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Research Review: Raw Dog Food, Raw Cat Food

June 28th, 2011

In the past, Dog Food Dish has covered The Case for Feeding Raw, The Case Against Feeding Raw, Raw Feeding Logistics as well as a bunch of Q&As with K9Cuisine.com community members who feed homemade, raw food to their dogs and cats. Today, I’m happy to share with you a few details from a recently published veterinary medical journal article that reviews and assesses the existing research into raw food diets in companion animals.

Published in January 2011 by the Canadian Veterinary Journal (vol 52, pages 50-54), the review article abstract begins:

“Feeding of raw meat-based diets to pets has become an increasingly popular trend amongst pet owners. Owners, who desire to provide the best for their pets, seek veterinary opinions about food options. This paper reviews and applies standards of evidence-based medicine to grade the available scientific literature that addresses the nutritional benefits or risks, infectious disease risks, and public health implications of raw, meat-based pet diets. Although there is a lack of large cohort studies to evaluate the risk or benefit of raw meat based diets fed to pets, there is enough evidence to compel veterinarians to discuss human health implications of those diets with owners.”

Broad Recap of Raw Pet  Food Studies Noted

After explaining the various kinds of research out there and its relative level of evidence, the review article goes on to recap studies the authors found and considered. On this scale (1-5), those with lower level numbers carry more scientific weight based on a variety of factors. This graphic and page from Dartmouth University explains what evidence-based medicine means.

Evidence of Nutritional Benefit

Level 4 evidence of nutritional benefit ( ~98% of pet owners reporting “healthy” dogs and cats)

Level 5 evidence of nutritional benefit (the Prochaska and Piekutowski paper noting increased bioavailablity of raw food) … except another study in people showed cardiovascular risks of raw (non-meat) diets due to Vitamin B12 deficiency

Evidence of Nutritional Risks

Level 4 evidence of nutritional risks, including:

• Too much Vitamin A in cats fed raw pork liver
• Feline pancreatitis in cats (usually related to too much fat in the diet) fed cooked pig brain or raw or cooked oily fish
• Poor bone development in two litters of 6-week-old, large-breed puppies (fed raw since week 3)
• Excessive thyroid hormone production in a some members (not all) of litter of German shepherd puppies (eating 80% rice with 20% raw meat, with excessive phosphorus)
• Commercial and homemade diet analysis showing low calcium and phosophorus in three of five diets measures
• Commercial and homemade diet analysis showing two of the five deficient in potassium, magnesium, and zinc

Evidence of Infectious Disease Risks

Level 2 and 3 evidence of infectious disease “risks” to pet or humans sharing their environment, including:

• 6% of raw pet foods testing positive for Salmonella
• 50% of raw pet foods testing positive for Escherichia coli
• 80% of raw chicken diets testing positive for Salmonella (some pets on this diet shedding Salmonella in stools up to 1-7 days after consumption)

While the authors note some antimicrobial resistance and some cases of animal and human illness, they go on to say, “Few studies document that Salmonella shedding by dogs or cats can result in illness in humans.”

Yet, there is more Level 4 evidence that Salmonella, in particular, is indeed found in many raw pet diets, so they say, “As there appears to e strong evidence that raw food can contain Salmonella, it is vitally important, if feeding a raw meat diet to a pet, that hygiene of the food preparations area and the feeding bowls be diligently maintained. This may, however, be difficult to achieve. A recent study found that standard methods of cleaning and disinfecting food bowls were minimally effective at eliminating Salmonella. This included soaking with bleach and cleaning in the dishwasher.”

Study Conclusion

The authors ultimately conclude that at this point, looking at the research that currently exists, “Clearly, there is some compelling evidence suggesting that raw food diets may be a theoretical risk nutritionally. In addition, raw food poses a substantial risk of infectious disease to the pet, the pet’s environment, and the humans in the household. What is lacking, however, is level 1 evidence from randomized controlled trials or strong level 2 evidence from large cohort studies to evaluate risks or benefits of raw meat diets in pets.”

***

I know this post is much more technical than usual, so holler if you have questions, and I’ll do my best to answer. I have not read all 42 references cited in the footnotes. It’s actually quite hard (an expensive) at times to get copies of scientific journal articles.

I had the chance to attend the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in Denver a couple weeks ago, and I planned to attend a session called “Raw Food Diets: A Research Review,” but the presenter ended up super sick and could not do the session, so it got cancelled.

