Originally Posted by Kiskasiberians

Your dog is as likely to contract salmonella from dry dog food as it is from raw (not many vets will tell you this). Whilst salmonella is evident in chicken over the past 10 years the levels have been reduced to ensure that there is no major outbreak in humans.

Dogs are surprisingly well-equipped to deal with bacteria. Their saliva has antibacterial properties; it contains lysozyme, an enzyme that lyses and destroys harmful bacteria. Their short digestive tract is designed to push through food and bacteria quickly without giving bacteria time to colonize. The extremely acidic environment in the gut is also a good bacteria colonization deterrent. People often point to the fact that dogs shed salmonella in their feces (even kibble-fed dogs do this) without showing any ill effects as proof that the dog is infected with salmonella. In reality, all this proves is that the dog has effectively passed the salmonella through its system with no problems.

Also if you purchase from a raw pet food supplier uner EU regulations they have to send regular samples for testing the salmonella levels.



Some people feed veg some don't if you do feed it then it is easier for some dogs if it is liquidised first.

The basic rule of raw for dogs is 80% meat, 10% Bone and 10% Offal (+veg if desired). Feeding between 2% and 3% of the adults projected bodyweight. If you need more information join the BritBarf Yahoo Group.



Actually too high organ meat is bad for dogs and cats as it can flood their bodies with too much of the toxins that livers and kidneys are meant to remove.



Ox tails and weight bearing bones can break teeth and should only be fed as recreational bones (chew and throw away)



Normal food hygine is essential when using any type of raw meat, wether this is for humans or animals.



If you are feeding grass fed meats then they have as high an Omega 3 level as fish.