raw diets????? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Duncansmom · 03-20-2008, 05:07 AM

Ok...I would really like to get truthful opinions about raw diets. It was suggested to me to try the raw because Duncans tummy has not been well. Ive tried evo canned and dry, tried all wheat-less foods and still he has attacks of bad tummy. I really dont know what to make of the raw diets as Im worried about salmonella and other lil nasties that could come from uncooked meat. Im considering home cooking after i talk with a nutritionist. Really getting confused here about what would be best for my lil challenge.
Elizabeth, Duncan and Piper

Ellie May · 03-20-2008, 05:10 AM

I do not like and would not recommend the raw diet in any form.
Pleople will be along shortly to give their side though.

TiffnBailey · 03-20-2008, 12:08 PM

Well i'm new to the raw thing myself but i've read that dogs can't get salmonella or other types of bacterias that bother us from foods because they're digestive systems are built to handle them. The theory behind the raw diet is that a dog in nature would eat their food raw anyway, they wouldn't be getting kibble or cooked foods, so its considered the most natural way for a dog to eat. I'm still learning a lot about it myself but its seems to make sense and i've yet to hear of someone on the raw diet have a problem. Just my opinion tho...

autumn star · 03-20-2008, 12:14 PM

We have been using the NV Raw Medallions for about one month. My 6 month old was not eating much Kibble at all. It was very frustrating and kept me worried about him.
We switched to Raw and although it is a bit more expensive then kibble or can for me it is well worth it. Both of my furbutts love it and never walk away from their dish unless it is empty. So for me I would recommend it. I got a lot of help w/raw from Wylie'smom and myfairlacy. They both have been feeding NV for sometime and helped me more then they can imagine.
Good luck w/your decision and let us know what you decide!
Just make sure whatever you do you are comfortable w/your decision!

RebelBelle · 03-20-2008, 12:25 PM

Jamie is on Nature's Variety pre-made raw and loves it! And I think it is great for him. He was all skin and bones and was really only eating his kibble when he had to to survive. Now his coat is beautiful and shinier than ever and he feels solid and lean. He doesn't scratch anymore at all (I think the kibble made his skin dry or that he was allergic to it). And the premade is really easy. Just take it out the night before and put it in the fridge in a ziplock bag or container to thaw. Then put it down for them (1/2 their total portion 2x a day). Once they finish pick up their serving container and clean immediately. The whole process usually takes 10 or 15 minutes. Since I can't leave the raw down for more than 30 minutes or so Jamie know that as soon as the foods put down that its time to eat and he doesn't play with his food like he used too. Jamie used to be gasey (it smelled horrible!) but since he's been on raw that is all gone. AND he drinks about half as much water and he did because his food is moist. I would (and do) recommend it to anyone who is interested in trying it! If you're interested in trying NV Raw let me know and I can find you the link to the buy 1 get 1 free coupon. Also Michele (MyFairLacy) and Mimi (Tumismom) are great sources if you have other questions about pre-made. And if you were interested in prey model feeding, there are serveral members who have a wealth of knowledge about that to including Abbie's Mom.

omega · 03-20-2008, 04:29 PM

My dogs eat raw - prey model. Lots of meat and some bones. (yes, raw bones are ok!)

They are doing terrific on it. We haven't had any problems at all.

Dogs have their own kind of enzymes in their tummies that can handle bacteria and such that humans can't.

Some of the things mine eat are, chicken, beef, game hens, pork, gizzards, liver (tiny, tiny amounts) turkey, etc...

This diet naturally cleans their teeth and their breath smells good and their stools are very small and turn to dust and blow away.

JMO and experience.

omega · 03-20-2008, 04:29 PM

Ooops

abbie's mom · 03-20-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omega

My dogs eat raw - prey model. Lots of meat and some bones. (yes, raw bones are ok!)

They are doing terrific on it. We haven't had any problems at all.

Dogs have their own kind of enzymes in their tummies that can handle bacteria and such that humans can't.

Some of the things mine eat are, chicken, beef, game hens, pork, gizzards, liver (tiny, tiny amounts) turkey, etc...

This diet naturally cleans their teeth and their breath smells good and their stools are very small and turn to dust and blow away.

JMO and experience.

.......

Ditto.

I've been feeding a prey model RAW diet for five years.

My senior dog had similar problems as yours is showing. He is now into his 14th year with us.

