WHAT IS THE BEST FOOD FOR YOUR MINIATURE SCHNAUZER
The real food revolution is sweeping the pet world and informed pet owners are making changes to their pets diets! A healthy dog is a happy dog. The bottom line is that dogs need a FRESH, NATURAL , UNPROCESSED, VARIED and BALANCED diet just like humans for optimum health! There are much healthier options than dry kibble/pellets and your miniature schnauzers will say thank you! You will save on medical bills and see their coat change and they will get a sparkle in their eyes!
Healthy food = a happy healthy miniature schnauzer
Founder Deborah, Thomas, Max and Rosabella
Schnauzer Friends founder Deborah says "My precious Rosabella got very sick at age 6 months with a potentially fatal type of stomach gastro called Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE) where they poo bloody diarrhea and vomit yellowish bile. It kept on happening and I was regularly at the vet with a very sick schnauzer over the next few months. The vets (I went to three) would put her on a drip, prescribe some medicine, recommend I still feed only Hills dry pellets (which they sold) and charge me a fortune!
Out of desperation I started doing my own research and realised that nutrition had a huge role to play. By me feeding her only dry pellets, Rosabella was on a highly processed fast food unhealthy diet everyday, and her body was resisting! Dogs needed a FRESH natural unprocessed varied balanced diet just like humans for optimum health. I adjusted her diet and Rosabella got better and our regular vet visits have stopped! She is now 8 years old and has not been sick since. The only people who are sad are the three vets, because I am no longer funding their holiday homes'"
WHAT I LEARNED!
Serving dry processed packet dog food to your schnauzer everyday is the equivalent of you eating Mac Donald's everyday. They are NOT good for your dogs! The brands from the supermarkets are the WORST, and the ones from the vet are not much better. Refer http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com
Dogs can and should eat FRESH protein, vegetables and some fruit. Would you want to eat dry processed foods from a packet your whole life? Add fresh protein, vegetables and fruit to your dogs meals!
Dogs need a varied diet. Imagine if you ate the same food day in and day out for your whole life. The same food everyday can also cause allergies.
Many schnauzers are allergic to some of the common ingredients in commercial dry pet food, especially the grains and preservatives. Have you ever wondered how come the food has a shelf live of a couple of years?
Schnauzers are prone to pancreatitis and hyperlipidemia. Avoid giving them any food that is high in fat or fatty titbits and treats.
Vets are not dog nutritionists, and tend to treat symptoms and not the cause. Most vets just sell and push the usual processed kibble brands that all have grain and that they get commission from. This food is NOT good for your pooches! Most also still recommend annual vaccinations, which is also so out of date. They do not study nutrition and are indoctrinated by the large vet food and pharmaceutical companies. Most vets are still stuck in the dark ages and are far behind the latest dog nutrition and vaccination research. Have read of this article: What does your vet know about nutrition.
Out of desperation I started doing my own research and realised that nutrition had a huge role to play. By me feeding her only dry pellets, Rosabella was on a highly processed fast food unhealthy diet everyday, and her body was resisting! Dogs needed a FRESH natural unprocessed varied balanced diet just like humans for optimum health. I adjusted her diet and Rosabella got better and our regular vet visits have stopped! She is now 8 years old and has not been sick since. The only people who are sad are the three vets, because I am no longer funding their holiday homes'"
WHAT I LEARNED!
Serving dry processed packet dog food to your schnauzer everyday is the equivalent of you eating Mac Donald's everyday. They are NOT good for your dogs! The brands from the supermarkets are the WORST, and the ones from the vet are not much better. Refer http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com
Dogs can and should eat FRESH protein, vegetables and some fruit. Would you want to eat dry processed foods from a packet your whole life? Add fresh protein, vegetables and fruit to your dogs meals!
Dogs need a varied diet. Imagine if you ate the same food day in and day out for your whole life. The same food everyday can also cause allergies.
Many schnauzers are allergic to some of the common ingredients in commercial dry pet food, especially the grains and preservatives. Have you ever wondered how come the food has a shelf live of a couple of years?
