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Dear Helena,
I offered to housesit my friend's dog, little realizing that this task would come with five pages of elaborate instructions, including a special meal plan of foods I have to prepare. I am seriously considering giving Rover some Alpo and not telling his owner (sorry, "guardian"). Are they being rude in expecting me to do so much, and since they won't find out, would it be bad to skimp on the requirements?
—Dogs Aren't Children
Dear Dogs Aren't Children,
Once, making your own dog food was like creating a Facebook page for your pooch—a clear sign that you were putting too much emotional energy into him. Now, increasingly, both are common practice. And while personally I still refuse all Facebook invitations from "friends" with names like Fido and Mr. Muggles, I see the wisdom of making your own dog chow.
Kymythy Schultze, a clinical nutritionist for humans, dogs, and cats, explains why dog owners are increasingly suspicious of commercial pet food. "Our doctors tell us more and more every day that it's healthy to cut down on processed foods; [we're realizing that] the same is true for dogs." Though manufacturers may claim that only commercial food offers the right blend of canine nutrients, Schultze points out that humans managed to feed their dogs just fine for the thousands of years before Purina came along.
Of course, it's hard enough to find time to cook your own dinner. Who has time to do the same for their dog? It's not that complicated, says Jim Dixon, an olive-oil seller in Portland, Oregon. After one of his two pugs developed an itchy rash in reaction to the allergens in commercial dog food, Dixon started cooking their meals from scratch. His preferred formula was a blend of ground meat, grated carrots, and rice, and he says: "It only took 20 minutes to make nearly an entire week's worth for them both."
Side note: Pet expert Arden Moore suggests saving even more time—and money—by feeding dog food to your whole family. She claims that of the recipes in her book Real Food for Dogs, two-thirds can be dished up to "both the two- and the four-leggers." Judging from her description of her Marvelous Mutt Meatballs—prepared without spices and with very little salt—I beg to differ. (You can check out the recipe for yourself in this CHOW story on making your own dog food.)
Anyway, back to your etiquette problem: When you casually offer to dog-sit, you assume that means tipping some kibble into a bowl, not baking gluten-free dog biscuits from scratch. Therefore, your friends should have mentioned Rover's dietary regime up front, and you're right to feel a little betrayed.
But that doesn't mean you should lie. Just tell them that catering to Rover's dietary needs is more work than you bargained for and they have two choices: (1) Shell out for a kennel, or (2) make up batches of food in advance and simply stash them in the freezer for you to remove as needed.
Yes, it's tempting to avoid this slightly awkward conversation and secretly let the dog gorge himself on kibble. It probably won't hurt him. In my irresponsible youth, I accidentally allowed a friend's dog to wolf down the remainder of a pan of pot brownies. I then freaked out, knowing that chocolate is bad for dogs. But, after about six hours of remaining perfectly still while staring at a knot in the floor, the dog was fine.
On the other hand, deviating from Rover's usual diet could lead to disaster. I once got a lot of flak for saying it was OK to covertly feed breadcrumbs to a dinner guest on the South Beach Diet. My theory was that this little transgression wasn't hurting anybody—and was very much improving the dinner. But you just never know how a few days of Alpo is going to affect a dog's digestive system. As Moore says: "For some, it's no problem, but for others it's the three P's: pee, poop, and puke."
Question for Jim Dixon: Please tell me your recipe for your pug's food. I have a black pug named Truffle, and would like to prepare his food rather than use commercially-prepared. Thanks.
BTW if you are going to feed the dog something commercially made, as many others have said don't use Alpo. We tried it- once- and got quite a blow-out.
I think the owners should not have left you to cook for their dogs without an upfront warning, do NOT feed the dog some other random food of your choosing. Although our dog looked fine and healthy, if she was fed regular food she would develop kidney stones and need another painful trip to the vet. Likewise, of our two brother cats one cannot eat gluten products- which we only found out after his...+READ
I think the owners should not have left you to cook for their dogs without an upfront warning, do NOT feed the dog some other random food of your choosing. Although our dog looked fine and healthy, if she was fed regular food she would develop kidney stones and need another painful trip to the vet. Likewise, of our two brother cats one cannot eat gluten products- which we only found out after his becoming so sick he needed exploratory surgery and almost dying. If he so much as gets a single cat treat with wheat in it, he has uncontollable vomiting until he's dehydrated and there is nothing left in his poor tummy.