MyFairLacy · 03-20-2008, 05:16 PM

A raw diet is the very best thing you can feed most dogs. I HIGHLY recommend it. Lacy has been eating raw for almost two years now and has done wonderful on it! She's very healthy (even had a full blood panel in October that came back perfect), only poops once a day, and LOVES her food! I feed Nature's Variety raw medallions. My cats also eat raw. My older cat has had chronic allergies for 8 years - no other foods helped - she was itchy and didn't have much hair left. Since switching her to an all raw diet in December, her hair has grown back as thick as ever and she looks better than she has looked since she was a kitten! It's great for both dogs and cats.

Food-born illness is very rare in dogs. It is usually only a risk for immunocompromised dogs. Dog's are carnivores and their digestive system is different than ours - they were designed to eat raw meat, bones, and organs. The pH in their stomach is more acidic than ours so that normally kills most bacteria. Our food doesn't sit in our stomachs long and moves into our intestines quickly where it can stay for 2-3 days! Lots of time for bacteria to multiply in a human's intestines. However, a dogs food sits in their stomach for hours where it is bathed in a highly acidic bath before it moves into their intestines. The food then moves through a dog's intestines quickly so bacteria just doesn't have time to multiply like it does with humans. And if you think about it...dogs lick and eat all kinds of nasty stuff and don't normally get sick from it. Also, carnivores have a tough lining in their stomachs and first part of their intestines that keeps bones from perforating it...this is because they are designed to eat raw bones.

Dogs were just not meant to eat grains, fruits, and veggies. A little as a treat won't hurt them, but I just don't think its healthy to be feeding a large amount of those every day. Carnivores need meat, bones, and organs to be healthy.

I just really recommend it. If you do your research, I don't know why anyone wouldn't feed a raw diet. It's really the best thing for most dogs (and by most..I mean it's not good for immunocompromised dogs).

autumn star · 03-20-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

A raw diet is the very best thing you can feed most dogs. I HIGHLY recommend it. Lacy has been eating raw for almost two years now and has done wonderful on it! She's very healthy (even had a full blood panel in October that came back perfect), only poops once a day, and LOVES her food! I feed Nature's Variety raw medallions. My cats also eat raw. My older cat has had chronic allergies for 8 years - no other foods helped - she was itchy and didn't have much hair left. Since switching her to an all raw diet in December, her hair has grown back as thick as ever and she looks better than she has looked since she was a kitten! It's great for both dogs and cats.

Food-born illness is very rare in dogs. It is usually only a risk for immunocompromised dogs. Dog's are carnivores and their digestive system is different than ours - they were designed to eat raw meat, bones, and organs. The pH in their stomach is more acidic than ours so that normally kills most bacteria. Our food doesn't sit in our stomachs long and moves into our intestines quickly where it can stay for 2-3 days! Lots of time for bacteria to multiply in a human's intestines. However, a dogs food sits in their stomach for hours where it is bathed in a highly acidic bath before it moves into their intestines. The food then moves through a dog's intestines quickly so bacteria just doesn't have time to multiply like it does with humans. And if you think about it...dogs lick and eat all kinds of nasty stuff and don't normally get sick from it. Also, carnivores have a tough lining in their stomachs and first part of their intestines that keeps bones from perforating it...this is because they are designed to eat raw bones.

Dogs were just not meant to eat grains, fruits, and veggies. A little as a treat won't hurt them, but I just don't think its healthy to be feeding a large amount of those every day. Carnivores need meat, bones, and organs to be healthy.

I just really recommend it. If you do your research, I don't know why anyone wouldn't feed a raw diet. It's really the best thing for most dogs (and by most..I mean it's not good for immunocompromised dogs).

Great post Michelle!

Wylie's Mom · 03-20-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncansmom

still he has attacks of bad tummy

Hmmm...well, first - what do you mean by that ^^^ - bc I went thru a ton of stuff w/ Marcel, but I don't know if it's similar. I hope you can figure it out. I worked w/ an animal nutritionist via phone.

Both my guys are on NV Raw Medallions - and it has been wonderful for them (they were on kibble, then homecooking, now raw). I would encourage you to learn as much as you can so that you're comfortable in your own knowledge - and go from there.

