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Research Review: Raw Dog Food, Raw Cat Food

June 28th, 2011

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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:

best dog food, k9cuisine.com, dog food dish blog, dog food, cat food, raw pet food“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:

Evidence of Infectious Disease Risks

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

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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Homemade Dog Food: Feeding Raw to Active Dogs

March 29th, 2011

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This is the fifth post in our series of Dog Food Dish Q&As with people who make their own pet food. This week we feature some active canine athletes, who need solid nutrition.

QUESTION: Tell us about yourself and your dogs.
My name is Cindy Dalton. My husband Mike and I play flyball on Sure Shots flyball club. I have three dogs:

Bentley and Myles play flyball, and Cody is a couch potato. Bentley and Cody are both rescues.

QUESTION: Why and when did you switch to homemade (non-commercial) pet food?
I switched to raw feeding nearly two years ago, after I got Myles. Everyone on my flyball club feeds raw, and I was impressed with the condition and energy of their dogs. I did a lot of research and decided to switch when Myles was four months old. Prior to switching, I was feeding a grain-free kibble (Taste of the Wild), but felt I could do better. It was also very expensive ($50/bag).

homemade dog food, raw dog food, photo of dalton family

Dalton Family, photo credit - www.grapevinememories.com

QUESTION: How did you develop your method/recipe, including if you feed fruits/veggies, other carbs and/or supplements?
I based my method off a combination of how my teammates feed. My dogs get a lot of chicken because it’s affordable and easy to find (I buy 10 lb. bags of chicken quarters at Wal-Mart for $5.99/bag). I also buy ground venison and beef blend from Texas Tripe and feed that a few times a week, along with liver and canned mackerel.

I often add supplements, usually Berte’s Daily Blend (available online from The Barfer Shoppe).

My philosophy when deciding what to feed my dogs is “what would a wild dog eat”? Since wild dogs don’t eat grains or vegetables, I don’t feed much of those. I’ve fed ground veggies in the past but haven’t in a while. I’ve used Berte’s Green Blend which I’ve seen recommended because it contains kelp, which is beneficial, rather than veggies. Each dog also gets fish oil capsules every day.

I feel my dogs are thriving on the raw diet. Not long after I switched, I noticed my older dog, Cody, had much more energy and seemed perkier. He was 8 when I switched, and he took to it as if he’d eaten it all his life. I enjoy being able to feed my dogs what I feel is the most natural diet for them.

QUESTION: Describe your time commitment/costs.
My husband was nervous about raw, so I’m the main person who feeds at our house. (He’ll do it now if I tell him how much to give each dog.) Since I just have three dogs, it hardly takes any more time than feeding kibble. I just have to make sure I have food defrosted for them. If I forget to defrost, they get canned fish that meal.

The most time consuming part is packaging up the chicken quarters, I use poultry shears to cut the thigh and drumstick apart, and split a 10 pound bag into two gallon Ziplocs, and feed out of the Ziploc. A 10 pound bag of quarters lasts me 5-6 days. I used to weigh the portions when I started, but once I got the hang of it, just started eyeballing the portions. If one dog gets a thigh for a meal, the next meal he gets a drumstick. Cody tends to be chunky since he’s not very active, so he usually gets a drumstick. It all balances out over time. I haven’t done a cost analysis, but feel that raw is about the same cost or a little cheaper than premium kibble.

QUESTION: What’s your best advice for those wanting to feed a raw, homemade dog food?
Do research until you’re comfortable about how to proceed. Realize that there is no right or wrong way to feed raw, it ends up being what is right for you and your dogs. I joined a local Yahoo raw feeding group, and read a few groups. Lew Olson’s book “Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs” is a great resource too. Once you’re ready, let your dogs help you figure out what works and what doesn’t.

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Homemade Dog Food Q & A: Feeding Raw

March 1st, 2011

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Each Tuesday this month, Dog Food Dish will post a Q&A with someone who forgoes “commercial dog food” for homemade. The reasons, the methods, the recipes, the resources vary greatly … as you will see. Today, we start off with Courtney Keys … famous for CourtneyPo.com (pet photography) and a group dog blog called Who’s Your Dachshund … and her raw food plan for dogs.

