FEEDING RAW
DIET VERSUS COOKED.
There has been a trend over the last few years to lean towards feeding a raw diet as opposed to a cooked or commercially prepared diet. For the last couple of years I admit to being one of the followers thinking it made sense and I always want what is best for my dogs, so I did feed raw meat, raw vegetables, and raw chicken wings. I was sceptical, but with the amount of literature I read upon, I thought it had to be the right thing to do and that my repulsion was more to do with my own personal feelings rather than the logic that raw is beneficial.
Thankfully, my dogs did not experience any ill effects from this diet, but my feelings on if I was doing the right thing or not for my dogs, also didn't alter, so I began to do more and more research into the area of raw versus cooked or commercial. What I did discover was a different opinion among veterinarians and my research lead me to leading authorities who did do research into feeding raw. Their findings were astounding. All my research has lead me to return to feeding cooked meat to my dogs as I had done for so many years before. The risk to feed raw is too great for me to continue to do so.
I was concerned from the start about the possible risk of bacterial contamination, Salmonella Campylobacter, Escherichia coli (including E. coli), enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, and other pathogenic clostridia. As well as the above I was also worried about zoonotic infections also parasites and protozoal organisms that can be transmitted in raw meat, even meat labeled fit for "human consumption."
Certain tests done by leading authorities lead to conclusive evidence that there is risk in feeding raw with all of the above mentioned pathogens, parasites, and protozoal. Any risk is too high for me not to convert back to my original diet which is to cook the meat. I do feed commercially prepared kibble, but their main meal will consist of cooked meat, cooked rice, cooked pasta, and grounded raw vegetables which are added to the cooked compositions. I will continue to use the added multi vitamins and minerals as I have been doing, but the meat I use, no matter even if it is suitable for "human consumption" will be cooked.
Regardless of whether you feed raw or cooked, the preparation, handling, and storage of food at the right temperature is equally as import for dogs as it is for humans. Hygiene is of the utmost importance, which means that all feeding utensils should be cleaned thoroughly daily, bench tops used for preparing the food should be clean, hands need to be washed before and after handling, and the food must be kept refrigerated for no longer than two days at the most.
During warm weather in particular, food should not be left lying around. Whatever the dog does not consume in one feeding should be disposed of promptly. I also use to feed raw meaty bones, but after doing my research, I have decided not to continue with this either. I will feed my dogs, biscuits made for dogs to help clean teeth and keep gums healthy.
Of course everyone is entitled to do their own research on the subject and come to their own conclusion. These are my views through my own research.
There has been a trend over the last few years to lean towards feeding a raw diet as opposed to a cooked or commercially prepared diet. For the last couple of years I admit to being one of the followers thinking it made sense and I always want what is best for my dogs, so I did feed raw meat, raw vegetables, and raw chicken wings. I was sceptical, but with the amount of literature I read upon, I thought it had to be the right thing to do and that my repulsion was more to do with my own personal feelings rather than the logic that raw is beneficial.
Thankfully, my dogs did not experience any ill effects from this diet, but my feelings on if I was doing the right thing or not for my dogs, also didn't alter, so I began to do more and more research into the area of raw versus cooked or commercial. What I did discover was a different opinion among veterinarians and my research lead me to leading authorities who did do research into feeding raw. Their findings were astounding. All my research has lead me to return to feeding cooked meat to my dogs as I had done for so many years before. The risk to feed raw is too great for me to continue to do so.
I was concerned from the start about the possible risk of bacterial contamination, Salmonella Campylobacter, Escherichia coli (including E. coli), enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, and other pathogenic clostridia. As well as the above I was also worried about zoonotic infections also parasites and protozoal organisms that can be transmitted in raw meat, even meat labeled fit for "human consumption."
Certain tests done by leading authorities lead to conclusive evidence that there is risk in feeding raw with all of the above mentioned pathogens, parasites, and protozoal. Any risk is too high for me not to convert back to my original diet which is to cook the meat. I do feed commercially prepared kibble, but their main meal will consist of cooked meat, cooked rice, cooked pasta, and grounded raw vegetables which are added to the cooked compositions. I will continue to use the added multi vitamins and minerals as I have been doing, but the meat I use, no matter even if it is suitable for "human consumption" will be cooked.
Regardless of whether you feed raw or cooked, the preparation, handling, and storage of food at the right temperature is equally as import for dogs as it is for humans. Hygiene is of the utmost importance, which means that all feeding utensils should be cleaned thoroughly daily, bench tops used for preparing the food should be clean, hands need to be washed before and after handling, and the food must be kept refrigerated for no longer than two days at the most.
During warm weather in particular, food should not be left lying around. Whatever the dog does not consume in one feeding should be disposed of promptly. I also use to feed raw meaty bones, but after doing my research, I have decided not to continue with this either. I will feed my dogs, biscuits made for dogs to help clean teeth and keep gums healthy.
Of course everyone is entitled to do their own research on the subject and come to their own conclusion. These are my views through my own research.