Here is some info about the salmonella myth: http://rawfed.com/myths/bacteria.html

Here is the link to the other myths: http://rawfed.com/myths/

Salmonella can happen to a kibble-fed dog or raw-fed dog; the point is, if it's going to happen to "A" dog - it's going to happen to an immune-compromised dog, only.

There is a lot of info out there - and a lot of opinions. So, just check it out all out and know that someone is here to help, whether it's Crystal ("EllieMay") above, who is awesome w/ homecooking, or someone else w/ raw advice!

KellyV · 03-20-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duncansmom

I really dont know what to make of the raw diets as Im worried about salmonella and other lil nasties that could come from uncooked meat.

If that's all that's stopping you.....
Some raw companies test to be sure their products are free of salmonella & E.coli..... Stella & Chewy's uses an independent lab and posts the batch results on their website for anyone to see: http://www.stellaandchewys.com/safety/index.asp
They could be a good brand to try so that you get comfortable with the whole idea of raw before trying other premade diets out there.

For what it's worth, I've fed three different Yorkies raw over the past three years and haven't had a single problem. Neither them nor I have had any problems with "nasties"

flutterby · 03-20-2008, 07:51 PM

I had my American Bulldog/Pitbull on the raw diet.. No itchies, no more poo pick up (and from cleaning up a 10lb pile, it was a blessing!!)... If I could get these monkies to eat raw meat, they'd be on it..

Duncansmom · 03-21-2008, 04:15 AM

great! thanks for all the input. I guess I have alot of homework to do! lol

yorkielovs2chat · 03-21-2008, 04:46 AM

I did a bunch of researchon this for myself. If you PM me I can give you some links. I bough some books on it with solid research. I'm not against it but I decided that based on what my readings were, it was not the diet for us. I have friends who do it and they are happy with it.

03-20-2008, 05:07 AM	#1
Duncansmom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 751	raw diets????? Ok...I would really like to get truthful opinions about raw diets. It was suggested to me to try the raw because Duncans tummy has not been well. Ive tried evo canned and dry, tried all wheat-less foods and still he has attacks of bad tummy. I really dont know what to make of the raw diets as Im worried about salmonella and other lil nasties that could come from uncooked meat. Im considering home cooking after i talk with a nutritionist. Really getting confused here about what would be best for my lil challenge. Elizabeth, Duncan and Piper

03-20-2008, 05:10 AM	#2
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	I do not like and would not recommend the raw diet in any form. Pleople will be along shortly to give their side though. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

03-20-2008, 12:14 PM	#4
autumn star Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Long Island Posts: 6,095	We have been using the NV Raw Medallions for about one month. My 6 month old was not eating much Kibble at all. It was very frustrating and kept me worried about him. We switched to Raw and although it is a bit more expensive then kibble or can for me it is well worth it. Both of my furbutts love it and never walk away from their dish unless it is empty. So for me I would recommend it. I got a lot of help w/raw from Wylie'smom and myfairlacy. They both have been feeding NV for sometime and helped me more then they can imagine. Good luck w/your decision and let us know what you decide! Just make sure whatever you do you are comfortable w/your decision! __________________ *PROUD MOM OF (SKIN KIDS) LEXI & HUNTER AND (FUR KIDS) AUTUMN, BLAZE & CHANCE (OUR RESCUE)*

03-20-2008, 12:25 PM	#5
RebelBelle Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Madison, MS Posts: 2,597	Jamie is on Nature's Variety pre-made raw and loves it! And I think it is great for him. He was all skin and bones and was really only eating his kibble when he had to to survive. Now his coat is beautiful and shinier than ever and he feels solid and lean. He doesn't scratch anymore at all (I think the kibble made his skin dry or that he was allergic to it). And the premade is really easy. Just take it out the night before and put it in the fridge in a ziplock bag or container to thaw. Then put it down for them (1/2 their total portion 2x a day). Once they finish pick up their serving container and clean immediately. The whole process usually takes 10 or 15 minutes. Since I can't leave the raw down for more than 30 minutes or so Jamie know that as soon as the foods put down that its time to eat and he doesn't play with his food like he used too. Jamie used to be gasey (it smelled horrible!) but since he's been on raw that is all gone. AND he drinks about half as much water and he did because his food is moist. I would (and do) recommend it to anyone who is interested in trying it! If you're interested in trying NV Raw let me know and I can find you the link to the buy 1 get 1 free coupon. Also Michele (MyFairLacy) and Mimi (Tumismom) are great sources if you have other questions about pre-made. And if you were interested in prey model feeding, there are serveral members who have a wealth of knowledge about that to including Abbie's Mom. __________________ Misty & Jamie

