Seeking experiences: Trying RAW

[JESSY_RN2B]

I have decided to give RAW a try. I have been reading up on it for days and want to fjnd ojt for myself what it can do for us.

I have decided To purchase ready made meals and know there are a
ton of brands out there. I do not want to be chopping or grinding at all so that is why I chose already made.

For all of you who have tried it, currently feed or a curious, what brand do you recommend or love? Do you feed all meat and no veggies, a combo or raw and kibble?

Price is NOT a concern; however, I am no fool and rather pay the best price for the best quality out there.

If it does not work out, back to kibble it is.

Share your thoughts and experiences please and share the pros and cons you have experienced.

Thanks

[Britster]

I think the main pre-made raw brands out there are Primal, Stella & Chewy's, Bravo and Nature's Variety, though I'm sure there are others as well.

I like S&C's the best -- Jackson also likes it the best. Currently, I'm feeding it a few times a week usually. My main reason for not feeding it full time is cost (if he were smaller, I could afford it easier full time) and just... convenience. I do a lot of traveling and back and forth stuff w/ Jackson so kibble is just easier. I'm also super forgetful and sometimes will forget to put the raw in the fridge the night before to thaw out.

So yeah.. anyways... I've had good luck with the pre-made raw for breakfast and kibble/wet combo for dinner. I notice less poop when he's eating more raw, too.

[Sweet Apple]

I think most, on here, have decided that Primal pre-made raw is the best, because they use human grade ingredients, do not import ANY ingredients from foreign countries, and have never had a recall...I like Stella & Chewies, but it tends to make all three of mine put on weight, so I don't feed it anymore...I'm sure there are others, but for my money, I feed Primal, and rotate proteins w/each 4 lb. bag...I use the 8 oz. patties and cut them in 1 oz. squares...I will say that I feed all three of mine a little more than recommended, or they are too lean...Cha Cha weighs 4 lbs. and gets 1 1/4 oz. twice a day...Buzz weighs 6 lbs., and get 2 oz., twice a day...Apple weighs 5 1/2 lbs. (and is very active!) and gets 1 3/4 oz., twice a day...It takes a while to find the exact measure for your baby's weight, but just start out w/what the bag recommends....I weighed my babies almost everyday for several weeks, 'till we got right on target

[JESSY_RN2B]

Brit, thank you for sharing. He sure is a bright eyed ham!

Im taking notes.

[JESSY_RN2B]

Sweet apple, thank you. Very detailed!!

[Poochieheaven]

I feed prey model, but I agree with the others about what is best.

Also don't be surprised if your dog is drinking less when feeding raw.

Good luck!

[xoxodoglover89]

I do 1/2 raw, 1/2 kibble for Sasha. I give her Primal and she absolutely loves it. I tried Nature's Variety quite a few years ago and it just didn't work out. She ate it for a few days and then wanted nothing to do with it so I ended up wasting quite a bit of food. With Primal, I first bought a sample pack that they offered which had 4 different varieties included. She ate them all with no problem and I've been feeding it to her ever since. I usually buy 2 of the 4lb bags, each bag a different protein source and it'll usually last me about 3 months which is nice.

[AlicetheYorkie]

I used to feed mine Nature's Variety (stopped because of cost, but thinking about starting again) and they all did very well on it and LOVED it. I used to give the raw for breakfast and the NV kibble for dinner, rotating protien sources with each bag of patties and kibble.

I've never tried Primal (actually have never seen it) where do you all buy it from??

Something I was curious about that hopefully an avid raw feeder here will know - what's the difference between using a pre-packaged pet food vs. just meat you buy at the grocery store? Is it just convenience?

[JESSY_RN2B]

Thank you ladies so much.

[xoxodoglover89]

Originally Posted by AlicetheYorkie

I used to feed mine Nature's Variety (stopped because of cost, but thinking about starting again) and they all did very well on it and LOVED it. I used to give the raw for breakfast and the NV kibble for dinner, rotating protien sources with each bag of patties and kibble.

I've never tried Primal (actually have never seen it) where do you all buy it from??

