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Post by Nicole on Mar 16, 2004 18:21:35 GMT -5
I can't get past a few things with the raw diet and the main thing is the thought of bacteria all over my house and yard. I envision the dog eating the raw food and then chewing on his toys which then roll all over the carpet, floor, couch, my lap and my hands. Or perhaps he licks someone? Does this concern you? Keep in mind that I am a bacteria freak. I have had food poisoning twice and the only thing worse than this illness has to be death. Once from sausage I ate at a Christening where everyone got sick and the second from dinner at the home of an asian schoolmate who does not regularly use refrigeration and failed to mention this to me. Evidently her body is immune to the bacteria. I have never been so sick in my life. This is a huge concern to me. How do you deal with this problem?
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Post by amyjo on Mar 16, 2004 18:39:35 GMT -5
Okay - I was worried alot about this too......I can't say that I am totally "over" it either - At first I worried about licking and toys and tracking in stuff on my shoes ....etc.
I understand those bacteria to be pleantiful everywhere anyway and I am just a little more careful to wash up before eating, even snacks....And I am a little supertitious - I leave them outside for a while after they eat (I don't know what I really think that is going to do - but it makes me feel better.)
I still get my kisses and everything and believe you me they are ALOT more pleasant now!
Don't you already feed raw recreational bones? How do you deal with it now? Is it a frequency issue that has you concerned?
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Post by Nicole on Mar 16, 2004 18:49:52 GMT -5
The bones I gave were beef marrow, with just a tiny bit a meat. Reign was trained to eat it on a towel and not move. I guess it didn't bother me much because I eat my steak rare and steak is actually eaten raw in some dishes. It is the chicken, pork etc that I am very worried about. The meats that have to be cooked until well done to be safe for humans.
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Post by amyjo on Mar 16, 2004 19:03:29 GMT -5
But you are not EATING those things...at most you are touching something that someone touched that ate one of those things! I haven't gotten sick...Ann, Laura, Loey, Linda haven't gotten sick. I don't think any of us are doing anything extreme - just basic hygene. Your dog licks his butt and then licks you or plays with his toys....Dogs do nasty things - the least of which is eating raw meat. I also understand that salmonella occurs everywhere - it is already in your backyard and in your dog food bag. (somebody jump in here if I am on crack please)...
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Post by ohclueless1 on Mar 17, 2004 5:25:39 GMT -5
I don't know if this is good or bad.. but I have been using lysol after she eats... I just spray down the area she eats at. I also got an antibacterial cleaner to clean my kitchen floor and try to clean it every other day or so. I don't know if this works or even if its healthy. But until someone tells me its dangerous It just makes me feel better. I also stepped up on the harping that everyone clean their hands better. Not much else I can do I figure..... save go back to kibble, and that isn't happening.
We can only get Myah to eat pork at this point but it goes from freezer to fridge, fridge to dog and gone in 30 minutes. I have it all baggied individually so all I have to do is take out a meals for the day and then feed.
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Post by sibemom on Mar 17, 2004 5:38:47 GMT -5
In actuality if you feed marrow bones there are more bacterias in the marrow than in the meat. This was a big concern of mine to. I think if you use safe handeling practices where the meats are concerned there should be not problem. That is one of the reasons I feed Blade outside. If you are concerned about your yard just make sure you pick up any uneaten parts and dispose of them. You can buy lawn and garden lime and spread it around then take your garden hose and wash down the area. Lime is a wonderful sanitizer thus why farmers use it in there barns. It also makes your grass green and healthy. Dogs have something in their saliva that kills off bacteria and keeps them safe from getting some forms of it. If you have ever heard the Myth about allowing a dog to lick a wound on yourself because it heals faster actually there is something to that.
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Post by amyjo on Mar 17, 2004 7:12:56 GMT -5
I feed the dogs outside - I wipe down the area the cat eats every day with vinegar water... I was afraid to use something stronger (that the residue would get on his food)- dunno.
