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Annie chowing down on a beef leg.
RAW DIETS
Myths Abound – Know the Truth!
Common myths and misconceptions about raw diets from anti-raw individuals (primarily perpetuated by veterinarians and the pet food industry):
“Feeding raw meat and bones makes dogs
aggressive.” (Also referred to as “blood thirsty” by some.)
Feeding a species appropriate diet does NOT
make dogs aggressive or “blood thirsty”. In fact, proper feeding can actually
have a calming affect on some dogs as their bodies are getting the nutrients
they need in a form that is easy to digest and assimilate. Also, proper
nutrients in a readily digestible form decrease the risk of some forms of
aggression. [See the flyer “Aggression? Because of Poor Diet?”
for more information.]
“The risk of salmonella, E. coli,
trichinosis, pseudorabies, and other diseases/parasites is high.”
When fed food items USDA inspected and
approved human consumption, the risk of disease and parasites is very small. An
animal is no more likely to contract these diseases from raw foods than they
are from commercial kibbles. (Commercial kibbles are recalled regularly due to
contamination, including salmonella, mold and heavy metals. These recalls are
not well publicized most of the time.)
Incidentally, carnivores (dogs, cats,
ferrets) have some of the strongest hydrochloric acid (stomach acid) known, so
most are able to neutralize a lot of disease organisms before they can
potentially cause problems.
“Raw fed pets pose a disease risk to
humans.”
This is only if you make a habit out of
eating out of your pet’s food dishes without washing them or kissing your
animal on the mouth right after it eats. Immune compromised individuals should
take precautions when preparing raw meats and such for their pets, but no more
so than they do in preparing such food for themselves. Furthermore, children
should not be permitted to mess with a dog’s food or dishes, regardless of what
is being fed.
“It doesn’t make any difference to the
health of the animal.”
Because there is no money to be had in
PROVING that raw foods are healthful for animals, there have been very few
studies and no valid ones that I know of, to study the benefits of a species
appropriate raw diet. (In fact, the pet food industry goes out of their way to
attempt to “prove” that raw diets are NOT healthy. Their studies are bogus!)
However, there is more than sufficient anecdotal evidence, including from
individuals who have been feeding raw for 20 years or more, to support a
natural diet for our pets.
“Bones will kill my dog.” (Choking, gut
obstruction, impaction.)
RAW bones are a healthy way for pets to keep
their teeth clean, gums healthy, and bones strong (easily digested source of
calcium and other minerals, as well as glucosamine). COOKED bones can be deadly
and should NEVER be fed! Cooking changes the molecular structure of bones,
making them brittle and causing them to splinter, thereby making them likely to
cause obstructions or impactions.
Bone consumption should always be monitored.
(In fact, eating period should always be monitored!) Dogs do not instinctively
know how to properly chew bones. It is a learned skill, so bone sessions should
always be supervised. Otherwise, bones represent no more risk to your pet for
choking, obstruction or impaction than kibble, rawhide bones, and a multitude
of other chew toys that are commonly sold for pets.
“Dogs live longer today because of
commercial diets.”
This is a fallacy. Even with commercial
diets AND modern medical technology, canine lifespan continues to decrease.
Breeds that lived to be 14-16 years old 30 years ago are now living only 10-12
years (some have shortened even more!), and that continues to decline with
incidence of cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disease and other life threatening
illnesses steadily on the rise at younger and younger ages.
“Most dogs eat commercial pet foods with no
negative effects or health problems.”
“Apparent” should be added to that
statement. The number of dogs becoming crippled by arthritis at a young age or
dying from diseases such as cancer long before they should continues to rise. A
lifetime of poor diet takes a toll on pets just as it does on the human body.
The connection between poor health or early death and poor diet is often
overlooked.
“Grains are an acceptable alternative to
good quality meats in the canine diet.”
Grains are an entirely different type of
protein than meats, and carnivores are not equipped physiologically to get the
bulk of their protein from such a source. Not only is their digestive tract far
shorter than herbivores, they also do not make the digestive enzymes necessary
to process plant matter. Foods containing large amounts of grains contribute to
countless digestive issues, immunological problems, and skin issues.
“Dogs should never eat “people” food.”
It is ALL people food, or at least it was at
one point. Ingredients put into commercial dog foods are often those that are
considered unfit for human consumption. If is not good enough for us to eat,
why are we feeding it to our pets? Good quality meats, produce and grains are
sold for human consumption, for which there is a higher profit margin.
“Feeding “people food” will cause begging.”
Begging is not a result of feeding good
foods. It is a result of poor training – specifically, learned response to the
presence of food and the behavior of its humans. Poor habits like begging are
reinforced just as quickly with food as quickly as response to obedience
commands.
“Raw diets contain too much protein and can
cause kidney problems.”
Raw diets are no higher in protein content
overall than commercial diets. Raw diets have high moisture content, which
makes them easier on the kidneys. When the diet as a whole is considered, the
protein level is not as high as one would probably naturally assume.
Common myths and misconceptions about raw diets from pro-raw individuals:
“Feeding a raw diet corrects and prevents
health problems.”
This claim is both true and false. Raw diet
is NOT a cure all. It IS natural.
It IS in a form that most animals are better able to digest and obtain
nutrients. It can make a tremendous difference for pets with some types of
health problems. However, it cannot cure or prevent disease other than through
giving a dog what it needs nutritionally to be healthy. Genetics, vaccinations,
toxins in the environment and medications all play a role, right alongside
diet, with the health or illness of a pet. Even raw fed animals can and do get
sick. However, a species appropriate diet gives them the best chance to be
healthy and stay that way!
“Raw diets are completely safe.”
