Just an FYI on those who feed "Raw" diets
 

My Mom is having problems with getting her little girl to eat...she has tried just about EVERY high quality food out there...She spoke to her vet about this and had inquired about the raw diet...Her vet does not agree with feeding raw...they just had a small dog die from pancreatitis because of eating raw. I was concerned when feeding my girls, wellness 95% chicken (canned) that they may be getting too much protein and was concerned about pancreatitis. I spoke to my vet about this...He told me he would only be concerned if I were feeding raw. I know there are several on here that feed raw...just thought I would let you know what our vets told us.

Yup, there are so many vets that disagree with it and I agree with them. :)
It's another one of those to each their own things but I wouldn't be at all comfortable with it.

I agree with you too! I know people say when dogs lived in the wild that's all they ate,raw. However...dogs are now domesticated. I feel like you do...to each their own but,...something about "raw" food just doesn't sit well with me.

JMO

The one thing that always bothered me about raw was cross-contamination. Can't imagine giving my dog raw chicken, him eating it on the floor, and then cleaning every surface with bleach. And what about their beards/faces? Not to mention the uncooked bacteria that they might be ingesting. I agree with you all and my vet concurs as well.

Oh, about the pancreatitis thing, Ellie got it while she was eating homecooked and it may have been triggered by beef. I'm not sure if/why pancreatitis is a bigger issue in raw fed dogs but I have not heard that before.

That's what I wanted to point out too...I'm not aware of anything that says incidence of pancreatitis is any different because of the type of diet one feeds.

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Even though dogs have been domesticated, they haven't really evolved. A dog's DNA differs from the gray wolf by .2%.

I believe in feeding raw and feel it is species appropriate. I also believe that dogs can thrive on a balanced homecooked diet and a quality kibble. At the end of the day, you have to choose what works best for your comfort level and what you think is best for your dogs. :)

I know raw liver is supposed to be a good protein source for dogs, but its can be so harmful. The liver is the cleansing organ...and can contain all sorts of nasty things. A small amount of liver goes a long way in a dog diet. So please be careful when feeding this to your baby.

Pancreatitis, kidney disease, and other diseases claimed to be linked to raw feeding are in the same boat as bacterial septicemia. What generally happens is that a) there are underlying factors, b) there is an underlying disease, and c) the raw diet brings these to light. Bacterial septicemia/cross contamination is more likely in puppies and seniors dogs because they're immune system isn't as healthy. Overall, I agree with Mily and usually their systems are well equipped to handled these sorts of things.

As far as protein in a dog's diet... its 27% for puppies and 17% for adults? I guess it depends on digestibility too.

Hi Leigh 22

You know one thing I have found very interesting is that when I was searching for diets and this an that before getting my puppy. I thought I was going to be totally grossed out seeing him eat raw but I will give it a try . But the first time ever I saw him eat raw it was the most wonderfull natural experience ever while having a pet that I have had. I remember seeing him and not being grossed out at all but I love to watch him eat his food every day now. :D

Me, too! I love watching how much THEY love their food.

I wasn't going to post anything, but I keep thinking about this and am alarmed by the statement your vet made. There is no justiication to back this claim about raw being the cause of pancreatitis. In fact, many times pancreatitis is present because of an underlying health issue that was never identified. This sounds like a scare tactic to me.

I also find it very interesting that vets who have taken the time to really become educated on nutrition are not opposed to raw diets and most of them recommend home cooking above and beyond any commercial canned or kibble dog food.

I agree with many of you, I also will not feed raw. But to each his own, I think it is all a matter of what each of us is comfortable with and as long as your dog is doing well with your feeding method and you are comfortable with it then you should stick to it.

I just want to add that people tend to forget that dogs are animals and humanize dogs too much. If it was a snake, for example, you would feed it mice/rats/rabbits. If it was a lizzard or frog, you would feed it crickets. So why do we process food for our dogs instead of feeding them what they are natually supposed to eat?

Feeding raw is very good for dogs. The bones are great for their teeth and the marrow inside is VERY good for them. Also the cartilage is very good for their joints and helps to prevent arthritis. It is great for their coats and (in my own personal experience) has diminished body and mouth oders. It is also good for dogs with allergies. My dog had awful allergies and chewed off her fur on her paws. Once we switched to raw, she hasn't had any allergic episodes and her fur has grown back.

I love feeding my older dog raw and can't wait to start feeding my puppy raw as well (she is still on the breeders food and will need to be transitioner to raw food).

Oh one more thing! The vets are trained in nutrition by dog food companies! That is why they are always selling science diet and whatnot. My vets have even admitted to this.

