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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Van
Posts: 930
Thanked 53 Times in 30 Posts
Lets talk about raw food diet for dogs
I've been feeding my dog raw food since we got her. This is what we've been feed her about 4 days in a week :80% ground beef with 20% green tripe and vegetable.
the other days I try to give her something different for better balance like bone in chicken and beef ribs. (ox tail also but that can get very pricy so not too often)
I plan to give her some fish, people claim its ok to feed whole fish but I am not too comfortable about the bone. I also thinking some shellfish like oyster or clam but not sure if it is safe, anyone got experience to share?
I would stay away from shellfish. Sardines in a can of spring water are great source of omegas and another protien source. I also add a mix of dried kelp to my dogs diet. Also turkey, salmon, duck. I add one raw egg a week (to the med to big breeds) this includes the whole shell as well. With my smaller breeds they get half. I would suggest adding a little more bone to the diet. Stick with chicken and turkey and duck as it crumbles when broken down. Beef and any other weight baring bone of larger animals does not get broken down. Every so often I do what I call a club med breakfast. I mix cooked egg, beans, and veggies with some sardines as the meal. Adding some canned pumpkin (without the sugar) is another vegetable I add if the dog likes it. Some do some don't.
so i feed my dog raw as well
anybody mix carrots to their meals?
my dog doesnt seem to digest them and poop them back out. wondering if carrots are something dogs have problem digesting ? it was recommended by my vet...
Carrots are fine. But they will only digest what they need of them. It also takes their bodies a little bit to learn how to break down new vegetables. This is why I do a mix of different things to keep their bodies knowing how to digest it. You will always see a bit of carrot unless you wait a few months then play with the quantity. Really a bit leaving their body isn't a huge deal.
RS.net, where our google ads make absolutely no sense!
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Van
Posts: 930
Thanked 53 Times in 30 Posts
yep, carrots are fine, one of the dog I know can only eat kibble and carrot, eating any other thing would give diarrhea. if you want your dog get as much nutrition from any vegetable. chop that up as fine as possible.
I've been feeding my dog a raw diet that's a package of fruit, vegetables and raw turkey or chicken. He's 4-1/2 now. His mom has been getting the same thing and something similar for 4 years. They are Labrador Retrievers. Their health has been excellent, low stool (i.e. no food fillers) and they've been quite happy (loads of exercise).
This was at least 2 years ago.
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After changing to raw diet my Shih Tzu has way more energy. She looks healthier and happier also. Her poops are nice as well.
Chilli the Shih tzu gets almost any type of fresh meat with soft bones. Pork necks, chicken, buffalo and lamb forms the bulk of her diet.
No shell fish of anykind (due to mercury and toxins)
I also give her in smaller quantities: salmon skins (cooked), raw green smelly beef tripe, raw random organ meats, raw eggs (just the yolk)
I do not bother trying to feed her any vegetables or fruits (other than a few brussel spouts once in a while), but sometimes she gets basmati rice with a tiny bit of ghee as a treat. I don’t know if rice is a vegetable.
I also keep various frozen raw dog food bricks that I get from Jolly meats in North van sliced up and ready in freezer. Those are handy when you don't feel like dealing with grocery store cuts and you can mix them up and your dog is eating like a king. She seems to enjoy eating the slices frozen.
the big beef knucke soup bones are not good for any dogs teeth. They are way to hard and teeth will get chipped or cracked. I pull out the marrow with a chopstick and let her lick down these types of bones, but these are not for chewing on. There are softer bones that can be fed instead.
I get to eat any meat that I deem unsuitable for her.
Our of curiosity, is raw food supposed to be better for dogs? More energy? Longer life?
Our family dog has generally eaten everything under the sun. A scoop of dry dog food, mixed with whatever food we cook for dinner. Rice, pasta, chinese food, eggs, bbq sauce, you name it, he eats it. He's 20 years old now ( I know, probably not normal ) and we won't change now, but for a future dog, I'm wondering if the benefits are worth the change?
Our of curiosity, is raw food supposed to be better for dogs? More energy? Longer life?
Our family dog has generally eaten everything under the sun. A scoop of dry dog food, mixed with whatever food we cook for dinner. Rice, pasta, chinese food, eggs, bbq sauce, you name it, he eats it. He's 20 years old now ( I know, probably not normal ) and we won't change now, but for a future dog, I'm wondering if the benefits are worth the change?
Short answer: yes, yes, and yes.
