raw poll

[ashleycat]

ok so other than getting hurt from wrong bones. HOw would feeding raw make them sick? just allergic to it right?

[Kfamr]

I wouldn't imagine that a dog would be allergive specifically raw. They could be allergic to a specific meat but it wouldn't matter if it was raw or cooked in that case.

When first being fed raw, dogs' stomachs can be sensitive. It's best to take it very slow and start with a bland, plain meat such as chicken and the move onto different meats.

[IRescue452]

No sickness or injury on raw. Autumn did get very sick on a higher quality kibble though. I'll bet most of what the vet sees are cooked bones. Very few people feed raw currently, the diet is too new to see so many problems at one vet. Most people are just learning the advantages and they think they can get away with feeding cooked meat because its less "gross".

[binka_nugget]

Nope, my boys have never gotten sick from raw. Our vet was very helpful when I was learning about feeding raw. He never told me to feed one thing or the other, he only gave me his experiences.. no opinions. He told me that in all his years of being a vet, he has never seen a single dog get sick or injured from the raw diet. He has seen countless cases of dogs that got cooked bones and were injured, but never raw. Of course, it'll happen with raw.. but whenever I hear mishaps with the raw diet, I always find out the dog was being fed an inappropriate sized RMB.

[CathyBogart]

ok so other than getting hurt from wrong bones. HOw would feeding raw make them sick? just allergic to it right?

The problem that I've heard comes up once in a blue moon...

A dog who eats very enthusiastically can asphyxiate if it tries to swallow too much bone in one gulp. Star is an extreely enthusiastic eater so I monitor her especially carefully, but she seems to know to chew up bones.

[Glacier]

The only problem we've ever had from raw is that caribou gives several of my dogs the runs. Oh, and the occasional disagreement about which bone belongs to which dog!

[CathyBogart]

Oh, and the occasionally disagreement about which bone belongs to which dog!

LoL, yes, we had a disagreement this morning when Jasper decided Wilbur's half of a game hen was more appetizing than his. Silly boy.

[finn's mom]

I've never had a problem with it, either. I've fed Finn (who'll be three in December) this way since the day he came home (at 7.5 weeks). There are risks with everything, from feeding kibble to canned food to a homecooked diet to feeding raw. I, personally, decided on raw because, after research, felt that the benefits far outweighed any risks involved. I'm sorry Charlie got sick.

[ashleycat]

Ok, so if I'm just starting out, can I give her just the boneless chicken, and give a big beef bone? just scrape off all the beef for now untill she gets used to chicken? Just so she has a bone to chew?

I know her teeth need cleaning, this rmb helps right?

[anna_66]

We've been feeding raw for months now and never had any problems at all. Like everyone else has already said, just make sure you give the appropriate size. And with Bon, all his food has to be frozen or he will try to gulp even large pieces of meat.

Ok, so if I'm just starting out, can I give her just the boneless chicken, and give a big beef bone? just scrape off all the beef for now untill she gets used to chicken? Just so she has a bone to chew?

I know her teeth need cleaning, this rmb helps right?

I'm definitely not a pro here, but I wouldn't even bother giving boneless. With her size I'd just give her a small chicken (bone and all) or chicken quarters.
If your thinking like I was I thought they needed the bone all the time but this is not the case. The meat is the most important part of their diet.
If your thinking of feeding raw join raw chat. There are people with an abundance of knowledge on there and will tell you everything you need to know

[GreyhoundGirl]

While we are on the subject: I've noticed lots of people feed raw. Why? I've heard all the great things. But wouldn't it be lacking some vitamins? Why raw? why not cook the meat? it would have the same things in it.

[lute]

i don't feed my dogs raw everyday. i do give them something like a chicken or a turkey neck and other stuff sometimes. i've never had problems with it.