NO food or diet is 100% safe! Feedings
should always be supervised, no matter what you feed. I have had two choking
incidents in this house. One involved one of my dogs nearly choking to death on
a piece of kibble. The other involved a piece of pig’s foot. Of the two, the
most serious was the kibble incident because I was not supervising the meal and
didn’t realize the dog was in trouble until she was staggering from oxygen
deprivation and on the verge of losing consciousness. It was a small piece of
kibble. One piece. But it was enough to kill her had I not realized what was
going on and interceded. Meals should
be supervised, regardless of what you feed.
All foods are prone to contamination when
they aren’t handled and stored properly. Buying meats that have been inspected
and approved by the USDA for human consumption is one way to insure meat
products are as safe as possible for pets. Feeding low quality meats, or meats
that have not been stored properly, can be a source of illness for pets,
especially if your pet is immune compromised. Keep in mind that even commercial
kibbles are recalled due to chemical, mold, bacterial and/or other
contamination that cause illness and/or death of pets. All you can do as a
responsible pet owner is minimize the risks. You cannot eradicate them.
“A raw diet is the BEST way to feed!”
Not necessarily true for every pet! Some
animals, especially those who are seriously ill, do NOT always do well on a raw
diet. These animals often do better on lightly cooked foods and/or require the
assistance of digestive enzymes. Some improve to the point where they can
eventually handle a natural diet, but some do best kept on lightly cooked for
their whole lives. These animals tend to produce insufficient quantities of
hydrochloric acid (stomach acid), which makes digestion more difficult as well
as possibly leaving them more vulnerable to bacterial contaminants. (The stronger stomach acid dogs produce
destroys bacteria in foods, which is why dogs can often eat days-old rancid
stuff out of the garbage and not get sick.) Inability to handle a natural raw
diet is a result of an animal being severely damaged, not an indication of what
is “natural” or “unnatural” for them.
For my own pets, I am 100% sold on a raw diet. It has worked wonders for the health and well being of my own dogs, and I have no intention of going backwards and buying a bag of kibble again. Other than me supplying much better quality food items for my dogs than are used in most commercial dog foods, the two things I like most about a raw diet is the ability to meet the needs of EACH INDIVIDUAL and the foods are in a natural, easily digestible form that works with the dog’s digestive tract, instead of against it. Commercial diets do not allow much room for individualization, particularly if you have a pet with food allergies like I had in the past with my kibble-dogs.
Xander checking out the new addition to their diet – a box of beef legs.
“Mmmm… cow….” (His favorite!)
Don’t be deceived by scare tactics - EDUCATE YOURSELF about the REAL nutritional needs of your pet!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rawK9s, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jstsayno2vaccs & http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AuNaturelK9s - Knowledgeable, informative groups for learrning about various aspects of pet care including feeding.
http://www.canineworld.com/directory/shoppersguide/adeadlymeal.htm - “4-D Meat: A deadly meal” by Dr. Arrthur Strohbehn, DVM.
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/ - “Whole Dog Journal” is a fabulous hholistic dog owner’s newsletter. Well worth the subscription price. They do an annual pet food review that includes a list of high quality, natural commercial pet foods.
http://www.consciouschoice.com/2001/cc1410/safepetdiets1410.html - “Safe Diets for Our Animals” by Debborah Straw.
http://www.doglogic.com/petsinfood.htm - “What’s in YOUR Pet’s Food?”>
http://www.belfield.com/article3.html - “Your Animal’s Health” by Dr. Wendeell O. Belfield.
http://www.critterchat.net/foodpets.htm - “Food Pets Die For” by Ann Martin ((book review as well as lots of info).
http://www.nexusmagazine.com/articles/petfood2.html - “The Pet Food Industry and its Questionnable Practices.”
http://www.api4animals.org/1517.htm - “Pet Food: Buyer beware” by Debbie Giles.
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2003/may2003_report_pet_01.html - “Pet Food: The inside scoop” by Terrri Mitchell.
http://www.nexusmagazine.com/articles/petfood1.html - “Polluted Pet Food!”
http://www.diamondpaws.com/health/petfood.htm - “What is in Our Pet Food?”, a wholee page of links and valuable information.
http://www.caberfeidh.com/Truth.htm - “The Whole(istic) Truth About Pet Food<” by Christie Keith.
http://www.volhard.com/holistic/artbywv.htm - Wendy Volhard’s page on nutrition
http://www.rugerdachshunds.com/facts_myths.html - “Facts & Myths about Raw Feeding”
http://www.daybreakaussies.com/raw_feeding.htm - “Raw Feeding”
http://doglady1.tripod.com/scribe/id9.html - “Common Raw Diet Concerns”
http://myweb.cableone.net/bdturner/CanineDiet.htm - “Canine Diet”
http://www.4loveofdog.com/benefits.htm - “Benefits of Raw Diet”
http://dogged.typepad.com/doggedblog/2004/12/picking_the_bon.html - “Dogged Blog: Picking the Bones of the Raw Diet Debate” by Christie Keith
http://www.holisticat.com/rawdiet.html - “Raw Diets” (cat specific)
RECOMMENDED BOOKS ON THE SUBJECT:
“Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog” by Wendy Volhard & Kerry Brown, DVM (both editions have great info and are very different from each other)
“Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats: The Ultimate Pet Diet” by Kymythy R. Schultze
“Give Your Dog a Bone” by Ian Billinghurst
“Raw Meaty Bones: Promote Health” by Tom Lonsdale
“Switching to Raw – A Fresh Food Diet for Dogs that Makes Sense” by Susan K Johnson
“Foods Pets Die For: Shocking Facts about Pet Food” by Ann N. Martin (not a raw-friendly author, but this book provides WONDERFUL information on the commercial pet food industry)
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