we still have "butchers" here in Australia. these are usually local shops, that sell meat. After they have cut up the large sides of beef, they are left with some bones. The bones you are after are the breast bone, which is usually discarded as waste, but is good for dogs. Get them to cut the bone (which is about 1 metre (about 1 yard) long), into the size that is good (mine are cut into chunks about 7.5cm (about 3 inches)) or whatever size you want. The cutting is done on a bandsaw so no effort on their behalf. The advantage is that there is no debris left for the motor mower to fling at your windows, or for insects to settle on. Even at the supermarkets there are some to be had, but find out from the meat section when they get deliveries. You will pay more at the supermarkets, but you should not pay more than necessary.
Inadvertent promotion for raw feeding
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If ever there was a video that did more to promote feeding your dog high quality kibble, if not raw, here's one…
I guess it's from a Discovery Channel program about how stuff is made:
How Pet Food Is Made
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqp4Rm1LuBo
Some highlights:
"It's the stuff of sophisticated nutritional science…"
"Wanna bet some dogs and cats eat healthier than their owners?"
"... but the basic ingredients that factories grind up to make dog and cat food are generally similar. First, CORN KERNELS."
"As the continuous stream of shaped mixture exits the die, a spinning knife cuts it into pieces."
"Once the pieces exit the dryer, they enter a revolving drum where they're sprayed with fat and flavoring. The fat is designed to add food energy, while the flavoring gives the bland pieces an appetizing odor and taste."
… Something seems to be missing from this kibble (rated at 2 stars on dogfoodanalysis.com, FWIW). That is... where's the meat?? I guess it's sprayed on or something?
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Heh, I come from a culinary tradition where fish heads, chicken heads, and chicken feet are considered fit for human consumption (I've eaten my share of the first, but never developed a taste for the latter two). But the point is taken – the definition of "meat" contained in dog food is also highly dubious!
So again... where's the meat?
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Im so glad I feed my dogs a raw diet, I know exactly what they are getting!
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I use either high quality grain-free kibble or Raw for Kananga. Usually 1 meal of each, per day.
I would never give him anything of lesser quality. Makes me happy knowing he very well may live to be a bit older by having quality meals.
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I also give my girls high quality dry food, and raw veggies and meats, but it makes me wonder sometimes how come when we were little, our family dogs basically ate what we did, leftover of course, and managed long, healthy lives…....
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I once bought a book, 'The Food Dogs Die For' - after page 1 I stopped reading it was very revealing about manufactured feeds - a bit too much for me!
