freezing dog kibble question

[calgal]

Even though I do cook for my dogs, I still leave dry kibble down for them. Since they are tiny, and don't eat very much at all, I have been freezing the kibble and take out a little each day. I have heard that freezing takes the protein out of the food. If this is the case are we taking the protein out of our own meats by freezing? Anyone know about not freezing kibble?

[GreenleafGreyhound]

I completely agree with feeding homemade meals--- raw, that is. I wonder how you prepare your meals?

As for freezing kibble, the kibble is basically a combination of well overcooked meats and veggies and, unless you're feeding EVO, grains. I would figure that a prolonged period of time in the freezer would devoid the kibble of its proteins. In fact, raw feeders suggest you feed the raw meat within a month time period, two months at most. I would think that this is especially true for well cooked meats, veggies, and grains. Don't quote me on that, however. I've never heard of freezing kibble for a long time *shrugs*. I have heard of freezing water soaked kibble mush that an anemic dog or dog with diarrhea did not/would not eat. Of course, that was just for a day or so. Fresh is always my choice, so I would suggest you buy a smaller bag of the kibble or bag about a month's worth and give the rest to a shelter or friend. Hope that helps!

[Alexis]

If you buy small bags of food, you shouldn't have to freeze it. The food won't go bad before you are able to feed it. I end up with a new bag every two weeks (my guys eat A LOT), but if you buy enough for a month supply, you should be fine. I also put my food in an air tight, food safe container. This will keep the food fresh.

[calgal]

I buy the small bags of Innova, but they eat maybe two tablespoons of it a day.......at the most. It just outlasts shelf time so I freeze it.

[Alexis]

Just out of curiousity, why so the even get the kibble if they eat that little of it? you might want to call the company and ask them if freezing it does anything to the protien or nutrients.... companies are ususally more than happy to help out!

[calgal]

It's a way of giving them something hard and crunchy to chew really. The Vet. said they should have dried kibble. My Chi wont chew her bully stick, but the puppy does.

[GreenleafGreyhound]

Originally Posted by calgal

It's a way of giving them something hard and crunchy to chew really. The Vet. said they should have dried kibble. My Chi wont chew her bully stick, but the puppy does.

My vet also doesn't like me giving my dog RMBs or rec bones because he is a conventional vet. Calgal, I find it interesting that you advocate a homemade meal, but also halfway follow your vet's advice regarding kibble. The reason most people switch to a homemade diet is because of their lack of satisfaction in kibble. Instead of kibble, how about RMBs? You're already doing a homemade meal so why don't you just toss in a chicken wing or neck? It's better for their teeth, anyways. Can I also ask what kind of diet you're feeding?

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Freezing dry kibble will take out some of the nutrients if kept for longer than just a few days frozen. One way to avoid it is to seal it air tight via machine.

[doberkim]

freezing shouldnt affect it that much - it may loose some, but i dont imagine it would be that significant in the long run. many manufacturers recommend that some foods be kept refrigerated, and freezing extends the life of foods.

that being said - i freeze kibble for the rats, and greenleaf - who said food needs to be used within 2 months? i have things frozen for well over a year in some corners of the freezers dogs dont care if there is freezerburn.

[GreenleafGreyhound]

LOL! I really don't know. I think it was in a BARF FAQs; it asked how long can you keep the meat in the freezer and somebody said two months. The two months rule has stuck with us, anyhow, because we rarely buy more than a month or two's worth.

[calgal]

I feed beef, chicken, steamed broccoli, grated carrots, liver, salmon, sardines, yogurt, cottage cheese, brown rice, oatmeal, boiled eggs, blended fruit and a few others. I've cooked for my dogs since I had my first one 46 years ago. Mainly because my grandparents who raised me always fed their dog ( a Boston named Patsy) real food. She died at age 22 from being kicked in the head by one of the cows. She loved teasing and nipping their back legs and then run, but she was old and slow and didn't move out of the way quick enough after nipping.
I'm always open for suggestions. Innova dog food was highly recommended by a couple of breeders many years ago. (after extensive research comparing it to other brands, I have not found one better). I keep this down for them so they will have an added crunch, and because they need to be used to it in case they have someone else taking care of them when I can't. (which I have had to several time). I can't expect anyone to cook for them.

[Mutts4me]

Super cool that u guys cook for your dogs Red only gets KIbble. What foods are reallly good for dogs ( like doesn't have a bunch of extras)

[Owned by Lucy]

When I was feeding kibble I always looked for 3 things.

1. Must comtain human grade products
2. Should be baked not extruded. If it doesn't say you can put a couple of pieces in a bowl of luke warm water and if baked it will not expand very much.
3. The should be no grains or veggies listed in the first 3 ingredients

[calgal]

Do you mean what real food or dog food is really good? Even if your feeding strickly a dry kibble, adding some meat and veggies to it is good. There are some really good premium dog kibble on the market, and I don't mean super market garbage or Wal-Mart junk. Look into the INNOVA, and CA. NATURAL. The main ingredients are always listed first. Stay away from anything containing BY-PRODUCTS. Meals and grains are not good either. They are only fillers.

[LuvMyPups]

I feed my dogs strickly kibble at this point. Tori has been on everything high grade....as my mom did a lot of researching on dog food for her pugs. Tori and Kayda are now on Nutro Natural Choice...for sensitive stomachs...Tori has a very sensitive tummy. Riley eats the Nutro puppy. They each get the NuPro dog powder as a supplement on their food, as well as plain low-fat yogurt.

Cal, you could try swiching to a Dry Kibble with fewer calories than Inova....Inova contains 557 cal/cup...so with fewer calories they might be able to eat more....California Natural is good...I am not sure have many calories Solid Gold has but it is a really good Holistic Food as well.....