After reading so many posts about feeding raw I became interested in perhaps trying this for my dogs. I am still in the process of doing more research, but I have some questions that weren’t answered in the websites and books that I have found. I also did a search of this forum, but most posts were touting the benefits of a raw diet without actually going into much detail, although I found the four video clips posted by borzoimom interesting.
Most experts say to feed egg in some or all meals. Should I also include the shell?
I sometimes foster dogs from the local shelter. Should I switch their diet to raw when I have them, or would it be better to keep them on kibble like they get at the shelter? (This is assuming that I will have them for several months to over a year.)
There is disagreement as to how much vegetable matter should be included. Some insist that an entirely vegetarian diet is fine, while others say the less veggies the better. What is a good rule of thumb to follow?
How can I tell if I am feeding enough or too much? Should I just wait to see if my dog gets fat or skinny?
I’m still not sure if I want to switch my dogs to a raw diet, but it’s sounding better and better the more I read. How difficult is it to start? Is there a big start-up cost involved?
A lot of articles said something about using metal bowls and having a food processor to make the meals. How much equipment will I need and what type?
Thanks borzoimom for bumping up the raw video thread. It answered my questions about amount of veggie matter and how much to feed. You also mention you add egg. Is that with or without the shell?
I too am intrigued and have questions. There seems to be much conflict out there as to the right way.
So far I've heard you feed primarily raw meaty bones whole as the main food source, with frequent veggies, or with almost no veggies at all.
Some say you cannot feed your dog propery on food from the grocery store, you have to go to a butcher and buy a variety there. Others say you can primarily feed one source of meat no problem.
Some add regular vitamin supplements, some reccommend almost none at all.
A whole rabbit with skin and all is supposed to keeep the dog from getting worms, it's supposed to be something about the hair, is this true?
I'm sooooo confused. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Well- I found that a little veggies aids in digestion. Mine seem to like carrots ( especially the little ones- they like them better than cookies.. lol.. ) Also I know of no truth that rabbit will rid of worms. Some worms are even dorminent in the mother. If she has ever had them in her life- the pups will get them from the milk. The reason pups are wormed usually several times. They do just fine on all meat. As long as you include organ meat- tripe and chicken livers seem to be the best combination. I just started adding tripe last year- trubee suggested it, and I can see a difference. The vitamin I use also has glycosamine- something hottie needs and I just found the granular MIssing Link w/ glyco is cleaner. Then Pet tabs had a recall and was in the news for containing lead- that removed all doubt in my mind I was feeding the right vitamin. The main reason I feed raw, other than to avoid bloat in the deep chested breed I have, is that I know what is going in the bowl. The recent mass food recall, they believe was from wheat glutten.. Now since when would a dog eat wheat glutten??? And I have never see a dog in a corn field eating ears of corn.. ( as a toy - maybe..).. In my breed, even with my first borzoi Buddy- it was easy to get lots of advice as most in the breed feed raw. The bulk of the diet is meat yes- I havent had a dog yet with an allergy to chicken- or maybe allergies occur because the immune system is already stressed and chicken tips the scales on a downward spiral. I also use killed vaccines whenever possible ( except rabies of course..) Consider this- Borzois are the longest lived Giant breed, and most feed raw.. So- are they long lived because of the breed- or what we fed? Kibble fed Borzois life span is to 12 years- however- most of the breeders I know feed raw, and life span is 15- with many going up to 16-17.. I have used this reference before- you could eat nothing but pototoe chips- would you be alive?? yes- .. are you healthy??? NO!
And one more point- teeth cleaning when feeding raw is very rare. Could be the bones or could be quite frankly- the calcium/phorohus and vitamin D is balenced that reduces tartar. The only one I have to get their teeth cleaned in problem that whole 20 years is Femka. She was fed pedigree basically her whole life until she came here at almost 5 years old. And 2 years later- her teeth look like they did when they were cleaned.. Here is a recent picture of Zubin. Never mind his beautiful head- look at his teeth! They are snow white. http://i13.tinypic.com/2rymrz8.jpg
From the existing "Feeding raw - instructional videos" thread:
Posted by: borzoimom Posted 02-19-07 11:42 AM
This was created for people on another site on how to feed raw diet to your dog. This is for instructional purpose to those already decided- remembering that dogs can not eat large amounts of kibble with raw. I have been feeding this since 1984, and wouldnt go back. The veggie itsself will vary- this one was carrots, but can be sweet pototoe, yellow squash, raw kale, broccoli.. but this is how it is done. ( also keep in mind- this is for 4 Borzois) Feeding raw takes serious commitment on the part of the owner. This is not someone done in one day then back to kibble. It takes committment, and although cheaper than a good dog food, it does take as I said committment .. Video 1 http://video.tinypic.com/player.php?v=48lxiir Video 2 http://video.tinypic.com/player.php?v=4fynxo7 Video 3 http://video.tinypic.com/player.php?v=43difm1 Video 4 http://video.tinypic.com/player.php?v=34ovqlx
More Q&A re:feeding raw
borzoimom Member Posted 02-19-07 12:20 PM Hide Post quote: Originally posted by erl1391: That's a great idea! I've been interested in raw for some time now, do you have any good links or book recommendations?
