CHAPTER V 



FOODS AND FEEDING 

 Food Requirements 



Although feeding the dog is a very simple prob- 

 lem, a great deal of his sickness may be traced 

 either directly or indirectly to his food. These 

 dietetic disorders are usually due to the elimination 

 of meat in favor of the vegetable foods. Mainly 

 responsible for this is the prevalent notion that meat 

 is harmful to the ddg. This assumption is, how- 

 ever, not based on facts, but, as will be shown, is 

 directly contrary to them. Those who accept this 

 idea think that meat will make the dog wild and 

 vicious or drive him mad. When meat is used ex- 

 tensively the condition of the dog is exceptionally 

 good and he is very active and playful. Sometimes 

 in his play he gets rather rough and may even un- 

 meaningly bite. This is the nearest to being mad 

 or vicious that the dog approaches from eating 

 meat. So far as rabies, hydrophobia, or mad dog is 

 concerned, this is a specific disease caused by the 

 bite of a dog already affected. It is also believed 

 that worms are caused by meat. Under certain con- 

 ditions this is barely possible, but the same chance 

 exists for man and still we do not refrain from 

 eating it. One of the many tapeworms affecting 



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