Raw

[jsully8]

I'm a little nervous with the idea of feeding raw, simply because I'm scared it'll gross me out. :s But if it's going to be better for him then I want to know more about it. Does anyone have any sites or books that maybe I should read to know more. I would just like to know the ins and outs of it all.

 

[LindaR]

There is a great place to start your research on yahoo groups. Join groups at yahoo and try this link http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding Once you join the group you can browse the archives and check out all the various links available. There are 13,000 members on that group raw feeding countless numbers of dogs and cats. It's a very helpful group that makes Newbies feel at home. I believe one of the moderators owns Newfs and many have been raw feeding for many years. Take the time to educate yourself so you can then make an informed decision whether feeding raw is something you could handle. It's not complicated. If you purchase meat for your family, you can easily expand to include your pupper.

 

[LindaR]

One thing I failed to mention in my above post is that there are raw feeding co-operatives popping up all over the country. The members of the co-op locate sources of raw, and purchase together in large quantities at affordable prices. I belong to 2 such co-ops here in the PacNW. As a group we have purchased green tripe, calves, buffalo, rabbit, salmon oil, etc. It's a great opportunity to meet other raw feeders and get some variety into our puppers/kitties diets. Hope this info helps.

 

[Joan Fisher]

Just wondering if any raw feeders have problems with dogs eating poop as has been commented on in other threads. None of my Newfs ever have and I think it might be because they always had lots of protein with the raw and canned fish diet.

 

[jane]

Just wondering if any raw feeders have problems with dogs eating poop as has been commented on in other threads. None of my Newfs ever have and I think it might be because they always had lots of protein with the raw and canned fish diet.

Roger began eating his stool when he had giardia. He would only eat his stool, and only when it was loose. I used to have to follow him around to make sure he would'nt eat it. Since going raw, he has'nt done it. I believe it's a protein thing too.

 

[Newfs Forever]

Joan,

When my dogs ate poop, they were on kibble. They also ate poop on raw. I just learned to follow them around particularly when we had "poosicles".

 

[Capri]

Just wondering if any raw feeders have problems with dogs eating poop as has been commented on in other threads.

I've never heard of this (linked to raw). I know 8 dogs which are on raw and don't eat poop, two of these are ours, others of close friends'.

Our dogs did eat horse poop occasionally when they were on kibble, but ended it after switching to raw.

 

[ladybugnessa]

OK today I went to the plant where they make the packaged raw food to buy the smoked beef tracheas my guys LOVE... (and i got 50 of them for $1.00 each)

the guy offered to sell to me directly (he's the owner there is no shop there) without a middle man at $1.50 per pound since I need 3.5 pounds of his stuff per day for my guys.

he grinds it and packages it in chubs in 1/2 and 1 pound packages.

I just freed up a small chest freezer and we could pull this off...

maybe it's a good idea.

can I post the link for this guy so we can talk about whether or not his product is good for my guys?

 

[Rachaelo]

Mu husband and I have been sucessfully feeding our newfs a RAW meat and bones diet for 6 months now. The difference in their coats and resolution of a chronic yeast infection in the ears of our boy are all the proof we need that this is a good way to feed. NEVER FEED COOKED BONES. Do your research. there is a ton of info on the web and I highly recommend Dr. Ian Billinghurst's books on RAW feeding before you attempt it.

Our boy murphy is a fast eater and we have chosen to grind chicken necks and quarters - bones and all - for him. It is really just concern that he won't chew as well as needed.

The RAW diet is one of the best decisions we ever made for our dogs.

 

[Rachaelo]

Just wanted to highly recommend Dr. Ian Billinghurst's book "Give Your Dog a Bone". It will give you ALL of the info you need about RAW feeding. Good Luck!

 

[LindaR]

Dr. Tom Lonsdale has IMO an even better resource called "Work Wonders". This can be found at www.rawmeatybones.com as an e-book and paper copy. Dr. Lonsdale has also published a "Diet Guide for Dogs & Cats" on that website. Lots of great information.

 

[ladybugnessa]

yeah but this guy makes it mindless... he provides the prepackaged mixed ground up food frozen I just defrost and feed.... is that bad?

 

[angie j]

If anyone in Ontario needs a source of free Range Pork for RAW feeding P.M. me. I can accomodate any needs.

Angie J

 

[nowhavethreebears]

Okay, I joined the rawfeeding yahoo group and have been lurking there for several days. It seems really hardcore. They advocate prey model, meat only feediing, with no "frills".
Does anyone here feed this "type" of raw diet with meat/bone/organs only with NO additives? I guess I am just thinking in human terms, but I am feel that this is not a complete diet. Dogs in the wild DO eat some things other than meat.
Or is it perfectly fine to feed a strict meat only diet as long as there is variety in the meats/fish? A lot of people seem to be doing it.

 

[Snowden]

Hello All,

If there is anyone in the RI/MA area that would like to join a co op that buys prepackaged raw mixes in bulk. Please PM me and I can provide you with all the details.

Lindsey

 

[LindaR]

Nowhavethreebears wrote: "Or is it perfectly fine to feed a strict meat only diet as long as there is variety in the meats/fish? A lot of people seem to be doing it."

That particular rawfeeding group does not recommend a "meat only" diet. It's 80% meat (includes meat, skin, fat, tendons, etc), 10% edible bone, and 10% organs (half of which is liver). The percentages are similar to what a prey animal would be. All meat diet it not healthy. No vegie mush necessary. And yes this is how I feed my Newfs. They are strong, healthy, fibrant, energetic and thrive on their 80/10/10 raw diet.

 

[nowhavethreebears]

We have been doing the 80/10/10 diet for about three weeks now....Is it possible that Gabriel's coat is softer already? It sure looks better. I am hoping I will be able to slim him down a little now that he is actaully getting enought volume of food to satisfy him.
We are still at the mostly chicken phase (mostly cause it's cheap) but have started some pork and turkey.
Started with some beef liver as organ....have added beef kidney this week.
So far so good...The constant counter surfing has stopped.

 

[atimmerman]

Raw Food Diet

Hi! I've been wanting to switch my 13 month old Newf to raw food. I haven't found any good guidelines on the web. Do you feed just meat and bones or do you also add veggies and some sort of oat/wheat? If so, what is the ratio? Thank you!

 

[nowhavethreebears]

Hi.
The 80% meaty meat/10% edible bones/10% organs model works really well. No veggies or grains necessary. Just a good variety of meats and organs with a little bone thrown in.
Not sure if I am allowed to list them here, but there are several great raw feeding groups on yahoo that are wonderful resources with helpful folks, some who have been feeding raw for 10 to 20 years.
It will guide you through getting started on what and how much to feed and how to proceed with the diet over the long haul.
Here's the link to the main group. It will give you links and a list of other raw feeding groups as well.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding/

 

[atimmerman]

Hi,

I just started the Raw food a couple of days ago. I'm in the transition period. I gave my dogs some chicken with the bone and they seem kind of freaked out by it. It took forever but both eventually ate it. Is this normal? Maybe it just takes some time to get used to?

Also, I was wondering if ground meat was okay? Like hamburger meat? Since it's has been processed I wasn't sure if it was okay?

Thank you!