Thread: Should I feed Raw food to my Mainecoon Cat?

Thanks for putting these links here, Debbie. When Dave gets back we could ask him to make this a sticky.

On the Raw Fed Cats site there is a useful practical guide with info about what types of meat to feed, percentages meat/bone/organ, and - very importantly - tips for transitioning your cats. The latter is what many people find the hardest... much harder than sourcing meat and working out a balanced menu.

Originally Posted by Antonia

Thanks for putting these links here, Debbie. When Dave gets back we could ask him to make this a sticky.

On the Raw Fed Cats site there is a useful practical guide with info about what types of meat to feed, percentages meat/bone/organ, and - very importantly - tips for transitioning your cats. The latter is what many people find the hardest... much harder than sourcing meat and working out a balanced menu.

Was not sure If I could do the sticky... Did check.. But You are welcome.. x

Why do some training schools prohibit puppies/dogs who are fed a raw diet from participating in their schools? When I had my Golden as a puppy signed up for puppy kindergarten a stipulation in the contract was no BARF allowed. I know this isn't about MC but I think this created a misconception that raw diet is a bad thing.

Originally Posted by deb's_boys

Why do some training schools prohibit puppies/dogs who are fed a raw diet from participating in their schools? When I had my Golden as a puppy signed up for puppy kindergarten a stipulation in the contract was no BARF allowed. I know this isn't about MC but I think this created a misconception that raw diet is a bad thing.

Some studies show that raw-fed dogs and cats shed more pathogens such as salmonella and e.coli in their feces than commercially-fed dogs and cats. So perhaps the people in your puppy class were nervous about raw-fed dogs spreading infection.

I once read about a pet therapy program in the US that excludes raw-fed pets too, for the same reason. Made me wonder how many old folks or sick kids got salmonella infection before that measure was implemented, and whether their numbers dropped afterwards.

In my country we have no such stipulations, at least not that I've heard of. Also I can't see how they could be justified... during puppy training or a pet therapy session people don't play with cat or dog poo, do they?

Perhaps in your country fear of litigation might play a part... excluding even the remotest of risks to avoid a lawsuit.

Originally Posted by Antonia

Some studies show that raw-fed dogs and cats shed more pathogens such as salmonella and e.coli in their feces than commercially-fed dogs and cats. So perhaps the people in your puppy class were nervous about raw-fed dogs spreading infection.

I once read about a pet therapy program in the US that excludes raw-fed pets too, for the same reason. Made me wonder how many old folks or sick kids got salmonella infection before that measure was implemented, and whether their numbers dropped afterwards.

In my country we have no such stipulations, at least not that I've heard of. Also I can't see how they could be justified... during puppy training or a pet therapy session people don't play with cat or dog poo, do they?

Perhaps in your country fear of litigation might play a part... excluding even the remotest of risks to avoid a lawsuit.

I checked also with my friend who shows her dog and also does puppy classes in the Netherlands... and they have no such stipulations either, in fact half of the group feed RAW

Plus I checked with another UK friend who takes dog classes and again no stipulations on what you feed.

I know when I was showing my Japanese Akitas as high as Crufts level, my mentor and breeder friend was the one who got me on to feeding our Akitas the meat and Vegetable diet way back when!! I remember I had to cook it all up in a baby burco... the veg that was we also fed brown rice and raw meat

Originally Posted by debbie560

I checked also with my friend who shows her dog and also does puppy classes in the Netherlands... and they have no such stipulations either, in fact half of the group feed RAW

And... how many salmonella outbreaks in Dutch puppy classes?

Originally Posted by Antonia

And... how many salmonella outbreaks in Dutch puppy classes?

None as far as we know... and they also feed their dogs the sheeps fat with Garlic on recommendation of the trainer and they all grow up in to nice healthy dogs with rich shiny coats.