raw diet experts please advise!

[AquaEyes]

I agree that dogs don't need grains, and that they should be fed mostly meat-based diets, but I don't agree with a lot of the BARF sites that consider carbohydrates to be some kind of poison that should be avoided at all costs. That was the point I was getting at.

I first started researching the BARF diets when I was considering a fennec fox (I'm thinking I might finally treat myself to one as a graduation present, but that's still up in the air). I applaud and commend anyone willing to do the research to make a home-made healthy diet for their pet, and I, myself, wouldn't feed "kibble" if and when I have a dog for many of the reasons that started the BARF movement.

To the OP -- considering the size of your dog, have you considered fish? I remember saving the heads from a restaurant where I worked a few years back and offering them to a friend's dog -- in the back yard, of course (not something you'd want to be chewed and slobbered over on your carpet....

). Boy did she go nuts with them. And I'm thinking that starting off, fish bones might be easier to handle in the beginning for a small dog.

 

[kari_dawn]

Bacardi dispises fish! He is very much a neat freak. He stepped on a sticker the other day, and couldn't get it off his toes, so he brought it to me, holding his little paw out for me to remove it for him

He hates mud, and hates camping...and water

took him camping, he refused to leave the mattress. Fish is too slimy, even cooked for him. He does like to chew on bone pieces though. Especially if he can get to the marrow.

 

[watchdogps]

I agree that dogs don't need grains, and that they should be fed mostly meat-based diets, but I don't agree with a lot of the BARF sites that consider carbohydrates to be some kind of poison that should be avoided at all costs.

For a dog with yeast issues (which is the cause of most skin and ear problems), carbs ARE poison. Yeast is fed by any sort of carb, including starchy veggies like carrots. It can take a loooong time to get rid of a systemic yeast infection, but its worth staying the course if you have a dog with chronic itchies or ear infections.

I myself am not a total purist, but I make no attempt to include non-animal foods in my pets diets. Yes, I will hand them a cracker or let them eat the ends of my veggies when I make dinner, but I equate it to a candy bar for me - not needed, but liked and only for an occasional snack.

 

[watchdogps]

, they DO eat carbs and plants in small amounts. Sugars are one thing my dog tends to gravitate towards, way more than I would like

Dogs are obligate carnivores, which means they really have a hard time digesting protiens not derived from animal sources.

The food Bacardi is currently on has no grains at all in it. He likes it quite well.

That was another thing I was wondering about raw feeding...do you guys include carb or other food sources like sweet potatos, peas, carrots, etc in any ammounts?

Like us and candy, just because we CAN eat it doesnt mean we should.
Dogs are actually not considered obligate carnivores, just carnivores. Dogs CAN pull some nutrition from non animal sources, it just isnt ideal. Cats cannot utilize these things at all, and they will die on a vegetarian diet.
The food he is on still has some kind of starch, it is needed to bind the food. Could be potato, peas, etc.
As I said, I do not include those, and I suggest a "purist" diet to begin with when starting raw. ONE protein source, NOTHING else. Do that for a month, then start playing around.
Re his supplements - I would hold off for the month, then add one back in. I'd find a different probiotic - he doesnt need the sugars in it, and most of the bacteria isnt going to be very useful to him on raw. Bacterias are specific to what they digest. Acidophilus is dairy, etc. If he isnt getting those, he wont need those so much. I'm not familiar with the seaweed extract, but I'd assume there is other stuff in it, so again, you might want to halt it for a little while, then add it back in, and ONLY that to make sure he isnt having any reactions to it.

 

[kari_dawn]

Okay, so I have been trying a little raw the past few days, and Bacardi does NOT like liver...he will eat it...if I stick it in his crate with him while I go to work...but should I be concerned about leaving raw stuff out all day till he finally decides to eat it?

Today was two meals of lamb bone, beef, and chicken liver. He loved the lamb bone, and the beef (his favorite), but the chicken liver sat for a while before he decided to eat it.

Also, what happens if I feed him scraps of cooked meat that I make for me? Will that adversely affect him?

 

[watchdogps]

Okay, so I have been trying a little raw the past few days, and Bacardi does NOT like liver...he will eat it...if I stick it in his crate with him while I go to work...but should I be concerned about leaving raw stuff out all day till he finally decides to eat it?

Today was two meals of lamb bone, beef, and chicken liver. He loved the lamb bone, and the beef (his favorite), but the chicken liver sat for a while before he decided to eat it.

Also, what happens if I feed him scraps of cooked meat that I make for me? Will that adversely affect him?

A lot of dogs think raw liver is funky. Try semi frozen.
I'd suggest you slow down though, and not try so much variety at once. Good way to have upset tummy. Stick to one meat source for a while.
Are you still feeding kibble? If so, I'd stop that too. I think I cited reasons in a previous post.
No cooked meat, it's harder to digest. It may be fine as a bite here and there, but I wouldnt for now until he's all settled in his new diet.

 

[braindead101]

You said a bag of food lasts 6 months. Try getting smaller bag or divide that bag into 4 and freeze 3 till you need them. As food ages it breaks down and you may be feeding molds when you get to the bottom of the bag. I have nothing against going raw. Just be sure to keep everything fresh.

 

[kari_dawn]

I don't think they even make a smaller bag! It is a six pound bag! Lol...It is also kept in an airtight container, but as small as he is, raw diet should be pretty doable

He is not eatting kibble, just raw. So, you are saying that if he is eating beef, he should be getting beef organs/liver and beef bone as well instead of different animals? I couldn't find any beef liver this time around, but he doesn't like raw chicken...its too slimy lol. As far as other organ meat, he won't eat chicken gizzards at all...what other kinds of organ meats can he have? He liked duck hearts the one time I made them...maybe chicken hearts? Does it matter what kind of organ meats other than liver?

I will def. try semi frozen liver...will it hurt to let it sit while Im at work since he still eats it? Or can I cut it into little tiny pieces?

 

[watchdogps]

I don't think they even make a smaller bag! It is a six pound bag! Lol...It is also kept in an airtight container, but as small as he is, raw diet should be pretty doable

He is not eatting kibble, just raw. So, you are saying that if he is eating beef, he should be getting beef organs/liver and beef bone as well instead of different animals? I couldn't find any beef liver this time around, but he doesn't like raw chicken...its too slimy lol. As far as other organ meat, he won't eat chicken gizzards at all...what other kinds of organ meats can he have? He liked duck hearts the one time I made them...maybe chicken hearts? Does it matter what kind of organ meats other than liver?

I will def. try semi frozen liver...will it hurt to let it sit while Im at work since he still eats it? Or can I cut it into little tiny pieces?

I'm just saying that you might not want to mix it all up and give him variety just yet. If he is handling it well, it's fine, but a lot of people get excited to give their dog cool things and win up having to steam clean their carpets. In general, chicken, turkey and pork are easier to digest (as long as they arent fatty), and red meats are a bit more likely to induce the runs. Again, this is at first, and the less fat there is, the easier it is. As time goes on and he adjusts, he will digest fat easier and be able to eat a wide variety of stuff. Or, you could be blessed with a dog that has a cast iron stomach!

 

[watchdogps]

Oh, and re: the liver - thats fine, a few hours out wont hurt anything. You can also try cooking it lightly, just sear the outside. Sometimes that helps.