Does anyone here cook for their dog?

December 19th, 2009
dog poop bags


We just got our first dog and the previous owner gave us a large bag of dry dogfood. They recommended that we keep away from canned food because it makes the poop mushy.

So I went to the library to learn about dog food and I got many books, including a cookbook for dogs. Some books advise to stay away from “all breed”, “all purpose” dog food and other books that say any type of dry dog food will do.

I’m really confused now and wonder is there anyone out there that actually cooks for their dog? Once you start doing that, will the dog refuse regular dog food?
Note of interest: One book stated that cooking should only require an hour a week for the food prep. The main point I read that has me considering this is that a properly fed dog will not need so many vet appts. (healthier) and therefore end up saving you lots of money on vet bills.
For my breed of dog, it’s mainly brown rice & chicken.

What is this whole big issue of feeding dogs raw, or from a specific brand?

December 18th, 2009
dog waste bags


Okay, I have two dogs, a one year old Lab, and a 12 week old Boxer. We switch around their dog foods a lot, depending on what name brand is cheapest, what coupons we have, etc.
Among some of the brands we use include Beneful, Pedigree, Almo (which we prefer not to feed), IAMS, Eukanuba, and some others. Occasionally, they will get a tidbit of a french fry or some hamburger or something, but that’s it.
I am not kidding. To some people, this seems like I am desecrating my poor pups bodies.
What is the big hurrah over the raw food diet? I understand that there was the scare of the dog food being contaminated, but with the economy in the state it is currently, it seems a complete waste of money to provide meats that I can scarcely afford to have, let alone an animal who has a wholesome meal for $.60 a can, plus $18 for an almost 18 pound bag. It is so much more economical, and time saving than working over creating a meal for a dog. I love my pups as much as the next person, do not dare criticize me of that, but when I cannot afford lamb, or enough beef for both me and the dog to eat, than why should the animal win over myself?
I am the one caring for the animal.
Would you cat owners buy a fillet of salmon and some shrimp, and then stop by your local pet food store and stock up on some rats to feed your cat? Probably not. That is what the cat ate before it was domesticized to what it is now, and what they continue to eat when they catch their own prey, but under no circumstances, I believe would a cat owner choose to make cat food over just buying it.
Maybe I ranted, but in any case, I want to know the answer. You can’t really change my mind on how to feed my dogs, but I would like to know why other people see this way of nutrition as the ONLY way.
Thank you.
Although I was quite happy while reading the first few posts, those of you who believe that because those of us pet owners who say we “cannot afford” feeding our pets a raw food diet is a poor and weak excuse really disappointed. You are part of my problem with pet owners who believe that the raw food diet is the only way. You look down on those who feed their dogs canned food or just regular brands of dog food, because we either choose not to, or are not able to expend the extra effort to prepare meals for our pets.
Yes, pets are a luxury, but does that mean that they should be eating luxuriously too?
Keeping a dog healthy and happy is the main key. Making sure that they are properly exercised, groomed, mentally stimulated, and in good health, on top of the unknown expenses of sudden illnesses or injuries adds up to a good deal of time and effort spent solely on the animal.

Dog poop bags?

December 18th, 2009
dog poop bags


Ok I have never used them we only go bush walking.

I have seen someone with a smaller dog put the bag and poop in their pocket.
What do you do with a big dog poop, too big for your pocket??

Do you just carry it around until you find a bin?
Good call Shanna that is funny :)

What to use for flea control on pets?

December 18th, 2009
flea control


I have used advantix,frontline,bio-spot,and so far nothing is working.Funds are limited so what to do? Help

I got dog poop on my hands today and I washed them with soap and water. Why can’t I get the smell out?

December 18th, 2009
dog poop bags


My dog pooped in someone’s yard and the guy yelled at me and I didn’t have another bag with me to scoop up the turds, so I picked it up with napkins and it got all over my hands because it leaked through the napkins. Both of my hands smell like dog poop. I cut my finger nails because I got poop under them. The smell still remains though. How do I get the smell out?

What should I do about tennant being deceptive and breaking rule?

