Raw Feeding

[XenaLee]

Hello Everyone!

I'm new to having a puppy so I'm reaching out to all of you to see what your thoughts are on a couple of things. My 3 month old yorkie has gone through a lot and I just want to make sure I'm feeding her the best of the best!! I am currently feeding her half a nugget of Primal with a 1/4 tbspn of Grandma Lucy's and a little bit of Fromm Gold Puppy kibble (pink bag) 3 times a day (she doesn't eat all of her kibble but finishes her Primal and Grandma Lucy mix). I've been reading that it may not be a good idea to mix but I thought kibble was important for their teeth? I have also read that it's ok to do it so I'm not sure anymore

I want to continue to feed her Primal and Grandma Lucy's or just Primal because she just loves it!! I don't have to fight her to eat it haha!! I sort of switched the food cold turkey (she wasn't eating much so I thought it would be ok) and it's been almost a week but I haven't seen anything wrong with her bowels but between last night and today she hasn't pooped so I'm not sure if I did something wrong... It's been a long road for this 3mo old puppy so any input is greatly appreciated!

[XenaLee]

BTW She's been on antibiotics for a month now and seemed regular the past few days... She's had 2 meals already.

[mimimomo]

You can feed Primal raw for 1 meal, Grandma Lucy's for another & leave kibble out if you'd like or give as a meal b4 bedtime.

I had a very finicky eater, she loves all her meal x's now. They eat mostly Primal & occasionally Stella & Chewy's. I used to feed them smallbatch too.

This is from smallbatch site: Support | smallbatch pets
Can I mix raw with kibble?

Simply put, it’s really not recommended. Mixing the two is sometimes the only way to transition from kibble to raw, but it may actually put more strain on the digestive system because they digest at different rates. Raw food is much more digestible, taking only 3-4 hours, while kibble usually takes 9-12 hours. That’s a big difference! Kibble is cooked and processed therefore it’s harder for your pet to digest because the molecules are bound tighter together. So, when raw and kibble are mixed together the raw will digest, leaving some of the kibble to rise to body temperature and ferment. Bacteria level in your pet’s digestive system will then rise and can cause some unwanted problems. Eeeep! No one wants that. If you are feeding both raw and kibble we suggest you alternate the two. For instance, feed raw for breakfast and kibble for dinner or vice versa.

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by XenaLee

BTW She's been on antibiotics for a month now and seemed regular the past few days... She's had 2 meals already.

Have you looked into giving her probiotics? Since antibiotics kill all the bad & good bacteria in the gut. I believe gut health is very important for overall health.

[ColesMommy01]

When I was transitioning from kibble(Fromm) to raw(Primal) I did so gradually with no issues with bowel movements. After a certain period they would eat the Primal and leave the Fromm in their bowls so I just stopped feeding it to them.

It's a myth that kibble helps with keeping teeth clean. That's equivalent to saying you or I would need to eat crackers everyday to keep ours pearly white lol. Do you brush her teeth regularly? Brushing her teeth and dentals if needed is the best form of care.

As far as the best of the best, everyone has their preferences. It just depends on what your pup will tolerate and thrive on. Since solely switching to Primal I can say my dogs have never looked better, their poop is smaller and doesn't have a smell.

[XenaLee]

Thank you for your responses!

@mimimomo - Yes, the doctor gave me Purina because she was having a few issues and it helped. I also gave her a little bit of pumpkin and it helped tons!!! I think I will get off the Kibble (too bad I just got a new bag I'll see about donating it) She seems to leave MOST of the kibble so I guess it's a good thing that she is picky!! I don't want to mess her tummy up!!

I'm just happy she is looking forward to eating!!! I was force feeding her for a while just to keep her alive and after giving her the Primal and the Grandma Lucy I'm just thrilled to see her eat as much as she is eating!! I was giving her stella and chewys and she likes it also but after the recent recall I'm going wait a little.

Good point @ColesMommy01 everyone has different preferences I've seen a noticeable difference in my pup since I started giving her the Primal!! I just added the Grandma Lucy this week Her baby teeth are falling out so I'm going to buy her a tooth brush and tooth paste... any recommendations for that? She's been bugged with medicine and force feeding that I have a feeling I will have trouble brushing her teeth!!

[XenaLee]

Do they know when they are full? I'm feeding her every 4 hours - half a nugget of Primal each time and she just seems to eat it all every time!


I just want to make sure I'm not giving her too much.

Times are: 6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm and sometimes 10pm because of her antibiotics.

[ColesMommy01]

You can use a baby toothbrush(the one you put on your finger) or a kid's toothbrush. I have a canine toothbrush that's double sided and I use CET toothpaste. I know some people use a coconut oil to brush their pup's teeth. My dog's hate the taste of coconut oil lol.

How much does your vet say you should feed her? My three overeat and would eat all day if given the chance...little piggies lol. Btw, I love the name Xena! I used to watch that show as a kid growing up.

[XenaLee]

Thanks for the info! I will have to get that!!

I spoke to the vet and she says that because she is under weight (she is 1.3#'s vs 2#'s) she will need at least 100 calories a day.

[Wylie's Mom]

You can absolutely feed raw and kibble together without any problems at all. The stomach does not know whether something is raw or non-raw, lol. It only digests according to whether something is a carb, protein, fat, or toxin and release the coordinating enzymes. Ever hear of a sushi roll? Well, that's raw and non-raw together...and our tummy digests that just fine ....dogs are no different for that.

[XenaLee]

Thanks everyone! Glad this forum exists and thank you to those who make it happen and those who share their experiences and knowledge with all the newbies like myself!!

[XenaLee]

Originally Posted by ColesMommy01

You can use a baby toothbrush(the one you put on your finger) or a kid's toothbrush. I have a canine toothbrush that's double sided and I use CET toothpaste. I know some people use a coconut oil to brush their pup's teeth. My dog's hate the taste of coconut oil lol.

How much does your vet say you should feed her? My three overeat and would eat all day if given the chance...little piggies lol. Btw, I love the name Xena! I used to watch that show as a kid growing up.

Hahaha yes, Thank you!! That's how we picked the name ;D