BARF vs RBM vs Nature's Variety??

[victoriasueno]

I'm not sure if this topic has been touched upon on this forum in this manner I couldn't find anything that addressed my questions. (I did check first!)

Here's the backstory that brought me to it.

Mr Belvedere came home at 8 weeks eating Royal Canin. I kept him on the Babydog formula and switched him to the Puppy 33 when it was appropriate. He's slowly starting to lose his hair on his head and back by his shoulders. It continues to thin, he looks like a little old man. Looking back on the pictures I realize now that his hair was thin to begin with, however I thought he was born that way, now I realize it's an effect of his food.

I've been reading different forums and things on the internet and I've come across two interesting diets:

BARF & RMB diets
Rotation diets (Particularly Nature's Variety)

I'm very interested in both. My main concern with BARF diets is that I don't want to do a lot work as is where to go to get his food and price is a concern too. My baby is very important to me however my boyfriend and I work very demanding jobs and while we love playing with our baby at the end of the day and don't mind the mess and cleanup the thought of having to cook for ourselves and do some type of prep work for the dog makes me tired. I know if I take this endeavor, I'll be MY endeavor.

That brought me to Nature's Variety. It looks very similar, like BARF without the work. I understand that the two diets are different, however it seems like a good alternative to step into until I have the time (and money) to commit to BARF.

Thoughts on BARF, RMB and Nature's Variety?

Thanks,
Victoria

[Wylie's Mom]

I feed Natures Variety Raw Medallions and just LOVE it for my guys - it's technically considered a pre-made BARF diet. Many people also still give RMBs for teeth - I occasionally do, but I mostly give Bully Sticks for teeth.

The other way to feed raw is Prey Model and some folks here feed that way as well - it is also a great way to feed raw, but you do have source your own organ meats and butcher meats, and sometimes that can be a bit more difficult for some people.

I used to feed kibble, then homecooked, then moved to raw - and I just really love raw the best.

[CupofDog]

I did about 9 months on premade raw by both Nature's Variety and Primal and just switched to RMB this past week. Actually, its not as much work as I thought and a LOT less expensive then premade raw.

Sourcing organ meat can be a pain, but if you have a nearby butcher, just go in, make a relationship and then you can set up a standing order that you just pick up once a month. Even easier - order it from a raw feeding source online. There are plenty - but shipping can be pricey.

I literally just give my 11 pounder a chicken back and let him get to work on it and I give my tiny one chicken necks. Both from the grocer! They have such a great time chomping away!

I got some organ meat at my local holistic pet shop while I locate a butcher...but I have to say, the decreased expense and ease are better then I thought!

I think premade is a great transition, while you get used to the idea and routine of being a raw feeder. I recommend premade raw to start! I would have never tossed my dogs chicken parts a year ago and felt great about it!

[victoriasueno]

Two things: RMB, how is the smell? I can't stand the stench of bully sticks. They're so gross!
Second, you just feed only raw medallions? The nature's variety website boasts canned, kibble and raw for variety. I like the concept and Mr Belvedere has had canned and kibble and he's (thankfully) eating whatever I put in front of him. The variety of different textures with different proteins makes complete sense. I was thinking of transitioning Mr Belvedere first to Nature's Variety kibble then adding canned and raw gradually but for now keeping a 50% kibble, 25% canned and 25% raw variation. My reason for this, honestly, is more cost and time than anything else. I'm willing to pay a little more for a better diet but I don't have the time to go to the butcher (the nearest quality butcher is about 20 minutes away) and our local grocery store is a Fred Meyer, which I barely trust with my food, I'd NEVER trust them with my baby's food! My boyfriend wants to get a cat so it would be easy for me to go to the feed store and buy Nature's Variety for the cat and dog.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I feed Natures Variety Raw Medallions and just LOVE it for my guys - it's technically considered a pre-made BARF diet. Many people also still give RMBs for teeth

[southernchick]

I feed regan NV medallions- right now we are using vension she seems to like it best there is no prep. I take out three medallions & put them in a tupperware bowl w/a lid every night b/f bed & let thaw in the fridge. I got so much help from everyone here about NV, it was my ultimate choice & I haven't regretted it. I'm set up on automatic delivery from petfooddirect for every six weeks-piece of cake. Good Luck! let me know if you need anything. Also petfooddirect has free delivery.

[victoriasueno]

The idea of giving my dog raw food doesn't bother me, the idea that I should be doing more bothers me. I was trying to explain the concept of the diet to my boyfriend and he looked at me and said, "Are you going to give the dog the frozen chicken in the fridge" He was referring to the costco thighs and wings that we bought yesterday. Would I be able to give the dog grocery store meat or do I have to go to a butcher?

Originally Posted by CupofDog

I think premade is a great transition, while you get used to the idea and routine of being a raw feeder. I recommend premade raw to start! I would have never tossed my dogs chicken parts a year ago and felt great about it!

[CupofDog]

I used to work for a holistic pet food store. The Nature's Variety 'rotation' diet is a marketing gimmick, pure and simple so you buy more products.

The premade medallions or patties are a complete diet and are fine to feed without any kibble. Whatever you decide, DO NOT feed kibble and raw within four-six hours of one another. They digest at different rates and this causes stomach upset.

I am indifferent towards the canned...I suppose its a personal choice.

