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Originally Posted by Woogie Man  Thanks, Ann, for all the links. I read some and bookmarked them all. As you can tell from my posts, I am firmly 'straddling the fence' on this issue  . One thing I've read about raw feeding (from some other source that I didn't bookmark) is that in observing wolves feed that their stools show the bones they consume are wrapped in the hair of the prey they eat. This was taken to show that the hair offered some protection to the intestines as the bones made their way through. The only way to duplicate that would be to feed a whole carcass to your dogs and let them have at it. That would be duplicating a true raw diet much more so than meaty bones or processed raw (medallions). I do agree about the dangers of synthetic vitamins and minerals that are added to kibble, no matter the quality of the food ingredients. That is why I've switched to Nature's Logic, as it contains NO synthetic vitamin or mineral compounds. As far as I know, it is the only kibble to do so. If there's another, I haven't found it. At this point, I wouldn't say I disagree with the raw fed logic, only that I interpret some of the conclusions differently. What we feed our dogs is an individual decision that I hope everyone gives a lot of thought and research to. It is the most important decision that is made in the life-long care of care of our babies.  |
Hi Jim
Nothin' wrong w/ straddling the fence - I think a lot of us do. And, I really do think dogs can lead full, healthy lives on kibble, homecooked, or raw - and I recommend all 3 all the time - in fact I probably make more kibble recommendations in this section than anything else, LOL
! I just happen to think that raw is best since the meat still contains all its natural enzymes - it also contains organ meats and no synthetic vits/minerals whatsoever (I know you like that part
) - even in the medallions.
I wish you had that bookmark, I'd love to read it. I do know some prey-model feeders actually give their animals (ew) the entire carcass - as in a rabbit or deer or whatever. And, I haven't heard of stools showing the fur-wrapped bones. The stools usually show a consistency similar to those seen with medallions (small, firm, non-smelly, turn powdery after not too long). I don't know - I've just never heard that because bones are usually chewed - but I also think it would be natural that some fur
would be consumed along w/ the bone when entire carcasses are consumed. So, while some might conclude the fur protected the intestines, we also have to consider that not all wolves in the pack will get some of the fur (bc they have to wait their turn) and they do fine as canine tummies are designed to digest bones (plus wolves eat chickens etc.).
As for your last 2 sentences, I couldn't agree more
. I think discussions about food are always great - but at the end of the day, we all need to be supportive of everyone's choices in how they choose to feed their doggies. We all have our reasons for feeding what we feed - or don't feed.
I think sometimes though, as a raw feeder - you almost feel like you have to defend yourself...and that gets old, bc it comes up again and again - although I do have to say - it used to get really nasty, and now it's really just a discussion, which is nice.