Leo replied: "You may have to invest in a mini freezer, to keep the dogs food separated from your own. Raw diets are a big investment, but the good of raw diet highly out weighs the bad."
Majestik mooseВ© (envies DP) replied: "i would recommend it. I can't get any froxen people food because my freezer is full of chicken backs and necks right now.
Plus, you never know when you will get a great deal on like half a deer. It's also cheaper to buy in bulk, several pounds at once, so it's not a bad idea to purchase a small freezer."
animal_artwork replied: "Don't get a mini freezer. Yes, you need a freezer.. but to take advantage of seasonal low prices on certain meats.
My big freezer is in my garage.
Recently I didn't have enough freezer space in ANY of my freezers to take advantage of the 69 cent a pound whole chickens (my favorite meat buy because I strip the breasts and sometimes legs/thighs for the humans)."
Mercia Holistic Whisperer replied: "Yep, I have a separate Freezer and a Fridge for the animal foods. I also have fish who like frozen fresh foods."
Any reccomendation on how to transition a 3MO golden puppy from a kibble to raw, natural or BARF diet? I have beautiful golden I adore. She is my first dog. I decided I wanted to give her the best possible nutrition and start a raw diet. I started out with chicken in one meal and meat in the other with just a little bit of vegtable, but it didnt go so well she got a horrible case of the runs. After she stabilized on kibble a few days later I tried putting a spoonfull of hamburger in her kibble to see if a gradual change would work and it still presented a problem. Are there certian types of meat that are better in the beggining? Its about a month later now I have given her hot dog, bits of sausage and ham with her food or as treats and she is OK
Now thats obviously not the idea I would like to try again with things that are better for her, but I dont wanna make her sick. She is only a puppy. I have heard great comments about a raw diet, and would like her to be able to take advantage of them. Is there something im doing wrong?
ok just to clarify,
i wasnt trying to feed her a hot dog-susage diet, originaly i had given her regular beef and chicken, later on i only gave her ham, sausage in really small amounts to se how she would stomach it, and decide if it might be a good idea to start feeding raw again. I agree not the best nutrition but at least I know shes not meat-intolerant or something , i ust wanted to see if she could eat anything apart from kibble with out it turning into a mess. Apart from that, great answeres Thank you
Tony'sJeanius replied: "I feed my girl home made raw. Best thing ever!!!!
At 3 months any diet change can be very "traumatic".
Personally, I'd never go back to any cooked or "bagged" diet.
Best of luck."
Goober replied: "Just research on those kinda things, i personally think dry food is better but everyone has their different opnions."
Me and my beagle replied: "Hi,
First of all, I am a big fan of feeding raw, but ham, hotdog and hamburger are BAD BAD BAD.
If you're going to feed raw, I suggest you take a look at this website: Its an excellent website with so much info.
Only non-processed meats should be included in the diet - so things like raw meaty bones, liver, kidney, heart etc. Ham, hamburger and hot dog are highly processed with lots of unhealthy additives like salt and preservatives. If you're going to feed raw, do it properly and feed healthy foods. If you think about it hot dogs, hamburgers and ham aren't that good for us humans, so they're probably a terrible food for dogs.
I would start by giving your pup some raw food (organ, muscle, or bone) mixed into his dry food maybe three times a week. Then as the weeks go on and you notice he's digesting it ok, move it up to 7 days a week. Then slowly elliminate the dry food from his diet.
Make sure his raw diet is varied, so as he gets the maximum nutrition. So maybe one day he could have fish, another day chicken, then a bone and an egg on another day.
I would also suggest doing LOTS of research on feeding raw just to ensure you do it properly.
Feeding raw is a great way to go - Good luck!!"
Apacapacas replied: "Contrary to rumor, dogs don't necessarily do better on raw foods. They need vegetables, of course, but they can't digest them raw unless they're pureed to break down the cellulose.
The best bet would be to get her a premium quality dog food - a kibble that is meat based instead of grain based. Some examples are Innova, Evo, Royal Canin, Eagle Natural Pack Holistic, Wellness, and Canidae. You can google meat based dog food and get a lot of choices. Meat based dog foods are more expensive than grain based dog foods, of course, but they're usually more balanced.
