I got this email (almost in “code” except didn’t want to alter or correct it and remove its original flavor. Also now you can see the sort of mysteries I often have to unravel!)

Hi miss Tracey I heard your pet broadcast from ny two sat nites in a row and enjoy it. I have a mixed terier 20 lbsblack Smokey is his name one year old. I feed him beneful dog food dry. I was feeding him two scooops in the morn and one more at nite I followed your opinion and cut it to one with alt egg yogart and cottage cheese he seems to love it even the blueberry flavor! should I be concerned with the asparatine? and started giving him fish oil omega31200mg every other day? as well much sorry for the lengthy e post one more question I keep him in his cage during the dayis 8 hours too long in his cage? thanks pete

Okay Pete — here’s the deal. I am THRILLED that you got the message that Smokey needs less of the highly processed carbohydrates that are in kibble and more real food especially protein. That is truly excellent. Now we have to plain up the issue of how to read the tag on a dog food handbag which you can read all about on my website www.TracieHotchner.com and use the Google tool bar to find everything on dog nutrition.  The food you are feeding is one that will not pass the test of the ingredients to avoid in a quality dry dog food — with crop between the first ingredients this is often a warning sign of a dry dog food that is not using quality ingredients that are healthy for dogs. There should not be any corn in a good dry food — and it certainly should not be amongst the first 5 ingredients. The very first word in a premium dog food is the name of the protein source: beef lamb chicken turkey salmon etc. Also Beneful contains artificial colors and flavors which are also on the list for ingredients to avoid in any dry dog food along with by-products chemical preservatives sugars of any kind and words like “powdered  cellulose” which means “sawdust.” Why don’t you go to www.SmartpakCanine.com and get a free 5 day supply of one of the really superior dog foods they take — their own trademark of chicken or lamb kibble is called Live Smart and is a really good price. It also will come in sealed package with just the right amount for Smokey at each meal. For his size ½ cup per meal is going to be plenty. Then you want to add about ½ cup of quality protein — eggs cottage cheese any kind of meat — or the equivalent amount from a good canned dog food. My book The Dog Bible explains how to read the label of canned dog food too. Definitely avoid any flavors in yogurt – plain entire milk yogurt is best — and you’re right to worry about the artificial sweeteners in flavored yogurt since aspartame is especially bad for dogs. The fish oil is a great thing to be adding but one capsule of a quality brand like Nordic Naturals is just right for Smokey since it’s one capsule for every 20 lbs. SmartpakCanine.com has salmon oil capsules if you want to order from there since they only charge one low shipping price.

As for caging him for that amount of time NO! It is not okay. I really want you to call into the show so we can discuss what you mean by him not being trustworthy…? A dog needs to have some freedom even if it is in a confined area and we need to get Smokey out of prison ASAP.  Thanks for writing Pete — now give me a call!

Tracie

The Dog Bible