The Benefits Of A Prey Model Diet

[LilYorkieMomma]

Thank you Nadia for explaining this. I know what you meant about dragging the food around. I was just confused because I was taught, when cooking you are supposed to make sure that raw meat juices are cleaned from counters, etc. to prevent the spread of bacteria and such. I didn't think you would get it from the dog licking you. I was just wondering about it getting on the floors and such.

I have showed this thread to hubby and he still isn't convinced. He thinks we should cook the meat. Can you send me the link to the other forum so we could read up on it.

Thanks

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

I hear ya about convincing the hubby! I had to work on mine just as well! But I showed him my evidence from my research and appealed to his common sense. He loves our dogs just as much as I do and wants their best which I'm sure is the case with you guys as well. But don't just take MY word and experience for it, there's tons of good reading stuff out there! These sites offer A LOT of info and it takes some time to read it all! But I advise you to NOT skip over anything. Especially read the "Boo Hiss" section from the first link on the far right! The second link is the most compelling in regards to the fears most people have associated with RAW feeding.
Jane Anderson's Raw Learning Site

The Many Myths of Raw Feeding

The yahoo forum(s) and discussion groups I'm a member of;
rawfeeding : Raw Feeding for dogs and cats!

I'm a member of a few local groups and most cities now have local specific support groups as well! You're in Washington state, correct?
PSRawFeedCo-op : Puget Sound Raw Feeding Co-op


Good luck with convincing your loved ones! It's really a fun, exciting and eye opening experience for the entire family! My 7 year old son now says; "That's bad food" when seeing a kibble commercial on TV!.....
I'm quite sure that when he's an adult and choses to have dogs, he won't make the same mistakes I made and will feed a species appropriate diet to his furry friend right from the start!

Originally Posted by LilYorkieMomma

I have showed this thread to hubby and he still isn't convinced. He thinks we should cook the meat. Can you send me the link to the other forum so we could read up on it.

Thanks

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[tjdmom]

ohhh I'm loving this thread! I just switched my two dogs to prey model raw two days ago. I have an older collie and a one year old yorkie. They are both doing great but I do have a question.... they both look to me to hold the meat for them. I started with chicken breasts on the first day and yesterday we had chicken legs and thighs. No stomach upset and they seem happy with it but they just don't quite know how to eat it. I don't really much like touching the raw meat although I imagine I'll get used to it but sitting there holding it is certainly not what I had anticipated. Any suggestions? I'm hoping they'll get the hang of it soon. Also, I plan to stay within the chicken family for a few weeks to allow their system to adjust, but do you think chicken livers would be too much to add at this time? I read it was a bit rich and I'm trying to take it slow but I think my older collie might be a tad contipated, but she was on the kibble so she might be fine but thought I might try that? What do you think?

[tumismom]

thank you sooo much for the post! My girls are currently on Premade NV raw but they get chicking wings once in a while and We love feeding raw! they are super healthy and super strong! oh, gotta love the small poops!

[AngelWorks]

