The Benefits Of A Prey Model Diet

[omega]

I'm a tad late getting in on this... I feed prey model, too. I started last December. My dogs are doing great.

I bought another freezer - an upright this time - and it is full of pork, lamb, brisket, beef heart and chicken.

I just switched a 2-1/2 year old larger dog onto raw, too. It took a while but he finally came around. I think it is so fun to hear them crunching away on the bones.

I just feel like I am doing something really good for them and it makes me feel good, too.

[omega]

I saw someone mention this a while back. Can't remember who - sorry. So if you don't give heartworm preventative, do you do anything to prevent it? I am on the fence right now trying to decide and my vet isn't very happy with me. She seemed quite exasperated.

I really don't want them to get it - it's miserable for them to have and deadly, also.

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

wow this is a great thread..i been debating on switching over to raw...but after reading this thread i am for sure switching...i have a question for you...

i know that there are several brands of food that already has raw feed ready for you to feed your babies...but they can get a bit pricey...so my questions is can you just buy raw meat and feed your babies...if so how do you know how much meat, organs and bones to give them? thanks.

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

Hi!!! and welcome to the thread!
You should join our little club as you've been feeding like this for a while, you can add valuable experience for the newbies!
I don't like to give a pesticide on the premise of prevention! Those heart worm pills alongside the flea/tick preventions are the flagship of any veterinary clinic ($$$$$). Aside form prescription k*bble and annual vaccinations, of course. It's like cutting off an arm, in case I break it! My senior Toy is 12 years old and never even took this stuff until my *then* vet convinced me to do so by making feel like I'd be a bad mom if I didn't. He took Heartguard for about a year and during that time his health dramatically declined! Never before or after that has he had a heartworm infestation. We lived in Germany all of our lives until 1999 where mosquitos as just as rampant as they are here stateside- never a problem.
I stay away from stagnant waters and that's about it. As far as prevention- you can make your own spritz to apply on your dog's fur just before an outing; parts citronella oil, cedar oil and water. You can repel mosquitos in your own yard by planting marigold flowers and catnip which is something "they" don't like and stay away from. Apparently, Avon's Skin-So-Soft bath oil works well, too. It truly is a judgement call for many. I'll rather take my chances.....

Originally Posted by omega

I saw someone mention this a while back. Can't remember who - sorry. So if you don't give heartworm preventative, do you do anything to prevent it? I am on the fence right now trying to decide and my vet isn't very happy with me. She seemed quite exasperated.

I really don't want them to get it - it's miserable for them to have and deadly, also.

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[RawfedYorkieLuv]

Hello, and welcome!
Yes, those brands are what's called pre-made RAW, formulated to the BARF diet (biologically appropriate raw food) which is the basis that a dog is an omnivore (those brands include veggies and things) which he's NOT. Dog is carnivore! What myself and others here on this thread are feeding is the "Prey Model diet". Whole cuts of RAW meaty bones, organ meats, fish and eggs. All in RAW UNCOOKED AND NOT GROUND FORM.
A typical "prey" animal is made up of approx. 80% meat, 10% edible bones and 10% organs which is what we're trying to mirror by feeding our dogs this way at home. While pre made might be a good starter food for people new to raw, long term it is not advisable as it doesn't clean those teeth as prey model will.

Originally Posted by xxmxaxrxyxx

i know that there are several brands of food that already has raw feed ready for you to feed your babies...but they can get a bit pricey...so my questions is can you just buy raw meat and feed your babies...if so how do you know how much meat, organs and bones to give them? thanks.

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[RawfedYorkieLuv]

Sorry, I was assuming you were talking about *grinding* your own mixes or purchasing ground meat. Pardon me, I've had a long day
And actually, I loved your question because after feeding NV for a while I asked myself the same question...that's how I ended up on Prey Model!


[quote=xxmxaxrxyxx;1950972]so my questions is can you just buy raw meat and feed your babiesquote]

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[tjdmom]

Ok, we had another good day but my older collie, Sasha seems to be getting tired of chicken. She's always been a picky eater. Actually Zoe(my yorkie) is a bit picky too but she's more picky in that she doesn't want her own food, she wants whatever Sasha has so she's been pretty happy as they have the same thing now, just different portion sizes. Anyways, I'm wondering if I should just feed Sasha once a day or if I should try something other than chicken? I'm a bit hesitant to try something new yet as it's only my 3rd day. Any ideas? And while we're doing well on the chicken and I'm not gonna rush it but I thought we would try pork next (in maybe another week or two) what kind of cut of pork should I start with when i decide to try that? Would a bone in pork chop be appropriate? If not, what do you typically feed? I'm really looking for something that will also be good for cleaning Sasha's teeth too. Thanks!

[Wylie's Mom]

Great thread - glad to see some renewed interest in prey model!

