Raw Diet - Info Needed

[dexterandalana]

Originally Posted by abbie's mom

Alana, this thread represents opinions/experiences from both pre-packaged RAW feeders and a few (like myself), who feed Prey Model RAW..

yeah...after spending 3 hours reading the thread, i kinda got that! lol. sorry i should have specified...i am thinking of doing the full prey model raw diet, not the pre-packaged.

Originally Posted by abbie's mom

LOL...well, yeah...I can see where that would be a concern. (j/k!) If it's not a real messy meaty meal, I change each day. I just sort of fold it up, after the first meal (I'm trying to get mine to once a day, now) and then pick it up after the evening meal. I have many feeding towels, so I can afford to wait until I have a laundry basket full, then wash a load.

alright, so i should go get a lot of feeding towels first off! my concern with the laundry is mostly for water conservation...im kinda one of those environmental nerds

thanks again and im sure i will be keeping this thread alive in the next little while!

[abbie's mom]

Originally Posted by dexterandalana

alright, so i should go get a lot of feeding towels first off!

Oh, no....don't buy new ones! Just start with your old worn-out hand towels and bath towels. If you look around, you'll be surprised the ones that really should be 'retired' .

my concern with the laundry is mostly for water conservation...im kinda one of those environmental nerds

Nuthin' wrong with that! My dh is super water conscious, too. In fact <whispers> he puts a basin in the sink to catch hand washing water and transfers it to a large bucket to flush the toilet! You'd be surprised how much $$$ that has saved us in water bills. I completely see the need for conservation in our wasteful society. However, some things (laundry) have to be done. My thing is electricity. I go around turning off lights.

[dexterandalana]

Originally Posted by abbie's mom

Oh, no....don't buy new ones! Just start with your old worn-out hand towels and bath towels. If you look around, you'll be surprised the ones that really should be 'retired' .

its funny because i just realized that i dont have any retired towels any longer! for years i have cut up the ratty towels to use as dish rags, or to clean the toilet...and now only good ones are left! lol.

Originally Posted by abbie's mom

Nuthin' wrong with that! My dh is super water conscious, too. In fact <whispers> he puts a basin in the sink to catch hand washing water and transfers it to a large bucket to flush the toilet! You'd be surprised how much $$$ that has saved us in water bills. I completely see the need for conservation in our wasteful society. However, some things (laundry) have to be done. My thing is electricity. I go around turning off lights.

wow, good for him! see thats why i love this site...i learn so much for my yorkie...AND the environment!

so i gave dex a raw egg with some cooked chicken (had no unthawed raw in the house ) and he gobbled it all up, and licked his empty dish for about 20 mins after! i think its going to be an easy transition! (hes sitting here looking at me right now like "pwees momma, i wants mow!)

[omega]

I use old towels, too. I use them for one day and then wash them. There is usually some other towels I can throw in with them or just use the very small cycle.

You can always buy towels pretty cheap at many stores if you need them.

[omega]

I went to the - Excerpt from Green Tripe Description - and was wondering if there is more to the site? I couldn't find a home page.

[abbie's mom]

Hi,

Yep...here it is: Green Tripe

[rebeccag]

If I start feeding raw rabbit...will my dogs try and eat my bunnies??? No, right? They won't know the two are the same...I think?

[kalina82]

Originally Posted by rebeccag

If I start feeding raw rabbit...will my dogs try and eat my bunnies??? No, right? They won't know the two are the same...I think?

LOL i highly doubt your yorkies will try to eat your bunnies. The raw rabbit smells different then the fresh, live bunnies you own. Yorkies and bunnies should never be left alone together just in case but i don't think they will suddenly start going after the bunnies

[rebeccag]

Originally Posted by kalina82

LOL i highly doubt your yorkies will try to eat your bunnies. The raw rabbit smells different then the fresh, live bunnies you own. Yorkies and bunnies should never be left alone together just in case but i don't think they will suddenly start going after the bunnies

LOL...just checking. I just wanted to double check with the smell...wouldn't want to trigger a scent with the live bunnies and have to ruin dinner plans for the pups...LOL! Thanks again!!!

[littlepixie12]

Originally Posted by abbie's mom

Yes, it does look (and feel) nasty . I've been feeding this way for almost five years, and I still don't look forward to handling it! But, you won't be sorry, in the long run.??..why do you think Cody is allergic to chicken, lamb and turkey? Just wondering, because most dogs tolerate chicken best when first starting out. And, as lara points out: buffalo and venison bones are far too dense for any dog, and may damage teeth. Sounds like you've been 'researching' in the BARF section . Dogs do not need veggies or fruits. Look in your dogs' mouths. What do you see? Canines, right? No grinders for chewing fruits and veggies. Dogs are carnivorous (from dictionary.com: 1. flesh-eating: A dog is a carnivorous animal.). Now, look in your mouth: mostly grinders (chewing fruits & veggies) and a few canines (for ripping and tearing meat). We are omnivorous (An organism that eats both plants and animals.) Free feeding Raw is not a good idea. Especially at first, you need to see what kind of eater Cali is (gulper or careful). I would feed her three smaller meals/day, and if that's not possible, then feed two. I feed a RAW Prey Model diet. We don't hunt, nor do we know anyone who hunts regularly, so my choices are limited to store meats: chicken, beef, (sometimes) turkey, pork, fish. But, this year, I think (hoping!) we will get some venison - especially the heart and liver! The prey model diet is based on what a wolf would normally eat in the wild. It is important to include innards of whatever meat you feed. I feed innards twice weekly, with chicken feet. The only supplement: fish oil. LOL....everyone who feeds a prey model RAW diet exclaims how wonderful their dogs' teeth are! The vets can't get over my dogs' teeth. Abigail will be two next month, and Mozart (in his 13thy/o mix) ~ I never brush their teeth, and they have sweet smelling breathe. I've had a few dogs lick me, and I felt like I needed a bathe!

Here are some links I hope you find helpful:

- Feeding Your Dog

- Jane Anderson's RAW Learning Site

- RAW Feeding (might want to look into the Recipes on this one )

- RAW fed

Questions: ask away!!

Thank you so much for this.. the info has been great. So I dont have to cook anything? Just give them everything raw? Is that okay for puppies? Is it okay if I decide to cook the meat?

[littlepixie12]

Everyone, this is a truly great thread... interesting too because my parents (who were born and raised in Italy) always tell me that they used to feed their dogs raw meat, steaks, and chicken and usually pasta lol. Anyway, my dad is always telling me to do the same with Maxi, but I was hesitant. Well Maxi isnt eating now and I am worried. So I was thinking of switching over to a RAW diet, but dont have anything at the house today. A store by me sells Primal and Nature Variety. Do you think its okay to start Maxie with this and then switch him over to the stuff I buy in the supermarket?

I also want to make sure that he likes it too.

thanks!

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by littlepixie12

Everyone, this is a truly great thread... interesting too because my parents (who were born and raised in Italy) always tell me that they used to feed their dogs raw meat, steaks, and chicken and usually pasta lol. Anyway, my dad is always telling me to do the same with Maxi, but I was hesitant. Well Maxi isnt eating now and I am worried. So I was thinking of switching over to a RAW diet, but dont have anything at the house today. A store by me sells Primal and Nature Variety. Do you think its okay to start Maxie with this and then switch him over to the stuff I buy in the supermarket?

I also want to make sure that he likes it too.

thanks!

I think it would be fine for you to start this way. I can't find Primal locally, but I do feed the Nature's Variety raw medallions. NV offers small packages that are great as samples to make sure he likes it before you buy the bigger bags.