Schnauzers are prone to pancreatitis and hyperlipidemia. Avoid giving them any food that is high in fat or fatty titbits and treats.
Vets are not dog nutritionists, and tend to treat symptoms and not the cause. Most vets just sell and push the usual processed kibble brands that all have grain and that they get commission from. This food is NOT good for your pooches! Most also still recommend annual vaccinations, which is also so out of date. They do not study nutrition and are indoctrinated by the large vet food and pharmaceutical companies. Most vets are still stuck in the dark ages and are far behind the latest dog nutrition and vaccination research. Have read of this article: What does your vet know about nutrition.
An example of the type of foods you should be feeding your dogs
IN CONCLUSION:
A 100% FRESH, NATURAL, UNPROCESSED, VARIED and BALANCED (preferably raw) diet is the best for your schnauzer.
Commercial packet pet food is easy but is not good for you schnauzer! Here is an article to give you an overview of what is in commercial dog food: Dogs Naturally Magazine: Nutrition. Dog Food the 10 Scary Truths.
You can make your own raw/fresh food or there are various raw/fresh food suppliers these days where you can buy the food. Personally I use Pawsome Raw. If you are nervous to go 100% fresh then start adding fresh food to your schnauzers meals. Any fresh food is better than none!
A 100% FRESH, NATURAL, UNPROCESSED, VARIED and BALANCED (preferably raw) diet is the best for your schnauzer.
Commercial packet pet food is easy but is not good for you schnauzer! Here is an article to give you an overview of what is in commercial dog food: Dogs Naturally Magazine: Nutrition. Dog Food the 10 Scary Truths.
You can make your own raw/fresh food or there are various raw/fresh food suppliers these days where you can buy the food. Personally I use Pawsome Raw. If you are nervous to go 100% fresh then start adding fresh food to your schnauzers meals. Any fresh food is better than none!
Max, Rosabella, Thomas and Annabella enjoying a healthy meal.
Scambled egg, chopped up raw chicken necks. grated baby arrow, cooked pumpkin and a dash of olive oil added to the kibble.
STEPS TO A MORE HEALTHY DIET
Step 1 - Learn more about healthy dog diets from the leaders in the pet world.
The real food revolution is sweeping the pet world and there are some great sources of information and recipes:
Dr Karen Becker from Mercola Healthy Pets who is an amazing pet champion and the most followed vet in the world.
Planet Paws with Rodney Habib is the largest pet health site in the world and are making huge strides in educating pet owners. Rodney's own pet dog was affected by pet food contaminated with melamine. He is now on a mission to change the world and educate pet parents. He is schnauzers Max, Rosabella, Thomas and Annabella's hero!
Dr Karen Becker from Mercola Healthy Pets who is an amazing pet champion and the most followed vet in the world.
- Dr Karen Becker (Vet): Best and worst foods you can feed your dog. (PS: Plain pellets is the WORST and FRESH food the best!)
- Dr Karen Becker (Vet): A follow up on the best and worst foods you can feed your dog. (PS: Plain pellets is still the WORST and FRESH food the best!!)
Planet Paws with Rodney Habib is the largest pet health site in the world and are making huge strides in educating pet owners. Rodney's own pet dog was affected by pet food contaminated with melamine. He is now on a mission to change the world and educate pet parents. He is schnauzers Max, Rosabella, Thomas and Annabella's hero!
- Planet Paws: HERE’S WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO ADD FRESH “HUMAN FOOD” TO YOUR PET’S DIET!
- Planet Paws: Rodney Habib's TEDX talk called: WHY DON’T DOGS LIVE FOREVER?
- Planet Paws: Rodney Habib says "Today, the #1 reason why pet owners don't try and feed their pets a whole food diet is because of the lack of knowledge on how to "balance". Well, I sure hope this recipe we have created helps!
- Planet Paws: Pet food and treat recipes
Dr Karen Becker and Planet Paws - Balanced Raw Dog Food Recipe
"An educated, better informed and well-researched community of pet owners will put more pressure on the pet food industry to be better." Rodney Habib from Planet Paws
Some additional articles to read:
Some additional articles to read:
- Steve Marsden (Vet): Raw Pet Foods – What Does the Science Really Say?
