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TM food related-not other breeds

Catia

Well-Known Member
So I saw that video MM posted with the TM's in Tibet.
Are there more like that?

I also noticed they cooked their food & it was mentioned they are fed a special diet.
I'm wondering if due to years of separation, their diet requirements are different?

I'm wondering if anyone knows what that diet is they were being fed in that video?

it looked like a more soupy like gruel-& I am curious about it.

Tessa also seems to eat more grass than any pooch I've ever seen, she LOVES grass-I have to be careful because of people's lawns, because those greenest ones are chemical treated, but if we are in fields, or my yard, I just let her. Any other breed would be puking from the grass--not Tessa.
Recently she stole my thai basil, & really likes to chew on the stems--enough to hide a few for later. So is there more of a fiber/plant material requirement? I've seen posts when you all remark your TM's might be part cow--and thinking there is something to it-due to their genetic history-they've definitely got a craving for grass--my last girl only ate grass when she was feeling ill & wanting to puke. Tessa digests hers.


In trying to research stuff about TM's, I've come across various rare types of mountain type dogs from other countries
& they eat less meat-even some oatmeal looking mixtures with milk etc--& the people in other (though much poorer) swear by these diets, saying their pooches has long been bred to be light on food despite size. I'm not sure what I think about those kind of statements.
I think is was in Bulgaria they were talking about Karakachans do not tolerate much meat.

On the flip side, I'm spending more in dog food per month than my own damn food. And, I think that's just dumb, because despite the ingredients being quality on the bag-its just pellet food, & I feel like crap about it.
I'd love to go raw, but can't right now, though am thinking of purchasing a freezer for Tessa, but don't know if I can keep up raw & extra time to prep & special place to feed etc.

I'm wondering about cooked. If I'm having roast & vegies-why couldn't she have the same thing?
It has got to be better than what's in a bag.
it'd be more like feeding 2 people instead of a person & a pooch.
 

ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
I've seen several mentions that native TMs are fed a soupy gruel. Recipes vary, and none strike me as especially balanced, though I don't know how complete the lists I saw where.

Apollo doesn't eat much grass, but he does like to snatch an occasional mouthfull. But so does Arty.

I will note that TMs frequently have thyroid problems, Hypothyroid, which involves weight gain no matter what (along with other problems) and even TMs with normal thyroids tend to sit on the low end of normal. I have a theory....the peoples were breeding for a large dog, who's fast and agile, capable of dealing with large predetors, and capable of doing so at extreme altitudes. All that takes alot of energy which in turn OUGHT to take alot of food. And yet TMs, as a rule, eat less than other dogs of similer size. I wonder if they accidently bred in that low thyroid BECAUSE it means the dog's body needs less food to maintain. After all we're not talking rich peoples with money to spend on dog food.

I will say that Apollo is prey model raw fed, which basically means he's fed meat, meat and more meat, and is thriving. But he regularly eats less than other raw fed dogs of compareable size. By his own choice, I might add.

As for raw vs cooked. To me cooked would be more work than raw. You'd still want to buy supplies in bulk, and I'd suggest cooking say a week's worth at a time and portioning and freezing.

And if you do go cooked I'd suggest either having a nutritionist put together a set of recipes or giving her a multi-vitamin regularly.
 
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Catia

Well-Known Member
On the thyroid theory, I think you're thinking in the right direction.
Considering HARSH climate/altitude/limited resources & relative isolation for thousands of years, a lower metabolism would make for better survival period, & those would be the ones breeding the most, not only naturally, but intention breeding too.

Move that breed out of that environment & feed it like a regular western dog breed, & yeah, I bet it gets fat, metabolism took years to acclimate to specific conditions.

Same things happen with people.

Cause & effect

Even with people, certain ethnicities seem to have different/varying thyroid hormone levels, but in our politically correct society, medical science lumps all of the populace together & works on ratios. A good endocrinologist knows the #'s are skewed, especially the one's into research.

On the cooking for Tessa, I was more thinking it's not much more effort to cook more food, if it is the same thing, not separate meals, I don't have the energy for that, & cooking for 2 doesn't cost much more than cooking for 1...but yeah, a doggie nutritionist would be necessary, though I am supposed to be a heavy red meat diet...so...somehow in my weary mind, it started to make sense, & I like my beef bleeding...and so on....

It just boggles my mind that kibble costs more than human food.
 

ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
On the cooking for Tessa, I was more thinking it's not much more effort to cook more food, if it is the same thing, not separate meals, I don't have the energy for that, & cooking for 2 doesn't cost much more than cooking for 1...but yeah, a doggie nutritionist would be necessary, though I am supposed to be a heavy red meat diet...so...somehow in my weary mind, it started to make sense, & I like my beef bleeding...and so on....

It just boggles my mind that kibble costs more than human food.

Yah, kibble costs are high, especially the good stuff. On the other hand the good stuff usually means fewer corners cut, nothing sourced in China, etc.....

In theory I don't see why you couldn't just cook double portions to feed her, but she'd likely require extras to ensure balance. I can balance a raw diet no problem, but a cooked diet is harder for me, cooking changes nutrients around.
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
Funny you mentioned the Thai basil...

I have a pot with lemongrass in it - Denna's FAVORITE!
...and now that I brought it indoors for the winter, the cat has been making tracks to that part of the house daily. A corner she has not visited for about a year, I might add. I guess her sniffer is still working (she's 16 years old). I just hope the plant can survive the winter!
 

Catia

Well-Known Member
It seems like there must be a way, & I need to explore it further, issue is I just do not have the time or energy btwn work & Tessa & my health .

We're both on a very militant schedule, which was part of the reason for me getting a pup-it helps me to stay on schedule with meds & such.
I skrew up bad by being too tired & forgetting to eat, & I was trying to find a way to incorporate both, cuz well, I never forget to feed Tessa ;)
;)
 

ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
Most nutritionists don't require meeting the dog, though they do generally require a copy of her vet records. They would also require phone time for a consult. Not sure if they'd do it by email or not!