my vegetarian dogs just ate raw meat, will they get sick?
I transitioned my dogs back onto a vegetarian diet at the beginning of April. They have been staying at the foster family/boarders house and when I get the chance to see them they look fantastic and healthy and wonderful...the boarders have not had any problems with them really in terms of behavior (accept Guinevere keeps getting into their kitchen trash can---Im going to buy them one of those ones with the flip lid that you step on and the can is heavy. I hope that will help. Those suckers are mad expensive!)
Anyways, the girl just called me to tell me that between my two doggies, they scarfed down THREE packages of raw meat! I don't know what type. I'm scared they are going to get sick now. I told her to watch for signs of illness and that if she noticed any to call me. I expect it would be diarrhea...and I would give them diluted pepto bismal...I am also going to replace the meat that they ate for the family (which I really really hate for obvious reasons) What do you think? Can a little doggies stomach handle being bombarded by meat after that many weeks? I feel like I would be worried about them even if they had not been on a veg diet before this... :-\
It is interesting that when dogs are around cows, pigs and chickens they don't attack them thinking "dinnertime".
Probably because cows and pigs are huge. I visited my friends who have 8 rescue dogs and pet chickens who wander all over their property (the chickens, not the dogs). Cali saw the chickens and I quickly grabbed her and put her in their huge fenced area. She would have gone for them. I would have died! I know she would have gone for them because she bolted. I grabbed her.
It has taken me the nearly three years of sharing my life with Cali not to go after Biko, my parrot.
They have recently become friends. I guess they have chatted to each other during the day and worked things out as Cali now pulls her bed beside Biko's cage and sleeps beside him a lot.
Isabela, my street dog would have gone after everything. She saw iguanas and rats in my friend's pet store and tried to break through their housing to get at them. She went after squirrels, bunnies and anything that was food. She also ate grass and plants. But that wasn't her main interest. It was things that provided her with what she truly needed. Of course when an animal eats an animals, it is getting all the plant material in the animals stomach.
None the less, everyone has the right to do what they believe is right. You know me, I say if you want a vegetarian pet, get a bunny, iguana, cow. Even chickens eat bugs when they are free to do so as in my firends chickens.
Cali eats all bugs. She is especially dong of ants. Isabela was too.
Being a vegetarian board, this is a very controversial topic. Yet, I personally can not put my beliefs on an animal that needs things I would prefer not to eat. I am their caregivers.
Believe me, it is not easy for me. I would prefer they be vegetarian. As in born vegetarians. I just finished a great article about the needs of dogs and cats. I am actually thinking of adding raw. I have always cooked except for organic liver.
Again, it is my choice. Doesn't have to be everyones. I do think it is not right to feed a vegetarian diet to a dog or cat.
Just like many of you feel it is.
That's what makes the world an interesting place.
Di...."Feeding a diet that appears good doesn't necessarily mean feeding the optimum diet for the animals health and true well being." ;)b
I think you misunderstood me. I do not believe dog, cats, hedgehogs should be on a vegetarian diet and mine never have been.
I have always stated that feeding a vegetarian diet may appear good, but it isn't the optimum diet.
I have stated that feeding their pet a vegetarian diet may make some think they are feeding their pets healthfully but one should feed their pet an optimum diet for their species. Their pet may seem healthy, appear healthy and maybe are healthy (although not optimally), but it is not the optimum diet for their needs. Crap, I have been on this board for about 15 or more years and this is the topic that always gets me in hot water.
Cats and dogs are not vegetarians. They should not be fed a vegetarian diet.
I am going to email you as I am switching back to home cooking but would like to add some raw. I have a few questions that should not be discussed on this board.
I will put something in the subject line so you know it is me.
Di
From wikipedia:
Diet
See also: Dog food
Despite its descent from wolves, the domestic dog is an omnivore, though it is classified in the order Carnivora. Unlike an obligate carnivore, such as a member of the cat family with its shorter small intestine, a dog is neither dependent on meat-specific protein nor a very high level of protein in order to fulfill its basic dietary requirements. Dogs are able to healthily digest a variety of foods, including vegetables and grains, and can consume a large proportion of these in their diet. In the wild, canines often eat available plants and fruits.
thanks - thats really interesting.
Di...just couldn't resist could ya? Hugs.
I think that Sansdawn actually understood and agreed with you which is why she was giving you the "thumbs up" smiley. I don't think she needed any further convincing. ;)b
Di...just couldn't resist could ya? Hugs.
I think that Sansdawn actually understood and agreed with you which is why she was giving you the "thumbs up" smiley. I don't think she needed any further convincing. ;)b
Hee hee hee...no I couldn't. You know me too well!
Did you hug your pups for me????
Di...just couldn't resist could ya? Hugs.
I think that Sansdawn actually understood and agreed with you which is why she was giving you the "thumbs up" smiley. I don't think she needed any further convincing. ;)b
Hee hee hee...no I couldn't. You know me too well!
