question

[rack_123]

i have seen a lot of people wanting to feed their dog raw diet. what's the benefit of that? what's wrong with the regular food we get at the pet store?

[mminichan]

check out this thread...

Raw Diet - Info Needed

It will give you a lot of information and reasons why raw diet is very good for our furbabies! I just switched Chloe to RAW diet few weeks ago and she is doing great so far!

[rack_123]

it didn't say anything useful on that post. that's why posted this one. lol. i read that one so then i wanted to know.

[lara2913]

Originally Posted by rack_123

i have seen a lot of people wanting to feed their dog raw diet. what's the benefit of that? what's wrong with the regular food we get at the pet store?

Many dogs eat kibble and do fine, but some people want better for their dogs.

Reasons why?

1. Wanting to feed their dogs a healthy species appropriate diet, the way nature intended.

2. Wanting their dogs to actually enjoy their food, not just eat because they are hungry but actually because they want to.

3. Since the dog food recall alot of people simply do not trust commercial pet food anymore, and rightly so, look how many dogs died.

4. Striving to have a better standard of health for their dogs, as you will have seen from that thread, many people, including myself, see absolutely huge health benefits when they switch their dogs to RAW.

Everyone chooses what they feed for a reason, what is the right way for one person may not be right for another, we all have to decide what we believe to be best for our furbabies.

[rack_123]

what are some of the huge benefits, you got from switching to raw meat? I am learning. sorry!

[lara2913]

Originally Posted by rack_123

what are some of the huge benefits, you got from switching to raw meat? I am learning. sorry!

Whiter teeth, fresher breath, smaller harder poos, shinier coats, no doggy smell, better skin, less tear staining, they have more toned/muscular physiques, seem to have better control over their weight gain/loss, more consistent energy levels and happier dogs who enjoy their food immensely

[BLowry]

Originally Posted by rack_123

i have seen a lot of people wanting to feed their dog raw diet. what's the benefit of that? what's wrong with the regular food we get at the pet store?

This is a subject that has been getting brought up alot more lately. I feel it's preference. Personally, I just don't feel right feeding them raw meat. I know this is how they ate in the wild but, these little girls(and guys) don't live in the wild, they are domesticated. I don't put anyone down for the way the want to feed their furbabies but, for me, I would rather the old fashioned kibble and wet food, just the thought of raw meat doesn't set well with me. I do feed Canidae so they are getting a good food. I would really research, talk to your vet and read all that you can on feeding raw before you change. JMO.

[BamaFan121s]

I don't get the 'raw' aspect either when talking about meat. What is the difference in a raw piece of meat and a cooked piece of meat? As far as I've ever heard, raw meat could be potentially harmful to you...especially chicken...

[lara2913]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

I don't get the 'raw' aspect either when talking about meat. What is the difference in a raw piece of meat and a cooked piece of meat? As far as I've ever heard, raw meat could be potentially harmful to you...especially chicken...

Here you go, these may make the 'raw' aspect a little clearer to you

http://rawfed.com/myths/cookedfood.html

http://rawfed.com/myths/cooked.html

Raw meat could be harmful to humans, but remember this is because we have evolved from chimpanzees, who are vegetarians, so it stands to reason that we would not be capable of handling meat in its natural 'full of vitality' form. However, healthy dogs (evolved from wolves) are carnivores and have a short digestive tract, thick stomach lining, strong stomach acids and different digestive enzymes to us, all of these things and more allow them to thrive on bacteria that could potentially be harmful to humans. Remember that even though our dogs are our babies, they are still dogs, not humans.

As I said, raw is not for everyone, we all have to do what we believe to be the best and nobody should be criticized, whatever choice they make.

[Yorkiekids]

I feed kibble too, and I'm not going to switch, but I'm sure there's a lot of benefits to it.

[tanksmom]

I'm in the process now of trying to decide if Raw will benefit my dogs personally. My Chloe has been Ill since I got her and they keep saying allergies and a weak stomache. If raw was the way to go evolutionally wouldn't it satnd to reason her body would do better with raw?

[BamaFan121s]

Originally Posted by lara2913

Raw meat could be harmful to humans, but remember this is because we have evolved from chimpanzees, who are vegetarians, so it stands to reason that we would not be capable of handling meat in its natural 'full of vitality' form. However, healthy dogs (evolved from wolves) are carnivores and have a short digestive tract, thick stomach lining, strong stomach acids and different digestive enzymes to us, all of these things and more allow them to thrive on bacteria that could potentially be harmful to humans. Remember that even though our dogs are our babies, they are still dogs, not humans.

