THE NATURAL DIET. II 



foods he should have animal foods as well, for were he 

 deprived of them he would be likely in time to lose health 

 and vigor. 



While the proportions of the animal and vegetable 

 ingredients of the diet cannot be fixed to suit all cases 

 because of the many elements of variation, it can safely 

 be said that where the former is meat one-third is about 

 the right proportion for dogs in general that are not in 

 training or being hard worked in the field. 



This estimate is based on " solid " meat and without 

 regard to the water in which it is cooked, for that — the 

 broth — is scarcely more than stimulating and only slightly 

 nutritious ; yet it contains some important elements and 

 should never be thrown away, but always used to soften 

 the bread or other starchy food and returned to the 

 meat. 



Now, in order to pass this point and reach a closer 

 estimate one must be guided entirely by the existing cir- 

 cumstances, and weigh in every instance the individual 

 peculiarities, the conditions present, etc., etc. And what 

 is of great importance he must duly consider the amount 

 of exercise allowed, and accept without qualifications the 

 rule that, within limits of course, the less exercise the less 

 meat. 



For instance, a man has a number of dogs that he cares 

 for himself, but he cannot devote much time to them 

 because he is at business during the day, and while 

 absent they must be confined to the kennels. He is 

 accustomed to let them out every morning and evening 

 and allow them to scamper off into the fields for perhaps 

 fifteen minutes, but rarely for a longer time, and this is 

 about all the exercise they have except what they make 

 for themselves in their yards or runs. The proportion of 

 meat for them should be about one-fifth. 



