I started feeding home prepared food for my rotties since 1998, when my first ended up with cancer. I don't do BARF but I cook home prepared human grade meals for my pups. I do not vaccinate aside of rabies since I live out in the woods but will not do it yearly and will titer to see if it is needed or not.
Sadly five of my six (one is not even two year old yet) have died of various cancers. It is epidemic in this breed, and I hope Cyren will not be a part of this heart breaking strong of losses. My soul mate rottie Diva lived only seven years, never ate dog food or had a vaccine in her life. Most of my rotties get seven years no matter what the history of their lives are. I have rescued a couple along the way, and always will (anyone knowing of a rottie in need let me know).
My dogs get chicken, beef, liver, ground beef, veggies, and anything we are eating which means breakfast lunch and dinner on weekends. They thrive with their diet are not fat and are the picture of health until cancer comes knocking. I wish I knew why this is happening but dispite my best efforts it seems to find my dogs.
My dogs never need the vet unless it is something stupid or its for spay or neuter surgery. I find that if you spend the time and money on their diets, the payback is awesome. I have no issues with food allergies anymore, since they don't eat dogfood of any kind. They don't get grains and those seem to be an issues with yeast infections in their ears and skin allergies or itchie butts.
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