Raw diet for dogs?

[BlackBart]

I have fed raw for over 20 years, none of the dogs have ever gotten samonella. They do eat their raw meat and bones outside on the lawn.
Mine eat pork hocks, ham bones, chicken backs/necks/wings etc., beef neck bones, knuckle bones etc.
I cook the heart/liver/kidney. Why I don't know

I make up a pot of cooked sweet potato, brown rice, celery and mix in ground up chicken backs and necks into it or the chopped up cooked organ meat.
I also drizzle olive oil on top and sprinkle with salt. Sometimes they get cottage cheese, yogurt or raw egg with it.

They always have a bowl of high quality dog kibble so I am assured they are getting all the vitamins they need but some people buy a liquid multivitamin.

My dogs have never had skin problems, tartar on their teeth, fleas, stomach upsets.
Also they have never had "blood lust" that some people think dogs get when they eat raw food.

I think its funny that they know the little feather balls that walk around the yard are called chickens and their dinner is called chicken. They haven't made the connection.

All bones are soft until they are cooked, chickens bones splinter when they are cooked.
I have never had a problem with a dog choking on raw bones.

Like the above poster, I tried my cats on raw food and they turned their noses up at it.

 

[Wifezilla]

Have tried with the cats but they are soooo persnickety.

LOL...same problem I had with my cats . They WILL eat high protein, grain-free kibble though. I have them on Taste of The Wild. They love it.​

 

[halo]

This is a very interesting topic to me. Im wondering now if this wouldnt be a very good outlet for young roosters. (If I could just figure out how to process them). My shelties are small and Im afraid of giving them pork or beef bones. My oldest one has bad teeth, and Im scared to death to take him to the vet to have his teeth cleaned. Im wondering if I couldnt slowly switch him to raw to help his teeth.

Do any of you grind up bones and raw meat to give them, or do you give them the whole bones?

Im really interested in this.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
I am too! I think people do both, grind the bones AND feed whole bones. I think that the raw whole bones that they knaw(sp?) on is what really helps their teeth though.

 

[MelissaR]

This is such a cool forum! There are chicken "nuts" - and now I realize - dog "nuts" just like me here.

I thought I would share a bit of my experience in the hope it would help...

I recommend buying a chest freezer (if you don't already have one). One of the local meat wholesalers here in Minneaplis has a buying group for people that feed raw. The prices are great, but the meat has to be bought in bulk (20 or 40 pound boxes). Check with your local wholesalers to see if any of them have this type of program. If they don't, see what it would take to set up an account. It might just be a minimum order amount...?

You asked about raising rabbits for the dogs. I work with a dog rescue and some of my fellow doggy foster parents do this. It seems to work really well for them. I'm told there is a way to dispatch a rabbit so that it doesn't make that screetch noise. You should be able to find the technique on the internet. If not, PM me and I'll try to get instructions.

Good luck!

 

[coberdor]

Quote:

According to the Veterinarian School of Medicine, Salmonella can be carried in the saliva.

I'm not saying every dog who eats raw can get this, but we all know that not every person who feeds raw is careful about cleaning and disinfecting everything.

Have you ever had your dog's saliva tested for salmonella?



http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/pbs/zoonoses/GIk9fel/Salmonella.html

Salmonellosis in dogs and cats:

The severity of salmonellosis in dogs and cats varies:

subclinical carrier state (most common)
acute enterocolitis
fever, anorexia, lethargy
diarrhea, possibly with mucus or blood
abdominal pain (infection is often associated with mesenteric lymphadenitis)
Cats may present with prolonged periods of fever and anorexia without diarrhea.
septicemia/endotoxemia
Salmonellosis in cats has also been caused "song bird fever," reflecting association with predation on infected migratory birds.
The role of dogs and cats in zoonotic transmission:

Salmonella infections in dogs and cats deserve special comment for several reasons related to zoonotic transmission:
Salmonella spp. can be isolated from healthy dogs and cats at rates of up to 36% and 18%, respectively.
Dogs and cats tend to shed Salmonella organisms for very prolonged periods of time after infection.
Dogs and especially cats can shed Salmonella organisms in both their feces and saliva, meaning that transmission can occur via licking.
Pig ear dog treats may be a source of Salmonella infection for both dogs and humans that handle the treats.
Dogs and cats may suffer salmonellosis as a "reverse zoonosis," with infection transmitted from human-to-dog and subsequently back to other humans.
Similarly, outbreaks of Salmonella infections in large animal teaching hospitals have been linked to the introduction of bacteria from infected human personnel, with subsequent spread to animals and then back to other human workers.

