http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html

Crap. I really am thinking that raw might be the way to go. Errggghh.

 Quote: david eagle

Crap. I really am thinking that raw might be the way to go. Errggghh.

No "Errggghh" about it - raw IS the way to go!

But Jan...I'm lazy. And I don't even know where to start. I guess I need to suck it up and buy those books. Noahs health is worth it. Cute little bugger that he is.

Do a 'Search' right here; read everything; and we'll hear from you sometime in November...

Seriously, everything you want to know is right here. I can't think of one question that hasn't been answered. Besides, we have so many here who feed raw that you will never be without help.

Come on - take the leap; we'll catch you.

What is really scary is that if you don't check the FDA site or have them email you with the daily recall alerts then you wouldn't know about any of this unless and until it sickens or kills a large number of animals (or people!).

Sheesh...look at all the stuff on the list!

What is not on there: In my paper today there is a notice of a dog treat recall, chicken Jerky strips sold at walmart that contain melamine. Either Chicken Jerky Strips made by Pingyang Pet Product Company or Chicken Jerky from Shanghai Bistro Trading. People reported these treats sickened their pets.

I actually heard about that on the radio. But it's a voluntary recall from Wal-Mart, not an "FDA Recall". I already only use meat-jerky treats made in the US for him. They're meat and garlic essentially. We're trying to use good Kibble, too, but I know I still don't have control over the kibble manufacturers. Raw is the only way I'll really have control over what my dog eats, I guess.

I'm not sure that going raw is always the right choice for everyone. Feeding a nutritionally sufficient raw diet can be hard for anyone, it takes time and thought. For those that have busy lives, that's not always possible. If you go about it half-assed, the dog suffers.

I'm a big fan of Innova products. I've been feeding my 2 year old GSD a diet of "Innova Evo: Ancestral Diet" and "Oma's Pride" meat/veggie mixture. The Innova Evo contains no grain fillers and is 95% pure beef, it's as close to raw diet as you can get without actually doing it. If you do research on Innova you can see they're a reputable, ethical, good intentioned producer of "bagged" and "canned" dog food.

There are companies out there manufacturing "bagged" dog food who have good intentions. Sometimes it can be a mistake to take all that nutritional research and studying those ethical companies have done and just throw it out the window.

I personally would never feed my dog Puppy Chow or any of those other cheap quality ingredient dog foods. My dog's vet, whose been practicing veterinary medicine for over 35 years, is quick to point out that he's seen more old, healthy and happy dogs than he can count, that were raised on Puppy Chow. He's not advocating for it, simply pointing out a known fact.

-KYLE