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Tags: raw cat food, raw dog food, raw pet food, raw pet food research
Posted in Dog Food Basics, Dog Food Debates, Dog Health, K9 Nutrition | 5 Comments »

Homemade Cat Food: Raw or Cooked

March 22nd, 2011

This is the fourth post in our series of Q&As with people who make their own pet food. This week, at long last, a blog post for our feline-loving friends. Hilda Brucker is a fellow freelance writer living in Atlanta, Georgia. She reports that she has lived with at least one cat continuously since age 12 and that she can’t imagine life without cats.

Hilda writes many heavily-researched health articles as well as a popular gardening blog.

QUESTION: Tell us about your cats.

Serena, photo borrowed from Hilda Brucker

Serena:
Serena is a 16-year old, gray and white shorthair that I’ve had since she was a kitten. She’s the most “talky” kitty I’ve ever known and has a wide range of vocalizations – along with an uncanny ability to communicate to me what she wants/needs at the moment. Serena used to spend time outdoors but is now an indoor only cat. She’s a very cuddly lap-cat that just adores people. And she’s an amazingly good companion, without the aloofness that cats are famous for.

Hannah:
Hannah is about 18 months old, at my best guess. She’s a gorgeous, green-eyed, gray cat with longer than average hair and a gloriously bushy tail. I trapped her as a feral kitten when she was about 12 weeks old and taming her has been a challenge. She now likes to be brushed and petted, but is still averse to being held.

QUESTION: Why and when did you switch to homemade (non-commercial) cat food?
About a year ago, I began to worry that Serena might be diabetic (she’s a bit overweight and was drinking enormous amounts of water). This turned out not to be the case, fortunately, but while waiting for test results I started researching feline nutrition, thinking I might end up needing to control diabetes through diet.

I was shocked to learn how unhealthy most commercial cat food is and realized for the first time that my regular dry cat food was corn-based. I mean, the first two or three ingredients were corn products! I learned that cats need high-protein and low-carb diets, and that ideally less than 10% of their calories should come from carbs. This means dry foods are especially unhealthy because of their high carb content.

Hannah, photo borrowed from Hilda Brucker

So I switched to canned food, which is better than dry, but still not ideal, and I also began making cat food at home. Serena was too old to make the switch to raw, so I cooked her food. Hannah, with her feral past, was only too happy to eat a raw diet. I now use a combination of homemade food and certain varieties of canned food that seem to be relatively low-carb.

QUESTION: How did you develop your method homemade cat food recipe, including if you feed fruits/veggies, other carbs and/or supplements?
The raw-diet purists will tell you that the best ingredients are chicken and rabbit because this most closely mimics the bird and small mammal diet that feral cats would be eating on their own. But I use lots of pork, which makes me pretty controversial.

Rather than experiment on my kitties by inventing my own recipe, I relied on the experience and wisdom of Lisa Pierson, a vet who’s generously shared her insights in her website. Dr. Pierson seems to be the go-to expert on cat nutrition and raw diets.

When I started out, I didn’t want to invest in a heavy-duty grinder that could handle bones. (Bones are an essential source of calcium.) Again, the purists typically grind up whole carcasses of chicken or rabbit (headless, of course, the way you’d buy a roasting chicken). That way the cats get the whole thing – skin, bones, meat, and organs, the same way they’d eat on their own.

Since I wasn’t grinding bone, I had to use supplemental calcium. I did some research online and ended up going with a powdered supplement that not only contains calcium, but a few other nutrients that might be naturally low in an all meat diet. I also learned that all homemade cat food must include liver, as this is the only source of vitamin A that isn’t plant-based.

Basically, I buy either ground pork, ground turkey, inexpensive pork roasts, or boneless chicken parts that are on sale. The ground pork is easy; I just add the powdered supplement mix, raw liver, and water and stir, and I have a raw diet.

With raw chicken parts, I often submerge them in boiling water for a minute or two, to kill surface bacteria. Otherwise, I might be grinding it into the meat.

With larger cuts of meat, I had to develop my own method of grinding, using a small, inexpensive, electric food grinder. I cut up the chicken or pork into smallish chunks, using kitchen scissors. Then I add a few chunks at a time to the chopper and run it on high until the meat is finely shredded, and continue until it’s all ground. I also run the raw liver through the chopper, and it ends up pureed.

For Serena’s cooked food, the process is the same, except I’ve cooked the chunks of meat by boiling it for a few minutes.

I don’t experiment with the proportions of meat, liver, and powdered supplement I use – I follow the recipe provided by the supplement maker pretty much exactly.

I don’t use any grains or vegetables and never will. These are not healthy ingredients for obligate carnivores, despite the so-called premium cat food brands that proudly tout the yams or oatmeal that their food contains.

