with this dog food scare it makes me think twice about dog food. Anybody do the raw meat diet?

Question

I have been thinking about switching to a raw food diet for my dogs for awhile. I want to do all of my homework before I make the change however. Do you have any good resource info that can help me make my desicion? thanks

Answer 1

Yeah! The raw meat and bones diet was great for my dog while she was on it. She eats regular dog food again now, but I'll tell ya right off the bat that was only because of cost and time in prep and clean-up. Just had to switch to other priorities financially, but I'd definitely recommend it. She has more health problems on "dog food." Get the book on B.A.R.F. - forget the author's name, but BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, or Bones and Raw Food diet. It will really help reduce the chance of chronic diseases and allergies in your dog. And they really really enjoy the food! Just be sure to do it CORRECTLY, because doing it wrong is worse for their health than "dog food."

Answer 2

well if you want a healthy dog food i would recomend pedigree. as for the raw food diet i would really look in to things i mean it all counts on how you prepare the food and what kind and in the worlds raw meats to day there are still parasites in them believe it or not thats why people always tell you to cook your meat good. i think that it would probally not be good for a family pet either. and plus the raw meat diet is very costly. be just look into what ever you deside to do for your dog

Answer 3

well you should know (and I will no doubt get thumbs down for this) - but for all the proponents of raw food "BARF" diets - there are MANY detractors.. including veterinary medicine associations.

from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_feeding

"Neither the American Veterinary Association nor the British Veterinary Association endorses the health benefits of raw food. Both organizations caution that animals fed raw meat run the risk of contracting food-borne illnesses. The British veterinary group declares that "there is no scientific evidence base to support the feeding of raw meat and bones," and warns humans they risk exposing themselves to bacteria like salmonella."

consider this:

while proponents may argue that in the wild - wolves and canids eat raw food..

- domestic dogs are NOT wild

- raw foods in nature are killed an eaten, raw foods in the supermarket are takend from a farm to a slaughterhouse to a butcher to a supermarket and there are plenty of opportunities to develop dangerous pathogens or parasites along the way

- should your raw food contain a dangerous pathogen or parasite - it can be passed on to and KILL your dog.

- should your raw food contain a dangerous pathogen or parasite it can enter the ecosystem through fecal waste and endanger other dogs, children and our groundwater.

- many of the BARF diets are in fact nutritionally incomplete - contrary to what BARF proponents claim dogs are omnivores - not just carnivores


all that being said - there are some good raw food diets - but there are a lot fo junk scinece fad diets - - - so do your homework and talk to your vet.

Answer 4

I considered it after talking to several people who recommended the diet. However after talking to my vet, I decided to stay with a good quality dry food. My vet explained to me that there is a risk of vitamin and nutritional deficiencies when switching to a raw food diet as well as an increased risk of bloat. He said 80% of the cases of bloat that he sees is from dogs on a raw food diet. There is also an increase in the smell when the dog passes gas as well as looser stools. I suggest thoroughly researching what all goes into it then decide whether the cost and work involved are worth it, then having a serious discussion with your vet. After that if you decide to do it, work closely with your vet during the transition to ensure that your dog is getting all the proper nutrition.

Answer 5

Ummm.....dry food anyone? The only food that's been contaminated is the wet food. Unless your dog has no teeth or on a prescription diet, why feed wet food? I feed my dogs dry food either Hills Science Diet or Purina. Granted these are somewhat more expensive I know I'm still feeding a good quality dog food with still almost 1/2 the calories (i.e. less fat).

If you must feed wet food look at the brands that have been recalled and find a good brand that hasn't. If your really concerned talk to your vet, they will know what's best for your dog.

Answer 6

Raw meet can hurt a dog's stomach. A lot of the time the meat is too rick so they puke it up. Go to www.freepowerboards.com/pcaa and click on LINKS then animals websites. I'd try In defense of animals, ASPCA, PETA, and Friends of Animals. These might help, but i'm not completely sure.

Answer 7

I'm thinking of starting. Nature's variety makes a good plan, you should check into that.

Answer 8

i would stick to what ur buying + your dog might not like the new stuff ur getting it. they get used too one thing. it depends on how old your dog is.