 

[MelissaR]

Quote:
I have a sheltie too! Daphne's a 24lb'er - she's a bit, um, *wispers* husky right now...

I'm renting right now and have limited freezer space so I've gone back to using Nature's Variety Raw Diets. They package the meat in 1 oz ground "pucks" that include meat, bone, organs, veggies and supplements. Daphne gets 3 pucks in the morning and 3 at night. I don't bother thawing them - it gives her something to chew on.

It's an easy way to try raw. The drawback is that it's spendy - about $15 for a 3 lb bag. Daphne gets 6oz per day so a bag lasts 8 days.

 

[Nana2KJS]

Quote:

According to the Veterinarian School of Medicine, Salmonella can be carried in the saliva.

I'm not saying every dog who eats raw can get this, but we all know that not every person who feeds raw is careful about cleaning and disinfecting everything.

Have you ever had your dog's saliva tested for salmonella?



http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/pbs/zoonoses/GIk9fel/Salmonella.html

Salmonellosis in dogs and cats:

The severity of salmonellosis in dogs and cats varies:

subclinical carrier state (most common)
acute enterocolitis
fever, anorexia, lethargy
diarrhea, possibly with mucus or blood
abdominal pain (infection is often associated with mesenteric lymphadenitis)
Cats may present with prolonged periods of fever and anorexia without diarrhea.
septicemia/endotoxemia
Salmonellosis in cats has also been caused "song bird fever," reflecting association with predation on infected migratory birds.
The role of dogs and cats in zoonotic transmission:

Salmonella infections in dogs and cats deserve special comment for several reasons related to zoonotic transmission:
Salmonella spp. can be isolated from healthy dogs and cats at rates of up to 36% and 18%, respectively.
Dogs and cats tend to shed Salmonella organisms for very prolonged periods of time after infection.
Dogs and especially cats can shed Salmonella organisms in both their feces and saliva, meaning that transmission can occur via licking.
Pig ear dog treats may be a source of Salmonella infection for both dogs and humans that handle the treats.
Dogs and cats may suffer salmonellosis as a "reverse zoonosis," with infection transmitted from human-to-dog and subsequently back to other humans.
Similarly, outbreaks of Salmonella infections in large animal teaching hospitals have been linked to the introduction of bacteria from infected human personnel, with subsequent spread to animals and then back to other human workers.

They also say dogs/cats/pets in general need VACCINES EVERY YEAR but that's a whole 'nuther can-o-worms!

 

[Redyre Rotties]

When people blanch and raise eyebrows when I tell them my dogs eat raw chicken with the bones, I always ask them if they have heard that saying "fox in the henhouse". Of course everyone has. Then I ask them, "What do you think the fox is doing in there? PLAYING CARDS??"

How many people on this board have had chickens stolen and eaten right out of their pens?

Dogs are carnivores, made and designed to eat raw meat and to deal with everything that goes along with that.

It is SMART to make a plan, do some research, and use good supplements. I buy mine from Nature's Farmacy http://www.naturesfarmacy.com

They have an excellent digestive enhancer that contains probiotics and digestive enzymes, plus other supplements designed specifically to go hand in hand with a raw diet.

I also use their Ultimate vitamin supplement, their PhytoFlex green nutrient bone and joint support, and their KA Calcium to balance any meat I feed that does not contain bone.

It is NOT hard to feed a dog a good healthy raw diet. It just takes a little research and common sense, just like constructing a healthy diet for yourself.

 

[BlackBart]

If your unsure about whole bones try feeding pork bones first. They seem to be the most tender.
In the beginning your dog might not like raw meat because like children who eat junk food they have become addicted to sugars, fats and fillers. Like asking a junk food eating person to eat a apple instead of a bad of Doritos.

When dogs chew on raw bones the saliva creates a enzyme that eats away the tartar. That of course will not correct dental disease.

I am not sure if this program aired in the USA or not but it is certainly a eye opener regarding what actually goes into some pet food and the "standards" that have been outlined to meet the nutritional requirements. Protein can come from any source. Pretty sad and shocking. Don't believe pet food advertising.

http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/dogsbreakfast.html

The raw pet food industry has grown significantly in my area in the last 10 years. People who are eating a healthier diet themselves realize that their pets should be too. The pet owning public has become more aware of what is being shoved down their thirds and they are educating themselves and asking questions that should be asked.
I think the amount of high quality, no grain, preservative etc. free cat and dog food is a indicator of this.