QUESTION: Describe your time commitment/costs.
Because I’m not a fanatic who will only feed raw or homemade food to my pets, I don’t have to stress out over time or money. If I’m too busy (or broke) to make cat food, then I use premium canned foods.

Time-wise, it helps to make a large batch at a time and freeze it in portion-sized containers. You spend less time overall with set-up and clean-up this way. But I don’t mind the process and can even enjoy doing it, so it doesn’t feel like a chore.

There’s no doubt that this process is expensive. I’m always looking for sales on chicken and pork, and try to stay as close to two dollars a pound as possible (a little more is okay for pork roasts that have a bone). I’ve also found a discount grocery that sells one-pound rolls of ground, frozen turkey for $1.19, although the purists cringe would probably frown on using frozen meat.

The powdered mix is also not cheap, but I buy it in bulk.

QUESTION: What’s your best advice for those wanting to feed homemade cat food?
Start small. Research the topic to death. Don’t use “recipes” you find online, especially if they contain vegetables or pasta. Remember, raw meat has to be accompanied by a calcium source and by liver for Vitamin A.

Also, be clear on the reasons you’re wanting to do this. And don’t let the hard-core purists tell you their reasons are the only right reasons.

If it isn’t right for you, don’t feel guilty. But do stop feeding dry food and switch to canned foods that are low-carb. (Read the ingredients. And remember that by-products are okay; grain and veggies are not!)

QUESTION: What homemade cat food resources would you recommended?

http://www.catinfo.org/?link=makingcatfood – Dr. Lisa Pierson’s website, where she shares techniques and recipes, as well as her experiences and insights. At the very least, she’ll convince you to stay away from dry cat food.

http://binkyspage.tripod.com/CanFoodNew.html – a nutritional analysis of some major cat food brands (somewhat out of date).

www.felinefuture.com – a supplier of powdered pre-mix for making cat food. Lots of good information.

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Tags: cat nutrition, feline nutrition, home-cooked cat food, homemade cat food, homemade pet food, obligate carnivores, raw cat food
Posted in Cat Food Basics, Cat Food Debates, Cat Food News, Feline Nutrition | 1 Comment »

Feeding Both Raw and Kibble/Canned Pet Food

January 19th, 2011

When I first took a stab at answering some of the most common questions about feeding pets a raw diet, I passed along the consensus I heard from raw-feeding friends that most do NOT mix raw pet foods with dry pet foods (kibble) because of concern that they digest at different rates.

That answer, however, led to more questions.

In the comments to 5 Questions About Raw Pet Food Logistics, Greg Lucas said, “I never see any comparison between high quality canned food, like Nature’s Variety grain-free Instinct, and raw. The comparisons are always between kibbles, usually the very worst quality kibbles that are filled with grains, and raw food.

“And there’s always info available on making sure that there is at least 4 to 6 hours between kibble meals and raw meals. But what about the time between an Instinct canned food meal and a Stella and Chewy’s freeze dried meal, for instance?

“The two foods I use are Instinct canned food for the evening meal, and Stella and Chewy’s freeze dried for the morning meal.

“Also some freeze dried raw like Stella and Chewy’s is considered to be a complete balanced meal that can be the main daily diet long term for a dog. But other freeze dried food, like by Nature’s Variety is only supplemental.

“I wonder if pathogen-free raw needs the same time between canned or kibble meals as there would be for a grocery store Raw Meaty Bone meal that has not been subjected to the hydro high pressure techniques used by some companies.”

Seeking Answers

I have to thank Jill Gainer (Nature’s Variety brand director) to taking on the question and Laura Duclos, PhD, (Nature’s Variety director of research and development) for not just answering the basic question but instead writing entire article on the science behind her answer.

Her short answer is: It is perfectly OK to mix raw. People have been mixing kibble with raw or cans for a long time with no negative effects.

And, now … the full answer.

To Mix or Not to Mix?  That is the Question…

By Laura Duclos, PhD

There are various opinions being expressed on the internet and among professionals regarding the practice of mixing raw with kibble.  Some advocate mixing while many others contend raw should be fed separately.  While there is little scientific evidence dealing directly with this topic, there is a lot of information and published papers discussing animal digestion and physiology.  We know a lot about what influences gastric emptying and residence time.

The primary reason many don’t feel it is okay to mix raw with kibble has to do with digestion rates, arguing that kibble is digested more slowly and would prevent raw from emptying into the intestinal tract.  One could argue that there are many pet parents that mix kibble and canned and many pet food companies that have been selling “mixers” or “toppers” for years, so the different digestive rates must not be the main reason for suggesting owners do not mix.  The main reason seems to be the fear that raw food, if not allowed to leave the stomach quickly, will somehow “rot” inside the stomach or that nutrients in the raw will not be absorbed properly.