When you're making the transition, give her 3/4 of a cup of whatever you're feeding her now and 1/4 of a cup of the new feed. (Assuming you're giving her a cup of food at each meal; if you're feeding her more, adjust the proportions accordingly - 3 parts of the old food to 1 part of the new food.)
The second week, mix the two foods half-and-half, and the third week, 1 part of the old food to 3 parts of the new food. Finally, you'll be able to give her the new food without mixing it.
Give her frozen green beans for treats instead of thte regular doggie treats like rawhide bones or strips. Most dogs love them, although there are a few who won't go for them. Also, you can give her frozen broccoli for treats. The dogs won't be able to digest these vegetables, so they won't add to your dog's total calorie count.
Good luck!"
DORY replied: "Me and my Beagle is "RIGHT ON!"
Don't feed your pet that crap!
Hot dogs, burgers and sausage?
C'mon! That is junk and you know it!
Know where your meat is from!"
raw natural diet? not the BARF diet just the RAW NATURAL meat and bones diet, i hear its cheaper, but meat in stores is pretty pricey so where do i go to get it?
and i plan on feeding it to my gsd puppy [i dont have it yet which is why im still doing research] the pup has only been fed this diet.
and please dont try to talk me into the BARF diet, but if you have day by day directions as to what you feed your dog id love to hear it but only if its part of the raw diet thing
its exactly what forsaken says it is, and thank you forsaken, i dont mind about the prices i just wanted to know
theres no vegetables in it unlike the barf diet
Fetch! Caine replied: "~ If you don't want to do barf diet then what do you mean by raw diet, just fruit and veggies? You said something about meat, but that would mean raw meat which is part of the barf diet. Please indicate exactly what you are looking for or what you mean by this.
Add: So what is the difference from raw to barf? I thought raw was raw as in meat and bones.
I'm still trying to find the difference between raw and barf, but to the poster that says Purina, Royal Canin and Science Diet are better than raw are out of their mind, Do you work for a vet? You mean to tell me that corn is better for my dog then meat? Where does this research come from, Hill's?
ADD: Thanks for the clearification. I have always heard raw and barf in the same context so wasn't aware there was the other. I guess I have based their food on kibble and raw with veggies as a treat not knowing one was with/without veggies. I think it is a great idea and would love to do it as well but with 10 dogs I feel a bit overwhelmed when I replace one meal with a raw meal. I feed Orijen since at least it is grain free but now knowing the difference will read just about raw feeding.
Thanks!"
Forsaken replied: "I believe you are referring to RPM or raw prey model. You need to be 100% sure that the meat you are feeding is free of chemicals, additives, un-natural preservatives and hormones. This means that the meat will cost more. When I feed RPM I usually get things from either WalMart or Sysco (since the plant is 6 miles up the road).
RPM is NOT for people trying to save money, it is for those who will pay any cost to make sure their dogs live long, healthy lives.
You need to join forums, discussion boards and groups (yahoo has several) to learn as much as possible and have a support network set up for this pup's diet.
ETA: BARF is more like home-cooked, where there are vegetables, fruits, starches and carbs added. Many BARF feeders toss in heavy nutritional supplements. RPM or those who feed 'frankenprey' feed primarily meat/bone/organ in a ratio of about 70/30 or 80/20 with the lower number being organ meat. I give my dog veggies and fruits if he wants them but do not add them to his meal (when I'm rotating on RPM)
mywaphel- A VET is the one who told me about RPM. There are veterinarians out there who understand that a dog is a opportunistic CARNIVORE meaning that it's subsistence comes from mainly meat sources but it will eat what ever is available. Purina and Science Diet are CRAP (not sure about Royal Canin but I can guess it's low-quality since you listed it with SD and Purina). That's like a human child eating McDonald's for every single meal, every day. I cannot find my links right now but I'll post links to the articles written by VETERINARIANS who have been practicing since long before I was born as support when I get them found."
mywaphel replied: "Raw diets are extremely disapproved of in the professional veterinary community. They are the pinnacle of unhealthy eating and can lead to many diseases, not the least of which include:
salmonella, E. coli, neorickettsia, vibrio, yersinia, campylobacter, clostridium botulinum (botulism), bacillus cerus, staphylococcus aureus, mycotoxins, metal toxicity and many many more diseases.
