Seeking experiences: Trying RAW

[JESSY_RN2B]

I was wondering. Do your yorkies touch the raw meat when they are eating. Do you feed on a blanket? Do you wipe their face after each feed?

Thanks

[florean92151]

I hand feed them. When I first started with it, I thought how gross! I just make sure I wash my hands good before and after. Lacey is such a little pig she would eat it all in one bite if I didn't hand feed her. She's only three pounds but she loves to eat! My other dog is a Maltese and she loves it too but she doesn't get as excited. I did a lot of research and reading about it before I started them on it. It sounds so much better for them than the processed dog foods. I buy the 8 lb. patty bags and cut each patty into 10 pieces. I feed them 3 times a day but some people only feed them twice. If I can help you in anyway, just let me know.

[LDMomma]

I started with the Nature's Variety then I went to DIY Prey Model. Now, I'm using Honest Kitchen and adding meat to it sometimes.

[LDMomma]

Originally Posted by JESSY_RN2B

I was wondering. Do your yorkies touch the raw meat when they are eating. Do you feed on a blanket? Do you wipe their face after each feed?

Thanks

I lay a big beach towel on the floor (cermaic tile) and they will all lay on it and consume their meal if it's bone in. If it's ground meat, I just put it in their normal bowl.

After they eat on the towel, I wash it (in hot water) and dry it. I also run the steam mop over the floor where the towel was. I don't wipe their face/paws.

[JESSY_RN2B]

Excellent ideas and feedback ladies. I ordered Stella and Chewy's lamb on Amazon and also Primal at a diff website. No one carries it in El Paso so I am going to have to resort to online if RAW works out for us.

One more question.........Do you ladies recommend I mix it with the kibble initially (to avoid stomach upset) or go ahead and switch cold turkey. Stella's recommends sneaking it up on them on the package but I have read that for the most part others just switch right away.

Thanks!

[LDMomma]

Originally Posted by JESSY_RN2B

Excellent ideas and feedback ladies. I ordered Stella and Chewy's lamb on Amazon and also Primal at a diff website. No one carries it in El Paso so I am going to have to resort to online if RAW works out for us.

One more question.........Do you ladies recommend I mix it with the kibble initially (to avoid stomach upset) or go ahead and switch cold turkey. Stella's recommends sneaking it up on them on the package but I have read that for the most part others just switch right away.

Thanks!

I did it cold turkey. I read something about the digestion rates of raw vs kibble (basically kibble takes much longer) and how it could cause the raw foods to stay in the intestine too long. I don't know if it's true or not, and my Lily can't eat kibble so we just went for it.

Some dogs get a little funny about lamb when it's first introduced. I think it's because it's a very rich meat. My Chi was like what when I first gave it to her. But then, she gobbled it up!

[JESSY_RN2B]

Originally Posted by LDMomma

I did it cold turkey. I read something about the digestion rates of raw vs kibble (basically kibble takes much longer) and how it could cause the raw foods to stay in the intestine too long. I don't know if it's true or not, and my Lily can't eat kibble so we just went for it.

Some dogs get a little funny about lamb when it's first introduced. I think it's because it's a very rich meat. My Chi was like what when I first gave it to her. But then, she gobbled it up!

Thanks for this info! Actually, I am reading up on it now and you are right. I will switch cold turkey then

[viviansnickers]

You and your yorkies will LOVE raw!! Yorkies are already picky, finicky, little ones and when you see them chow down on their food and enjoy it--it is such a joy.

We started w/ NV here and then switched to Primal. NV has had some recalls so I don't trust it any longer. My boys love their Primal chicken, beef, and lamb. It is pricey--but oh so worth it!! Lovely teeth, coats, appetite and no yucky "doggy" smell. It has not been proven but it's been said raw fed dogs are much less prone to fleas (I pray this is true!!) We get the Primal patties also and cut them into 8- 1 oz pieces.

I'm excited for you....such a great diet!!!!!

Viv

[candigirl]

I gave Lexie a small piece of raw steak yesterday and she gobbled it up so fast then started crying for more. I wonder if I should switch her completely. I would be switching her to NV because that's what they have here, Primal raw is not available in Canada so I guess it's the next best thing. How much on average does it cost to feed NV raw per month? Lexie is only 4.5lbs and I heard if you buy the chubs it works out cheaper?

[viviansnickers]

Forgot to add...my boys do nudge the raw a little with their nose, they eat in stainless steel dishes/saucers on carpet (they won't eat on hard floor) and yes, I wipe their beards with a non-scented baby wipe-- I rinse with hot water and wring it out before wiping.

Viv

[JESSY_RN2B]

Thanks!!

[princessizzy]

Originally Posted by candigirl

I gave Lexie a small piece of raw steak yesterday and she gobbled it up so fast then started crying for more. I wonder if I should switch her completely. I would be switching her to NV because that's what they have here, Primal raw is not available in Canada so I guess it's the next best thing. How much on average does it cost to feed NV raw per month? Lexie is only 4.5lbs and I heard if you buy the chubs it works out cheaper?

We started on Natures V. And izzy did fine..We use Primal the most but I so stil rotate with Natures V. She et the raw in the morning and Dry kibble throught the day ( 1/4 c. of Orijen Red) We LOVE this combo and she loves it too

[JESSY_RN2B]

Today the Stella and Chewys freeze dried patties arrived. Big hit!

[candigirl]

Originally Posted by JESSY_RN2B

Today the Stella and Chewys freeze dried patties arrived. Big hit!

Lexie loved this, it's good for transitioning we tried the lamb. I could only imagine she'll love the fresh raw even more. Will you be doing Primal or NV?

[candigirl]

Originally Posted by princessizzy

We started on Natures V. And izzy did fine..We use Primal the most but I so stil rotate with Natures V. She et the raw in the morning and Dry kibble throught the day ( 1/4 c. of Orijen Red) We LOVE this combo and she loves it too

How much does izzy weigh and did you follow the calculator on the site or do u feed more? Also do you have to rotate flavours with every bag?