If the raw lingers in the stomach, can the bacteria in raw meat actually proliferate and cause disease?  Can slowed gastric emptying actually impair nutrient uptake?  At present, there is no scientific evidence that supports or refutes this theory.  What we do know is that the canine and feline digestive tract is designed to handle raw meat, even fermented or partially spoiled meat.  More importantly, canines are known scavengers and will eat a variety of foods, not just raw meat.  But just to be sure, and to provide pet parents with safe food for their pet, Nature’s Variety pasteurizes and pathogen tests the raw and freeze-dried foods, virtually eliminating the risk of food borne illness from raw food.

The following sections provide more detail about digestion, gastric emptying, and nutrient absorption relative to canines and felines.

The Basic Process of Digestion
The digestive tract begins in the mouth; chewing reduces food particle size and mixes the food with salivary enzymes that begin to breakdown carbohydrates.  Once swallowed, the chewed food enters the stomach where it mixes with strong acids, mucus, and proteases (enzymes that break down proteins).  The stomach mixes and churns the food, reducing it to a slurry.  If the slurry is the right acidity, viscosity, and particle size, the pyloric sphincter (a muscular ring-like valve) opens and the food enters the small intestine where fats and carbohydrates are broken down.  The small intestine is the site of more enzymatic digestion and finally, nutrient absorption.

The digestive process is a catabolic event meaning that fat, carbohydrates, and proteins are broken down into smaller constituents which are absorbed and used by the body to provide energy or build new tissues in a process called anabolism.  The process may appear simple, but digestion is really a complex interaction of mechanical and chemical processes under hormonal control.  In addition to physiological controls, the type of food ingested and its chemical composition influence digestion.

Factors That Affect Gastric Emptying
In general, moisture content and particle size will drive gastric emptying; small particles will exit the stomach faster than solids or large particles because liquids and small particles are more quickly turned to a slurry.  However, that is where generalities stop.  We cannot definitely say canned food exits the stomach faster than kibble since food composition and hormonal controls play a large role in how quickly the stomach can make the slurry.

The amount of fiber, fat and protein will either increase or decrease gastric emptying independently of the food’s moisture content.

• High fat diets typically neutralize stomach acids and delay emptying.
• High soluble fiber diets will act like a sponge, reducing the amount of liquid and increasing the length of time food remains in the stomach.
• Protein digestion begins in the stomach, so diets high in protein will tend to linger in the stomach giving the proteases more time to breakdown the proteins.

Lastly, meal size and emotional status of the animal can influence gastric emptying.  The stomach needs to properly mix the food before it can empty; large meals fill-up the stomach and impede thorough mixing.  Mixing of the stomach contents along with gastric secretions such as acids, mucus, and enzymes, is controlled by a complex series of nerve impulses and hormone releases.  Animals that are stressed, anxious, or have an endocrine disorder may have delayed or even increased gastric emptying.

Nutrient Absorption and Utilization
The goal of digestion is to release nutrients locked in food.  Absorption is the process of the gathering those nutrients, shuttling them from the GI tract into the body where they are used for energy and tissue growth.  The stomach and small intestine are the major sites of digestion.  The stomach does not absorb nutrients; it releases them from the food matrix.  The longer food spends in the stomach, the greater the amount of breakdown.  The entire small intestine is the site of nutrient absorption, not the stomach. Nutrients released from the food are absorbed though the intestinal wall into the bloodstream.  The speed of food flowing though the intestine will impact the amount of nutrients that can be absorbed.  Fast moving nutrients may not be completely utilized.

Summary
Mixing raw with kibble or canned with kibble are common feeding practices that have been practiced for years without negative effects. Mixing raw with kibble does not lead to an increased risk of bacterial disease nor does it impair nutrient utilization.  While mixing may influence the length of time food remains in the stomach, rates of gastric emptying cannot be broadly applied to categories of food such as “wet” or “dry.”  Emptying depends on many factors, not just the amount of moisture in the food such that if two foods are mixed, the resulting emptying rate is not simply the result of adding the two rates together.  Food interacts with other physiological processes.

