Our Nutrition Program
I am not a veterinarian nor a dog nutritionist. I have done my own research and have come up with the diet that works best for our pack and our lifestyle. As a dog owner, you are responsible for doing your own research to find what fits best for your pet, your lifestyle and your budget. I can help you with some of your choices, but you should always discuss your food selection with your veterinarian.
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I am currently working with 2 food manufacturers on pre-made dog food with ingredient decks that I personally feel very comfortable with. I also offer my dogs many whole foods and Natures Diet Pet Bone Broth (Amazon) as toppers for their food. My protein choices are mostly organ meats, fish, chicken, whole eggs, ground beef along with a fat free, sugar free, plain Greek yogurt. Some raw proteins, some cooked. I also offer 100% canned pumpkin, raw fruits and raw vegetables with each meal and also for their treats. Before feeding my pack anything new, I always check the AKC website to make sure that what I am feeding them is not poisonous to dogs as many common whole foods are.
I have many friends who have chosen a raw food diet, which is excellent as long as you do your due diligence and know how to carefully balance your dogs’ diet. However, as nutritional as that may be, I did not take that route. I personally prefer to give my dogs a wider variety of food choices, providing them with the best nutrition and variety that I can. We also need it to be convenient for traveling. There are many great food choices currently on the market, but my choices and selections are in my opinion perfect for my pack!
One Size Does Not Fit All:
Veterinarians recommend that you consider your dog’s stage of life when choosing his diet. A puppy has different nutritional needs than an adolescent, a pregnant or lactating female, or a senior dog. There are safety requirements for dog food. Making sure your dog’s food has the necessary ingredients is very important, but you also need to find out where those ingredients were sourced, how they were prepared and stored, and whether the final product was checked for safety.
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It is extremely important that a Dachshund not be allowed to become overweight. This is not only because of general health reasons, but also to avoid strain to the Dachshund's long back, which can lead to slipped or ruptured (herniated) discs. Ignore the pleading eyes and give only the recommended amount given by the manufacturer of the quality dog food of your choice. Give table scraps very sparingly, if at all, especially avoiding cooked bones and foods with high fat content. Remember that the Dachshund's nose can get him into trouble, and always keep food well out of his reach.
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Note: For my breeding program, I DO NOT USE ANY FOOD THAT CONTAINS PEA'S, SWEET POTATOES, OR LEGUMES OF ANY KIND!
Farmina Pet Foods
(the information below was found within the Farmina website)
https://www.farmina.com/us/eshop
Discount Code: US435906MXDGLQ​
Farmina is nature and science in perfect harmony. Their mission is to develop the best all-natural, nutritious, and scientifically validated food that your dogs will love. That’s why they mix and cook only the finest raw ingredients following strict guidelines set by nutritional experts. With their expertise, we have designed a scientifically validated diet specific to a carnivore’s nutritional needs.
Whole Food Ingredients:
Whole-food ingredients are minimally processed so they deliver the nutrients, vitamins, and fiber that pack the most value. The best diet for your dog is composed of whole-food ingredients – including fresh and raw meats, fruits, and vegetables — as opposed to powdered or synthetic ingredients.
Nature:
Nature is their biggest source of wealth, which is why they preserve our food’s characteristics using tools and methods Mother Nature gave.
Only Natural Antioxidants:
Farmina uses Tocopherol rich extracts as a natural preservative for our products.
No Genetically Modified Organisms - GMO:
Farmina excludes any potential GMO ingredients from our products and instead use only
GMO-FREE ancestral cereals (spelt and oats).
Preserved Under a Protective Atmosphere:
Another way Farmina naturally preserve their food is by using nitrogen during the packaging process. By introducing nitrogen into the food bags, they can displace any oxygen that is present to eliminate the potential for fat oxidation and, therefore, rancidity. This technique is also widely used in human food packaging.
Science guides their actions, which is why Farmina established a working relationship with the Chair of Animal Nutrition at the University of Naples Federico II. Clinical findings are developed and led by public entities to ensure scientific validity and are the basis for their formulation. During the collaboration, many of their lines of research were published in high bibliometric scientific journals.
Below are my Farmina personal recipe choices:
​Puppy - Chicken & Pomegranate Puppy Mini
N&D Chicken and pomegranate recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages
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Adult - Cod, Spelt, Oats & Orange Adult Mini
N&D Cod, spelt, oats and orange recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance
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Elevate Pet Provisions – 100% Grass-Fed Beef Dog Food
(the information below was found within the Elevate Pet Provisions website)
Discount Code: MARYLOU​
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Elevate air-dried dog food starts with high-quality ingredients such as grass-fed beef from small US ranches, as well as organic fruits and vegetables.
Elevate works with small farms and ranches to source only the finest ingredients. By working directly with the producers, they enable themselves to know their ingredients and to further the small family farms and ranches. Elevate consists of only 8 ingredients and they won’t allow any of these ingredients to come from big commercial farming or ranching practices because the food quality suffers. The ingredients are all grown in the United States by families practicing high standards of animal husbandry and sustainable farming practices.
What Is Air-Dried Dog Food?
Air-dried dog food is a type of pet food that undergoes a unique drying process to preserve its natural nutrients and flavors. Unlike traditional kibbles, which many brands are cooked at high temperatures, air-dried dog food is gently dried at low temperatures. This process removes moisture from the food while retaining its nutritional content, resulting in a lightweight, shelf-stable product that is easy to store and serve.
Benefits of Air-Dried Dog Food:
Nutrient Retention:
Air-dried dog food is dried at low temperatures, helping to retain more of the natural nutrients in the ingredients compared to traditional kibble, which is cooked at high temperatures.
Easy to Digest:
gentle drying process used in air-dried dog food can make it easier for dogs to digest, making it a good option for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food sensitivities. Additionally, our minimal ingredient formulations have only 8 or 9 all natural ingredients leading to improved nutrient absorption.
Convenience:
Air-dried dog food is lightweight and shelf-stable, making it convenient to store, transport, and serve.
Natural Ingredients:
Elevate Pet Provisions air-dried dog foods are made with high-quality, natural ingredients, providing dogs with a nutritious and balanced diet. We source 100% of our beef from small US ranches that honor responsible animal husbandry as well as regenerative ranching practices. We will never use meat that has been raised internationally. All of our produce is organically grown in the United States.
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How to Store Your Dog Food:
​1. Once you find the right food for your dog, you want to keep it fresh and safe. The Food and Drug Administration offers store dry pet food in its original bag with the top tightly folded down.
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2. If you want to store dry pet food in another storage container, put the entire bag into the container.
3. Keep pet food in a secure location where your pet can’t get to it.
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4. Store dry food in a cool and dry place at a temperature less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
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5. Wash pet food bowls and scooping utensils with soap and hot water after each use.
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6. Throw out old or spoiled pet food by placing it in a securely tied plastic bag in a covered trash can.
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(All opinions expressed are solely the opinions of DiamondDachs)