Home Cooking for fluffs

[vjw]

Anyone who knows me knows I don't follow the herd. I had a semester of human nutrition in college and I also had a semester of microbiology. (I have both an Associate of Science Degree and a Bachelor of Science Degree.) I have many years of experience in the health field, which includes a position in a teaching and research hospital. All my years of experience taught me to respect the knowledge of the experts in academia. Are they perfect? No. Do we know everything about nutrition? No. Subscribe to the free ScienceDaily.com. There's new research published almost daily about nutrition, health, technology, etc. Do I want to go with what is KNOWN via scientific evidence about nutrition for both me and my pets? YES. None of that "theory" stuff for me that's pushed by the alternative crowd.


The overwhelming majority of veterinarians, especially the 50 or so who are specialized in veterinary nutrition, recommend using a dog food that has been tested and has been substantiated that it is complete and balanced using AAFCO standards. That's enough credibility for me. I don't want any of my animals to be "guinea pigs" for testing dog food.

Back to the microbiology course I took in college. I learned enough in that course to know better than to feed raw. The risks of salmonosis and illness from other pathogens aren't worth the benefits to me.


Joy

[Lindy]

Please don't misunderstand. We do understand. A lot.

And as for theories, haven't we all been taught through the years, the theory of evolution by great and learned men and women of academia? Yet, it is just a theory.

That's what is great about our forum. We can all learn from each other and help each other.

[princessre]

But aren't some research writings also funded by big companies that want to push their "product?, whether it is dog food that sits on a shelf without refrigeration for years, vaccinations/shots, drugs, or vitamins/supplements?

"Research" and "academia" should be researched also. Dig a little deeper into everything, and see where each authority is coming from? Who they are getting grants from?

Regarding the AAFCO, I will say that if I myself followed the human equivalent - the US RDA food pyramid-- I would undoubtedly be 30 pounds overweight, very allergic, and very unhealthy. That's just me. I have tried feeding my dogs different premium dog foods. I have tried feeding them home cooked food. We have done blood work on both. For my two, the clear winner is the home cooked food. We all should do our own "research," make our own decisions, and judge the results for ourselves.

I also don't think it is helpful to relegate discussions of holistic care and health to the "alternative" crowd. Some of that knowledge that we are rediscovering goes back thousands of years to other civilizations that survived and thrived on little to no vaccinations, medicine, or even supplements.

[Nikki's Mom]

Originally Posted by princessre

But aren't some research writings also funded by big companies that want to push their "product?, whether it is dog food that sits on a shelf without refrigeration for years, vaccinations/shots, drugs, or vitamins/supplements?

"Research" and "academia" should be researched also. Dig a little deeper into everything, and see where each authority is coming from? Who they are getting grants from?

Regarding the AAFCO, I will say that if I myself followed the human equivalent - the US RDA food pyramid-- I would undoubtedly be 30 pounds overweight, very allergic, and very unhealthy. That's just me. I have tried feeding my dogs different premium dog foods. I have tried feeding them home cooked food. We have done blood work on both. For my two, the clear winner is the home cooked food. We all should do our own "research," make our own decisions, and judge the results for ourselves.

I also don't think it is helpful to relegate discussions of holistic care and health to the "alternative" crowd. Some of that knowledge that we are rediscovering goes back thousands of years to other civilizations that survived and thrived on little to no vaccinations, medicine, or even supplements.

[vjw]

Originally Posted by princessre

But aren't some research writings also funded by big companies that want to push their "product?, whether it is dog food that sits on a shelf without refrigeration for years, vaccinations/shots, drugs, or vitamins/supplements?

"Research" and "academia" should be researched also. Dig a little deeper into everything, and see where each authority is coming from? Who they are getting grants from?

This is even more so for holistic medicine. They're getting sponsors for their education from food companies and supplement companies.


