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Switching small puppy to RAW We got our puppy two days ago. I made a mistake in that I did not know it's not recommended to take home a puppy until around 12 weeks. He is only 8 weeks. I feel like an idiot but I am working with it the best I can Anyway, my questions is when is a good time to switch to a RAW diet. I'm still not 100% sure I will, I need to talk to the local butcher first. Obviously I will be waiting until we go to the vet tomorrow to make a decision. But, for the raw feeders, when did you switch? And how gradual did you make the transition? thanks =) |
I recommend doing a lot of research and reading before choosing a raw diet, especially PMR. A thread in this forum would not provide you with enough information. If I had an 8 week old pup, I would not consider changing the diet for at least a couple of months. |
Oh I've done a ton of research on raw diets. Been looking into it ever since we decided to get a puppy (about 5-6 months ago). I have three friends who feed their pups raw also. I've also consulted the vet on it. I was just wondering what everyone elses experiences and suggestions were. |
I'm surprised that the sources you have read did not address how to make the transition. That is a very important part of doing PMR. There are few PMR feeders that post here. You may find this group more helpful: Raw Feeding They are mostly large-breed owners, however. |
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Home-Prepared Dog and Cat Diets: Can non-vet nutritionist fare ever measure up? | petMD (I have an issue with "homemade diets" in that, unless you really do the research, and carefully monitor the ingredients, then you may not be giving your dog the proper nutrients. Especially with growing pups, or bitches in whelp. In those cases, I recommend to my clients that they feed a "Commercially prepared raw diet" or supplement a food, preferably grain free, such as Taste of the Wild(my favorite), with raw a couple of days per week. I agree that it keeps the stools nice a firm, and the teeth clean. Too many times, I have seen "Uneducated" people feed their Rottie pups raw, turn up severely dysplastic. One guy, gave me a rottie pup, that he had fed raw too from the time he imported the pup. The pup was very "easty-westy"(IE, the feet were turned out, rather than straight). After 6 weeks of kibble, the pup's feet straightened. Guy took the pup back, within 2 months, he was easty-westy again. Also, turned out dysplastic. These were pups where the entire litter, other than one pup, went OFA good/excellent, and sires/dams, several generations were OFA good/excellent....In other words, it was likely poor nutrition.) |
I agree with Nancy1999 and Maximo. Almost everything I find about raw feeding and home cooked diets are geared toward large breeds. I have found very little on this subject geared toward Yorkies in comparison to large breeds (at least not enough to get me to jump without fear). Even the threat here in YT about it is slim. That makes me even more careful about making a swift decision about my babies diet. I've been on this roller coaster for about 2 years, reading, asking, Googling, you name it. And I still haven't found my way into a better nutrition for my fur-kids :( Not because the advice you get here by YTers in not great and well intentioned, but because Yorkies are different, special, delicate and so worth turning every stone. |
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We've been there with IBD and pancreatitis with the diet thing. Not fun. They tend to not thrive on one food for long. |
One has a Yorkie, yes. I personally think it's geared more towards large dogs simply because most people don't imagine a small dog like a Yorkie as a predator who eats meeeeeat. Some Shocking Facts About Feeding Yorkies A great article about feeding toy breeds raw; Myths About Raw: Can toy breeds and small dogs eat a raw diet? I appreciate the insight and opinions |
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I don't think anyone believes a Yorkie is too delicate to eat meat (unless there is a health problem that precludes it). Chicken is a very popular treat among Yorkie parents. (plus, we all know Yorkies are feisty and like to kill things, especially their toys) Yorkies are predisposed to liver and digestive problems, so diet concerns differ from those associated with larger breeds. Plus, it is easier to make a small dog sick faster than a large dog. The type of person who chooses a Yorkie may be less likely to try PMR than a person who chooses a larger breed. Hard to say. Lots of people here have both small and large dogs. PMR is a lot of work and may not suit their lifestyles. |
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A thread about raw feeding? I thought about it, but I figure that I'll spend a few days searching here in YT and other places, take notes, get my ideas (in my head---since I'm so confused) in order and then bring it, so as to make more sense. You know how a deer freezes when he's caught in the head-lights? That's how I feel, scared and when that happens I freeze, can't move forward. So frustrating. With Nicky's pancrititis, I'm between a rock and a hard place. I can't see him go through that again. Yet, you're right, I've noticed that he's overdue with the diet he's on now, he's not thriving and to make things worse, he has itchy skin and ear infection :(. |
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I meant have you started a thread about your pup's issues? My girl has episodes of pancreatitis, IBD, severe food allergies, chronic yeast in her ears, and a mild liver issue. |
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Nope, not comfortable with my furkids being the Ginnie-pigs :eek: Just the thought of them choking on something on their insides being torn, or pain, or....Oh, no, no can't deal with that. Yep, safe sounds good to me :thumbup: I met a 150 Lbs St. Bernard, who's parents say they raw feed anything they can get their hands on for him. I looked at that HUGE baby and then I looked at my little penuts (11 Lbs and 6.5 lbs) and knew that there's no way their diets could be identical :( |
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Oh, hmmmmm. Good idea :thumbup: I'll check to see if it has been covered yet. I'm not totally sold on raw food, but I'm open to anything that would help me with my babies issues. I could bet that the current issues are due to this diet they're on because nothing else has changed. Thanks for the idea ;) |
I'm not a raw feeder but I definitely would not consider switching food on my 8 week old puppy. No drastic diet changes should be made for a few months; even if you changed from one kibble to another kibble - it would have to be done very slowly. You would be doing your little one a disservice to be trying new things at his point in his life. Wait until he's a little more mature and his digestive system is more mature; then consider your switch if you are still sold on it. |
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