Raw diet for dogs?

[Garlydog]

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Did you know that the plant called Cassava (sp?) which is where tapioca comes from, has a naturally occurring low grade toxin that must be processed out before it can be consumed? I think it is a form of cyanide.

Anyway, most tapioca is imported from third world countries where I'm certain that the processing standards are up to snuff.

As for potatoes, they may be easier to digest, but I wouldn't say they are necessary for the dog's health.

I guess nothing is perfect.

 

[halo]

Redyrerotties, thanks for the information on the supplements. I will definitely look into them. I think I would feel more comfortable making a switch to mostly, or all raw, if I could feed some high quality supplements that are meant to be fed with a raw diet.

My local Sweetbay store often has chicken amazingly cheap. 49 cents a pound for whole quarters, 79 cents a pound for breast quarters. I do feed raw chickens wings, but my guys are very good about chewing all their food, no gulpers in the bunch. Well, the new puppy eats pretty fast, but a good size bone will slow him down.

I wonder if I can feed bones as large as chicken leg bones and thighs? At what point do you decide a piece of meat with a bone is too large (or two small)?

I actually think it won't be any more expensive for me to feed raw. I now feed Wellness Core, and its $50 for a 40 pound bag, which lasts me 2-3 weeks.

I could talk about feeding my puppies endlessly. What a great topic.

In the Raw feeding regime, what is the best way to feed eggs? Obviously we all have lots of eggs, are cooked better than raw?

 

[Garlydog]

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I just break them in the bottom of the food bowl and feed the shell and all raw. That is an awesome price for chicken!!!

There isn't any part of the chicken that I have found is too large for our dogs. Our dogs are 30lbs, 50lbs, 70lbs and 80lbs.

 

[halo]

Well, they do get the occasional raw egg when Im out gathering eggs and find one buried that Im just not quite sure how long its been there. Im just wondering if I can give them more if they are cooked, as I have read that an occasional raw egg is okay, but there can be problems with them.

 

[Redyre Rotties]

No problem with raw eggs unless you are feeding very large amounts, as in more than a dozen a week.

You will want to use something to balance the phosphorus in the eggs. This is what I use the KA calcium for, or you can grind eggshell and use half a teaspoon for each egg.

 

[halo]

Are cooked eggs just as good? I do like to cook up some extra eggs for them.

 

[halo]

What if they are getting some raw bones, such as chicken wings and breasts, will that be enough calcium to offset the phosphorous in a raw egg a day?

 

[redhen]

Mine get a raw egg daily in their food (usually duck). Never thought to use the shells though..

 

[Redyre Rotties]

No. The bones in the pieces the dog eats go to balance that meat. On exception might be chicken backs, which are generally a high bone to meat ratio.

You can cook them if you like. I like to put them in a non stick pan and cover it just until the yolks haze over.

 

[Garlydog]

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I don't think cooking the eggs adds any value.