Raw meat???
 

I cook mine :) (homecook) IMO it's more safe but...

I know there are a lot of people who choose the raw diet and like it. I'm sure they'll tune in soon.

I home cook and don't feed raw meat. I think if I did, it would have to be wild game because they are not pumped full of hormones and medications, and are not in a filthy slaughter house. Pets die all the time from salmonella poisoning. I'd just rather be safe than sorry when it comes to my loved ones.

I feed prey model raw. 80% raw meat, 10% bone, 5% liver and 5% other organs. My dog has never been healthier. Gleaming coats, perfect white teeth, no bad breath, no body odor, tiny poops. The difference is astounding. It really is the difference between surviving and thriving.

If you are wondering what to feed your dog, all you have to do is take a look at their teeth. Hmmm.... no molars to grind food up. No side to side motion to chew. Just sharp pointy teeth meant to rip, tear, and eat meat/bones. Nature is the model.

With all the contaminated kibble out there, I decided to make the switch a year ago and have never regretted it. I love shopping for meat and preparing meals for my boy. No more obsessing over food labels on kibble. I just head to the meat department and pick out some fresh food for my guy. When I walk by the pet section and see people trying to decide what kind of kibble to buy their dog, I look down at my cart and see fresh meats....chicken, (cornish hens usually) lamb, pork, fresh liver and kidney, etc. and I'm proud of the way I choose to feed my dog.

For me, it's a quality of life issue as well. Would I want to eat Total cereal 3 times a day for the rest of my life? ummm..... no. Feeding a raw diet is species appropriate. For ME and my boy, it's the only way to go. You have to make up your own mind. But open up your mind and throw out some of that multi million dollar pet industry propaganda and learn for yourself how you want to feed your dog. Kibble has only been around for about 80 years. Dogs existed and thrived WAY before kibble was invented for the convenience of a busy society.

I laugh at those commercials that show huge chunks of steak, some veggies, etc. being cut up and then voila - they show the bag of kibble. Why not feed the real thing? That steak would be great for the dog. Forget the over processed dried up cereal pellets.

Just my opinion. But don't take my word for it, or anyone else's, or the commercials you see on TV. I encourage everyone who is interested in a raw diet to do some research and make up their own minds.

Here's a few links to get you started ....

This one is a great place to start and you can spend a lot of time going through the many pages here. The "myths of raw feeding" pages are invaluable and answers most, if not all, the questions a newbie to raw will have. Invaluable site!

Practical Answers to Practical Questions About Raw

THE MANY MYTHS ABOUT RAW FEEDING

Raw Feeding FAQ

The raw feeders yahoo group is a great place to learn also. There are over 16,000 raw feeders on the list from all over the world.

rawfeeding : Raw Feeding for dogs and cats!

Another site I like that has a lot of good history, anatomy of the dog and why it's made to eat raw, and lots of good links on the link page ....

Raw Fed Dogs

A raw feeders blog with lots of interesting info …

Krisannrio's Raw feeding site - Home

More info and lots of links!

My Pet Carnivore - Rawfeeding Basics

Anatomy and physiology of the dog versus the wolf and the debate on whether dogs are omnivores or carnivores.

http://aspenbloompetcare.com/2009/07...ontroversy.htm

I used to feed raw but stopped bc I couldn't find a source of meat that wasn't loaded down with nitrates (chemical that makes meat look red). I have also limited my own red meat intake due to this problem. Now I give them occasional bits off what I prepare for my family, prior to cooking....

There are a lot of good websites based on "BARF". If you do your homework and make sure that they are getting the necessary nutrients and everything it is a great way to feed.

But it takes a lot of homework. You can order the ready meals on line so that they get everything that they need.

A LOT of greyhounds that I know are fed this and have less dental problems, due to the bones, and the fur is outstanding!

The "output" is much better because they digest most everything.

I would love to feed mine *BARF= bones and raw food* but it is something that I can not afford right now with all mine.

I prefer to feed a recipe which includes ground raw meats (beef, venison and/or turkey) and other human grade products (eggs, cottage cheese, rice, vegetables, bone meal and supplements)

I like the homemade concept and that I can purchase all the ingredients at the grocery store. I freeze small portions and serve a spoonful twice a day. I don't have ANY confidence in the pet food industry (too many preservatives and lack of quality control) - and I haven't grasped the "raw pieces of chicken" concept.

Bailey has no bad breath, no tartar, no body odor, poops once a day and above all, she LOVES her food!

I have just gone back to feeding raw and acana kibble mixed. After lexie losing teeth, tear stains and Madison's weight gain at under age 2, for us it seems like the healthy alternative.

Great post! I feed a prey model raw diet too! My dogs have almost perfect teeth, they are very healthy and not to be gross but my kids are so used to it that for a few days a couple of weeks ago, I gave my dogs kibble and my kids thought that some huge dog was using our yard as their potty! They couldn't believe how much poo came out of little Zoe. We promptly got right back on the raw diet!

Wow!!! Great post!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I also feed prey model and I am very happy with the result.

We feed Natures Variety organic chicken raw. His poo is smaller and harder, his coat is beautiful and his teeth are so white. We're very happy with it.

We wanted to try primal and stella because of the great reviews here but feel better about feeding him organic so we've been sticking with NV.