email in a few days.

Here is a question that looks into my logic: do you eat the red m&m's?  Google search "red m&m" and read the history for perspective.

I really don't have a "big scary" problem with the chemicals in processed dog food.  You have seen with the massive recalls when a pet food is toxic and what happens-obviously I have grave concerns about what happened in that instance.  Remember that that is the exception not the rule.  These sites you are reviewing are talking about situations which have and sometimes do occur with drug-treated carcasses making it into the processed foods (I think there was a "Dateline NBC" report on it).  

Some of these sites are trying to sell something so please remember that.  Some of those same chemicals from time to time make it into your (mine, ours-human) processed foods in small quantities.  I really don't worry about those issues as much as I worry about my Shelties getting hit by a car.

I would tell you that a daily diet of a high quality dry food is fine.  I have had many dogs and many owners with beautiful Shelties that have lived long lives without organic natural foods.

IF you want to work hard for your dog and do that, it is completely ok with me.  Get with your vet to make sure you have all the supplements needed to balance that diet.  Also be extremely consistent.  Variation makes dogs sick.

Those eyes only want to serve you and love you.  They don't really care about variation in diet, just that they aren't hungry.

hope that helps!

Dave