
The Scoop on Raw Diets for Pets | ADW Diabetes
I often get questions about raw diets both in my general practice and from my ADW readers. I received another email today about raw diet for a diabetic pet and figured its time I write a newsletter on the subject.
Raw diets is just that: uncooked. There are numerous brands of commercial raw diets.
In general Im not a fan of raw diets. In my own veterinary practice, Ive seen pet owners feeding their pets raw and more often than not, they present with increased frequency of diarrhea. Two years ago I employed a veterinarian at my hospital who fed her own pets raw diet. I didnt wish to tell her how to practice at my hospital where Im the boss, but I look back and wish I had. Instead, I requested that if the topic came up to inform our clients that I was opposed to raw and to, at the very least, avoid raw poultry due to the higher risk of bacterial contamination with salmonella. Suddenly, it seemed I had a dozen or so of my own patients eating raw diet. Some pets will do fine (meaning they dont have diarrhea) and yet, I think it was more than a coincidence that several of these pets had increased incidence of diarrhea on raw. It was just as most veterinary nutritionists claim and why I avoid suggesting raw diets.
I do agree that many of the good nutrients and antioxidants in food are diminished by the high temperatures that are used to cook commercial diets. Im all for folks who wish to make homemade diets for their pets. Thats true love and dedication as a pet owner. I just want the meat to be cooked. And if a person opts to make home cooked meals, the pet should be on a m
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