Why do the vets have a problem with Homecooking and Raw Diet???

simmons · #1 24th July 2007, 12:07 PM

When I went to the vet this morning and got on the topic of homecooking. I knew this was going to happen, she told me they do not recommended homecooking. It is not good for the dogs, can cause major health problems and will have to get surgery in the future. They don't get all the nutrients that are in kibble and that the internet is bad bad for having this info on there. I said what about "Raw?" She said OH NO!!!! Not good at all, the dogs will break thier teeth from the bones and may chew on a bone or meat that is bad for them. She even said "What if they get a bad piece of meat from china or something" WHAT!!!!!! OK, what about all the bad kibble recalls from over seas.

They don't even get meat from china.

She said, it may be easier on you to feed them home cooking but it is not good for them. I said "No it's not easier on me, it's more time comsuming and I know what they are eating and it is healthy. It's easier to go buy a bag of dogfood each month!!!

So why do they have such a bad taste in thier mouth for homecooking and raw? She told me to tell all my friends to stop feeding raw and homecook. "Yeah, OK!!!!"

bayleighmom · #2 24th July 2007, 12:14 PM

I was worried about the homecooking and the vets reaction. All he said was, whatever you are feeding, they look great.

I donated a 30 pound bag of kibble to my local shelter and got to talking to one of the directors. I mentioned that I homecook and she recommended a local vet that supports homecooking and RAW. I will be checking the vet out!!

I don't get it either. Would you rather fill your dog with crappy food filled with preservatives and god knows what else or cook for them and know exactly what they eat. No brainer to me!!

ehayes21 · #3 24th July 2007, 12:23 PM

Because vets are doctors, not nutrionists and nutrition is not a mandatory part of completing their DVM. Any classes that are offered are usually voluntary and are sponsored by the makers of Science Diet and Hills. Go figure.

simmons · #4 24th July 2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehayes21

Because vets are doctors, not nutrionists and nutrition is not a mandatory part of completing their DVM. Any classes that are offered are usually voluntary and are sponsored by the makers of Science Diet and Hills. Go figure.

Very true!!! She kept trying to sell me on Science Diet, No Thank you

They also mentioned that he looked a bit heavy, probably because he's eating homecook and it's bad for him. I said, actually he has gotten much more leaner on home cooking. He's not overweight, just a big guy

It's just annoying when they think "they know" what's best for our kids.

nswain · #5 24th July 2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bayleighmom

I was worried about the homecooking and the vets reaction. All he said was, whatever you are feeding, they look great.

That's what my vet said after I switched to raw

I was worried about what the vets would say, too, but after seeing my little girl practically once a week for some kind of stomach issue while she was on kibble... they were all just relieved to see her finally healthy!
It's funny, I still get dirty looks from the vet techs when I tell them I feed raw... My vet actually had to reprimand one of his techs for being rude to me about it! I thank my lucky stars every day that I have an understanding vet... and IMO it's totally worth looking around and finding one who supports your decision to homecook.

**gmacleod** · #6 24th July 2007, 05:05 PM

Not all vets are anti-raw or anti-homecooking

On the contrary, some of the greatest proponents of real food are also vets. There's little chance of all of them agreeing about it though (and certainly not as long as the small amount of nutritional education available to vet students is provided by the pet food industry).

ladyluck_t · #7 24th July 2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simmons

Very true!!! She kept trying to sell me on Science Diet

I had a vet try that with me, wanted me to give my kaite girl the nasty I/D or some such to help her loose weight. I interrupted the vet in mid sentence, handed her my leash, walked out the door, picked up a small bag of the crap she wanted me to feed, turned to her and said "this what you are talking about" she said yes with a big smile on her face. So I turned the bag over, read the ingredients, set it back on the shelf, walked back into the room, took my leash from her and said "Well, no thanks, If I wanted to feed my dog garbage and cardboard there are way cheaper ways of doing it" Turned myself around and went to the desk to pay.

poor vet was standing there with her mouth open. It was too funny.