03-20-2008, 04:29 PM	#6
omega Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: MN Posts: 7,575	My dogs eat raw - prey model. Lots of meat and some bones. (yes, raw bones are ok!) They are doing terrific on it. We haven't had any problems at all. Dogs have their own kind of enzymes in their tummies that can handle bacteria and such that humans can't. Some of the things mine eat are, chicken, beef, game hens, pork, gizzards, liver (tiny, tiny amounts) turkey, etc... This diet naturally cleans their teeth and their breath smells good and their stools are very small and turn to dust and blow away. JMO and experience. Last edited by omega; 03-20-2008 at 04:31 PM.

03-20-2008, 12:08 PM	#3
TiffnBailey Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New York Posts: 83	Well i'm new to the raw thing myself but i've read that dogs can't get salmonella or other types of bacterias that bother us from foods because they're digestive systems are built to handle them. The theory behind the raw diet is that a dog in nature would eat their food raw anyway, they wouldn't be getting kibble or cooked foods, so its considered the most natural way for a dog to eat. I'm still learning a lot about it myself but its seems to make sense and i've yet to hear of someone on the raw diet have a problem. Just my opinion tho...

03-20-2008, 04:29 PM	#7
omega Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: MN Posts: 7,575	Ooops Last edited by omega; 03-20-2008 at 04:30 PM.

03-20-2008, 05:16 PM	#9
MyFairLacy Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 11,003	A raw diet is the very best thing you can feed most dogs. I HIGHLY recommend it. Lacy has been eating raw for almost two years now and has done wonderful on it! She's very healthy (even had a full blood panel in October that came back perfect), only poops once a day, and LOVES her food! I feed Nature's Variety raw medallions. My cats also eat raw. My older cat has had chronic allergies for 8 years - no other foods helped - she was itchy and didn't have much hair left. Since switching her to an all raw diet in December, her hair has grown back as thick as ever and she looks better than she has looked since she was a kitten! It's great for both dogs and cats. Food-born illness is very rare in dogs. It is usually only a risk for immunocompromised dogs. Dog's are carnivores and their digestive system is different than ours - they were designed to eat raw meat, bones, and organs. The pH in their stomach is more acidic than ours so that normally kills most bacteria. Our food doesn't sit in our stomachs long and moves into our intestines quickly where it can stay for 2-3 days! Lots of time for bacteria to multiply in a human's intestines. However, a dogs food sits in their stomach for hours where it is bathed in a highly acidic bath before it moves into their intestines. The food then moves through a dog's intestines quickly so bacteria just doesn't have time to multiply like it does with humans. And if you think about it...dogs lick and eat all kinds of nasty stuff and don't normally get sick from it. Also, carnivores have a tough lining in their stomachs and first part of their intestines that keeps bones from perforating it...this is because they are designed to eat raw bones. Dogs were just not meant to eat grains, fruits, and veggies. A little as a treat won't hurt them, but I just don't think its healthy to be feeding a large amount of those every day. Carnivores need meat, bones, and organs to be healthy. I just really recommend it. If you do your research, I don't know why anyone wouldn't feed a raw diet. It's really the best thing for most dogs (and by most..I mean it's not good for immunocompromised dogs). __________________ ~Magnifique Yorkies~ Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs. Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue.

03-20-2008, 07:51 PM	#13
flutterby YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 402	I had my American Bulldog/Pitbull on the raw diet.. No itchies, no more poo pick up (and from cleaning up a 10lb pile, it was a blessing!!)... If I could get these monkies to eat raw meat, they'd be on it.. __________________ Kenya - Mommy to Brooklynn , Bailey , Bella (biewer), and Peyton

03-21-2008, 04:15 AM	#14
Duncansmom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 751	great! thanks for all the input. I guess I have alot of homework to do! lol

03-21-2008, 04:46 AM	#15
yorkielovs2chat Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: ME Posts: 61	books and links I did a bunch of researchon this for myself. If you PM me I can give you some links. I bough some books on it with solid research. I'm not against it but I decided that based on what my readings were, it was not the diet for us. I have friends who do it and they are happy with it.