December 18th, 2009
dog poop bags


I got a letter from the association where I rent out the condo, that the backyard is a mess, old trash bags everywhere, dog poop not cleaned up etc. It is a strict association in a nice part of town. I contacted my tennant, she made a bunch of excuses about it. I had my mom pay a visit (I had told her she would, she left messages and emails pleading me to give her more time to clean up before my mom came by). That made me suspicious, so my mom stopped by yesterday to look at the yard from the street – she couldn’t believe how awful it was. A young girl saw her, she went to the front door and rang, the girl said her grandma (my tennant) wasn’t home and then a man came and picked her up. My mom said she got the impression that the girl lived there! My tennant had always been very neat, professional older woman so this is just shocking. I will get fined by the association and look bad, and the terms of the lease are that she can’t break association rules. What are my options here?
How can I find out if she is letting someone else live there without my knowledge? Can I go down to take a look inside? I have respected her privacy and in the 1 1/2 years have not entered the unit.
IF she has bags full of trash not thrown away – that is a hazard, can attract rodents and rats. We agreed she’d take care of the yard, she planted a bunch of her own plants and the letter stated they were overgrown. The yard faces the entrances to the community so I am so embarassed at how it must look like. It was no-pets but she talked me into letting her dog stay but now she’s not picking up the poop? That’s wrong. Are there any laws if she abandons the unit and is letting someone else without my permission stay such as subleasing it possibly? How would I know for sure if I want to take her to court about it?

Scooping Up Dog Poop?

December 18th, 2009
dog poop bags


I saw a couple people that carry doggie bags to scoop up the poop, BUT really watch them! They carry the bags because they are faking it.

I saw a couple people that carry bags and let their dogs poop, and DON”T scoop it up.

I was tempted to take a picture with cell phone camera of the dog and owner but it’s hard and leave a note to the poor house that got pooped on.

What would you do or say????

Do you think having Doggy Bags available in restaurants is a good idea? – 50 answers please?

December 18th, 2009
dog waste bags


My name is Helen Smith.

I work for a packaging company.

We manufacture self sealing polybags.

In a recent New Product Development meeting I suggested we manufacture a brand new product that I don’t believe is available on the market today.

THE DOGGY BAG: To manufacture self sealing polybags, they would be white polythene, approx 50 micron, approx A4 size (maybe a little smaller) printed with a dog on with the text The Doggy Bag. The bags would be supplied in blocks with a perforation where you can tear them off and hung on stands in retaurants.
I thought we could manufacture 3 types of doggy bags to suit different restaurants;

1) A picture of a cartoon dog with fun bold text for restaurants like Zaks, Pizza Hut, Weatherspoons etc where families dine

2) A picture of a dog which would be a black silhouette with posh looking text for restaurants like Bella Italia, Harvesters, Tiger Tiger etc

3) To manufacture a doggy bag of the restaurants choice with personalisation

I think this idea is perfect for 3 types of person:

1) The older generation – older people don’t always eat as much and often have left overs that they don’t like seeing go to waste, my Nanny ordered Gammon, Egg & chips in a restaurant but couldn’t eat all the gammon so wrapped it up in a tissue to take home

2) The dog lover- Most people will dogs often like to take some dinner home, usually meat of course but this is very popular!

3) People that just don’t like waste!

I like the idea of bags being hung up on stands around the restaurant as people don’t like to ask “Can i have a doggy bag”, if they were available there would be no shame in taking one of the stand and using.

Another positive: Restaurants wouldn’t have so much waste!

This questions is posted on Yahoo to ask the public’s opinion of this idea before my company move my idea forward, sensible answers only please.

The more answers the better, especially looking for answers from people who own or work in a resaturant.

Thank you for reading.
Helen Smith

my pregnant dog ate poop will this affect her in any way?

December 18th, 2009
dog poop bags


we just had to clean up a mess in the backyard that our pregnant dog made because our next door neighboors daughter who is about 6 yrs old threw a bag of baby sh!t to our yard an my dog basically ate the whole tham thing im pretty mad about it not only she has a real bad breath but shes 56 days pregnant im concerned that it might affect her in some way so what can i do in this situation??? that little girl already got her @ss whopin because we told her mom

How can I train my dog to pee on the trees when I take her out for a walk?

December 18th, 2009
dog poop bags


Well I feel really embarrassed asking this question just now due to the fact that my dog is already a year old but I’ll ask anyways.

I was walking her one day and two police men were behind me and my dog peed on the streets but they said it was ok only because I guess I looked a little embarrassed that she did that and I had nothing but a doody bag to clean her poop. I know that here in NYC (which is where I live) you get fined for not cleaning up after your dog but my dog never used to pee outside only inside but now that I’m taking her out more because I have time I would really appreciate if someone gave me any tips for me to train her to pee on bushes or anywhere where its not as noticeable. Um she is a 1 year old healthy CockerSpaniel and I would say shes a quick learner.

But yeah I would really appreciate it because I have no idea where to start of. Thanks again.