- Dogs Naturally Magazine - Itching, yeasty ears, gas and constant licking are all signs that your dog’s food isn’t doing its job.
Step 2 - Start transitioning to healthy fresh unprocessed food
Many people are nervous to make the change to 100% fresh food, so this is my suggestion to start transitioning to a more FRESH natural unprocessed varied diet and away from the processed kibble/pellets.
Pellets, raw spinach, scrambled egg, cooked chicken breast, cooked pumpkin and a dash of coconut oil.
Step 1: Use good quality kibble/pellets as the base
Use a good quality kibble! Supermarket kibble/pellets is the absolute worst you can feed your pets! (Have you read the ingredient list on the kibble/pellets you are feeding your schnauzer?) After learning more, I changed from Hills and Royal Canine dry kibble to a brand with less grain and more protein and natural ingredients. Visit the dog food advisor website to learn more about kibble ingredients.
Step 2: Add fresh protein.
Protein like chicken, beef or ostrich, scrambled egg, tuna in brine, liver, grated biltong, chopped steak, tinned pilchards, tripe, liver or some liver bread etc. As long as it is FRESH protein, and not fatty! It doesn't matter if it is cooked or raw as long as you give them some! Maybe start with cooked and then slowly try raw as and when you are more confident. (With raw you need to ensure the ingredients are of high quality).
Step 3: Add fresh vegetables/fruit.
Finely chopped or grated raw spinach, broccoli, baby marrow, grated carrot or cooked pumpkin, butternut and sweet potato. Experiment here and try some fruit too - mine enjoy grated apple, blueberries. As long as it is small fine pieces, my dogs will eat. Initially they looked at me strangely, but now they gobble the vegetables and fruit.
Step 4: Add Supplements/Healthy Oils
There are various supplements available, just like for humans. Add some HEALTHY oils like Miracote from the vet, olive oil or coconut oil. Try adding ginger spice, tumeric spice, cinnamon spice, apple cider vinegar, fish oil, kelp powder, natural yoghurt, a probiotic etc. Add some ground bone meal from the butcher. All of these add to a varied healthy diet.
Use a good quality kibble! Supermarket kibble/pellets is the absolute worst you can feed your pets! (Have you read the ingredient list on the kibble/pellets you are feeding your schnauzer?) After learning more, I changed from Hills and Royal Canine dry kibble to a brand with less grain and more protein and natural ingredients. Visit the dog food advisor website to learn more about kibble ingredients.
Step 2: Add fresh protein.
Protein like chicken, beef or ostrich, scrambled egg, tuna in brine, liver, grated biltong, chopped steak, tinned pilchards, tripe, liver or some liver bread etc. As long as it is FRESH protein, and not fatty! It doesn't matter if it is cooked or raw as long as you give them some! Maybe start with cooked and then slowly try raw as and when you are more confident. (With raw you need to ensure the ingredients are of high quality).
Step 3: Add fresh vegetables/fruit.
Finely chopped or grated raw spinach, broccoli, baby marrow, grated carrot or cooked pumpkin, butternut and sweet potato. Experiment here and try some fruit too - mine enjoy grated apple, blueberries. As long as it is small fine pieces, my dogs will eat. Initially they looked at me strangely, but now they gobble the vegetables and fruit.
Step 4: Add Supplements/Healthy Oils
There are various supplements available, just like for humans. Add some HEALTHY oils like Miracote from the vet, olive oil or coconut oil. Try adding ginger spice, tumeric spice, cinnamon spice, apple cider vinegar, fish oil, kelp powder, natural yoghurt, a probiotic etc. Add some ground bone meal from the butcher. All of these add to a varied healthy diet.
Pellets, cooked peas, cooked gem squash and butternut, chopped up cooked steak and a dash of coconut oil.
