[HannaBanana]

Here are some general info on feeding raw. Some have asked, so I will do a simple thread. Jess - Burning River has been a GREAT help with me switching my pups over, and very sure she will chime in.

Some benefits of feeding raw -

http://www.4loveofdog.com/benefits.htm (one of many sites)

http://leerburg.com/feedingarawdiet.htm (lots of good info)

http://rawfed.com/myths/index.html

http://www.rawlearning.com/

At the bottom of the page is a link to Dr Lonsdale's homepage where you can download his two books for free http://www.rawmeatybones.com/diet/exp-diet-guide.pdf

50 FAQ's page
http://www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm#top

_________________________________________________
- those some of general topics, and a lot of different variations on feeding raw, thats why I threw a bunch up there. A good book recommended to we was "Raw Feed Dogs" by Corina Beth McDonald.
Do some reasearch and see if its something you are interested in, and then you can start off small.

We started off feeding raw the easy way. Premade patties. Many of companies offer premade raw patties which are like hamburger frozen patties that have all you need nutritionally in them. They give you a feeding guideline for the weight of your pup. You thaw and feed. Its easy. Some company's that make premade are -

Bravo http://www.bravorawdiet.com/
Nature's Varitey http://www.naturesvariety.com/
Oma's Pride http://www.omaspride.com/
Primal http://www.primalpetfoods.com/

They can come in nuggets, patties or rolls in which you chop up and I put into zipperlock bags and stick in the freezer, thaw in the am for a pm meal. Its a mixture of meat, (whether chix, turkey, beef) organ meat, veggies and bone.

You can also upon reasearch feed chix parts like starting off with a wing, or a thigh. I freaked at my first wing, seeing Hanna chomp it bone and all. You can feed raw bones because they are flexable, and contain calcium and are great for teeth. NEVER feed a cooked bone, for those are the bad ones and the splinter causing internal injury. This is where it can become very economical esp if you can find a good butcher friend And I will get some stuff Jess sent me with regards to this, gotta give me a sec to dig up.

 

[tootsie]

Re: Feeding Raw...

Great post! I had to sticky this one.

Lisa

 

[Sadiesmomma]

Re: Feeding Raw...

This is great. Thanks HannaBanana!

 

[HannaBanana]

Re: Feeding Raw...

No problem, its the tip if the iceburg.

Its a personal choice on feeding.  Its like ear cropping, some like it, some dont.  Some feed strickly kibble, some homecook, and some feed raw.

To me its fun, my dogs thrive off it, and like the results I see.   It took a bit to get used to it, and I am learning more and more everyday.

Given dog food recals, and whatnot, I like the fact I am taking (with a lot of aid from some great breeders I have come to respect) an alternative route to feeding my dogs  :lol:

 

[Taymickey]

Re: Feeding Raw...

I also read that raw feeding is less backyard cleanups

 

[HannaBanana]

Re: Feeding Raw...

Oh yeah, they become biodegradable!!!

 

[Kate]

Re: Feeding Raw...

Thanks for the post, I've wanted to ask you what raw feeding is, so very glad you posted this.  It will take me some time to read all the links, but I will.

 

[BurningRiver]

Re: Feeding Raw...



I'm just glad I could help, Heather!

Your list is much better than mine! Lots of good stuff there!

Kymythy Schultz's first book: "Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats: The Ultimate Diet" is another one of my favorites.

http://home.earthlink.net/~affenbar/bookpage.html

 

[Flutterby]

Re: Feeding Raw...

We did raw for 3 weeks.. Toby and Mia wanted kibble over it..  8O  Don't ask why.. Normally when we cook they're up our butts, but when it was handed to them as meals, they didn't want it..

The poo was awesome though!! :twisted:  lol listen to me talking about dog poop like its the greatest!  :wink: ahh well...

 

[Nexu]

Re: Feeding Raw...

There are two sides to the RAW debate.

 

[BurningRiver]

Re: Feeding Raw...

Everyone should see both sides IMO and make up their own mind.

Absolutely, with the qualifier that veterinarians have no business advising on canine nutrition, considering that they only receive one course on animal nutrition and it's largely centered around large animal nutrition (bovine, porcine and equine) and sponsored by the pet food companies (usually Hill's) -- per my routine care vet.

The book that I posted the link to above is written by a canine nutritionist. In fact, I can't think of any canine nutritionists that don't advocate feeding your pet a home prepared (raw or cooked) diet. Even more so now than ever given all of the issues revolving around the commercial pet food industry.