Dogs and cats thrive on a diet of raw meat.  Many pet parents are beginning to understand the transformational benefits and have begun offering their pets raw food.  But raw has inherent challenges, so for some pet parents, feeding exclusively raw may not be financially feasible or fit into their lifestyle.  We believe that feeding any amount of raw, even as a topper on kibble is better than not feeding raw at all.  But it is critical that the raw food is Complete and Balanced.  Nature’s Variety Instinct brand is the first and only line of raw pet foods to offer a variety of flavors that have passed AAFCO feeding trials, ensuring complete and balanced nutrition for dogs and cats.  Our raw diets are made from quality ingredients, supply 100% natural nutrition, and are produced safely in our own facility; each batch is tested for pathogens prior to sale.  Mixing Nature’s Variety raw with kibble using a rotation diet is a great way to feed raw food so that your pet can receive the benefits of raw while still providing convenience and cost-effectiveness for the pet parent.  At Nature’s Variety, we believe in offering a variety of nutritional options to help transform the lives of pets.

References

• Bourreau, J., D. Hernot, et al. (2004). “Gastric emptying rate is inversely related to body weight in dog breeds of different sizes.” Journal of Nutrition 134: 2039S-2041S.
• Case, L., D. Carey, et al. (2000). Canine and Feline Nutrition: a resource for companion animal professionals. St. Louis, MO, Mosby, Inc.
• Ehrlein, H.-J. and J. Prove (1982). “Effect of viscosity of test meals on gastric emptying.” The Physiological Society.
• Hand, M. S., C. D. Thatcher, et al., Eds. (2000). Small Animal Clinical Nutrition. Topeka, KS, Mark Morris Institute.
• Itoh, T., T. Higuchi, et al. (1986). “Effect of particle size and food on gastric residence time of non-disintegrating solids in beagle dogs.” Journal of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmacology 38(11): 801-806.
• Keinke, O., M. Schemann, et al. (1984). “Mechanical factors regulating gastric emptying of viscous nutrient meals in dogs.” Quarterly Journal of Experimental Physiology 69: 781-795.
• Miyabayashi, T. and J. Morgan (1984). “Gastric emptying in the normal dog.” Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound 25(4): 187-191.
• Russel, J. and P. Bass (1985). “Canine gastric emptying of fiber meals: influence of meal viscosity and antroduodenal motility.” American Journal of Physiology 249(6 pt 1): G662-667.

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Tags: canned cat food, canned dog food, dry cat food, dry dog food, feeding raw, raw cat food, raw dog food, raw meaty bones, raw pet food
Posted in Dog Food Basics, Dog Food Debates, Dog Health, K9 Nutrition | 3 Comments »

5 Questions about Raw Pet Food Logistics

August 25th, 2010

We’ve spent the month of August 2010 talking about various aspects of the raw pet food debate. Today, I’d like to address some of the questions and logistics that most often crop up.

A few weeks ago, I even put the question out on Twitter and asked for followers outside the intense dog world what questions they have about feeding pets a raw diet.

Question #1: How do you maintain food safety?

Other than the BIG question — Why feed raw? — I suspect this is the second-most asked question. And, that’s no surprise since it is a major concern for those who aren’t keen on feeding pets raw food.

So, I called a dog agility friend of mine here in Colorado who is an independent distributor of a frozen raw food, and I asked her how to keep things safe.

Essentially, she told me … you just have to treat raw pet food with the same kitchen safety practices as you would raw food you take out of the fridge or freezer for yourself and your human family. In many cases, the raw food is indeed “human grade.”

“Raw food is raw food,” she told me, “It’s all the same.”

So, what do raw food safety practices look like?

• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and immediately after handling raw food.
• Immediately and thoroughly wash all plates, bowls, utensils used.
• Use an entirely separate set of kitchenware for your food and your pet’s food.

For tips on how long raw foods last in the fridge and other food safety matters, check out this food safety page from the USDA.

Question #2: Is it hard to switch a pet who has been fed raw food back to kibble or canned food, if that becomes necessarily for some reason?

The answer is that it really depends on the pet. Some make the shift no problem. Others become fussy about texture or develop some tummy troubles during the change-over.

Question #3: What about bones? Can pets really eat actual bones?

My pal explained that this is really a matter of personal preference. Her dogs (several Labs and an Australian Shepherd) do eat some non-weight-bearing bones — like necks, kneecaps, etc. But, she does not feed them things like thigh bones and other weight-bearing bones due to concerns over chipped teeth and intestinal blockages. (Her big male lab ended up with a blockage not long ago and needed emergency surgery.)

Other people, however, do feed their pets these bigger bones. (I’d love for some of our raw feeding readers to comment on this.)

Question #4: Can you feed both raw food and some sort of kibble?

Yes. And, many people do. The challenge is that dry pet foods and raw pet foods digest at different rates, so if you’re going to feed both, the recommendation is that you do NOT feed both at the same meal.

It’s common for people to feed kibble in the morning and raw in the evening.

Question $5: What else do pets on raw diets eat?

