Questions about feeding dogs a raw diet

[bock]

My 2 dogs are currently eating dry TOTW. Last year, I began to research dog nutrition and made the switch from Purina, to 4health, to TOTW. My dogs are doing well on there food, but the more I research raw diets, the more I want to try it.

I am still unsure about a few things though.

First of all, would I get the meat at a grocery store, or is that too expensive? Also, what types of meats are best to feed? What would the average cost be for a moderately active 10 lb and 60 lb dog? Finally, should I feed my dogs supplements or add anything beside meat?

Here is a supplement I found for sale ( scroll about 1/4 way down the page): http://www.barfworld.com/cgi-bin/product.cgi?category=33

Thanks for the advice, I might have a few more questions later.

 

[scbatz33]

We fed a raw diet for about a year. Our dogs were on chicken we raised and processed. They got organs/livers as well as an egg, shell and all a day.

We had 4 dogs (rotti, mastiff, chow/shep and boxer) on it at the time. We stopped feeding it because we had a mastiff and quite honestly it got way too expensive feeding that much dog - 300# of dog! - daily. It was easy when we had a freezer full of our own birds, but then we ran out! LOL!

I'd like to get back to it since we are down to 2 dogs. My rotti is getting older and she did much better health and digestion wise than she is doing on dry kibble. She has a sensitive stomach.

At any rate, we fed twice a day. It was no more complicated than feeding a dry food. I do know people switch up their meat sources. Like I said, we fed just chicken. You can buy scraps from a butcher, if you have one in your area, and that will make it a bit cheaper. WE didn't have that option so we would buy the bags of chicken quarters from walmart. And of course we'd buy organs and chicken livers. Which they do need for the vitamins and minerals.

The eggs we had from our own birds. We also would add ginger and turmeric. for our oldest dog and the rotti. That spice combination in equal proportions aides in inflammation and arthritis. Our old dog got 6 more months of life I truly believe he never would have had if we hadn't gone raw.

The whole motivation for us was he stopped eating. He would eat for a day or two and then quit. We tried EVERYTHING you could buy to entice him to eat. Then we had someone suggest raw diet. He ate everyday and was happy to do it!

At any rate, i think our dogs were in the best form they have ever been. Like I said, I do hope to get back to feeding that way this spring. Oh and there was hardly any poo! The best part for us, anyway, was to be able to go in the very small back yard of 4 dogs and not have poop everywhere. Because they are eating straight protein, it breaks down so so much faster than waste from dog food.

And, like i said the rotti did so much better. No throwing up. No gas. No upset tummy. And she lost weight and was far more active than she'd ever been. The boxer - who was a total spazz settled down some and the old man, well he was "himself" for that summer. No stiff back, no scratching himself raw, etc.

 

[lemurchaser]

Organ meat can be hard to find at grocery stores, so make sure you are giving a balanced diet. Muscle meat does not have enough nutrients, you have to feed the right amount of organ meat and bones.

I would add a supplement, especially if you are just feeding meat. Dogs are not obligate carnivores (cats are though), and benefit from some nutrients from other sources.

 

[Peaches Lee]

You should check out dogster.com

It is a dog forum and they will give you all the info you need about the raw diet!!

I think you would really enjoy it!

 

[booker81]

I had a dog that ate raw diet, and I would buy chicken backs or turkey necks by the case from the grocery store - just ask. I think I paid about $13/30lbs for them, either necks or backs. I would feed 1lb of the raw meat 4 times a week, ground up veggies 2x a week, and a can of mackerel and a couple eggs once a week. She was in great shape

 

[bock]

Thanks everyone, you were very helpful!

I will probably start them on it after we finish the current bag of TOTW. I will definitely check out dogstar, there is probably lots of good advice there! I already give my dogs organic yogurt (with fish oil) and free-range chicken and duck eggs. So, we are off to a good start.

I have been thinking about getting a Costco membership, do you think I would have a better selection there vs. say Wal-mart or Safeway? Thanks again!

 

[noodleroo]

Rabbit is a natural prey food for dogs. I have a friend who orders meat rabbits by the case and thaws out one per day per dog. They eat the whole thing; fur, bones, organs - everything. You might look into it...

 

[scbatz33]

Quote:
IMO, I'd switch them over gradually. It can cause lots of upset tummys to go directly to an all raw diet if all they have been getting in the past was dry kibble.

We took about a week to change them over. Oh, and we did feed bones and all. You can buy organs and chicken livers in the meat isle of any grocery store. We had no problems finding them.

 

[bock]

Quote:
IMO, I'd switch them over gradually. It can cause lots of upset tummys to go directly to an all raw diet if all they have been getting in the past was dry kibble.

We took about a week to change them over. Oh, and we did feed bones and all. You can buy organs and chicken livers in the meat isle of any grocery store. We had no problems finding them.

I was thinking that, but there was something about the kibble and the raw meat digesting at different rates and causing upset tummies.

I was also wondering what you guys think about supplements. Do you use them?

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I feed kibble breakfast and dinner. Lunch is raw. Too expensive otherwise. Make sure you vary it up a lot. LOTS of organ meats and skin. I had to add oils for increased fats. I have tried rice before, but not now. I DO add veggies though, and my dogs love them!

http://greentripe.com/

This is one is in Cali-
http://crestonvalleymeats.com/store/

http://socalbarf.com/SoCalBARF/Welcome.html

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/


Hope this helps!


ETA: When I was feeding 100% raw I did add supplements. Make sure they have the proper calcium/ phosphorous ratio in them. My dogs always did well.