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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
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*WHAT DO YOU FEED YOUR DOGS?
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I feed a natural diet, i.e. raw meat, mixer, bone & chopped greens.
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My first RR was fed a complete diet, but she suffered a serious problem of cystitus and I promised myself I would not
do that again. Maize is used to bulk out the complete feeds, which also swell to twice the quantity once digested and
water is consumed.
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*WHY NOT A COMPLETE FOOD?
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*AREN'T BONES DANGEROUS FOR DOGS?
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No, in the wild, hunting dogs eat bones as well as the meat and stomach contents of the kill.
Beef & chicken bones are the safest, I don't feed lamb bones or pork in any form.
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*HOW OFTEN DO YOU FEED YOUR DOGS?
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Once a day, in the evening, after all have been excercised. Based on dogs hunting
to kill, I know that their digestive systems cannot be streesed this way. |
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*HOW MUCH EXERCISE DO RIDGEBACKS NEED?
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*HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT YOUR DOGS ARE GETTING A BALANCED DIET?
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Ridgebacks need a combination of roadwork and free-running: 30mins of steady roadwork keeps muscles toned and nails
short, while 30 mins free-running allows a natural hunter's sences to remain acute; heart and lungs need a good run daily. Mine enjoy their freedom whenever there are no other dogs about, stalking & chasing oneanother in leolike fashion, but I keep an eye on the horizon always. I take mine out at least twice a day. I have also found that cycling with my dogs
gives me the chance to leave them behind!
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A wild dog's diet consists of 80% meat (protein), 15% bone (calcium & phosphorous) and 5% semi-digested vegetation
(vitamins & minerals). I feed minced beef, chicken and tripe, in rotation, as well as chicken necks and wings, together with the chopped greens; also pilchards and sometimes liver. Plain mixer is only 1/4 of their meal. They like a drink of milky tea after they have liked their bowls clean! |
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*WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR DOG FOOD FROM?
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My current supplier of frozen meat is ALBION MEAT PRODUCTS Ltd.
Tel: 01386 554095 (ask for Catherine and quote Carlton)
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*DO YOU HAVE PUPIES FOR SALE?
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I only breed a litter when I intend to keep a puppy myself, so I do have a puppy list. Visitors are welcome by arrangement; I
also prefer to meet prospective new owners before puppies are born and/or at least twice before agreeing to sell a puppy. |