Advice from raw feeders?

[selah]

I need some advice from raw feeders--

I have a 4 and a half year old male newf who's been on raw since we brought him home at 9 weeks. Lately I've noticed his energy level is really low. For instance, he used to get up in the morning as soon as I got up and go grab a toy and try to play with me or go outside. Now he gets up when he hears his bowl come out for breakfast. Here is his typical day--

Wake up when he hears breakfast being made
Eats, lays around a little bit until he gets in the car and heads to work
Sleeps at work until 15-20 minute walk around 1-2 in the afternoon
Comes home from work and sleeps until he hears dinner being made
Sleeps until evening walk usually about 30-45 minutes long
Goes to bed

He used to be very playful, especially when I got home from work (he goes to work with his papa, so when he would see me at the end of the day he was spunky). Also, he doesn't get super excited about going on walks anymore-- I used to mention walk and he'd go crazy. Now when I call him for walks, I often have to call a couple of times. Once he's on his walk, he's normal, but he just seems to lack the enthusiasm! Maybe this is just typical for a 4.5 year old newf, but I want to make sure it doesn't have to do with his diet.

His diet is mostly turkey and duck necks and green tripe. I thrown in fish about 10% of the time, and when I don't I put fish oil. I also give him a veggie glop that is made from yogurt, veggies, vitamin C, and apple cider vinegar. I was thinking maybe I should be including more muscle meat, but I'm not sure. Any advice on what I could be missing from his diet that is making him so lazy? Or am I just freaking out about nothing and this is just what newfs do?

Thanks!

 

[Angela]

I don't feed raw any more but did for 9 years with Dudley. With him I added kelp and alfalfa as well as ACV, Vit C and E.

I wonder if you should get bloodwork done to rule out any physical problem?
Could he have low thyroid, or could he have joint problems?
I think if you are worried then a vet visit might help.
At 4 1/2 yrs if he is healthy he should have more energy I think.

 

[Cascadians]

#1, when I notice a big change in my Newf I make a trip to the vet. With Newfs one has to be on the lookout for low Thyroid, a possible cause of lethargy.

Dr Jean Dodds is one of the thyroid experts for Newfies:
http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/HEMOPET.HTM

Also the vet can help you rule out/in several causes, not just diet.

My Newf Orka has been fed raw from birth. I give him as much variety as possible and joining a couple raw food co-ops gave me more resources of good meaty bones.

 

[Bär]

I only been raw feeding for a couple of months & I agree with all the sugestions above.
The only thing I can add is, maybe include some red meat & I don't see organ meat in his diet.
Bär gets between 50-75% beef & the rememaing is filled out with chicken & turkey carcasses. He also gets liver, kidney & when I can get it, beef heart.

 

[Angela]

Oh, yes, I forgot.
With Dudley he had raw lean ground beef, sometimes I added a couple of eggs, or beef heart (good taurine!), liver, sardines, salmon.
Veggies were always pureed, leafy greens, carrots, rutabago.
Every morning he had chicken necks and backs and the meaty meal in the evenings.

 

[selah]

I don't feed raw any more but did for 9 years with Dudley. With him I added kelp and alfalfa as well as ACV, Vit C and E.

I wonder if you should get bloodwork done to rule out any physical problem?
Could he have low thyroid, or could he have joint problems?
I think if you are worried then a vet visit might help.
At 4 1/2 yrs if he is healthy he should have more energy I think.

He doesn't have joint problems (at least I wouldn't think so since he doesn't seem to be uncomfortable at all!), but I will look into the low thyroid thing. I didn't really think it was anything physical because he is fine once he's up and doing something, he just seems to be lacking some spirit when hanging out at home. I dunno... We're expecting a baby so maybe he senses things are changing. Or maybe it's just my pregnancy hormones making me freak out!

 

[selah]

I only been raw feeding for a couple of months & I agree with all the sugestions above.
The only thing I can add is, maybe include some red meat & I don't see organ meat in his diet.
Bär gets between 50-75% beef & the rememaing is filled out with chicken & turkey carcasses. He also gets liver, kidney & when I can get it, beef heart.

There is organ meat mixed in with the green tripe, but you're right maybe he needs more. I'll try more red meat, too. Thanks.

 

[R Taft]

I would definitely go for a vet check.....but I have noticed that you feed white meat mostly. We feed a 10-15% offal, such as heart, liver and kidneys. we also feed some tripe. i basically feed any meat, we feed lamb, beef, venison, pork if it is organic, fish, organic chicken and wild rabbits Whole, but skinned (rabbits are feral here and have to be culled). And my dogs get a lot of bones, beef or lamb. At least one every two days, unless their stools are to firm, then we hold off for a couple of days. I am a poop watcher from way back. never seem to have runny poop.
we also feed a lot of fruit/veg mixed with RAW blended peas/beans/oats. And eggs ofcourse
My dogs are very active and lively. they swim daily and go for long walks with us or by themselves in our pastures, whilst we ride.
I used to do a lot of measure and weighing with my RAW diet, but now I just throw it together. We do add fish oil, Vit C, kelp, Glucosamine/chondroitin,and Vit E. Always have.
Hope you can sort the problem Ronnie