confused

[coppab]

Just wondering about feeding 'raw' .
Is this not a normal thing to do in your countries? It seems that people are choosing to go 'raw' when shouldn't that be normal?
Also, everyones talking about Bravo raw food (we don't have that here in Oz), isn't it easier to buy fresh meat from the butcher or supermarket, cut it up and feed it?
My experience with dogs living in Oz is we feed them whatever, no matter the breed. Dry food is the base meal, canned food is added and/or fresh meat (chicken/mince/roo meat) (only chicken fed raw, all red meat is cooked) left over dinners, cereal, veges etc.

I'm just confused as so called 'raw feeding' seems to be a diet choice not the norm, just wondering why?
Thanks for any insight:)

[imogene]

I find the whole raw thing confusing too - that is part of the reason why our Belzie is on Kibble with the ocasional tasty addition of fresh veg, or yoghurt.

Some people believe that a Raw diet is a replication of what our dog would get to eat if they were in the wild. IMO Frenchies are so far removed from their feral pedicessors that there little chance they would have evolved let alone survive in the wild, so replicating those condidtions makes no sense to me. I would only consider a raw diet as a last resort. - say if we had an IBS or allergies or some other dietary issue that was exacerbated by kibble.

Where I live RAW food for pets is as popular as Organic and Natural Foods for humans - the store where we get Belzie's food sells at least 4 different Brands including the one you mentioned. Even so most of the people I know that have their dogs on a RAW diet say it is much less expensive to make it themselves. Also by doing so you have more control over what is in it. Hope that helps

[slakker]

Norm is basically defined as what most of society does around you. In North America (more specifcially Canda) where I grew up, dry dog food was the "norm".

In Hong Kong where I was born and where my parents are from, they think I'm strange even to feed our pets (2 cats and a frenchie), pet food. In the village they grew up, pets basically ate left over human food. :eek:

Lucky times have changed... appicon

We personally have not switched to raw, but am not opposed to it. As long as our pets are well cared for (physically and intellectually), based on what we know today, then that's the best we can do.

[gmacleod]

I think it depends on where you live ;) Commercial kibble has simply taken off faster in some places than others, and actually, there are some places where it has yet to make even a dent in what people feed their dogs (ie. many parts of the world where people have never stopped feeding a natural diet). Bear in mind that kibble has actually only been around for about 50 years or so ;)

[franp]

I use Bravo because it is easy and inexpensive..

Easy; the meat is ground with the bone in it..I don't have to go to the store and get it.. In addition, the butcher does not carry Venison or duck nor will they grind the bone.

The cost for me is the same as if I made it myself..Bravo is made in Conneticut; I live in NY..very close, so the cost is low..Why not let someone else do the work..

Our dogs digestive systems have not changed ;though their outward appearance has..Raw meat and bones is what their bodies handle best IMO so that is what I choose to feed my dog.

When a dog comes into rescue and it has health issues,the first thing we do is put it on a raw diet..No commercial food (kibble) with grains.The change for the better in the condition of the dog's health is always positive..Most of the time it happens quickly.

Dari didnot eat before she went to raw..her coat was not nice and she had body odor..Now she loves to eat ; has a wonderful shiney coat , and I never need to bathe her...

[chrestomancie]

I order my raw meat etc from www.hare-today.com