‘It has been my experience that in the majority of dogs suffering from acute indigestion the cause is found to be vegetables and of these string beans, carrots, potatoes and celery are the most common offenders...

Meat Conduces to Vigor [sic] not Viciousness

Dogs fed a diet containing a high percentage of meat [on the other hand] will, sooner or later, depending on their natural ruggedness, get in superfine condition which may be exhibited by great vigor or by temper – hence the old adage that meat will make a dog vicious. It doesn’t make him vicious, it just makes him natural. A well fed dog may get too heavy, or eczema may develop. Under such conditions the ration of meat must be reduced and, to maintain the bulk in the ration to which the dog has been accustomed, vegetables may be added. Dogs in such condition can without great hardship adjust themselves to this foreign food and will, if the change is made gradually, take care of it with little or no difficulty. ‘ (272)

‘Meat should unquestionably be the basis of every dog’s ration from the time he is weaned to the day he dies... [273-274]

Raw Beef the Meat of Choice

In making a choice of proper meat to be fed economical reasons may influence the selection. Raw beef is, I believe, the best form in which meat may be used under ordinary conditions. While I can furnish no scientific proof of it, I’m conducting a veterinary practice, not running a research institution, it seems to me that raw beef is more easily digested than cooked...

The Use of Horse Meat

At one time horse meat was used extensively in kennels in this section of the country but the condition of the dogs became so deplorable that it was necessary to eliminate this source of food. I don’t know why. It isn’t my business to find out. As I said before I’m not running an experimental station and I decline to experiment with the patients my clients bring to me. There has been considerable controversy as to the suitability of horse meat for dog consumption. Experiments by undoubtedly able men have been carried out which tend to prove its digestibility and nutritive value and I am not decrying their work. I hope to see more research into the nutrition of the dog. But my experience, which at one time was quite extensive, is just as I have given it. It may have been the tissues used or the way it was processed or some other factor not inherent in horse meat alone but the fact remains that sooner or later dogs fed upon it became affected with recurrent bowel trouble. It seems to me that any food which will irritate the bowels so as to [274-275] cause diarrhoea from one feeding will if fed continuously constitute a source of irritation which will eventually produce a distinct inflammation. Another source of trouble which followed the feeding of horse meat was unthriftiness of the coat and eventual eczema. I will admit that the trouble might possibly have come from feeding too great a quantity of the horse meat or with the combination in which it was used. In most of the cases where we had trouble and switched back to beef, our troubles were eliminated even though the kennel men or owners were feeding the animals and for the most part regulating the quantity.

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Canned Dog Foods

The extensive feeding of canned rations which has taken the country by storm in the past few years has resulted in increased work for veterinarians. Intestinal difficulties following the extensive use of these canned foods has become so prevalent that it is possible on examination to foretell the type of food which has been used. There are countless preparations of this type on the market today some of which have real virtue and some are probably of doubtful value, some very doubtful perhaps. Such experience as I have had with these foods leads me to believe that the most of the trouble which follows their use come from using too great a quantity. There are a few brands which contain meat exclusively or with a small percentage of cereal which I believe to be the best adapted for use.’ (273-275)