Dogs/puppies can eat raw meat...?

Question

Some dog owners told me that it was best and natural for dogs to gradually switch to raw meat.
Is this really a good idea and is this okay for puppies too?

Answer 1

In theory, the RAW or BARF diet is a good one. And, honestly, for some dogs it is. However, dogs, just like humans, can be born with allergies to specific types of protiens or minerals. The whole story with the raw diet is to make it as close to natural as wolves are. Wolves eat they prey from head to toe to include organs such as the lungs and brain and heart and kidneys. MOST raw diet advocates will not feed this to their dogs. This is an issue because many of the fats and oils and necessary nutirients come from these organs but instead, are either supplemented or given in forms that wolves would not ordinarily eat such as broccoli or other vegetables.
Now, for your question, is it a good idea, depends on how fast you do it and to what extent. I know some breeders who prefer the RAW diet that switch their pups to a Goat's Milk and Ground Beef diet at about 6-8 weeks old. This helps the pups transition into the raw food afterwords. If you pup is older than this, I suggest you do it in small amounts at a time. For example, if you feed 4 cups of kibble, mix in only 1/4 or 1/2 cup of raw food at first for at least a week. As the weeks go on, at 1/4 to 1/2 cup a week. This will help adjust the pups stomach to the diet as well, as you will be able to see if the pup reacts strange to anything in the food. Know this though, stools will be loose for at least the first 3-4 days, sometimes more.
My opinion on the RAW diet is simple, if you can afford it, if you have the time for it, and if you want to put forth the effort to ensure the dog is getting everything they need, then give it a try. If for whatever reason you cannot do any of the above, stick with a good quality kibble.
What I do, just a suggestion, is I buy Natural Balance kibble (you could get Canidae or Royal Canin or Wellness, or any GOOD quality dog food) and I mix it with a good quality can food, again, from Natural Balance, Wellness, Nutro, etc. The can food is not processed and it actually smells pretty good. I've tasted a bit and it wasn't too bad. My dogs go nuts for the Venison and Rice and the Chicken formulas of dry food but love the Ultra Premium kibble.

Answer 2

Eating raw food will not make a dog vicious, that is an old wives tale. I know many dogs that eat a raw diet and they are completely gentle, not vicious at all.

Here are some sites on Raw diet and some of the FAQ's and Myths about it.

I don't feed my dogs a raw diet because I don't have the freezer room to store enough food for my 3 dogs plus the humans in the house, but I know many people who do feed raw and their dogs have great looking coats and skin.

Answer 3

Yes, feeding raw is great! It also cuts down the amount of waste your dog produces. I feed my dogs half raw diet. Pretty much any meat will do. I suggest going to Wal-Mart, there you can buy a 10 pound bag of chicken bones and all for just about $5. That is where I buy my chicken. You can also give them beef and pork roasts or ground beef. Out of all the dogs I own and have owned I've found that it takes awhile for hounds to get used to chicken and at first they won't eat it, but once they taste it they love it!
Raw feeding is also fine for puppies. You can start feeding them raw at the age of 3 months, but introduce it slowly. Start off giving them a breakfast of ground meat, then a lunch of kibble, and after about two weeks of that you can start feeding them an all raw diet including the bones. Pork is fine for them but steer clear of ham as ham fat is dangerous. Be sure to leave All of the bones raw, and don't be afraid of your dog eating them. Bones also help a TON with bad dog breath and they keep dogs' teeth spotless!!!!

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

Raw meat, fish or poultry is not recommended for your pet as it can contain bacteria, toxins and parasites that are normally destroyed in the cooking process. All-meat diets are completely unsuitable to feed your pet. This is especially crucial for puppies and kittens. Meat alone is deficient in vitamins and has an imbalance of calcium and phosphorous which can lead to severe bone growth problems. Seek your veterinarian's advice if you wish to feed a home-cooked diet. Cooked and sharp bones such as chicken, rabbit, fish and chop bones can cause internal injury.

The addition of a raw meaty bone to your dog’s diet is not a nutritional requirement if a complete and balanced diet is fed but can help maintain healthy teeth, provide chewing exercise and entertainment for your dog. Raw chicken wings and necks are good for cats and small dogs, but are not large enough to clean the teeth of bigger breeds. Sheep femurs are currently being advised by some specialist veterinary dentists, although brisket and other softer bones are also used. Your dog needs to chew on bones at least twice weekly for dental health, and daily is even better. Avoid sharp bones that can damage or puncture the intestines, and cooked bones that can also splinter causing punctures, damage the teeth and cause constipation. Alternatively, specially designed dental chews are available to help keep teeth clean and avoid these problems.

Hope this helps

Answer 5

I don't know if it is best, but your dog should be given a balanced diet, so make sure he still gets some vegetables/a good dog food. Maybe give the raw meat once a week or so.

I do give occasionally meat to my dogs (one turns her nose up at it and prefers it to be a least a little cooked).

There is a risk of worms so make sure that you give them worming tablets regularly.

Answer 6

Raw diets, when done correctly can be healthy for any cat or dog. Even puppies can be started on Raw diets or BARF.
Here are 2 links with FAQ's and some sample recipes.

http://www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm
http://www.touchmoon.com/dotters/raw/links.html

It is good to check with your vet, but not entirely necessary if all nutrient recommendations are being met. There are many other sites available with more information on the topic. You can also check with breeders of your specific breed to find out their preferences.

My Boxer was kibble fed since he was a puppy. I have recently introduced him to raw meals and he loves it.

Just remember that dogs need balanced nutrition, same as humans. Do your research and you will have a very happy dog!

Answer 7

Responding to Brandyniz:

Your answer was true if the raw meat the dog gets is from a fresh kill. You don't want your dog to get the taste of warm, fresh blood.

As far as raw meat goes, it's fine, but you do need to make sure your dog is always up to date on it's shots to prevent worms.

Answer 8

You should probably check with your vet first, I would NOT give raw meat to puppies since their immune systems are still developing and raw meat is a breeding ground for bacteria. I would be very careful about giving the raw meat to any dog without talking to a vet first, they can tell you what is safe and what isn't.

Answer 9

I switched my dogs to a raw diet suddenly and they did great on it but it was very hard to keep up with. I started the raw diet because of skin conditions and it helped a lot. Convenience and the need to sometimes be mobile made this diet hard so I switched to a premium brand that has wild game meats without bad preservatives and unhealthy additives. This is easy, they love their food and their treats and it is healthy.

Answer 10

look up "raw diet" for dogs in a search menu, it will give you recipes and options. many breeders and people who show dogs use a raw diet. it becomes expensive though, as you do not want to feed raw hamburger. it would be fine for puppies as well, but there are many wonderful foods out there as well, look at ingredients, and make sure there is no corn, wheat, or soy in the food, and that the number 1 ingredient is fresh meat, not by products or "meals" those diets are just as good as a raw diet.