Raw Feeding and Salmonella ??? - Page 4

I have never fed raw, but the the risk of Salmonella or Ecoli is not why. I believe that proper hygiene will minimize the risk of any pathogen. And since credentials were asked of SueAnn, I have a BS degree in Microbiology from University of Illinois, BS in Medical Technology, and a DDS also from University of Illinois, and currently work in the Clinical Microbiology lab of the University of Chicago Hospitals. Unfortunately, my reason for not feeding raw is just plain laziness and the seeming inconvenience of it all...... and yes I feel really guilty about it, but guess not guilty enough to start feeding raw. If someone could persuade me of its ease or convenience (from getting the ingredients, storage, serving, etc) I'd probably give it a try.

utzczr

If you have a freezer that you can use for the dog(s) to store their feed and can dedicate 1 1/2 - 2hours per month (depending upon your dog's percentage it could be more), per dog  to weighing, packaging and freezing you can feed raw.  This is for bulk quantities of RMB's, MM  and OM per box and includes using some of the OM for making training treats.(Training treats over and above the 1 1/2 - 2 hours or OM just not ordered again the next order as you already still have it). 

After that it's a matter of pulling a bag of food out of the freezer, thawing in the refrigerator and dumping it in the bowl.  Really, in the long run, less work than measuring out the feed from a bag of kibble.  Wash hands before.  Wash hands after handling the bag and dumping it in the dog's bowl, wash hands after feeding and wash hands after collecting the bowl afterwards.

Variety is the true issue.  With your education you also know that different proteins supply different nutrients so I don't need to go into details.

I think the bottom line is whether or not a person is willing to take the time to educate themselves and commit a couple of hours more per month to benefit the health of the dog. Kibble manufacturers have for years played on "convenience". 

It is a little more work on the part of the owner.  It's kind of like the diet itself.

Balance over time.  Prep time, feeding time, and nutritionally.

JustLurkin,

The only freezer I have is the small one in my small fridge that comes with my apartment. Not much room in it--- just a few frozen items along with the ever-necessary Vodka and Kahlua.

Sorry, utzczr. 

Not enough, truthfully, to make it either convenient or economical unless you don't buy anything other than vodka and Kahlua that needs to be frozen for your own use.  (I've heard of refrigerated for both of them but not frozen.  Sorry).  

Don't know how many dogs you have or if you could even fit a small chest freezer in your apartment but if you have only one dog and can spare just a 3'x3' space in the kitchen or laundry it can be done.

If not the option is to deal with the kibble and the convenience and the bacteria.

Have fun with that vodka and Kahlua.

sorry justlurkin got confused :) 

this whole salmonella argument always comes up and seems to aways end in a stalemate of sorts for me it's gotten very old, not big on the fear thing bottomline to each their own.

utzczr -  if you have no real freezer space and have no room for a freezer and want to improve your dogs diet via raw diet you can simply shop as often as you need at your local store most stores will carry raw meaty bones like tails and necks of various meats like pork, lamb, beef ... you can feed whole chicken and table scraps (lonsdale's diet)  it's not necessary to have a freezer but they are good if you're on a limited budget.  if you can afford to pay a bit more no need to buy in bulk so no real need for a freezer:)  if you want to do a barf diet most quality pet stores now carry rolls/chubs of mixes (meat veggies) it may not be as easy as kibble but like cooking for yourself the more prep you are willing to do the cheaper it is.

Susan

I have always been told NEVER feed pork, so this is the second time I have seen people mention pork necks on this list, are they really  ok????

I don't care for an argument about whether or not salmonella is a greater issue from dogs fed raw.  If someone wants more information they can google and review the literature for themselves.  Citing specific studies or articles seems rather senseless when ample info is available for anyone who looks.  I did find some info about therapy dogs not being allowed into some facilities if they are fed raw.  The incidence of salmonella is reported as higher in raw fed dogs. 

As I mentioned many times, I truly believe raw is the healthiest option for a dog.  It's not my choice for my own dogs, however. 

KariM:  Pork necks are one of the staples that I feed RAW, and I've never had a problem feeding it,  I can't feed pork legs and feet, for some reason my dog barfs them back up.   You mention you have been told never to feed it, did those that told you that say why you should not feed pork?

No sweat, Susan.  We agree on the Salmnolla argument. 

KariM:  Many people don't feed pork because some dogs seem to get excessive (drive you out of the room/house) gas on pork products.  Pork neck bones are fine for many dogs.  I just limit them as far as my own dogs go and some owners just prefer that the dog be outside. LOL    

Sue-Ann:  If you don't care to cite sources that's fine.  If you don't want to feed raw, that's fine, too.

The incidence of salmonella is reported as higher in raw fed dogs.

not sure if this has been truly been studied; it might just an assumption - i've never seen any documentation not sure i i'll take it as fact until i see it from an unbias source.

regarding pork:  we feed necks, feet, snouts, hocks, jowls, hearts ... whatever we can get - we buy whole pastured animals and share with the dogs:) - and never have had any problems i think it depends on the dog.

susan