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| Author | Topic: Raw Food Diet |
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Lucky Member  Posts: 77 |
posted 07-04-2003 09:50 PM
 
Hello! As I've been looking at different dog websites I've been coming across a number of different breeders who recommend feeding dogs raw meat. Does anyone here do that? What are the advantages/disadvantages? [This message has been edited by Lucky (edited 07-04-2003).] IP: Logged |
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Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 07-05-2003 03:30 PM
I feed my dogs raw meat off my cutting board almost every night as I prepare my family's meal. I do not feed them a raw diet like you are talking about. I did talk to my vet about it and he happens to be one of those people who feels the risks of contamination outweigh the benefit of feeding raw. I am not sure I agree with him, but I do understand his point. I may still switch one of my dogs to a raw diet due to a medical condition he has, but I too have alot of research to do first. My other two dogs are doing very well on the diet they are on now, it's less messy and less work so I will probably stick with it. IP: Logged |
Jas Moderator Posts: 536 |
posted 07-05-2003 10:14 PM
Hi, first off I commend you for trying to make an informed opinion/decision. I feed my dogs a raw meat & bone diet, they all do extremely well on it. This is what works for them as they are healthy dogs with healthy immune systems. This may not be the best diet for an older dog or one with a compromised immune system. After I changed them from kibble to raw, I indeed saw many improvements in their health, vitality, with increased energy and better overall health and skin, fur, & teeth! this is not to say that every dog will do well on this diet. I think any method of feeding, whether it is the raw diet, home cooked diet or kibble has its pros & cons. I am not in agreement with the extremists who believe that one method of feeding is the ONLY way. A raw diet not varied enough can probably be as detrimental on a dog as a poor grade kibble, and a home-cooked diet takes more time and need of balance - plus I believe cooking meats turn the fats into trans-fats and are not the best or easily digested for dogs, also not all kibbles are created equal, we've certainly all seen that kibbles range from junk to what some consider high quality. I like knowing exactly what my dogs are eating, and I try and feed food as free from treated meat, fruit & veggies as possible. With some kibble is it sort of the unknown ingredients and the unknown quality. The raw food diet does require some research and will take a few more minutes to prepare as opposed to the easy scoop of kibble. But all in all boy does my crew LOVE their food, they always ate well but now eat with gusto! I like how I can feed them a variety of anything and not have to worry about diarrhea or upset tummies - oddly when people switch kibble to kibble they have to mix the new with the old or the dogs digestive system can't always handle it. With preparing raw food as long as proper food handling and clean up is consistent its no different that it would be when you handle raw chicken for (human) dinner. Once a controversial topic, i think now people are beginning to see diet for what its worth. There is an excellent collection of articles about raw written by Dr.Wysong, yes, Dr W. of Wysong Food (kibble). Wysong is one of the few food manufacturers who have devoted a lot of research and study into species appropriate diets. http://www.wysong.net/controversies.shtml see #2 Raw Meat. For me the benefits of raw outweigh any "cons". I'm sure I can continue on about benefits and drawbacks, but the more research you do the better and from there you can make your own judgment. If you have any questions or concerns, I'd be happy to try and help! [This message has been edited by Jas (edited 07-06-2003).] IP: Logged |
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Lucky Member Posts: 77 |
posted 07-06-2003 12:22 AM
Thanks, Jas! I think I will look into this some more. That web-site is really interesting. I've also seen something called the BARF (born again raw food) diet that seems to have quite a few web-sites. I think my main concerns are 1) bacteria - I think I can handle cleaning my dog's bowl and food prep area but will my dog drag her food around the house and make my kids sick? The raw food diet just seems to make sense to me. I also love this little factoid: I've read that dogs fed on kibble have lots of bacteria in their mouths (same as humans), but dogs who eat raw food actually DO have mouths cleaner than humans and in fact can help heal people's wounds when they lick them! IP: Logged |
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danelover Member Posts: 29 |
posted 07-06-2003 10:49 AM
Hi Lucky,,Here is a great site for BARF (Bones and Raw Food) Biginners.It will answer most of your questions. I've read so much about feeding BARF,, I haven't gone fully to BARF,, but I do feed 1/2 raw and a vege meal once a day. My Dane gets raw ground turkey and beef,she loves the big raw beef bones (with meat on them)she loves liver,, Hope this site will answer most of your guestions. http://www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm#started [This message has been edited by danelover (edited 07-06-2003).] IP: Logged |
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RottyMommy Moderator Posts: 480 |
posted 07-06-2003 11:19 AM
Jas that was a great post. I personally do not feed raw diet however I do know of its beneficial factors but I have also seen when not done properly the results of it. All I can suggest is make sure you have all the info before starting it. Make sure you know exactly what to feed your dogs otherwise you can end up with some sick babies. I personally couldnt do it for me I feel there is too much risk if you mess up you can end up with some sick dogs. But I do know people that have dogs on it and they look great. Its just not my forteit I will see if I can get some links for you I think I have some in my favs. IP: Logged |
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Jas Moderator Posts: 536 |
posted 07-06-2003 01:43 PM
Hi Lucky, I agree, this diet just makes sense to me too. You also bring up some great concerns. My dogs eat at their bowls in the kitchen, when i first switched them over to BARF (or raw, species appropriate diet - all mean the same thing) they acted like littler hoarders - had to eat away from the others therefore tried to eat their chicken backs in my living room! Well that didn't pan over well, so I spaced them out in the kitchen and blocked access to other areas of the house, now they all eat together and the ch. backs stay in the bowls. Everything else is ground up and eaten in their bowls - With exception to turkey necks I give these outside, because they like to munch them on the grass. I tell everyone to avoid letting the dogs give kisses for about a half hour/hour and usually let them outside at this point. I know several BARF'ing families and no one has had any problems with their children getting sick (even after kisses!!). It just take common sense and proper handling/management. Remember too, dogs are constantly licking themselves in unpleasant areas, stumbling upon rotting fish and carcasses and walking in/eating icky things, bacteria, ecoli, salmonella etc are everywhere and always present when you have a dog. Even dog kibble contains some bacteria that heat can't destroy. I used to use bleach quite a bit but have since relaxed an know that HOT soapy water works wonders. I do mop the kitchen floor with it a bit more often. Again, if there are children with compromised immune systems extra care is important. I used to hate handling raw meat, it really irked me, but like anything you can grow accustomed to it!  Cost wise I find it comparable to a premium kibble. Depends on your sources and how many pooches you have. I definitely recommend reading Kymythy Schultze's Natural Nutrition for dogs & cats, and Dr. Billinghurst books, after reading them I realized more and more how appropriate this diet is for my dogs. I especially like Kymythy's book for a newby - it succinct, basic, logical and an inexpensive book, but a must have! I don't worry about balancing every meal its not necessary, I give a nice variety of meats, bone, veggies, offal, muscle meat, fruit, supplements and everything balances out over time. IP: Logged |
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Lucky Member Posts: 77 |
posted 07-07-2003 01:22 AM
All this info is really fascinating! It's making me think more about what I am feeding my human family!  IP: Logged |
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