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Originally Posted by lauraopi  Did you switch your baby gradually or did you do it cold turkey? And do you use Nature's Variety or you prepare the raw yourself..any additional info you can give me that you think I need to know about this diet would be so appreciated!! |
I switched Roxy cold turkey-- they're going to have loose stools or vomit if you do that, but it doesn't last long. Roxy only had slightly loose poop for a week.
We suggest the gradual switch only when a dog is old or has a history of digestive issues.
I use BARF food, which is another brand. We also sold Nature's Variety at the store, and it's good, but it has a bonding agent that is a type of clay (digestible) but since I had a choice, I chose the barf. It only comes in 1/2 lb. patties, so I have to prep them a lot. NV has the medallions, which are quick and easy.
I do know people who prepare raw for their dogs, but it is VERY hard to get a variety like they need. You need to switch up your protein sources often. Each time you buy a bag (since a bag lasts awhile for a yorkie) you should consider feeding a different meat. I started with just chicken for Roxy, but she's had lamb, beef, combo patties (which have many meats), rabbit, buffalo- - you name it! I do know people who supplement the dog's diet with raw veggies and fruits that they have grown, but they use a food processor to chop it all up.
The idea with raw is that you are mimicking what the dog eats in the wild, not exactly matching it. But when they eat veggies, they are usually in the stomachs of their prey, or they're rotten on the ground, so grinding them up is necessary. Also, and I know this may be controversial to some, but we tell our clients that grains are very bad for the dogs- they don't digest them. That is what the volume and smell of the poop comes from. With normal food, the food companies are using brewers yeast and lots of "Meals" like cornmeal. Brewers yeast is left over from beer making- gross stuff to give your dog.
NV makes a grain free dry food too, which is my best suggestion for people who can't handle either the cost or the commitment to raw.
I was worried Roxy would reject it, because she's quite picky... But she loved it! So it's worth a try. Just know that if you do it, you really have to try to keep with it, and no dry food or bad treats!
Speaking of treats- should be dried or freeze dried. Look on the labels. Anything that has a science-y name, added colors, "flavorings", or grains are things we tell our clients to avoid.
It's a good choice- I wouldn't have Roxy on it otherwise- but I have seen firsthand how some of our clients dogs would stop itching, their hair and eyes would clear up, there are even documented cases of conditions that have gotten better with raw, so it's worth looking into.
www.TheDogBowl.com has a lot of info, too.