In regards to the 5 pages of instructions, while they may be a bit excessive I agree with what other posters said about needing to know basic histories/vet numbers/etc.-COLLAPSE
In addition to feeding requirements(such as amounts for each dog, and the supplements for joint health), I also leave information about any other issues... things like which two dogs have been surly toward each other, or 'so-and-so has been trying to run off', that sort of thing. Not instructions per se, but it does add to the page count.
I would have to leave at least a few pages for someone to take care of my cats just to make sure they have the vet information, etc. I would not expect someone to cook food for them. I would make it ahead of time and put it in the fridge or wherever.
To address the "several pages of information" issue. When I leave my dog, I leave about three pages of information. Why? Because I don't assume that someone who doesn't have a dog knows what to do and where to go in case of an emergency! You can't just call 9-1-1 when something happens to your pet. Thus, the information includes the name, hours, phone number and address of her vet; the hours,...+READ
To address the "several pages of information" issue. When I leave my dog, I leave about three pages of information. Why? Because I don't assume that someone who doesn't have a dog knows what to do and where to go in case of an emergency! You can't just call 9-1-1 when something happens to your pet. Thus, the information includes the name, hours, phone number and address of her vet; the hours, address and a map to the emergency vet; the location of the credit card I leave to cover any emergency expenses; my contact info; my itinerary, etc.
It also includes a description of the feeding routine (just kibble!) and tips for what to do if she doesn't eat (she often goes off her food when I'm away). I thought I was being considerate and responsible, but if that's too "controlling" I guess I should just walk out the door and leave it to the dog sitter to figure out what to do if my dog starts vomiting because she got pancreatitis from the junky food he gave her.-COLLAPSE
Haha! Helena fed the dog pot brownies. And it just sat there. So it was hunky dory. Of course it could have gone into convulsions and died, since Helena was apparently too stoned to care. Couldn't Chow find someone with a modicum of a sense of responsibility when hiring someone whose job it is to GIVE ADVICE!?
It amazes me how many people (including, it appears, Helena) think it's perfectly...+READ
Haha! Helena fed the dog pot brownies. And it just sat there. So it was hunky dory. Of course it could have gone into convulsions and died, since Helena was apparently too stoned to care. Couldn't Chow find someone with a modicum of a sense of responsibility when hiring someone whose job it is to GIVE ADVICE!?
It amazes me how many people (including, it appears, Helena) think it's perfectly acceptable to secretly mess with other living creatures' food. Be a responsible grown-up: accept the terms of the dog sitting deal or don't do it, but don't lie about it!-COLLAPSE
This "friend" has control issues. Several PAGES of information? Not pre-preparing the food? Unless the dog has a serious illness, this is absolutely insane and quite frankly, rude. That being said, you are friends with this person. Do the honorable thing, no matter how ridiculous the request. If it's too ridiculous for you, be honest and politely decline- after all, you have a legit excuse as you...+READ
This "friend" has control issues. Several PAGES of information? Not pre-preparing the food? Unless the dog has a serious illness, this is absolutely insane and quite frankly, rude. That being said, you are friends with this person. Do the honorable thing, no matter how ridiculous the request. If it's too ridiculous for you, be honest and politely decline- after all, you have a legit excuse as you were not told up front all of the dog's "requirements".-COLLAPSE
> humans managed to feed their dogs just fine for the thousands of years
Heh, cavemen let the dogs eat their leftovers... bones, intestines, hooves
As the owner of 6 dogs with some on special food and diets, when ever I have someone come to babysit, I bag each dogs daily requirements separately in "doggy bags". Everything is in each zip lock bag that each dog needs. Names on the bags also. Makes it easy for everyone........you knowing each day each dog will get his/her measured requirements and for the sitter .........just open a bag and...+READ
