First, thank you for taking the time to inform dog lovers. However, I must take issue with some of the advice you have provided.
Without getting into the debate between raw/cooked, you advise against feeding raw pork as it could result in trichinosis. Assuming you are feeding pork from producers in Canada, there simply is no danger of trichinosis.
As far as feed raw or cooked wild game and the risk of parasites, freezing game meat for at least two weeks kills parasites.
As for feeding dogs fruits and vegetables, based on the argument that "wild dogs" supplement their diets by eating the stomach contents of ruminant prey, that's not really proven by facts. I have read two studies of wolves in the wild, reporting that wolves will leave much of the contents of their preys' entrails, going so far as to shake the entrails before eating them. It is true that wolves will get a certain amount of digested material but the studies point out that these amounts are minimal. "Browsing" on grass has also been observed in studies of wolves, but I don't believe this is sufficient evidence to lead one to the conclusion that the canids (wild or domestic) have a nutritional need for fruits and/or vegetables.
I conclude by saying that I have been feeding a "prey model raw" diet for just over a year. I am not a "zealot" and it took me more than three months of research to adopt this diet. I needed factual/objective (non-commercial, scientific) evidence which, unfortunately, is lacking. I became convinced (at least partially) by the preponderance of anecdotal reports by kennels, breeders and other dog owners who were/are feeding only raw meat.
Unlike many others who have adopted this diet, I will not say it is easy or cheap. For me, the "trade off" is a no-brainer in terms of benefits.
In conclusion before doing my research I too, had fears of trichinosis in pork,parasites in game meat and the risk of salmonella and choking on bones (cooked or raw). I thought that there was a need to feed veggies for fibre and other micro-nutrients. Wading through the "commercialized" studies and the raw-meat zealotry was a challenge. There is no single "piece" out there that should or can convince anyone to adopt a raw meat approach. One has to weigh the evidence, evaluate the sources and remain objective. I came to a particular conclusion, others may do the same thing and arrive at a contrary. Either way, I applaud those (like you) who strive to find the "best" approach to your pet's diet.
1 Comments:
At 7:03 AM,
Chance said…
First, thank you for taking the time to inform dog lovers. However, I must take issue with some of the advice you have provided.
Without getting into the debate between raw/cooked, you advise against feeding raw pork as it could result in trichinosis. Assuming you are feeding pork from producers in Canada, there simply is no danger of trichinosis.
As far as feed raw or cooked wild game and the risk of parasites, freezing game meat for at least two weeks kills parasites.
As for feeding dogs fruits and vegetables, based on the argument that "wild dogs" supplement their diets by eating the stomach contents of ruminant prey, that's not really proven by facts. I have read two studies of wolves in the wild, reporting that wolves will leave much of the contents of their preys' entrails, going so far as to shake the entrails before eating them. It is true that wolves will get a certain amount of digested material but the studies point out that these amounts are minimal. "Browsing" on grass has also been observed in studies of wolves, but I don't believe this is sufficient evidence to lead one to the conclusion that the canids (wild or domestic) have a nutritional need for fruits and/or vegetables.
I conclude by saying that I have been feeding a "prey model raw" diet for just over a year. I am not a "zealot" and it took me more than three months of research to adopt this diet. I needed factual/objective (non-commercial, scientific) evidence which, unfortunately, is lacking. I became convinced (at least partially) by the preponderance of anecdotal reports by kennels, breeders and other dog owners who were/are feeding only raw meat.
Unlike many others who have adopted this diet, I will not say it is easy or cheap. For me, the "trade off" is a no-brainer in terms of benefits.
In conclusion before doing my research I too, had fears of trichinosis in pork,parasites in game meat and the risk of salmonella and choking on bones (cooked or raw). I thought that there was a need to feed veggies for fibre and other micro-nutrients. Wading through the "commercialized" studies and the raw-meat zealotry was a challenge. There is no single "piece" out there that should or can convince anyone to adopt a raw meat approach. One has to weigh the evidence, evaluate the sources and remain objective. I came to a particular conclusion, others may do the same thing and arrive at a contrary. Either way, I applaud those (like you) who strive to find the "best" approach to your pet's diet.
Thanks again for your efforts.
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