Dog food

[Enfys]

I think DD says it was costing her a little less with the raw food as he was actually eating less but getting more, if you see what I mean. She goes to a specialist shop locally and yes, some of it looks better than what we get. I think that when you research what actually goes into tinned pet food for example, this raw diet makes sense....no additives just natural meat, just what they would eat in the wild. We just know that Dexter loves it, is very healthy and also, thinking back, he seemed less hyper when he was changed to raw.

[Plantaholic]

There was an article in the Mail yesterday with quotes from vets saying you shouldn't give dogs raw food and why, just thought I would let you know. by the way, I don't usually read the Mail.

[Daisy]

Plant - I haven't read this article, I've ready many other articles, though. It's a huge double-pronged problem for many vets.

First, apparently they typically get less than a day's worth of lectures on canine (or feline) nutrition, and that is often delivered by a rep from a pet food company (who just might have a vested interest!!!) So unless they have a special interest in nutrition they're not necessarily very well informed.

Secondly, many vets are quite altruistic, but not all by any means, and they earn money from recommending and selling the so-called 'prescription' dog food supposedly formulated to treat specific conditions. There are now vets who only offer raw food though, so maybe the tide is turning back to natural food.

The only objection my vet has is that some people rush into raw feeding without thinking it through and if that leads to them giving too much bone, causing compaction, then the vet has the very sad job of sorting the poor animal out.

The pet food companies talk about risks of things like salmonella but don't say how often pet food is recalled because of salmonella or other contaminants in their food - both dry and wet.

From a human point of view there is no more risk in feeding your dog raw meat than there is in preparing meat for yourself - normal kitchen hygiene is all that's needed. I prep dog food in batches and clean all the work surfaces, utensils, chopping board etc down with hot water and washing up liquid, followed by Dettol surface cleanser and kitchen paper like I do when I've prepped meat or fish for us. I do keep a separate chopping board, scissors and scales for dog food, but that's more for convenience than anything else.


I hope this doesn't sound too evangelical - everybody has to do what they think is best for their pets!

[Enfys]

DD does what you do Daisy, keeps everything separate, human and dog meat never get anywhere near to each other and everything is washed and cleaned thoroughly. Just good hygiene measures really. I think your correct when you say some people rush into it, I know she researched it thoroughly and spoke to friends who fed raw and her vet is quite ok with it. I’m sure there could be problems is people didn’t take really good care but then that’s like everything else in life. To each his own, we just do whatever we think is best and everyone has different views. Vive le difference. 🙂 👍🏼

[Libra Gran]

I had a wobble when I had watched a programme about raw feeding,but in the long run it to me personally is the best way to feed. I keep and prepare the food away from anything to do with our food,have a special meat board and I do wear rubber gloves. I do hope Tilly will adapt eventually,but my little diva and her funny tum. Quite common in the breed apparently.

[Daisy]

LG - I hope Tilly will be happy to make the switch eventually. She's very tiny, isn't she? I remember that Rusty wouldn't eat bones - they had to be minced with the meat, and Clyde wouldn't tackle anything more substantial than a chicken carcass - even a chicken wing was too hefty for him. Having a wobble is very understandable when you see programmes that blatantly tell you you are poisoning your best friend.

Cooper - DS2's puppy - hoovers up his food and has never refused anything yet! Bailey, DS1's dog is now on raw, too and he's really enjoying it - he was quite a picky eater on kibble and would often leave his food. Now, he can't wait for meal times.

Enfys, I remember when I was a child our dogs were always fed raw or cooked meat - my uncle used to deliver a load with our weekly joint (he was a butcher) so to me it seemed quite natural, but when I switched R & C over to raw there was very little general information about, and it was harder to get any clear guidance on what was best for the dog.