It is extremely expensive, time consuming, and difficult to provide your pet with an appropriate diet cooked by yourself. It requires numerous visits to the veterinarian for evaluation of the diet, and you should discuss with them a proper formulation.
commercial pet foods are specially formulated and undergo exhaustive testing to provide a balanced diet for your pet. (the good foods at least, which include but aren't limited to Purina, Royal Canin, and Science Diet.)
If you still want to cook a meal at home, the problem with most recipes is they have been crudely balanced based on average nutrient contents rather than undergoing feeding tests, nutrient analyses, etc. This may all seem like overkill to you, but I assure you it is very important to your pets overall health. Most homemade foods contain excessive protein, and are deficient in calcium, calories, vitamins, and microminerals. They usually have inverse calcium-phosphorous ratios of as much as 1:10. (that means bad stuff.)
Making ingredient substitutions are common over time for either cost, availability, or personal reasons, and they will vastly change the formulation of the food.
when assessing a recipe, you should always check with your veterinarian, but a quick check can help.
1- The five food groups:
A carbohydrate/fiber source from cooked cereal grain
a protein source, preferably from animal origins
a fat source
mineral sources (calcium is especially important)
a multivitamin and trace mineral source.
2- The carbohydrate should be of equal or higher quantity to the meat source, and should come from a cooked cereal. the ratio should be at least 2:1-3:1 for dogs (carbohydrate vs. Protein)
3- What is the type and quantity of the protein source? A skeletal muscle protein (e.g. steak) is the best, and almost all skeletal muscles have similar amino acid content, so the actual source is of little concern.
4-is the protein lean or fatty? if it's lean, an additional fat source should compose at least 2% of the formula weight.
5- Is calcium in appropriate quantity? Almost always an addition of calcium carbonate tablets are required.
6-Are there sufficient vitamins and other nutrients?
An over the counter vitamin-mineral tablet with at least 200% of recommended daily human allowances work fine.
And that's only the tip of the iceberg. Feeding a homemade diet is extremely hard work, please do so only under the most educated of circumstances, and never trust the opinion of an internet poster, always leave the final word to a certified veterinarian.
Hope that helps.
I should add that feeding uncooked meats will, not can, will lead to parasitic infestations, bacterial infections, and dietary insufficiencies of potentially severe effect. Please don't."
Borders Rock replied: "I feed my dogs mostly kibble but I augment it with raw diet as well. I would love to switch them to completely raw diet but with 4 large dogs it's economically not feasible.
I don't know where you live so I don't know what breands are available to you....check on the internet for:
Nature's Variety Prairie (available in MANY different flavors...chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, venison, etc) - comes in 1 oz medallions or 4 oz patties
Mountain Dog...last time I checked it was chicken only (and since we have chickens, I don't feed it to my dogs...LOL)
Urban Wolf (I think that's what it;s called)...
I use the Nature's Variety Prairie (or is it Prairie Nature's Variety...packaging is unclear)....I KNOW it work and my dogs coats GLEAM!
Good luck...I don't know what is available to you but this should be a place to start."
knitting_time@att.net replied: "Those are some good resources for raw feeding.
As you're doing your research, you'll probably see home-cooked, too. I decided to do home-cooked for my golden after lots of research. At the end of lots of reading, my favorite books are Pitcairn's "Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats". I also like the "Whole Pet Diet" and "The Nature of Animal Healing." You'll probably like them for various matters even if you feed raw.
Good luck!"
I really believe that a raw natural diet is best for dogs BUT? I bought all the books, a food processor and an aditional freezer. I am a vegetarian, however I found a wonderful butcher and devised a fantastic natural raw diet for my dog. She hated it and became thin.
Now, by dog is on a grain free diet which she loves. Her weight is spot on and her stools are fantastic. My question and my observations are that I think that they should have a variety of foods,
Regardless of how observent we are, dogs can pick up rubbish when we walk them. If they are on a strict diet, this can give them degestive problems. Consequently in addition to my dogs normal diet, I give her left overs. I don't eat rubbish and currys and spicy foods are never given to my dog. I think that if dogs are kept on a strict diet will have a big problems if, on the odd ocassion they eat anything which they are not used to. I don't buy ready meals and I am careful with what I give her as extras.
