[Todd]

I'm sure this question has already been asked dozens of times, but I am new to this forum, and looking for some fresh opinions/advice. i currently feed my dog the BARF raw diet. What is your opinion of the advantages/dangers of feeding raw? Also, would it help to do things like freeze, soak in hydrogen peroxide, or in grapefruit extract to kill bacteria? How about searing the meat? Any advice would help. Thanks, and I'm glad to now be a member of this great forum! :smile:

 

[CorgiPaws]

What is your opinion of the advantages/dangers of feeding raw?

I personally feel that raw is the absolute best thing for ANY dog. Feeding a proper raw dieg helps with digestion issues, promotes healthy teeth and gums, restores skin and coat health, improves overall health, makes poop cleanup a breeze, and give peace of mind that you're doing the best for your dog.
I don't really see any dangers when done right. I'm careful to feed bones of appropriate size, meaning I don't give them bones without enough meat attached to make them chew a bit. I also freeze fish before feeding.

Also, would it help to do things like freeze, soak in hydrogen peroxide, or in grapefruit extract to kill bacteria?

I feel more comfortable freezing salmon before I feed it, but even this is probably not necessary. I definately would not soak it in anything to kill bacteria. They are carnivores, they are designed to handle any bacteria raw meat could throw at them. I feed all the meats as is, right from the grocery store.

How about searing the meat?

Searing the meat will kill bacterias on the outside, but these bacterias are not harmful. It will also kill a lot of the nutrients, so the tradeoff of killing the harmless bacteria makes it not worth it to me. Just feed it as is.



There are a lot of ways of feeding raw, barf, pmr, etc. I personaly feel that a carnivore should be fed as such, so I eliminate all plant matter and feed nothing but meat, bones, and organs.

 

[Todd]

OK Thanks! I recently emailed someone from a natural pet food agency, and here's what they had to say;

You asked:
why don't wolves in the wild get salmonilla?

Our Answer:
They do get sick if the meat is contaminated with salmonella. The basic answer to your question is that they very rarely eat contaminated meat because they kill it and eat it.

Raw meat from the local grocery store fed to household pets is known to have become contaminated with microbes between the kill floor in the midwest somewhere and your local grocery shelf.

*Just wondering if anyone would like to respond to this. Thanks!:smile:

 

[RawFedDogs]

Problem is that you asked a pet food seller. They don't want you to feed raw. You are not a potential customer if you feed PMR. Of course they are going to say that. I have been feeding raw for over 7 years and have fed some very rotten meat to my dogs with no adverse effects. I have never known a dog to come down with a proven case of salmonella poisoning. Yes they have it in their feces but they don't get sick from it.

 

[Todd]

Problem is that you asked a pet food seller. They don't want you to feed raw. You are not a potential customer if you feed PMR. Of course they are going to say that. I have been feeding raw for over 7 years and have fed some very rotten meat to my dogs with no adverse effects. I have never known a dog to come down with a proven case of salmonella poisoning. Yes they have it in their feces but they don't get sick from it.

Thanks for the advice. Also, in your opinion is raw meat that much healthier than cooked?

 

[CorgiPaws]

OK Thanks! I recently emailed someone from a natural pet food agency, and here's what they had to say;

I try very hard to never ask anyone questions about nutrition who have something to sell, unless it is an actual question about their product and only their product, and even then, you always have t wonder if their desire to fill their pockets influence their answer. And it always does.

They do get sick if the meat is contaminated with salmonella. The basic answer to your question is that they very rarely eat contaminated meat because they kill it and eat it.

So they are trying to tell you that dogs in the wild have it good enough where they always have a supply of fesh meat. I don't buy it. They eat meat off of animals that have been dead and rotting for days if that's what they happen to find.

Raw meat from the local grocery store fed to household pets is known to have become contaminated with microbes between the kill floor in the midwest somewhere and your local grocery shelf.

If it's safe enough for me, it's safe enough for them.

 

[Todd]

ok I understand. But, isn't it true that meat become contaminated with harmful bacteria in the packaging/processing process?

 

[RawFedDogs]

ok I understand. But, isn't it true that meat become contaminated with harmful bacteria in the packaging/processing process?

Todd,
I'm telling you for the 2nd time. Bacteria isn't a problem for dogs. They have very acidic stomach juices that kill most bacteria that they injest. Their short intestinal tract to get the remaining bacteria out of the body. My dogs have injested A LOT of bacteria in rotten meat. They never had an adverse reaction to it. Not one vomit nor one case of diarrhea nor lethargy. I suspect they could eat a meal of pure bacteria and not have any problems. :smile:

 

[Todd]

ok thx. the reason for my post is one of my friends told me that their cats got very sick, and one died after eating raw meat. r dogs stomachs more acidic/hardy than cats? I currently feed raw, and want to continue. I just need some reeassuranse that i am doing the right/safe thing.

would it be ok if i soaked the meat in grapefruit extract to minimize bacteria in the meat (just to make me feel more at ease)? would that kill any nutrients? thx so much 4 ur help:smile:

 

[RawFedDogs]

ok thx. the reason for my post is one of my friends told me that their cats got very sick, and one died after eating raw meat.

I doubt your friend's cat died from eating raw meat that wasn't rotten. When a pet is fed raw, way too many things that happen are blamed on the diet and it's rarely the cause.

r dogs stomachs more acidic/hardy than cats?

Yes, dogs eat carrion which sometimes has been dead a week or more. Cats only eat what they just killed.

I currently feed raw, and want to continue. I just need some reeassuranse that i am doing the right/safe thing.

You are doing the right/safe thing. :smile: You know how long I've been raw feeding and I know people who have been doing it for 20 and 30 years without a single problem. It is THE diet that your dogs were designed to eat and digest. Dogs/wolves have eaten raw for millions of years and have thrived. Kibble has only been around for about 50 years or so and kibble fed dogs aren't nearly as healthy. Why don't you ask the kibble companies to prove their diet is as healthy and nutritious as a PMR. Hint: They can't and they know it.

would it be ok if i soaked the meat in grapefruit extract to minimize bacteria in the meat (just to make me feel more at ease)? would that kill any nutrients? thx so much 4 ur help:smile:

Get over your bacteria phobia and feed your dogs they way they have eaten for millions of years. I don't even wash my hands every time I feed my dogs. I don't disinfect my kitchen sink or countertop after feeding the animals. I just wipe them off with a damp rag. No problems here.

 

[Todd]

ok thanks. I really appreciate your help. I feel much better now. Thanks!:smile: