The Benefits Of A Prey Model Diet

[Sookie]

I have to be honest and say that I can't give Matilda bones. She chokes so easily on just about anything and then spends an hour making a funny sound in her throat. So, she gets the ground raw as does Kalina (Kalina has had choking episodes in the past too). I understand that maybe it would be OK to give them the meaty bones, but I am just so scared to do it and haven't taken a chance yet.

Other than that, my girls are doing fantastic on the raw. They devour it. My daughter's Yorkie, who is not on raw, came to spend three days with us while they went to a tournament. They give her whatever is on sale (dry) from the supermarket. I tried to give her some of the raw and she spit it out (whereupon Matilda or Kalina gobbled it up as quick as they could). I wanted to say that my girls have the most luxurious coats and I wonder if the diet has anything to do with this?

At Kalina's one-year check up I had them test her for Lyme and Heartworm (both negative) and told them to have the titer done at the same time so that she doesn't receive any unnecessary shots. The always look at my like I'm the crazy dog-mother, but Oh Well! Turns out she didn't need any of the shots and I saved her from that. I feel really good about that.

Both my girls are doing GREAT on the raw.

[pea496]

Originally Posted by RawfedYorkieLuv

Dogs should be trained to eat at their spot and NOT be allowed to drag around their food all over the house. Some people feed in the backyard but the following is what I do; I purchased an Xpen (petco). I place an old king size sheet (double up) on the floor in a designated area, in my case; the Arizona room (covered patio) and arrange the Xpen around that sheet. I put each baby inside the pen and hand them each their food and wash my hands (you can wear latex gloves). My dogs are pros now and won't leave anything behind but whatever is left after about 2 hours (they want to take breaks in between) I toss out. I baby wipe each baby's muzzle and feet, put away the Xpen and toss the sheet in my washing machine (no fabric softener) so it can be ready for next feeding. Done. I made my own natural, non toxic disinfectant/cleaner for countertops and such. Part white vinegar and water, little hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice.
I have a 7 year old and the dogs lick him and us all the time, we're still alive! LOL
In these pictures I have used pee pee pads as floor protectant but this didn't work too well as the food got stuck to it, lol. The exposure is also not the best. Taken with my cell phone...

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Would you share your recipe for disinfectant/cleaner. I use a store-bought cleaner after doing Conner's food on the countertop, but I would love to make my own.

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

I sent you a PM!

Originally Posted by pea496

Would you share your recipe for disinfectant/cleaner. I use a store-bought cleaner after doing Conner's food on the countertop, but I would love to make my own.

[CupofDog]

Thought my fellow raw feeders might enjoy this!

Uncle Sam Goes Raw | CupOFdog | Dog Site for Dog People

[Cinq1964]

Nolee has been on raw for almost a month now. I read some about the detox stage. Well, his poops are black, soft and slimy. Is this normal? (Uck! sorry so graphic).

[CupofDog]

Originally Posted by Cinq1964

Nolee has been on raw for almost a month now. I read some about the detox stage. Well, his poops are black, soft and slimy. Is this normal? (Uck! sorry so graphic).

Detoxification is normal and can often result in loose, mucousy stool as you described. Consider adding a high quality probiotic (I like Pet Flora or the human grade probiotics/acidophilous by Solgar).

Another thing to try is adding an enzyme supplement like ProZyme which will aid Nolee's digestive system in absorbing the nutrition and in effect, solidify the stools a bit.

Are you feeding premade raw or prey model? On premade raw, some brands give my dogs firmer stools then others.

This may just be the detox Nolee needs to go through in order to reap the full benefits of raw feeding, but you can try those supplements (google any of them and they are easy to find) to help make her more comfortable and help her digestive tract gain strength!

[Cinq1964]

Originally Posted by CupofDog

Detoxification is normal and can often result in loose, mucousy stool as you described. Consider adding a high quality probiotic (I like Pet Flora or the human grade probiotics/acidophilous by Solgar).

Another thing to try is adding an enzyme supplement like ProZyme which will aid Nolee's digestive system in absorbing the nutrition and in effect, solidify the stools a bit.

Are you feeding premade raw or prey model? On premade raw, some brands give my dogs firmer stools then others.

This may just be the detox Nolee needs to go through in order to reap the full benefits of raw feeding, but you can try those supplements (google any of them and they are easy to find) to help make her more comfortable and help her digestive tract gain strength!

I am feeding prey model. I will check into this. Thank you!

[AngelWorks]

Okay, now that Milo has a little bro, Remi, who has taken to raw with no troubs........

He does have some behavior modification we are working on.

What are the best traing treats for PMR?

[TLC]

Originally Posted by AngelWorks

Okay, now that Milo has a little bro, Remi, who has taken to raw with no troubs........

He does have some behavior modification we are working on.

What are the best traing treats for PMR?