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Post by Nicole on Mar 17, 2004 8:49:29 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for your replies. You make good points. I have to get over my own phobia about it.
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Post by Willow on Mar 17, 2004 11:22:44 GMT -5
As Amyjo said, bacteria and parasites are every where. Even in the kibble you feed.
People have gotten samonella and tapeworm from raw veg's. Lettuce is a big carrier of tapeworm.
Dr. Lonsdale addresses this in his book. He lists all the bacteria and parasites. Freezing the meat first kills some of them. General hygiene is effective in all cases, and as long as you don't pet your dog and then put your finger's in your mouth, (although the chances of you even getting ill like this are rare) you should be o.k.
The use of Lysol and other bacteria killing chemicals is actually more harmful, because they just create a *super germ*, that eventually nothing will kill.
After handling the raw meat, I wash everything with soap/water and sometimes also add some clorax to the water. Some rawfeeder's wipe down the raw meat with vinegar before feeding, but I don't see the sense of this, because the bacteria etc. is inside the meat too...not just on the outside. Some of the worse parasites are only found in the organs, not in muscle meat, and the organs we buy in stores for human consumption has been inspected for the cysts before selling.
Dr. Lonsdale says meat purchased for human consumption poses little threat as long as ordinary hygiene practices are put into use.
He sums it up by saying:
"Most problems involving natural food feeding have negligible impact and when measured against the benefits recede into insignificance. For the artificial pet food industry the reverse is true. Natural food feeding poses a threat to the viability of the industry. As a tactical response the industry erect imaginary obstacles which they hope will deter pet owners from forsaking their artifical products."
He then lists the objections to rawfeeding, and the actual facts.
He also says it is best to pick up feces in the yard, and if your dog should contract worms of any kind, normal worming will take care of it.
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Post by amyjo on Mar 18, 2004 15:15:49 GMT -5
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Post by Nicole on Mar 18, 2004 16:01:59 GMT -5
Thanks Amyjo. That was interesting. I have come to the decision that I am not going to feed raw now. Just reading about pigs feet and chicken feet and skin and organs and cysts etc makes me feel ill. I really couldn't touch that stuff. And I don't think that the kibble (Innova) I am feeding is unhealthy. Yes it isn't raw or bones but the ingredients are pretty good and I am comfortable. Petey is lean and muscular, he has great energy, his poops are good, he is healthy, his coat is beautiful and he doesn't smell at all. And I will give recreational bones for the teeth. I was really stressed about going to raw for a number of reasons and realized that I just don't want to do it. I may change my mind someday, who knows. I felt comfortable about not vaccinating but I don't have the same comfort level with the raw diet. But thanks for the encouragement!!!
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Post by amyjo on Mar 18, 2004 16:56:28 GMT -5
Anytime on the encouragment thing... You certainly don't need to defend your choices...you do what you feel is best for yourself and Petey! As to raw feeding... It is a huge step and isn't easy to make it...For me personally - I did it because I was/am afraid that Elvis's cancer would come back. I know that this diet is not a "cure" but I didn't want his body busy processing grains when it should be fighting cancer... I think a lot of people who make the switch have a compelling reason to do it - like allergies, infections, gas, bad teeth and astronomical vet bills. If I wasn't worried about the cancer - I don't think I would have switched either because the idea really scared me. I am really glad I did though. I guess I would just encourage you to keep it in the back of your mind and let it roll around to the front every once in a while. ;D
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Post by Nicole on Mar 18, 2004 21:09:48 GMT -5
I guess I would just encourage you to keep it in the back of your mind and let it roll around to the front every once in a while. ;D Will definately do!!
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Post by Willow on Mar 20, 2004 14:47:43 GMT -5
Amyjo is right, Nicki...As long as your are comfortable with your choice/decision, it doesn't matter what anyone else does or thinks. ;D
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