YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Conflicted over raw food diet and commercial

kionini · 03-19-2010, 08:40 AM

for sharing your stories and opinions on this subject, the toughest decision I'm facing in regards to my babies.
I am grossed out by raw as well, but I figure---the end justifies the means--seeing my fur-kids happy and healthy is my reward and MY stomach will have to get used to what my eyes see, yuk

(I'm trying to convince myself).

I have giving it some thought and in my mind I have planned for the where and how to feed raw, if that's the decision I ultimately make. It's not too hard for me since I studied restaurant management and I'm aware on how & why to protect against contamination (I do it anyway as prevention in my daily life, as I'm a panicky person by nature

).

Nicky is on liquid Famotidine for stomach acid. He throws up mostly a yellow foamy substance but some times it's solids. The vet explained that the foamy yellow was because he has nothing in his stomach. The reason for not having anything in his belly is because I have a hard time making him eat. He hates kibble (hides when I take out the bag to feed them) and only eats it when starving for an entire day and even then he eats only some of it.

I tried changing the kibble, adding wet, leaving out for just a half hour, etc. You name it, I've tried it. He always wins, I'll do anything to get him to eat---from performing tricks to spoon feed him. He can go two days without eating (the longest I've tested him) if I let it and try not to give in.

I've also tried boiling chicken with veggies and adding to the kibble---he won't touch it. I have to separate it and he'll eat only the chicken with veggies. It brakes my heart when I'm preparing my hubby's and my meals, to see Nicky and Nini waiting to be fed from our food. When they get none, they walk around sulking and depressed.

My husband is totally against raw because of the same argument mention in above in one of the posts, that Yorkies have been domesticated, that they're not wild anymore, etc., plus the dangers of feeding raw...But, I'm ready and open to other possibilities, since my mom never tried kibble I know my babies can survive without it. My dilemma is the quality of life and consequences in years down the road.

I have done some research, but what I get is more confused. Out there, people against and for raw feeding are as passionate as they are here in YT. Most on either side of the subject can argue good points on which is the better way and how it has worked for them. My problem is that kibble is not working for me, at least not with Nicky in the sense that it's a struggle to make him eat it and with Nini because she's getting fat and her energy levels are so low (5 minutes into a walk and she's tired and wants to be carried all the way back home). I want to see them healthy, happy and thriving as your babies (I envy you).

I do consider the source of the information I get...if they have an investment in their opinion, I don't trust. That's why I ask you, you're not selling me anything

I agree, there's disadvantages to both raw and commercial but I'm more concerned with the disadvantages to my fur-kids. I've identified the main disadvantages to me and they are the time and effort I'd have to invest. My husband's is the money factor, but I think (?) it would be the same and probably even less than our out-put now. We're already spending a lot trying new kibble and wet food (top of the shelf) that I have to throw out almost full, the vets bills and meds

(BTW, I introduce new food gradually, as advised here in YT forums). If the kids don't get sick as much, we won't have those expenses.

I understand the comment about different diet for different pups, it's just that it's been a year + with Nicky and I haven't figure out how to feed him

in a way that makes him happy and healthy. I don't want it to be another year of him hating meal time. And I so I appreciate your input, it helps me short-cut-it without testing Nicky and Nini too heavily with what might not work and worst, what may injure my little bundles of joy

I don't think my little ones would survive one day in the wild

it's pretty wild in our back yard and they're only brave behind the little fence I have for them. As soon as they're not protected by the fence, they run to mommy! they're too-spoiled little brats...I know, I know, it's my fault.

Thanks for the links and advice, I'll follow them.

03-19-2010, 08:40 AM	#24
kionini YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Stroudsburg, PA. USA Posts: 514	Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories and opinions on this subject, the toughest decision I'm facing in regards to my babies. I am grossed out by raw as well, but I figure---the end justifies the means--seeing my fur-kids happy and healthy is my reward and MY stomach will have to get used to what my eyes see, yuk (I'm trying to convince myself). I have giving it some thought and in my mind I have planned for the where and how to feed raw, if that's the decision I ultimately make. It's not too hard for me since I studied restaurant management and I'm aware on how & why to protect against contamination (I do it anyway as prevention in my daily life, as I'm a panicky person by nature ). Nicky is on liquid Famotidine for stomach acid. He throws up mostly a yellow foamy substance but some times it's solids. The vet explained that the foamy yellow was because he has nothing in his stomach. The reason for not having anything in his belly is because I have a hard time making him eat. He hates kibble (hides when I take out the bag to feed them) and only eats it when starving for an entire day and even then he eats only some of it. I tried changing the kibble, adding wet, leaving out for just a half hour, etc. You name it, I've tried it. He always wins, I'll do anything to get him to eat---from performing tricks to spoon feed him. He can go two days without eating (the longest I've tested him) if I let it and try not to give in. I've also tried boiling chicken with veggies and adding to the kibble---he won't touch it. I have to separate it and he'll eat only the chicken with veggies. It brakes my heart when I'm preparing my hubby's and my meals, to see Nicky and Nini waiting to be fed from our food. When they get none, they walk around sulking and depressed. My husband is totally against raw because of the same argument mention in above in one of the posts, that Yorkies have been domesticated, that they're not wild anymore, etc., plus the dangers of feeding raw...But, I'm ready and open to other possibilities, since my mom never tried kibble I know my babies can survive without it. My dilemma is the quality of life and consequences in years down the road. I have done some research, but what I get is more confused. Out there, people against and for raw feeding are as passionate as they are here in YT. Most on either side of the subject can argue good points on which is the better way and how it has worked for them. My problem is that kibble is not working for me, at least not with Nicky in the sense that it's a struggle to make him eat it and with Nini because she's getting fat and her energy levels are so low (5 minutes into a walk and she's tired and wants to be carried all the way back home). I want to see them healthy, happy and thriving as your babies (I envy you). I do consider the source of the information I get...if they have an investment in their opinion, I don't trust. That's why I ask you, you're not selling me anything I agree, there's disadvantages to both raw and commercial but I'm more concerned with the disadvantages to my fur-kids. I've identified the main disadvantages to me and they are the time and effort I'd have to invest. My husband's is the money factor, but I think (?) it would be the same and probably even less than our out-put now. We're already spending a lot trying new kibble and wet food (top of the shelf) that I have to throw out almost full, the vets bills and meds (BTW, I introduce new food gradually, as advised here in YT forums). If the kids don't get sick as much, we won't have those expenses. I understand the comment about different diet for different pups, it's just that it's been a year + with Nicky and I haven't figure out how to feed him in a way that makes him happy and healthy. I don't want it to be another year of him hating meal time. And I so I appreciate your input, it helps me short-cut-it without testing Nicky and Nini too heavily with what might not work and worst, what may injure my little bundles of joy I don't think my little ones would survive one day in the wild it's pretty wild in our back yard and they're only brave behind the little fence I have for them. As soon as they're not protected by the fence, they run to mommy! they're too-spoiled little brats...I know, I know, it's my fault. Thanks for the links and advice, I'll follow them. __________________ Nini & Nicky (kids) Katt (mommy)