What is whole carcass/prey?

Doodikins wrote:I have to tell you folks this is just freaking me out although it makes perfect sense!! But I would just start crying my eyes out if I had to give my pug a dead little chick or some little animal. I am such a wimp when it comes to seeing dead little animals. And I have always been so judgmental and outraged by anyone who keeps a snake or any wild animal like that that necessitates the selling of small animals at pet stores. It would be a MAJOR paradigm shift wouldn't it? And are you really saying that pugs can eat raw bones without hurting themselves? This is really changing my whole concept of pugs. To think that they would just act like any dog and eat a carcass. Shows you how I have been living in pug lala land. This whole thread is causing me to view their needs as much more animalistic/natural, whereas I have sort of infantilized them and see them as human babies who need everything done for them, especially managing every aspect of every thing that goes into their mouths because I am so afraid they will hurt themselves or choke on something. Can some of you talk about how you made this shift emotionally?

It's not a shift for me emotionally as I don't have an issue with carnivores eating what carnivores eat. And in my youth I did keep snakes and did feed them live mice--just as I fed my turtles live goldfish.

I've been feeding raw for many, many years--over 15--and I've not had a problem. I'm very careful about the bones only because I don't want anyone choking--which isn't usually an issue, but with four dogs everyone gets into the "I've got to swallow this before some other low down dog steals it". I tend to give big meaty bones that they can gnaw away on for quite some time. It's not ideal, but they get the advantage of the chewing/gnawing action and no one chokes. When I had border collies, they could and wold demolish a whole chicken back without incident, but they were less weird than my small dogs are.

And I don't view my dogs as four legged humans. They are certainly valued members of my family and I don't disrespect them or in any way treat them badly, but I don't make babies out of them. They live great lives and do lots of fun stuff, but I don't assume that they will enjoy stuff that humans enjoy.

For instance, I don't drag my dogs to every event I go to. Some of my dogs like to be out and about at trade shows and dog events--others think it's no fun at all. Just as I don't dress them up. None of them like it and so other than winter coats, I don't subject them to costumes.

Yes, they sleep in the bed with us (except Lola) and they have pretty much full run of the house when I'm home, but I keep upper most in my mind that they are dogs, will do dog stuff--like eat crap that isn't good for them--and they need to do dog things like go to parks and socialize with other dogs. And I expect a reasonable amount of obedience and decent behaviour. For the most part, my dogs are well behaved. EVERYONE gets obedience training no matter what age they come to me. And everyone is expected to not act like a rabid animal.

Blanche is my hero. Not meant sarcastically at all. I admire your discipline girl!

Also, just want to add that it brings me great pleasure to feed my dogs raw. Nothing is more natural than handing over a big meaty bone or chicken feet and watching them be so content and happy. I imagine it appeals to thier nature, and I love that.

What Renee and Blanche said.

Izzie's my baby, but not my human baby. She is the love of my life but she is a very very well trained animal who i've taught to be my perfect companion.

MandyPug wrote:What Renee and Blanche said.

Izzie's my baby, but not my human baby. She is the love of my life but she is a very very well trained animal who i've taught to be my perfect companion.

LOL. Well, not sure any of mine qualify as perfect companions. The DeathPom being a case in point.......

But they aren't lunatics. Except the DeathPom.