Sorry, I don't know anything specifically about Schnauzers. Surely they must need some fat? My understanding was that all dogs (regardless of breed) need some. But I could be wrong about that. As you know, I have no veterinary training at all – just an interest in dog health as an interested dog owner like yourself.

If I find anything specific about Schnauzers in this regard, I'll let you know.

Regards,
Brigitte

Thanks! Actually, people pronounce my name in a variety of ways. Your version is one that I do really like. My in-laws all used to pronounce it that way.

Regards,
Brigitte

Thanks for your post. Was good to read that you understand what a natural diet is for our dogs. They do get a bit of a 'raw' deal (sorry, couldn't help myself!) with all the advertising the pet food companies do to make it sound as if they should basically be eating what we do. And with all that money behind them, of course they are going to make 'disciples' of many of us. So it's good to hear others talk about a truly good diet for our dogs.

Take care now…

Me

Great post! Thanks.

This is a philosophy that I personally follow and believe in. There is so much contrary information out there, though – all those 'myths' that are dispelled on that site. And there are so many pet owners who balk at feeding raw.

Yes, I do give some foods other than raw meat and bones, but more for good measure, variety, convenience, and so I can have a bet each way, so to speak. 90% of my dogs' diet is raw meat and bones. One thing I have found is that as the dogs get older, they are less able to chew through large chunks of bone. My dogs even seem to have a bit of difficulty these days with chicken legs (which, let's face it, aren't that big), whereas they used to have no problem at all with much larger bones when they were younger. So I give them a lot of chicken wings now, and thighs.

The vast majority of pet owners still prefer to feed convenience foods, unfortunately. That's why I make recommendations in relation to some of the healthier ones. But my own preference has always been for primarily a raw meat and bones diet.

Regards,
Brigitte

Dogs are carnivores, as biological evidence shows, not omnivores (check http://www.rawfed.com/myths/omnivores.html for detailed scientific information about our carnivore friends). Unfortunately we human dog lovers practise many anthropomorphic tendencies (suggesting human characteristics for animals or inanimate things) which is quite understandable, but quite detrimental to our beloved pets.

We humans need a balanced diet that is varied and vast, so we decide our dogs need the same, which is untrue. Our dogs need 'their' balanced diet which is basically the 'whole carcass'.

After years of skin problems with my dog, I finally found the solution….(in opposition to my vets advice whose understanding of dog nutrition is swayed by the dog food companies…nothing bias there I'm sure…lol) I feed her HER natural diet. The diet her own body was designed to take. She gets beef and any other red meat I happen to have, chicken (preferably whole raw carcasses….shock horror…there's another myth, the danger of bones! Only cooked bones are a problem.), organ meat, and brisket bone that she can totally consume every other day. She now has not one iddy biddy sign of inflammation or sores on her body.

No fruit, vegetables or cereals for her. Oh, some dogs can live on it, but it doesn't mean it is best for their health. I can live on takeaways too, but it's not best for me.

I hope you are able to visit that site at some time or another. It really is a wonderful resource for dog lovers.

Take care.

Michaela