My new vet, when I brought my girl in for a UTI, asked what I fed, I said raw, and at the same time was removing her coat, I heard him take a breath to say something but at that exact moment I stood up with the coat. He looked at Kaite, let the breath out, and about a minute later said "well, you know people who feed high quality diets like Iams have this trouble to"

I was so happy to aviod the "lecture" I didnt correct him with the Iams/high quality part. His partner is much more interested in good food and was very happy to hear that even though I feed raw I do pre-made ground and variety.

I dont get much flack anymore. But then it is hard to argue with my irish temper and darned female stubborness

Rob290482 · #8 25th July 2007, 04:41 AM

I have been taking Daisy to the vets roughly every other week since i got her (maybe once every 3 weeks at least) due to her always having massive runny poo and not gianing weight (she has actually been loosing weight recently) they took blood and poo samples and they all came back fine so the vet advised .... Hills ZD food.

I asked about raw feeding and he was like.. "NO NO NO its BAD for them, humans cant eat raw meats so dogs cant either. there are too many bad things in meat unless its cooked. you need to use this food (pointing to Hills) or she will get worse and need operstions to remove the bones she eats and cant process"

I was abit worried as i have always assumed that the vet knows best (but then again he did give her ACE when she was spayed without first asking)

I ignored him anyway and tried her on raw. she has gained a bit of weight (dont know how much, but she looks much better), her poos are hard, dark and tiny compared to what they use to be like. she doesnt pass anywhere near as much wind (a big relief for us all. lol) and the vet thinks we are feeding Hills. lol.

When i go back in a week and he says "see, i told you hills will be best for her" i will say, well actually i have been feeding her raw and look how good she looks.

I have also noticed that Hills ZD contains chicken. now i think i am right, but poultry is quite high on the allergy list i think. so why would they use that and not something like veal or another meat that isnt in most dog foods. it costs enough, especially as they use cheap chicken. its not even proper chicken, its animal derivatives and cereals with chicken liver.

finished my ranting now, but i do think that vets are given incentives for the amount of hills they sell. they even give out FREE puppy packs that contain a 1kg bag of hills and a disount of your next bag.

simmons · #9 25th July 2007, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmacleod

Not all vets are anti-raw or anti-homecooking

On the contrary, some of the greatest proponents of real food are also vets. There's little chance of all of them agreeing about it though (and certainly not as long as the small amount of nutritional education available to vet students is provided by the pet food industry).

I know, I thought about this last night so I called two other vets in my area. Both extremely well known and popular with other family and friends. I asked "what do you think about homecook and raw?" And of course, they both ranted on like the my original vet did

So I am going to keep calling around today and see what response I get.....even if it is a longer drive.

amandarobs · #10 6th August 2007, 10:04 PM

Very true!!! She kept trying to sell me on Science Diet, No Thank you!!

I am currently feeding my 4 boxers Royal Canin Boxer formula at $40.00 a bag for a 35lb bag... have seriously like to start cooking for them however they have their food out all day because my oldest boxer gorged himself when we did time meals...I am guessing that he was somewhat abused b4 we got him. anyway...Could I cook for them for dinner time and then do regular boxer food for while I am at work?

Thanks
Manda
Mommy to Tyson (11 yrs, male brindle), Tessie (8 yrs, female fawn), Tia (4yr old brindle female rescue) and Roxie (4 yr old female fawn rescue)

CosmoH · #11 7th August 2007, 08:43 AM

I haven't broached this subject with my vet yet, who I found out yesterday is a boxer owner. I'm sure it will come up at some point soon, though I do a combination diet of Wellness puppy food and raw ground meats. I'd suspect that some are concerned about our ability to provide all the nutrition a dog needs, and some are sold into a certain kibble brand just like some docs push certain prescriptions. As long as your dog is healthy and happy, I'm not sure what the issue is.

LLANGE1852 · #12 8th August 2007, 07:48 AM

When I took Bud in late in June for mass cell tumor removal I told my vet I had started homecooking for my two boxers. She was all for it! Even had some receipes for me when I picked him up that night. Love my vet!! :-)

-Laurie,
Mom to Flashy Fawn boys, Bud and Indiana Jones