Raw food - Spoiled Maltese - the largest maltese dog forum and website

2maltmom · 11-11-2008, 10:11 AM

Does anyone feed their pups Raw food? The trainer in Abbey's obedience class thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread. She said her dogs coats have become more shiny and healthy and they poop less.... and it's easier to clean up. Is that right?

What are the advantages

and

What are the disadvantages?

Is there a difference between brands?

Sounds very interesting .....

**vjw** · 11-11-2008, 11:41 AM

Pat, I checked into feeding raw a few months ago and found that both the Centers for Disease Control and the American Veterinary Medical Association advocate AGAINST feeding raw because of the bacteria in it which can be harmful to both you and your pet. I briefly looked for the CDC article and can't find it but I'll keep looking.

Joy

2maltmom · 11-11-2008, 11:54 AM

Wow, really? Huh! ....and she had made it sound so wonderful.

Guess we won't be switching any time soon.

beckinwolf · 11-11-2008, 01:03 PM

http://www.naturesvariety.com/

I haven't tried it yet, but this is one company that makes a commercial raw diet. They also make dry kibble and canned as well. From what I've read, dogs have such short digestive system that any bacteria doesn't stick around long enough to make them sick. You just have to make sure to use safe handling techniques like you would with any raw food. Disinfecting surfaces where the food touches. This raw diet is also the only one that is AAFCO certified to be complete. Just giving some input. There are other companies that also have raw diets as well. I think one of the others is called Stella's or something.

**vjw** · 11-11-2008, 01:12 PM

QUOTE (beckinwolf @ Nov 11 2008, 12:03 PM)

Quote:

http://www.naturesvariety.com/

I haven't tried it yet, but this is one company that makes a commercial raw diet. They also make dry kibble and canned as well. From what I've read, dogs have such short digestive system that any bacteria doesn't stick around long enough to make them sick. You just have to make sure to use safe handling techniques like you would with any raw food. Disinfecting surfaces where the food touches. This raw diet is also the only one that is AAFCO certified to be complete. Just giving some input. There are other companies that also have raw diets as well. I think one of the others is called Stella's or something.[/B]

That reminded me of another reason I didn't go raw - the dog's feces will have the bacteria in it as well.

tamizami · 11-11-2008, 03:02 PM

I used to feed Stella and Chewy freeze dried raw food - much less mess than the frozen/defrosted ones. Whole Dog Journal just wrote about what high quality Stella and Chewy's is - and you can see lab results for bacteria tests on their website! If you want to try raw, this is the one to try in my opinion. http://www.stellaandchewys.com/

But, after getting high bile acid test results, our veterinary nutritionist advised against feeding raw since their livers might not be able to appropriately cleanse the bacteria. So no more raw in our house.....

Two kibbles that are closer to raw, without being raw, are Orijen and Evo. I just got the Orijen 6 Fresh Fish Formula and boy does it smell like fish! Stuart loves it. It is higher in protein (44%) and a little higher in fat (18%), but he eats much less and yes, the poo is much smaller and less stinky (same as with raw). Normally I wouldn't feed such a high protein to a maltese, but since its fish, I am a bit less concerned and am incorporating it into his food.

Good luck!

**MandyMc65** · 11-11-2008, 03:05 PM

I tried switching Jax to raw, and he LOVED it!

However, his runny poop was NOT fun! I ended up having to take him to the vet to get some antibiotic to reset his system.

We're back on regular kibble - it works for us!

I'm sure raw is good, but it just didn't work for us!

**Bonnie's Mommie** · 11-11-2008, 03:19 PM

Pat, I feed Bonnie Stella and Chewy's freeze dried raw. She loves it and it's very high quality. In fact, every once in awhile I get to thinking about changing her food and recently called the store that I buy her food from. They carry a lot of brands, and they said that Stella and Chewy's is the top food.
Oh, and her poop? Practically odorless and nice and firm. I know each dog is different, but that's Bonnie.

luvmyfurbaby · 11-11-2008, 03:32 PM

I use to exclusively feed raw to mine - Natures Variety but of course my picky ones tired of it. KCee will eat it fine and Snoopy devours it. Dogs process food a bit differently than humans and they have the enzymes necessary to handle the raw. We on the other hand have a slower digestive system then dogs and cannot handle the bacteria. I do keep Stella & Chewy's on hand and also sell it. It is much of a less mess then the frozen. The stool from the raw comes out dry and small because the dogs are absorbing most of the nutrients. I would make sure though that your fluff has a healthy liver before feeding them raw. The prey model is even better for them but mine just looked at me like I was crazy when I tried feeding them that. Snoopy on the other hand got rid of his skin allergies eating the prey model. JMHO

**vjw** · 11-11-2008, 05:27 PM

Pat, I've been looking for some of the credible resources I found when I was doing some digging. I thought I added them as favorites somewhere but I can't find them. I had a good one from the FDA which included warnings against feeding raw but I can't find it.

