Raw diet for dogs?

[Redyre Rotties]

Quote:
I am not sure where you found this information, but it is incorrect.

Meat purchased in the US generally does not contain parasites. Even if it does, such as wild game, this is easily dealt with by freezing the meat at 0F for 2 weeks before feeding it.

Dogs are not humans, and are NOT affected in the same ways by normally occuring bacteria in raw meat, even dogs with compromised immune systems.

As mentioned before, GROUND MEATS should be handled very carefully and not fed to dogs if you would not eat it, as grinding meat puts the bacteria that is normally on the outside of the meat on the inside and gives it an environment that is friendly to growth.

This does not happen in whole pieces of raw meat.

 

[dixygirl]

It is most certainly true! I am a licensed food handler. And I am required by the government to take recertification courses approved by the US government every few years with the latest info and studies in food safety.

 

[NancyDz]

Quote:
I dont think you should necessarily be looking for scraps. The beef bones would be okay I think. Most people I know that feed raw feed meat they get on sale... not scraps but whole chickens, wings, legs, backs , necks, etc. Look for a good deal on the lesser cuts of meat. Also you commented on processing your rabbits and quail. I think some just give them whole... feathers, fur , everything. It will take some time for your dog to get used to it but they will.

Here's a food calculator for how much to feed your dog based on weight

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/animals.htm#calculator

 

[redhen]

Quote:
I dont think you should necessarily be looking for scraps. The beef bones would be okay I think. Most people I know that feed raw feed meat they get on sale... not scraps but whole chickens, wings, legs, backs , necks, etc. Look for a good deal on the lesser cuts of meat. Also you commented on processing your rabbits and quail. I think some just give them whole... feathers, fur , everything. It will take some time for your dog to get used to it but they will.

Here's a food calculator for how much to feed your dog based on weight

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/animals.htm#calculator

Great! Thanks Nancy!

 

[Redyre Rotties]

Quote:
Might be true for humans.

Not for dogs.

 

[redhen]

It says i should need a little over 10 lbs a day total for my 3 dogs. (when my Mastiff is full adult weight)

Maybe i'll do a 1/2 and 1/2 diet with a very good dry..

 

[Garlydog]

Quote:
I am suspicious of anything that is in the form of kibble. The reason is because some sort of binding agent (starch) is needed to keep the kibble shape through processing, packaging and sitting on the shelf. From a manufacturing perspective corn and wheat are ideal ingredients to achieve these goals.

I have to hand it to pet food manufacturers for their cleverness. Going grain- free is a wonderful marketing ploy. But sadly, it doesn't address the core issue. Manufacturers just use a different starchy carbohydrate for the binding agent like potatoes or sweet potatoes. I suspect over time, we will figure out that the same negative issues that arise from grain consumption will also arise from consuming these replacement starches/carbs.

One of the main reasons raw diets are good for dogs is because they are low carb.

I believe that the best manufactured raw food diet would be something dehydrated and not likely in the form of kibble.

 

[Wifezilla]

I am more concerned with the heat used to make the kibble. It turns oils and fats rancid while destroying proteins. Of course, this is the same processed used to create breakfast cereals...one of the most unhealthy "foods" a person can eat.

 

[Stina]

Not all of the grain free's use potatoes. Nature's Variety uses Tapioca as its "binding agent." The kibbles we are currently using, do use potatoes...but potato is much more digestible than grain.

 

[scbatz33]

I've been considering supplementing my feed with the chickens we process. My hubby swears the meat is too tough for his liking. I keep trying to tell him it's because they are 5 month old dual purpose free range and not fattened up in a cage for like 12 weeks....but I digress.....

I have cut chicken in the freezer now - do I just give it to them that way?

My dogs have been on regular old dog food for years. My rotti is super sensitive to diet changes so they get the same pedigree dry food twice a day. I don't have a problem with how they look or act. heck our boxer mix could use some of the lethargy inducing dry food you all keep talking about!!!

However, our new puppy (mastiff) was on puppy chow and we switched over to Diamond brand which is supposed to be corn and wheat free. He has had a marked improvement in energy. For him that means he's only sleeping 18 hours a day instead of 20!!! LOL!!!

Anywho, I'd really like to just utilize the birds I have in feeding the dogs additionally. I guess it's more on the lines of the 1/2 and 1/2 diet. At least for the other 3. I know my rotti will throw up bones and all kinds of other stuff. She really has no tolerance for any food deviation. We rarely if ever even feed her scraps. On occasion her stomach has been so bad we have had to make a bland rice and egg dinner for her. She maybe the exception to the "dogs do better on raw" statement.

So my question is do I thaw out the chicken or just toss them a "chick-sicle" a couple times a week?