this post was submitted on 13 Sep 2024
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submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by saltesc@lemmy.world to c/dogs@lemmy.world
 

It's an interesting diet this breed needs. Basically small frozen scraps, but very rich in content. Their digestive systems evolved as nomads north of the Arctic Circle and know nothing else, so a bit of care needs to be taken. His body will do a lot with the vital scraps of tundra animals, and doesn't know how to handle big foreign diets which make him unenergetic and unwell after a few meals.

Tonight's menu is sheep and beef tripe—their organs go well, but their meat and fat doesn't.

Frozen salmon cuts—these dogs know fish as well as reindeer and love frozen meet. They extract all the goods from them.

And a rabbit foot—Fur and bone is common in their diet and helps clean. They can start to poop bad without fur fibre.

One of the more tame dishes considering the other weird off cuts of bits and pieces he gets. Thought some may find it interesting for a bit of an unusual breed outside of Finland.

Edit: And yeah, the photo makes the meal look big and him small. But he's 20kg and that dish is about 3/4 a banana in diameter.

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[–] saltesc@lemmy.world 5 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

When I have done this in the past, he has become unwell and unenergetic. Because I am responsible for his well-being, it is cruel to conscientiously neglect it. Fur is not a extensive thing, but is given in a meal once or twice a week. Bone is in every meal.

It may not be necessary for all breeds, however this topic has been covered extensively—especially for Lapphunds and similar breeds—and therefore there is a wealth of information available to you if you would like to have a quick look into it. As a dog owner, a primary responsibility is ensuring they're healthy, just as much as you hopefully look after your own health. A Finnish Lapphund has a noticeable uptick in health and behaviour when their diet is looked after. I have had many dogs and this breed is more unique in diet than others. It is one of the noteable points raised and discussed when deciding to care for one; again, you can easily find information on this yourself. If you have a lappie and have somehow missed this, I strongly encourage you to look it up, especially for their longevity. Their teeth structure alone highlight the reliability of bone in their diets as well.

Edit: And a benefit here is that rabbits are invasive and endanger native wildlife. So it is more ethical, healthier, and available option than fur and feather supplements.