Recommended Reading for Natural Diet Newbies

[Forum Administrator]

The many myths of raw feeding.
There are many misconceptions about natural diets, this site is geared towards dogs but much of the info can be applied to ferrets.
www.rawfed.com/myths/
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API for Animals: What's REALLY in Petfood:
Discusses some info on why petfood is so "scary". It goes into all the "behind the scenes" things that goes into petfood.

www.api4animals.org/downloads/pdf/PetFoodReport_05-07.pdf
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Jane Anderson's "Raw Learning":
This again addresses the ins and outs of raw feeding. On the whole its a very good site. It (again) applies to dogs, but most of the info can be applied to ferrets as well.

www.rawlearning.com/
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Raw Fed Cats:
A WONDERFUL site for learning about prey-model raw feeding for an obligate carnivore (cats OR ferrets).

www.rawfedcats.org/
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Is a raw diet dangerous?
A really good article by Dr. Wysong

www.wysong.net/controversies/rawmeat.shtml
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Junk Pet Food and The Damage Done
By Dr. Tom Lonsdale
A great read on the dangers of commercial pet food

www.wysong.net/controversies/rawmeat.shtml
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Towards A More Natural Ferret Diet: Whole Prey and Raw Foods:
I really thought this was a good read. From About.com

exoticpets.about.com/od/ferretcare/i/naturaldiets.htm
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Is a Natural Diet Right For Your Ferret?
From the Doctors Foster and Smith Website

www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?c=17342&articleid=1971
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Deconstructing the Regulatory Façade: Why Confused Consumers Feed their Pets Ring Dings and Krispy Kremes
Written by a student at Harvard

leda.law.harvard.edu/leda/data/784/Patrick06.html
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The Whole(istic) Truth About Pet Food
By Christie Keith

The Whole(istic) Truth About Pet Food
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[jojodancer]

I liked this article, as well:

www.catinfo.org/#My_Cat_is_Doing_Just_Fine_on_Dry_Food

[sherrylynne]

Thanks for posting those here, Guili! I frequently recommend one or more of those links on other raw forums

[ladylillac]

wow just wow! I have had my precious baby tsunami on some of the "best" indoor cat kibble I could afford. I took him to the vet made sure he was vaccinated and free of worms. I thought I was doing my kitty a favor. I thought I was being a good mommy.

I just don't what to say. Ever since getting titter I have heard so much about this raw diet. So being curious myself I investigated. I have heard nothing but good things, things that make perfect sense! So why didn't I think of that with my kitty?

Titter is young I can adjust her fine with a very good diet and not over vaccinate her. But my Nami is 7 years old! 7 years of being an indoor cat! I feel so terrible about being mislead in to believing I was being a responsible pet owner.

Starting with my next paycheck I am switching to raw or well I guess starting the process. Titter has been such a blessing to have opened my eyes to this. My kitty is even showing signs of being sick. And here I am thinking he is getting old and that is normal. What is NORMAL about being sick?

Thanks so much for posting these links. I really appreciate the support you offer on this site and am grateful for the mentoring I will need for the switch.

[sherrylynne]

If you want a good site for switching your cat(out of 4, only one of mine is partially switched after 7 months!), check out this one:
www.rawfedcats.org/practicalguide.htm
And don't feel badly about it. After all, even most vets flatly refuse to believe the benifits of a raw diet!

[ladylillac]

Thanks I have heard it will be hard to switch them, but I hope he is not sick because of his diet. He's my furry kid you know. I just want him to be healthy and happy!

[raven]

Hi all ,

A while ago I was searching this forum for good tips and hints...
and I found a great link (movie) about some veterinarians talking about food, kibble, raw and the shrinking lifespan of animals etc.
Can someone point me back to that movie, thread or equals?
Thanks!
Regards,
Raven.