Very true. I read the actual study that was done recently about amylase expression in dogs compared to wolves. This is pancreatic amylase, not salivary, but it's still used to breakdown starches. I think the gene was found seven times more in the dogs' genome than in wolves and was expressed something like 28x more. I can't recall off the top of my head, but it was something crazy like that. Also someone recently posted something about a study at UC Davis that looked at either 200 or 400 homemade diets, I believe both cooked and raw, for animals and found that most of them were unbalanced. Only about half a dozen were balanced and they were from veterinary nutritionists. I don't know where you live, but your vet school may have a nutritionist on staff. Your best bet is to get their opinion (most will probably advise against it), but if you really want to do it, then they can help you make sure your diet is balanced at the macro and micro-nutrient levels. I know there are people that are very anti-dry dog food. I will admit I'm a Purina rep, but I have been impressed with the research that goes into their diets. In fact there's a research behind them, Iams, Hill's, and Royal Canin. The problem is, much of it contains trade secrets so it's not published. That part makes me sad, but I feel better recommending foods where I know a good amount of testing has been done before it goes on the market.