She gets her extras in a old pan after her dinner and she love this.
Randee TAS replied: "And the problem is?
This isn't a question.
What is it you said to me...Oh right..."Get real and grow up.""
Swamp Poodles *TAS* replied: "A raw diet is about more than bones/meat. It still must be "balanced". I have one on raw that is doing AWESOME!"
searchpup replied: "This may make me unpopular with some of the answerers here, but as long as there are a minimum of spices, very little salt and NO ONIONS in the food, it's OK to feed a dog leftovers, as long as it does not comprise more than 5% of their diet.
For behavioral reasons, she should not be fed at the table, or off your plate, but you already mentioned she is fed from an old pan, so that doesn't seem to be an issue here.
As far as making them ill, dogs have a natural defense mechanism agasint that. Since their sense of taste is extremely poor (which makes them capable of enjoying the litter box chocolates), they have a hyperactive regurgitation reflex. Because of that, it does not mean that the dog is actually sick if they throw something up, just that it didn't agree with them and they are getting rid of it.
From what you've written here, it sounds like she's thriving on her current diet, so I see no reason to change it. If she starts to backslide, consult your vet. He/she can ask all the pertinent questions and get you on the right track."
anwen55 replied: "Totally agree that a raw diet is best. My dogs will eat anything and never have upset stomachs (everything includes dessicated rabbit, decomposing bird, dead unidentifable Things, fresh mouse .......) etc.etc."
JO * replied: "i think you are right..diversity in food gives better tolerance.. :)"
Maz replied: "I would not feed my dogs raw meat, as many vets have told me that this is not good for dogs, dogs have evolved from when they were wolves and are different now that they have become the domestic pets we have today, I feed natural diets (cooked ones), you can supplement the diet with fresh vegetables which dogs love, and small amounts of cooked fish or good quality meat, my dogs were never better than when they were being feed home made diet, it is harder to prepare a good diet yourself in terms of cost and time however you know exactly what is going into the food, there is lots of information on how to do this correctly, however everything I gave my dogs was cooked and so easily digested. I am sure you have found a suitable diet now and are supplementing it sensibly, there is information about home made cooked foods for dogs which you may want to look up, some books on this subject, John Burns who makes the Burns food recommends giving home cooked meals take a look at his website, "
Trying to decide whether to switch ferrets to all natural raw diet Dont care about cost, convenience, or yuck factor. Only their health and safety. They are 4 and a half and one may have adrenal disease, but will get the surgery if so. on an all natural forum it seemed the raw fed ferrets lived MUCH longer than kibble fed ferrets. Please tell me your experiances with it, any issues, and especially how long your B.A.R.F. fed ferrets have lived and exactly what you feed. Thanx!
ticallas replied: "I know you've been thinking about this and doing as much research as you can. I'm including a few links you might find relevant, it's a lot of reading but should give you a pretty balanced picture on the ferret nutrition issue.
One thing is I am only posting links from ferret 'experts', basically DVM's that are specialized in ferrets or PhD's that have also specialized in them. Collectively these people do not agree on what diet is best for a ferret, some believe a good quality high protein low carb kibble and some believe a 'natural' diet is best. If these great minds don't agree it's to be expected that we as ferret owners will not as well. The best you can do is research both sides of it and decide what is best for you and your ferrets, there is no right answer.
Finally in regard to lifespan, the oldest ferret on record lived 14 years, average used to be 9-11 years but has been drastically reduced over the years. It truly is impossible to know what effect diet has on that.
All of my current ferrets eat a good quality diet however all but one has health issues. The one that lived the longest was actually many years ago he lived to be around 11 and he lived on fairly low quality (by todays standards) kitten food with treats of raisins and cheerios everyday. Back then it was actually recommended to give it to them as people had not done the research they have now. Why did he live longer? I can't say for sure, breeding probably had a great deal to do with it. He was from a mass breeder (RCF - Real Canadian Ferrets) but back then ferrets were not as popular and so the breeding lines were still healthier, as a general rule as the popularity of a pet rises the health goes down as they are bred faster and put to store quicker. He was 9 weeks when I adopted him and that was his first day in store, he was neutered at 7weeks (still too young but better than the current 4 weeks).
