Comments on: Raw Food Diets For Dogs?

By: a gal and her dog

a gal and her dog — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:31:44 +0000

Hey! I’m on week 10 of feeding Mississippi raw after a ton of research and lingering dissatisfaction with kibble. I was reading up on dog food when I first got her and was introduced to raw feeding. I kept it an option as I still did some research, and ate Innova Evo Red Meat for several months. Since we’ve switched to raw, her coat is soft and shiny, her poop is tiny and smells less, and she’s super excited about dinner.
I love watching her eat, as gross as that may seem to some people. I love that I’m feeding her what she was intended to eat, and that she’s doing so well on it! Her teeth are white, her coat is gorgeous, and I don’t have to bathe her as much because she doesn’t smell unless she rolls in something. It’s fantastic!

By: animal_a

animal_a — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:31:44 +0000

I’ve been using a modified prey model raw diet for about 15 years. I say “modified” because I do feed scraps from my table as well as use high quality kibble for treats/training aids (they don’t get nasty in my pockets).
I love the fact that my:
Vet bills are low- no anal gland issues, ear issues, skin/allergy issues and no need for teeth cleaning.
Yard requires little/no clean up
Food bills are low- I buy meat on sale and use some other inventive resources.
Dogs look fantastic… are willing workers and win at shows.

By: princess

princess — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:31:44 +0000

i have 3 dogs, a yorkie, a pit, and a shih tzu and they all eat raw food every day raw ground beef with some raw eggs and a lil bit of dry food to help keep their teeth clean and you wouldn’t believe the remarks i get about their coats, sometimes its annoying lol what do you feed him? oh is that safe? i agree with you though, less poop too : ) with 3 dogs makes me happy

By: poynergo

poynergo — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:31:44 +0000

I have many large dogs, and I have a freezer just for the dogs to store their meat. I have a commercial saw and I can butcher my own stuff for my dogs….beef, poultry, lamb and goat.
It means less mess for us. And the dogs look good, feel good, and do great on it. and it is more economical for us.
And when we butcher meat for our use, I save the bones and scrap from the beef for the dogs as well.

By: Amber

Amber — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:31:44 +0000

Same here! Shiny coat, no more diarrhea but she now has good, firm stools, looks very healthy. Seems more alive. My skinny girl is putting on weight now, too. Yay!

By: ?

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:31:44 +0000

I also feed a primarily BARF diet with a LOT of variety and have found that my dog is very healthy and his coat is nice and shiny.
Edit:
Crap, forgot to mention the stools. Nice and firm and never any diarrhea.

By: PJA

PJA — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:31:44 +0000

I am an advocate of feeding the raw diet. It isn’t for everyone, it requires a lot of homework first including reading and obtaining as much education as you can about it and working with an animal nutritionist. It is highly controversial within the veterinary community. I have 3 dogs and one cat on it, have been on it for their whole lives. They have never been sick. My dogs are 4,5 and 11 years old, Cat is also 4 years old. They have beautiful coats, have perfect body scores, clean teeth (I do brush them weekly vs daily). I first used it 11 years ago when our older dog was diagnosed with lymphoma. The life expectancy for a dog with lymphoma after diagnosis is 6 to 18 months with or without chemotherapy. We decided against the chemo and CAREFULLY, with a nutritionist, we began the raw diet with him. No only did the cancer go away, he lived for another 5.5 years.
I hope this helps!
Pam

By: Misa M

Misa M — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:31:44 +0000

“Princess”, that kibble is certainly not keeping your dogs’ teeth clean. I kind of cannot believe that you’d be feeding raw and still think that kibble is what’s responsible for cleaning a dog’s teeth – ??? Makes no sense at all.
I’ve been feeding raw for a little over a year. My 2 dogs’ teeth are fabulous, their coats are shiny, and I don’t mind the prep time at all as the health benefits greatly outweigh the slight inconvenience of cleanup etc. Finding other local people who feed raw is a good idea – I just found a place that sells 40 lbs of chicken backs for $18. Would not have known about it if I hadn’t gotten to talking with another raw feeder. Glad to see that others are having success!