I was talking to a GSD owner at the Club Yesterday morning regards Feeding Raw, He was a bit suprised saying that he did not think it good for the Dog,
I assured him the Pup looked well on it and i was happy feeding him that way. He then said what about Worms, he will need treating more often for worms being he is fed on a Raw diet he said to me
What is the Opinion of you People who have been feeding Raw a long Time and how often do you treat your dogs for worms

 Quote: Steve Patrick

He then said what about Worms, he will need treating more often for worms being he is fed on a Raw diet he said to me
What is the Opinion of you People who have been feeding Raw a long Time and how often do you treat your dogs for worms

Your dog may need to be wormed more regularly with raw feeding depending on a number of factors including what your dog is being fed, where/how it receives it's food and the general hygene standards you have for your dogs area.

I learned recently on another board for example that it's less of a worry when feeding farm raised foods (chicken, beef, lamb, pork etc.) as they themselves should have been treated regularly. The problem noted to me was that feeding raw animals which are wild (which you have caught etc.) obviously have a much higher risk of parasites as there has been no treatment regemin (unless they pop off to the vets for a tablet now and again :-) ) Something I had never given any thought...

I think Ed mentions here that he doesn't worry much about it and will drop a stool sample of at the vets for a parasite check BEFORE treating for worms.

John

Some non scientific data for you....

At my work, two dogs are on a high quality kibble, and two are raw fed. In the last two years both kibble dogs have had to be wormed (worms actually visable in stool), neither raw dog has been wormed and are doing fine. ( we are talking about adult dogs here, not pups)

Now I am not actually suggesting that there is any less likelyhood of a raw dog needing to be wormed, only saying that being fed a raw diet does not increase the need for worming. IF you are feeding human grade meat, and properly feezing appropriate wild game sources, I do not beleive that you will have any extra worming issues.

I have not wormed my dog in over two years, and will not unless I see reason to. I understand that there are vets and guidlines that say to worm adult dogs on a regular basis, but I personally do not. (I also will not vaccinate my dog again either so you can see where I am coming from)

It is my understanding that worming medication will only kill worms in the GI tract. If worms are being shed in fecals a wormer will get those too. Many adult dogs apparently have worms that their bodies can keep in check with a normal immune system and they are encapsulated in muscle tisssue and not able to be killed by worming medications anyways.

My experience only, I have not raw fed nearly as long as others here so maybe they will give their experience as well.

I also do annual worm fecal check just for sake but I have not had any problems with worms at all ,only in the puppies after weaning, they had worms but that's the norm and they certainly don't have that problem now.
I would simply bring in as stool for your vet once a year or twice a month if you need.

Jennifer, you have such cool photos...

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I also do annual worm fecal check just for sake but I have not had any problems with worms at all ,only in the puppies after weaning, they had worms but that's the norm and they certainly don't have that problem now.
I would simply bring in as stool for your vet once a year or twice a month if you need.

I am with you Angelique. I started to do an annual wellness check, (vet exam, blood work and fecal check) once a year, starting last fall. I think it is a good idea.

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Jennifer, you have such cool photos...

Thanks! Scenery pictures of just mountians can get pretty boring IMO especially because I just have a crappy digital camera. If it is just Farley and I out and about, he usually ends up in the pictures, along with the view! I don't have kids so my camera gets lots of doggy time, and I have the time to take the pics!

Are you on a heartworm preventative, they have worm control in them. I'd think dog would more likely pick up worms from dirt outside and walks than from the raw food.

Not sure if you are addressing me or just hit the reply button on my last post, but my dog is not on a heartworm medication, as heartworm is not prevelent in my area. (cold nights)