IMO, some people just don't need to have a dog. Your neighbor is one of them.

That said, if you do a search "are all meat diets for dogs bad" you're going to get a lot of articles. The most important is that with an all meat diet, the dog is missing out on a variety of nutrients they need to be healthy. Bless your heart for caring so much, I really hope you're able to convince him, just because he's a biologist, doesn't make him knowledgable about dog nutrition.

Dogs are not carnivores, they are omnivores.

But you want be able to convince him of anything.

Thanks all.

Lukk, I did search but couldn't find anything which looked professional such as from a Veterinary Association or something professional. I've been through this in the past with other issues and he will not accept anything unless it comes from a reputable, scientific research organization. Just know there must be some studies somewhere.

I've decided I will feed her kibble when I watch her. I buy Natural Balance Limited Ingredients, sweet potato and fish dry kibble. I have fed her this because she was developing skin issues which disappeared when I started her on this.

He decided she was looking fat and old and told me not to feed her anymore. I'll have her tomorrow and think I will give her some.

Anyway, thanks everyone.

Jane

What does he ask you to feed her when he's gone.......does he not provide the food? If she has an ongoing skin condition then I would discuss that with him, since there is a lot of info re: diet and skin issues.

So....... he's a hunter, owns a pointer, yet doesn't take her out hunting? You could ask him why he has her and at the same time let him know that if he ever wants to get rid of her you'll give her a home.

Usually I would respect the owner's choice as well the exception being when it's detrimental to the dog. With the information you've given, I would be inclined to do what your doing as well. Just because the guy owns the dog doesn't mean he's capable of giving it a good home or making good rational or educated decisions regarding it's care. ugh...I feel for you, It's not easy to just stand on the sidelines when you care about an animal and feel very strongly that something is wrong.

Do you know if its just plain meat or is he following a proper recipe - adding in bone (calcium) and all other essential nutrients? If he knows what he's doing, it would in fact be a superior diet to dry kibble, even the better quality kibble. If not.... well, the fact that hes neglecting the dog in other ways does not bode well.

Salti, What exactly are you saying to me? sorry Im not good at reading between lines.

I never said I know what the proper ratio is or nutritional needs of a dog or where to find the info. I do know about cats and that there does exist reputable, well-vetted (haha pun intended) information about how to feed them home made diets (with bone ground in, taurine, etc.) so I would think that possibly the same exists for dog diets..

Its not rocket science and anyone who knows how to feed a child a good diet is entirely capable of feeding a dog - IF (BIG IF!!!!!!!!!!!!) they have the correct information and if they know what they're doing.

I know that is a big "IF" - since so many parents do NOT in fact know how to feed their children good diets. And indeed, my vet tells me thats why they (vets) can be reluctant to prescribe home made diets - bc x no. of people are not going to follow the directions precisely.... to the detriment of the animal.

Anyway if I was OP Id find out more about what exactly this guy is feeding the dog - straight muscle meat? Or something else? Theres plenty of things to worry about in this world - if OP finds she doesnt have to worry about this then that would be a good thing, no?

And if he's not following a good, nutritionally sound recipe and if she can persuade him to do so, that would be better for the dog no? We've already established that he's not going to feed commercial dog food.

i have the same question as "current resident". two of my 3 great danes are raw fed which consists of raw meat/bone/organ meat. if you google "prey model raw diet", you will see how important it is that the ratios are kept reasonably close to 80/10/10 percents.

i have been feeding the prey model diet for almost 8 years. my raw-fed dogs have never needed a dental cleaning (the bones take care of that), their blood work has always been pristine and other than unusual circumstances (i.e., bitten by a skunk or bone cancer) the only times my dogs see a vet is for twice a year wellness checks.

so, if this guy is feeding a GOOD raw diet, i would not interfere. if he is not, that's another story. also, you will not find any sort of documentation by professionals (i.e., vets) because most vets do not condone a raw diet.

• I have a Boxer and a Shih Tzu and they are on prey model raw. The boxer is 5 and the Shih Tzu is 9. Both have never been sick and even the vet says their teeth are in perfect condition . Plus very little poop to pick up.

@annztoo Agreed with you !!

Mine is on a RAW diet too and the vet is always happy she's so healthy. She's 5 1/2. However as others have said, it's not pure meat.

Thank you all. To try to answer a few questions, no, he is not following any formal diet. He has decided dogs are carnivores and should only eat meat.

He is a hunter and has multiple large freezers in his garage which hold venison and moose. Heaven knows what else!

He seems to be fixated on her weight which looks fine to me. She is small, undersized for her breed. She is not spayed. He has friends in another State where he hunts who raise and hunt with these dogs. They are large dogs, at least the males.

Her original breeding is questionable as these 'hunter people' do not use pedigrees nor register any of the dogs. So who knows if she has some other breed in her background. I've had people think she is a foxhound.

She is short, she is not spayed and I believe gets bloated at time due to hormone changes.

She is a bit flabby due to lack of exercise. He does not exercise her. She spends the day in his yard.

So, he is my neighbor. I walk a fine line due to my affection for this dog. Because he travels a lot, I have her quite frequently. She lives in the house with us and sleeps next to our bed. She loves us. But, she is his dog and he has no intention of changing that. I do not want to lose the privilege of watching her.

I really didn't want to discuss this so fully. The most important thing I can do is to offer him some information on feeding dogs a meat only diet. His meat will be cooked.

I don't want to create an argument. I was asking if anyone had some reputable information on feeding dogs an all meat diet. What to add to it.

Thanks to everyone again,

Jane

I think if you try to 'educate' him he will be peeved. I would be too.

Yes, the dog has problems with her owner (such as, he doesn't think a dog needs mental and physical exercise). I think it would be wise to tread with caution. First, think about what is right about the situation...

1. He allows you to have his dog at your place when you take care of her.

2. When she is in your care, you can take her out on excursions, which I am sure she desperately needs.

Why not take a more long-term approach? One day your neighbour might say to you, 'Hmmm. Ma dawwwg is looking a lot better these days. I wonderrr waaahhy." In which case, you can VERY CAREFULLY suggest what might be the reason. "Could it be the walks?" But if you assume to know best and that he is a blockhead, he might get annoyed.

Just for the record, I believe that these so-called balanced feeds are not particularly balanced. It's a con in my opinion. And too many vets are willing to put their names to products, which I think is wrong. When it comes to dogs eating game, I think as long as different parts of the animal are consumed (skin, muscle, fat, organs etc etc even (stop eating everyone) intestines and their contents (I did warn you) then it's pretty good. And bones too of course. And IMO the stuff should be raw.

Anyhow good luck and I hope everything goes well.

I'm still curious as to what he has you feed her while he's out of town?

Thanks all. Sorry to take so long to get back. Lots of stuff going on and I don't get notifications anymore. Have no idea why.

Annztoo, He doesn't tell me anything. I buy good dry food and cook chicken or whatever meat I find on sale. Had Rotts for many years and always cooked my own 'doggy stew.' He has no clue what to feed dogs and just buys canned dog food.Now he's decided she's fat and will feed her deer meat. But I fear in small amounts which could lead to nutritional problems (its happened before).

Tete, you hit it on the head. You understand the dilemma I live with. The dogs owner is my next door neighbor. He is highly educated. Lives alone and is a very nice person, very interesting and friendly.

I find it difficult to speak to him as a peer. Somehow, I find it intimidating and avoid telling him what to do with his dog. I don't want to lose her as I'm very attached to her as is my husband. We play with her and give her as much attention as we can when she's here.

I walk a delicate balance. I do not want to do anything to have him take her away from me. I know if I presented some 'study' or literature about feeding all meat or about canine nutrition, he would read it.

He has a fascination with butterflies and we work together raising them. I grow the plants and he raises them in his house. He a person who completely confounds me, but I can't find a way to teach him anything without proof.

That was the reason behind my post. Thank you Tete, you get it.

Thank you all very much,

Jane

Here's a study by the Canadian Veterinary Journal, part of it reads:

A nutritional analysis of 5 raw food diets (2 commercially
produced and 3 home-made) found low calcium and phosphorus in 3 of the 5
diets. Two commercial diets were high in vitamin D. Two of the diets
were deficient in potassium, magnesium, and zinc (10).

Supporters of raw food will argue that feeding a variety of foods will lessen the risk of nutritional imbalance (11).

The last point of feeding a variety of foods might support your argument if you showed this to him.

Study by CVJ

Thank you Petra. I saved the article.

The problem is he's cooking the meat. Raw would be healthier but he cooks the venison outside on his BBQ grill. I will send him your article, although I suspect he will be against feeding raw.

Thank you,

At least you provided an opening for me to approach him on this topic.

Jane

I think you just have to accept him as an eccentric dog owner and appreciate the fact that you get to take care of her more than he does. You can continue to feed her the balanced diet, since he leaves you nothing else to feed her, and not worry about what she gets while with him. Compare it to the Grandkids staying with the Grandparents. : )

Since you've always owned dogs then you're probably aware that the Pointer Breed has a lean build compared to other breeds. He may be comparing her to hunting dogs that are at a nice, light weight from getting regular exercise while they are out hunting.

If you think you'd want to own her, then I'd keep dropping hints as to how much you and your husband have bonded with her and you want first option if he ever wants to let her go.

Jane, I hope you can talk some sense into him. But even if not, she is very lucky to have you.

Wanted to ask, why has he not had her spayed? Is he aware spaying helps prevent mammary tumors and other health issues down the road?

annz, I thank you for your understanding. He actually has her more than I do. I get her two days a week when he works. When he travels, I do have her for weeks at a time but that isn't very often.

Its a complicated story, more than I wish to post publicly.

Petra, the answer to your question is that he plans to breed her eventually. I can't even imagine this, but that is what he plans.

We moved here 4 years ago from NY. I thought this would be a wonderful place to retire and enjoy life. This situation keeps me up at night, stresses me beyond belief. But, I have to keep it together for this lovely dog.

My biggest fear, is that he feels she is too fat and tells me not to feed her. I don't want him to refuse to let her stay with me. As I've said, I walk a fine line.

Jane

Jane, what he doesn't know certainly won't hurt him.

He may be highly educated, but he sounds like an ignorant, closed-minded know-it-all. I only imagine how stressful this must be and I am sorry you have to deal with him, but you are certainly a blessing to this poor dog.