Feeding only kibble, no toppers?

[WolfieWolf]

Our breeder (a show breeder) and another animal person I really respect said we should only feed our dog a high quality dry kibble, period, nothing else. It is their opinion that adding things throws off the balance of the food (which the dog food companies have spent a lot of money to figure out to perfection, they say), that adding meat is not good for the dog (too much meat causes physical problems, they say), and that dogs just "eat to live" and do not care if they have variety or the things we humans think are yummy, they just eat their food and that's it. Also that adding human food creates a begging dog.

Nonetheless, we put toppers on our dog's food: scrambled egg, cottage cheese, canned salmon (which he's crazy about), other cooked meat with no additives, cheese, canned pumpkin, shredded lettuce, fresh pear. This is what he likes so far. I rinse the canned salmon since it has salt. I don't give him anything with chemicals and definitely none of the forbidden foods (onion etc.)

He also gets a raw marrow bone every few days.

Every time I feed him I wonder if I'm doing the right thing, or if my two friends are right and I should only be giving him the kibble and possibly the raw bones. I just want what is best for him.

They are wrong about the begging dog. Yes, he expresses an interest when we sit down to eat, but we tell him to leave it, and he goes and lies down and leaves us alone while we eat.

What do you think? Does anybody just feed kibble and no table scraps or toppers of any kind?

[KZoppa]

feed your dog as you see fit basically. As long as its within reason, not constant (dont want/need a picky eater) and not going to harm him, you're good. My dogs get dry food. Usually once a week, they get a raw egg (shell and all) and treats. Sometimes they even get raw chicken when I'm getting dinner ready. Nothing crazy. my dogs are healthy and chow down on their dry food. Obviously no foods that are off limits.

[Cheerful1]

Joey gets kibble, but also toppers: scrambled egg, canned salmon, canned pumpkin, carrots, raw burger. Definitely no forbidden foods (I keep a list on my fridge).

I think kibble gives them the basic nutrition, but they should also get some healthy variety.

[gsdraven]

My dogs eat just kibble, no toppers. Not because I think toppers will harm their diet but because they are not necessary and can cause picky eating. They get meat or veggies once in a while as a treat but not at meal time.

If you don't mind adding the extras, then do it but make sure you are adjusting his kibble amount to account for the extra calories.

[shepherdmom]

Originally Posted by WolfieWolf

What do you think? Does anybody just feed kibble and no table scraps or toppers of any kind?

Mostly my dogs just get kibble. Occasionally they get extras if I have something I think would be healthy for them. They do get raw marrow bones every few days.

[Piper'sgrl]

[QUOTE=shepherdmom;2790745]Mostly my dogs just get kibble. Occasionally they get extras if I have something I think would be healthy for them.QUOTE]

Same..we give our dogs some of our "people" food sometimes but we mainly stick to our high quality dog food. But yes, i think its ok for dogs to get a few extras here and there but just watch out for any unnessary weight gain, or developing a picky eater as others have said.

[WolfieWolf]

Thank you so much, everyone. I probably have made him a picky eater, or at least he is used to the toppers. He ignores the kibble when I put it down for him if it doesn't have a topper, though he will get around to eating it within that day if it's just bare kibble.

It may be the food. The breeder had him on Kirkland Signature Lamb & Rice, which he ate fine all by itself. I switched him to Dr. Tim's Pursuit, which he vacuumed he loved it so much. We're back on Kirklands though (long story) which is apparently not as tasty and requires a little topper to get him going on it.

[WolfieWolf]

PS there is no weight gain problem. He is 7 months and at a very lanky stage. He only eats until he is full and will leave the rest in the bowl after that (plus the topper probably didn't make it down that far, haha!) :-) No, but other times he cleans up the whole bowl.

I was just reading about moistening the kibble in another thread, and might try that. But doesn't the hard kibble keep their teeth clean?

[angierose]

The guideline I have always heard is no more than 10% of treats and extras, otherwise it may throw off the balance of the kibble. I don't do toppers much- sometimes a bit of baked sweet potato or yogurt, whatever we have that's not enough for a human serving. Or salmon juice from the can, if the cats have had their fill.

[WolfieWolf]

Originally Posted by angierose

The guideline I have always heard is no more than 10% of treats and extras, otherwise it may throw off the balance of the kibble. I don't do toppers much- sometimes a bit of baked sweet potato or yogurt, whatever we have that's not enough for a human serving. Or salmon juice from the can, if the cats have had their fill.

Thank you AngieRose, I hadn't heard that. Having a % to abide by is helpful, and feels more defined.