>From: Selina <[log in to unmask]> >"species appropriate diet" is rather vague in my opinion. nature may >set up an animal to eat a certain diet, but I'm inclined to think that >nature can be very cruel and unpredictable, and its priorities are the >preservation of a species rather than the health and longevity of >individuals, although improving the latter certainly helps the former. I chose the term "species appropriate" rather than raw or natural because raw and natural seem to conjure up certain images in people's minds. Whereas species appropriate seems to be more user friendly. :) Nature can be very cruel I agree, but the animal's digestive system is still the same and doesn't change because man decided to take over the husbandry of the animal. In my reply to Sukie I believe I address alot of your questions so I will try and not be redundant. >I also think "best" diet is specific to an individual. young, sick, >and geriatric individuals probably having different requirements than >a regular happy healthy one. As I replied to Sukie, yes needs do change, but carnivores are still carnivores. They don't suddenly develop the digestive system of an omnivore as they age. >kibble is definitely for man's convenience, and it may very well have >sacrifice some health, however, keeping ferrets is man's whim,and it >may very well prolong life for ferrets so they can afford to plague >us with their health problems. Plague us? No, it plagues them. Who is man to make it their whim that animals should live with health problems for our benefit? Man's "whims" have even affected our own health. And whose whim is it to have to tend to a sickly animal? I would rather have an animal healthy and enjoying life for a shorter period of time, than prolonging a life with a poor quality. Man should strive to have its whims not at the expense of others. And I do realize that with longer life come more chances for ill health, that's just the law of odds. But, some of these diseases could be lessoned or possibly eliminated with an appropriate diet that doesn't stress the animals body to utilize it. Again, it was nice to see Bob Church's post yesterday and his brief diet comments. I hope he will elaborate further soon. ~Amy~ [Posted in FML 5426]