Raw

[Newfoundlove1]

Two Weeks Feeding Raw

We have begun feeding one of our Newfs Primal Raw. These are pre-packaged, ground, frozen raw patties. Our Cashmere has had chronic ear infections and the allergies have now spread to her stomach which looks like yeasty black elephant skin. While we are taking her in for allergy testing next week, after much research, we are going to raw. Our breeder actually feeds all raw, but we changed to kibble for convenience. Cash took to the raw food almost immediately. She was refusing to eat her kibble which we felt was an indication that something in it was making her feel bad. It is a high-grade, grain free kibble, but doesn't seem to make any difference. I am not feeding her the raw chicken patties because I want to make sure that she isn't allergic to chicken first. We are feeding the beef patties. The treads to this post have been excellent reading. We will wait a couple more weeks to get through some left-over bags of kibble before switching our other Newf, Brice, to the raw. Brice eats anything so we know she'll gobble up the raw as well as she does the kibble. Feeding the patties though to two dogs at a rate of $20/day is too much. So, we will switch to the Prey model. Are there any of you out there in the Seattle area who are participating in a raw co-op? If not, any great suggestions for where to buy raw? Butcher suggestions for bones? Please PM me if you have suggestions, etc. We have a very large freezer to accommodate raw feeding. Thanks to all of you who posted to this thread and shared such great information. I'm brand new to the Newf.net and am so happy to find such great information.

 

[LindaR]

Dana,
I sent you a PM. Yes, there are co-ops in the Pac NW for purchasing raw. I have info for you. Contact me off-list.

 

[Newfoundlove1]

I've been feeding raw for just over two months now and have seen increased energy, clean ears, no smelly breath, and one of my newfs skin has improved dramatically. If you are going to feed chicken, feed either a whole chicken or half a chicken, all intact if possible. You could probably get away with feeding a quarter chicken, but you need to know if your dog is a gulper or not. Try not to leave them unsupervised while eating, this is especially important during when first introducing them. Some dogs absolutely love it and just gulp it down without chewing or crunching. I wouldn't recommend feeding the chicken necks, wings, or thighs whole as a newf can gulp each of those down in one swallow, but if your dog is really a chewer you'll probably be fine. I have to grind my chicken and turkey necks as one of my newfs is a gulper. It's better to give them food with bones in big pieces so they have to rip it and crunch it. None of my dogs have had any problems with chicken bones. I give them knuckles from beef and venison with meat attached and that's working well. Some butchers will grind the meat with bone in it for you. Be resourceful and ask around. Ethnic markets are awesome. Stay away from any enhanced raw foods (chicken, beef, etc) as they can cause loose stools. I joined a Raw Food co-op here in WA state. They have a list serve on Yahoo WAzzuOR_BARF. It's been extremely helpful to me. My breeder is a strictly raw food feeder so I've been able to ask questions of her quite a bit.

One of my Newfs went through detox with runny stools the first week of raw, while my other Newf had absolutely no issues at all other than I had to do some tough love for four days before she would eat the chicken with bones. That same Newf did vomit a couple of times, but they actually just re-eat it (Eew, huh!).

I'm a firm believer in raw food. My vet, however, is not and has concerns. We've just agreed not to discuss this. But then, I'm also looking at changing to a holistic vet as my current vet didn't catch a hypo-thyroid issue with one of my Newfs which could have been caught with a simple blood test. She thought it was just allergies!

 

[Emma]

Right!
Archie has convinced me its raw food!
I have tried every version of pellet, Eukanuba, Hills, Royal Canine he just slides bowl back across floor to me and walks off.
The thing is he hates minced anything, so today I bought brisket, chicken necks and liver, he was thrilled, he eats very delicatly, so he wont choke.
He does love his veggies though - so I am not sure what to do there.
I looked at the yahoo raw food site, but its quite intense.:shrug:

 

[Tug]

Veggies = GOOD for your Boy! Raw carrots are fabulous

 

[SheilaT]

Right!
Archie has convinced me its raw food!
I have tried every version of pellet, Eukanuba, Hills, Royal Canine he just slides bowl back across floor to me and walks off.
The thing is he hates minced anything, so today I bought brisket, chicken necks and liver, he was thrilled, he eats very delicatly, so he wont choke.
He does love his veggies though - so I am not sure what to do there.
I looked at the yahoo raw food site, but its quite intense.:shrug:

LOL....some people are very INTENSE about raw! If he likes veggies, let him have them. Some raw feeders refuse to use vegetables, but I give them to my dogs because they like them and veggies aren't going to hurt them.....and veggies help fill up the tummy of my more "robust" boy. Just be careful how much organ meat you give because it is very very rich and Archie may get loose stools.

