I'm going to make the swith to prey model raw!

[tjdmom]

Does anyone have any advice for me or suggestions?
I'm a little nervous but have some great people who have been helping me so I'm going to take a deep breathe and make the plunge. Wish me luck!

[KathyinCali]

I switched Lucy almost two months ago and I'm so happy I did! Wylie's Mom and MyFairLacy are wonderful sources of information if you haven't already spoken with them

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

Hi and GOOD FOR YOU!!!! Yay!!!
I'm a prey model feeder also and while at first it may seem hard to do, it's really not! What kind of suggestions are you looking for, what questions do you have? I'm here for you! Just ask away!

[tjdmom]

Well, first off, I'm starting with a chicken breast but should it be frozen for a couple of days or am I ok to just buy it from the store and feed it. I'm still not sure on that. I know I read somewhere you were supposed to freeze it first for 4 or 5 days but that may have been pork or beef.
And what should I expect? Will my dogs have loose stools for a few days or does it depend? I guess I'm just looking for some general ideas on what to expect so that I am prepared. Thanks!

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

Freezing first is mentioned when talking about fresh, wild Salmon and other fish as freezing kills off a certain pest/worm/larvae that lives in those kinds of fish. Yes, you can go out and purchase your meats fresh and feed that, chicken being an excellent choice! As this can be time consuming, I buy in bulk on sale and stock up to store in my Yorkie's freezer. I thaw the night prior.
Depending on the dog, you may or may not see any changes in poops. What are you currently feeding before going more into that topic...
Are you a member of the yahoo prey model group yet?
Keep the Q's coming, this is fun! LOL
I'm so excited for you and your dogs!

[tjdmom]

Originally Posted by RawfedYorkieLuv

Freezing first is mentioned when talking about fresh, wild Salmon and other fish as freezing kills off a certain pest/worm/larvae that lives in those kinds of fish. Yes, you can go out and purchase your meats fresh and feed that, chicken being an excellent choice! As this can be time consuming, I buy in bulk on sale and stock up to store in my Yorkie's freezer. I thaw the night prior.
Depending on the dog, you may or may not see any changes in poops. What are you currently feeding before going more into that topic...
Are you a member of the yahoo prey model group yet?
Keep the Q's coming, this is fun! LOL
I'm so excited for you and your dogs!

Yes, I am a member. I just joined the day before yesterday and I'm learning alot. It's making me feel a little more comfortable but I'm still a little nervous about it. How long do you think I should feed chicken before I give another meat a try and what meat would you recommend I try next?

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

I would feed all parts of the chicken and its organs. Think whole chicken, cut it in more manageable pieces (poultry shears or hatchet are good to have handy!) or purchase separate cut-ups. Pieces need to be bigger than the dog's mouth so he can spend adequate time ripping and chewing on it! 80% muscle meat, 10% edible bone and 10% organs. I would go easy on the organ meat until your dog is more used to it. Feed chicken for a week (at least) and watch the poops. A little lose stools and/or vomiting is normal in the beginning as the dog is detoxing the old inferior diet out of his body although NOT ALL dogs go through this but it has been observed, especially with older dogs! My senior did this, my 13 month old never had any problems and my 6 month old only threw up once during the switch. As soon as baby seems comfortable with this and all seems normal then move on to turkey. Go through all of the fowls and then get to rabbit or lamb. It's not the cheapest meat and lamb organs are not easy to obtain unless you have a direct farm source. Remember, organ meats need not match the protein source. Example; If you have some pork necks and beef kidneys on sale, that would be just fine to combine. I went from small to big. All the fowl first including ostrich. Then rabbit (which they didn't like, but I'll try again soon) then lamb, pork, beef and buffalo. I will get my first venison meat this year and can't wait! I have some family in Alaska that I'll be visiting soon and they promised me bear, moose, caribou and wild sockeye salmon. After about a month I would try the egg, but break in up into a bowl and try half of it first, remember to feed the shells, too. Some dogs never can figure out how to break it themselves but it's great fun for them if they do! Fish was last on my list and meanwhile you can substitute with fish oil capsules. You prick one every other day and drizzle into your dogs bowl or over his meaty bone. Don't worry, all will be fine! Breathe, relax and take it easy! It seems overwhelming at first but sooner than you think you'll be searching craigslist for goats you can purchase to have butchered! LOL
If you need tips on how to feed or where inside your house, I can tell you how I do this. I can also pass along pointers to you to how to find cheap meat.
Let the dog be the guide for how much to feed, don't be a slave to the 3 percents as those are just a general guideline to newbies. You want to feel the dog's ribs, not see them. Feed more if your dog seems skinny, feed less if you have a little porky! Stepping up the organ meats is the thing to do when you have a very skinny dog for example. My Toy weighs 10 pounds and a large chicken drumstick with a side of organs is plenty for him for breakfast. I feed twice a day, but I do feed the puppy 3 times a day as she's so tiny. Expect a long nap after feeding as it tires the dog out. Wild wolves have also been observed to sleep after a kill so this is normal behavior after gorging! I walk my dogs before I feed to get them nice and hungry and animated.
Oh, I'm sure I'm forgetting something but I can continue to guide you if you'd like!
Nadia
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[LilYorkieMomma]

Wow, Nadia I enjoyed reading your tips! It was very informative. I have been looking into raw and it looks like a good program to do. My major problem with it is that I can't stand to be around the meat. I was a vegetarian for seven years and I still can barely stand the sight of meat much less think about organs and such. Then when you mentioned a hatchet I felt faint. LOL I am such a weenie. I wish I could hire someone to feed my dogs. My husband is against raw and he thinks we should just buy meat at the store and cook and give that to our dogs. Especially, since our chi has trouble chewing kibble. Can you (if you don't mind) explain the benefits of serving raw versus cooked meats.

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

Well, this might be considered off topic, I'm not sure;
I don't want to hijack tjdmom's thread.
I'll start a new thread about that including some info on great websites surrounding this subject!

Nadia

[LilYorkieMomma]

Sorry, sorry. I don't want to hijack either.

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

LOL; hijack....
But I will say this; many vegetarians that feed prey model or pre-made even, had an adjustment period in order to feel comfortable. "They just got over it" they said, lol. Sounds like the husband's would be great help there, mine is! I grew up around professional butchers and chefs but I don't like dealing with hearts, tripe, gullets and tracheas so my hubby does that dirty work!