FUTURE: Over time reduce the amount of pellets/kibble in the meals. The more fresh healthy food the better, but remember ANY fresh food is better than none! (The mix would be about 80% protein, 15% veges and 5 % supplements. Don't stress if it is not exact. It will balance over time just like your own diet. )
The Raw Feeding Community has published a great article called "Simple ways to improve your dog’s kibble". They say that nutrition is the most important thing to keep your dog healthy. By introducing some fresh foods to their diet, your dog can live a longer, happier life. Unfortunately, not everyone has the means to switch to a completely raw diet. Yet many owners still want to improve their dog’s health and longevity, and nutrition is the best way to do that. But you don’t have to completely switch to raw for your dog to experience some of the benefits of a fresh food diet! We provide a list of the best things you can add to kibble and how they can benefit your dog. Click here for the article.
Some examples of starting to add fresh protein, vegetables/fruit and supplements to your schnauzers meals.
The Raw Feeding Community has published a great article called "Simple ways to improve your dog’s kibble". They say that nutrition is the most important thing to keep your dog healthy. By introducing some fresh foods to their diet, your dog can live a longer, happier life. Unfortunately, not everyone has the means to switch to a completely raw diet. Yet many owners still want to improve their dog’s health and longevity, and nutrition is the best way to do that. But you don’t have to completely switch to raw for your dog to experience some of the benefits of a fresh food diet! We provide a list of the best things you can add to kibble and how they can benefit your dog. Click here for the article.
Some examples of starting to add fresh protein, vegetables/fruit and supplements to your schnauzers meals.
Step 3 - Feed fresh healthly unprocessed food
Once you see the positive changes in your schnauzers and you will naturally feed more and more fresh food and less and less processed pellets. Over time the goal is to transition to a 100% homemade, fresh, natural, unprocessed, varied and balanced diet as recommended by Dr Karen Becker and Planet Paws. Follow the balanced recipe from Planet Paws as a basis.
HOW MUCH TO FEED?
According to most websites, dogs eat around two to three percent of their ideal adult weight per day. So for example for a 10 kg dog it would be between 200g and 300g of food a day split into two meals. If your dog is very active, you may need to feed a little more than 3%, or if your dog is more of a couch-potato, you may need to feed a little less than 2% – every dog is different. The best way to tell if you are feeding the right amount is watch the weight and condition of your dog and adjust accordingly.
According to most websites, dogs eat around two to three percent of their ideal adult weight per day. So for example for a 10 kg dog it would be between 200g and 300g of food a day split into two meals. If your dog is very active, you may need to feed a little more than 3%, or if your dog is more of a couch-potato, you may need to feed a little less than 2% – every dog is different. The best way to tell if you are feeding the right amount is watch the weight and condition of your dog and adjust accordingly.
What do Max, Rosabella, Thomas and Annabella eat ?
Enjoying my homemade dog food (based on the Dr Karen Becker and Planet Paws - Balanced Raw Dog Food Recipe.)
Deborah - Founder Schnauzer Friends South Africa says
"Seven years ago I started slowly adding fresh food as per the instructions above. When I saw the health results and how much my schnauzers loved it, I was hooked.
I vary my schnauzers meals. I always try and feed as much fresh food as possible. Sometimes I don't feed any kibble and only fresh food. Also depending on whats happening in my life and how much time I have. Sometimes I buy my fresh food meals from a supplier. (There are quite a few suppliers who make good quality fresh food for dogs. ) Sometimes I make my own fresh food by following the balanced recipe from Planet Paws as a basis. Sometimes I just add food to some pellets, as per the descriptions earlier.
I am experimenting with more and more types of healthy food. e.g. apple, natural yoghurt, tumeric spice, tinned sardines, tuna, coconut oil etc. as I learn more. My schnauzers are happy and healthy and they love their food and my vet hardly sees us anymore!
I am proud to be providing my schnauzers a homemade fresh, natural, unprocessed, varied and balanced diet! This is the number one option as explained by Dr Karin Becker. I LOVE seeing my schnauzers health thrive and this is the best reward for me as a schnauzer mommy as I want my precious pooches to live forever!
Below is my basic recipe that you are welcome to use as a guide to start experimenting:
"Seven years ago I started slowly adding fresh food as per the instructions above. When I saw the health results and how much my schnauzers loved it, I was hooked.
