4-D Meats

[Cliffdog]

Based on a different thread... please give your opinion on feeding 4-D meat... be it raw or kibbled.

[SerenityFL]

Glad you started this, I was thinking of doing the same after reading another thread on here. Just wasn't sure where to put it. Some people say don't ever do it, some people say they feed it. I'd like to know because IF it's really not too bad, there's a butcher not far from here where I can get beef super cheap...and I really need all the help I can get in the "expensive meals" department right about now!

[Scarlett_O']

If its being fed that should be the owner's call.
So in raw it is up to each person as to what they are comfortable depending on their dog's health, stomach tolerance, etc...
In kibble it shouldnt be allowed, as that doesnt allow for it to be the owner's choice.

[Cliffdog]

I am okay with 4-D meat, personally, but I do tend to agree with you Scarlett that kibble companies shouldn't use it (or if they do, they should let you know). I've never had a problem with 4-D meat because I was raised around racing greyhounds fed a mixture of kibble and "not for human consumption" meat, and they were all healthy, happy dogs with brilliant coats and energy, better than any kibble fed dogs I'd ever seen (although I didn't realize back then that it was probably due to diet). The only problem any of my grandpa's dogs had was tooth problems, and I don't care how good the meat quality is, if you feed ground with no RMBs, you are gonna have rotten teeth...

[CavePaws]

Let's see...Downed is one of them right?

Ya, if a cow broke it's leg and hadn't gotten up for a couple days...and didn't have any crazy festering infection. I'd probably chop it into pieces and feed it to my pups.

[RawFedDogs]

I've fed rotten meat before with no problem. I wouldn't feed it meal after meal after meal of rotten meals but one or two meals a week shouldn't be a big deal. I would really have no problem with kibble companies usisng it because any bacteria on it would be killed during the rendering process. It doesn't sound tasty to us but the dogs love it.

[SpooOwner]

It sounds like people don't like lumping all "4-Ds" (dead, diseased, disabled, or dying prior to slaughter) together in one category. Even each "D" is too broad: for example, disabled- I'd want to know more about the disability. Or why the animal is dying prior to slaughter, etc....

[Porphyria]

I am okay with 4-D meat, personally, but I do tend to agree with you Scarlett that kibble companies shouldn't use it (or if they do, they should let you know). I've never had a problem with 4-D meat because I was raised around racing greyhounds fed a mixture of kibble and "not for human consumption" meat, and they were all healthy, happy dogs with brilliant coats and energy, better than any kibble fed dogs I'd ever seen (although I didn't realize back then that it was probably due to diet). The only problem any of my grandpa's dogs had was tooth problems, and I don't care how good the meat quality is, if you feed ground with no RMBs, you are gonna have rotten teeth...

I don't know, poor Alabama rot is a disease in the racing grey world that results from a certain strain of e coli, and is generally attributed to poor quality meat.

I agree with spoo owner; I may be ok with some "d's," but not others. I would not want to feed my dog any part of a diseased animal, but I don't necessarily see what's wrong with a downed animal. I also agree with everyone who has said that kibble companies should have to disclose whether or not they used 4d meats.

[RawFedDogs]

I also agree with everyone who has said that kibble companies should have to disclose whether or not they used 4d meats.

I think they all do.

[Caty M]

Diseased? I wouldn't feed that RAW to my pets.. but I'd assume any bacteria/virus/parasite would be killed in the high cooking temps? So I'd think it would be fine in kibble? Downed I'd have no problem with.. dying, well it depends what it's dying OF..