I am posting this without reading any of the "back and forth" that seemed to go on on this thread. people always have opinions and everyone is entitled to them. i hope nothing too bad was said on either side because it really is up to you to decide what is best for your babies.
so here is my experience. I have fed Dexter a Prey Model Raw diet for about 3 1/2 years. (PMR is not pre-made, but actual meat, bones and organs diet) i researched for months before i started him on it and also got my husbands opinions on everything since he is a human holistic healthcare worker. after a couple of months of research i decided that this was the way to go for me.
i think one of the major points that really made me have the shift in my thoughts on it was the fact that our little ones have 99.9% of the same dna as a wolf. this means that their digestive tracts are set up in a very similar fashion. Also, when you think that kibble has only been around for maybe 50 - 75 years...if that...that is not enough time for a digestive tract to evolve and adapt to a new form of food. before kibble dogs were fed table scraps or went out and caught squirrels, rabbits, etc. their bodies are made to be able to fully optimize a raw diet.
that is not to say that a dog cannot be happy and healthy on a diet of kibble. For me, the choice came down to the fact that i try to eat as natural for me (choosing organic food, i try not to eat processed foods, i cook as much as i can) so i thought that it was only fair that i fed me "kid" what i felt to be the healthiest diet for him.
many people notice a change in the coat and/or teeth when they switch, but the biggest change i noticed was his poop. it is smaller and dry and doesnt stink bad and if left for a day, will actually flake away! this is becuase there is not fillers in his food. his body uses al of the nutrients that go in and there is not much by product left over. If my vegan sister ever takes him when we are away, he eats kibble and i notice a change in poop and his overall body smell when i get him back. his eyes run and he smells worse when on kibble.
the down side to raw is that it does thae more planning. especially a PMR diet and especially when traveling. I have found some great dehydrated raw foods that just require water added to them which are great for traveling.
i have my puppy on kibble right now because she is so small and needs access to food around the clock to prevent hypoglycimia and am working in a pre-made raw food in the morning and night. I am lucky enough to have a holistic vet here in Toronto that i trust and has helped me so muh from planning puppy appropriate meals for when she gets a bit older and what foods are best to introduce and also gives me suggestions for suppliments when needed.
anyway, this is just my experience and opinions. anyone looking to change foods should have info on both sides of the story and feel fully comfortable with what you choose to feed. good luck and if you have any questions at all about a raw diet, i am very happy to answer if you send me a PM.
