Why a raw food diet?

All of my dogs have been fed a raw diet since they were pups. I've been feeding a prey-model raw diet since 2002. I believe the raw diet is in part responsible for my dogs' great energy and stamina, as well as their speed.

Dogs are carnivores and carnivores evolved to eat meat, organs, and bones. They do not have the jaw structure or GI tract required to eat and digest vegetables, fruits, or grains, nor do they produce the enzyme amylase which is required to break down carbohydrates. Although dogs can live on a diet of commercial pet food, they will not thrive and will very often have health issues, some of them quite serious, such as cancer. Raw fed dogs typically have shiny teeth and healthy mouths. Because of this, they are at a lower risk of heart, liver, and kidney disease, to name just a few.

Why feed raw? To have a happier, healthier dog with cleaner teeth, better coat, and fewer medical problems. So that you can spend more time with your friend and less time grooming, scooping the yard, and visiting the vet to address problems caused by poor diet. Because you want your pet to live the longest, healthiest life possible.

Here are some great resources:

• Raw Meaty Bones
• Dogs: The Omnivore-Carnivore Controversy
• United States Raw Meaty Bones Action & Support Group
• Raw Fed Dogs
• Raw Feeding FAQ
• The Raw Truth - A Blog
• Pet Food - Our Pets Are Dying For It
• Outcry Over Pets in Pet Food

Yahoo Groups

Some of my favorite Yahoo Groups:

		Raw Feeding (rawfeeding) There's an awesome amount of knowledge out there about how to successfully feed a raw diet. There are also some wonderful people who give up hour after hour of their time for free to assist people.
		RawChat This list is an extension of the Raw Feeding email list, where more lengthy and off topic discussion can happen, in particular to issues like vaccination, training, worming, etc.