OK I WANT TO FEED A RAW DIET - Page 2

As stated above it is pretty easy so don't over think it.  I have been feeding raw for 8 years.  Just a couple key points. 

Feed a variety of meats

Don't just feed backs and wings

veggies and fruits are fine but should be pureed I feed some not alot.

Feed tripe on occaision



I use a supplement called Canine complete by the wholistic pet ( sold by k9power.com for cheaper) That is the only supplement I feed

You can also feed some cottage cheese and plain yogurt or kefir.

Remember everyone has their own twist. Find what works best for you and your dogs and go from there.

I think everyone does have their own twist. Mine is the wood.  LOL

I have wood stove and smoke houses, and do alot of smoking for us. Depending on what type wood (IE: Maple, Mesquite, Cherry, Oak, Apple) there are different health benefits. Some woods produce bactericide or antibiotics, or antiseptics, microbicide .. each wood is different. Some wood I use more than others depending on the season.

Like now for example, I'm useing Oak, Apple and Cherry, beings there's no fly's, fleas and ticks. In the spring and summer I'll use Mesquite, Hickory and different fruit woods. The Mesquite and Hickory woods have a serious amount of bactericide and antiseptics. Excellent immune booster and the chemical compounds for oxygen intake and fluid preservation in the muscles. This is the result of buring wood.

My dogs never had intestinal parasites issue either. This could be the garlic though too. They get a good dose of garlic twice a year spring and fall before we go to the beach house. This kills the sandflys if ingested that give heartworms. Stools are always negitive.

Everyone is different with feeding RAW or BARF .. I don't do the cottage cheese, egg or yogurt. Instead I feed the raw milk daily.

It's a science to say the least. My dogs are finicky and don't want the 100% raw chicken, turkey, deer or beef in a bowl, they prefer flame browned or the maillard reaction. LOL  But will eat the liver, heart or kidney raw in the bowl. 

Some peoples dogs. 

See this is what I am talking about...

Von Savitch K9  WROTE
"""" Considering raw diet unless you are purchasing a complete product like and Omar's pride or Barf product just raw meat and ground up bone will not cut it. You will need to add kelp, alfalfa carrots broccoli and others plus supplements in order for the raw diet to be nutritionally complete or go with a 50/50 mix of raw and kibble. An AFS meat eaters and a good kibble would be a great mix for the GSD."""""

And LynOD wrote this

LynOD

Posts: 56
Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2007 02:06 pm
As stated above it is pretty easy so don't over think it. I have been feeding raw for 8 years. Just a couple key points.
Feed a variety of meats
Don't just feed backs and wings
veggies and fruits are fine but should be pureed I feed some not alot.
Feed tripe on occaision
I use a supplement called Canine complete by the wholistic pet ( sold by k9power.com for cheaper) That is the only supplement I feed

This is my problem I want to feed my dogs the best I can but I don't want to over think it but you must or else you will miss something. I have been reading for days and now just today I hear you have to de worm your dog regularly and you have to feed them some kelp, veggies, but not to MUCH and you need to add omega fatty acids ,tripe on occasion. I really appreciate everyones advice but no matter where I read I never see the same facts. NEVER feed raw and kibble. An AFS meat and good kibble would be Great mix for GSD is quoted above.

The other issue I have is I am in a wheelchair with MS and I only have 1 good arm  and I don't know if I can prepare all the food as need be. I am a very good cook so I can work a knife but not skinning chicken . I have nothing but time so prepairing the food would be no problem but I just can't move foreward until I know I will be giving my dogs all the nutrition they need.

I was looking @ Royal Canin GSD 24 , Canin Caviar & there canned food, Orijen was another I am just lost at this point.

Zin,

I told you everyone has their own twist. You need to develop yours.  I supplement with Canine complete so I don't have to add bunch of different supplements.  It is a good all around supplement that provides vitamins, minerals amino acids, digestive enzymes, probiotics antioxidents essential fatty acids and dietary fiber.  Hence I choose not to feed an over abundance of veggies because I do not need to.  (there is Kelp in this supplement).  You need to watch your dogs.  You should see clean teeth vibrant coat and a healthy overall look to them.  If their coat looks dry add some extra fish oil ( I do on occaision in the winter) I do supplement with Next level for joints as well, but there are a ton of products available for that. 

 

Most will tell you not to feed kibble with a raw meal at the same time split it am and pm.  I do use kibble on occaision not often, If I do it is a grain free kibble.

The leerburg website has alot of info on raw feeding.  Just get started and continue reading and you will see the results in your dogs. 

Good Luck Don't worry you will be fine and your dogs will thank you for it.

Lyn

Zin:  I am starting raw also TODAY,. they will have their first raw meal tonight I bought chicken quarters.  I am going with a 50/50;  kibble in am raw for pm.  keep your fingers crossed it works.    I'll keep you posted also.  Found a store not too far away that I can get everything, fresh and reasonable;  I won't say cheap, but reasonable.  I figured for 5 dogsj going completely raw with everyone should cost me somewhere around $250.00; which is what I am paying in kibble per month now and I am so discusted with the results.  Am still not clear on the amounts, but I think I can figure it out.  I am clear on the 2% for the adults but the 80% meat/10 bones/10 organ meats is confusing.  But I'll get there.  Good Luck  Nan

No need to skin the chicken.

A local supermarket every so often, sells whole Rocky chickens for .99/lb.  The store is used to me, so they bring me a box.  I load it up.  They take the chickens in the back and cut them into quarters using the saw.  The only thing I do is pull out the big glob of yellow fat near the tail.  I don't skin them.

Also, I can buy whole chicken legs on sale, or chicken drumsticks.

This company sells really high quality ground food with bone in it.  They are a lot cheaper than prepared raw patties at the store.

www.excelk9diet.com/menu.htm

They are really good people and they send me the food in one or two pound flat plastic shipped frozen to my doorstep.  There are lots of good articles about food and they have special diets for dogs with health issues (epi pancreatitis, certain cancers/tumors, severe allergies and obesity etc).

This food arrives in one or two or five pound chubbs.  Several board members here use this frozen raw green tripe.  The food I use is XKALIBER: Green Tripe, Muscle Meat, Heart, Tongue, Trachea/Gullet and Ground Bone.  I buy 1 pound chubbs because I only have one dog.  I usually buy 44 pounds and put it in my freezer.  I got a new freezer about five years ago.  It is a stand up and energy efficient and was under 400.00 from Home Depot.

www.greentripe.com/

If you play your cards right, you can skip food prep almost entirely.

Michele