So, as you stated, it's completely up to the individual owners to make the decision that is right for their pets. I've never been a rabid "pro-RAW" individual in the first place (I have a bitch who can only eat a specific kind of kibble and I'm 100% fine with that). I've always been a proponent of feeding the right diet for the dog (and have said so on multiple forums throughout the web), however, I do feel as you do - that information should be presented correctly so that pet owners can make informed decisions on what is right for their pets.

 

[Nexu]

Re: Feeding Raw...

Absolutely, with the qualifier that veterinarians have no business advising on canine nutrition, considering that they only receive one course on animal nutrition and it's largely centered around large animal nutrition (bovine, porcine and equine) and sponsored by the pet food companies (usually Hill's) -- per my routine care vet.

The book that I posted the link to above is written by a canine nutritionist. In fact, I can't think of any canine nutritionists that don't advocate feeding your pet a home prepared (raw or cooked) diet. Even more so now than ever given all of the issues revolving around the commercial pet food industry.

The quotes or articles from above are not from the veterinarian down the street who had one course on canine nutrition.

 

[HannaBanana]

Re: Feeding Raw...

In this article -
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/jan05/050115ww.asp

I have some issues (as in my own opinon).

 

[BurningRiver]

Re: Feeding Raw...

And, again, there are others, like Wendy Volhard, DVM who believe that our dogs do much better on raw food diets. Even among the veterinary community, you will get a thousand different answers depending on whom you ask.

On the aside, If we're going to mention bias, why don't we talk about studies funded by commercial pet food companies?

Again, the veterinarians who wrote the articles that you linked to above are 1) not specialists in canine nutrition (one is listed in your post as a food safety molecular epidemiologist and microbiologist - of course he's going to caution against the dangers of food bourne pathogens!) and 2) are funded by the big pet food conglomerates like Purina, Hill's, Iams/Eukanuba, etc.

At one point, I had heard of another study that was done taking stool samples from a test group of kibble fed dogs and another group of raw fed dogs. Apparently the kibble fed test group had more Salmonella, E.coli, etc in their stool. Admittedly, I don't have this link to share. Hopefully someone else will pipe in with the article.

So much of this is common sense. . . To the point that the whole "bacteria discussion" is just plain ridiculous. Use the same caution that you would otherwise use in preparing your own food and you'll be fine. I currently have two raw fed dogs and a 4 week old infant. Again, common sense - my dogs aren't allowed to lick her in the face, I wash up after feeding them, never touch the baby without washing my hands first after petting them and mop their crates after each meal. These are common sense things that should be practiced regardless of the diet fed; I would do any of this even if I fed them kibble. Bottom line is that I'm very confident in my housekeeping abilities.

Bottom line is that although I enjoy chatting about canine nutrition, this tends to be a particularly sensitive subject that has been hashed and rehashed over and over again on the web. I've participated in many discussions debating the pros and cons of feeding raw and I strongly feel that it's the right choice not only for two of my girls, but for many others' dogs as well. I have made my decision based on 6 years of practical experience with feeding a raw diet and first hand witness of the benefits of feeding this way. I really need no other proof than that. My other bitch does much better on Hill's prescription kibble. Again, the best diet for the dog is the best diet for the dog, but I also feel that we need to keep things in perspective when considering these corporate funded "studies".

 

[HannaBanana]

Re: Feeding Raw...

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/sampleraw.htm

Another good site with TONS of links on feeding raw

 

[NewtsMom]

Re: Feeding Raw...

I think whatever your baby likes most is most important... I dont feed Newt raw.. Not that I am against it but I chose Kibble over raw and so does she. She seems to be in great health... I do cook her an egg and chicken (boneless skinless...... due to the fact I have read its hard for them to digest fat) and I think she gets benifits from that as well .. plus her kibble. Its all in what your Boxer can handle.... Newt Gets Raw bones from the Butcher shop and she loves them and has no problems as well as she does like some veggies. I shall Bookmark all the raw sites though being I love to learn about New things! This was a great post and perhaps I shall try some new things I had a mindset of ... "we domesticated these animals for the past 100's

 

[HannaBanana]

Re: Feeding Raw...

Yes you need to be comfortable on what you feed as well as what your dog likes.  Also many older dogs and dogs with health ailments benefit from being fed a raw diet.   So its a good alternative if you have health issues to look into.