[abbie's mom]

Originally Posted by JCarlson2004

To be honest, I feel a little overwhelmed. I know I probably sound silly but this is a big switch for me. I really want to start raw this Saturday because they will be finished with their kibble by then. I'm going to do the switch cold turkey and hope for no serious tummy aches or runny poop.

GREAT! Cold turkey is actually the best way. As I was told when switching: why continue feeding something you know is not doing them any good, and maybe harming them? Give them REAL food! Throw the kibble out. Of course you're overwhelmed. I haven't talked/read anyone who wasn't at first. It's a LOT to digest (no pun intended ); but, the good new is, you don't have to know everything at once. I was Terrified when I switched Mozart; but, that's another loooooong story I'll share with you later. You will notice a difference in stool; but, I doubt you'll see any signs of tummy aches, as their systems are intended to digest raw meat and meaty bones.

Ok I think I get everything so far (except what is green tripe? Is that fish? I only eat salmon ... can dogs eat raw salmon?)

Tripe is the stomach of ruminating animals. ~ http://www.truecarnivores.com/greentripe.shtml Yes, dogs can certainly eat RAW Salmon. Best to freeze it for 48hrs, though. Will get back to this, or let Lara pick up my slack!

It's hard to get good rabbit and venison where I live. I was wondering if I could do the rabbit and vension from brands from BARF, Darwin or Nature's Variety, etc. and just buy the buffalo/beef at my local butcher. My local butcher is a small shop and he doesn't always have a large selection of rabbit and venison grrrrrrr lol Could you mix those brands with store bought meat? Ok what about pork, is that good? I can get pork locally from my butcher. I know ham is a no-no.

It's GREAT that you already know that variety is key to this life style change. Difference proteins supply diff nutrients. However, I don't know what BARF offers, nor the quality. I would buy human-grade meats, wherver you can get the best bargain.

I'm going to read all of those links you ladies were so kind to post!! THANK YOU!! Again, I don't know why I am so nervous about this.

Again...you're nervous, because you love your furfriends, and are about to embark on a course of action you've been taught is wrong all your life. You'd be weird if you weren't a bit nervous .

Oh and about the bones, my friend who feeds her dog (and 3 cats) raw said she gives Tawanda (her dog) 1 or 2 marrow bones (uncooked bones) a week. Is that a good type of bone? Would they need to eat marrow bones every day to ensure they are getting enough calcium or just twice a week?

I don't offer marrow bones at all. Most are too dense, and though some refer to them as rec (recreational) bones, more of us think of them as wreck-their-teeth bones. And, yes...ALL BONES SHOULD BE FED RAW. Cooked bones are dangerous. RMBs I would consider: Chicken (with meat on), Turkey (meat on), Rabbit (meat on), Lamb (meat on), the softer pork bones (meat on).

I'm sorry if my questions seem silly because I really do not know that much about it yet but I hope to be an expert soon!

There are no 'silly' questions.

PS - About the salmon oil, is Grizzly Salmon Oil ok? I use to give my dogs that with their kibble and they absolutely loved it.

Yes, it's fine.

PSS - Ok another question lololol How much meat should each dog get per meal (breakfast and dinner)? 1/2 lb, 1/2 cup, etc. I have no clue lol Codie is 8 lbs, Tis is 5 lbs and Cali is 1 lb and 3 oz. I want to make sure Cali gets enough to eat, so for now I will make them 3 separate bowls of how much they're supposed to individually eat and feed them separately.

LOL...good luck with the feeding in the bowl thing . The general rule for quantitiy is: 2-4% of an adult's wieight, 5-10% for puppies.