RAW MEAT DIET: THE DOG FOOD DEBATE

Suzi Ironmonger - I switched back to feeding raw many years ago when we were still living in the USA. I sourced my wide variety of raw from ethnic markets and also a raw feeders' "co-op" we had in the area. I had to keep my costs down with the number of dogs I was feeding, but I found it cheaper than feeding a super premium kibble. I wean my litters directly onto raw, as well. Pat Hastings has evaluated two of my litters over the years, as well as used some of my adult dogs as "examples" in her seminars. She always asks what the litter is fed and always told me that my puppies were in great shape and obviously had great nutrition. She was amazed that they were raw fed. Not sure what this means other than she has seen too many litters where the pups were just given ground meat (muscle meat) and not any or not enough bone. My breeding bitches have all milked really well and I leave my puppies on the bitches until 6 weeks of age. I totally avoid any supplementation until the pups are over 5 weeks of age as natural mother's milk is the best for any species.I find it easy to spot the difference between "kibble fed" and "raw fed" puppies. The latter are so much healthier and aren't gutty. A variety is what is best....for people and animals. Feeding one brand of kibble is like feeding your kids a good brand of macaroni & cheese that is vitamn & mineral fortified.... every day. You wouldn't do that, so why would you do it to your pets??? Also, the reason vets recommend processed pet foods is because 1) they get very little nutritional training, 2) the nutritional training they get is sponsored by the major pet food companies and 3) they are given heaps of bags of dog food and are offered incentives to push various brands. I know, I started off Pre-vet and I also have several friends who are vets who can confirm this. So most vets would not have the knowledge to give good advice on nutrition.

Dr. N - I had a house call practice for 33 yrs. After discovering the same symptoms returning time and again no matter the medical treatment, i researched raw meat diets. The diet alone has "CURED" everything from diabetes, to "incurable" epilepsy. My (nature's) success rate was far higher on raw diet alone than on any pharmaceutical treatment for chromic symptoms. Not ALL things are cured by diet alone, but it is always where i start any treatment. Why waste time searching for cures when nature usually has a simple answer...you are what you eat. Carnivores eat raw meat.

Sharon - I have fed raw food for 8 generations, roughly, maybe more, my breed is a short-lived one and my dogs outlast the aveage! Also I have much larger litters than the average. My dogs never need anal glands cleaned, teeth are shinny and coats also.

Anonymous - What is your feeling on feeding raw pork to dogs?

Jo-Anne - I have 5 Papillon dogs from 16 years old to 20 months old on raw food diet. They eat Grandma Lucy's freeze dried fruits and vegetables. It is mixed with Grizzley Salmon Oil and Blue Ridge Beef (natural) or Blue Ridge Chicken (with bone) meats. They enjoy small raw chicken necks. They also get Innova Evo Kibble. They seem to all be doing well. I give them a Pet Tabs Plus advanced formula which is a vitamin-mineral supplement.

Paula - hi, all my dogs are fed the raw food diet too. One think i have noticed is that my bitches produce alot more milk and for much longer than when fed on dry and dog food. Also they do not get any skin allergy problems and manic scratching where there are no fleas.  I have just bought a male dog who has only ever had dry food and he is having trouble making the switch over - if i offer him red meat he turns up his nose, or sardines or anything else I agree with this post wholeheartedly and what i cannot understand is why vets are so hell bent on pushing the dry food barrow - i always get a lecture from my vet about not feeding dry food and where do they get their balanced vitamins from it makes me sad that our health professionals are so narrow minded.

Diane - I have a Chow Chow that is almost 16 years old and I have added ground beef, chicken and turkey to his food since the beginning. Due to his age he has developed a small amount of arthritis but has always been healthy and his weight well maintained.

Frankie Wells - Oh! I missed this. New subscriber, late reader. Vet said change food so I searched. This is not what she meant but laughing, this is what I will do. How can we be so stupid about dog food? If I put a tv dinner in front of my husband he would leave the table but my poor dog has no choice. He will be so grateful.

Cheri Fellinger - I too tell my puppy buyers and all the people that inquire about my dogs that if they can feed themselves a fairly balanced diet of quality foods then they can feed their dog from their own shopping list, right off the preparation table before it's cooked. Feeding raw can be that simple when you have one dog. It's when you have more than 1, like most hobby breeders who has 3-15 dogs that you have to get creative and it's the ultimate to live on a plot of land where you can raise your own meat animals. I used to keep a large poultry yard with ducks, chickens, turkey and geese and I had a small herd of miniature sheep but it became too much work after a car accident. I applaud all that can feed 10 Rottweilers, or any combination of the equivalent, a raw diet!