Photo borrowed from CourtneyPo.com (pet photographer)

QUESTION: Give us some details on you and your dogs

I have 3 dachshunds – Napoleon Dynamite, Thor, and Fred. All are rescues. I also have a Cardigan Welsh corgi, Francine.  You can see them at courtneypo.com/dogs.  Thor and Fred compete in earthdog, and Thor and Francine compete in agility. Fran has also dabbled in herding, obedience, and rally.  We live in Dallas, Texas, but are planning a move to Austin, Texas.  My life revolves around my dogs.

QUESTION: Why and when did you switch to homemade pet food?

Napoleon was my first dog, and he was very sick as a puppy. I wanted to do the best I could for him since he’d had such a rough start in life, so I started looking into raw when he was 7 months old. I gave him a chicken wing one day in 2005 and never looked back!  Been feeding 100% raw since then to all my dogs and to the many foster dogs who have come through my home too.

QUESTION: How did you develop your method/recipe, including if you feed fruits/veggies, other carbs, and/or supplements?

I did lots of reading at first, and I spent a lot of time on some Yahoo groups, specifically the big raw feeding group, http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding. Just reading about how others fed and how others handled issues helped me develop my own plans. I tried to make sure to have some balance/variety, and more red meats than chicken and include organ meat as well. I used to shop around at ethnic markets and make trips to chicken plants, but I’ve found better (easier!) sources now.

I have been very lucky that we have a local raw feeding Yahoo group with great resources – http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/DFW_BARF/

Through that group, I get cases of tripe from greentripe.com at a bulk price discount – we get together to place a big order and have it delivered about twice a year.  That’s the big staple of my diet now, and I feed it often, just about every day.  I try to have a good mix between meat with bone and boneless meats, though I do feed more bone now than I used to, because of the products I can get now.

Most of my other food comes from a meat processor in East Texas – texastripe.com. He started processing food for pets specifically, per the request and with the input of many local raw feeders. It actually started because people were getting shut out of the greentripe.com group buys, and found this guy who was willing to process tripe, lol.

He has added a ton of products. He delivers once a month, and it’s so convenient.  I get:

I feed mostly ground bones now, because of Napoleon – his illness as a puppy caused lingering tooth issues, and he has lost a good bit of them, so it’s too hard for him to eat whole cuts now. And just easier for me to feed everyone the same thing.

From time to time I’ve also bought rabbit and emu directly from farmers who make deliveries to the Dallas area also. Wonderful sources!  I found them through the D/FW raw list too.

In addition I do add whole raw eggs and canned salmon or sardines in water to my dogs’ meals regularly.

I have fed mashed veggies at times in the summer per the recommendation of a holistic vet. But really, it’s a lot of work, and my dogs don’t really like the veggies.  So it’s a rare thing.  I’ve always supplemented with fish oil and continue to do so. My dogs also get 100 IU of vitamin E a day and all get a joint supplement. I’ve been trying different joint supplements recently, but Acti-Flex 4000 was one I used for a long time. Nothing wrong with it, I’m just the kind of person who likes trying new things. :)

I did write up some blog posts on some meals for my dogs a while back, if those can be of use at all.  They were actually written when I used to buy more grocery store food.

http://www.whosyourdachshund.com/2009/08/feeding-raw-i-think-its-suppertime.html

http://www.whosyourdachshund.com/2009/08/raw-feeding-for-just-pennies-day.html

http://www.whosyourdachshund.com/2009/08/raw-feeding-few-more-words-and-meals.html

QUESTION: Describe your time commitment/costs.

I buy in bulk and have a big chest freezer, and that cuts down a lot on time and cost. Most of the stuff I buy comes in tubes, so I just pick a tube or two, defrost overnight and feed the next day. If I do buy a case of chicken, I have to thaw it, and then divide it into freezer bags.  That’s honestly the most time-consuming thing I do.  My dogs are small and don’t eat much, so I only feed once a day.  Saves me a lot of time in the morning!  It takes maybe 5 minutes to put everything together – portion out the meat into bowls, weigh to make sure I’m getting portions right (it’s quite easy to fatten up most dachshunds and corgis!), and add the supplements.