Originally Posted by RawfedYorkieLuv

No, this was just an example of the menu. My dogs have been through all of the meats and organs so now I feed whatever I can get, whatever is on sale, whatever I can kill that doesn't get away from me, lol (joking!)
Here it goes;
Organ meats and parts of animals: Green unbleached tripe, trachea, gullet, spleen, liver, kidneys, pancreas, heart, gizzards, tongue, feet, chicken parts, turkey parts.... beef, pork, lamb, goat, rabbit (they didn't care for that too much), fish, eggs. Soon I will be feeding deer, bear, caribou and wild fresh sockeye salmon as we are planning a trip to Alaska to visit some family. I have fed ostrich and buffalo before. It's expensive and counts as the more exotic meats that are not very often in rotation. Last night they had beef riblets for dinner and a side of pork kidneys. This morning they got turkey breast pieces and a bit of beef heart. Each dog is different and has different needs, which is something that comes to light when switching to prey model. My senior dog can't handle too much bone (constipation) and needs a little extra organ meats. My puppy is very tiny and I have to cut into the meaty bone with a knife so she'll be able to get anything off, she'll get stronger over time though! My 1 year old can't handle too much pork fat or chicken skin or she'll vomit, the other dogs have no issue with that. This is normal, other raw feeder report similar quirks. This and other topics of prey model is what we raw feeders discuss on the other forums. Of course, where to score bargain meat is on top of every prey model feeder's list. I have purchased a 18 pound turkey for 29 cents per pound recently. Between 3 Yorkies, I feed about 20 pounds of food a month. This turkey has been cut up in more manageable pieces and frozen to store in my Yorkie's freezer. The other day my butcher gave me 4 pounds each of chicken gizzards and livers for free! Pork necks were on sale at my local ethnic supermarket for 46 cents per pound. And so on and so forth. I scout the meat sale sections every week, some people only have time to do so once a month. I stock up on what's on sale, sometimes I just buy what's not on sale because I want my dogs to eat a certain animal or cut.
There are also ways to feed this way while you're away from your house! We are currently at our weekend condo in Mexico and I feed them their customary diet here just the same. It takes a little more planning and prep work but it can be done! My dog's health comes before my own convenience, that's for sure!
Thanks for asking and thank you for your interest!!!!
Nadia






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Thanks so much for your reply!

I'm still scared but interested as we are in process of building this year and are going to be raising our own, beef, chickens, sheep, goats etc so would have a very viable organic source for this.

How do I get past go, so to speak.

I have my 18 month old yorkie--whi I give bits of raw meat when I am cooking dinner and my DS's 14 year old lab who gets the squids with anything other than a good quality kibble.

Sorry for all the q's.

[abbie's mom]

First, A big ol' "Howdy" to the OP! Good to see another PMR (prey model RAW) feeder, here.

There is a long thread, here discussing the benefits / differences in PMR and pre-packaged. A LOT of info, there.

Also, the links in my sig line have tons of information.

[LilYorkieMomma]

Ok, I know it's not prey model but I want to work my way to that. I was wondering if I can give my dogs a NV medallion in the morning and then let them free feed with Orijen puppy kibble for the rest of the day. Someone mentioned waiting between raw and kibble. How long do you have to wait?

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

tjdmom,
You made the switch!!! Hooray to that! Two days really hasn't been that long so it's a pretty common occurence for dogs that never had the prey model experience to not "get it" at first. Kibble is sprayed with good smelling fat and raw meat doesn't have that strong of a smell to it. Some dogs don't even get that this is supposed to be food. Holding it a little in the beginning is absolutely normal. My oldest likes me to sit and watch him for a bit and I egg him on by saying; "eat your boney, eat your boney!!!!!" If your pups don't get any other source of food, then they'll learn even faster! If a dog also gets kibble or pre-made or whatever then he's more likely to be reluctant about having to "work" on his food vs. gulping it down! I also walk/exercise my dogs before a feed and that seems to do the trick every time! That also mimics the chase a wild wolf does to stalk, chase and kill his prey. But that one is more in my head I think, LOL
Feeding organ meats is an important aspect of any raw feeding but you are right to be concerned. A dog new to all of this can get the runny poops if not used the organ meats. But do try to give just a LITTLE once a day. Then gradually step up the game until you reach about 10%. Meaning that if your dogs eats 1 pound of chicken (for example) per day then he should be getting 1.6 ounces of organ meats of any source. Don't be a slave to the numbers though, these are just guidelines. Let your dog(s) be your guide. Constipation in a prey model dog usually means he's getting to much bone which is the case for my senior Yorkie and seems to be the case with other senior dogs. Giving your Colli some livers and gizzards should solve the his problem. This might be an indication however that he will need extra muscle meat and organs on a daily basis. I feed my Toy a tad bit extra muscle meat and organs everyday, aside from his usual meaty bones.
Yes, stick with the chicken for at least a week if not more. Too much variety, too soon is a mistake many beginners make. Dogs, unlike humans will not complain about; "Chicken for dinner-AGAIN!!!???" LOL

