[abbie's mom]

Sorry for the looooong post; but I have several comments to address:

Originally Posted by omega

I actually fed my dogs raw chicken wings yesterday and they are still alive today!!!! I was so afraid to do that , but they all LOVED it. My smallest one (Brea) took a little longer to get into it but eventually ate every bit.

Yes, isn't it grand, once that first step is taken and they've actually survived - despite all the misinformation we've been fed by the commercial 'food' industry - it's quite liberating.

I have visited some of the websites and subscribed to the Yahoo group, but it seems so confusing to get into discussions or whatever.

That group does move very fast, having 10,000 members now. But, I wouldn't get discouraged. Mostly, I just read and glean important information from seasoned prey model feeders. It's worth your time to pop in occasionally.

I, personally, am glad this thread is here to give me the courage to do what I've been wanting to do for a while now.

I know I'm not the OP; but I'm sorry I haven't revisited in awhile. I got unsubscribed, somehow and didn't realize there was more interest in prey model.

Happy New Year everyone!!!

And, to you, as well. A new year, and a new beginning for you and your furfriends.

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I do know that dogs are carnivores and were primarily meant to kill prey and eat it...meat, bones and organs. However, dogs are also scavengers and will eat what is available to them. If they came upon a biscuit on the ground, they'd probably eat it if they were hungry. Because dogs are carnivores, their digestive system is not set up to properly digest fruits, veggies and grains. From what I've read, I've sided with the theory that dogs don't need fruits and veggies..and certainly not grains. However, I don't think a small amount of fruits and veggies will hurt either. The Nature's Variety raw has about 5% fruits and veggies and they put certain ones in there for specific reasons by the company. They are ground up into teeny tiny pieces so I believe they are easier to digest than if you just gave whole veggie to a dog.

I pretty much agree with this. In fact, I was telling Kellie that I've almost been tempted to go to NV, but, I find I just can't. I like having more control over what goes into my pups, and I think chewing the bones is a very important part of their diet. Very well explained, btw .

Originally Posted by omega

They have had chicken and turkey and beef and some organ meats. (very small amount of the organs)They are all loving it. Well, except the smallest one. She seems to want to eat it - she keeps picking it up and depositing it different places. She will eat the organ meat and the beef but seems to not like the bones so well.

She is 4 lbs. - do dogs that small eat bones? Which bones could I give her small enough for her to chew on? I thought the ones I have been giving her were small enough but maybe not?

4lbs is not too small, at all. Some people wean straight to RAW from the teet. Abigail was 2.2lbs @ 9weeks, and put some hurt on a drumstick bone! Of course, I was holding it for her. You might want to hold the bone, or even take a kitchen scissor and cut the ends off a chicken bone into bite-sized pieces for her until she gets the idea that this is food. But, encourage her (when she's able) to do it on her own, so she'll get all the benefits, and will be less likely to choke on something she has to work at. Some say the rule of thumb is: feed nothing smaller than the dog's head, to guard against choking hazard; but, I don't hold to that . Mine both seem intimidated by big food. LOL

My local butcher is looking into getting me necks, backs, organ meat and chicken feet. He didn't even flinch when I asked him for them. He said something about another person gets the same things for her dogs. Cool.

Yes, very cool . Let us know when you try chickie feets. Mine love them! Perhaps you'll bump into his other prey model feeder, and have a new friend!

This is pretty fun! Meal time does take a lot longer now and I have to watch them cause the piggies will steal from the slower eating ones. But hey, if it's better for them, I don't mind.

Yes, it is wise to be around (which takes more 'aware' time/energy than putting down k***le) for them when they're eating. You'll also learn which ones you can trust with what items. I can put food down for Mozart and walk out of the room. With Abigail, I stay IN the room until she's finished. She's a gulper, and snarfs stuff down.

Originally Posted by omega

I've been reading some things and they said that chicken and turkey wings, backs and necks are not good for dogs???? I realize they don't have a lot of meat on them, but aren't the bones ok? This article said even raw can cause choking. Now I'm confused. Do the dogs need meaty bones EVERY day?

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

everything has the potential to cause choking...toys, treats, kibble, bones, rawhide, etc. It's always important to supervise your dog while eating or chewing on anything. I'm not sure what article you're talking about but there are many different opinons out there. Many people feed their dogs those things with no issues

..... Yep. I wish I could find the thread here, on YT, where an owner nearly lost her pup over a Nyla bone. He had chewed off bits and pieces, and it got all packed into the back of his throat, until his airway was blocked . If she hadn't been home to unpack his mouth, he'd be gone. Yes, some do feed necks, wings and backs with no problem. It's really a case of know-thy-dog. There is not an appreciable amount of meat on these items to deal with, so I don't bother. Well, I will feed turkey hen necks sometimes. No, they don't need bones every day. I think(?) you want to strive for a 2% ratio of their body weight, overall. The bulk of their diet should be MEAT, with organs and bone included. But, don't make this too difficult. If you worry and overthink it, you're likely to get discouraged and quit

Again, sorry for the novel, everyone!