What do you feed your pets?

[Muddy]

There aren't any studies done into raw feeding in general.

Its basic logic, though.  The bacteria in raw food isn't an issue, because it doesn't remain in the gut long enough to colonize.  That is, unless you feed a food that slows down the rate of digestion [kibble].  Then you've got bacteria hanging around in the gut significantly longer than it should.

I could probably spend all night looking for an online study into kibble + raw induced colitis and never find it.
Or I could just go look at my dog, who almost died from just that.

*shrug*  One of these days the Veterinary schools will get out of the back pocket of the pet food industry, and then perhaps we'll see some in depth studies conducted.

[Hauser]

There aren't any studies done into raw feeding in general.

Its basic logic, though.  The bacteria in raw food isn't an issue, because it doesn't remain in the gut long enough to colonize.  That is, unless you feed a food that slows down the rate of digestion [kibble].  Then you've got bacteria hanging around in the gut significantly longer than it should.

I could probably spend all night looking for an online study into kibble + raw induced colitis and never find it.
Or I could just go look at my dog, who almost died from just that.

*shrug*  One of these days the Veterinary schools will get out of the back pocket of the pet food industry, and then perhaps we'll see some in depth studies conducted.

im not a veterinarian lol...and there are studies being done on raw...they just arent finished yet. 

[Muddy]

Good point.
I filled out my online questionnaire too. 

[Hauser]

Good point.
I filled out my online questionnaire too. 

lol. Im actually working with a study group. My dogs recieve monthly blood, fecal and urinary tests as well as physical exams and i log their meal plans for a vet who is doing a longitudinal study on the effects of raw and its the only one i know that is maintaining scientific integrity. it was started at birth and will not be complete until all the study dogs pass on.

[Muddy]

Hauser, man, that's really really cool.

You must have a really fantastic Veterinarian.  I've had no luck finding a regular Vet who is raw-friendly, or at least willing to consider that I'm not going to kill my dog by feeding her a species-appropriate raw diet.

Can't wait to see the results, many, MANY years from now after all the test subjects have lived full, happy lives.

[Shang]

Harley Quinn (dog): Natural Choice, though she's about to start getting Beneful because it's cheaper.  She's free-fed.

Gumdrop (rabbit): This pellet mix with good little things in it, like hay since he won't eat hay in any other form.

[Hauser]

Hauser, man, that's really really cool.

You must have a really fantastic Veterinarian.  I've had no luck finding a regular Vet who is raw-friendly, or at least willing to consider that I'm not going to kill my dog by feeding her a species-appropriate raw diet.

Can't wait to see the results, many, MANY years from now after all the test subjects have lived full, happy lives.

it was a sort of a challenge. Im a scientist in training and i tend to be bullheaded. I called BS on her and challenged her to prove me wrong. There's enough anecdotal evidence to warrant a scientific pursuit of the matter...and so i dangled the idea of recognition in the medical community in front of her face as well as the massive increase in clientale she could expect with a change in policy on raw. the experiment was the compromise. like "you dont stress me about raw..and when i get this puppy we start studying the long term effects..use your kibble fed clients as basis for comparison and Ill tell all my raw feeder friends to come to you for services..regardless of whether or not you prove or disprove the benefits of raw, you can a lot of recognition in your field for the effort."

hook...line...sinker and FREE testing....teeheeheeheehee...

[tekla]

That's not a double-blind study.

[Muddy]

No, but its still far better than anything else in the works to study the benefits of raw feeding.

Sometimes you just gotta take what you can get.  It will take small, flawed studies of this nature to entice persons with the money and resources to conduct more scientific studies that can be peer reviewed.

Unfortunately, Veterinarians receive almost no nutrition training in the course of their school, and what little they receive is typically with materials produced and provided by the food manufacturers who are pumping our dogs full of unneeded grains and other questionable ingredients.  Its certainly not in *their* benefit to study the advantages of people feeding something other than their food.

[Hauser]

That's not a double-blind study.

not yet it isnt. working on some funding to expand the idea. but for that we need something more than owners stories...there needs to be some harder evidence..a long term record of how pups from the same litter progress on specific diets should give us that.

[Cameron James]

I feed my kitties Natural Balance. It's an all-natural blend and it's easy on their tummies. I fed them Meow Mix for a while, but they got stinky and I switched to Natural Balance at the recommendation of a friend who works at Petco. Best switch I've ever made.

[Shang]

Harley Quinn is back to eating Natural/Nature's Choice to help with her skin and belly. 

[Between Names]

I have two rats, and they eat rat food and anything and everything else I give them.   (Which is why one of them is getting quite fat now)

[V M]

Just kidding... My Iguana is a vegetarian and will eat just about any plant she can get a hold of... She also likes various fruits... Lately I've been giving her strawberries that she goes crazy for

[Sarra]

I feed mine crickets. The ones that get out, Fluffums likes to pounce on, so even the cat gets a cricket on occasion.

The cat gets... Um... I don't know what the cat gets. I think it's some decent food though.

Oh, and I like to feed waxworms as treats every now and then, but my frog doesn't seem to like them that much.

[seanstartrunning]

I feed my guinea pig kibbles and timothy hay, along with carrots and spinach.

[Jessi_the_red]

lets see......
My chickens : corn/ grain
My turkeys: Chick starter and corn
My geese : dog food(the dog shares)and corn
my dog : lamb & rice dog food
the emu : lamb and rice dog food (needs the high proten)
the cats : cat food (what ever flavor they'll eat
and the Bunnies : alf-alfa pellets and hay

[Sarra]

lets see......
My chickens : corn/ grain
My turkeys: Chick starter and corn
My geese : dog food(the dog shares)and corn
my dog : lamb & rice dog food
the emu : lamb and rice dog food (needs the high proten)
the cats : cat food (what ever flavor they'll eat
and the Bunnies : alf-alfa pellets and hay

Hehe, there's an Alfalfa field behind my house now. :p Your bunny food is grown right here! :p

[Hurtfulsplash]

Cat (Cinderella): Iams Indoor Weight & Hairball formula, tuna (only the real stuff, she won't even eat tuna flavored cat treats), chips (she comes running to the sound of a bag of chips being opened like most cats do to the sound of a can opener).


Rabbit (Bunny): Timothy hay, pellets, and a couple types of treats that I can't remember the names to.


Cockatiel (Sticks): A seed mixture, I've tried to put other food in her cage that they say are safe for Cockatiels but she won't eat them.

[Jessi_the_red]

Hehe, there's an Alfalfa field behind my house now. :p Your bunny food is grown right here! :p

so if my bunnys get sick it's your falt?