(Full disclosure: I own a doggy daycare and we sell a variety of raw foods.) I'll try not to make this sound too sales-pitchy, because even with off-the-shelf dry foods, there are still decent choices if you're on a tight budget. If you're going the dry food route, opt for the natural choices with less filler. You WILL notice a difference in your furry friend's well being.
But as far as results go, we have seen first-hand some of our daycare dogs who switched to raw food, and the changes happen very fast and very noticeably. An extreme case, one of our clients' dog was overweight, losing hair (bald spots), and was grumpy, groggy and anxious most of the time. Within 2-3 months of switching to raw food, the dog's fur completely changed (fur started to grow in the balding spots, and her coat just looked way healthier and fuller), her weight IMMEDIATELY balanced itself out to a healthy-looking size, and her overall personality was just happier and healthier. This was our most drastic and noticeable change. For most dogs, if they don't have any weight, eating or personality problems, at the very least, you WILL notice a change in their energy and mood.
I feed my dog raw food religiously, and 110% recommend it if you can afford it. Otherwise, opt for the best you can afford, and as always, lots of love, care, and exercise!
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I'd say for a 70-pounder, 2 pounds over the course of a day if he's at a healthy weight.. more or less by half a pound if she needs to gain or lose weight.
For raw food, a general rule of thumb is your dog's weight divided by 33. Remember that raw food is more dense and full of nutrients, so they won't need a whole lot to achieve the same energy levels as eating a full bowl of dry food. Go for the chicken or turkey "complete nutrition" options if you can. They have the right veggies and stuff added into them too.
__________________ Studies show 100% of people die.. Might as well have some fun.
Not a problem! There are some regular off-the-shelf dog foods that aren't too bad, but at those prices, you may as well opt for raw. The only real downside (if you can call it that) is that it takes up space in your freezer. Also, look out for the fat content and filler in raw food too. Ironically, to lower prices... some brands started puffing up their raw food with other "raw" ingredients (fat, starches, etc).
Happy feeding to you and your doggy!
__________________ Studies show 100% of people die.. Might as well have some fun.
Quick question to the raw diet feeders. Is there a risk of salmonella with dogs consuming raw meat like that? I brought this idea up with my gf and that was a concern she brought up.
The reason I want to get our yorkie on a raw food diet is because he's a really small guy (5 lbs) and he shakes occasionally, so we're not sure if it's because of a lack of nutrients or he's not eating enough of his kibbles. I know that raw diet has a lot more nutrients so that's primarily why I'm looking at it.
Very unlikely. Dogs have a short digestive track, so food goes in and comes out much faster than humans. Even if in the rare case, the food were infected with salmonella, it would get pushed through your dog faster than it would take the salmonella to multiply and do any harm. Remember... although cute and cuddly, canines are also found in the wild, and naturally eat everything and anything they can get their hands on. Almost every dog owner I know, including most of our clients at the daycare have switched to raw food, and have had nothing but great results. For a little guy, I'd recommend giving him really small portions of raw food mixed in with his dry food, and slowly switch over the portions according to how he reacts.
How old is he and how long have you had him for? Usually shakes are from some form of anxiety.
__________________ Studies show 100% of people die.. Might as well have some fun.
Very unlikely. Dogs have a short digestive track, so food goes in and comes out much faster than humans. Even if in the rare case, the food were infected with salmonella, it would get pushed through your dog faster than it would take the salmonella to multiply and do any harm. Remember... although cute and cuddly, canines are also found in the wild, and naturally eat everything and anything they can get their hands on. Almost every dog owner I know, including most of our clients at the daycare have switched to raw food, and have had nothing but great results. For a little guy, I'd recommend giving him really small portions of raw food mixed in with his dry food, and slowly switch over the portions according to how he reacts.
How old is he and how long have you had him for? Usually shakes are from some form of anxiety.
Thanks for the quick response!
He's 2.5 years old now. We adopted him when he was 4 months old, because his original owner was an RN and she felt bad that she couldn't give him the attention and life he deserved.
Hopefully this doesn't get me any points, but we do carry raw food at my daycare in Burnaby. We're in the works of becoming an RS sponsor in the near future so I won't say too much, but PM me if you'd like any more info, or if you have any questions about raw food or dogs in general . Bulk pricing can be arranged!
__________________ Studies show 100% of people die.. Might as well have some fun.
I've been feeding my golden/lab since we got her as a puppy and every time we bring her to grooming they always say my dog's teeth is very clean. I've noticed my sister inlaw's dog that started with feeding commercial food their teeth is very yellow.
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