Do you have a vet who is pro-raw, or at least tolerant with or knowledgeable about feeding a raw diet to dogs or cats?

Let us know! We'll add them to our "Raw Vets" page!

This is where things can get interesting. While raw feeding has been around, well, forever, its resurgence is relatively new. With the publication of Dr. Pitcairn's "Complete Guide to Natural Health for Cats and Dogs", published in 1995, and the quickly following "Give Your Dog a Bone" by Dr. Ian Billinghurst, adding raw meat and bones to a dog's diet started catching on.

In the beginning, many of us who made the switch early did a lot of fighting with veterinarians who learned very little about canine nutrition in veterinary school - and what they did learn came primarily from the kibble company's own sales reps. The kibble companies did a good job of ingraining in them that dogs needed "balanced nutrition" in every single meal - meaning that feeding a raw diet with its premise of balance over time was just a horrible idea and that no dog owner could ever do that correctly.

According to at least one vet I visited, "all you people who feed your dogs these special diets of raw and cooked foods are just touched in the head! Any dog can eat any brand of dog food and do JUST FINE!" Needless to say, having lived with a dog with irritable bowel syndrome who could not digest grains, I walked out of this veterinarian's office and never, ever returned.

And while that was SIX years ago, I hear many, many people having similar experiences still. Those of us who've been feeding this way for 5 years or more have tried to pave the way for the newbies just starting out, but it takes determination and education to get veterinarians to think outside the box and consider that regular dog owners are competent enough to feed their dogs diets that aren't already pulverized, processed, extruded or canned.

So, back to the original dilemma. You've switched to raw, and are now having to visit your vet for the first time since doing so. What do you do? Do you tell him/her what you're now feeding? Do you lie and just pretend you've never changed your dog's diet?

Well, if your dog is ill or having issues and you need a proper diagnosis - then yes, you tell your vet the truth. But be prepared. Even vets who are okay with feeding raw can jump to conclusions when an illness crops up.

But if you've gone to your vet for a routine checkup or something minor, why not take the offensive and go prepared. Like most human beings, vets seem to be afraid of what they don't know. So going in armed with a book or a few articles may go a long way toward paving the way to your vet's understanding and acceptance of your choices in diet for your dogs.

Do what I've done. By a couple of extra copies of Sue Johnson's "Switching to Raw". Give one to your vet to KEEP. It's a small investment for a lifetime of competent care for your dog. And you're helping all those newbies who come after you by educating and preparing your vet so that they comprehend the diet and why many of us have chosen to feed this way.

Remember, you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar. Going in waiting for a fight isn't going to get you anywhere. But going in with the intent to help educate and even hand-hold your own vet can go a long, long way toward building the trust needed between pet owner and veterinarian.

If you've tried the above approaches and your vet constantly hounds you or blames the diet for every little thing, then do yourself and your dogs a huge favor. Get another vet. It's not worth the price of a misdiagnosis in the event of a serious illness if your vet will not get past the raw diet issue.

Remember, you are a paying customer. You have every right to ask or demand that your vet put aside the differences you may have over diet so that he/she can treat your dogs correctly. If he/she cannot or will not do that, don't let the door hit you on the way out! You and your dogs will be much happier finding veterinary services elsewhere! And this is true for ANY issue you may have with your veterinarian's opinions, practices or protocols. You pay the bills. You have every right to expect the type of service you are looking for. No exceptions.

by Tammy Kinkade

copyright April 15, 2006

This article may not be reprinted without the written permission of the author.

Chicken Necks - YUMMY!
Even puppies can thrive on raw foods. Does your vet agree?