Finding a raw feeing vet..

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Hello

I am a raw feeder (I mix with honest kitchen, Embark) I am looking to switch vets, but I am having a hard time finding a vet that agrees with raw feeding...any suggestions?

Thank you in advance

[David E]

Good luck. I'm highly suspicious of vets these days. I took my dogs for their shots and check up a few weeks back. I like my vet and she commented that my dogs had the best teeth she'd seen all week....I told her we feed raw and her demeanor changed and she muttered "well in your case they seem to be doing ok". 

It's a shame and I'm sure it's because of the health benefits that they don't like raw diets. I think we forget they are in business to make money - fair enough, but it's frustrating when you want to find the best care for your pets.

[Joy & Buddy]

I'd look for a holistic vet.  It was a holistic vet that suggested to me that I switch Buddy to raw, after my other vet (who is attentive and careful, etc) had no suggestions to help with his digestive & coat issues.  So, now I use both.  Good luck!

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Thank you both for the replies...I would never imagine it would be this hard to find a good vet...I didnt put this much thought into finding my own doctor! Unfortuantely I am not in an area where holistic vets are..there is one about an hour away... David, I am going through the same experience..I call the office, speak to the receptionist...very friendly, then I ask if the Dr is for/against raw feeding, she puts me on hold, then comes back with a cold answer...its amazing!

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

I've been with my vet for  along time. We've been through a great deal together. I just told him that I switched to raw and I believed that this was best for the dogs. His primary concern was that they were getting a full range of nutrients. I told him that they get organ meat and fish. That was our entire conversation. My highly allergic dog is in the best shape ever and the state of all the dogs teeth has improved, my little bulldog no longer need her dental cleaning. I know that this is not his preference. But he respects me and I have a great deal of respect for him and am not willing to sacrifice a 10 year relationship over food.  So I would say we understand each other.

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

I am jealous of your relationship with your vet! The vet I have now actually mocked me when I told him that I do not care for the ingredients in the crap food he tries to push on me!!! I am debating between the holistic vet and another vet that is closer, and is open to the idea of raw, though he doesn't endorse it...UGH!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

When Guinness first started with all his digestive issues my Vet was willing to work with me to develop a home cooked diet.  She had never done this before, but was willing to do the research to be sure that my plan was something she could endorse.  He did well on this, but then Murph started with all the same digestive issues, and even home cooking didn't solve his problem.  That's when I decided to try the dehydrated raw (Honest Kitchen).  Again, this wasn't a diet that she was familiar with, so she did her research.  She researched the company and the ingredients in the food.  Her only real concern was the protein content.  Murph was still a puppy, and she felt it wasn't high enough.  So we came to a decision to feed the HK and supplement with additional protein (cooked meat and eggs).  She has seen how well both of my Doods have done on this food, and now she's actually offering it as an option to other dogs in her practice.  I admire the fact that she was willing to approach their problem with an open mind and do the work to determine if she could be comfortable with it.  She now admits that Guinness and Murph have taught her a lot about alternate feeding approaches.  I feel very fortunate to have her...she's a great support and a big believer in continuing the learning process.  I wish you luck in finding a Vet who will be willing to work with you....ask lots of questions.

[David E]

Wow, great vet!

I have a question though, the HK is raw, so why do you cook the additional meat? 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Just because I feel better about it, and it's often leftover chicken or beef from our human meals.  Now when I make chicken, beef, or pork I don't season it before cooking, and if there's any leftover, it's the protein supplement for dogs' next meal.

[David E]

Fair enough. As long as there's no cooked bones, which I'm sure you know. You could just give it uncooked though, they'll still love it.

Whatever works. I keep some HK around for emergencies. Too many veggies in it really, but it's good quality stuff.

[Lisa Marin]

Hi Jane. I have followed your posts because it sounds like your pups have had the same issues that I am having with Tucker. He can not eat any kibble without having loose stools then diarrhea. Only if he is taking the antibiotic metronidizole, which I really don't want him taking anymore. He has been on it for most of his life. I am nervous about raw food but want to try. Should I try with HK or with instinct patties. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Trudy Harlow]

I'm not Jane, but I fed my dog raw for a year.  Don't worry -- it's not the big deal everyone claims it is.  I want to get my dog back to raw, but will give it a little more time.

My dog wouldn't touch the mushy, vegetable-laden, reconstituted HK or any other formulation.  I took like 3 bags back to our local pet store (they are really, really nice people).  Some dogs here love it.  I have to say, though, that freeze-dried is way easier, especially if you travel much with your dog.

OTOH, we do travel and have successfully traveled with Instinct venison and B.A.R.F. lamb raw patties.  You just have to remember to thaw them in advance (they keep, thawed, 3 days in the fridge).  I never fed Paddy if I didn't think he was hungry, because the food can't be left out more than 30 minutes before you have to toss it.  If he didn't eat right away, it went right back into the fridge.  While he was on this diet, his stools were half the size they are now, not soft, and nearly odorless.  Regarding precautions, you just treat the patties the same way you would any raw meat in your kitchen.  NBD.

I'm a firm believer in the raw diet but my dog eats like a cat -- and will in fact stop eating totally for days at a time if he doesn't like the food.  Last time, he lost more than 2 lbs on his skinny frame before I could get him to eat again.  Don't know what drove him off the raw diet, but am working with the people at B.A.R.F. twww.barfworld.com to get him back to it.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Hi Lisa,

I really can't comment on the instinct patties because I've never tried them.  I can only tell you that both of my guys were diagnosed with IBS (not IBD), and so I had to put them on home cooking.  They could not eat any kibble without initially loose stools which then turned into uncontrolled diarrhea.  Guinness did well on home cooking, but eventually Murph could not tolerate that either.  Several months ago I put them on Honest Kitchen, and they're been completely fine ever since.  It's expensive, but it has eliminated my constant trips to the Vet, recurrent stool samples, and meds.  It pays for itself with my guys.  I know that others have reported the same results.  I really believe that moving them to the HK prevented Murph from developing a much more serious case of IBS.  Good luck, and keep us posted.