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ethancrosby User is Offline

Posts:9

02/27/2013 7:02 AM
I know that this is a touchy subject, and I do not want this thread to turn into a flame war between two camps. I chose not to bump one of the other threads on this topic as I don't want to rekindle old fights. I have read a lot about raw diets over the last few days. I have read many passionate and logical arguments on either side, but everything I have found has been anecdotal (e.g., "this is what I feed my dogs and they do great."). Are there scientific studies anyone could point me to? Has anyone studied longevity, disease prevalence, or dental health in raw vs. kibble diets?

Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:3155

02/27/2013 7:35 AM
I do not know of any specific studies... I don't feed raw mostly because of my time, schedule, space and cost... however I do believe it is probably a very healthy way to go... makes sense the less processing of food the healthier it is for you... I know there are actually quite a few on this site that do feed raw, not sure if they will have input on studies for you or just reviews from doing it themselves...

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7929

02/27/2013 8:23 AM
I don't feed raw either because to time and I travel allot and the raw is just hard to deal with when traveling. My grandfather had a kennel back in the 60s and 70s where he fed raw and the dogs we adopted from him were also fed raw by my parents for a long time. At that time though the selection of quality dog foods was really bad. The problem with raw is it is very hard for individuals to achieve the right balance of minerals, vitamins, nutrients, etc. It can be done, but you really have to know what you are doing. Now, however, there are manufacturers getting on the raw band wagon and mass producing raw diets for consumers. I haven't checked those out so I don't have any idea how good they are. So to your question regarding studies, I have never seen anything official done in a controlled environment. Only the same things you have already read, mostly personal experience and anecdotal information. I have attended seminars though were part of the discussion was around proper nutrition and especially for puppies. They showed pictures of dogs and puppies with poor nutrition and same dog pictures once dogs were eating properly balanced diets. They were not pushing any particular food, but the discussion was about how quickly dogs are affected by poor nutrition and how easily many of those things can be corrected (especially in puppies) once the dogs are switched to a balanced diet. The point of this part of the seminar was a well balanced diet regardless of what you actually feed. The discussion also included puppy vs adult dogs foods and we compared ingredients. The conclusion was that puppy food was more of a marketing thing with dog food manufacturers rather than a special food that was needed for puppies. Puppy food is almost identical to the all life stages food I feed to all my dogs whether puppy or adult. If you do find any more official study on raw diets, please share as I would love to see it. I am always looking at different ways to improve the health of my dogs, but mostly find allot of the information is as you have found, personal and anecdotal. I know some people are very passionate about this type of discussion, but I find it very interesting and helpful to revisit feeding practices from time to time. Feeding is a personal decision and no one should be put down for their choice as we are all make the best decision for our own personal case. I don't think anyone can question that the people on this forum love their dogs.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

Rose

MH
Posts:362

02/27/2013 11:01 AM
You may have more success in researching the effect of heating/drying vitamins/nutrients in regards to humans. There should be a science behind it. But how far can human nutrition be related to dog nutrition? Not all studies can be reliable, it takes further analysis of how/when the study was conducted, the sample size, who funded the study, etc.

kpwlee

Raleigh, NC

MH
Posts:1019

02/27/2013 11:04 AM
There's a nutcase on the other forum I go to who will happily tell you all the positives of raw and all the negatives of kibble. He loves to spout scientific evidence but never links an article. My guess is if there were very clear articles he'd be linking them. I do think raw is healthy and although I could never due to a variety of reasons feed raw 100% of the time I do feed raw at least once a week. I know some who do the whole balanced raw (organs, meat and bone) and others that just do the meat/bone and a little organ meat as available. I have a friend with weims that have been on raw since under 8 wks old and are fabulously healthy - they also come from great breedings Genetics is a huge factor in overall health and in dental health.

It's Bugsy's world... http://dailyzoomie.blogspot.com/

pixie bee

MH
Posts:4476

02/27/2013 11:53 AM
If you are considering feeding raw my suggestion would be to try it for a month or two. Nothing beats first hand experience.

"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle

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