Out of my currents I have one from a small, very reputable breeder, he is only 17 weeks right now and I have a record of his geneology going back 5 generations (the breeder has it going back further). He is unaltered and will not be until he is at least 1 year old so he has gone through one complete rut cycle. His biological family is on a natural diet and they typically live around 8 years, we are hoping to get that to 10.
Adrenal disease is not believed to have a dietary cause at all but rather some trends are emerging that it may be more environmental than anything else. Currently we do not know but Dr. Bob Church a zooarchealolgist and ferret fanatic is doing some fantastic studies on ferrets around the world in an effort to find the cause. This may actually be the first real information we as a community receive in regards to the causes of adrenal. He has released snippits of information but it will probably be another year or two until we hear more.
I hope this helps you out a bit and you find some answers in your research."
i cant buleev i dont no anyone else who feeds their dog raw natural diet, anyone out there feed this way? i hav 11 month black lab( Arnold) whooz fed raw meat n bones n offal, whole fish etc beautiful coat evry1 comments on n very healthy never at the vet
fuck sake wats everybodys problem with the spelling a just like to say things ma own way as long as u can understand it then its fine. ever herd of mobile text!?
RACQUEL replied: "tons of people on here actually do that."
Kate C *Attackofthebear* replied: "I feed raw. I have only been feeding raw for 8 months, but I can see the differences in my dogs.
CMR: How much experience do you personally have with raw feeding/Raw fed dogs and cats? I want to know numbers.
Do you sell food in your office? a yes or no will do, but i would love to know what brand.
You do know that the avma is against supporting a raw diet. If thats where the moneys going, no wander that nutritionist kept his or her mouth shut. Go to an independent canine nutritionist and see what you get. Why not do your own research? Look it up yourself. Be independent instead of following the crowd. You dont have to announce what you learn, but you should be making it your business to know both sides to the story. As a vet, your clients trust you to do that and you owe at least that to them.
Pet food has only been around for 50 years or so, so I am not buying that a dog that cant cook for itself cant eat raw and every other animal with those teeth feed raw on raw animal carcasses. My dog bit me and I didnt even feel the tooth go in and my teeth doing something along those lines would've taken much more effort and even with that effort, it still would never be possible for my mouth to open that wide and grab a neck of a deer or other animal and puncture the skin so effortlessly.
This world is too germiphobic for me, it makes me want to never clean again because if it doesnt involve the chemicals, it isnt good enough. By the way those chemicals cause what we know today as superbugs, why do you think I would clean, vaccinate when superbugs result from the overuse of them. Dogs of all feeding history's have had ecoli in their system, all dogs have had salmonella in their poo. Get over a few harmless germs, they exist all over and will continue to thrive, they are what keep us alive and our immune systems strong."
RM4183 replied: "you should not give your dog bones. especially bird (chicken etc.) and fish bones!! they can cause serious interal damage to your dog!
I feed my dog the Natures Variety Raw Diet. that is a great SAFE raw diet for dogs and they love it. It has veggies and fruits and the needed nutrients that raw meat alone can not give your dog"
moof replied: "Yes, a lot of people.
Is it really that hard to spell "believe" or "everyone?""
Steve I replied: "WOW. Its called a spell checker.
A raw diet is good in some cases but its not recommended for all dogs. A black lab can handle the raw diet. My only suggestion is to maybe mix a little cooked rice into it maybe once a week. I had a dog that after a few years on a raw diet it did a number on his stomach. The vet suggested to stay on a raw diet but mix the rice once a week and he was healthy as ever."
Animal Artwork replied: "I primarily feed a prey model raw diet to my dogs."
rescue member replied: "Lots of people feed their dogs raw diet - and lots of people spell properly too."
