2009.08.27
Talk to me, raw feeders
It has come to my attention that, for some unknown reason, our original thread about raw feeding is no longer allowing new comments. I have only the most casual knowledge of the inner workings of the InterWebs, but everything I know to check for under the hood of this blog looks good.
But you can't stop us that easy, WordPress. Power to the raw-feeding people, I say.
Consider this brand-spanking new blog entry as yet another platform to express your views on raw feeding.
And I would hope that the home cooks out there would not be shy, either. If you are feeding your pets a non-commercially made diet, please post a comment. Let us know what led you to the decision, how it's working for you and your pets, and what you would recommend to others.
I'd be really interested in hearing from anyone who tried a raw diet and found it didn't work for them and why. So far, everyone who's gone raw seems to rave about it.
Let's keep the conversation going.
This comment is from Judy, who was finding this blog software to be uncooperative:
We have fed raw or lightly cooked to our 2 dogs since we lost our beloved Schnauzer to many health issues which I believe stemmed from eating kibble and then prescription food from the vet which only hurt our breed more. This I found out later, too late, after losing her and searching for answers. I found a Schnauzer web site which takes in Schnauzers and helps educate people who are trying to find out the best way to keep pets healthy.
Each breed has its own health concerns and the pure breeds are the ones you really need to learn how to feed over the wonderful mixed breeds which seem to just stay much more healthy. We have a mixed terrier we rescued and he has always been very healthy. Feeding raw means they have poop which disapears the next day usually because all the food is used up. They have white healthy teeth because you can give them raw bones (never ever cooked ) and they have no fleas either!
And NO they won't eat you if you feed raw and in the middle of the night if they get hungry they will try to eat you up!
Hahahahah....that is what I am always asked!
Comment by Nona Nelson — August 27, 2009 @ 1:08 pm
i used to feed eudora the BARF diet (bones and raw foods) and loved it; so did she. i didn't have enough freezer space to keep doing it, and now that i do the butcher where i used to get 40# of chicken necks and backs for $15 is gone, and i'm not sure where to get my meat. if anyone can recommend a butcher and/ or meat processor, i might go back to it. it ended up being cheaper for me to feed them whole raw foods than kibble. they got the raw (bone in) chicken and raw veggies run through the food processor with a can of jack mackeral, along with occasional supplements of venison and beef scrap. i loved it because the produced less waste (less filler product going in= less mess coming out), their coats looked great, and i felt better about what they were eating.
Comment by seth — August 27, 2009 @ 2:40 pm
I have fed my older cat raw for 2+ years now, and 1 year for the younger, whom we adopted last summer. My older cat (currently 8 years old) had been diagnosed with diabetes a few years ago and was on an expensive prescription dry food that didn't seem to be helping. I had to give him insulin shots twice a day, and his needed dosage kept creeping up, so I was hoping to find a food that would at least stabilize him. My research left me wondering why I was feeding him food with carbs when cats are obligate carnivores. Not to mention that "byproducts" as a main ingredient is pretty gross. After consulting with my vet, I decided to try Primal Pet Foods, which makes frozen raw foods for both cats and dogs.
It took my cat a few days to adjust to the different texture/taste of the raw food, but now he loves it. Everything was going great; my cat seemed to be stabilized, then suddenly seemed to become ill again. I took him to the vet, and guess why he was getting sick? He no longer needed insulin at all, yet I had been giving it to him on the usual schedule. He's been off insulin ever since and hasn't had any health problems since, diabetes-related or otherwise. My vet was amazed at this health reversal, and I'm just happy that he's healthy. He's also lost weight and his coat looks great.
One bizarre but awesome benefit is that my cats' poo doesn't stink any more. Seriously! I know that sounds weird, and I had read about that on Primal's website before trying but thought, "Yeah, right." Well, they are right! It's SO nice not to ever have a stinky litterbox! When we adopted cat #2, we weaned her off the shelter food, and got quite the reminder of what a difference Primal made in that department. New kitty took to the raw food right away and is happy and healthy.
One note - I feed my cats the chicken/salmon blend. I tried the beef/salmon blend with cat #1 and he absolutely would not touch it. I guess it makes sense, since he wouldn't be taking down a cow in the wild, but that's the only "problem" I've had with this food. Otherwise, I'm so darn happy that it probably sounds like I work for the company! (I don't.) Here's their website, if you're interested: http://primalpetfoods.com/
Comment by Lisa — August 27, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
I've been reading the posts with interest but one thing keeps nagging me that I hope someone can answer. I've always been told not to feed dogs small bones that can splinter. I guess if they chew their food thoroughly and break the bones down it would be okay. But what if you have a dog that gulps and injests a larger piece. What is the risk of that splintered bone damaging their intestinal system? Maybe I'm worried needlessly but I was just wondering!
Comment by Kim — August 27, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
Hi Kim,
In answer to your question about bones splintering ...yes! that can happen.The bones I give are like soup bones cut in circles with marrow inside. They will clean their teeth trying to get the marrow out and gnaw on the bones and you always want to keep an eye on them because they could choke for sure. But mine have never had a problem and when they get small enough to be a choking issue I throw them away. Also when I give raw meat you never want to give weight bearing meat, like the legs but instead feed the wings,necks,backs,and liver, hearts and gizzards.Chicken feet are ok but they can get choked on that because they tend to gobble them up.Watch them carefully. When I give bones I usually wait a while after they eat or before they eat. I am a bit scared of chicken bones but you can pound them pretty good first, I am speaking of chicken meat on
bones,not just chicken bones.They need to have some veg's also but a small amount and they must be ground up so they can digest them.Fruit and raw carrots are good snacks too.
Comment by Judy — August 27, 2009 @ 8:05 pm
Uncooked bones do not splinter. Even poultry bones are safe if uncooked.
Comment by Claren — August 28, 2009 @ 8:33 am
Cooked bones changes the density of the bone which makes them more likely to splinder. Raw weight bearing bones can break into large shards with sharp edges but usually don't splinder. Rec bones are hard bones for gnawing and chewing but not digestion.
Comment by Judy — August 29, 2009 @ 9:17 am
I've fed Rae for many years. I change what I put with their chicken. One dog is finicky so that's tough. I just buy bone in thighs at costco. Best prices. Haven't found local butcher. Coats look nice. They no longer smell. Back yard no longer smells. All in all I'm very happy with it.
Comment by Daliah — August 29, 2009 @ 10:53 am
Replying to Seth.
Overstreets Meats over by the Roanoke SPCA sells cases of backs and necks in 40# cases for around $17.00-18.00.
They have to order them. Order by Wendsday and they will have them by the next Monday. I just put my first order in with them last week and will pick up Monday.
You can contact me at bluefireflyone@gmail.com. Maybe we can share info and sources.
Comment by Crystal — August 29, 2009 @ 10:54 am
Seth,
You can buy 40# cases of chicken necks and backs at Overstreets Meats, which is near the Roanoke SPCA. $17-18 a case.
They have to be ordered. Tell them by Wednesday and they will arrive on Monday.
I just put my first order in this week and will pick up on Monday.
Contact me if you have any questions. bluefireflyone@gmail.com
Comment by Crystal — August 29, 2009 @ 4:03 pm