Quite- frankly there are alot- but here is the rule of thumb- mostly meat 3/4 of the diet (including organ meat)- then a little veggie to aid in digestion ( remember a dog would eat the intestine of usually plant eaters..), then raw egg as solid protein source, and a vitamims. So you have these componants- meat,organ meat, raw egg with a little veggie, and vitamins. I use missing link as its the cleanest I have found. There are lots of things you can do- but this is a simple one-.. I take the meat out at least an hour to hour and half before feeding to bring to room temp. I also remove the skin from the thigh part. ( my guys dont need alot of fat as they do not shed out a seasonal coat)..
Posted by: borzoimom Member posted 02-19-07 12:38 PM
quote: Originally posted by corgisrlovable: Now why do you feed "raw"? What exactly is "raw"? And How does it help your dog?
I feed raw food because back in the 80's I had a few dogs die of cancer, and one dog bloated out of no where. The vet said the kibble has absorbed water and expanded in the stomach causing it to twist ( GVD). Dogs are connavoires- they would eat meat- and intestine naturally. Also by raw- you know what chemicals you have put in the bowl. Remember- a dog eats the same thing, every day, day after day, its whole life-.. Its not like you- you could have a 'junk day" then eat a balenced diet the next. They are totally dependant on what we put in the bowl. Not to get into what dog food is in ingredients or how it is made, but fresh food is better than rendered kibble IN MY OPINION. Most breeders in my breed feed raw- mostly because it is a deep chested breed. The main reason I feed raw I would have to say is to remove chemical preservatives from their diet. Also as a connovoire- the meat source in a raw meat with natural digestive blood enzymes, is better for their immune system It does however take committment- you cant feed raw diet one day, then kibble the next. The reason is that a raw diet will digest faster by its self, but kibble is slower to digest, and this time frame can make the bone dangerious. You will notice I stated " use to it incase I loose power". What I did NOT say is that if I lost power- I would fast my dogs- light meal the night before ( meaning half) then half the next day back on this. The reason is to make sure it will process as the kibble takes so long to digest compared to raw. If I fed my dogs a good quality kibble, it would be well over 80 dollars a week. ( I have 4 Borzois). On raw its 18 dollars for the chicken, and 8 dollars for the yogurt and eggs and a bag of carrots ( in this case) or 3 more dollars for other veggies, and 5 cents per day alias 35 cents a week- that means I can feed my 4 large dogs instead of over 80 dollars a week on good kibble- it costs me only $ 26.35 cents to feed a week. And there are no fillers, rendered animal parts, no preservatives etc. You can spot a raw fed diet dog from any distance- the coat gleams- less likely for parasites like fleas etc, heathy body etc. My vet not only accepts it but 5 out of the 8 feed their dogs raw diet solely on seeing first hand how my dogs look and research from other people that do the same. In older times, people fed their dogs raw- the convience of processed diets took over- and the life spans of dogs has gone through THE FLOOR..
Posted by:borzoimom Member Posted 02-19-07 05:46 PM
quote: Originally posted by erl1391: Borzoimom, how much does it typically cost to get started? What all do you basically need to get started? What type of RMBs do you typically start out with? Last thing, on another board a few members were saying that they quit feeding raw after a few years because they started seeing problems come up like their coats getting bad, allergies, etc. How common is this? Or could this possibly be caused if you feed the same meat sources or veggies or something like that over and over and the dog doesn't get all of the nutrients it needs? Ok I think I'm done picking at your brain.
