What do you think?

[BonBon]

I started a new large bag of NV's Instinct Rabbit Meal at the first of the year as our current rotation. I'm also feeding the raw rabbit right now (just bought 2 bags of medallions). After reading a few things on here about the rabbit meat, I e-mailed NV about the source of their meat. Their reply is below. Please let me know what you think. I've barely made a dent in these bags and hope it will be alright to finish (it's too expensive to waste). I think I'm going to e-mail them again because I'm not clear on what NV is testing for. Advice please!!



Dear Bonny,
Thanks for emailing! The rabbit protein we use in our raw diet is from China. We employ a U.S. educated food scientist there to oversee our rabbit sourcing. All rabbit protein is tested before shipment from China and again after it arrives in the U.S. and processed into our Raw diet. In addition, the rabbit liver we use in our canned diets is from China and undergoes the same rigorous monitoring and testing. We feel very confident in how we handle our sourcing from China. All poultry and beef come from the US and our lamb and venison is imported from Australia and New Zealand.

Sincerely,


Customer Service
Nature's Variety

[Rockdiva]

I just (last night) started using NV raw medallions. I bought the organic chicken. I think I have decided I am going to rotate between that and the beef (I am also doing the rotation diet, I will rotate protiens and use kibble in am and raw in evening. He won't eat canned food). I had decided NOT to use the rabbit because I heard it comes from China and I just don't trust that. Now after reading the email you got, I am for sure not going to. It may be handled correctly and all, but I just don't trust it. I would rather be cautious than end up with problems. That is just my opinion.

[Rockdiva]

Something just occured to me, do we not have rabbit farms in the US? Why go to China for the meat? Especially since they already by some meat in the US. Just curious....

[BonBon]

We have to stay away from chicken, so that doesn't leave a lot of good grain free choices. I thought the rabbit would be a great novel protein source for them. They really seem to like it and are doing great. I just want to feed them a healthy, SAFE food. I've done so much research and was finally comfortable with the diet I had planned for them and now this!!

[Rockdiva]

I understand, everytime I think I have a great diet figured out for Wookie something changes, whether its the food, him or anything!! I hope you can make a decision that you are comfortable with!!! Good luck!

[hugz4all4]

Originally Posted by Rockdiva

Something just occured to me, do we not have rabbit farms in the US? Why go to China for the meat? Especially since they already by some meat in the US. Just curious....

honestly, cause its probably cheaper isnt that the reason most of the products in the U.S come from there??

[amandawash]

I 100% would not use the rabbit from NV. I am actually really disappointed in the company for sourcing outside of the US and have stopped using NV altogether. I understand they say it is safe, I got the same response from them, but to me it's a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. I can't chance it. Our pet store wont even carry the rabbit anymore (or anything else made in China) because of that reason.

If you need a novel protein source the venison is really good and I also really like the lamb. My boys LOVED the venison. Mine are on Primal now (everything from the US including the feed that the protein are given) and they eat the lamb.

Good luck! Nutrition for these guys gets super complicated the more you know!

[BonBon]

It seemed so easy at first!

I also have one that is sensitive to Barley, which is in most foods with grain (or at least those foods that don't contain chicken). That's why I decided to go with grain free foods. And, two of mine won't touch lamb - they hate it for some reason. Since most venison (including NV's) comes from Australia and New Zealand and is supposed to be very safe, I've decided to try Addiction's Venison grain free food for a rotation.

Can anyone recommend any other high quality foods that don't contain chicken, lamb or barley? Geesh, I can just imagine what MY mother would've done if I had been such a sensitive picky eater !!

[amandawash]

Originally Posted by bonbon

It seemed so easy at first!

I also have one that is sensitive to Barley, which is in most foods with grain (or at least those foods that don't contain chicken). That's why I decided to go with grain free foods. And, two of mine won't touch lamb - they hate it for some reason. Since most venison (including NV's) comes from Australia and New Zealand and is supposed to be very safe, I've decided to try Addiction's Venison grain free food for a rotation.

Can anyone recommend any other high quality foods that don't contain chicken, lamb or barley? Geesh, I can just imagine what MY mother would've done if I had been such a sensitive picky eater !!

If you are looking for a kibble, I really like the limited ingredient line from Natural Balance. There is a sweet potato and venison (what I would use) potato and duck and a sweet potato and fish. I did find fish bones in the fish formula so I did throw that out. Nature's Logic carries a venison and millet formula, we had our lab on it for quite some time. Honestly I would stick with the raw and just feed that considering the fact there are so many sensitivies.

Is there anywhere in your area that carries Primal? They have the normal chicken, beef and lamb, as well as venison, pheasant, quail and duck. I *really* like Primal. The meat is super soft with no big pieces of bone and my boys really love it.

[BonBon]

I haven't seen Primal in any local stores. Since you've mentioned it, I'll look around online. I'm always open to suggestions!

[Rockdiva]

Originally Posted by bonbon

It seemed so easy at first!

I also have one that is sensitive to Barley, which is in most foods with grain (or at least those foods that don't contain chicken). That's why I decided to go with grain free foods. And, two of mine won't touch lamb - they hate it for some reason. Since most venison (including NV's) comes from Australia and New Zealand and is supposed to be very safe, I've decided to try Addiction's Venison grain free food for a rotation.

Can anyone recommend any other high quality foods that don't contain chicken, lamb or barley? Geesh, I can just imagine what MY mother would've done if I had been such a sensitive picky eater !!

I remember the days when I was little and we had dogs outside and they got whatever scraps were left over from dinner and whichever dog food was the cheapest!!! And never went to the vet!! LOL (Not that I would ever, ever consider doing any of that with my Wookie!!!) Just reflecting...

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by Rockdiva

I remember the days when I was little and we had dogs outside and they got whatever scraps were left over from dinner and whichever dog food was the cheapest!!! And never went to the vet!! LOL (Not that I would ever, ever consider doing any of that with my Wookie!!!) Just reflecting...

Ahhhh....the good ole days!

[BonBon]

I e-mailed Nature's Variety again yesterday with these questions:

"Thank you for your reply. Is the meat in the dry kibble also from China? What tests are being done (i.e. what are you testing for)? I'm very concerned about feeding anything from China and want to be sure it's SAFE. I just purchased NV's raw, dry and canned at the end of the year for the different protein source. Now I worry about feeding it to my yorkies, but the food is to expensive to just toss out. Would you feed it to your dogs?"


They replied this morning:

"
Dear Bonny, The rabbit protein used in the kibble and canned is not from China. I do feed the rabbit products to my two Shelties. They just had rabbit kibble and rabbit patties last night for dinner and again this morning for breakfast. We do various testing that includes a full ash testing and we test specifically for ammelide, ammeline, cyanuric acid and melamine. We also run a Aerobic plate count and crude protein count. Sincerely, Holly Petersen Customer Service Nature's Variety www.naturesvariety.com" Yeah! I am so glad to hear I can keep feeding the rabbit kibble & canned. My guys just love it and they are all doing so well on it. It will definitely stay in as one of our rotations!

[yorkiepuppie]

if you don't feel comfortable with it, don't feed it.
can't you just bring the food back to the store and get store credit for it?

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by yorkiepuppie

if you don't feel comfortable with it, don't feed it.
can't you just bring the food back to the store and get store credit for it?

I'm sure I can return the raw. The kibble was what concerned me more since my guys really like it & I'm limited on the types of protein available in grain free foods. I was thrilled to learn the rabbit in the kibble is NOT from China!