Did you hug your pups for me????
Will do Di. Seven days of rain and they aren't liking it. They need to get out and play in the yard and get walks. On the other hand they are content to lounge around.
Hi,
As others have stated, with dogs being natural carnivors they should be just fine eating the raw meat.
Heck, with our rabbit and squirrel hunting dogs, as soon as the harvested Game is field-dressed we always feed the Hearts, Livers and Lungs to the dogs as a treat/reward. It has no negative effect on them and they absolutely love them. Plus, it also makes them better performers in the field as well.
YB
It is interesting that when dogs are around cows, pigs and chickens they don't attack them thinking "dinnertime".
true...but my dog does give the ducks and geese in the river behind the house a run for their money...me and the roomie always wondered what she would do if she actually caught one...
It is interesting that when dogs are around cows, pigs and chickens they don't attack them thinking "dinnertime".
true...but my dog does give the ducks and geese in the river behind the house a run for their money...me and the roomie always wondered what she would do if she actually caught one...
Most dogs will tend to give chase to ducks and such in more of a playful / curious manner, as opposed to a malicious one. Unless trained to do otherwise, their natural instinct to give chase takes over. (It is similar to what they say about Humans not running away if they were to encounter a Bear or MT. Lion in the wild, it triggers their instinct to give chase.)
The exception in the Ducks case of course may be some Water Dogs i.e. Retrieving breeds as well as aggressive breeds such as Pit Bulls etc.. they may actually kill one if they caught it. But you still should keep an eye on your dog, as any could potentially harm one if caught.
YB
It is interesting that when dogs are around cows, pigs and chickens they don't attack them thinking "dinnertime".
true...but my dog does give the ducks and geese in the river behind the house a run for their money...me and the roomie always wondered what she would do if she actually caught one...
Most dogs will tend to give chase to ducks and such in more of a playful / curious manner, as opposed to a malicious one. Unless trained to do otherwise, their natural instinct to give chase takes over. (It is similar to what they say about Humans not running away if they were to encounter a Bear or MT. Lion in the wild, it triggers their instinct to give chase.)
The exception in the Ducks case of course may be some Water Dogs i.e. Retrieving breeds as well as aggressive breeds such as Pit Bulls etc.. they may actually kill one if they caught it. But you still should keep an eye on your dog, as any could potentially harm one if caught.
YB
oh she stays by my side, and she's too afraid to actually go into the water, so the ducks will always have that advantage ;) its so cute to watch her chase though.
Hi,
As others have stated, with dogs being natural carnivors they should be just fine eating the raw meat.
Heck, with our rabbit and squirrel hunting dogs, as soon as the harvested Game is field-dressed we always feed the Hearts, Livers and Lungs to the dogs as a treat/reward. It has no negative effect on them and they absolutely love them. Plus, it also makes them better performers in the field as well.
YB
Dogs aren't obligate carnivores, and they do better on a lower amount of protein than, say, cats, who are obligate carnivores. Feeding raw meat to dogs isn't entirely harmless... there are many epizoonotic diseases they can catch, and there's also the issue of how fresh the meat is.
Hi,
As others have stated, with dogs being natural carnivors they should be just fine eating the raw meat.
Heck, with our rabbit and squirrel hunting dogs, as soon as the harvested Game is field-dressed we always feed the Hearts, Livers and Lungs to the dogs as a treat/reward. It has no negative effect on them and they absolutely love them. Plus, it also makes them better performers in the field as well.
YB
Dogs aren't obligate carnivores, and they do better on a lower amount of protein than, say, cats, who are obligate carnivores. Feeding raw meat to dogs isn't entirely harmless... there are many epizoonotic diseases they can catch, and there's also the issue of how fresh the meat is.
Oops, completely forgot about this post, sorry ::)
In regards to the freshness of the meat, as soon as the rabbits or squirrels are harvested, they are dressed (innards removed) immediately right there in the woods, (as this contributes greatly the quality of the game as table fare). And the dogs are fed their treats / rewards at that time, so they really can't get it much fresher than that.
We've been doing it this way for years, and knock on wood, haven't had any problems with the dogs yet, and hopefuly won't have any in the future.
YB
My vet has reported a big rise in dogs with salmonella (spelling?) from people feeding a raw diet but using ordinary supermarket meat, chicken wings seem to be a particular problem. He has had a few patients die because of raw food as the owner isn't buying good enough quality. There is meat and there is meat. :-\
I have to agree with the fact that a dogs body is meant For meat the way their body is made. Its natural for them. Not so much for us.
I like some here have had mine on raw in the past and yes as would be expected they did great, in fact extending their lives into one 17years and one 18years before going to there next life. Holistic vets are not close to me and the allopathic ones were shocked at such a long life. Which made me laugh.
Any difference can be disturbing to digestion, but yes, pumpkin is good for that.
Best wishes
Ruth
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