We have had dogs my whole life, most of them big dogs. We have always fed them table scraps along with a good quality dry dog food. Every dog I have ever owned (except for the door dasher that ran in front of a car) has lived well into its teens (12 -16) with no major health problems. I'm sticking to a winning formula.
The dog I have now nearly died from eating a pan of overcooked onions rings that the teenagers fed her. She had to be treated with cortisone for hives all over her body and down her throat that were compromising her breathing. Up until then I did not know about onions as a problem.
As for commercial food, please be aware that our pets should not be eating corn or wheat, both of which are a major ingredient in most supermaket foods and even in some foods you get from the vet. Buying a high quality food with meat (not meat by-products) as the major ingredient makes a huge difference. No one believes my 60 pound dog is 7 1/2 years old. She looks and has the energy of a 2 year old.
Switching from corn/wheat based foods virtually eliminates gas problems caused by the body trying to digest the undigestible. The amount of waste to clean up is so much smaller, and a 30 pound bag lasts us 2 months at 2 level cups of food per day supplemented with table scraps.
I had my last dog, a great dane mix who weighed 120 pounds at his prime, for 16 years. God willing I will have my current dog, a pit mix, for at least that long. She is the nicest dog I have ever owned and well worth the premium food.View Thread