| How it Works
The raw diet for dogs and cats (our
loving carnivores) provides them with what they would
find in nature-which would be an herbivore such as a
rabbit or say a mouse. When a carnivore eats an
herbivore it eats the meat, some bone, organ meats and
some much digested vegetation found in the herbivore's
stomach. This is a perfect meal. Would they consume the
same exact thing daily? No. One day a mouse, the next
day perhaps part of a squirrel they found leftover from
another carnivore, perhaps one day nothing because the
hunting was poor.
The two main principles to feeding
raw are variety and balance
over time. Variety ensures that the necessary
nutrients-proteins, fats, enzymes, vitamins and minerals
are included. The balance over time comes from making
sure that right proportion of meat, bone and organ meat
are in the diet, not necessarily each meal, but over the
course of several meals.
The Two Most Common Concerns
about the Raw Diet
What about the bones?
Most of us have been told not to
feed our dogs and cats bones. The important point is not
to feed them COOKED bones. Cooked bones become very
sharp and brittle and that is when damage can be done.
However, feeding raw bones such as those found in
chicken necks or backs, turkey necks and fish are very
appropriate for consumption by our dogs and cats. Their
teeth are designed to be tearing, ripping and shredding
meat and bones and there is an enjoyment that they
derive from having to work at their meal.
Yes, a dog and cat could choke on
a bone fragment just as they could choke on a piece of
kibble. In the years I have fed the raw diet I have
never had a dog harm themselves on the bones. They
occasionally might cough or start choking on a bit of
bone but have always regurgitated the bone and then go
right back to eating it again. However, feeding the
ground meat and bone mixes is a great alternative for
those not comfortable with the feeding whole meat and
bone concept.
What about the bacteria
associated with raw meat?
Our dogs have a short digestive
tract that allows for food and bacteria to go through
quickly, reducing the chance of bacteria to grow and
their stomachs are fairly acidic which makes it
difficult for bacteria to develop.
For humans feeding their dogs and
cats a raw meat diet requires only common sense. Wash
your hands, utensils, and counter surfaces after feeding
your pet. I use stainless steel bowls to feed and will
run them through the dishwasher every so often. Use the
same precautions you use fixing your own meal!
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