Allergies are highly rare- and usually the reason someone starts raw other than removing chemicals from the diet. Remember- if your dog has a chicken allergy- you can use other sources- turkey and beef are usually the best options. My dogs have no problem with raw chicken. As far as what you need- you need a food processor-. Now mine- well it has some age on it but I have seen a good one for 69 dollars at walmart with lesser ones at 40 dollars. YOu feed at 2 percent body weight a day for an adult dog and one that is not having a litter. Puppies are at 5-10 percent. 10 percent for a large breed dog.. In other words- like my Hottie is lets say a 100 pounds- so I would feed at 2 percent 2 pounds total a day- so its one pound per meal of meat. At this point- my eye can gauge what is 3/4 of a pound and what is a pound. The veggie mix with egg you see is really just like a extra. Remember- the meat should NEVER be defrosted in a microwave or even hot water. Its room temp. If bagged, you can use hot water, but drain before putting it out to wait for room temp. With a young dog or new to raw, I chop it up with a cliver. so you need- a food processor- a good knife or cliver, I use a thick plastic cutting board which is easy to clean and wont absorb the raw meat. Thats it.. As you can tell- I have had that processor for a LONG time.. lol.. Also I very my veggies- they dont get much but the favorites here are carrots or sweet pototes, yellow squash or kale. Broccoli- uhh okay but Femka likes the others better. Some raw people add grains- that is sort of defeating the purpose of raw.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: mod_kelly,
Thanks for the advice, my pup has shiny teeth, and I would like them to stay that way. I think she would take to a raw diet well. She's young, 10 mos. old, she's a lab./catahoula mix. In fact lately I've been wondering if she knows I'm thinking about making the switch. She seems to be going into a kibble rebellion. She dumps her food bowl out and then won't eat the food off the ground. Maybe she's trying to give me a hint.
My other dog is my concern, she's a 5 yr old shih-tsu/chi. mix. She weighs about 10 lbs. I'm not sure how she would do on the diet.
How to change a dog to raw is. You feed barely half the night before you start of what they were getting. Second- the morning of you only feed meat without bone to clear the gut. With a 10 pound dog- as an adult at 2 percent a day ie feed 1/10 of a pound. A pound is 16 oz. you would feed about 2 oz of meat. If you have a kitchen scale it makes it easier- but I would do a chicken wing and a chicken liver. ( weigh it to double check me- remember- I feed in pounds with the size of my dogs) for your little dog. How much does your 10 month weigh? And is the pup thin?
Ohh totally!!! I like to add a little fish like tipoli or salmon skin.. Its the oils in the skin and fish bone is a balenced calcium. ( like the egg with shells are..) Another favorite is haddock . However- it doesnt have to be fed daily- I usually just add it either in the processor or singles. YOu can spot a raw fed dog- the coat is almost gleams irradescent.. ( pardon the carpet in this picture- but you get point in this picture. ) http://i9.tinypic.com/4965cgp.jpg
What type of equipment do I need to make the meals? A lot of the articles I read said to use metal bowls. I have glazed clay bowls. Will I have to buy new ones? Should I put a lot of money into a food processor? Would a simple kitchen food processor work or do I need a heavy duty one?
How much does your 10 month weigh? And is the pup thin?
She weighs about 50-55 lbs. She's slender, but not skinny. She loves to run, so I take her out on my bike. Yesterday when we went out, we must have gone at least 7 miles conservatively. She ran the whole way, without having to slow to a trot at all. She's becoming a machine! But I digress, sorry.
So I feed the little one just meat w/ no bones for how long? And is that 2 oz. for the whole day?
Two ounces twice a day. Your 55 pound dog is a growing pup- so we ae going to average up- she would get a half pound twice a day. WAtch her weight- if more active especially with summer time- and at the end of growth- you could take her up to almost 3/4 of a pound twice a day.
Originally posted by all-creatures-great-and-small: What type of equipment do I need to make the meals? A lot of the articles I read said to use metal bowls. I have glazed clay bowls. Will I have to buy new ones? Should I put a lot of money into a food processor? Would a simple kitchen food processor work or do I need a heavy duty one?
Glazed ceremic bowls without toxic glazing ( ie made in the US..) are fine. Food processors are not much. I have seen some good ones as low at 40 bucks at walmart. One like mine ( and its old) would be 60.. Mine is a hamilton beach and 20 years old at least here is the link for them at walmart. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=4813
My bowls were made here in my hometown and are sold at a pet specialty store. A way to find out if a ceramic dish has any metal in it is to put it into the microwave. If after 30 seconds if the plate is hot to the touch, or you can see sparks arcing off, then you know it has metal, probably lead, in the glaze.
Thank you, borzoimom, for all the great advice regarding feeding raw.
O.K. more brain picking Borzoimom, if you don't mind. I've been looking around at what's available to me locally. Chicken is plentiful of course. Tilapia and catfish are too. Is catfish ok? Also not alot of tripe around here, but I can get menudo readily. Will that be a good substitute? Also what about tongue? Oh and any books you specifically reccomend? That's all for now I think. Thanks for the advice. It's most appreciated.
