Giving dogs (raw) meat?

[MyStomachHurts25]

Hi. Recently, I was reading an online community about feeding cats and dogs raw meat. I guess I was just kind of wondering about what other people's opinions on this was. I myself, am not sure if it is  good for them. But, I haven't done a lot of research about it (considering I'm not planning on changing my pets diets to "human" food). I just know that my dog, he loves to try to eats things that *I* don't think he should be eating. He has had a habit of stealing food(cooked meat) and also I would have people over who would sneak their food(cooked meat) to him. And what happend? He got sick and had to take him to the vets, and the problem was he had too much protein in his blood. And it was because all of the meat he was stealing/and having people give it to him. So, if people are feeding their dogs eat everyday, is it realing good for them?

Note: I am NOT looking to judge or anything, I am truly just curious abot this subject. Any insight on this would be great. I would like for you guys to shear your thoughts.

[MyStomachHurts25]

I'm not syre why I would lie about that, or what I would get from it, but whatever. I do take him to a different vet now. I never really liked him. And I will get his blood tested. I never really read anything on this stuff before, so I was totally in the dark. Which is why asked about it. Thanks for the advice.

[ginger899]

Well, my advice -if the vet said that- would be to find a new vet, and then have your dog's blood tested for any signs of early kidney issues. Even though your dog may seem totally fit and well now -believe me it will be worth it. Caught early, kidney insufficiency can be stabilized successfully.
But dogs being what they are, if there IS something not quite right with his kidneys, and it wasn't discovered, the only signs you would get would be when it had already entered the late stages, when it would be very difficult to treat.

It sounds a little strange that the vet said "too much protein in the blood". That isn't a proper diagnosis.
As I said, a normal healthy dog has no problem with ANY amount of protein. The more the merrier! Only a dog whose kidneys aren't working as well as they should can't handle it.

[MyStomachHurts25]

Thank you everyone, for your replies, and advice. I was just wondering about the whole thing, since I had never read about it and because of what the vet told me.

[MyStomachHurts25]

All I know is that he was pretty sick. That's what the vet said...that he had too much protein in his blood, and that I was probably feeding him too much meat and table scraps. I don't know. I was pretty in the dark about the whole thing myself.
P.s. I long longer take my pets to that vet.

[ginger899]

Well it's because late summer last year I was giving my dog the most wonderful food...lean beef, venison, good fish like salmon and mackerel, tuna etc, along wth her holistic kibble. Oddly, I noticed that whenever she had a wonderful protein-rich breakfast her energy when running outside was subtly not quite the same as when she had something slightly more boring to eat.
I wondered why that could happen...(I had a dog once who would run like the wind whenever he'd had really good meat the night before, or for breakfast)

Well it was only afer the vet and I discovered my dog has early stage kidney failure- (being successfuly managed) -that I realized that high rich protein was creating what is known as "hydrogenous waste" which a healthy dog with good kidneys handles in the normal course of things, but which a dog with kidney insufficiency finds quite hard to filter away.
I mentioned my earlier observation to the vet and he agreed. Anyway since her diet she has excellent energy again.
It's always a good idea to keep an eye on those very subtle changes in a dog's energy levels or mood because they can speak volumes if investigated.

[tonyb286]

Yes, as always, well said Ginger. Tony

[Misfits4Me]

Good Call Ginger!

[ginger899]

Great advice on raw feeding above!
I just question one thig you said....that eating the cooked meat made him sick because he was getting too much protein...?
It made me wonder, as protein in itself -cooked or raw- for a very healthy dog is just fine. They need it. The only time they do not need it is if they have elevated Kidney values. Then it is poison for them.

Of course, the treats of cooked meat he was having given to him could have been fatty meat ( a recipe for pancreatitis) or could have been seasoned for a human palate (herbs and seasonings dogs shouldn't eat)
Or it could have been that he got sick simply because he got these tidbits on TOP of his already happily-fed stomach.

But I would say that if he responds negatively to eating protein, in itself, then take him for a blood test, even if he seems very well. If he does have elevated kidney vaues, it would be far, far better to get it seen to at a very early stage.

[tonyb286]

My vet (who I have used for the last 30yrs and is truly amazing with his knowledge and advice) once told me that raw meat is exactly what a dog should have, but only if it is the regular feed from a young age. Years ago most of us were able to get marrow bones from the butchers for our dogs - and they loved it. These days, it's more difficult to get such things. But 'giving a dog a bone' is just about as natural as it gets. They are naturally scavengers and will eat almost anything.

These days, I tend to give my dogs a small amount of Chappy for the midday meal (this is rich in fish, minerals and nutrients) and then I cook either frozen Natures Variety fish, chicken, rabbit, beef or green tripe for their evening meal, mixed with a little white rice. This has kept my dogs healthy and active over the last 30yrs, with all of them living into old age.

And I agree entirely with Karla ... green tripe is a canine delicacy loved by all dogs, even fussy ones (despite it stinking like hell when you cook it).

Tony

[Misfits4Me]

Something else:  An excellent resource for reading, is a book called: "FOOD PETS DIE FOR" by Ann Martin.  Worth the money.....It will change the way you feel about what your putting in your pet's mouth.....Karla

[Misfits4Me]

Hello & welcome.....Sorry about the delay.....My dogs have been fed Raw for years....Not every meal, but I do try to feed it 3-4 times a week....

No, I don't just throw a slab of meat to them.....The problem with that is there has to be calcium along with the meat....That would be a bone source....It's hard to judge if there's enough bone for the amount of meat, so I do not feed this way.....I do think raw chicken necks (For small dogs) or Turkey necks (For large dogs) are perfect for a meal....Yes, if I'm cutting raw meat up for our own dinner, they all get a bite...

I choose to feed prepackaged Raw.....Everything is already ground up (Including the right amount of bone)....I use frozen or dehydrated Raw....

There are many companies providing Raw Pet food....In my experience, "Natures Variety" is the most accessible...My Holistic Vet recommends  this brand for rotation....That means doing a rotation cycle of Kibble, canned & raw on a regular basis.....

Natures Variety has a wonderful webpage to explain it all...It IS worth the read!

All that said, this is not the brand I feed, although I have in the past.....My personal favorite is "Stella & Chewys" frozen & dehydrated Raw......My next favorite is "Ziwi Peak"....It's a totally different Raw formation, but oh so good.....It's made in New Zealand where stricter pet food regulations are in place....This is a packaged raw, but served like kibble.......Hard to find and very pricey.....I have all small dogs, so am able to do it......Actually, they just had it for lunch with fresh green beans....Ziwi Peak also makes a canned "Green Tripe" that's to die for...Well, that's what my dog's told me, anyway!  ;)

OK, thought I'd pipe in here......Take care.......Karla