Just some thoughts from oer here! ;)

I read up about raw so much before trying it. It was a god send I tell you....Snickers LOVES to eat!! We still have Evo kibble out 24/7 but Snick only picks at it when he wants a snack. I can't explain how gorgeous Snick is, and I completely blame the raw for it:) His coat is shiny, silky, and luscious!! He smells sweet, we bath him every 2.5-3 weeks. His agility is off the wall, he is so small yet so powerful. His breathe is sweet (I do brush his teeth once a week.) The very best thing is..how much he loves to eat and how he gets excited to eat. His 1 year check up is coming up and I can't wait to see how he is doing. I pray his blood work and check up come back ok b/c if they don't I will be heart broken...I can't imagine feeding him anything but raw. The battle to get him to eat before raw was horrid, we left is food out 24/7 but I just never felt like he ate enough!!! He's only 3.5lbs!

I'm not telling my vet I feed raw unless he asks or if his check up does not come back 100%. If it does come back 100%...I can't wait to tell my vet I feed raw:)

I was wondering when you'd see this thread!! It sounds like it's time to put a few new pics of Snickers in your album!!! :D

Bonny!! You're so sweet!!! I have been MIA a bit...summer just started so stopped teaching and am now enjoying time off which seems to in turn made me busier, but I love it b/c it's with things I love to do:)

I will put Snick's 1 yr pics up after his bday party in July. Can't believe my little boy is going to be 1!!!!!

Also...if anyone is contimplating raw...I can probably convince you to try it;)!!

I have to add...when Snick eats..the raw touches NOTHING but his mouth, the dish, the defrost container, and the knives I cut it up with. I have watched him eat up close and personal, and none of it gets on his beard. He eats from down to up, uses his mouth to fling it to the back of his mouth to chew with back teeth, and then licks his plate clean. I use stainless steel plates, plastic knives, and small individual containers to defrost each medallion. Everything is washed with steaming hot water and antibac dish soap immediately after he eats. His beard is face is washed with a warm baby wipe. It works out perfectly. No bleach (scares me to use it around him-so harsh.)

It surprises me how worried people are about the germs...don't we all cook raw meat for our families almost daily? It gets on cutting boards, our counters, etc We all clean up properly and thats it. Right??:confused:

Ditto. I have a pretty weak stomach, but it doesn't really bother me. I think of it as "sushi for dogs". I only feed raw about once or twice a week. Since he's still a puppy, I want his immune system to get healthier before I try to start doing it more.

What veggies do you feed your baby? I can't get Ziggy to eat hardly any. He'll eat all the meat from his bowl and then just leave a pile of peas in the corner. He likes carrots but only if I boil them first, and that kinda defeats the purpose.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: The change in Lola has been incredible since switching her to raw. Like you I didnt tell my vet initially. I waited until her yearly in April. He commended me on how lean and strong she was. Beautiful coat and perfect pearly whites. He then asked what I was feeding :eek: I told him I fed her raw and he was very pleased. He said he wished others would take the time to do it. Especially dogs with allergies. His only concern was that I follow the 80/10/10 rule which I do.

Hey babe!!! :) Please elaborate the 80/10/10...I think I know what you are referring to, just want to be sure!!!

Snick & Viv

How nice to finally hear of a vet who supports raw! I'm happy to hear Lola is doing so well on it!!! :)

What type do you feed Lola?

80/10/10 meat/bone/liver & organs

I initially did NV medallions and then prey model. Now I make my own grind to ensure she's getting the correct % of everything. In fact, made a months worth yesterday. Freeze it in 5oz bags. Pull a couple days at a time from the freezer and away we go! I also give her some plain yogurt, a probiotic and salmon oil for lunch.

She's so funny. I feed her in her expen. When she sees me coming with the bowl she does this crazy kind of circling dance on her hind legs. She LOVES it!

Spreadsheet
 

At the bottom of the very first post you can find the personal raw feeding guide spreadsheet. You just need to put in your dogs weight and it will break it all down for you.

PERSONAL RAW FEEDING GUIDE (New and Improved) - Raw Food Diet Forum

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That's what I found so alarmist and concerning as well, and so misleading (by the vet, not the person who posted this). It's as silly as saying "warning: kibble diets cause pancreatitis" - it's as ignorant to say that as it was for the Vet to say what was said about raw.

And I really agree with your second point as well - when you run across vets who have truly made nutrition a big priority, you often find they support raw diets. The best example of a vet like that is Dr. Terifaj: DOG-Breath Blog