Is raw really that much better?

I was comparing the brand I use (Smack Prairie Harvest Pork) with the Primal Rabbit...not many differences...Smack is 27% fat and Primal is 28%, Smack has 6% carbs Primal Rabbit 3% carbs...main difference I see is that 3rd ingredient in this flavour of Smack is pumpkin (high on list means there's more of it in there). I'd suggest maybe add some pumpkin (at least 1/4 c per day) until she gets used to the food.
My guys get the Smack 3 days a week for 1 meal but they've never had diarrhea from it.
 
DianeP said:
I’m thinking maybe that’s the way to go with Mindy: not everyday.
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I feed my boys raw beside the Smack...they really have perfect poops. In fact neither one has had diarrhea in almost 3 years. I started them on the Smack because when going to a dog show it wasn't always easy to store the raw. I belong to a raw feeding group as well and I'm able to get hormone free free range meat at more reasonable prices. I also have an extra freezer lol.
You could check out Rodney Habib, Planet Paws I think his website is. He has some recipes for small batches of balanced raw meals.
 
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DianeP said:
I’m thinking maybe that’s the way to go with Mindy: not everyday.
Click to expand...
I came across this recipe I'd done a screenshot of and thought I'd share it with you. It makes only 1 pound so it would be a good recipe to try for beginners.
There's no instructions but everything gets mixed together (use food processor to break up egg shell, pulse broccoli, pepper and spinach) and purée liver.
I've made this recipe but a larger version of it at times when I feel like switching it up for the dogs.
 
I can't find much in the way of scientific support for a raw diet. Almost all the claims for benefits come from anecdotal observations and not studies. There are well-documented risks of bacterial infections. It is studies like the one I've linked to below that convince me the risks are greater than the rewards. Dogs live longer now, in fact, the average life span increased from 10.5 to 11.8 from 2002 to 2016 and I attribute this to better nutrition and advances in vet science to tackle health issues.

Anyway, here's a review on the topic published in The Journal of Small Animal Practice.
https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jsap.13000
 
GlennR said:
I can't find much in the way of scientific support for a raw diet. Almost all the claims for benefits come from anecdotal observations and not studies. There are well-documented risks of bacterial infections. It is studies like the one I've linked to below that convince me the risks are greater than the rewards. Dogs live longer now, in fact, the average life span increased from 10.5 to 11.8 from 2002 to 2016 and I attribute this to better nutrition and advances in vet science to tackle health issues.

Anyway, here's a review on the topic published in The Journal of Small Animal Practice.
https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jsap.13000
Click to expand...
Well I must say that after 4 years of feeding raw to Piper there has been ZERO bacteria infection (in fact the dogs gut pretty much destroys everything) and his yearly bloodwork last spring he was in excellent health. The amount of diarrhea since he’s been on raw has been almost non existent and he has perfect poops and zero anal gland issues. I think I’ll stick with it but of course it is a personal choice.
 
I can't feed raw...being a cancer patient with immune issues, my vet (who feeds raw) said I shouldn't even consider it. My compromise has been to home cook my dogs' food in consultation with a nutrition specialist who gave me recipes and a list of the supplements I'd need to make it complete. I don't do it for all five dogs, but the others get freeze-dried food to supplement the home cooked.

As Lisa said, it's a personal choice, whether for us or our dogs. We all do what we can with the best information we can find for our dogs, and us too!
 
Hanne said:
Diana P - since my English is not so good,
I may have overlooked something.:wink2:

Why not feed a diet that is good for a "sensitive stomach"
so Mindy can calm down and avoid
these unpleasant stomach problems. ??

"A happy stomach gives a happy dog" :lol:
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I believe Diane has Mindy on a kibble for a sensitive stomach. I think this thread is several months old.
 
So I have overlooked something :winkgrin:

Lisa - it was Glenn who lured me :ROFLMAO: - I just jumped in with both legs :ROFLMAO:
So glad to read "Mindy on a kibble for a sensitive stomach" :hide
 
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