Raw Foods for your Pet

[demnan]

Read this http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/Articles.asp?ID=122


and please weigh in.

[China_cat]

1. We feed raw turkey necks

at least once a week. Feed them whole so the dog has to chew them, not just swallow pieces. We've never had a problem other than the ones that eat faster trying to grab from those who savor their treats.

The cats won't touch them. They'll eat raw chicken breast but not necks. The benefit is in the cartilege so the breasts are not as good as the necks would be.

As for the dogs, 2 are 12 years old...up there for large breed dogs...and have never needed teeth cleaning. (Never had them brushed either) The one old one is getting a bit stiff but doesn't look or act her age. The other most people assume is a pup, he's that lively. The 3rd large dog will be 8 this year, again with never needing teeth cleaned.

The problem with BARF and the other 'human grade' raw diets is that they DON'T approximate the wild diet for dogs without some heavy supplementation. Some people have the time to fiddle around with it and find the proper percentages for their animals. I don't. So they get a good grade of kibble, some canned, some cooked, and the turkey necks. It's worked out very well for us.

[InvisibleTouch]

3. I'm nervous about bones...

...even though I've talked to a lot of people who have never had a problem with them, and who absolutely swear by their benefits. I may eventually dare to try poultry necks, since they're small and flexible and not something that could chip a tooth, but I still worry about bones splintering and causing internal problems.

I've gone to using ground eggshells for my dogs' calcium source, since I no longer trust bonemeal. An electric coffee grinder works nicely, and the daily dose is about a tablespoon per 40-60 pounds of dog (adjusted upward or downward as needed for other sizes).

[China_cat]

4. The necks aren't true 'bones'

They're cartilege and don't splinter even when cooked.

I've never had the nerve to try my dogs on true bones.

[Maru Kitteh]

2. Most of the meat served to humans isn't suitable for man or beast alike

The growth hormones, dioxin, salmonella, feces, prion disease, E-coli and antibiotics so pervasive they are starting to show up in Colorado rivers........ and that's just a start. Remember, what goes in the cow/pig/chicken/fish... goes on your plate and into your children.

Here is a very short article written by a USDA meat inspector. This is a man who has seen what you've been eating. http://www.missoulanews.com/News/News.asp?no=4058

No matter what you're feeding your pets, if you love them, make sure it's organic. Do the same for the rest of your family and yourself. You all deserve better.

[China_cat]

5. You use what you can get and afford.

[demnan]

6. I might try some organic chicken necks

on my cats but I might have to cook them just a little. I've a freezer full of them (I cook the organic chicken and put the gibblet pack in the freezer -- you know, Mother said never waste anything. The cats enjoy the cooked organic chicken far better than the regular supermarket kind because it tastes better.

When I have the courage I'll go back and read your link, Veganistan.

[Heidi]

7. Bio cat food.

I don't know whether you can get this in the states, but since our Ginger was diagnosed with colitis, he's eaten only Almo Nature bio chicken and rice canned cat food. We order it in cases of 48 to get a better price. Almo Nature costs 1.50 Swiss francs ($1.23) per 70 gram can.

Because Almo Nature has no additives, we supplement his diet with the vitamin-enriched dry cat food of his choice which, right now, is Purina Ones (salmon).