Salmonella/Other Bacteria and Humans

[Sunflowers]

Originally Posted by Heidigsd

And I for one, prefer to get my information from a reputable source

Please explain why "reputable sources" such as many veterinarians recommend Science Diet.

[Vinnie]

To the OP – I have been feeding my dogs a raw diet for a few years and haven’t gotten ill from it (nor have the others who live in my house). I think an important factor in this is that I do believe in basic sanitary measures. I wash my hands. I do wash the dishes after they eat because who wants to eat out of a dirty dish? Would you eat off the same plate you ate a previous dinner from without washing it? I clean the cutting board and wash the counter off after food preparation as I would when preparing my own meals. I also mop floors once a week. I would do these things even if I fed a dry kibble. IMO clean up is basic when doing any food prep.

The problem with the anectodal advise that is given here is that it is very one-sided and any risk a raw meat diet poses is quickly dismissed. Just because people repeat something over and over doesn't make it true.

There is lots of information from reputable sources advising against feeding raw but it's never presented. People can make up their own minds about how/what to feed their dogs and the risk they are willing to take but should have both sides of the argument. And I for one, prefer to get my information from a reputable source and not a bunch of people that think "Yahoo" is a university.

I guess that's what you get in a 'B.A.R.F./Raw Feeding' forum? If it really bothers you, why be "one-sided" yourself?

There is also LOTS of information from reputable sources advising for feeding raw.

Dr. Ian Billinghurst, BVSc (veterinary surgeon since 1976), Dr. Tom Longsdale, DVM (since 1972), Monica Segal (certified in Animal Health Care), Dr. Francis M. Pottenger Jr. MD, Dr. Richard Pitcairn DVM, Lew Olson (AKC Judge and researching Canine Nutrition since the 1980s), Kymythy Schultze (Certified Animal Health Instructor, Clinical Nutritionist, Professional dog trainer, groomer, veterinary assistant, dog breeder and licensed wildlife rehabilitator) and a LONG list of other well educated professionals (more than I care to take the time to list) are where many raw feeders get their information and develop some of our beliefs.

I was first encouraged to feed my dogs a raw diet from a breeder (also schooled in pre-vet & animal husbandry) who has successfully fed her dogs this way for many years. She gave me the names of some of the people listed above as sources.

It’s not just from anecdotal advice from others or surfing the net that we've gained our knowledge.

[Jax08]

To add to Vinnie's post....I actually use a different cutting board all together for meat and vege's and there is one specifically for the animal's meat. 99% of what I feed is human grade but a small percentage is not, trim from wild game or trim from human grade meat. It's probably just me being paranoid but I prefer to use a different cutting board that is cleaned with salt and lemon juice after I'm done.

[msvette2u]

A RAW diet done poorly, IMO, is worse than the cheapest Ol Roy dog food.

This is a very good point. Personally, after having a dog develop elbow dysplasia, I'd never recommend feeding a large breed puppy raw and hope/pray it is getting the right amount of calcium.

IMO, it's safer to feed a good quality kibble, at least while the puppy is growing.
Even Ol 'Roy has to meet AAFCO standards for nutrition.

And there's a risk to everything, yes, but raw isn't the "best" thing out there. It depends on YOU and your dog, what the best thing for your pet is.

[Vinnie]

Originally Posted by Jax08

To add to Vinnie's post....I actually use a different cutting board all together for meat and vege's and there is one specifically for the animal's meat. 99% of what I feed is human grade but a small percentage is not, trim from wild game or trim from human grade meat. It's probably just me being paranoid but I prefer to use a different cutting board that is cleaned with salt and lemon juice after I'm done.

Funny you bring that up but this is what they teach in culinary schools. Always use one cutting board for the meats and a different one for the veggies.