Commerical WHOLE PREY dog food (yes, I said whole prey)

**Apollopuppy** · 03-03-2008, 08:34 AM

Someone on my natural ferret forum posted this link. Its a pre-prepared WHOLE PREY commercial diet. Check it out:

http://cp12.heritagewebdesign.com/~h...products_id=13

Thoughts?

I feed my cat and ferrets whole prey (frozen whole mice/rats/lizards/etc) and raw meaty bones. I like that whole prey is the ultimate diet. I am frustrated that its difficult to feed whole prey to dogs (due to the size of the dog and cost of whole prey animals for dogs) and that we have to use a raw diet based on the whole prey model as the next best available option. What are your guys thoughts on this food? Not as the sole diet for the dog, but in conjuncition with a raw diet based on the prey model.

-Giuli

**henrysmom** · 03-03-2008, 08:58 AM

Would Urban Carnivore's whole animal carcass patties be considered whole prey as well then?
http://www.urbancarnivore.com/uc_online/pages.cfm?ID=25

**imported_eastcoastmom** · 03-03-2008, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by henrysmom

Would Urban Carnivore's whole animal carcass patties be considered whole prey as well then?
http://www.urbancarnivore.com/uc_online/pages.cfm?ID=25

I consider it whole prey. I feed UC as well.

(we are 1/2 kibble, 1/2 raw)

The only thing that bugs me is the site (posted above) likens to domesticated dogs to "in the wild" dogs. They are not. They live and behave differently than a "wild dog" would. They are more sedentary and require different things.

**Apollopuppy** · 03-03-2008, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by henrysmom

Would Urban Carnivore's whole animal carcass patties be considered whole prey as well then?
http://www.urbancarnivore.com/uc_online/pages.cfm?ID=25

I havent a clue. I just feed my cat and ferrets ACTUAL whole prey. My boyfriend says that when we get a puppers that he wants to feed it whole prey too. I was like "where the hell are we going to feed it? in the crate?" Can you imagine someone coming over to visit and they see my dog in its crate tearing off a bunnies head! ah! lol! I was like "lets just stick with raw and ground carcasses dear" lol!

**henrysmom** · 03-03-2008, 11:31 AM

LOL!!

Someone had a picture of their dog eating a rabbit... a whole rabbit... fur and all. I can't remember where... might have been one of the raw feeders over at labretriever.net. It was awesome. I wonder if Henry would know what to do with it?! LOL!

Nice to see you back, Giuli.

**Apollopuppy** · 03-03-2008, 12:41 PM

*Waves* Good to be back. Although it does feel a tad strange to be posting on here even though I no longer own a lab (my lab was technically my ex-boyfriend's dog). Thats okay, I'll just stick to this section and O&E and maybe someday soon I'll get another puppers. Right now I'll just soak up all the Natural/Raw Diets and Holistic Care section of JL has to offer, in preperation for the day that I bring home a raw fed puppers of my own.

**Fallriver** · 03-03-2008, 12:50 PM

The only thing that bugs me is the site (posted above) likens to domesticated dogs to "in the wild" dogs. They are not. They live and behave differently than a "wild dog" would. They are more sedentary and require different things.

Their behaviour is very different as dogs have been selectively bred for generations to be more watered down in their wolf behaviour. Their digestive tract is exactly the same as it was 135,000 years ago. I agree they may live different lives but I'm not sure how that should influence diet. When we go mucking about with things, we start creating problems...aka kibble

**imported_eastcoastmom** · 03-03-2008, 07:07 PM

Their digestive tract is exactly the same as it was 135,000 years ago. I agree they may live different lives but I'm not sure how that should influence diet

Humans have certainly changed their ways of eating in 135,000 years and our digestive systems haven't changed either. Some changes for the better, some for the worse. I am guilty of thinking in human terms rather than canine.

I get what you mean.

jlab · 03-03-2008, 07:34 PM

On the plus side, ground up whole prey is convenient, good thing to stuff into kongs and great for older dogs who no longer have adequate teeth to chew up whole prey in the natural state.

On the minus side, the food is not presented in a natural state which dogs need. Deviating from the natural state reduces the benefits of a species appropriate diet. It's also three times more expensive than a natural state whole prey. Ground commercial whole prey is not unusual. There are others who grind whole prey from a much greater variety of prey for $2.00 to $3.00 per pound compared to the linked site which cost about $4.50 per pound - not a very good price if you ask me!

**imported_eastcoastmom** · 03-03-2008, 09:09 PM

I couldn't have my dog eat a "whole prey" meal inside my home, or come into my home after eating it outside...touching it with his paws then walking on my floors and licking the kids. That's just asking for trouble IMO. Even after Angus has been on the deck chewing on a frozen raw meaty marrow bone I wash his paws. I also re-freeze the bone when he is done to try to stave off as much harmful bacteria as possible. How can you feed whole pey when you have young children around? I am genuinely curious. I've given Angus many whole fish before on the deck, and he eats chicken backs, etc out there, but I wash him up after. I cannot imagne the blood and innards, fur, feathers...then coming inside *shudder*. He's always cuddling, kissing & playing with the girls. How do you do it?