Raw diet

[nusee]

I am contemplating feeding the raw diet. My vet says that I must worry about illness from the raw food. What are your experiences with the raw diet?

[Unregistered]

Raw diets are the best but most difficult to get because you can't just buy food at the grocery store and feed it to your dog. The reason is that the food you buy at the supermarket is certified by the FDA as long as its cook. The test and certify the food for human consumption and with the idea that someone will buy it and go home and cook it before eating it. If you are interested still in feeding your dog raw food, you will have to find somewhere that they sell food that can be eaten raw. This is difficult in a lot of places plus it can be pricey.

I know of one brand of dog food that sells raw food called Natures Variety. They have frozen meats of all kinds and all sizes that are meant to be given to your dog raw (after its dethawed a little of course). But it can be pricey if this is your dogs main diet. I like to give it as either one meal a day or a treat (depending if I have any available).

My suggestion to you for your dogs main diet is to buy a quality food like Innova. Its dry food (and they sell wet as well) but its one of the best out there.

I work for a vets office in case you need a little assurance :)

Liz

[tavollbracht]

Buy the book!

Tom Lonsdale, Raw Meaty Bones. This will answer all your questions and give some 'eye-opening' information.

I feed my dogs on a raw diet and have done so for 5 years. I have never had a sick dog, no allergies, no problems with the diet. I have happy, healthy, lively and very energetic dogs. They also love to eat it!

I have no doggy breath problems, no itchy skin problems, no horrible dog odour problems.

My dogs teeth are very clean and healthy as well!

There are all sorts of places to get food from, trust me!!!! They will even home deliver. It was soooooo much easier to feed raw in America than here. (England)

All you really need to consider is what meat you are going to feed.

organic is best obviously, but very expensive.

I say GO FOR IT, your dog will love you! (even if they turn their nose up to it at first)

My best advice is go to google and type in 'raw meaty bones' the book written by tom lonsdale. He has his own website as well, very informative.

I will be here to help you if you need it too! I think all dogs should go raw!

All the best,
Amy

btw (by the way) your dogs stomach can tolerate rancid meat! a raw diet is simply what your dog would of eaten in the wild! I wouldn't suggest giving your dog rancid meat obviously, but just trying to give a little understanding as to the strong bacteria your dog has going for it!

[Unregistered]

I also feed my dogs raw meat along with dry meal.I have in the past I have fed my dogs only canned food but when you read what is actually in these cans you find that there is not alot of meat in them.

I have two Boxers,they get raw meat as their main meal and dry meal to balance their diet.

I know other Boxer owners who use the raw diet and some who do not and the dogs with a raw diet do look better physically.

[Unregistered]

I am contemplating feeding the raw diet. My vet says that I must worry about illness from the raw food. What are your experiences with the raw diet?

I have a Newfoundland Zen and since she was able to have an adult diet I have varied her diet greatly.
I only feed her chicken necks for her meat but I give her rice and supercoat large breed kibbles, these are the cheaper of the better kibbles I also give her sardines and scrambled eggs about once every eight days.
She has 2 tins of no name sardines kibbles and rice to about 800 grams
and 3 eggs scrambles with milk rice and kibbles.
When she has necks I give her approx 8 necks depending on size.
She has never had a sick day, her droppings are not as smelly as others I have come accross and firm but noay hard. (very plleasant conversation, I know ) and she just loves all of it.
I have purposly introduced her to vegetables as well from an early age and
often cook extra veg for her.
This may sound expensive but when you work it out the fish costs about $1.20 and the eggs less than a $ each meal,
The kibbles are under $40.00 for 20kg so less than $1.00 per feed and the rice is minimal. this diet was given to me by the breeder I got my dog off and it has served me well.
I also supplemented her groth time with calcum as her groth rate is so fast.
Hope this helps
NewfRyder

[Shelley02]

I have been feeding raw for years. My dogs are never sick, never need their teeth cleaned , and have high energy, shiny coats and healthy skin.
Iget my meat from the butcher's. I feed beef, pork, .liver. kidneys, chicken backs and necks, and venison when in season. They get huge raw meaty bones everyday. My dogs immunities are very high. I also don't need to give them annual shots. As for the vegie part, I buy cheap day old vegies and fruits on sale and puree them with liver and feed with their meal. If you buy the book on barf diet it will be easy to understand.