As the owner of 6 dogs with some on special food and diets, when ever I have someone come to babysit, I bag each dogs daily requirements separately in "doggy bags". Everything is in each zip lock bag that each dog needs. Names on the bags also. Makes it easy for everyone........you knowing each day each dog will get his/her measured requirements and for the sitter .........just open a bag and pour in dogs dish. Each dish by the way has the dogs name on it.-COLLAPSE
Feed the dog what its OWNER says it eats, and remind yourself to ask more questions next time. If YOU decide what the dog should eat, and the owner comes home to doggie barf (or worse) all over the house, the owner will KNOW you "screwed the pooch". Yes, the owner should have been more specific about what the dog required. And yes, it would have been nice if they had prepared it for you in...+READ
Feed the dog what its OWNER says it eats, and remind yourself to ask more questions next time. If YOU decide what the dog should eat, and the owner comes home to doggie barf (or worse) all over the house, the owner will KNOW you "screwed the pooch". Yes, the owner should have been more specific about what the dog required. And yes, it would have been nice if they had prepared it for you in advance. But follow the directions you're given. THAT is what you said you would do.-COLLAPSE
I have a dog on a sort of special diet (low protein, senior food, I buy holistic etc), and I agree that the person asking this "favor" should most definitely be giving the sitter all the food, ready to spoon out into a bowl, that's it. Even when my dog goes to the kennel, a few cans of her food go with her, to be mixed in with the high quality dry they give there.
I also agree with the few that...+READ
I have a dog on a sort of special diet (low protein, senior food, I buy holistic etc), and I agree that the person asking this "favor" should most definitely be giving the sitter all the food, ready to spoon out into a bowl, that's it. Even when my dog goes to the kennel, a few cans of her food go with her, to be mixed in with the high quality dry they give there.
I also agree with the few that have mentioned that messing with a dog's diet can and will backfire in unpleasant ways for you. If I give my dog Caesar, or some other cheap-o canned food, I'm paying for it later in some way. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, especially someone kind enough to watch her for me.-COLLAPSE
We always cooked our own dog food, a big pan once per week with pumpkin, minced beef, liver, rice, silverbeet, marmite, grated carrot and some vitamins. It was easy, the dogs loved it and (along with bones to keep their teeth clean) it was all they ate. The two dogs were remarkably healthy their entire lives and lived six years beyond the average life expectancy for border collies (15, rather...+READ
We always cooked our own dog food, a big pan once per week with pumpkin, minced beef, liver, rice, silverbeet, marmite, grated carrot and some vitamins. It was easy, the dogs loved it and (along with bones to keep their teeth clean) it was all they ate. The two dogs were remarkably healthy their entire lives and lived six years beyond the average life expectancy for border collies (15, rather than 9).
It took hardly any time to do it, and was much better for the dogs than processed food. I think you're friends should have pre-warned you re: the dog's dietary requirements but I also think not to follow them wouldn't exactly make you a great friend to them, either.-COLLAPSE
Wow, I skipped over the Pot brownies too. That poor animal was probably baked out of his gourd. I held my sides on that one!
Seriously? It's a dog, some will even eat their own poop on occation if you let them. You don't need to feed them free range chicken and fresh veggies for the love of pete. I think the owner (not the sitter) is rediculous. At the same time, I own an Alaskan Malamute and a Bull Mastif and I do buy premium dog food and do from time to time buy chicken or beer jerky dog treats, but really, five...+READ
Seriously? It's a dog, some will even eat their own poop on occation if you let them. You don't need to feed them free range chicken and fresh veggies for the love of pete. I think the owner (not the sitter) is rediculous. At the same time, I own an Alaskan Malamute and a Bull Mastif and I do buy premium dog food and do from time to time buy chicken or beer jerky dog treats, but really, five pages? Just a little of the deep end....-COLLAPSE
ROFL, originalfig, I missed that completely! Skimmed right over it, I suppose.
