Originally Posted by Babz (Post 2332412)

Greetings!

I have been researching raw for a while now and we are switching as early as next week! YAY! I'm so excited. We are going to start with chicken thighs, bone in, skin off. I'll see how they go on that, and then maybe in a few days add the skin.

I do have a few questions..

Right now my babies are free fed, and self-regulating their food really well. Should i weigh the meat I feed them? I was thinking I would throw one thigh for one dog and let them go on it, and give fillet later in the day.

Also, since I am going shopping for the meat this week, what else should I get aside from chicken thighs, breast, legs? Should I get heart, gizzards? Is it okay to feed hearts and gizzards the 1st few days, since it is considered muscle meat, not organs?

Since I cannot afford organic, I was thinking to supplement with salmon oil. But I found out salmon oil is very hard to find here, and if I can find it I suspect it'd be very expensive, as cod liver oil is already through the roof. I simply cannot afford it. So, I found out I could feed fish instead of supplementing. What kinda fish is good and high in omega 3 and 6, and should I give them the bones or just filleted fish??

Thanks so much for any help at all!!

Originally Posted by Babz (Post 2332549)

Omega, thank you so much for the help. :D

Although I am wondering, what kind of fish capsules are you talking about? Because I think this is what I cannot afford. A bottle of 200 is $20.. that is quite a lot of money for me.. I think it would be cheaper to feed true fish.

I would stick to chicken for a few weeks then. After that I might try pork or mutton/lamb, depends which one I can get for better price at that time.

Thanks a lot!

Originally Posted by omega (Post 2332558)

Are the capsules less expensive than the oil itself? A bottle of 200 would last you a really long time, so in the end, it wouldn't be so expensive. They don't need it every day, which will help it last longer, too.

My dogs love both pork and mutton.:)

Originally Posted by Babz (Post 2333601)

Need quick advice here..

I have never had Mocha tested for Liver Shunt... Never did the BAT. She's now 8 months old and healthy as a horse.. Should I test her before switching? I am planning to switch next week.. I am running out of kibble soon.. Please advice ASAP..

Originally Posted by Babz (Post 2332569)

Is there difference between capsules and oils? Because the norm here are those gelatinous capsules with oils in them. I will try look around again then, see if I can find anything in my range. I have not found salmon ones though, and in the rawfeeding list cod liver oil might not be so good.

I think the oil may be fresher and have more nutrients in it than than the capsules... I could be completely off though...
I wouldn't give cod liver oil, either - I would stick to the salmon. I do not believe salmon oil comes in capsules - it would just be the reguar fish oil in that form.

How often should I feed them this? And if I just pour it onto the meat, wouldn't most of it go to waste? Should I give it to them in a very small dish for them to lick?

I give it to mine as often as I want to try and wash it off their faces. :D:rolleyes: Every day is ok, but one or twice a week is ok too... I have the oil that is unscented because I can't stand the smell of fish oil. :) It does still have a tiny bit of odor but not nearly as much as the regular. I just put it on their meat... if they are eating any ground meat, I mix it in with that. Usually if there is any left in the dish, they lick it right up. You'll just have to see how yours like it and how readily they will lick it up. :)

Great to hear they love pork and mutton! I think pork will be logical to feed after chicken, but it's horribly expensive right now, despite it being ridiculously easy to breed. I know because I had a friend whose father had a pig farm. Mutton or lamb (what do you call goat meat?) is cheaper than beef because it is very popular meat here. Oh well.. I should start 1st and figure it out :D

Originally Posted by tjdmom (Post 2333614)

I doubt many people test for liver shunt before starting a raw diet and if you join this yahoo group you'll find a lot of helpful info including exactly why you should swith to raw if you do have a liver shunt dog. After all, I would dare to guess that the kibble you're feeding isn't recommended for a liver shunt pup either. Anyways, here's the link if in case i haven't given it already... rawfeeding : Raw Feeding for dogs and cats!

Originally Posted by omega (Post 2333632)

Goat meat is just called goat meat....;)



I didn't test any of my dogs before I started them on raw. I don't know why it would be necessary unless you have a dog that has health problems.... and normally raw would be better if they are sick anyways! Mine all had blood work done when they were spayed so we have that baseline to go on if needed.

Originally Posted by Babz (Post 2333643)

I have never had any bloodwork on my dogs :( It's just not the norm here. But I'm comfortable enough to go on. Thanks very much.

OH! What do you guys do fro flea prevention? SHould I just go ahead and apply frontline?

Originally Posted by Babz (Post 2333651)

I am so sorry for the mountain of questions, but should I fast my dogs before their 1st raw meal? Mocha never had problems with blood sugar, but 24 hours might be a tad long.

Originally Posted by Babz (Post 2333654)

UGH.. I am sorry.. One more question.

I saw online someone is selling this in Jakarta and they can deliver to me by mail.. What do you think? Is this good enough for my babies?

THOMPSON'S Salmon Oil Reflux Free 1000mg - Nutritional health supplements. Natural vitamins organic skin care and hair care products.

Originally Posted by omega (Post 2333676)

Personally, I don't use the chemicals for flea/ticks on my dogs anymore. I wish I never had. I just don't like the thought of putting pesticides on my little girls. If humans are not supposed to get it on their hands while applying it, imagine what it may do to our dogs!!!
I started using Flea Treats and have had no problems with fleas or ticks yet. Here is the website... flea treats, natural flea control for dogs and cats

Originally Posted by omega (Post 2333676)

Nope, no need to fast. I would just wait long enough after the last kibble meal to be sure it is out of the digestive system since it takes different lengths of time for them to digest.

Originally Posted by omega (Post 2333676)