where to start

[lisaanne]

Been going through many of these older forums and am impressed by some of your feeding plans. Currently I'd say I give my dogs a fairly varied diet, but I KNOW I tend to over-feed. I don't know why I do this, and I am working on it.....

Anyhoo, I'd really like to switch over to raw, or at least give it an honest effort. Can ya'll please give me a synopsis, some pointers, or some suggestions on how to begin? A little help is needed, and perhaps some references to turn to when the "fam" gives me grief..."you're not feeding them that are you?"

All I know is that my dogs LOVE to eat ANY critters they find out in the wild, regardless or smell, and they will devour every bit of it. Just the other day I saw a squirrel tail hanging out of Puddles' mouth. Last week, they were fussing over a skeletal fish carcass. The only vegetarian aspect I ever see is Beta's love of eating fresh, new growth "baby grass". (one of my boy beagles also loved grass) She actually grazes on it, lol Even when running around, mid-stride she'll snatch up a mouthful of grass.

Any input appreciated.

[CaroleBoaz]

This is where I started, even before I owned a dog.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding/

But basically, it's combining bone, muscle and organs in appropriate ratios to simulate a whole animal. Though, you need to start slowly with the organ meat. The first time I gave my dog just a teaspoon of chicken liver, he had diarrhea for 2 days.

[Dutchringgirl]

Go to the Yahoo group that Carol posted, thats where I went and learned alot. I just started buying chicken and giving it to them, then I just started price shopping. Just cut it up and feed it. Learn to ignore the grief, my parents cant believe I feed raw. But I know its the best. My mom thinks its the worst thing in the world !! Its the bacteria that they get hung up on. I get a big pork on bone and start hacking away.

[Drizlaru]

A properly managed raw diet is simply "The Best" diet for your dog. The extra effort it takes will do your dog a great service.

More good information about a RAW diet. http://leerburg.com/webboard/topiclist.php?forum_id=12

[felixone123]

A properly managed raw diet is simply "The Best" diet for your dog. The extra effort it takes will do your dog a great service.

More good information about a RAW diet. http://leerburg.com/webboard/topiclist.php?forum_id=12

thanks for this link!! Currently feeding Orijen, but have been thinking of switching to Honest Kitchen and the link had a really good video about their food. Can't do raw it grosses me out

good info on that link.

[alspyce]

Honest Kitchen is good, but most people still add some raw meat to it. Some complaints about weight loss also when fed on its own.
I don't understand why folks are so grossed out about raw meat. How do you make a hamburger without touching it, or fry some chicken without coating it and putting it in the pan? All you have to do is cut to the proper size and hand it to the dog, and let them eat. If you don't know how then, ask the butcher to cut it up.

[felixone123]

i know, it's silly. i could do raw hamburger meat, it's the poultry that gets me

[lisaanne]

Thanks for all the info, looking into all of it. I'm not worried about them not being able to "tolerate" something they eat. I mean, Puddles has found 6 month old fish carcasses/skeletal remains, various all ready dead rodents, etc and loves every nasty morsel. I've done a few different raw meats to judge where their tastes lay and Puddles wants it ALL. Beta is a bit more picky, but she loves food, so we should do fine.

I know most say they don't need veggies/fruits but I know that most of my dogs simply LOVE broccoli....and Beta is a big-time grass eater.

Thanks again!

[Christie M]

I know most say they don't need veggies/fruits but I know that most of my dogs simply LOVE broccoli....and Beta is a big-time grass eater.

The thing is, most studies are created to disprove a previous study. And any scientist will agree that any study over 5 years old is moot because the data is outdated. So whatever we think we know right now won't matter in 5 years. Dogs have lived to be over 20 years eating packaged cardboard. If you are doing better than that, you are on the right track and can feel very good about yourself. As of yet, I have only found information saying dogs don't "need" veggies and carbs. But there is nothing that I can find that says its actually harmful (unless your dog has a proven allergy). So I think the more variety the better, as long as long as the basics are covered.

Its only been recently that it has been decided that dogs are carnivores and not omnivores. We'll see when that changes. Also, there has been a big shift from the AFCO standards of what a dog "needs to survive" vs what is needed to thrive. I wonder if that frame of reference will start to influence the raw world and people will learn (or be validated) that dogs may survive on meaty bones, but maybe not thrive physically.