to wonder why foxes get run over by cars, starved where possible etc, but diabetic dogs get insulin injections?

[pukkapatch]

both are four legged mammals. so why does one species get so much love and attention and care thrown at it, but the other doesnt?
i dont understand this.

Hmm, we feed our dogs a barf diet which includes chicken carcasses etc. However, they are fed in separate bowls and monitored whilst eating so they are not fighting over it at all.

if I searched my heart very thoroughly I'd struggle to justify it much beyond 'it's a traditional pursuit' but I was sad about the ban

actually most of the time I think you will find that an artificial scent is used for draghunting ...........

also I read a horrible story the other week about an "animal rights" supporter taking a dead fox to a lawful hunt meet and throwing it to the hounds to cause a commotion!

I would have no problem with them if they just killed what they needed to survive, but that is not their nature unfortunately

We also feed our dog the barf diet. It's very different for them to be living in your house, within your hierarchy, and having civilised supervised mealtimes, from being part of a pack living in outdoor pens and having to fight for your food with your pen mates.

I agree with you Vacua. And of course hunting is still happening.

Quck - hijack -do you also give them veg and pasta? We have just started giving some veg but seem to get mixed opinions on how much and when to give?

He loves veg- cabbage leaves (especially savoy and broccoli stalks (the tough bits you wouldn't want to eat anyway) loves em), carrots, parnsip peel, sweet potato peel, etc... Also apples, pears, banana (he loves when they've gone really squishy and brown)

When we first got him I transitioned him gently from pellets using cooked whole rice, but as he is a labrador, he puts on weight too easily, so we cut down on obvious carbs again. He seems to do best on 60% fruit n veg, 40% meaty bones (judged by eye, I don't treat it like an exact science). I used to liquidise his veg, but don't bother any more.

but back to original q, it's important not to interfere too much with nature, no more than is necessary to protect our interests and the interests of wildlife/plants and so on - if foxes were endangered it would be a very different story

I don't give him pasta as it makes him flatulent, which is really not all that pleasant in a slightly porky doggy...

Sorry- hijack over.

the worst thing about the ban is that it is doing foxes no good! hunts will naturally kill mostly sick, injured or old animals, and at least if the hounds get them they are dead in seconds.... men with guns are far less discerning about what they shoot at and unfortunately they can just wound an animal leaving it to bleed or starve to death

the local hunt takes any of our cattle until about 6 months of age, they are then too big for them to handle so they have to go to a defra run collection place.....you have to ring up and get a reference number etc etc

Sorry just another quick questions - we've recently cut out all kibble as they stopped eating it anyway (and bought a chest freezer). Their poos are tiny and they are big dogs. Is that your experience. Dh does their food and I know gives them a lot less veg than meat.

My sister is a barf veteran and yet used to feed her dog far too much meat. He was a little dominant, which I suspect might have been slightly to this... As I understand it, they only need a lot of meat if they are working dogs and are needing a lot of extra protein. If you give them too much proteins, I think their kidneys struggle to eliminate it all.

Ahh. That's interesting, will tell dh. They are very passive dogs and seem to be doing very well on it.

Sorry- am just being dragged out by daughter 1 to buy cake ingredients for her friend's b/day tomorrow. Back in 45 mins.

southeastra i have put them on for you to see,i did have them on before but they are under my xmas name !

ah he's lovely!