Regarding the AAFCO, I will say that if I myself followed the human equivalent - the US RDA food pyramid-- I would undoubtedly be 30 pounds overweight, very allergic, and very unhealthy. That's just me. I have tried feeding my dogs different premium dog foods. I have tried feeding them home cooked food. We have done blood work on both. For my two, the clear winner is the home cooked food. We all should do our own "research," make our own decisions, and judge the results for ourselves.

I find it difficult to believe that you would gain weight, but hey, everybody's metabolism is different. We're not all allergic grains, and we benefit from the nutrients in them.

I also don't think it is helpful to relegate discussions of holistic care and health to the "alternative" crowd. Some of that knowledge that we are rediscovering goes back thousands of years to other civilizations that survived and thrived on little to no vaccinations, medicine, or even supplements.

And most of it is still unproven using scientific methods. Not to say they won't be in the future, they just aren't for now. If they are scientifically proven, they become part of "medicine".


There's a ton of educational and funny videos about holisitic medicine online.

Joy

[silverhaven]

I am also considering feeding home cooked. I don't really think it needs to be perfect as what is recommended is rarely perfect either. I don't eat all that is recommended for me either. It seems every few years the evidence of nutrition changes all the time. Not so long ago we were told low fat hydrogenated everything or you will die of a heart attack and get very fat, now it is get back to real fat and real food. I still subscribe to eating everything natural in moderation because the fads and recommendations change all the time.

[Lindy]

Originally Posted by princessre

But aren't some research writings also funded by big companies that want to push their "product?, whether it is dog food that sits on a shelf without refrigeration for years, vaccinations/shots, drugs, or vitamins/supplements?

"Research" and "academia" should be researched also. Dig a little deeper into everything, and see where each authority is coming from? Who they are getting grants from?

Regarding the AAFCO, I will say that if I myself followed the human equivalent - the US RDA food pyramid-- I would undoubtedly be 30 pounds overweight, very allergic, and very unhealthy. That's just me. I have tried feeding my dogs different premium dog foods. I have tried feeding them home cooked food. We have done blood work on both. For my two, the clear winner is the home cooked food. We all should do our own "research," make our own decisions, and judge the results for ourselves.

I also don't think it is helpful to relegate discussions of holistic care and health to the "alternative" crowd. Some of that knowledge that we are rediscovering goes back thousands of years to other civilizations that survived and thrived on little to no vaccinations, medicine, or even supplements.

Amen to that Great post!

[princessre]

If I wait 20 years for the USRDA to change its food pyramid, I just might be dead by then.

[Lindy]

What it all should really come down to is:

REAL FOOD, fresh and alive. It's not rocket science.

[Nikki's Mom]

I think that some who post here do not really understand what the SM forum is. This is an online discussion forum. It is not a website where one person dictates what is right or wrong to others. On discussion forums, there should be room for all points of view, otherwise, it is no longer a discussion forum, but a soapbox for one person's point of view.

I know that not everyone will agree with me on all things, and that is absolutely fine with me. I think it is improper for people to insist that they are right and there is absolutely no room at all for a differing opinion - and anyone who doesn't agree with them is not telling the truth. If people want to seek paid advice from folks that they regard as experts, then they can do that. But this is an online discussion forum.

I am not here to be dictated to on how to raise and feed my dog YOUR WAY, whomever you are.

I joined SM to discuss various methods on what works for you, and what works for me, compare notes, make friends. If people want to feed their dog Purina, it is fine with me, because it is still a free country. Now when they ask for OPINIONS about Purina, well, I may or may not post my opinion about it.

My original reason for starting this thread was to encourage people who WANT to home cook.

Now, as usual, it has degenerated into a "let's pull out our academic credentials and tell people to never, ever think about straying from what the AAFCO tells use to do," session.

Despite the naysaying about Dr. Harvey's pre-mix and home cooking, my original post still stands. If you WANT to home cook or use a pre-mix, then I encourage you to try it and see how your dog does on it. Don't be scared or intimidated.

This is not a perfect world. There are no guarantees. Neither science nor academia can guarantee perfect health and well-being for one single living dog. That is why we have to use the brain we were born with to make our choices and live with the consequences of our choices.