[chubbywubby]

hello am new here but read ya thred go for it i only have a fell terrier ut i feed him the barf way so easy i am going to start my cats on it soon get the book give your dog a bone by dr ian billinghurst great never puy it down

[bulldog1]

Imo raw food is the best food for you dog here is a copy of my dogs weekly menu


Adult Diet (6 months+)

8am 8pm Supplements
Monday Fish
Veg RMB
Egg
AM: Ester-C, Vitamin E, Probiotics, GS, Flax seeds
PM: Ester-C
Tuesday ½ Tripe
½ Mince
Veg RMB
Heart
AM: Ester-C, Vitamin E, Probiotics, GS, Flax seeds
PM: Ester-C
Wednesday ½ Tripe
½ Mince
Veg RMB AM: Ester-C, Vitamin E, Probiotics, GS, flax seeds
PM: Ester-C
Thursday ½ Tripe
½ Mince
Veg RMB AM: Ester-C, Vitamin E, Probiotics, GS, flax seeds.
PM: Ester-C
Friday ½ Tripe
½ Mince
Veg
Egg RMB
Offal AM: Ester-C, Vitamin E, Probiotics, GS, Flax seeds.
PM: Ester-C
Saturday Fish
Veg RMB AM: Ester-C, Vitamin E, Probiotics, GS, Flax seeds.
PM: Ester-C
Sunday ½ Tripe
½ Mince
Veg RMB
AM: Ester-C, Vitamin E, Probiotics, GS, Flax seeds.
PM: Ester-C


Mince = Lamb, chicken, turkey, rabbit, beef.

Tripe = Make sure it is black/green as the tripe you can buy in the butchers is white (bleached) and has to goodness taken out of it. Tripe is very good for the dogs as it full of vitamins and calcium.

RMB (Raw Meaty Bone) = Make sure the bone has some meat on it such as a chicken back or carcass, poultry neck, lamb neck, lamb ribs, whole or ½ rabbit etc. Rabbits are best with just the head and feet removed with the fur left on. You may give marrow bones but only as a recreational bone to chew on.

Liver = I give my adult dogs a sliver of liver a week (approx 3-4 tablespoons)

Veg = Any vegetable is fine apart from some root vegetables, do not give onions as they are toxic to dogs and potatoes are not too good for them either. Do not cook the veggies, blend them up in a normal blender and add about 2-3 tablespoons to their meal.
The veggies I use are: Cabbage, Asparagus, Broccoli, Sprouts, Cauliflower, Celery, Collard, Cucumbers, Green Beans, Kale, Lettuce, Parsley, Spinach and Squash.

Heart = Any will do, pigs, lamb etc.

Fish = I give a whole tin of pilchards or two in brine (make it is drained off first though).

Supplements

PROBIOTICS - I use the probiotics from www.first4pets.co.uk One tub lasts for months! These greatly help with any yeast infections and keep your dog healthy on the inside.
FLAX SEEDS - I use fresh organic seeds from www.stonemills.co.uk I grind them down with my coffee bean grinder, put them in Tupperware pot and keep them in the fridge (they must be kept refrigerated once ground). They must be cracked open otherwise the dogs cannot digest them. I give one heaped tablespoon of ground flax seeds daily. They help with the yeast infections, of clearing out any toxins and are a good supply of Omega-3, also used for a beautiful coat.
GS - Glucosamine Sulphate tablets. I give one a day, crushed in their food. These help keep arthritis at bay. We buy these from www.zipvit.co.uk as with the Ester-C too. If you buy the Ester-C in bulk you get the Glucosamine free.
ESTER-C - Probably THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT SUPPLEMENT you can give your dogs. It is virtually a ‘miracle cure’ for hip dysplasia and actually prevents it happening in the first place. It builds collagen around the joints and given in high doses can bring very lame dogs back to life. Email me for dosages. We just crush them in the pestle and mortar and add to their food.
VITAMIN E - Helps the body absorb the Ester-C better. We give one a day mixed in with their AM food.