It is common for pets on raw diets to get a regular rotation of raw meats. We’re talking everything from chicken and beef to quail and rabbit. You can even find bison, llama, and ostrich meat, if you so choose.

In addition to the raw food, pets often get fruits and vegetables for variety. Just be sure to avoid things like avocado, grapes, and raisins … which are toxic to pets.

***

Feel free to add any questions or answers. We’d love your participation in this discussion.

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Tags: food safety, pet nutrition, raw cat food, raw dog food, raw food safety, raw pet food, refridgeration
Posted in Dog Food Debates, K9 Nutrition | 4 Comments »

Raw Pet Food: My Thoughts

August 18th, 2010

In the last couple of weeks, Dog Food Dish posted The Case for Feeding Raw and The Case Against Feeding Raw. I tried to give a fair overview of both sides of this debate. So, you might be wondering exactly where I stand on the issue.

I’m smack dab in the middle. I see valid elements on both sides of the debate. And, honestly, I just don’t think feeding RAW is nearly as controversial or “fringe” as it used to seem.

I’ve been writing about pet topics and veterinary medicine since 1995, when I was on staff at the American Animal Hospital Association. And, I when I first wrote about feeding raw diets for one of their veterinary trade magazines, it seemed pretty “out there.”

My Pet Parent Friends

Today, I have many, many friends — terrific, committed, well-educated people — who feed their pets raw. I’ve seen dogs come off the agility course and get raw chicken necks or whole feeder rabbits as their reward.

It makes me a tiny bit squeamish, but not bad.

I also have friends who feed frozen/thawed raw foods that are formulated and ground up with other ingredients. I know a few who feed the freeze dried variety.

So maybe because feeding raw is common and widely accepted in my peer group, it seems less controversial to me. Is that peer pressure? I don’t think so.

My Veterinary Friends

At the same time, I spend a good chunk of my professional life talking to veterinarians and other animal professionals on a variety of topics. I admire these people. I like them. I count on their insights and expertise to do my job.

So, I understand that some of them are concerned about pets potentially ingesting contaminants or parasites … or bones. I know raw-fed dogs who have had emergency surgery to remove bone shards from their systems.

And, since I’m a bit of a microbe Sally, I can see their point.

Even though I’m essentially a professional cynic (aka journalist), I truly do NOT believe that veterinarians have sold their souls to pet food companies or whatever conspiracy message you want to insert.

Dishing on Evolution

My own sense of dogs and evolution diverges with those from raw-feeding circles. Personally, and this is the ONE area where I’m doggone passionate and opinionated, I do NOT believe that dogs are essentially wolves (especially when it comes to their behavior).

So, if you use any language in that same vein, you’re going to lose me. I’m going to think you are completely full of beans. Tell me about meat and bones. Talk to me about carbs. Mention moisture content. And, I’m hanging right there with you. Say wolf? And, you’ve lost me.

Dogs have evolved into the companions we know today. For me, that means they are different than wild ancestors or even wild canines today.

In my world, in my mind, in my heart (and as I see it … in behavior science), dogs are NOT wolves. So, for me … it’s hard to believe they might be wolves in a food context. A lot can change in the evolutionary cycle.

(Many thanks to Karen Workman, from the Oakland Press Dog Blog, who essentially posted this same counter-argument in our earlier discussion of Dog Food Rotation Schedules.)

My Backyard Observations

I’ve seen my dogs, who eat more like omnivores or scavengers, “hunt” in our pastures. I’ve watched coyotes actually hunt on the land behind us. The vastly different skills and outcomes are remarkable.

My dogs are like keystone cops of hunting. Pounce. Miss. Pounce. Miss. Scrabble about some more. Run to me smiling in failure.

The coyotes? Pounce. Catch. Pounce. Catch. Gulp, gulp, gulp.

I’m not saying that mine don’t occasionally get lucky. I’m not saying they don’t sometimes eat mice or voles whole, but the rampant tummy upset that follows … well, let’s just say … it ain’t pretty.

The Chemistry of It

To satisfy my curiosity, I asked my contacts at the Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital for details on the pH levels inside our pets’ stomachs … since that’s one way raw advocates explain why raw is OK. The argument goes that the pH in a dog’s stomach drops to 1, especially after eating meat, and that this pH level kills any bacteria and helps dogs process bones, etc.

Here is what my CSU expert told me:

“The pH of the stomach varies from 1 to 7,” says David Twedt, DVM, ACVIM. “With a meal, the pH will drop as low as 1. That is not specific to dogs, and in fact, we see that in dogs, cats and humans, so I’m not sure that dogs are adapted to be any better than any other species.”

Why I Personally Don’t Feed Raw

We’ve talked a bit lately about how my “old” dog food got an F from the K9Cuisine.com Dog Food Rating Tool.

