raw feeding faq - Page 20

sorthund · 04-30-2008, 03:16 PM

Dogs' digestive tracts are short enough that E. Coli doesn't affect them, same with salmonella, in general. Now if a dog is sick, old or somehow weakened I suppose it could affect them somehow.

Jennie, dogs can't digest the cell membranes of veggies so they have to be "broken down" first, or there will be no nutritional value for the dog. If a dog eats a piece of carrot or corn you'll most likely see it come back out the other end in one piece, undigested. So veggies should be fed raw and blended or slightly cooked as that breaks the membranes down as well.

Jennie · 04-30-2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

I think Jennie is asking why feed fruits and veggies at all to animals that are essentially carnivores.

Nope that wasn't why I was asking. I understand the benefits that can come from fruits and veggies.

I just didn't understand what blending did. But now it makes better sense about the skins of a lot of veggies out there. Like corn and peas. If you feed baby carrots though, they are already skinned, do they have to be blended as well? Could you just MASH the veggies, instead of blending (as blending would just take up more space in dishes in my dishwasher, lol)

I read someone's GENIUS idea about freezing the fruits and veggies in ice cube trays. I already do this with fruit for my sugar gliders. And I think it makes a great frozen treat for the dogs, and it's healthy, AND blended! lol. My dogs loved their fruit 'popsicles' yesterday after I read that. Thankfully, they were already prepared, lol.

sorthund · 05-01-2008, 12:10 AM

I guess you could mash the veggies, IF they're cooked or steamed a bit, I wouldn't take it upon me to mash raw carrots, lol... Baby carrots? I don't know. Try it and see, you'll find the answer in the poop. Ice cube trays are great. Makes it easy to "pop" out servings of veggie mix. Have fun Jennie.

**wantsaDobe** · 05-01-2008, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLS

Do you guys feed any fruit at all?
sorthund, do you lightly steam the veggies or just raw?
I know my dogs love to chew up chunks of Zuchinni and Pumpkin, raw with skin on.

I fed veggies for the first 2-3 years, but have since eliminated them. I used to save and freeze cut offs from my food prep then run them through a processor once a week (along with fresh collard greens, carrots, and apples). I would add ground beef, offal, mackeral, and eggs. The resulting mixture would be 50:50 veg/meat.

I do still give a cored, PB-stuffed apple once in a while. As far as "green food" goes, I fed less than 10% for years. Several months ago I began doing 1can of green tripe one day, and 1 cup of The Honest Kitchen's meatless/grainless blend the next. As Simon gets on in years, he has a greater need for fiber in his diet.

Jennie · 05-04-2008, 02:42 AM

Thanks for the replies.

I didn't mean mashing carrots, lol..I meant mashing like what they have in those frozen mixed veggie bags, I already buy it for my sugar gliders. It has corn, green beans peas and cut carrots that are softer so they're probably cooked/peeled and easily mashed. I've been giving them baby carrots as treats, they really love eating them.

The cored apple with PB inside is another awesome treat idea!! Thank you for sharing! Maybe someone should open a link for fun/easy/quick treats for the dogs? Or is there already one open somewhere that I haven't seen yet? lol..

Hound · 05-17-2008, 01:11 AM

The blending is to break down the cellulose wall of the vegetative matter so that the dog can eeek a tiny bit of nutrients from the cell contents. Without blending them, they pass through since the dog, having no need for them, has no digestive ability to break down the plant material.

No plant matter for any of my canines or felines. Just meat, some bone, some organ.

**Luvbirds59** · 06-14-2008, 06:52 AM

Thoughts on canned Mackerel? Petey loves it, so I give him a 12 ounce can or two each week. It works well for a small meal in the morning on days I have to work.

crash97 · 06-14-2008, 09:51 AM

My question is this...I have a good friend who raises goats for food. He does his own slaughtering on premise and I asked if I could get his offal and such for my dogs. I've specifically asked for the stomachs and entrails for the mutts. Anyone have any concerns regarding goat vs. beef or chicken?
TIA

maryellen · 06-14-2008, 11:07 AM

i use canned mackarel , mine love it.

goat offal is good too, especially if its free..

**Luvbirds59** · 06-25-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crash97

My question is this...I have a good friend who raises goats for food. He does his own slaughtering on premise and I asked if I could get his offal and such for my dogs. I've specifically asked for the stomachs and entrails for the mutts. Anyone have any concerns regarding goat vs. beef or chicken?
TIA

Sounds like a fantastic deal! I've never fed goat, but if I could get nice chemical free meat that the animals had a nice life like most goats do....I'd feed it!

Carol & Petey!
ox