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

It's possible that Sasha might be overfed and not "tired of" chicken per say; she may be self regulating already.
If she doesn't seem hungry for whatever you're giving her at the moment, pick it up after about 30 minutes and refridgeate. You can give it to her again at next feeding. Once you're ready to move on to another protein, you can certainly go for pork. Pork necks are a great teeth work out but might be too small for a Collie. I go easy on the pork for my senior as too much pork fat gives him the runs! Bone in butt roast is great. Pork ribs are nice as well! You can also try pork or beef heart! It counts as muscle meat AND organ meat! This site offers great "recipes", lol
Raw Feeding Recipes

Originally Posted by tjdmom

Ok, we had another good day but my older collie, Sasha seems to be getting tired of chicken. She's always been a picky eater. Actually Zoe(my yorkie) is a bit picky too but she's more picky in that she doesn't want her own food, she wants whatever Sasha has so she's been pretty happy as they have the same thing now, just different portion sizes. Anyways, I'm wondering if I should just feed Sasha once a day or if I should try something other than chicken? I'm a bit hesitant to try something new yet as it's only my 3rd day. Any ideas? And while we're doing well on the chicken and I'm not gonna rush it but I thought we would try pork next (in maybe another week or two) what kind of cut of pork should I start with when i decide to try that? Would a bone in pork chop be appropriate? If not, what do you typically feed? I'm really looking for something that will also be good for cleaning Sasha's teeth too. Thanks!

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[RawfedYorkieLuv]

We Wylie's Mom!!!!! Go on, girl! Jump on in!

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Great thread - glad to see some renewed interest in prey model!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by RawfedYorkieLuv

We Wylie's Mom!!!!! Go on, girl! Jump on in!

We're lurvin' you back!!

LOL, I was at my new favorite pet boutique today (Sunflower Pet Store - have you been - in Mesa?) - and the store owner feeds NV as well - and we were both lamenting about our lazy-butt feedin' non-prey-model raw methods!!!!!

Sigh.......some day.....

How's the little "walnut" Mahli?

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

My walnut is currently sleeping on my shoulders like a parrot! LOL. How's your walnut doing?

Can't say that I've heard of that place, I'm not that familiar with the East Valley. Too far to drive in the heat, lol.
You finally got your Marcel to a healthy status and I don't blame you for your hesitance! He had some scary stuff going on there for a while! You'll get there.....
eventually! Little walnut 'be hanging from a chicken leg in no time!!! Hehe

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

We're lurvin' you back!!

LOL, I was at my new favorite pet boutique today (Sunflower Pet Store - have you been - in Mesa?) - and the store owner feeds NV as well - and we were both lamenting about our lazy-butt feedin' non-prey-model raw methods!!!!!

Sigh.......some day.....

How's the little "walnut" Mahli?

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[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by RawfedYorkieLuv

My walnut is currently sleeping on my shoulders like a parrot! LOL. How's your walnut doing?

Okay - THAT is really funny - because that's *exactly* how Marcel slept on me at the same age - right on my neck/shoulders like a little scarf! I loved that age - he's still a total Momma's boy - but even more so then. Little cracked walnut!!!

[RawfedYorkieLuv]

I knew it! Those little cracked walnuts were meant to be together! Love it!
She has turned into a momma's girl, although she won't kick daddy out of bed for eating crackers! Rofl
My son has found a new TV watching companion in Mahli as well! She did great in MX btw.! She's just soooo easy going, going anywhere!
Ok, peops, I'm signing off for tonight! I'm pooped and hungry! Can't quite get excited over chicken anymore these days; wonder why *that" is......
I'm seriously thinking about becoming a vegetarian.....
ok, waaaay off topic now! lol
Good Night, Ann and everybody else, shall be back tomorrow morning, AZ TIME!
XOXOXO
Nadia

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Okay - THAT is really funny - because that's *exactly* how Marcel slept on me at the same age - right on my neck/shoulders like a little scarf! I loved that age - he's still a total Momma's boy - but even more so then. Little cracked walnut!!!

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[abbie's mom]

Originally Posted by RawfedYorkieLuv

Yes, those brands are what's called pre-made RAW, formulated to the BARF diet (biologically appropriate raw food) which is the basis that a dog is an omnivore (those brands include veggies and things) which he's NOT. Dog is carnivore! What myself and others here on this thread are feeding is the "Prey Model diet". Whole cuts of RAW meaty bones, organ meats, fish and eggs. All in RAW UNCOOKED AND NOT GROUND FORM.
A typical "prey" animal is made up of approx. 80% meat, 10% edible bones and 10% organs which is what we're trying to mirror by feeding our dogs this way at home. While pre made might be a good starter food for people new to raw, long term it is not advisable as it doesn't clean those teeth as prey model will.

.............what she said