Did anyone read the study published by the JAAHA, relative to feeding a raw diet? The journal stated ".......While raw food diets are becoming increasingly popular among pet owners, there is a growing body of information showing that these diets pose a health risk not only for the pets that consume them but thier owners as well".....

Further information on the study can be seen at http://www.healthypet.com

I know there are a lot of people that feed and discuss raw diets, I was just curious as the reaction of those that follow this feeding program.

DFrost

Can you post a more direct link to the study?

Don't think that study is actually that new...at least this has been discussed on several lists a bit ago.

All I can really do is say or express things from my own personal experiences. Been feeding raw/natural for almsot 9 yrs. I have 6 dogs, (2 that have died that were fed raw (not from eathing the diet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ...one was 13 1/2, the other just missed his 12th birthday). I have brought up litters on raw with no problems and in fact again..the opposite. (wrote an article for health magazine on my experiences with one bottle fed litter. 1/2 was weaned onto raw, the other 1/2 kibble. Quite a bit of difference.) It has not posed any health risks to my dogs and in fact I can give you example after example around the opposite.

As far as health risks to family. Yes, there can be risks with raw meat...but it would make no difference if this was my dogs meat or my own meat for my consumption. You take whatever precautions around children as needed. THe biggest issue is salmonella/e-coli that the 'vet' community states time after time. Never had a case of either with my dogs or myself or anyone else in my house. Both are also found in kibble, veggies etc.

At this point, very little could convince me to feed anything but raw. My experiences speak for themselves. If what they say really can be or is as comman as they say...one would have thought I would have experienced SOMETHING over all the years I have been feeding it.

I am not denying anything. I can't pretend I had a problem if I haven't. I could have gone into a lot of detail but didn't think it was worth getting into. Perhaps I should have been more specific..my mistake.

TO put it quite simply as you have done.

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I don't deny those risks, but the benefits I derive out weigh those risks for me.

Ditto.

There is just as much risk (and in my opinion a higher one) feeding kibble to my dogs.

I have heard, listened,read both sides of the issue. I have also fed kibble and fed raw. (have had dogs for over 25 yrs.) My experience tells me that my choice is the best one for me and my dogs.

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far greater than with either kibble or vegtables. It is not just the presence of bacteria that is a causitive factor, but also the number and viability of those organisms.

Well, if we had the time and expertise that could be argued. If we only knew the number and viability of organisms on our veggies...I think we would be shocked. We have had multiple recalls on many "batches" of veggies due to some of these here in my area which is full of greenhouses. Water used to water our veggies in the winter months is from the ditches. Much of the manure from farms is in the ditches and water they are using to water. Just sat in an agrilcutural lecture on the whole issue.

We could go on and on. The first post asked how those who feed raw reacted to the article. DOesn't change anything for me.

OK you two. . .lets drift back over to the topic of the study and comments relating to IT. . .shall we?


Can someone post a link to it for the sweet love of Hesus? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Well this has been a burning topic with vets, owners, breeders etc... I have just recently switched to raw and am very glad I did. Yes maybe there are some risks but when your dog had the problems mine did and all that is offered is chemicals and steroids to eliminate it I would choose and take the possiable risk to feed the way I am now. Life in general is a risk, you walk out the door and could get hit by a truck does that mean it's going to happen? You have to remember that the pet food industry is one of the biggest money makers out there and they are the ones that fund most of these studies just like the drug companys where vaccines are concerened. There are no big money co-ops funding raw studies or other backers funding extensive studies on vaccines does that mean that the fact does not exist for using more natural means of caring for you dog? No. It just means there is not as much financial and political backing to prove their case. I guess it boils down to this read what you want do as you please but keep your dogs health your top priority just like you should with feeding and health care for your family.

I think the full article can be reached under Pet Care Library, at the very top it says "read the latest edition of the Pet Planet Newsletter," click on that and it will take you the the article.

DFrost

On the home page click on "Pet Care Library" (on the left).
Then click on "Read the latest monthly edition of Pet Planet newsletter".
The article also mentions the risk to cats as well (not that I have one).
I am very happy with feeding my 10 year old dog the raw diet. In almost a year of feeding this diet we've had no problems, and I switched cold turkey (pardon the pun) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
My next puppy will be raised on the raw diet.
BTW, where else can you get a 45lb. box of dog food (box of raw chicken wingtips) for $2? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Thanks to this board and Ed Frawley for turning me on to the diet and opening my eyes to a new way of feeding my dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

OK, Here is your direct link:
Article

I found the article vague, to say the least. We are always under the threat of salmonella poisoning, whether your a pet owner or not, raw feeder or kibble.

What I do find amusing is that the anti-raw advocates always defend that a proper case study has not been done to statistically prove the effects, despite the testimonials of thousands of pet owners. However this case study consisted of TWO, count them, TWO cats. Hmmmm.....

On another note, lets stick to the present. Back when our grandparents and even our parents (for the baby boomers) were smoking, the cigarettes were not loaded with all the chemicals they are now. (and within the last year, I personally know many, many people suddenly diagnosed with cancer, all smokers). This may be going way off subject, but in this context we have to look at the bigger picture. The amount of chemicals being used for EVERYTHING nowadays is frightening. And the more I learn about rendering plants and what goes in them, the more it concerns me. It not only affects our pet foods, it affects us. I wonder if they would ever do a case study on beef cattle and the possible health problems they would experience if they were allowed to live long enough.

Pet foods are changing, they are not what they were 30 or even 15 years ago (when they might have been half decent). The quality of the food now has to be considered. All the arguments about everyone's healthy pets 15-20 years ago shouldn't be used as a pro-kibble argument. It's about the PRESENT!

Anyone see the expose on 20/20 about Teflon poisoning? Save yourself and your animals and get rid of your non-stick pans! Do a google search on that! See, the list goes on.

On another note, I've just spent over $400.00 for a bladder stone removal on one of my cats, which was most likely caused by the kibble diet (after extensive research, Wellness food too!) I am sooo done with kibble!

I'm a newbie to the raw diet, my GSD was weaned on it and has remained on it for 17 months now. She has not had any complications, other than a lump from a rabies vaccination <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> and has all the typical signs people boast on, shiny coat, clean ears, white, white teeth, bright eyes, zounds of energy, ect...ect...My last GSD, kibble fed, had all the negative problems, dull coat, bad ears, plaque buildup, bad skin, hairess elbows and died of bloat. I did (what I thought) was the best I could for her.

Also found it interesting how the article directs pet owners to consult with their vet about their pets'diet. A plug for Science Diet?

This is my rant. I know that a lot of folks are happy with their pet food and if it works for them, wonderful! Personally, I prefer raw...and all of it's risks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />