Going to Raw?

[Orangeman]

I have read about feeding the BARF diet for quiet awhile now. I have considered doing it but I have just been a little nervous about it. I have a question or two. I have read feeding 60-30-10 and I have read feeding 50% RMBs, 40% muscle meat, and 10% organ meats. I have also seen where some will add 10-15% veggies and some don't add any at all. I have the time to prepare the meals I just want to make sure that I doing the right thing. My boy is 14 months old and weighs about 90 pounds. I have been feeding CA Natural and just switched to Canidea...he never has been a big fan of either. I just want to do whats best for him in the long run. I would love to hear anyone's advice.

[gendursgrrl]

I used to feed RAW to 2 other dogs and they loved it!!! I loved it!!! I will probably put Gendur back on RAW, but not until he's done growing, like 18-24 months. I am too nervous about feeding RAW to a puppy, but that's me. I'm sure others might feel different. I know that there are forums out there for people who feed RAW, even Rottie-specific RAW forums.

When I first started my other dogs, I spend A LOT OF TIME researching RAW, made sure I had all my ducks in a row, and took the plunge. Pretty wild to see my tiny bitch of 65lbs swallow a whole chicken thigh in one gulp without chewing!!! I switched to ground chicken (bones and all) because I was too nervous about the bones.

RAW, done right, does amazing things for dogs!! My dogs NEVER had fleas, lost their "doggy" smell, had zero health problems (other than genetic stuff with a puppy I had), their coat was super-shiny, eyes were super bright, there were in FANTASTIC shape, and I can't repeat myself enough in saying RAW, done right, does amazing things for dogs!!! Except their toenails grow like super-mad-crazy fast!! lol

Have fun with your baby!!!

Jeannie

[gendursgrrl]

Hey there. Re-posting to the sub-forum here. :o)

In response to your question to me:
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My boy is 14 months so I wouldnt have a problem feeding him Raw at this point. Did
you add supplements when you were feeding raw? What percentages did you use? I
have read 50 % RMBs, 40% muscle meat, and 10% organ meats...I have also read
60% RMBs and the other 40% veggies and muscle meats. Did you feed any veggies? I
have read that alfalfa and kelp are great sources of supplements.
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lol :o) It's been ... uhhh ... 5 years since I fed RAW??

I do know that I started with a base idea given by Ian Billinghurst. I talked to a LOT of people. I saw what other people were doing, and why they were doing it, and made up my own mind on what worked for me. I did feed a variety of fruits and veggies in their diet. I did not feed any grains ever. I forget exactly what supps I used. Yogurt, pro-biotics, vitamin supplement, gluc, chon, msm, fish oil, some sort of special C., probably other stuff that I have forgotten.

I am really sorry that I can not be more assistance than that. It has been so long, and honestly, like 5 years have passed and I may do something different now than I did then. Although, I will say that I'm pretty positive I will feed fruits and veggies, and no grain, once I do start up. :o)

Good luck to you and your puppy!!!! I'm sure he'll eventually become a chow-hound. That is one other thing, now that I think about it, that I really loved about the RAW: I got a lot of satisfaction watching my dogs ENJOY their food (even though it only took like a minute to eat it!!!) :o)

Jeannie

[Orangeman]

Thank you for all your help...I think I am going to jump in and give it a try!

[AngelBunny]

I feed raw following the raw prey model. This is based on the fact dogs are carnivores and therefore, do best on a diet of raw meat, meaty bones, organs, and fish in as wide a vaeity as can be supplied. RPM feeders don't feed grains, veggies, or fruits, altho if I'm enjoying a piece of fruite, I will cut & offer slices to the dogs.

As far as making non-meat a significant part of your dog's diet, that is something you will have to decide for yourself. I did lots of research before switching from kibble, reading and talking to people.

Personally, I'm happy and comfortable with my decision to feed the RPM.

This forum Natural Diets Raw and Cooked is new. As such, it doesn't yet have hundreds of discussions and threads. I suggest you read thru the postings in it. URLS to informative raw feeding sites and discussion groups have been posted several times.

[Orangeman]

Thanks AngelBunny, do you use any supplements? How long have you fed a Raw diet? I was thinking about feeding 60% RMBs, 30% muscle meats, and 5% organ meats and 5% veggies. Do you think that sounds ok give or take? Thank you for all of your advice!

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by Orangeman

...AngelBunny, do you use any supplements? How long have you fed a Raw diet? I was thinking about feeding 60% RMBs, 30% muscle meats, and 5% organ meats and 5% veggies. Do you think that sounds ok give or take?...

Once you start reading thru this forum, you'll see I've addressed these poiints; however, to answer your questions briefly:

1. No.
2. 13 months.
3. No to the veggie component because I feed the RPM.

[Iceman330]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

I feed raw following the raw prey model. This is based on the fact dogs are carnivores and therefore, do best on a diet of raw meat, meaty bones, organs, and fish in as wide a vaeity as can be supplied. RPM feeders don't feed grains, veggies, or fruits, altho if I'm enjoying a piece of fruite, I will cut & offer slices to the dogs.

As far as making non-meat a significant part of your dog's diet, that is something you will have to decide for yourself. I did lots of research before switching from kibble, reading and talking to people.

Personally, I'm happy and comfortable with my decision to feed the RPM.

This forum Natural Diets Raw and Cooked is new. As such, it doesn't yet have hundreds of discussions and threads. I suggest you read thru the postings in it. URLS to informative raw feeding sites and discussion groups have been posted several times.

I could not have said it any better and therefore totally agree!

What helped me was finding info from sources that had nothing to gain from providing info (no info from dog food companies). I did a little looking and found that there are simlarities between the digestive tracks of wolves and dogs...Later, I learned a little more about how/what wolves ate...then later I discovered the Prey diet and never looked back....