I vary my schnauzers meals. I always try and feed as much fresh food as possible. Sometimes I don't feed any kibble and only fresh food. Also depending on whats happening in my life and how much time I have. Sometimes I buy my fresh food meals from a supplier. (There are quite a few suppliers who make good quality fresh food for dogs. ) Sometimes I make my own fresh food by following the balanced recipe from Planet Paws as a basis. Sometimes I just add food to some pellets, as per the descriptions earlier.
I am experimenting with more and more types of healthy food. e.g. apple, natural yoghurt, tumeric spice, tinned sardines, tuna, coconut oil etc. as I learn more. My schnauzers are happy and healthy and they love their food and my vet hardly sees us anymore!
I am proud to be providing my schnauzers a homemade fresh, natural, unprocessed, varied and balanced diet! This is the number one option as explained by Dr Karin Becker. I LOVE seeing my schnauzers health thrive and this is the best reward for me as a schnauzer mommy as I want my precious pooches to live forever!
Below is my basic recipe that you are welcome to use as a guide to start experimenting:
SCHNAUZERS MAX, ROSABELLA, THOMAS and ANNABELLA's BALANCED DOG FOOD RECIPE
Based on the balanced recipe from Planet Paws with some tweaks. I feed mostly raw but you are welcome to cook the food if you prefer. This would also depend on the quality of the ingredients you are using. I often still serve this on top of a small portion of good quality pellets/kibble just for convenience.
MY BASIC RECIPE
LEAN MEAT +- 1kg
Minced and made up of:
EGGS 2 eggs (without shell)
If you are not able to add bone meal in the meat mix then you can take a raw egg shell and grind it and add it to the mix.
VEGETABLES +- 180g
Grate/chop into small pieces: e.g. Carrot, zucchini, broccoli, cabbage, cooked pumpkin, sweet potato, beetroot, cauliflower, kale, spinach and cooked gem squash. (Don’t use onion or potato, grapes, raisins as they are toxic for dogs.)
SUPPLEMENTS
OPTIONAL ADDITIONS
The above is a guide for the mix and quantities. Don't stress if it is not exact. It will balance over time just like your own diet.
METHOD
Mix all ingredients together.
Refrigerate up to 3 days (or up to the use-by date of the meat)
Or portion into dog specific serving sizes and freeze up to 3 months.
Based on the balanced recipe from Planet Paws with some tweaks. I feed mostly raw but you are welcome to cook the food if you prefer. This would also depend on the quality of the ingredients you are using. I often still serve this on top of a small portion of good quality pellets/kibble just for convenience.
MY BASIC RECIPE
LEAN MEAT +- 1kg
Minced and made up of:
- 70% muscle meat (93% Lean ) (Beef, chicken breast, ostrich etc.)
- 10% bone meal (This is ground bone that a butcher should have)
- 10% organ meat (ox/lamb/chicken liver etc.)
- 10% offal/tripe
EGGS 2 eggs (without shell)
If you are not able to add bone meal in the meat mix then you can take a raw egg shell and grind it and add it to the mix.
VEGETABLES +- 180g
Grate/chop into small pieces: e.g. Carrot, zucchini, broccoli, cabbage, cooked pumpkin, sweet potato, beetroot, cauliflower, kale, spinach and cooked gem squash. (Don’t use onion or potato, grapes, raisins as they are toxic for dogs.)
SUPPLEMENTS
- Mirracote OR Efazol oil OR 4 tsp hempseed oil and 1 tsp cod liver oil" +- 5 tsp
- Kelp powder +- 0,5 tsp
- Ground ginger +- 1 tsp
- Tumeric powder +- 1 tsp
OPTIONAL ADDITIONS
- Natural Yoghurt
- Grated Apple
- Blueberries
- Frozen Peas
- Sardines
- Tuna
- Coconut Oil
- Cinnamon spice etc.
The above is a guide for the mix and quantities. Don't stress if it is not exact. It will balance over time just like your own diet.
METHOD
Mix all ingredients together.
