Raw Food Diets

[greenequinox]

Ok. Brody (my chihuahua) seems to be doing better now with his Merricks canned food, some Evangers, meat rolls from (err..forgetting brand name) and Raw Instint Kibble. Now after much debate with myself I was determined to give him and my kitty a bit of a raw diet, until I could completely feed them raw. Just like before though...I repent...I find some more disturbing articles and websites written on the topic, scary information on the "real" dangers of raw foods. People's experiences of losing beloved pets and the sort. I'm not sure anymore I'm very confused with this. I know Brody would love to chew on bones and probably enjoy a raw diet..but I dont want to put him in any danger. What do you all think? and how have your experiences with raw turned out?


Articles and Websites on the Topic:

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FKA/is_6_67/ai_n13788104/pg_1

I had many other sites and articles bookmarked, but through some very bad luck have lost them..gah...I'll google them and see if I find any of the links.

 

[DanL]

All 3 of my dogs have been on raw for well over a year now and they are all doing great. We have a German Shepherd who will be 2 in February, a 13 year old Golden/ GSD mix, and a 5 year old Pug. Our older dog made the biggest change. She's nearly 13 now and still has a great looking coat, no more allergies, more vigor (though at 13 that is pretty limited, lol). With the pug, I'm a little careful as he is a "gulper" and will swallow big chunks. For him I feed him things with larger bones so he has to chew them, but I remove the meat from the bone on stuff like chicken legs. Otherwise he'll get it turned longways and down it goes. I always supervise them when they are eating just in case something happens, but I'd do that if they were fed kibble too.

For every article you find that bashes raw, there are probably 10 that tell you how good it is. I imagine that everyone who switched to a raw diet had a degree of apprehension when they changed over since it goes against what people consider "normal" feeding of our pets. Do your research, and make your own evaluation. I don't know many people who fed raw who went back to kibble for health reasons. Usually it's expense or inconvenience that causes people to go off the raw food.

 

[greenequinox]

Thanks for your input DanL. I dont know what to do. A lot of people seem to promote the raw diet, but same goes for those who bash it. I've read information on how there's no real proof dogs are wolves descendents, so we cannot compare their diet needs. I've read about how dogs have been eating cooked foods for 300,000 years at least, and that their bodies are not prepared to consume raw. Others say that their pets immediately take to raw, and have benefitted greatly. Some have said their pets health has deteriorated and caused painful death. Was it that they didnt feed them right? Werent careful enough? I feel so confused.

 

[ShAnd]

Shadow has been fed raw meat/bones/vegetables/fruits/eggs ever since he was 12 weeks old.

And it`s the same over here: it`s not common and the vets are sceptical ..

But well - Shadow gets healthier food than my 3-year-old-daughter .. meaty bones every morning (chicken, beef, lamb), raw meat and vegetables/fruits in the evening, sometimes rice or pasta, 1 egg per week, some yoghurt, cream cheese, butter milk ..

He looks good - shiny coat, white teeth, little output .. I`m sure it was the right decision.

 

[DanL]

The people who put down a raw diet are mostly 1: not informed or 2: in the business of selling dog food!

Tell me how you'd rather your dog looked- like this:

Or this:

The 1st is before our 13 year old went on raw. The 2nd is about 5 months after she'd been on it. I didn't need any more proof than what my eyes (and nose) told me.

 

[Bobsk8]

Humans probably ate raw early in their evolution prior to the discovery of fire and cooking, so I guess, using the same logic that we can presently eat raw too. Anyone for a couple of pieces of raw chicken for dinner tonight?

 

[pitbulliest]

Wow..what a change..you know, I noticed that change when I switched from Iams earlier on in Messina's "youngdog" hood over to Wellness..than I did more research after that and switched over to Timberwolf Organics..and then I finally started raw..I don't do it constantly, as I still like to feed the kibble in between, and yes, raw, especially ready made, is **** expensive..

