Someone on dogster posted this link about Raw Feeding...well Below is my response to it as well as someone elses.
http://www.purinaone.com/CoolTools/Nutrition101.aspx?ArticleId=A1423FE9-FAB2-4DC6-8ADA-1FF34CFE76C8&species=Dog
Whoever wrote this article wasn't very informed about what feeding raw is all about.
Although meat is a source of protein, it has very
low levels of calcium, a mineral our pets require for proper bone and tooth development. Calcium also plays an important role in blood clotting, muscle contraction and transmission of nerve impulses. But simply supplementing with calcium won't work. Mineral nutrients are interrelated. Calcium and phosphorus have a scientifically established relationship in the formation of bones and teeth, provided a proper balance is maintained. This balance is usually not present in meat. If large quantities of raw meat are fed over time, skeletal problems may develop.
That is why it is necessary to balance the diet with 80% meat, 10% bones, 5% liver 5% other organs. That's kind of a 'duh' of course a diet made entirely of meat and nothing else wouldn't be balanced.
Liver is often thought of as a "healthy" meat because it has a high level of Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that is stored by the body. And for humans who eat other things as well, it can be healthy. But when liver is fed to pets in excessive quantities over a period of time, Vitamin A toxicity can result. This can lead to improper bone development, lameness and bone decalcification.
Again, whereas liver is only 5% of the diet, I think you would have to eat a heck of a lot of liver to get Vitamin A toxicosis.
Raw meat carries the threat of bacteria and parasites, including salmonella. The risk of salmonellosis is always present when pets are fed raw meat diets. Certain species of tapeworm can be found in raw meat and passed on to a pet who ingests the meat.
Dogs systems are equipped to handle the bacteria. Clicky: Raw Food Myths Bacteria & the worms Raw Food Myths Parasites
Raw meat diets do not replicate the diets of dogs in the wild. While it's true that dogs consume muscle meat when they eat wild animals for survival, they also consume the bones, intestinal contents and internal organs, which come closer to providing a complete and balanced diet. Wild dogs are also known to eat grasses and other vegetable matter.
Wolves eat the stomach contents only when needed, most of the time they shake out the contents and eat the intestines.
Picture Proof
Clicky: Pictures Do Wolves eat stomach contents
& a report from someone who observed wolves eating:
Cicky: A day with the wolf pack
The truth is that good quality pet foods are backed by years of canine nutrition studies. They are the result of scientific studies by researchers in veterinary colleges and animal nutritionists in Animal Science programs and at reputable pet food manufacturers. They are also carefully processed to protect against salmonella or internal parasite infection.
Well seeing as how Iams/Eukanuba just recalled a whole bunch of their kibble because of Salmonella contamination....I don't trust that it is protected because it's processed. As well as there was a report where kids were getting Salmonella from the dogs kibble bowls.
When people eat, they combine meat with vegetables, fruits, breads and other foods to give them the balanced nutrition they need. If we were to eat one particular food consistently, chances are we would become malnourished or develop health problems. No single food or food group can provide all the nutrients we need in proper proportions.
I know VERY few people who do not offer a wide variety of meats for their dogs. I myself offer chicken, beef, turkey, fish, pork, mice, venison, buffalo.
low levels of calcium, a mineral our pets require for proper bone and tooth development. Calcium also plays an important role in blood clotting, muscle contraction and transmission of nerve impulses. But simply supplementing with calcium won't work. Mineral nutrients are interrelated. Calcium and phosphorus have a scientifically established relationship in the formation of bones and teeth, provided a proper balance is maintained. This balance is usually not present in meat. If large quantities of raw meat are fed over time, skeletal problems may develop.
That is why it is necessary to balance the diet with 80% meat, 10% bones, 5% liver 5% other organs. That's kind of a 'duh' of course a diet made entirely of meat and nothing else wouldn't be balanced.
Liver is often thought of as a "healthy" meat because it has a high level of Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that is stored by the body. And for humans who eat other things as well, it can be healthy. But when liver is fed to pets in excessive quantities over a period of time, Vitamin A toxicity can result. This can lead to improper bone development, lameness and bone decalcification.
Again, whereas liver is only 5% of the diet, I think you would have to eat a heck of a lot of liver to get Vitamin A toxicosis.
Raw meat carries the threat of bacteria and parasites, including salmonella. The risk of salmonellosis is always present when pets are fed raw meat diets. Certain species of tapeworm can be found in raw meat and passed on to a pet who ingests the meat.
Dogs systems are equipped to handle the bacteria. Clicky: Raw Food Myths Bacteria & the worms Raw Food Myths Parasites
Raw meat diets do not replicate the diets of dogs in the wild. While it's true that dogs consume muscle meat when they eat wild animals for survival, they also consume the bones, intestinal contents and internal organs, which come closer to providing a complete and balanced diet. Wild dogs are also known to eat grasses and other vegetable matter.
Wolves eat the stomach contents only when needed, most of the time they shake out the contents and eat the intestines.
Picture Proof
Clicky: Pictures Do Wolves eat stomach contents
& a report from someone who observed wolves eating:
Cicky: A day with the wolf pack
The truth is that good quality pet foods are backed by years of canine nutrition studies. They are the result of scientific studies by researchers in veterinary colleges and animal nutritionists in Animal Science programs and at reputable pet food manufacturers. They are also carefully processed to protect against salmonella or internal parasite infection.
Well seeing as how Iams/Eukanuba just recalled a whole bunch of their kibble because of Salmonella contamination....I don't trust that it is protected because it's processed. As well as there was a report where kids were getting Salmonella from the dogs kibble bowls.
When people eat, they combine meat with vegetables, fruits, breads and other foods to give them the balanced nutrition they need. If we were to eat one particular food consistently, chances are we would become malnourished or develop health problems. No single food or food group can provide all the nutrients we need in proper proportions.
I know VERY few people who do not offer a wide variety of meats for their dogs. I myself offer chicken, beef, turkey, fish, pork, mice, venison, buffalo.
& someone else's rebuttal: http://manteega.com/packlunch/articles/rebuttals/purinarebuttal.htm
Ugh. The fact that this "Dangers of Raw Feeding" article is published by Purina (barf) should be enough to discredit it immediately. Of course a huge company like Purina will attempt to scare people away from raw feeding--they want everyone to buy their lousy "food" instead!
ReplyDeleteBut... your response is great!