So, indeed, I’m a kibble girl. (Our new food, by the same company, gets an A+.) I feed kibble for three reasons:

1. Convenience
2. Fears that I’d never get nutritional balance without it
3. Cost (I’d be curious to see some raw pet food budgets, if anyone is so inclined.)

As a treat, once in a while, my dogs do get big bones with raw meat on them. It’s usually organic bison raised locally. I buy it at a high-end dog store from the freezer case. They run about $15 per bone. (The dog in the photo from the post called The Case for Feeding Raw is my big boy, Ginko.)

But, as soon as the bones begin to show any wear, I take them away because I fear intestinal blockages and dental damage.

So, that’s my story. I’m neither a Raw-or-Bust kind of person nor an anti-raw crusader. I think all of us are just doing the best we can for our pets, and if raw or kibble works for you, then I say … keep it up.

Passions

And, yet, I understand how even that stance that says “To Each His Own” frustrates both sides. I feel the same way when people use outdated, inaccurate, debunked dog training methods and defend it with “It works for me.”

I think, “Well, it might … but it’s still built upon a foundation of (insert derogatory term here).”

I suppose that’s how raw advocates feel about people like me who feed kibble, and I’m fine with that.

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Tags: dog food, dog food rating tool, pet food, pet nutrition, raw cat food, raw dog food, raw pet food
Posted in Dog Food Debates, K9 Nutrition | 10 Comments »

The Case Against Feeding Raw

August 11th, 2010

The argument AGAINST feeding dogs and cats RAW pet foods boils down to a single message about safety, in two parts:

1. Concerns over nutritional completeness and balance

2. Concerns over parasites and contamination

Gains Have Been Made

Our pets live longer than they once did thanks to both consistent, convenient nutrition and advances in veterinary medicine. There are other things, of course, like protection from dangers of cars and predators.

Still … dogs and cats in the developed world enjoy tremendous lives, free from the stress and strain of finding food, water, and shelter on their own.

Raw Pet Food Concerns

After Keith Niessenbaum (a veterinarian with Crawford Dog & Cat Hospital in Garden City Park, NY) commented on an earlier post about Dog Food Rotation Schedules, I asked him for some insights into why he does NOT recommend feeding raw food diets, or BARF diets, or even bones, to his patients.

Before we get into his concerns, Niessenbaum says, “I would like to say that it is possible to formulate raw diets that are safe and nutritious.  There is nothing inherent in a raw diet that would render it automatically nutritionally inferior.  I am just concerned that the processing of these foods makes the risks of feeding greater than the benefit. If my clients wish to feed a more ‘basic’ diet, I work with them and a nutritionist to help them formulate a home-cooked diet that is balanced and safe.”

That said, here are his main concerns over feeding RAW pet food:

Lacking nutritional completeness and balance since these raw foods are “often made by small companies that have not done enough research to determine if the diets are nutritionally adequate” based on AAFCO standards, he says.

Food contamination  introduced into our family kitchens.

“Human beings have proven time and time again that we are unable to produce food on a consistent basis without the danger of contamination.  Our own food is contaminated with dangerous bacteria, and prudent handling is needed to prevent food born illness,”  Niessenbaum says.

“The same is true for our pets,” he adds. “It simply is not true that dogs and cats have some sort of immunity to food born salmonella and E. Coli infections.  I have seen them and treated them.”

“In addition,” Niessenbaum says, “pet food preparation is often done in the same area as human food preparation in the home.  This can potentially contaminate the kitchen with bacteria that are harmful to owners.”

Seriously icky parasites. Cooking and processing kills parasites found in pet food ingredients.  No cooking? Meats from organic sources that may not use deworming medications? Creepy things may come along for the ride. Some of them are “zoonotic,” meaning they can pass from pets to people. (Children and the elderly are particularly at risk.)

Lack of proof that these diets are nutritionally superior. Niessenbaum says, “I am not aware of good scientific study that shows that raw diets are nutritionally superior to premium processed diets.”

The Evolutionary Argument?

In response to the idea that today’s domestic dogs and cats are hardwired from an evolutionary perspective to eat raw, Niessenbaum says, “My shih tzu isn’t killing anything and is no closer to that theoretical wild beast than I am to early hominids.”

He adds that many “natural” things aren’t exactly good for us (or our pets) … like:

• Infectious disease
• Parasites
• Predators

Processed Foods & Nutrient Assimilation

I think it’s important to note that Niessenbaum is himself VERY health conscious. “Look” he says, “I cook for myself, minimize the amount of highly processed foods that I eat, and exercise regularly.  OK, more than regularly.  My credentials include a full Ironman Traithlon and a couple of 1/2 Ironman length races every year.”

