Raw feeding ..... dogs

rising_from_the_ashes

Not something I've really considered before but am seriously considering it for when the new one (hopefully soon) arrives so am trying to do my research now.

Anyway, have been having a hunt online & there's loads of advice & website but some contradict others etc ......

One of my concerns is that I don't get the balance right and did have a quick look at the frozen packs of raw foods at PAH ...... really silly question coming are these a complete diet?

Can anyone recommend any good sites to have a look at?

krlyr

It's not surprising - people can't agree on the best brand of commercial dog foods, so it would be difficult to get agreement on something so much more variable like raw feeding.
I researched raw feeding for a year or so, I looked at as many websites as I could find and based my decision on which ones made the most sense to me. I feel that the prey model diet is one that seems logical - studies have shown dogs to have the same digestive system as wolves so why not a similar diet? However, as with most domestic pets, sometimes nature doesn't have it all, so I am happy to supplement occasionally - the odd raw egg, sometimes veggies in a Kong (not daily but every so often), and fish on a fairly regular basis due to the health benefits (wolves would catch salmon in the wild anyway - especially the younger ones).
I'm a member of the BritBarf Yahoo group and find many of the posts on there helpful. I'm also a member on Dogsey - not a specific raw-feeding forum but many raw-feeders on there and lots of information stickies and threads.
I know many people do feed just the stuff from PAH, it is complete I believe but doesn't give the mental and physical stimulation of whole bones, large cuts of meats, chunky offal, etc. - the texture is apparently quite watery/mushy. It could be a good start to see how your dog takes to raw feeding but I've heard of several dogs aren't so keen on it but like the meatier raw diets. There are some alternative complete diets - Natural Instinct is well-recommended and they sell various bones as well, plus they are apparently happy to help you discuss/decide on a feeding plan.
I don't find it too difficult to get a balance myself - following the prey model diet, I feel 80% meat, 10% bone and 10% offal (with half the offal being liver). I organised it initially with a spreadsheet to work it out, and with time you get used to it and don't need quite so much careful planning. I order my 80:10:10 ratio in the month's worth of food and know that regardless of what I feed day-to-day, I will achieve the balance over the course of the month.

getcarter

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=408903

Try here, I researched for ages like you, started in the beginning with chicken wings and now haven't looked back!

rising_from_the_ashes

Thanks krlyr ......

I've looked at the Natural Instinct website and saw they had a good deal on bones atm! Thanks for the tips & the useful websites .... I'll keep researching!

StudioBeau

Hello

A dog eating raw meat is complete for them, the mince packs at PAH are just minced meat, they don't usually add anything, the vitamins in there are naturally occurring. A much cheaper way and far better for your dog is to feed whole prey model, the size of items you give does depend on your breed. I have a whippet puppy who has moved from chicken wings to chicken legs now onto half chickens whereas my greyhound can pack away a whole chicken or rabbit easily.

I am relatively new to raw feeding so I don't pretend to be the be all and end all of knowledge but the simple way to me is:

20% bone (most recommend 10 but 20 seems to work better for mine, bone in chicken legs, chicken carcasses, chicken wings, whole or half chickens for bigger dogs, lamb ribs, pork ribs, whole or half rabbits, goat ribs, etc)
15% offal (again, most recommend 10% but this is just what works for my babies - kidney, liver, tripe, )
65% meat (including cheap as chips stuff like beef heart, tongue, cheek as well as the stuff above)

Occasionally the dogs will eat bits of carrot or other veg, usually because we give vegetables as toys and they will shave off a bit, but ours have access to vegetables almost always and don't go for them.

You can look at the exact vitamin enrichment of each item but remember that the level of vitamins also depends on if it has been sliced, how long the meat has been out, etc. The best way is to just know your dog, if you are really worried about balancing the diet there are supplements available which will cover all vitamin and mineral needs for your dog.

I'd say, just know your dog, if you dog is doing anything differently, red eyes, dry nose, pale gums, etc, something is wrong. I have never found any of these and my dogs are thriving!

Good luck - you will see the amazing difference in your dog really soon.

lisawood78

I feed very much like krlyr
It was trial and error to start with but don't be afraid, getting it a bit wrong here and there won't do your dog any damage it can take a little while to find a good 'menu' for your specific dogs but it will be very obvious to you when you have found it.

Good luck.

Caroline_a

I cheat a bit with the raw diet I feed - my boys get a block of raw meat from my local farm shop - it's a mixture of all sorts of meat that's left over, minced, frozen and cut into blocks. They also get a small scoop of Skinners complete and a raw bone every day. They're lovely and healthy!! Been on this for about 8 months now, so it must be working.

SneaksyWhippet

I would also recommend Dogsey.

The important thing if you feed raw minces (which you may be able to source much more cheaply than PAH) is to also include lots of chunky raw meaty bones. Chicken wings/carcasses/necks, lamb ribs etc are all great. I tend to alternate meals between mince and meaty bones.

I don't usually add veg to meals (although I do sometimes) but I do feed raw carrots as treats to keep them occupied.

I also fill dried hooves/kongs with natural yoghurt or blitzed mixed veg and freeze them. Great to keep them entertained and healthy too

Raw feeding is great for your dog and easy on the pocket if you source well. Good luck in your research; it's the best thing I ever did for my whippets!

gettingready

http://www.petforums.co.uk/dog-health-nutrition/111437-raw-feeding-everything-you-need-know.html


http://www.petforums.co.uk/dog-health-nutrition/197702-raw-food-supplier-list.html

rising_from_the_ashes

Ohhhh thanks for all the tips / suggestions / links - have loads more reading to do over the weekend!:T

con1888

I am trying with Kia atm, slowly and not very well so far.

She had a ham bone the other night ( she had never had a bone before so thought I would start with one) and she loved it but she kept at it all night and when I woke up in the morning she had been sick

I have another meatier ham bone that I will try with her and the chicken breasts went well.

Can't give much advise as I am only introducing the foods atm but interested in what others say.