healthy diet for canines

Question
I just recently lost two of my beautiful dogs to the exact same cancer within 2 months of each other.  I have others.  I need a good diet for them.  Raw versus dry etc... Whats your opinion.  I would like to extend their lives though diet,a healty one.  Or maybe I should investigate the shots they receive.

Answer
Pamela-

I would investigate the vaccines, as I suggest to everyone. I am of the opinion that we over vaccinate in this country, and recommend instead of yearly vaccine boosters for distemper/parvo and bordetella, to take your dog in every 2-3 years to have titer levels checked.

My 8 year old has never had to have a vaccine for distemper/parvo since he was 1 year old, as his titers have checked consistent with a recently vaccinated dog every 2 years when I test him. He is vaccinated for rabies every 3 years, and is kept year round on HW and flea control.

I do agree with Raw feeding, and have had great results with it. I like the early Ian Billinghursts methods (BARF) but have been dubious of his more recent books claiming much more vegetables and fruit, as well as dairy, supplements and lots of ground food. Dogs are carnivores, and grains, large amounts of fruit, veggies and ground up meat and bones just doesn't make sense. Full carcasses, heavy raw meaty bones.. makes much more sense. Look up the RMB method for raw feeding if you are interested. I really feel this is the healthiest method of raw feeding.

As for dry, there are some good foods on the market, you just need to know where to look. Grain free, all natural foods with heavy meat content are by far the best. Innova EVO, Wellness CORE, Orijin, Taste of The Wild, Blue Wilderness, etc. Try visiting www.dogfoodanalysis.com and see what you think. Look at all the 6 star foods.

Its really amazing what a proper diet can do. Better weight, coat, teeth, eyes, joints, energy, immune system, skin, etc. I've seen dogs that could barely walk they had such bad joints and were overweight with bad skin and breath all of a sudden turn completely around in a years time after having their diet corrected. One dog with bilateral hip dysplasia that couldn't climb onto a couch could leap with all four feet off the ground.

I applaud your efforts, and I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Good luck with your research!