Anyone else feed an all RAW diet?

[Jessika]

I don't have the knowledge or research to do it just yet. I want to make sure if/when I do, my dogs are getting ALL nutrients needed. But I am also waiting for there to be more research on this diet than is currently available (long term effects, etc). It seems to be a relatively new thing that has recently exploded on the "pet" scene, and I just want to wait until I get everything straight (at least in my mind!) before even attempting, if that makes sense!

[.sarah]

But I am also waiting for there to be more research on this diet than is currently available (long term effects, etc). It seems to be a relatively new thing that has recently exploded on the "pet" scene, and I just want to wait until I get everything straight (at least in my mind!) before even attempting, if that makes sense!

It makes sense, but I can help you with the "research" area if you'd like. As far as studies go, I'm not sure there are any, but at the same time there are studies showing that "Dog Chow, if fed properly over the course of a dogs life, can help add up to 2 healthy years", and I know you wouldn't feed Purina!

The proof you need is right in their mouth - their teeth. They have teeth for ripping and grinding meat and crushing bones. Not one tooth in their mouth is made especially for kibble, and there is definetly no teeth that grind grains.

If you absolutely want studies, then the ones you need are the ones that prove that dogs are very closely related to wolves. They share the same teeth, digestive tract, and 98% (I believe) of the same DNA. Wolves and dogs are carnivores, not omnivores like a lot of pet food companies like to boast.

There are thousands of people on the Yahoo group that I am a member of. Most are new to raw because, you're right, this does seem to be a new "fad" in the dog feeding world (and a cool one might I add ). However there are several people who have been feeding for years. There are several people who have watched their cancer-ridden dogs become cancer free. There are several who watched their dog's teeth go from riddled with tarter and stinky breath to pearly white and fresh breath. The benefits outweigh the risks by far. (Oh and just as a disclaimer, it isn't a miracle cure for diseases, and they stress that on the list, but there are quite a few diseases that are onsetted by poor diet and can be fixed by feeding them raw.)

I am having way to much fun with this thread

[Ravette]

Thank you that was VERY helpful. I even printed it out. I highly doubt I can talk my parents into feeding them raw at the moment but when I move out I plan on trying it. I was talking to a vet when I took my dog for his ear mites and well he was telling me that I should put Jared on a natural food diet but his was much different. We wanted me to do 75% meat,bone,organ and 25% rice/wheat/grain type foods. He also told me that I should fee them corn. I think I have a very bad vet lmao! Every single dog I have every had has broken out with hot spots if fed corn. I told him this and he told me I was buying cheap dog food and thats why it happened. *rolls eyes* Riggghhhhttt. How could that be true when the dog food has no corn product but was given some left overcorn to eat and broke put? pfft lmao!

We are raising bigs for buther this year and I'll have to make sure I ask for all the extras to feed my doggies. We buy the beef bones from supermarket sometimes and my golden will naw off the big knuckle in one day but I've noticed that he seems a bit more energized when he eats them.

I wonder if it would help my pitbull put on weight? I have a really hard time keeping weight on her because she is so active. The vet wants her to gain 5lbs but since we started agility she has lost 1.5 :/ .

edit: Just found a book on it that might come in handy!!
RAW DOG FOOD: MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG
by Carina Beth MacDonald

[BC_MoM]

and I know you wouldn't feed Purina!

Hey.. I take offense to that! I feed Purina One to my dogs and they do great on it.. better than when they were on Canidae!

This RAW thing really interests me.. could you PM the links that you were going to post?

Like Jess, though, I want to know the long term effects..

[.sarah]

Hey.. I take offense to that! I feed Purina One to my dogs and they do great on it.. better than when they were on Canidae!

When I said "you" I was talking directly to Jessica, because I know she doesn't like Purina. I know that other people do. No need to take offense.

I'll PM you the links in a sec.