CMR replied: "I am a vet and have never heard another veterinarian (at conferences, lectures, etc) say that raw diets are "safe". One lecturer (a board certified veterinary nutritionist and proponent of raw diets for pets) stated that all pets on raw diets will develop problems from time to time and that these can be serious, such as salmonella, e.coli, etc. and that it is a risk that anyone feeding raw diets needs to be willing to take. Also keep in mind anyone contacting the food (either during preparation or on dogs muzzle after eating, etc, must be careful. This nutritionist recommended against feeding raw diets in houses with children or immune compromised people.
Do what you are comfortable with but beware of risks.
Almost all vets agree that DOGS ARE NOT WILD ANIMALS!!! They are the result of hundreds of years of domestication, most of that time fed cooked leftovers of human's diets, not raw meats!!! Wild dogs should eat raw, domesticated dogs should eat an appropriate diet for domesticated dogs, not a diet for wild dogs.
Just an additional note, more than 99% of 11 month old labs have great coats and have never been sick!!!
and very few eat raw diets."
Orijen vs Timberwolf vs Raw/natural diet? i'm not 100% sure if the raw natural diet im giving him is perfect, but heez very healthy, but should i try orijen or timberwolf(2 best pet foods ive herd of) and see if he becomes even healthier?
Kip's Mom *** *** replied: "If it isn't broken, don't fix it.
What raw diet are you giving him? And why would you think kibble is better??"
Оѕ Bindi В§ Say no to HR669 replied: "In my opinion if you can feed your dog a raw diet that's better than any kibble out there."
Joh replied: "I've been feeding totally raw for nearly 2.5 years (and partially for about 5) and would NEVER go back to commercial foods."
Lorraine replied: "I think if you are a raw feeder then you would of seen the benefits on the outside and therefore trust it is better for him on the inside.
In my opinion, and obviously those who have also answered, there is NO commercial diet that can be as good as a natural diet.
One thing I was taught when starting it also was never to do half and half because of the imbalance.
Just feed a very varied diet with different meats, fish and eggs and you will be giving all he needs."
T J replied: "From the FDA center for veterinary medicine:
(1997, so this is nothing new)
"There are now two separate nutrient profiles -- one for growth and reproduction and one for adult maintenance, instead of just one for all lifestages. This allows dog and cat foods made for adult animals only to contain lower amounts of some nutrients, eliminating unnecessary excesses. ALSO, MAXIMUM LEVELS OF INTAKE OF SOME NUTRIENTS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME, BECAUSE OF CONCERN THAT OVERNUTRITION RATHER THAN UNDERNUTRITION IS A BIGGER PROBLEM WITH MANY PET FOODS TODAY."
Feeding RAW is fine, but do your homework and find out what your dogs needs actually are. Feeding your dog 'to well' is just as bad as feeding it 'not well enough'
IMHO, the biggest mistake out there with commercial foods is feeding an adult dog a diet designed for a puppy (all life stages)
Orijen: Perfect example of feeding a dog "to well". 42% protein is even to hot for a cat!
Guaranteed Analysis
Protein 42.0%
Fat 16.0%
Carbohydrate 18.0%
Moisture 10.0%
Fiber 3.0%"
BonBonMom replied: "Orijen yes but not Timberwolf....Timberwolf used to be a good brand but then they got into some ingredients issue and the company was not straight forward on what they did. Dogs got sick and many customers stop feeding the dogs this brand, even stores stopped carrying them.
If your dog is performing well on the raw diet, then don't change it."
♥shelter puppies rule♥ replied: "I don't like Orijen OR Timberwolf dry food. The high protein isn't balanced, from what I read.
To feed a raw diet you need to do plenty of research, and it gets confusing and overwhelming for most people when they begin.
The important thing is utilize all your resources!! Go to small pet stores, ask if the owner there is certified in canine nutrition and can consult you about a raw food diet--most will be more than happy to.
Join internet rawfeeding groups like on yahoo. Search on yahoo for what are called "co-ops" in your area..co-ops for raw are local groups of people who raw feed their pets and buy in bulk together to cut down on prices. Join those groups and ask them all they can tell you about a raw food diet.
Use books and websites that can help you. Many online stores that sell raw like and will email with you any questions you have about how to feed a raw food diet.
The reason a raw food diet is healthier than kibble, is because kibble goes through alot of processing which kills enzymes and nutrients, and adds chemical preservatives in order for kibble to have a long shelf life.