Ahem, Helena, both chocolate AND pot are bad for dogs. :P
Some people cook for their dogs out of concern about what they are eating. Others do so because the dog has dietary issues. Our dog has major food allergies and IBD. We have not found a commercial pet food he can tolerate and what he can tolerate can change. Feeding him something he can not tolerate leads to explosive diarrhea, vomiting and if bad enough he will quit eating and start losing large...+READ
Some people cook for their dogs out of concern about what they are eating. Others do so because the dog has dietary issues. Our dog has major food allergies and IBD. We have not found a commercial pet food he can tolerate and what he can tolerate can change. Feeding him something he can not tolerate leads to explosive diarrhea, vomiting and if bad enough he will quit eating and start losing large amounts of weight. So disregarding the food plan could um, blow up in your face, literally.
If we have someone watch our dog we pre-cook and portion his food so all they have to do is take the container out of the fridge and dump it into the bowl.-COLLAPSE
I think it's hilarious that Helena accidentally fed a dog pot brownies but freaked out because of the chocolate, not the pot.
I adopted a purebred St. Bernard when she was 5 years old. Fed her nothing but Purina One. She lived to the ripe old age of 14. Hey, if you want to make your own dog food from scratch, more power to you. But I must agree that you need to prepare meals in advance and drop them off when you ask someone to dog-sit. It's pretty darn rude to do it the way your friends did.
I have two senior dogs who are each on a different special diet. One of them needs daily mediciation, and the other gets glucosamine daily. They do eat canned food and kibble, but two different kinds. On the other hand, I live in a gorgeous house in a popular vacation area, and people are usually eager to dogsit for me so they can stay at my house. So, here's what I do: I pay my dogsitters. I...+READ
I have two senior dogs who are each on a different special diet. One of them needs daily mediciation, and the other gets glucosamine daily. They do eat canned food and kibble, but two different kinds. On the other hand, I live in a gorgeous house in a popular vacation area, and people are usually eager to dogsit for me so they can stay at my house. So, here's what I do: I pay my dogsitters. I acknowledge that the feeding is more complicated than most dogs, and tell them that is why I am willing to pay well (between $25 and $35 a day, depending on circumstances). Occasionally, if the sitter is a good friend, she will refuse payment, and in that case I return with a nice gift. I would much rather you cancelled on me than that you fed my dogs Alpo.-COLLAPSE
There are a lot of non-dog-lovers responding to this thread. I would request that they be silent and let only those of us who really love dogs reply.
Your friend (and I use the term loosely) screwed you big-time. They should have outlined the parameters of the dog's "needs" and by that I mean maybe it's the owner, maybe it really is the dog's need, but it's an extreme set of needs and you should...+READ
There are a lot of non-dog-lovers responding to this thread. I would request that they be silent and let only those of us who really love dogs reply.
Your friend (and I use the term loosely) screwed you big-time. They should have outlined the parameters of the dog's "needs" and by that I mean maybe it's the owner, maybe it really is the dog's need, but it's an extreme set of needs and you should have been forewarned before you were petitioned for a committment.-COLLAPSE
You're going to have to say something. If you fill this dog up with processed food you might have a 'messy problem' in your home due to dietary change. You don't want to deal with THAT!
You have lame friends.
When we've left our dog with others we've always provided her food, with instructions as to when and how much she got. Good quality dry food, one kind, plus a biscuit after her walk. Wouldn't dream of asking anyone to cater meals, which would be an imposition beyond reason.
The only good reason for that kind of elaborate procedure would be if the dog had serious health problems, in which case...+READ
When we've left our dog with others we've always provided her food, with instructions as to when and how much she got. Good quality dry food, one kind, plus a biscuit after her walk. Wouldn't dream of asking anyone to cater meals, which would be an imposition beyond reason.