But I have also noticed the changes..the dog automatically slims down to a beautiful figure, and the coat becomes glossy...everyone asks me how I get it to be so soft...lol

With that being said, I also have to note that there are certain dogs that don't DO well on the raw diet...Its not necessarily the perfect diet...I don't think there is any such thing in the first place...it all depends on the dog..

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

This is a raw fed dog.

I have fed raw since 1993, dogs from the age of 2 weeks until past 10 years of age, with zero issues. Not one.

It is not for everyone, and maybe not for every dog either, but for me and my dogs, it has been one of the very best things I ever did.

If you are interested in feeding raw, I would encourage you to join some of the raw food mailing lists at yahoo groups. There are people there who will hold your hand so to speak, and help you get started.

 

[pitbulliest]

I feed the healthypaws premade raw...my dog loves it..mind you it smells nasty...but everything is already mixed in..the ground up bones, the meat, the veggies, and the supplements (ACV, Fish Oils, etc)

 

[DanL]

Humans probably ate raw early in their evolution prior to the discovery of fire and cooking, so I guess, using the same logic that we can presently eat raw too. Anyone for a couple of pieces of raw chicken for dinner tonight?

You know Bob, there are places where humans still eat raw food. Maybe not chicken, but raw meats. Heck, I can put down a plate of sushi with the best of them. It's all about adaptation.

 

[showpug]

It's more expensive, but Nature's Variety makes raw frozen patties and medallions. They would not be expensive to feed a chi though. I feed my dogs one raw meal a day using the patties and have had really good results. I think they are a little bit easier to deal with then traditional raw feeding and they are definitley healthier than kibble.

http://www.naturesvariety.com/conte...n=naturesvariety:43BD14E21b5862D592ThU156202B

 

[deb27]

My two chi's now eat nature's Variety Raw medallions, it is SO easy, not messy and they love it. I think it is a great place to start as I got so confused on how much to give, what to give, etc but these are all done up for you. I also leave a 1/4 cup on Eagle Pack dry food out, but they MUCH prefer the raw. I haven't done it long enough to notice much difference (except the poop is smaller and NO odor) but I love it!

 

[greenequinox]

Thankyou to everyone's replies, I truly do appreciate every bit of advice I can get on the topic. Wow what a difference I see raw has made to many of your beloved companions, its definately a motivator. I might try Nature's Variety pre-made foods, and then take it from there as I learn. I'm feeling a bit more confident with that choice...I'll continue to research, but I think I'll be giving raw a shot, and take all necessary precautions without ruining Brody's raw foodie experience

 

[Mordy]

I've been feeding raw for going on 3 years and my dog is in great condition. Even my strictly anti-raw vet had to grumblingly concede that he can't see a single thing wrong that would warranty a diet change.

If you'd liek to read a book that's a true eye opener, have a look at this:
http://www.rawmeatybones.com/book-full.html

 

[showpug]

I just found out that Nature's Variety is coming out with Raw Frozen "Chub" diets. I guess they are the same as the patties and medallions, but come in 2 lb. packages for large dogs or people like me that feed multiple dogs. They are suppose to be a great value as well. I am hoping they are as I would like to switch over to all raw eventually.

 

[sam]

I was a little nervous switching to raw at first too. I think everybody is.-- even though I knew several people here who had been doing it successfully for over 12 years with several dogs.
The thing that finally clinched it for me was when I had a foster dog who was a poop eater. I was so grossed out and when I talked to the vet about it, he told me that yes, it's disgusting but zillions of dogs can regularly eat poop and never get sick.
Well, if they can eat poop which is guaranteed to be FULL of bacteria and not get sick, why would I worry about the bacteria which may or may not be in raw meat?
I am fairly careful with bones. I feed mostly chicken necks for my RMB and pretty much stick to beef knucles for recreational bones.
I think it's great that you are being cautious and doing your research- better to do that than these people who decide "I'm ging to feed raw!" and go gang busters without having any clue what a decent diet needs to include.