We don't feed raw. I tried it.
1. I'm a germaphobe when it comes to raw food. I wash my hands and spatulas and countertops multiple times while cooking meat. I felt like they were full of nastiness even though they have fairly short hair. I was worried about them getting it on their paws and faces and in their water bowl. I gave them baths, brushed their teeth, washed my entire kitchen and never gave it to them again.
2. They get diarrhea if they don't have kibble at least once a day. Or at least meat+rice/potatoes. They need carbs. They don't do well on grain free, even kibble.

I need to cook for them more, but they eat Innova small bites so I feel like it's a good food for days when i can't cook their dinner.

I agree with you, we have fed Prissy dry kibble all her life and she still has tartar build up. She is scheduled to have her teeth cleaned April 1st and she ain't gonna like it..........poor baby.

I have a child that was born with a Primary Immune defect, so I am very cautious of what comes into contact with him. I actually looked into the raw feeding and it just seemed way to risky for my son's health to go this way of feeding with our Yorkies.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I fed Lola raw for almost 6 months and she LOVED it!!! I had to stop for 2 reasons. 1. I don't have access to the organ meat needed for the diet. No local butcher. 2. My son has been in/out of the hospital several times in recent months. Lola spent some significant time with my sister. She absolutely REFUSED to feed her raw. I even had all her meals premade. She just couldn't get past the raw. :p It's not good for Lola to keep switching back and forth. For now, she's back on Innova Evo. It's about as close as you can get to raw but in a kibble. I without a doubt will go back to raw once things settle down. Even if I have to go out of town once a month to get what is needed.

I don't personally have anything against feeding raw. It's just not for me. I don't know a lot about it and obviously I know I would have to greatly educate myself on it before trying it or considering it. I guess I would just be afraid that I wouldn't be giving my dog an adequate amount of nutrition. I must admit that after joining this site I have become a food freak when it comes to dog kibble and such lol, but really I have nothing against using raw. I know it works great for some people, but it just isn't for me. Best of luck to you if you decide to use it!

I don't feed raw for a few reasons. One I don't have the time to prepare these meals for Maddie and clean her and the feeding surfaces the way I fel would be necessary after each meal. Two, and most importantly, I do not know enough about her nutritional needs to feel confident in feeding raw. I know a friend of my groomer feeds 100% raw and she has a mini butcher station set up in her kitchen, meat grinder and all. :D I just don't have the time to prepare healthy meal this way.

I've read a little about this, and it sounds interesting. It seems like you would be able to control more this way.

If you don't plan to buy premade there is definitely a time commitment. I always prepared Lola's meals a month at a time and froze them. You just need to remember to pull them out of the freezer! :D

This thread is a great read!! I also thought all these things for as long as I have had Snickers and have been reading about diet. We also travel alot and finding the perfect kibble ws hard enough right!!? It's always been in the back of my mind and wanted to feed raw but I was just too grossed out and just decided to get the best kibble for Snick possible. But the thought just kept lingering and the more I read, the more I wanted it for Snick. I was at a doggy beastro and the woman there is a very knowledgable dog diet lover and she went on and on about raw. I finally decided to try it (just this morning was day 1!) w/ all intensions of keeping Evo kibble as his evening meal and today was great. Snick devoured his NV medallion and had 2 sessions of super small poop today already!!!!!! He also happily ate his Evo this evening. I have to say the medallion is nice & neat! So easy to handle and was just...easy! There was nothing in his beard, the medallion is not sticky/wet. It's pretty solid. No complaints as to the ease or cleanliness of it. But then again this is just MY opinion...everyone has their own preferences. But if you are thinking about it...try it:)

If ever interested in just learning about it - I think Nadia (Rawfedyorkieluv) makes her own grinds sometimes.

But also, if ever interested, I get my pre-made raw food locally - it's made right here, in Surprise, AZ: Home Page

The 'education' gal at Suzy's is amazing to talk to, so smart! And all of the recipes have been developed by a PhD canine Nutritionist. Pretty neat. :)

My reason is....They won't eat it!!! I have tried.... :)

I gave my little baby George (4 months old) a meal of raw meat and never again, he got it all over his face even though it was cut really small, went through his system terribly and I had so much mess to clean up, George gets really upset when he's messy and I hate seeing him upset so we are sticking to kibble and homecooking.

I just have to say no thanks...no amount of explaining will convince me that this is a safe and healthy thing to do for my dog.

Yes, I knew this already. So even those who feed kibble need to take precautions when handling dog food and the face kissing. However Kibble, isnt as messy as feeding raw NOT everything needs to be cleaned up after the dog eats, this is why I wont feed raw, it was gross and the clean up time was obnoixous. Im happy that Raw feeding works for you and your pets. :D

:thumbup: i like your post, simple and to the point!! :D