Thread: What a good idea

This subforum is a great initiative!

I often read on Dutch and Belgian cat forums. They have many threads on raw feeding and there’s hardly any controversy. Although few Dutch and Belgian cat owners feed exclusively raw like I do, most are perfectly OK with throwing in the occasional chicken gizzard, neck or day-old chick. It is considered a healthy addition to kibble and cans. Also, feeding commercial frozen raw mix – like the ‘Carnibest’ Conny mentioned – is becoming more and more popular. Some very good brands are available in Holland and Belgium

On the continent feeding raw pork is considered too risky. The Aujeszki virus is still around over here, not in the Dutch pig stock but in imported pork from some other EU countries. From what I understand this isn’t an issue in the UK and USA.

In another thread I have already posted extensively on my own experiences with raw feeding so I will not bore anyone by repeating them.

Until now, I have only seen positive effects on the health of our Coonies. Before feeding raw we were in and out of the vets’ office, mostly for digestive issues for which the vets could never find a clear cause. Nowadays we hardly ever see them, and if we do they comment on how healthy the Coonies are.

We have experienced just one drawback: sourcing your meats, carcasses and organs when you don’t have an industrial-sized freezer. Ordering online involves pretty big quantities, so we have to make frequent trips to the butcher and poulterer. But one day I am going to get that huuuuge freezer!