Here's an article from the American Animal Hospital Association:

AAHA's position on raw diets

This one from petplace.com lists some of the pros and cons:

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/raw-meat-deba...-dog/page1.aspx

EDITED TO ADD:

Here's a link to a portion of the book Puppy's First Steps from the Faculty of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University:

From Tuft's Puppy's First Steps

11-11-2008, 10:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
2maltmom Maltese Guru Name: Pat Dog's Name: Archie, Abbey, Angel's Adore Ava L'Amour & Tinker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Manahawkin, NJ Posts: 11,287	Does anyone feed their pups Raw food? The trainer in Abbey's obedience class thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread. She said her dogs coats have become more shiny and healthy and they poop less.... and it's easier to clean up. Is that right? What are the advantages and What are the disadvantages? Is there a difference between brands? Sounds very interesting ..... __________________

11-11-2008, 11:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
2maltmom Maltese Guru Name: Pat Dog's Name: Archie, Abbey, Angel's Adore Ava L'Amour & Tinker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Manahawkin, NJ Posts: 11,287	Wow, really? Huh! ....and she had made it sound so wonderful. Guess we won't be switching any time soon. __________________

11-11-2008, 01:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
beckinwolf Maltese Guru Name: Becky Dog's Name: Micky Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 614	http://www.naturesvariety.com/ I haven't tried it yet, but this is one company that makes a commercial raw diet. They also make dry kibble and canned as well. From what I've read, dogs have such short digestive system that any bacteria doesn't stick around long enough to make them sick. You just have to make sure to use safe handling techniques like you would with any raw food. Disinfecting surfaces where the food touches. This raw diet is also the only one that is AAFCO certified to be complete. Just giving some input. There are other companies that also have raw diets as well. I think one of the others is called Stella's or something. __________________ Becky and Micky

11-11-2008, 03:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
tamizami Maltese Guru Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Manhattan Beach, CA Posts: 2,095	I used to feed Stella and Chewy freeze dried raw food - much less mess than the frozen/defrosted ones. Whole Dog Journal just wrote about what high quality Stella and Chewy's is - and you can see lab results for bacteria tests on their website! If you want to try raw, this is the one to try in my opinion. http://www.stellaandchewys.com/ But, after getting high bile acid test results, our veterinary nutritionist advised against feeding raw since their livers might not be able to appropriately cleanse the bacteria. So no more raw in our house..... Two kibbles that are closer to raw, without being raw, are Orijen and Evo. I just got the Orijen 6 Fresh Fish Formula and boy does it smell like fish! Stuart loves it. It is higher in protein (44%) and a little higher in fat (18%), but he eats much less and yes, the poo is much smaller and less stinky (same as with raw). Normally I wouldn't feed such a high protein to a maltese, but since its fish, I am a bit less concerned and am incorporating it into his food. Good luck! __________________ Tami, Reina, & Stuart Little My recommendation for best dog healthcare book EVER: "Scared Poopless" at www.dogs4dogs.com

11-11-2008, 03:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
MandyMc65 Maltese Guru Dog's Name: Richelieu's White Tornado RN, CGC & Bellarata's Little Miss Sunshine Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central California Posts: 3,590	I tried switching Jax to raw, and he LOVED it! However, his runny poop was NOT fun! I ended up having to take him to the vet to get some antibiotic to reset his system. We're back on regular kibble - it works for us! I'm sure raw is good, but it just didn't work for us! __________________ ~Mandy, Ajax & McKenzie "If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them." ~Phil Pastoret Jax Video

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11-11-2008, 11:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
vjw Maltese Guru Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,886	Pat, I checked into feeding raw a few months ago and found that both the Centers for Disease Control and the American Veterinary Medical Association advocate AGAINST feeding raw because of the bacteria in it which can be harmful to both you and your pet. I briefly looked for the CDC article and can't find it but I'll keep looking. Joy

11-11-2008, 03:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bonnie's Mommie Maltese Guru Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 14,506	Pat, I feed Bonnie Stella and Chewy's freeze dried raw. She loves it and it's very high quality. In fact, every once in awhile I get to thinking about changing her food and recently called the store that I buy her food from. They carry a lot of brands, and they said that Stella and Chewy's is the top food. Oh, and her poop? Practically odorless and nice and firm. I know each dog is different, but that's Bonnie. __________________

11-11-2008, 03:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
luvmyfurbaby Maltese Guru Dog's Name: Mia, Cody, KCee, Bella & Snoopy Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Miami Posts: 4,613	I use to exclusively feed raw to mine - Natures Variety but of course my picky ones tired of it. KCee will eat it fine and Snoopy devours it. Dogs process food a bit differently than humans and they have the enzymes necessary to handle the raw. We on the other hand have a slower digestive system then dogs and cannot handle the bacteria. I do keep Stella & Chewy's on hand and also sell it. It is much of a less mess then the frozen. The stool from the raw comes out dry and small because the dogs are absorbing most of the nutrients. I would make sure though that your fluff has a healthy liver before feeding them raw. The prey model is even better for them but mine just looked at me like I was crazy when I tried feeding them that. Snoopy on the other hand got rid of his skin allergies eating the prey model. JMHO __________________ The Girls Bella & Mia

11-11-2008, 05:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
vjw Maltese Guru Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,886	Pat, I've been looking for some of the credible resources I found when I was doing some digging. I thought I added them as favorites somewhere but I can't find them. I had a good one from the FDA which included warnings against feeding raw but I can't find it. Here's an article from the American Animal Hospital Association: AAHA's position on raw diets This one from petplace.com lists some of the pros and cons: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/raw-meat-deba...-dog/page1.aspx EDITED TO ADD: Here's a link to a portion of the book Puppy's First Steps from the Faculty of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University: From Tuft's Puppy's First Steps