Something I was curious about that hopefully an avid raw feeder here will know - what's the difference between using a pre-packaged pet food vs. just meat you buy at the grocery store? Is it just convenience?

If you go to the Primal raw website, you should be able to put in where you're located and they should tell you if there are stores in your area that sell Primal. I have to drive about 20-30 minutes from my city to get it which isn't too bad. Sasha loves the food so it's worth it.

[Poochieheaven]

Originally Posted by AlicetheYorkie

I used to feed mine Nature's Variety (stopped because of cost, but thinking about starting again) and they all did very well on it and LOVED it. I used to give the raw for breakfast and the NV kibble for dinner, rotating protien sources with each bag of patties and kibble.

I've never tried Primal (actually have never seen it) where do you all buy it from??

Something I was curious about that hopefully an avid raw feeder here will know - what's the difference between using a pre-packaged pet food vs. just meat you buy at the grocery store? Is it just convenience?

Pre packaged has everything in it that your dog needs- meat, bones, organs, fruits/veggies, supplements, etc.

The store bought meat is just meat. Dogs also need bone and organs. This is normally called prey model. People sometimes put supplements in there as well.

I feed prey model as it would be too expensive to feed pre packaged with a big dog! I also get my meat from a meat packaging company so it is much cheaper than going to the grocery store.

[AlicetheYorkie]

Originally Posted by Poochieheaven

Pre packaged has everything in it that your dog needs- meat, bones, organs, fruits/veggies, supplements, etc.

The store bought meat is just meat. Dogs also need bone and organs. This is normally called prey model. People sometimes put supplements in there as well.

I feed prey model as it would be too expensive to feed pre packaged with a big dog! I also get my meat from a meat packaging company so it is much cheaper than going to the grocery store.

Thanks I completely forgot about the bones and organs being in the pre packaged raw.

So, you buy directly from a meat packaging plant? How do you get the bones and organs in there? I know the vet I worked for did it himself mainly with venison, but he had this big grinder thing in his garage that he used to "processed" the deer for his dogs. There's no way on earth I'm doing that lol, but I do want to at least suppliment their kibble diet with some raw.

The NV is too expensive since we have 3 dogs(one of which is a 75 lb. Akita, and 2 cats) and our local small natural pet store sells a different brand (can't think of the name) that's much less expensive since the packaging isn't fancy, but about the third time I fed it, one of my cats brought all of it back up about 20 minutes later, so now I don't trust that brand.

[tjdmom]

I feed PMR but fill in with premade sometimes. I like Primal although I have a hard time getting that here. They do carry NV and I do feed it but mine aren't always crazy about it.

[Poochieheaven]

Originally Posted by AlicetheYorkie

Thanks I completely forgot about the bones and organs being in the pre packaged raw.

So, you buy directly from a meat packaging plant? How do you get the bones and organs in there? I know the vet I worked for did it himself mainly with venison, but he had this big grinder thing in his garage that he used to "processed" the deer for his dogs. There's no way on earth I'm doing that lol, but I do want to at least suppliment their kibble diet with some raw.

The NV is too expensive since we have 3 dogs(one of which is a 75 lb. Akita, and 2 cats) and our local small natural pet store sells a different brand (can't think of the name) that's much less expensive since the packaging isn't fancy, but about the third time I fed it, one of my cats brought all of it back up about 20 minutes later, so now I don't trust that brand.

The place I buy from offers a grounded mix of organs and meat, so I use that alot and then will give a hunk of bone in chicken a few times a week.

I don't do any grinding, I just "throw" it all in a bowl and they eat. I am able to get 20lb boxes of organs, so that lasts me a long time. Otherwise for the bones, I do mostly chicken or turkey with the bones. I also bought a bone meal supplement that I may use on occasion. You do have to buy in bulk, so I dethaw everything and re package into bags so that I can just take a few out and feed when the times comes.

Duke will eat anything, while Piper is much more picky.

[florean92151]

I have been feeding both of mine Primal for the past nine months. They love it and are doing great with it. I rotate between venison, lamb, and duck. It is kind of expensive but they are definitely worth it! I give them natural treats. I am hoping it will give them a healthier and longer life. Good luck..