All you really need to remember is that VARIETY is the key.
I.E. If you feed chicken mince in the day then give a lamb bone at night or if you give lamb in the day then give rabbit at night etc.
Your dog can still eat every else like table scraps etc, but just make sure that BARF is their main diet.
Please remember that dogs love fruit and cheese, so consider these as a treat.
Please note that I do not recommend ANY commercial dog food (or cat food) but if I HAD to feed my dog on a commercial food the only one I would use is James Well Beloved and give the RMB in the evening to clean their teeth.

hope this helps sorry its a bit long:eek:

[toppers]

Hi,
decided to use your diet advice, checked out the RMB diet on internet, you didn't say if your eggs were raw or cooked?

[bulldog1]

I do use raw and boiled eggs just alternate them.

[toppers]

Just been to tesco's and bought some lamb hearts and chicken wings (I will only give the tips of the wings to the daxies) . I already feed my Dane tripe so have been giving some to the daxies over the past week and giving them less dried complete food, I've also been whizzing up some veggies in the food processer, my local pet shop sells minced chicken so I'm set! They really enjoy their dinner and seem more attentive in just 1 week!!

[K9MadMum]

Im just looking for some reassurance i think, i have decided to start my malamute on RMB's,been out this morning to my local butcher and fish monger and they have happily donated to me..
Beef Ribs ( i need a bigger freezer!)
4 x 1/2 chicken carcasses, wings on
chicken legs
pork ribs
liver
sardines
mackeral
kippers (all intact)
I just want to know if these are all ok to feed him,I think my main worry is the chicken and pork as i was a veterinary nurse for 3 years and have seen many gastric torsions due to chicken bones (although they were cooked chickens).
Koda is my pride and joy and i want to feed him the best diet possible,i know this diet will benefit him but just need to know im going the right way about it!!

[skippygurl00]

your dog will love the fresh stuff,and variety.my dog eats plenty of raw bones,mince for dogs occasionally as well as canned food with kibble,she is glowing with health,with a beautiful shiny coat and lovely white teeth,and plenty of energy.

[Meghanxx4]

Both my dogs both get fed Mountian Dog Food, which is a raw diet. The only times they get the kibble is if we run out since we usually have to order it, or sometimes we mix it in with the raw food. Other than that the majority of tehre diet is raw. I recomend the raw food diet to any who owns dogs its a great food choice. Although i noticed that not many vets recommend it, stillt rying to figure that one out though.

[toppers]

HI K9MADMUM:I too am scared if I'm doing the right thing,and was looking for reasurrance, so typed in BARF on google and got Dr billingthingys(incorrect spelling sorry can't remember his name) guide. It was quite a good read, all sorts of info about nutrients and the best bones/meat for your type of dog. I think Bulldog1 has some good advice.
I cook any Pork products for fear of worms but everything else is raw. I've read so much stuff on BARF and RMB I can't remember where I've seen stuff. I know that you shouldn't feed kibble and raw at the same time as they are diggested differently, and that a rabbit with it's fur on helps inhibit worms(not sure how though). Also don't feed cooked bones or knuckle joints.
I get my tripe (in England) from a company called prize choice, even they have a page on their website about BARF with vets questions etc. I'm on about day 10 or 11 now with the daxies eating 'mini' BARF.

[K9MadMum]

Hi toppers - I hope your dogs are settling into the barf diet nicely now.
Koda is loving it!!
I too have just bought some tripe by prize choice and some minced raw chicken,although koda is getting a bit fussy!! he refuses to eat veg so im at a loss as how to get some into him and he loves all the RMBs he can get, chicken backs,wings,legs, beef ribs, lamb necks and loves whole fish too!!
When i was walking round the pet store i noticed a large bag of mixed raw mince,think is was chicken,liver and vegetables,do you think this would be good to get his veg intake up??

kirsty and koda xx

[Meghanxx4]

Oh ya tripe, we also give our dogs tripe from time to time as a treat.. but it smells so bad that we only give it to them occassionally.

