07/01/2026
People ask me all the time about what I feed my TMs. I have spent a lot of time reading and researching and honestly, the one thing that I know, is that I don't know enough, definitely not enough to tell someone else what they should feed their dogs. I am still learning, but one thing is for sure, that the vast majority of people here in Facebook World know even less. I keep running across people espousing rigid rules such as the 80-10-10 rule of raw feeding and (what I consider) "crazy" people who weigh out foods to the ounce and plate their dogs' meals, much as you would expect if dining in a Michelin 3-star rated restaurant. The precision with which they prepare and present the meals astounds me, and I just look at the pictures and shake my head in disbelief. Because it is impressive looking, but....even I can see that it follows the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law. In other words, the ratios and weights are there, but the nutrients are not.
Just as an example: Protein or muscle meats are not all created equal. While all animal meats contain all 9 essential amino acids, the percentages are not the same across species. Beef is high in Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine, Lysine, Histidine; chicken is highest in Phenylalanine and Leucine; fish is high in Methionine and Tryptophan; turkey and duck contain Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Methionine, and also have higher levels of Glutamic acid and Aspartic acid; and pork is more balanced overall but provides the highest level of Threonine. So a diet consisting of a single source protein, even though it is a "complete protein", may still be deficient in some amino acids. Chicken based diets will have lower amounts of Tryptophan and Methionine than what is considered ideal. Salmon is lower and may be considered deficient in Methionine and Histidine.
And grains, oh that ugly word often considered a "filler", can actually be a good thing! Quinoa and wild rice are both complete proteins, containing all 9 essential amino acids. Not in the same concentration as meats, but nevertheless, they are more than just fillers. They also contain many essential vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, and fiber, which you won't find in meats. Barley contains almost all 9 but is low in lysine. Pairing barley with dairy completes the protein panel. And surprise, surprise, in Tibet, Tibetan Mastiffs have traditionally been fed....barley and yak milk.
The point of this is that formulas, ratios, rules, cannot be relied on to create a complete and balanced diet. You have to look at the nutrient content of the foods as well as the amounts or percentages. I am a fan of The Holistic Canine. Great information and written and presented in a way that is easy to understand. I ran across this post today on FB, and it's what prompted me to make this post, although it is something that has been on my mind for a long time. Please read and think about this if you are preparing your own meals for your dogs. Diet can affect everything from general health and growth, to hormonal balances which can affect mood and fertility, to immune and gut function and dysfunction. It's no joke to say you are what you eat, and the same goes for our TMs.
