[Binkalette]

I just ran across this tonight regarding turkey skin:

Rich, fatty foods can be very dangerous to dogs susceptible to attacks of pancreatitis. Often you may not know that your dog is susceptible until he is very sick with his first attack. It is often the smaller, more energetic breeds like miniature or toy poodles, cocker spaniels, miniature schauzers, and other small terrier-type dogs who seem particularly prone. However, any dog may have a problem. It is best to avoid these foods altogether.

* turkey skin
* bacon, sausages, hot dogs
* fruit cake, plum pudding
* deep-fried

Signs of pancreatitis generally include an acute onset of vomiting (sometimes with diarrhea) and abdominal pain, which may be evidenced as a hunched posture or "splinting" of the abdomen when picked up. The dog may become very sick quickly and often needs intensive fluid and antibiotic therapy.

That comes from http://www.missouriscenicrivers.com/baddogfoods.html

[Labsnothers]

The worst thing about pancreatitis is that the dog can be in very bad shape before showing any symptoms.

[wolfsnaps]

Hmmm, that makes me wonder about when I give my dogs raw. They get the raw fat and I really dont measure out the pieces they get ( I certainly dont weigh out the ratio of fat to meat to bone). My small dog always goes for the fatty parts too!

[dieterherzog]

Originally Posted by wolfsnaps

Hmmm, that makes me wonder about when I give my dogs raw. They get the raw fat and I really dont measure out the pieces they get ( I certainly dont weigh out the ratio of fat to meat to bone). My small dog always goes for the fatty parts too!

I don't want to get into the wild wolf vs domestic dog thing but Dr. Pitcairn reasoned that because domestic dogs don't get as much exercise as wolves, that the amount of fat they consumed SHOULD NOT be as much as what you would get in the wild i.e. the prey model diet may not be suitable if your dog is more of a couch potato than one that travels 30miles everyday. Quite a valid reasoning if you ask me.

The one reason I hardly feed chicken backs is because they are really fatty - I tend to scrape off the skin from necks, backs and thighs before I feed them. I leave the skin on for drumsticks and wings - that way I think my dog gets a little more balance in terms of fat content since I don't necessarily walk him more than 3 miles everyday.

[Wlfdg]

Originally Posted by dieterherzog

I don't want to get into the wild wolf vs domestic dog thing but Dr. Pitcairn reasoned that because domestic dogs don't get as much exercise as wolves, that the amount of fat they consumed SHOULD NOT be as much as what you would get in the wild i.e. the prey model diet may not be suitable if your dog is more of a couch potato than one that travels 30miles everyday. Quite a valid reasoning if you ask me.

That's relative. My dogs get far more exercise than the average pet. I adjust there fat intake accordingly.In summer when we are doing short hikes and mountain bike rides they get very little fat. In fall when we are hunting they get quite a bit more fat. In winter and spring when we are backcountry skiing everyday they get a lot of fat!

Wolves don't always travel 30mi. in a day. They go only as far as they need to for a kill. What they eat of the kill varies on seasons. I saw a fresh kill this morning that was eaten down to the ribs and spine. In winter they eat only a little meat and all of the organs.

[dieterherzog]

Originally Posted by Wlfdg

That's relative.

Exactly. It depends on your dogs and the amount of exercise they get and also the specific breed - mountain/snow area dogs need more fat as a source of fuel while other kinds of lower land dogs probably need less.

You may have more experience than me in this, but wolves also fast for a few weeks if they can't get prey. I don't know how many people do this to their dogs.

As long as you're feeding your dogs in proportion (and with common sense), it should be nothing to worry about - it's only when you have a couch potato dog and you're giving it turkey skin everyday that it becomes a problem.

[Wlfdg]

Originally Posted by dieterherzog

Exactly. It depends on your dogs and the amount of exercise they get and also the specific breed - mountain/snow area dogs need more fat as a source of fuel while other kinds of lower land dogs probably need less.

You may have more experience than me in this, but wolves also fast for a few weeks if they can't get prey. I don't know how many people do this to their dogs.

As long as you're feeding your dogs in proportion (and with common sense), it should be nothing to worry about - it's only when you have a couch potato dog and you're giving it turkey skin everyday that it becomes a problem.

Just like people, dogs need to eat according to caloric output.

I don't know if wolves fast for weeks? My wolfdog will often fast himself and then eat a tremendous amount of food. I've seen him not eat for 3 days or more and then eat 8-12 lbs. of food in one big feeding. Wolves will eat 30lbs. of meat,organ and bone. They regurgitate a lot of that for a whelping alpha female and then pups.