I would get a bag of the freeze dried premade - you can cut them up into tiny pieces and use for training...OR....I use Reeses Peanut Butter Chips (from the baking isles) for rewards for pooping (and not eating poop) gross I know, but this is something I have been battling for 3.5 yrs now - and now that they get a little peanut butter chip as a reward, they actually come to tell me they have pooped, b/c they want that chip They only get about 5 chips a day

[AngelWorks]

Originally Posted by TLC

I would get a bag of the freeze dried premade - you can cut them up into tiny pieces and use for training...OR....I use Reeses Peanut Butter Chips (from the baking isles) for rewards for pooping (and not eating poop) gross I know, but this is something I have been battling for 3.5 yrs now - and now that they get a little peanut butter chip as a reward, they actually come to tell me they have pooped, b/c they want that chip They only get about 5 chips a day

Ahhh, good idea----

All the grain based treats eventually cause a huge gastro prob with Milo that requires a butt wash.

[CupofDog]

After almost a year of feeding premade raw diets, I had been researching prey model for some time and I finally got the guts to go for it!

I gave my two furkids Primal chicken backs and so far its working out great! My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (11 lbs) was too funny, at first he was licking the chicken back gingerly, unsure of what to do with it, while my teeny Yorkie mix dug right in, her inner carnivore came right out and she tore the chicken back apart!

Its been 3 days and stools have been a little loose, so I have been giving them some canned pumpkin and it fixed things right up!

I also got fresh green tripe, smells gross, but they loved the chewy texture!

Tonight I gave them chicken necks and they went over great as well!

Do I need to continue to buy meat parts from Primal or can I get regular meat from the grocer/butcher? Is there any special way I need to clean or prepare meat parts purchased from a butcher?

Thanks for the help!

[omega]

Originally Posted by CupofDog

After almost a year of feeding premade raw diets, I had been researching prey model for some time and I finally got the guts to go for it!

I gave my two furkids Primal chicken backs and so far its working out great! My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (11 lbs) was too funny, at first he was licking the chicken back gingerly, unsure of what to do with it, while my teeny Yorkie mix dug right in, her inner carnivore came right out and she tore the chicken back apart!

Its been 3 days and stools have been a little loose, so I have been giving them some canned pumpkin and it fixed things right up!

I also got fresh green tripe, smells gross, but they loved the chewy texture!

Tonight I gave them chicken necks and they went over great as well!

Do I need to continue to buy meat parts from Primal or can I get regular meat from the grocer/butcher? Is there any special way I need to clean or prepare meat parts purchased from a butcher?

Thanks for the help!

Go for the "regular" meat!! It's probably much cheaper, too. The green tripe sounds like a winner. Just a word of caution with the chicken necks... there is the possibility of them getting stuck in the throats of our little guys because the shape and size are so similar. I wouldn't even feed them if you are giving backs, too. More meat may be in order as you progress.

I don't do anything special with the meat we get. Just watch out for cuts with sharp bone - those parts that have been sawed. If you can get beef heart - that is a great meal! That is considered muscle and not organ meat.

Isn't it fun watching them eat???

[CupofDog]

Originally Posted by omega

Go for the "regular" meat!! It's probably much cheaper, too. The green tripe sounds like a winner. Just a word of caution with the chicken necks... there is the possibility of them getting stuck in the throats of our little guys because the shape and size are so similar. I wouldn't even feed them if you are giving backs, too. More meat may be in order as you progress.

I don't do anything special with the meat we get. Just watch out for cuts with sharp bone - those parts that have been sawed. If you can get beef heart - that is a great meal! That is considered muscle and not organ meat.

Isn't it fun watching them eat???

Thanks for the advice! Its sooo much fun watching them eat! I have been enjoying their mealtime as much or more then watching Animal Planet!

So, can I just buy whole chickens and turkeys (along with beef hearts) and give them chunks or pieces as meals? What other meats do you buy? Chicken breasts on the bone? List options please!!

The green tripe is from the natural dog food store and they also sell beef hearts, but I will see if I can get the hearts from a butcher instead. I am sure thats cheaper.

I am so excited. Both dogs are loving this and my favorite part (besides their health, of course) is that after eating, the dogs are exhausted! Got to love anything that tires my monsters out!

[tjdmom]

Originally Posted by RawfedYorkieLuv

I sent you a PM!

Can I have that recipe too?

[tjdmom]

Originally Posted by CupofDog

Thanks for the advice! Its sooo much fun watching them eat! I have been enjoying their mealtime as much or more then watching Animal Planet!

So, can I just buy whole chickens and turkeys (along with beef hearts) and give them chunks or pieces as meals? What other meats do you buy? Chicken breasts on the bone? List options please!!

The green tripe is from the natural dog food store and they also sell beef hearts, but I will see if I can get the hearts from a butcher instead. I am sure thats cheaper.

I am so excited. Both dogs are loving this and my favorite part (besides their health, of course) is that after eating, the dogs are exhausted! Got to love anything that tires my monsters out!

I feed mine chicken breast, drumsticks, thighs, I've fed wings when I can add some boneless meat to it, I feed mostly bone in chicken but also have fed boneless. I've fed lamb (my two love this the most - of course also the most costly!), I've fed pork of all kinds most of it boneless for my yorkie, I've fed fish - tilapia, my two weren't crazy about that. Beef heart is popular. They both like chicken gizzards and my yorkie loves chicken hearts. I'm always trying to get them to eat liver but it doesn't always go over so well. Oh, and chicken feet - it's a good natural sourse of glucosamine and my two love them. Thats all I can think of right now but I just basically look for reasonable priced meat that had no additives. Hope that helps! My two do wonderful on raw as well!