 

[Emma]

Hi Shelia, thanks for advice, Archie doesn't like liver! - he is a serious fuss pot now, I blame myself Because I am an idiot and treat him like a baby not a dog... all my labbies eat ANYTHING :new_popcornsmiley:

 

[Hagrid]

I have fed Hagrid raw since 8 weeks old. I thought it was difficult and switched to kibble. Within a week he had loose stools, bad breath, He was always thirsty, his fur went dull and he stunk horribly and his breath smelled bad. I noticed he kept choking on the kibble and I could tell he felt hungry all the time. I switched right back to raw and you could tell immediately he was happy. slept throught the night, had energy, and gave us lots of kisses. I shop around and get the best deals. Like chicken can be 76 cents a pound. He eats a third of a chicken a day and, the whole thing bones and all. Its cheaper to feed him raw than kibble and easier. O don't usually feed him ground beef since its too fatty. He gets oats and veges, fruit and turkey, lamb. He has a strict vitamin regime and lots of salmon and olive oils. He gets cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, squashes and carrotts to chew on. I tell you we do not have to throw away any compost. The vet says he's the best and healthiest boy he's ever seen. Dogs were not meant to eat cooked food and kibble like humans were not meant to eat raw food.

 

[Dakota&Dozer]

Raw Diet & Bald Spot

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[Dakota&Dozer]

Raw Diet & Diarrhea?????

Deleted

 

[Joan Fisher]

Thought I would share this "raw endorsement" from one of my student midwives who did an elective with me last year. I don't even remember talking to her about raw diets but of course with Tiika always outside my office door, dog topics of course come up!

Dear Joan,

I hope you are well! I have finished my midwifery studies and will begin working this summer with ------- Midwives ............

PS: I think of you often and all that I learnt with you- definitely a highlight of my training (as well as learning about raw meat for dogs, my 14 year old dog completely regained her vitality after switching her to a raw diet- thanks Joan!)

 

[robertjt]

Yesterday, I started Scuba on raw feeding him drumsticks. During the night he vomited some fluid and stools are very loose. Is this a typical response to a new diet?
bob

 

[2Paws]

That may have been too much for his tummy. I might think about doing a more gradual switch and maybe grind up those drumsticks and add a little of that mixture to his current food.

A raw diet consists of more than just meat.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

We've started a little and have gradually been adding in....Myra is also very picky so Vin has been searing some the foods a bit first, we are adding it to the dry and slowly coming down with the dry. Don't think we'll go full on but with everything going on with the foods and Myra's allergies this has been our route thus far.

 

[robertjt]

Are you feeding chicken and if so what parts? How does Zeke like the change?

 

[luvmynwfy]

Hi
I have had River just over 3 weeks now. I switched her from kibble to raw in about 3 or 4 days (I didn't start the switch until after the first week we were together). I started her off on chicken backs, then chicken wings and drumlets (no tips) for a few days, then we tried a chicken leg. For the last 3 days or so she's been feasting on turkey necks and loving them!
too much bone can cause loose stools. You can try feeding 2 TBSP's of canned pumpkin puree and just start with one or two chicken wings or the backs or even chicken necks.

River is 4 years old, and so far no problems.
My last Newf was weaned on to raw and I continued for 9 and 1/2 years. My girl loved it, no problems either.
All the best,
Marina

 

[BlackLightning]

A raw diet consists of more than just meat.

It depends on the diet. We follow the prey model. 80% meat 10% bone 10% organ. No veggies.

When I switched our two to RAW, we went cold turkey. They did have the runs for a couple of days during the transition, but once their stomachs adjusted, no further problems.

 

[2Paws]

I'm not familar with that type of diet. How can they get all the daily nutrition they need with just meat? Is there a book available that explains the diet and the benefits of this way of feeding? I like to learn about all the different ways people feed their dogs.

 

[robertjt]

I'm reading "Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats" by Kymythy Schultze and "Work Wonders Feed Your Dog Raw Meaty Bones" by Tom Lonsdale. Both available on Amazon. I'm feeding Scuba Orijen in the morning and frozen raw patti for dinner. I'll transition to chicken during the week. He loves the patti but, too expensive.

 

[Elund]

We switched Zeus to raw around 2 weeks ago. He has done great until we gave him a turkey drumstick. Since then his bloody diarrhea has returned. I have switched him back to chicken legs and patties. Do you think it was too much bone in the turkey or just the switch? And how long should it last? By the way the lab has had similar upset after the turkey. The 4 pound menace hasn't missed a beat. But he ate less bone.