Originally Posted by tjdmom

ohhh I'm loving this thread! I just switched my two dogs to prey model raw two days ago. I have an older collie and a one year old yorkie. They are both doing great but I do have a question.... they both look to me to hold the meat for them. I started with chicken breasts on the first day and yesterday we had chicken legs and thighs. No stomach upset and they seem happy with it but they just don't quite know how to eat it. I don't really much like touching the raw meat although I imagine I'll get used to it but sitting there holding it is certainly not what I had anticipated. Any suggestions? I'm hoping they'll get the hang of it soon. Also, I plan to stay within the chicken family for a few weeks to allow their system to adjust, but do you think chicken livers would be too much to add at this time? I read it was a bit rich and I'm trying to take it slow but I think my older collie might be a tad contipated, but she was on the kibble so she might be fine but thought I might try that? What do you think?

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[RawfedYorkieLuv]

Good for you and your babies! Yep, loving those poops! LOL
Only dog lovers get that one, right, girls!?
P.S. I LOVE the name "Tumi", that's so cute!

Originally Posted by tumismom

thank you sooo much for the post! My girls are currently on Premade NV raw but they get chicking wings once in a while and We love feeding raw! they are super healthy and super strong! oh, gotta love the small poops!

[dexterandalana]

glad to see a Prey Model thread here so many people dont know the difference between the packaged raw and prey model so this is a great educational tool! thanks to the OP for this thread and i look forward to learning and helping out where i can here

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

....I so envy you! Raising your own organic animals to be able to feed to my babies is a dream come true!!!! How lucky your dogs are!
You said you're still reluctant to switch? What exactly are you stalling on? What do you need help with? Maybe we could nudge you!

Originally Posted by AngelWorks

Thanks so much for your reply!

I'm still scared but interested as we are in process of building this year and are going to be raising our own, beef, chickens, sheep, goats etc so would have a very viable organic source for this.

How do I get past go, so to speak.

I have my 18 month old yorkie--whi I give bits of raw meat when I am cooking dinner and my DS's 14 year old lab who gets the squids with anything other than a good quality kibble.

Sorry for all the q's.

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

Hi Abbie's Mom,
So glad to see you here! Thank you so much for contributing to the information!

Originally Posted by abbie's mom

First, A big ol' "Howdy" to the OP! Good to see another PMR (prey model RAW) feeder, here.

There is a long thread, here discussing the benefits / differences in PMR and pre-packaged. A LOT of info, there.

Also, the links in my sig line have tons of information.

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

Hi!!!
Welcome and thanks for contributing! I agree, information is really crucial!

Originally Posted by dexterandalana

glad to see a Prey Model thread here so many people dont know the difference between the packaged raw and prey model so this is a great educational tool! thanks to the OP for this thread and i look forward to learning and helping out where i can here

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

Don't worry, I won't flame you for that!
You should wait 12 hours in between raw and kibble, others do it differently and some even combine the two. I personally do not advise this, however, if you really WANT to feed the kibble then you can. But why would you? Variety? One Medallion won't be enough unless you have a sub 2 pounder.

Originally Posted by LilYorkieMomma

Ok, I know it's not prey model but I want to work my way to that. I was wondering if I can give my dogs a NV medallion in the morning and then let them free feed with Orijen puppy kibble for the rest of the day. Someone mentioned waiting between raw and kibble. How long do you have to wait?

[AngelWorks]

Originally Posted by RawfedYorkieLuv

....I so envy you! Raising your own organic animals to be able to feed to my babies is a dream come true!!!! How lucky your dogs are!
You said you're still reluctant to switch? What exactly are you stalling on? What do you need help with? Maybe we could nudge you!

How to get started and how not to cause big digestive disturbances to the older lab.

Waking up to a kitchen explosion of his digestive distress is not fun.