Dogs can not use the chemical preservatives. So the liver stores these chemicals and over time, they become unhealthy and other cells must try to store the chemical preservatives then also become unhealthy.
A dog's anatomy and physiology were designed for eating raw meat and will get the most nutrition and health from it!"
I don't have the time, money or know-how to feed my cat a natural raw diet, but what's the best alternative? In the UK, please.
Ken replied: "The best alternative is canned foods with no grains. Not sure of brands like this in your area but the felix in jelly may be ok
Stay away from dry foods if possib;e.
Making raw isn't that difficult. You would need a grinder and prepare 6 weeks at a time. If you want links let me know
Best of luck"
lacey_mae@ymail.com replied: "I have had a cat for the past 4 years and have never put him on an "all natural diet"
I feed him the recommended amount of Purina One Dry Cat food, and a packet of wet cat food (any brand will do). The reason behind the wet food is related to the cats kidneys, dry food contains many un-needed ash minerals.
Also, avoid dry cat foods that have special colors and shapes, as these are hard on the cats liver also.
Just remember to keep it simple. And avoid going with the "cheap" brands. I'm not saying buy $100 cat food, but dont buy ol Roy either!"
beautiful_midnight7 replied: "one tip to keep in mind is that i've read in several different places that cats are carnivores. they eat meat. alot of dry foods out there contain mainly corn and/or wheat, and not alot of actual meat.
check around your neighborhood for specialty pet stores, some may carry foods that are less processed, and contain more "meat". brands like fancy feast (which you can buy just about anywhere) are known for their larger meat content. wellness core puts out a brand of dry food that is gluten free.
it may not be the diet you'd like to put your cat on, but several million people who just feed their cats just cat chow can't be wrong either."
Siamese-if-U-Please replied: "listen to ken,... I have e-mailed this guy a few times and he knows his stuff, what he is telling you is 100% correct"
Cory S replied: "canned and muchy food....the cat version of ceaser"
rhajha replied: "Hello..
you say you don't have the time,money , or know-how to feed your cat a raw natural diet?Best alternative?...Sounds to me like you don't need a cat! No Time...No Money...These are pretty essential to ALL pets...How are you going to pay for the neuter/spay so this animal doesn't bring in more unwanted baby kittens into the world? And what about it's shots?...distemper ,rabies,and feluke test,and shot? These animals rely on people to make them happy,and healthy.If you can't do it,or afford it,give it to someone who can manage the fees and time entailed.You will BOTH be happier. Rhajha"
Trying whether to decide whether to feed Border Collie an all-natural raw diet I don't care abut onvenience, cost, or "ick" factor. Only her health and safety. Please tell me your experiances with it, and I'm particularly interested in how long your B.A.R.F.fed dog has lived and exactly what you feed
Ingrid H replied: "Here is almost exactly the menu I feed my dog:"
kym replied: "I feed my dog RAW, because she has some food intolerances, which make it difficult to find kibble for her. Since feeding RAW her health has improved dramatically. She has a lot more muscle mass and so much more energy. Her teeth have become brilliant white and her coat is so soft and shiny. Before we also had to go the the vet often to have her blood tested and to be treated for other things related to her food intolerances and allergies. That all stopped once we switched foods.
Here is a good blog that documents one owners experience with the RAW diet.
"
Best Kibble for dog closest to a raw diet? I am trying to find the best kibble for my dogs, I want to keep it as close as possible to the natural raw diet a dog should get, does anyone know of a brand that is close?
Stevie C replied: "Innova EVO"
buckyweet replied: "Innova"
Meggz21 replied: "Innova EVO is definately the closest. If your dog doesn't do well on it b/c of how rich it is, or simply doesn't get enough exercise to require that amount of protein and fat in his diet, try Timberwolf Organics."
tina in fla replied: "I feed my dogs a holistic food, formulated by a holistic, award-winning vet. It's made in small tested batches with human grade ingredients, in a USA based, FDA and APHIS certified plant. THere's no corn, wheat or soy; no by-products & my five dogs LOVE IT.
Three months ago, they went to vet for annual visit. He said they have never looked better & what was I doing? He got his dogs on the food now, too!!!
tina"