[bulldog1]

It sounds like raw feeding is going really well for you all well done to all of you, K9madmum the problem with cooked bones is that they splinter so everyone never feed cooked bones, and give the raw mince with veg a try:D have you ever stuck the veg in a blender and then poured it over the meat? Toppers if your dog is wormed regular dont worry about worms when you cook meat it losses so much goodness:D

[toppers]

Bulldog Hi
I have been working very hard on the dogs diet, I am buying things on a Monday, bagging it up and then freezing it for the week -pork will only be given once a week and will be cooked, everything else is raw. Remember my daxies are smaller than cats and can have health issues if they gain too much weight so I have to be extra careful. I've read so much about natural diet but haven't any info about feeding it to mini dogs.
How do you know how much food to give them?

K9madmum
I started by whizzing the veggies up in the food processor and mixing it in with the tripe, I am now gradually introducing small chunks of veg/fruit but still adding the veg/fruit puree as it is easier for them to digest. The first two days 3 dogs left the chunks of veg - now they eat everything.
I would check the percentage of meat to veg in pre packed stuff.

[K9MadMum]

Hi ya,
Thanks for all the great advice,am willing to try anything to make koda eat veg!!
I was just wondering what veg is best and is there any specific veg dogs cant have?
Also Kodas stools are kinda weird now,really chalky and crumbly...is this normal for this diet?

kirsty and koda xx

[pateeto]

I once had this problem of getting the right balanced diet for my dog and tried several processed dog food recommended by vet but it wasn't giving me the result i desired and my dog was growing lean and falling sick until i stumbled on site that thought me how to made homemade recipe for my dog. I tried it and it worked and my dog that was always falling ill was full of life and very healthy. Most commercial feed are processed and don't give the required result. Remember that dogs are carnivores. Check out this site and it will teach you how to make home made receipes for your dog and where to get them.Check out this site

http://pateeto.shine2.hop.clickbank.net

http://pateeto.dogsecrets.hop.clickbank.net

[toppers]

Hi k9madmum
I googled BARF -why don't you try it. It gets you straight to Dr. Billing.....thingy. He gives you a run down of what vegs/fruits and meat are best to feed, broccoli/cellery/ boc choi/carrots/oranges. I puree a selection of fruit and veg on a Monday (enough for the week) pour it into 7 tubs and freeze it. I then throw in some chunks of veg/fruit on each day all mixed up with tripe or minced chicken plus the puree and that's it. They get a chicken wing tip to clean their teeth, plus eggs or fish for breakfast. I can't go for the total RMB as my dogs are tiny, but I look at it this way - they are getting a well balanced meal with no cheapo cereals to bulk them up.
I spoke to my vet on Monday. He said the important thing is to balance the meal, like we do for ourselves - 5 a day.
As for the poops- my dogs don't eat loads of bones, so I assume the bones make the poop chalky, make sure they have a balanced diet - I think the vegs add moisture to the poop process. My dogs are drinking less since moving to natural food and have much smaller poops.:o

[toppers]

Hi
I was feeling generous even though my washing machine has commited the ultimate sin and leaked water on the floor!:eek: I googled BARF for you.
Here is the web address for BARF
www.barfworld.com
click on 'Barf diet' at the top, then click on 'Barf specifics' at the side and hey presto - a complete run down of the best foods to feed!
A quick list of foods to accompany the bones:
broccoli
spinach
celery
bok choy
carrot
capsicum (red pepper)

apple
pear
grapefruit
orange
I think the best advice is to use foods that go well together, no strong tastes or smells to put Koda off!
I tried the oranges and celery in my puree this week convinced they'd refuse it, but they troughed the lot!:D

[K9MadMum]

Hi ya,
I really dont know what i would have done without you and Bulldog over the last week or so,you have both been so encouraging ang helpful.
I have made a date with the greengrocer tomorrow morning,so will pick up some of the suggested items and let you know how it goes!!

Kirsty And Koda xx

[toppers]

Thats okay K9 mum, glad to help!
My Daxies seem fine on the diet (almost our 3rd week kibble free), but my vet told me that I'd now have to worm my dogs on a monthly basis. Anyone else doing this? Luckily I've found a uk based medicine supplier on the internet. They supply worming tablets (top name brands) up to 39% less than the vets! Check it out www.animalmedicines.co.uk

[K9MadMum]

hi ya toppers,
I dont know about the worming but i bet bulldog will!!
Do they do frontline on that site? Im gonna check it out later.
Do your dogs have a favourite RMB? Kodas is Chicken and lamb neck,so i try to get beef mince to mix in with his tripe to give him variety. He loves sardines too!!
He looks leaner too,i think Im feeding him enough as he doesn't seem hungry!!

