Raw Diet???

[patton_jr]

Hope I'm using the right terms here.

What exactly does it mean to feed a raw diet? Can someone that only feeds a raw diet possibly explain what a daily feeding consist of? Is it just raw meat, or veggies too? Does it get cooked? How do you store it? Where to look for the food used in the diet? Is it better for the dog? What is the difference in price compared to a 40lb bag of Eukenuba @ $40.00?

Thanks,
Jim

[Barbara Surplus]

Well, here's a good place to start...
http://www.willowglen.com/barf.htm

I like this site very much as it includes articles on commercial pet food, what's in it, why a raw diet is superior, etc.
Barbara

[Homerhomer]

Originally posted by patton_jr
Hope I'm using the right terms here.

What exactly does it mean to feed a raw diet? Can someone that only feeds a raw diet possibly explain what a daily feeding consist of? Is it just raw meat, or veggies too? Does it get cooked? How do you store it? Where to look for the food used in the diet? Is it better for the dog? What is the difference in price compared to a 40lb bag of Eukenuba @ $40.00?

Thanks,
Jim

In the nutshell your daily feeding would consist of raw meat and bones and raw veggies, the food will also consist of (daily or less frequent) raw fruits, raw eggs, yogurt, oils, supplements etc etc.
A decent size freezer comes in very handy when feeding this way.
Pultry suppliers, butchers and regular stores are the place to find it, to make it cheaper you look for chicken necks, turkey necks, pork necks, something that people don't usually eat, if the shopping is done properly you can probably end up with no more than you would pay for eukanuba.

[Carina43]

http://www.bullovedbulldogs.com/barf.htm
http://njboxers.com/faqs.htm

Hi Jim - also known as "BARF" (Bones And Raw Food.) I prefer the term raw diet though, BARF is a bit cutesy. :)
There's two more good links above...the njboxers one is an excellent overview.

The mainstay of my dogs' raw diet is chicken backs and whole rabbits - I also pick up whatever is on sale at the store (or free, like neighbor's venison leftovers!) Beef heart, beef ribs & necks, pork necks, fish, turkey necks, whole chickens...

The backs I get for about $17/40lb case from a meat wholesaler, rabbits from a local guy who sells them very cheap to me - organic, too. I also get free turkey backs from a local small turkey farm when they have extras. I find it cheaper than premium kibble, especially since I don't have to have my dogs teeth cleaned, they are very healthy, they don't get fleas (my neighbors two Goldens are on flea & tick meds all the time) and the poops are tiny and crumbly! :)

I can make up 6-8 weeks worth of pulped veggies in an hour or two, and the dogs also get whole raw eggs a couple of times a week, and occasional human leftovers. About the only thing I don't feed is chocolate, cooked bones, or onions. I don't supplement any more - I've done it for over 2 years & my youngest dog hasn't had kibble since he was 8 weeks old.

Yahoo groups has a ton of good raw feeding lists for regional co-op buying, supplers, breed specific, & general info. rawfeeding@NO SPAMMING is one of the better ones. There's some good books - Susan Johnson's "Switching To Raw" is very concise & good. Tom Lonsdale DVM's Raw Meaty Bones is the best for reference, a bit more scholarly. And (small brag) I am in the final editing process of a raw feeding book which will be published by Dogwise soon. :) :) Including photos of dogs doing silly things with raw dead animals and dog poop photos too (a whole chapter on dog poop. :D )

[Teena]

I also feed a raw diet. :)
Processed dogfoods came into the market in the 30's I believe.
Dogs have been around man for a VERY long time.
As with many things today dogfood is quick and easy.
However, my personal belief feeding kibble is like giving your dog cereal for every meal. Most dogfoods contain more grain than anything else.
I watch them crunching and chewing on a raw piece of meat and bone and think it just looks natural. Besides, they LOVE eating this diet way more than they ever did kibble.
When the last time your dog whined as you were pouring kibble in his bowl?
;)
It costs me more to feed raw then kibble. I have direct access to marked down fruits & veggies. I work in produce. Raw meat & bones is where I spend most of my money. I buy them by the case tho.
My furkids are worth the extra cost to me. :D

[rottnkidd]

Hi Jim - Great answers from the members here! Now do yourself and your dog a favor....read as much as you can, then come back here to ask questions about fine tuning the diet. Feeding raw, or homecooked is the best you can do for your dog, however, it takes a bit of research to 'understand' why you'll be feeding this way, and 'how to'. Some of us have been feeding this way for
a few years or more. We'll be more then happy to assist you. This is not a 'trendy' way to feed. It's about feeding your dog as nature intended. A carnivore needs animal fat and protein to thrive, not grains! Good luck to you!
kathy