i feed minced meat (chicken/turkey/beef etc) with veg and brown rice . its sold as barf complete . does it need a mixer or extra vitamins added . this seemed like the quick and easy way to barf why i learn a bit more . getting a bullmastiff bitch next month and was wondering if this would be suitable along with goats milk and a rusk or not . any help or advice appreciated

I have used it and its pretty good...however its pretty expensive and I think you'll find it a very expensive way of feeding a bully on BARF
Archer

Why are you adding rusks, they are for babies, not dogs?!

was recommended by a number of breeders i spoke to and is in a couple of bullmastiff books i have read .

Still not sure of why you are feeding them. "Other people do", is never a good enough reason for me - I would want to know why! What is in them that makes them nutritionally valuable for dogs? Surely they are dairy and cereal based and therefore not necessary in a dogs diet.

A book I used to have by a verywell known canine vet and author actually suggested using Mars Bars as training treats! Ever since I have not believed everything written in ink! ;-)

a lot of breaders recomend them and breaders are a very good source of information on your bread of dog.

rusks are full of calcium hence why they are for babies good for bones as they grow.

Yes, but giving too much calcium can be equally detrimental- although I would question the nutrional value and calcium content of feeding them myself anyway.

Rusks have a huge percentage of sugar. Bad for babies as well as dogs. Besides, supplementing puppies with calcium can do more harm than good.

vet says its fine and yes i do trust my vet

Farleys Original rusks are 29% sugar (see link). I wouldn't give that to a baby or a dog!

isnt goats milk full of calcium to?

Yes, and is designed for goats. Pups really don't need milk after they've been weaned.

My vet tells me to vaccinate every year, worm every three months, feed commercial food such as Eukanuba and no doubt, to feed rusks too. Hence the reason I don't listen to my vet. At the end of the day, they are humans, not Gods, who have had training in what to say and what to promote. I bet if you questioned your vet on why rusks are good and why to vaccinate, worm etc, they could only 'quote' you an answer as taught by their veterinary training.

My vet told me I should be worming every three months. I pointed out wormers are not preventatives and would only kill any worms in the dogs system at that time, as well as destroying the natural balance of their digestive system with the chemicals. The next day they could pick up worms again. I clear up after my dogs every day and keep a close eye on their health. If they had worms, I would know, and would treat it if necessary. He stuttered several arguements, before giving up and agreeing I was right. My dogs are now on a homeopathic preventative wormer.

Some breeders also go with age old methods they learnt from others, which are not necessarily right either. Feeding Weetabix has been proven to be unnecessary and yet I bet some breeders still recommend it. Rusks are even worse than that IMO.

If only people would think for themselves rather than following what everyone else does. I may not get everything right for my dogs, I'm not perfect so no doubt I don't, but at least I do my own research and make up my own mind.

Unfortunately it's not as simple as telling people to think for themselves :) People have to gain experience - sometimes the hard way, sometimes the easy way by reading, listening to others. I am happy to admit that when I had my older dog (first dog, other than family dog), I knew very little about dogs and so tended to go along with what the vet or other people said. Now I am older and (hopefully) wiser, I will try to make a more informed decision :)

People should not be condemned outright for following advice given by vets. They, at least, have gone to the vet for advice rather than just doing nothing :) Most people are well meaning and wouldn't wish harm to their animals - no-one is perfect :)

Daisy

Very well said Daisy, you do have a good point. I'll get off my band wagon now! ;-)

well for any pup I have I feed meet & biscuit  + bonemeal I have fed rusks in the past and it has not affected my dogs in anyway that could be deemed detrimental.  They have not been hyper, suffered any kidneuy/liver problems and their hip scores have come back well below breed average.

I think it is a case of, as in any area of feeding moderation can do no harm, I personally have found a feeding regime that suits my puupies without resorting to mass produced feedstuffs but I would say each to their own and what suits one can be a real pain in the *ss to someone else.  So we all have to find the method that suits our lifestyles.

Opps a few gremlins got it - that was meat + biscuit and I have not seen any kidney/liver problems in my dogs I'm not going to even mention the puupies/puppies bit LOL

Rusks and goats milk are not required but should not hurt occasionally as a treat.  Given as routine does not make sense.

BTW I would never trust my conventional vet on nutrition - they get about half a days training by either Pedigree or Hills.

Wendy

LOL Caz i didnt even notice the typo's until you pointed them out :)  We know you can spell ;)