The suppliers have made it so easy for me.  When I used to grocery shop, it took more time go to the stores, then to defrost and repackage and portion.  So any higher cost is worth it to me for the convenience.  But really, when I look at the store, meat prices have gone up a lot in recent years.  I probably pay between $1 and $2 per pound for things I buy, and I feed just about 2 lbs a day for all 4 dogs total. But cases of chicken backs may be as low as 38 cents a pound. Ground rabbit may be as high as $4 per pound. So it balances out.  If I had bigger dogs, I’d probably feed more chicken and turkey as it’s cheapest.  I don’t keep a close eye on the cost.  I spent around $170 on 80 lbs of green tripe the last order, and I just got 130 pounds of stuff from texastripe for $214. I guess that averages out to $1.83 a pound.  That will all last me quite a while. My freezer is stuffed right now!

QUESTION: What’s your best advice for those wanting to do this?

Read and research a lot before you start. Find a local raw feeding co-op or yahoo group. Take deep breaths. Get an extra freezer!

When you first start, it will take time to develop your plan, find your sources, and figure out your dogs’ needs.  But once you develop your routine, it’s easy and no more difficult than scooping kibble into a bowl.

Great place to start reading:  http://rawfed.com/myths/switch.html

QUESTION: Are there any other resources you’d recommend?

http://rawmeatybones.com/

http://switchingtoraw.com/

http://rawlearning.com/

http://www.rawfed.com/myths/index.html

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding

http://www.rawfeddogs.net/

http://dogaware.com/

http://www.dogforums.com/dog-food-forum/15085-feeding-raw-where-start.html

http://www.rawdogranch.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Raw-Natural-Nutrition-Dogs-Definitive/dp/1556439032/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

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Feeding Both Raw and Kibble/Canned Pet Food

January 19th, 2011

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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.

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

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Dog Food Decisions: What We Feed and Why

December 15th, 2010

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We’re having so much fun digging through the results from the K9Cuisine.com 2010 Pet Food Buyer Survey. Today, we  reveal what Dog Food Dish readers feed their dogs and why, including the Number ONE reason all of you make the dog food decisions you do.

Because I suspect that like me all of you are not all-or-nothing types, I worded the questions and planned them in a series to reveal the complexity of what we feed our dogs day to day, and throughout their lives. Here is what we found.

What do you primarily feed your pets?

What else do you feed your pets?
(We allowed multiple selections.)

Which of these is most important to your pet food choice?


Do you rotate your pets’ food (brands, ingredients)?

If yes, how often do you rotate foods?

What surprised me?

I thought the mostly raw contingent would be a big higher in the ranking, but I’m happy to see that like me … many of our readers do include at least some raw in their pet’s diet.

If you missed our earlier posts on the topic, check out:

The Case for Feeding Raw

The Case Against Feeding Raw

Raw Pet Food: My Thoughts

5 Questions About Raw Food Logistics

The other thing that surprised me was how many people who answered “OTHER” to the first question about a pet’s primary diet specifically took the time to say how much they LOVE dehydrated food from The Honest Kitchen … which, of course, is available through this blog’s sponsor K9Cuisine.com.

Please post a comment if there is anything about this set of survey results you find interesting.

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5 Questions about Raw Pet Food Logistics

August 25th, 2010

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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?

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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Raw Pet Food: My Thoughts

August 18th, 2010

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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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The Case Against Feeding Raw

August 11th, 2010

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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:

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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The Case for Feeding Raw

August 4th, 2010

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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:

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:

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:

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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A professional writer based in Colorado, Roxanne Hawn doesn't just love dogs. She deep-down requires them in life. Something inside her genes, perhaps? That's why it's such a joy to write about all things canine. Roxanne began writing about pets in 1995, when she worked for the American Animal Hospital Association and later for the American Humane Association. During this period in her career, Roxanne served on the board of directors for the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (a coalition of animal welfare groups). Roxanne also volunteered for many years at an animal shelter, where she witnessed firsthand what happens when the human-animal bond breaks or never forms.
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