Hi all. I was surfing for more info on raw feeding when I stumbled across this site: http://www.secondchanceranch.com/training/raw_meat/index.html

I know that every alternative method has those who are vocal about disliking it but this one caused me some doubts about making the switch to raw. Has anyone read this before? Am I just a worry wort with too much time?

A link to this site has come up as a topic in the past. Click Here.

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A link to this site has come up as a topic in the past. Click Here.

Also, these specific concerns are addressed in this book (which has a lot of B.A.R.F. info for the beginner and the researcher), along with many other books of greater length and more detail:

Raw Dog Food - Make It Easy For You And Your Dog, by C. MacDonald

Chapter 3 answers the concerns cited in that essay and others. (From the web site http://www.raw-dogs.com/buy.html )

QUOTE: "Chapter 3: Myths, Fears and Anxieties
Yep, I had them all. Bacteria, bones, cost, time, mess, and the fear your dog will wither away without the Diet-in-a-Bag. And...why many people realize these concerns are largely unfounded.") END

I don't think you're silly to research for yourself. I sure did, and I found commonsense, non-hysterical answers to every concern I had seen raised. There are risks with every choice, including the risk (documented and more frequent than you might expect) of salmonella contamination in commercial kibble.

You can find answers without buying a book, too. These sites have good solid replies to those concerns, and there are many others. http://www.rawlearning.com/rawfaq.html
http://www.knowbetterdogfood.com/faq.php

Try Googling B.A.R.F. RISKS for specific Q and A.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Doh! I don't know what my malfunction is but I can't seem to make that search thingy work. I read the link, Thanks. Connie, you have the coolest links. I was weighing the risks of both feeding styles when I found that site. Musta been the moon phase or something made me more open to suggestion. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I'm still leaning heavily towards raw feeding though. Especially the more I read about genetically modified foods that get fed to us!

I've already switched my cats to raw and they're doing awesome! They've lost about 4 lbs (18.5 lbs & 17.5lbs starting weight) a piece and cleaning the litter box doesn't require a gas mask anymore. Their coats are better than when they were young (11 and 10 yrs old) and they don't shed as much. They used to puke daily and now it's a rare occurance with only hairballs. Cats aren't dogs though and I'm still learning.

Thanks again guys.

I feed my dogs RAW. I go to the store and buy a combo of, red meats, fish, chicken hearts, chicken gizerds, tripe(cow stoumch, chicen necks and backs, chicken feet, carrots, spinage, brocolli, cellery(sorry about spelling <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />, eggs, plain yogurt and cream cheese. Every thing gets has a weight and it is bag every bag the same. I put 1 days worth in the fridge and as I take them out I put frozen bags from the freezer to the fridge to unfreeze, like a restorant. I have been doing this for years and my dogs have gotton stronger, faster, more stamina, better coat and skin. Would you feed your kids fast food every day? Thats what bagged wal-mart food is like to dogs.

David.

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I feed my dogs RAW. I go to the store and buy a combo of, red meats, fish, chicken hearts, chicken gizerds, tripe(cow stoumch, chicen necks and backs, chicken feet, carrots, spinage, brocolli, cellery(sorry about spelling <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />, eggs, plain yogurt and cream cheese. David.

My own dog food shopping is pretty similar. Also, I manage with just the freezer in the 'fridge --- no big equipment purchase is needed for a dog or two. I'll PM you with a great site that walks you through the purchase, cutting, combining, everything.....which I know can seem daunting when you're just deciding. It's not.