RAW prey model diet

[abbie's mom]

I've gotten some private feedback (mostly positive ) and some interest in RAW feeding. I whole heartedly commend those folks who want to make this brave step toward the health of their pet. Because I want you to have the very BEST source of knowledge and experience to encourage success in this venture, I'm referring you all to a RAWfeeding egroup that I've been a member of for four years. This group is 8417 members strong, and represents breeders, show people, agility competition, service animals and (last but certainly not least) house pets. All these people have discovered the best way to keep their pets with them is to feed how nature intended: a prey model RAW diet. Please join here, watch the conversations for awhile and just ask what questions you may have. From my observations there, NO question is too small or too silly. These people have a genuine desire to help animals and their humans succeed. Meanwhile, I am still here to help in any way that I can; but, obviously, the advice and experience of many are more valuable than the four years I have.

I know this step is scarey, and seemingly controversial. However, not so much as one would think.

[windsor'smom]

Thanks so much for posting this site and all the info you have given. I find it very interesting and plan to investigate further.

[Yorkiedaze]

Please research very, very well before feeding raw.

http://www.secondchanceranch.org/tra...eat/index.html

[abbie's mom]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

Please research very, very well before feeding raw.

Very good advice CLICK HERE to further your research, and please follow links on the left for a more complete compilation of information.

[abbie's mom]

Goodness gracious! I just read some of the article from Second Chance, and must say, if I didn't know better and have four years' positive experience myself with RAW, that (misleading) info would scare me away, too! I sincerely urge anyone interested at all in improving the lives and health of their pets, to please, Click HERE, for the Rebuttal to Second Chance Ranch, before dismissing the RAW diet.

The prey model, RAW diet is NOT the BARF diet. BARF contends that canines are omnivores (show me some grinders, will ya?) and advocates a diet of veggies, fruit and some meat. The PREY MODEL diet advocates feeding whole prey, as their carnivorous systems are equipped to handle. *sigh* no wonder people are confused.

[Yorkieluv]

I homecook for my dogs now, but I was wondering some things about the raw diet...How do you ensure that they don't carry bacteria on them? Do you wash the beards after meals? I have read that dogs with suppressed immune systems should not be given raw diets because they cannot handle the bacteria and can't fight off things that normal dogs should be able to.

I read a post from someone once stating that they had been feeding their dog a raw diet and everything was going well, but then one day she got really sick and died. They found out that it was a bacteria or something like that that is only found in raw meat...

I'm not opposed to a raw diet, I would just like to learn a little bit more about the topic. I don't know that I could do it though...

[Amanda7]

I spent a lot of time reading everything I could about feeding RAW (thank you Abbie's Mom :-), and I seriously considered giving it a try. Before I did, I talked to my vet who was ADAMENTLY against it. He gave me a long list of reasons why I should not feed RAW, among them cross-contamination.

It's confusing to hear so many 'for's and 'against's'. We all want what is best for our dogs but have to consider that raw meat can be dangerous.

[Yorkieluv]

Yes, cross-contamination is what worries me...