Supplementing with raw meaty bones, on the other hand, helps keep teeth and gums healthy and builds healthy jaw and neck muscles. You can use bully sticks for this purpose as well.

Raw diets are the least smelly meals you can imagine! Raw fed dogs don't have that 'doggie odor' and their poops are solid and have little to no odor as well. There may be a little smell from the defrosted food when you put it in the bowl, but its FAR less then with canned dog food.

The stinkiest foods are organs and things like tripe. They smell awful but are super healthy and the furkids love 'em!

[Wylie's Mom]

LOL, I totally understand about the Bully Sticks , they're not for everyone. The ones I have don't really smell, but some vendors' have really smelly ones. I get mine on eBay.

I don't think there is anything wrong w/ rotating, per se. Personally, I just think raw is superior - and the benefits of raw are so wonderful, that I'd rather just feed raw - period - and not feed the NV kibble or canned. But, if for some reason I had to feed kibble or canned - NV would be the brand I'd use. NV's raw contains non-synthetic vitamins and minerals, all natural enzymes - meat in its natural state. Of course, with the kibble and canned - the meat has been cooked, so they have to add back in the enzymes, and vits/minerals, etcetera. So, I just would rather feed raw all the time . And, my guys teeth are just gorgeous since going totally raw too. But, if the rotations suits you best, then go for it!

[victoriasueno]

Is the kibble cheaper? My reason for adding their kibble would be more for cost than anything else.

Originally Posted by CupofDog

I used to work for a holistic pet food store. The Nature's Variety 'rotation' diet is a marketing gimmick, pure and simple so you buy more products.

The premade medallions or patties are a complete diet and are fine to feed without any kibble. Whatever you decide, DO NOT feed kibble and raw within four-six hours of one another. They digest at different rates and this causes stomach upset.

I am indifferent towards the canned...I suppose its a personal choice.

Supplementing with raw meaty bones, on the other hand, helps keep teeth and gums healthy and builds healthy jaw and neck muscles. You can use bully sticks for this purpose as well.

Raw diets are the least smelly meals you can imagine! Raw fed dogs don't have that 'doggie odor' and their poops are solid and have little to no odor as well. There may be a little smell from the defrosted food when you put it in the bowl, but its FAR less then with canned dog food.

The stinkiest foods are organs and things like tripe. They smell awful but are super healthy and the furkids love 'em!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by CupofDog

I used to work for a holistic pet food store.The Nature's Variety 'rotation' diet is a marketing gimmick, pure and simple so you buy more products.

I actually think it's marketing too, and plain goofy! It just doesn't fit with NV at all!

[CupofDog]

You will need to include organs and muscle for a complete diet, but yes, you can just give the dog the chicken from the fridge. You can probably get beef heart and some other organs, like liver at the grocer as well.

Thats what I am doing! There are more experienced RMB/ Prey Model feeders on here then me, but thats the consensus I have gotten from everyone.

Don't worry, my husband and family think I am nuts too! Just tell them that even a Yorkie's digestive tract is exactly like that of a wild canine and what do you think they eat? Kibble? No! They chew on some freshly killed deer legs or whatever!

Some RMB feeders add high quality cod liver or salmon oil to their dogs diets, but other then that, correct me if I am wrong, but some raw chicken parts (larger then your dogs head is the rule of thumb and organs should do it.

The technical percentage breakdown is:
5-10% organs (1/2 of this amount is liver)

10-15% edible bones

80-85% muscle meat

Originally Posted by victoriasueno

The idea of giving my dog raw food doesn't bother me, the idea that I should be doing more bothers me. I was trying to explain the concept of the diet to my boyfriend and he looked at me and said, "Are you going to give the dog the frozen chicken in the fridge" He was referring to the costco thighs and wings that we bought yesterday. Would I be able to give the dog grocery store meat or do I have to go to a butcher?

[CupofDog]

If cost is the main concern - go prey model! Its the cheapest! I am spending about 6 bucks a week feeding my guys now!

While you get comfortable, the premade is a great option and if you have one Yorkie who weighs under 10 lbs, the cost isn't bad at all! Just make sure you buy the patties instead of the medallions, its cheaper in quantity.

Originally Posted by victoriasueno

Is the kibble cheaper? My reason for adding their kibble would be more for cost than anything else.

[ParrotLady]

Originally Posted by CupofDog

If cost is the main concern - go prey model! Its the cheapest! I am spending about 6 bucks a week feeding my guys now!

While you get comfortable, the premade is a great option and if you have one Yorkie who weighs under 10 lbs, the cost isn't bad at all! Just make sure you buy the patties instead of the medallions, its cheaper in quantity.

Where do you purchase the patties? I found the nuggets at K9 Raw Diet - Woof! but I haven't found the patties. We are trying the "Chicken Complete" from http://K9cuisine.com right now, but they only had the freeze dried and I am not impressed with freeze dried.

Thanks, Tracie

[ParrotLady]

Update on the Chicken Complete freeze dried. Little won't touch the chicken freeze dried, but will eat the Chicken Complete thawed raw. I think the Chicken Complete freeze dried is too soft and mushy.

She LOVES the Beef Complete freeze dried, so we use that as treats when she hits the wee pad too. We purchased the Wellness Core Ocean Dog and that is a hit too. She still prefers the Beef Complete freeze dried - dry and not rehydrated.