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Post by mastiffsj on Apr 2, 2008 12:47:07 GMT -5
Sorry if this should have been posted under the dog food post...
I am considering switching my dogs to a raw diet...anyone have any input on feeding raw? I've been doing a lot of research and it sounds like if it is done correctly, it can be extremely beneficial to your dog's health...I'd love to hear of others experiences or input on this.
Thanks
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Post by RealPitBull on Apr 4, 2008 13:57:33 GMT -5
Well, I've fed raw in conjunction with dry or homemade in some capacity for a very long time. I was feeding my dogs a diet that included raw meat back when most owners would have shrunk away in horror at the thought or mention of it. Although I agree 100% that many/most dry/canned dog foods on the market do not provide for optimal health and that dogs benefit from raw meats and homecooked meals, I am NOT convinced that traditional BARF is the best way to go. LOTS of people very successfully feed BARF. Lots of people very successfully feed a more traditional diet, too. (My own dog gets a variety of things, including a base of a high quality kibbled, canned meats, raw fruits/veggies, some cooked homemade stuff, etc. He does not get raw meat at this time because of allergy/stomach issues, but otherwise my dogs have always gotten some form of raw meat + marrow/soup bones). BARF is a diet taken from nature - it is supposed to mimic what wolves eat. The problem is, dogs are not wolves. They have evolved to fit a very different niche which included surviving on left overs from humans (which we'd have to assume often included cooked foods, including grains, veggies, etc). I believe dogs have evolved to eat a diet that is removed from the wild. I do not believe that all dogs or even most dogs should be on a strictly BARF diet. If an owner does indeed wish to embark on a BARF freeding venture, done properly it is not easy. Although lots of resources lead you to believe it's as simple as creating a veggie slop, tossing your dogs a few chicken necks/backs, and dumping a multi vit in for good measure, it's really much more than that. LOTS of variety is a must. Lastly, remember too that BARF is a little bit of a fad right now. That means that resources you come across may be biased or lacking in info. Although I do not agree with everything in this article, for an opposing viewpoint (which I think is always important to consider when researching), please see this article: www.woodhavenlabs.com/barf-myth.htmlJust my personal experience/opinion in regards to BARF. I am an extremely natural-minded individual who uses herbs to heal, avoids drugs if at all possible (both myself and my animals), and eats a very natural diet. My first inclination when learning about BARF was, "I should do this!" Years later, and after more research, I am not BARF'ing.
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Post by valliesong on Apr 4, 2008 18:19:09 GMT -5
I know a lot of people swear by raw diets, but honestly they are too complicated for me and I was having issues with intermitent diarrhea. I still add some raw eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. and cooked meats, but very rarely add raw to my pets' food at this point.
Another issue I have to worry about is my compromised immune system, so it is simply safer for me not to feed raw. If I'm sick, there is no one to care for the animals.
I do think that raw can be a very healty way to go if done right, but honestly I can't manage it.
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Post by RealPitBull on Apr 8, 2008 9:14:02 GMT -5
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