Not sure if this has been discussed before, but if you know Pops, ... it really don't matter.However, with all of the health issues / problems dogs seem to be having, which may or may not be cured with the many present dog foods available to us.How did the dogs (prior to our present time) survive, say a hundred years an beyond, say to the ice age? .... Well may be not as far back as the ice age, but you know what I mean?Anonymous

They ate what was available. There is a difference between optimal nutrition and enough to be kept alive. With better nutrition and medical care, it is probable that the life span has been extended in our domestic pets just like in people. That brings a whole new set of diseases and problems associated with aging that probably didn't happen as often in years past.

I see a lot of problems in purebred dogs. Purebred dogs didn't exist then.Matt B

I think we grossly overfeed our pets, we equate more food /treats with love. So many joint problems caused by obesity and not allowing our puppies to grow at a slow and healthy pace. All the corn and fillers thrown in many commercial diets don't help either.

The other difference is the level on inbreeding in current dogs is much higher than prior to the Victorian era (period during which most inbreeding started) and many of the food associated health issues likley have a genetic link (for example allergies).We're likley seeing inbreeding depression; otherwise we would not see hybrid vigor when cross breeding two pure breds.

My parents said when they were growing up they only fed there dogs table scraps and that was it, They also were amazed how often I take the dogs to the veterinarian. I think that's why they don't want a dog now because they see how I am with my dogs and how expensive it is, LOL.

Honest Food Question. | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

CA_POPPY
Explorer
Feb 03, 2014
They only had to live long enough to reproduce and get their offspring weaned. The program was pretty much the same with humans, until advances in medical care allowed us stay around longer.
Happytraveler
Explorer
Feb 03, 2014
My parents said when they were growing up they only fed there dogs table scraps and that was it, They also were amazed how often I take the dogs to the veterinarian. I think that's why they don't want a dog now because they see how I am with my dogs and how expensive it is, LOL.
BCSnob
Explorer
Feb 03, 2014
The other difference is the level on inbreeding in current dogs is much higher than prior to the Victorian era (period during which most inbreeding started) and many of the food associated health issues likley have a genetic link (for example allergies).

We're likley seeing inbreeding depression; otherwise we would not see hybrid vigor when cross breeding two pure breds.
tbred
Explorer II
Feb 03, 2014
I think we grossly overfeed our pets, we equate more food /treats with love. So many joint problems caused by obesity and not allowing our puppies to grow at a slow and healthy pace. All the corn and fillers thrown in many commercial diets don't help either.
oldmattb
Explorer
Feb 03, 2014
I see a lot of problems in purebred dogs. Purebred dogs didn't exist then.

Matt B
dturm
Moderator
Feb 03, 2014
They ate what was available. There is a difference between optimal nutrition and enough to be kept alive. With better nutrition and medical care, it is probable that the life span has been extended in our domestic pets just like in people. That brings a whole new set of diseases and problems associated with aging that probably didn't happen as often in years past.

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