“I understand the value of a quality diet and readily assimilated nutrients,” he continues. “However, I don’t think that the only way to get these nutrients is by a raw, unprocessed diet. In fact, a certain level of processing makes these nutrients more available to me.  The same is true for my dog.”

No Food is Perfect

Both processed foods and raw foods have experienced recalls. Niessenbaum treated several pets for melamine toxicity stemming from a processed pet foods.

“However,” he says, “there was just a recall last week of a raw diet that was found to be contaminated with enteric bacteria.  I feel that this is a risk that pet owners do not address.  The risk is to them and their pets.”

***

What about you? If you do not feed raw, why not?

P.S. If you’re just joining the discussion, we’ve now covered both sides of this debate. Last week, we posted The Case For Feeding Raw. Check it out.

Stay tuned … the discussion continues in the next couple of weeks.

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Tags: feeding raw, pet allergies, pet food allergies, raw cat food, raw dog food, raw meaty bones, raw pet food
Posted in Dog Food Debates, K9 Nutrition | 18 Comments »

The Case for Feeding Raw

August 4th, 2010

The argument FOR feeding dogs and cats RAW pet foods boils down to this: Some people think it’s healthier. When pressed for specifics, their reasons fall into two main categories:

1. Distrust of  the more manufactured / processed pet foods on the market.

2. Belief that raw provides a more natural / evolutionary diet for our canine and feline friends.

Hark, What Goes in There?

We’ve talked before about various dog food basics, including:

• Proteins
• Carbohydrates
• Fats
• Allergy implications of pet food ingredients
• Other nutrients

And, if you haven’t read it, I also suggest learning about dog food history because it reveals A LOT about how the mainstream dog foods we have today came into being.

Or, I can boil it all down … the industrial revolution and other changes in our society led to mostly inexpensive ingredients getting mixed together and cooked like crazy to produce affordable and convenient pet foods.

Pet Health

Pet food became easy and cheap, in other words. Healthy? Well, perhaps. Our pets do live longer than they once did thanks to both consistent, convenient nutrition and advances in veterinary medicine, but raw-feeding advocates question what they see as increases:

• Cancer
• Thyroid issues
• Kidney failure
• Dental problems

I asked Laura Duclos, PhD, director of research and development for Nature’s Variety (a brand available through this blog’s sponsor, K9Cuisine.com), to name the key benefits of feeding raw. Her list includes:

• Healthy teeth and fresh breath
• Skin and coat health
• Natural nutrients from whole foods (not synthetic ones added to make up for lacking ingredients)
• Urinary health thanks to a higher moisture content
• Less processing
• Grain-free and gluten-free

Raw Food Motivation

Among the Top 5 Reasons People Change Pet Food, you will find many of the same reasons people switch to feeding pets RAW food. Either their pet is sick, or they want to keep their pets healthy.

Essentially they worry about disease-causing “junk” in pet foods, including byproducts and preservatives.

Those who feed their pets RAW also malign grains and carbohydrates as not natural to a pet’s diet and hard for dogs and cats to digest. (Flatulence issues, anyone?)

Carnivores?

Technically speaking, dogs are carnivores with omnivore leanings, meaning they can and will eat all kinds of things. Cats, on the other hand, are obligate carnivores. They need meat. I mean REALLY need meat.

Simpler, More Pure … Raw

So, RAW advocates like raw pet food because it’s processed MUCH less than other kinds of pet food. For them, less processing = good. It’s more self-contained when it comes to essential nutrients, they say. It has everything wrapped up in a neat package, without too much monkeying around.

Many also believe that feeding RAW simply makes more sense from an evolutionary perspective. Our now-domesticated predator friends, they say, ate whole prey raw all the time … bones and all.

They talk about the pH levels in dog and cats stomachs as akin to super-strong acids, capable of killing any bacteria, etc. that they consume.

For them, feeding RAW is the healthiest choice.

The Poop Factor

Duclos added one last argument in her case for feeding raw: “Smaller, low-odor stools.”

***

What about you? Why do you feed RAW? Or, if you don’t, what questions do you have about raw pet foods?

P.S. Next week, we’ll post The Case Against Feeding Raw. If you want to get a head start, check out this post from Jim McBean from DoggyBytes, where he counters the various arguments against feeding raw.

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Tags: feeding raw, pet allergies, pet food allergies, raw cat food, raw dog food, raw meaty bones, raw pet food
Posted in Dog Food Debates, K9 Nutrition, Uncategorized | 20 Comments »