Refrigerate up to 3 days (or up to the use-by date of the meat)
Or portion into dog specific serving sizes and freeze up to 3 months.
SERVE TO YOUR GRATEFUL HEALTHY HAPPY SCHNAUZERS
NOTE: If you choose to buy in raw/fresh food, check if the supplier is registered the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAFF). Good companies go to a lot of trouble to make sure their products stand up to their claims. Pet food should be regulated - cooked, raw or otherwise :) If you find a raw food supplier in your area, ask them if they are registered the DAFF, and if not why not. Do your own research and chat to the supplier and ask them questions. Make sure they are knowledgeable and give you advice of what is best for your schnauzers (remember it should not be too fatty).
Feedback from schnauzer parents
Below is some feedback from Schnauzer owners from our Schnauzer Friends Facebook page:
- Carol Colwin Pincus " I want to tell everyone about my experience of changing from dry pet food to raw food. My amazing miniature schnauzer is such a fussy eater, every meal was such a stress not knowing whether he would eat or not. It could take ages to tempt him and give him bits of food with your hands to make him eat. Also, you were never sure if he was sick because he often wouldn't eat. He then stopped eating. I changed to fresh food. My life has changed completely, and my pet's life. I put the food in his bowl and by the time, I have washed my hands, all the food is gone . I sometimes have to do a double take because I can't believe it is the same dog. The change to fresh food has been so easy. I found two suppliers. You store the food in the freezer and take it out for every meal. It is thanks to Schnauzer Friends and posts on this site that I was able to find excellent fresh food for my pets!"
- Lucy Landstone "Once you switch to raw and SEE the benefits you will never go back and no vet can tell you otherwise. All my dogs live VERY long lives, we've never had obesity issues, thyroid problems, skin conditions, diabetes or anything else. Obviously they get old and die like any other creature - but they live happy, full lives up until that point free of any of the chronic conditions that are present in so many of today's companion animals."
- Pia Marangoni "I had spent a fortune on prescription food - my girl was overweight and none of the "metabolic" foods did anything. I switched to raw food less than a month ago - and both my doggies are happier than ever, and my baby girl now svelte and so full of energy. I think she was just bloated from eating kibbles. My boy was such a fussy eater - now he can't wait for dinner"
- Pam Du Toit "I think a varied diet is important. We have been so brain washed into thinking that feeding ONLY kibble is good because it is scientifically balanced. Nutrients come from 'food' like good sources of protein, veggies, yoghurt, fruit, herbs etc."
- Giulia Claire Chambers "Our little Stella one of the rescue pups, sings & dances for her Acana but if mom doesn't put veggies & yummy fresh meaty treats in her bowl there's trouble. I have found your advise to be so helpful & eye opening!! Thank you for all your tips."
Nutrition articles from schnauzer mom Nicole
Feeding Dogs a More Natural Diet. A schnauzer mom's experiences.
Vegetables - An important part of your dogs diet!
Bones: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Bone Broth: yummy, healthy doggy jelly
Is your schnauzer itching or licking?
Vegetables - An important part of your dogs diet!
Bones: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Bone Broth: yummy, healthy doggy jelly
Is your schnauzer itching or licking?
Useful links
- Planet Paws
- Dogs Naturally Magazine
- Dr. Karen Becker (Mercola Healthy Pets)
- Schanuzers Rule
The Dog Food Advisor website (http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com) is published as a public service to help people make a more informed decision when shopping for dog food. It is hosted in the USA. It was started by Mike Sagman who says " In 2007, I lost a wonderful little shelter dog named Penny to my unquestioned trust of commercial pet food. food. So, after that heartbreaking experience I made it my personal goal to never again let anything like that happen to any dog in my care. And I’d like to help you make sure what happened to Penny could never happen to your dog either."
Healthy Schnauzer Treats
Avoid commercial processed treats, especially when they are coloured and full of preservatives etc. AVOID FAT and NO RAW HIDE! Stick to healthy natural unprocessed treats like Schnauzer Max, Rosa, Thomas and Annabella's WORLD FAMOUS FAVOURITE Liver Bread Recipe.