The only good reason for that kind of elaborate procedure would be if the dog had serious health problems, in which case it should be boarded with professionals, not casual friends.-COLLAPSE
My stepmom has had three dogs with very particular stomachs, especially once they got on in years. Kibble or Canned food is very likely to result in bigger problems than you are prepared for ranging from allergy/breathing difficulty to the three p's discussed above. If you want to feel helpless try sitting there watching your stepmom's precious pup gasping for air for a half hour before the...+READ
My stepmom has had three dogs with very particular stomachs, especially once they got on in years. Kibble or Canned food is very likely to result in bigger problems than you are prepared for ranging from allergy/breathing difficulty to the three p's discussed above. If you want to feel helpless try sitting there watching your stepmom's precious pup gasping for air for a half hour before the antihistamines kick in.-COLLAPSE
Don't mess with the dogs diet. It could be very harmful to the dog and you will be cleaning up a lot of the three Ps. Trust me! I used to work at a stray facility and vet clinic. We would get animals in that would be used to their particular diet at home, get loose, come to us and eat whatever kind of food had been donated. You don't even want to know about the messes we cleaned up.
If you are...+READ
Don't mess with the dogs diet. It could be very harmful to the dog and you will be cleaning up a lot of the three Ps. Trust me! I used to work at a stray facility and vet clinic. We would get animals in that would be used to their particular diet at home, get loose, come to us and eat whatever kind of food had been donated. You don't even want to know about the messes we cleaned up.
If you are not up for the task (granted the owner should have been more upfront), then you need to recind the offer. When questioned about it just say it entails more than you feel you could provide, you know how much he/she loves Fido and you want Fido to get the best care while away from home.-COLLAPSE
Five pages of instructions for some mutt? I'd a) decline and b) reconsider the friendship.
I agree with the above posts wholehearted but there is another reason glaring reason not to babysit the dog. Obviously, your friend is extremely attached to the dog (overly, perhaps to excess). The dog is on a special diet for a reason I presume. What if something where to happen while under your care? You would be blamed, words exchanged, etc, etc. And then what? Would you be expected to replace...+READ
I agree with the above posts wholehearted but there is another reason glaring reason not to babysit the dog. Obviously, your friend is extremely attached to the dog (overly, perhaps to excess). The dog is on a special diet for a reason I presume. What if something where to happen while under your care? You would be blamed, words exchanged, etc, etc. And then what? Would you be expected to replace the dog? Be sued for neglect? No thanks!-COLLAPSE
Is your friend serious? As soon as she started with the 5 pages of instructions I would have said, "Sorry but I don't have the time. Here's what I have the time for...... Do you still want me to sit your dog?" If she gets angry with you, could she be a good friend even though YOU'RE DOING HER THE FAVOR? I'll bet you're not the first person she asked but the others told her no.
The dog owner should definitely provide food for the dog. My cat has a special diet due to health reasons, and whenever I have someone watch him when I go on vacation I always provide the food he'll need. It's only polite, they're doing me the favor.
First observation is that yes, the dogs owner was deceitful in his/her request to you. That, in itself should make any acquaintance-ship with him/her questionable.
And I agree with Helena & Caerus that the owner HAS THE OBLIGATION to provide already prepared portions for you to feed the pup.
Seriously, Alpo? I wouldn't feed that trash to the nasty little toy poodle that lives down the street.
Just lay down the rules with the dog's owner, if they want to make their dogs food, they should make it themselves. Even if Fido's dinner isn't perfectly balanced because it has to be frozen/defrosted, it'll work for a short time and shouldn't cause any tummy upset. When we can afford it, we...+READ
Seriously, Alpo? I wouldn't feed that trash to the nasty little toy poodle that lives down the street.
Just lay down the rules with the dog's owner, if they want to make their dogs food, they should make it themselves. Even if Fido's dinner isn't perfectly balanced because it has to be frozen/defrosted, it'll work for a short time and shouldn't cause any tummy upset. When we can afford it, we feed our two Border Collies a prey-model raw diet. When we leave them with family, we bag their frozen dinners into ziploc bags with their names and days of the week on them. All the family has to do is pull out the bag with the right date and name on it, they don't even have to defrost it.-COLLAPSE