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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
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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.
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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...
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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.
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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 Quote:
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.
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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.).
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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