Raw feed questions...

[drdome99]

So I just had a vet come check out my 3 1/2 month old rott. My dad had just got a deer that morning and the discussion came up of feeding them raw meat and giving them bones to chew. I was always a little paranoid about this but after listening to the vet I came on here to check out as much information as I could and found some good info like always freeze the meat atleast 30 days, etc.


I still have a few questions remaining though. We were thinking to mix some of the raw meat up with some dry food (we are currently using Nutra-max-puppy). Is this what most others do or do you just feed them straight raw meat?
Also would 30 seconds in the microwave do the same as 30-day freezing, in terms of killing any bacteria?
And for those who do freeze do you then just let it thaw out naturally before you feed it?

Probably dumb questions, but couldn't find the info through searches.

[groupieindenial]

DON'T microwave the food! Not only is microwave cancer causing, it destroys nutritional value in foods. I don't even own one anymore.

I'll let someone else answer who feeds raw. I didn't think you had to feed from frozen though.

[rotnhouse]

I buy my chicken backs in 40# cases, so yes, once a week I package it up and freeze it. Each day I take out a package and let it thaw before feeding.

I have found that the dogs may not do well mixing raw and kibble. Although I am certainly not an authority, my dogs did have lots of gastric problems when I fed a combination. I'd rather do just the raw than deal with Rottie gas...

Of course, they get other things too....veggies, yogurt, fruit, garlic, etc. Organ meats and canned mackerel once a week too.

[spidey]

DON'T microwave the food! Not only is microwave cancer causing, it destroys nutritional value in foods. I don't even own one anymore.

The amount of radiation that escapes from a microwave oven is miniscule, it's far below what is considered "safe" and it's the microwaves themselves which are "cancer causing", they don't stay in the food. And microwaving removes FEWER nutrients from food than other kinds of cooking. Please do some more research from sources with a founding in actual science.

30 seconds in the microwave is not going to kill bacteria in any meaningful way, if you are worried about bacteria, do the 30 day freeze.

[rottnkidd]

I started raw feeding over 4 yrs ago and initially added fresh food to the kibble. After a couple of mixed meals I went to all raw. Do what makes you comfortable though!
I'd also suggest freezing the venison meat for 30 days. If you're concerned about disease, ask the game butcher that processed the meat if he's aware of any diseases in your area, or check with your State Wildlife Dept.
As for the temperature of the food; I serve everything at room temp or warmer, by placing the bowl in a sink of hot water for a few minutes.
Best wishes-
kathy

[Judi W]

Do freeze. Game meat has other issues more than bacteria.

Microwaving food does not cause cancer.

[robynerikd2]

When I was doing my research on feeding raw, I found this site. http://www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm

As with any website, read wisely and carefully. taking the fact and leaving the rest, but its a pretty good guide.

Robyn, Zanarkand and Ixion

[groupieindenial]

Originally Posted by spidey

The amount of radiation that escapes from a microwave oven is miniscule, it's far below what is considered "safe" and it's the microwaves themselves which are "cancer causing", they don't stay in the food. And microwaving removes FEWER nutrients from food than other kinds of cooking. Please do some more research from sources with a founding in actual science.

Its not that the radiation stays in the food, it's that it 'changes' the properties of the molecular cells in the food.

Your right, there isn't many studies done on this subject, which is rather surprising when you think about the fact that microwaves have been with us for a few decades, and that in that time the incidence of many diseases has continued to increase. The russians did so in the 70's and banned microwaves.

The latest teachings in homeopathic medicine is revealing that platics, and microwaving foods ARE believed to be linked to cause cancer. Although it IS enough for me (the effects on meats especially), why I would not use microwaves anymore. I posted something last week about it. It really does break down the nutritional content of foods, let alone the free radicals released into your body.

[RottiMomCT]

Originally Posted by groupieindenial

DON'T microwave the food! Not only is microwave cancer causing, it destroys nutritional value in foods. I don't even own one anymore.

If that were the case I'd have been dead a long time ago - I use the microwave at least 3 times a day for just about everything in the office and at home! Heating water for tea/coffee, warming up lunch, thawing stuff for meals.

I feed raw marrow bones to the dogs about once a month as a real treat and usually freeze them before giving them to the dogs - takes them longer to get the marrow out.

Nuking the raw bones will cook the meat...probably won't do much to the bacteria...remember, bacteria like warm moist environments....a freezer is neither of those...

[Patinka]

Please stay on topic : Raw Feeding Questions.

Patinka

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by drdome99

So I just had a vet come check out my 3 1/2 month old rott. My dad had just got a deer that morning and the discussion came up of feeding them raw meat and giving them bones to chew. I was always a little paranoid about this but after listening to the vet I came on here to check out as much information as I could and found some good info like always freeze the meat atleast 30 days, etc.


I still have a few questions remaining though. We were thinking to mix some of the raw meat up with some dry food (we are currently using Nutra-max-puppy). Is this what most others do or do you just feed them straight raw meat?
Also would 30 seconds in the microwave do the same as 30-day freezing, in terms of killing any bacteria?
And for those who do freeze do you then just let it thaw out naturally before you feed it?

Probably dumb questions, but couldn't find the info through searches.

I would get your pup off of Nutro Max Puppy and on to a higher quality adult dog food. Nutro Max is full of corn and grain and has very little meat. Many of us here have raised our pups on Canidae ( an All-Life Stages Food) www.canidae.com or Innova Adult www.naturapet.com
These foods use human grade meats and ingredients and have very little fillers. You will have to feed your puppy alot less and have a whole lot less poops .

If you are interested in feeding a raw or BARF diet, there is alot of info out there....it is something that should be researched and it's great if you have a mentor or someone getting you through questions and answers.
I would not be throwing in raw meat, just here and there with a growing puppy....the calcium: phosphorus ratios have to be balanced. There must be calcium added to the diet or the bone/meat ratio has to be balanced too.

You could feed one meal of kibble and one of BARF...but again you must know what your are doing. As far as bacteria, etc. in the meat, dogs have shorter digestive systems and strong acids in their stomach....bacteria does not seem to bother most healthy dogs. I've had mine dig up old rotten bones, and eat them with no problems.

Gina