Dog owners: do any of you feed raw?

[Andrea]

I am curious, though, what the arguments against a raw diet are. I like to hear both sides of the story.

[Biciclista]

I am curious, though, what the arguments against a raw diet are. I like to hear both sides of the story.

against? It's gross.
Also, a lot of people are concerned about salmonella. Since i use human grade food and wash and handle everything just like i would for my own plate, I think I'm ok. Cats and dogs can tolerate salmonella when we can't. I'm not going to eat it off the floor, but the fact is, 30 minutes after I put it down, the cats have cleaned the bowls.

[roadie gal]

I am curious, though, what the arguments against a raw diet are. I like to hear both sides of the story.

It's gross.

It can take a lot of prep time.

It can be harder to board your dog or have someone watch it if it's on a complicated food schedule.

It can be harder to get a fully balanced, nutritionally complete diet.

It can be more expensive.

Some animals can't tolerate it.

If you want to look at some of the arguments, go to www.dogforums.com and browse the dog food forum. There are MANY threads dealing with the pros and cons and the how-tos of raw feeding. Some people are very passionate... in both directions.

[Tuckervill]

If cats don't have a thirst reflex, why do they drink at all?

Seems illogical to me.

Karen, happy with her dry food fed cats and dogs with bright, shiny coats, beautiful musculature, and healthy fitness

[Biciclista]

If cats don't have a thirst reflex, why do they drink at all?

Seems illogical to me.

Karen, happy with her dry food fed cats and dogs with bright, shiny coats, beautiful musculature, and healthy fitness

they don't have a strong thirst reflex. They do have a thirst reflex.
Domestic cats have several problems that are caused/exacerbated by not drinking enough, including urinary disorders and kidney failure.

[Tuckervill]

they don't have a strong thirst reflex. They do have a thirst reflex.
Domestic cats have several problems that are caused/exacerbated by not drinking enough, including urinary disorders and kidney failure.

Oh, I guess I didn't remember the adjective by the time I got around to posting a response.

I know about cats having kidney problems. My cats seem to want to drink every day, so I don't worry about them.

Karen