Shred & Fed?

[a.k.a. Rodney]

I am curious....been looking at several great pix of different doodles celebrating their birthdays. Many are enjoying elaborate bday meals...I'm sure these foods are not an ordinary occurrence ....Do they ever get ill from all the seemingly rich/different foods introduced on their bdays? I have a few months to plan for DerbyDoodle's big day so I am wondering. It would be fun to plan a special meal. So far, I have decided lots of different types of paper will be the "theme". She will be able to shred all day if she wants.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

"Rich" in food refers to high fat content. I haven't seen many doodle birthday meals that look high in fat, but maybe you're seeing photos I haven't seen. I hope people are not feeding their dogs cake or cheeseburgers, lol. The meals that I usually see are mostly lean cooked chicken breasts, fish, or meat with vegetables and maybe some sweet potato or rice. I know Halas recently had salmon, sweet potato, and asparagus for his birthday dinner. Many of our dogs get homecooked foods as part of their regular diets and it doesn't make them ill. 

JD will be getting broiled fish and a medley of roasted vegetables for his birthday dinner in November. :)

[a.k.a. Rodney]

Thanks, Karen. "Rich" foods correctly notedI
**guess what I am also curious about...is if I have never treated DerbyDoodle to such fare...is it a mistake to do it only once on her Bday?**
I know sudden changes in diets are a "no/no" the only real food she gets every day is 4/5 blueberries with brkfst. She is on Acana wild prairie & I have no intentions of changing at this point. I recently saw a great advert for Fromm & thought.."Gee, that looks very inviting...all the yummy flavors", but I realize it's our eyes & imagination that is peaked...NOT the pooch's & she's doing quite well on Acanna

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I usually don't give my doodles a special meal but I do spend the day with the birthday doodle and do something that that doodle likes to do and usually by a new toy or something.  My doodles get toppers on their food on a daily basis (shredded boiled chicken, liver, or pumpkin) so it would be really no treat.  Each house hold is different so a special "healthy" meal for Derby's birthday would be nice.  If you are worried about the poops, boiled chicken is a nice place to start, you can just shred it and mix in with the food :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here's the thing: Dogs don't know it's their birthday, lol. Even if you say "Happy Birthday", sing to them, and throw confetti, they have no idea what it means other than that you are in a good mood. If you've never given Derby "people" food and don't care to start doing it on a regular basis, there's no reason to do it on this one day of the year. I wouldn't.  There are lots of other ways to celebrate and "treat" your dog to mark the occasion. A meal only lasts a few minutes, but an hour or two spent doing something the dog loves, and a day filled with lots of exercise, games, and attention will mean a lot more to both of you.

If Derby is doing well on Acana, I would not switch her to another brand or even look at other brands. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. It's a good idea to provide some variety in a dog's diet, but that can be done by rotating formulas ("flavors") within the same line of food you're currently feeding. 

[a.k.a. Rodney]

Thanks, great answer...(probably b/c I agree with everything you said) lol

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Great idea to let Derby Doodle shred paper to his heat's delight!  My guy would love that so maybe for his next birthday.  Don't forget to take pictures!  

PS- I bought Quincy a stuffed toy birthday cake that had a squeaky that played happy birthday! it was fun, but my DH pleaded with me to take it away the next day!  it was kind of loud 

[a.k.a. Rodney]

Very funny!!
New toy good idea also
Will take loads of pix
Thanks

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't think the shredding is a great idea. I think it might confuse a dog if shredding is basically off limits but one day they can shred away and the next day they get reprimanded or told to leave it. If there is someway for a dog to differentiate maybe it's OK. I plan to go to the beach with my doodles next weekend . They know I won't allow digging at home but the beach and sand are sufficiently different so they can and do dig to their heart's content.

[Christine & Camus]

I gave my son's dog the stuffed birthday cake too.  It was mean of me because I knew my son hated noisy toys, but his dog loved it!

[Bonnie and Kona]

hahaha! I love that, Christine!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Great idea to let Derby Doodle shred paper to his heat's delight!  My guy would love that so maybe for his next birthday.  Don't forget to take pictures!  

PS- I bought Quincy a stuffed toy birthday cake that had a squeaky that played happy birthday! it was fun, but my DH pleaded with me to take it away the next day!  it was kind of loud 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

It was Boris's birthday last week but I was laid low with a strep throat and my partner was away so it got 'forgotten' Boris doesn't mind a jot LOL Both boys are getting back to Day Care tomorrow and maybe I will throw in a big bag of Zukes treats I brought back from Canada that can be shared to mark the occasion. I must admit to feeling a little guilty but it's totally irrational.