Well that works great if you believe in the THEORY of evolution I suppose (Dogs evolving from wolves is all theory too. ) The links examined that more closely and it was interesting to read the argument from that point of view. As far as the whole 'that's how it is in the wild' theory, well, that's a whole other subject with holes all in it! However, I'm looking for more from something other than the 'evolution' claim as to why raw meat is not potentially harmful. I've never considered raw meat and have therefore never looked into it. There are so many people here who are feeding it so I'm hoping one of them have the researched, proven answers.
A few specific concerns come to mind:
How can you be sure that raw meat is not contaminated with parasites that could infest?
Unless I am mistaken, Salmonella can affect dogs too?
Does uncooked meat not contain higher levels of cholesterol?
Many of the chemicals meat is exposed to when processed are broken down when the meat is cooked, how do they affect dogs if not broken down?

Also, someone recommended a book to me, "Foods Pets Die For" by Ann Martin. She examines the negative and positive aspects of the possbile diets of pets...raw, homecooked and commercial...and I was told it is more factual and less one sided than many publications on the subject. Has anyone read it?

[lara2913]

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Well that works great if you believe in the THEORY of evolution I suppose (Dogs evolving from wolves is all theory too. )

Personally, I woulden't consider evolution a theory, but thats a whole 'nother debate

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

The links examined that more closely and it was interesting to read the argument from that point of view. As far as the whole 'that's how it is in the wild' theory, well, that's a whole other subject with holes all in it! However, I'm looking for more from something other than the 'evolution' claim as to why raw meat is not potentially harmful.

Well, some things I already mentioned, they have very thick stomach linings, strong stomach acids and different digestive enzymes to us. Those are all facts.

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

I've never considered raw meat and have therefore never looked into it. There are so many people here who are feeding it so I'm hoping one of them have the researched, proven answers.

Do you have any 'proven' research that commercial pet food is safe? The pet food recall would suggest otherwise...

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

A few specific concerns come to mind:
How can you be sure that raw meat is not contaminated with parasites that could infest?

Well, some things are killed through freezing for at least 48 hours and there are many that affect humans but not dogs. Now, of course raw is not risk free, but nothing is, there is no evidence to suggest that commercial pet food is any safer, as I already mentioned, the pet food recall would suggest otherwise.

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Unless I am mistaken, Salmonella can affect dogs too?

Potentially yes, but it is almost unbeliveably rare and only really presents itself in dogs who are already immune compromised. Heres an interesting resource on salmonella,

http://k9joy.com/dogarticles/doghealth01salmonella.pdf

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Does uncooked meat not contain higher levels of cholesterol?

Possibly, however remember that people balance their dogs raw diet carefully, raw fed dogs need certain amounts of cholestorol, fats etc etc as it is worked into their diet. People who home cooked have to add supplements to their dogs diet because a home cooked diet is not balanced by itself, raw is, no supplentation is needed with raw, I have always thought that speaks volumes.

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Many of the chemicals meat is exposed to when processed are broken down when the meat is cooked, how do they affect dogs if not broken down?

Well, depends on what specific chemicals your talking about? If your talking about for example when animals being raised for meat are vaccinated, there are incredibly strict guidlines as to how soon after chemicals are put in in an animal can they be slaughtered. Its pretty specific so that the chemicals will be out of the animals system. All the meat my dogs eat is sold as fit for human consumption (unlike what is in mose dog foods.).

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

Also, someone recommended a book to me, "Foods Pets Die For" by Ann Martin. She examines the negative and positive aspects of the possbile diets of pets...raw, homecooked and commercial...and I was told it is more factual and less one sided than many publications on the subject. Has anyone read it?

I have read many books (on both sides of the argument), but that one is not one of them.

Some good questions, always nice to have a two sided debate

[Ellie May]

It seems like there have been quite a few raw debates around here lately. I thought I would give my point of view since everyone else has given theirs.

Someone asked, "What is wrong with the food from the pet store?". It is overprocessed garbage. Kibble is meat and vegetables (and chemicals) baked together into hard crunchy things, bagged up and fed after six months of sitting around. I don't care what brand it is. I cannot believe that that is a good diet for anybody. Then this same food is fed twice a day forever. Now I have fed kibble recently and sometimes there is no choice (when you go away for the day and they need to eat), but I refuse to say any kibble is optimal.

Canned food is just slightly better quality garbage. I would feed this over kibble anytime but it is still canned meat which sort of grosses me out and it isn't fit for human consumption, so that makes me wonder where they are getting the stuff from.

I do not feed raw. I never have and I don't think I ever will. I most definately would never give Ellie bones of any kind. I believe that is a good way to tear up the stomach and intestines. I'm still researching though. The raw feeding thing is just something I couldn't do.

I do homecook and am in 100% agreement with it. I know you do have to supplement but atleast the food is fit for human consumption. Since it's cooked I don't have to be concerned about bacteria and parasites. Ellie doesn't need bones if I supplement with calcium. She is a happy dog because she gets something that tastes good. She loves her meals. I'm not forcing her to eat dry dust everyday of her life (been there, done that, wish I wouldn't have).

I'm not saying homecooked is the only way, but it is the only way for US right now. This is my OPINION and everyone is entitled to their own, so please no bashing.

[lara2913]

Also- this group has over 10,000 RAW feeding members, if anyone is interested.