Kirsty And Koda xx

[bulldog1]

As most of you no I dont do off the shelf products;) for worming I use one called four seasons from Homoeopet, www.homoeopet.co.uk.

[K9MadMum]

hi bulldog,
Is it monthly wormer??

[bulldog1]

yes it is a monthly use it 2 consecutive days a month:D

[K9MadMum]

Just sent them an Email:D

[toppers]

Have you heard about the 10 dogs dead in America from eating dog food - they've had to recall the food, just read about it in last weeks 'our dogs' newspaper! I've also recieved an email from a chap in LA about the poisons present in dog food. I know I've made the right decision!!

In reply to K9MADMUM
My Daxies enjoy chicken wings. Sophia who once turned up her nose now enjoys chomping chicken wing tips!:D

BULLDOG - I will check out the wormer supplier thanks:)

[Carol]

I followed this thread eagerly as you all dealt with a new way of feeding your dogs. Congratulations!!! You did it before the big Recall in North America!
I have always fed my dogs a Homemade diet with lots of meat and veggies and fruit etc. I cook my meat because I do not have a butcher nearby and do not trust the source of the meat enough to feed it raw.
However, I did not get caught in that Recall and have to worry.
The small amount of dry food that I have available to my 2 dogs takes a long time to disappear because they use it like a crunchy treat. they don't like it as part of their meal. Dogs are smart.
I was wondering how you are all making out with the once a month worming though. This never occurred to me before as a necessary procedure. But it makes sense eating raw meat.
How are all the dogs doing? Have they developed any weird cravings for foods they particularly like?
My Casey goes into wiggle-butt and begging mode when she sees me with a boiled egg (her favourite) and oranges (great treat) She even has Jake loving veggies and I do not believe he ever had them before I adopted him in Feb.
Please update your progress!

[K9MadMum]

Hi Carol,
I must admit this is my favourite thread at the moment,I was so scared about starting my boy on raw it was so encouraging to know i could just pop on to the computer for some reassurance.
Starting Koda on raw is the best thing i have ever done,He looks fantastic.
His eyes are brighter,he is more alert, his coat is gorgeous,and his teeth and breath are clean and fresh, and he really enjoys his food now.
I think he lost a small amount of weight when we first started but now he is back in proportion for his breed,lean and fit.
I am still struggling to get vegetables into him but he always eats any veg table scraps that we have so until i find an alternative solution,some is better than none i think.
His favourite things are:
Chicken backs and wings
Fresh whole fish
Beef ribs
and beef and chicken mince with raw egg
Although he will try anything once!!
I am very lucky as my butcher makes a weekly parcel of RMBs up for me that i collect once a week for free,although i do try and buy liver,heart etc from and give him an extra couple of pounds.
I must admit i am continuing to use my regular wormer every 3 months for the time being,i have contacted my vet about this and he has advised me just to keep an eye on him.
I am no expert on the matter,and i just want to say thank you to ppl like Toppers and Bulldog who have encouraged me and offered advice.

From my experience,BARF is best.

Kirsty and Koda xx

[Carol]

Wow what a lucky pet owner you are!! A source of free raw meat!

My Mom also had that same deal with her butcher when I was growing up.
I did not think it was possible anymore...
So happy to hear it. I am so happy that you and your dogs are doing so well on this diet. You will never have to worry about commercial dog food again and that is a good thing.

On the homemade diet my dogs are on, Jake has had weird stools ever since I started him on this diet and it took me a while to figure out he needs what works for me. "Whole wheat bread"
I cut up some slices a few days ago and mixed them into the food for them and it worked....the stools are firming up and he is not so gassy. Casey got a little harder than normal so I have to watch the quantity but in a day or so I will have it down pat. They are both doing great and Jake no longer has bad breath. Casey is no longer scratching her ears feverishly and I am having to cleanse her ears less.
All is good...and the money I save I can buy doggie toys and treats with.
She will do anything for a carrot or apple chunk.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s264/nanagoo/begging1.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s264/nanagoo/flyingjake.jpg