The "4 D's"

We're slowly getting the house ready for Lincoln. Puppy proofing the home isn't easy, and I'm sure there will still be something that will be in the wrong place and he will pick it up and chew it.

I've been reading about feeding him, and we have decided to feed him on raw food and bones. I've researched this quite extensively, and after reading in numerous places about the "4 D's", I have decided that the remainder of the batch of cat food we have will be the last I will use, and the cats will also be put on a raw food diet.

I first heard about the 4 D's when I was reading Cesar Millans' book the other day. I brushed it aside thinking it was purely an American thing, however have recently read that it is happening in Europe. Commercial food for cats and dogs (they named a brand I currently use for Merlin and Emma) are made up of the 4 D's.... Meat from diseased, dying, dead and disabled animals. The most horrific thing is that animals (in America, not sure if it's happening over here) who have been cancerous, full of antibiotics and even recently euthanized are all used. They don't even bother taking off the collars and name tags... they even leave the bodies in their plastic bags, which is all minced up and put in a pouch or a tin or whatever!
One of the worst sentences I have ever read came next... "Because these animals have recently been euthanized, you are slowly euthanizing your pets as the years go by, as the medication can "work" for weeks."

So, the cats have enough food for tomorrow and then they start their new diet.
Merlin is going to the vets on Wednesday for blood tests. He has had another fit last night...just when I thought he had stopped having them. Funnily enough, he needs another dental too... one of the comments on feeding raw food is that your pets will have really good teeth and not need any dentals.

I wish I had known all of this when George was alive.