Raw feeders
I was just curious who here feed raw and what type of raw people feed etc.
1)What type of raw diet do you feed?
2)Any other raw feeders add things like supplements, veggies or herbs to your dogs meal? if so why do you add them what benefit are they to your dog?
3)Feeding raw what improvements have you noticed with your dog?
4)How many times do you feed your dog meals? Once, twice?
5)Do you gorge/fast your dog at times?
6)Do you feed them at the same time or keep their meals varied?
7)Do you feed organs if so what kind?
8)Do you feed whole prey any?
**I don't mean live prey i mean pre killed kind like the kind you get from hare today or other places..**
9)Does your dog self regulate or will he/she eat till he/she explodes?
10)Does your raw fed dog seem to want to eat more or less during certain times in the year?
11) what mistakes have you made feeding raw?
12) when you first started did your dog take to it right away or did it take time getting used to?
13)Is there a certain protein or organ your dog not fond of?
14)What's your dog's favorite meal to have?
Added questions
15)What type of dog treats do you use for training?
16)How old is your dog? and how old when she/he started raw?
I was just curious with raw feeders so I thought I'd post this. Don't have to answer all of the questions if you don't want to.
1)What type of raw diet do you feed?
2)Any other raw feeders add things like supplements, veggies or herbs to your dogs meal? if so why do you add them what benefit are they to your dog?
3)Feeding raw what improvements have you noticed with your dog?
4)How many times do you feed your dog meals? Once, twice?
5)Do you gorge/fast your dog at times?
6)Do you feed them at the same time or keep their meals varied?
7)Do you feed organs if so what kind?
8)Do you feed whole prey any?
**I don't mean live prey i mean pre killed kind like the kind you get from hare today or other places..**
9)Does your dog self regulate or will he/she eat till he/she explodes?
10)Does your raw fed dog seem to want to eat more or less during certain times in the year?
11) what mistakes have you made feeding raw?
12) when you first started did your dog take to it right away or did it take time getting used to?
13)Is there a certain protein or organ your dog not fond of?
14)What's your dog's favorite meal to have?
Added questions
15)What type of dog treats do you use for training?
16)How old is your dog? and how old when she/he started raw?
I was just curious with raw feeders so I thought I'd post this. Don't have to answer all of the questions if you don't want to.
Comments
2. Yes and no. I add a liquid Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM supplement to help battle future arthritis, a probiotic (mainly when switching proteins), salmon oil and occasionally Vitamin E. Fruits and veggies don't make up any part of the diet, they are purely snacks. Almost all grains aren't allowed due to intolerances. (not fun to clean up.)
3. Conker is no longer neurotically hyper but has a more balanced type of energy, he smells AMAZING (like nothing or semi-sweet at times), his fur isn't greasy, his teeth are great, he no longer sheds in patches, doesn't itch obsessively, doesn't chew his legs, I haven't had to clean his ears once, smaller predictable poops...
4. Depends on what I'm going to be doing later. If I'm going to be home all day, it's usually one big meal around lunch time or whenever I get up. If I'm going to go somewhere and take Conker with me, I'll give him one meal a couple hours before we leave and the rest when we get back. If I'm gonna be gone and leave him home, I feed him shortly before I go so he won't bug nobody.
5. No, not yet. Conker' isn't quite old enough, but he has been fasted when he's gotten into things he shouldn't have (box of biscuits) and was having nasty back-end ordeals.
6. Varied. I don't do the same time every day deal. Conker will get bile vomits if it's on a schedule and they will progressively get earlier. His "normal" feeding time is anywhere from 10AM to 3PM but can vary from 8AM to 8PM depending on what's going on that day.
7. Yes. Beef mainly, liver and kidney. Sometimes chicken or turkey liver. Maybe some pork liver or kidney sometime soon.
8. Not yet, but as soon as I get my hunting license I will. Or if I can find some whole fish.
9. Dunno yet. From what I've seen with meat, Conker will stop after a bit, not 100% sure though. Dog biscuits on the other hand... that wasn't a fun day.
10. I've only been feeding since Christmas of last year so I wouldn't know.
11. Gave pork a bit too early, didn't add a probiotic right off the bat. (As soon as I gave a probiotic everything went great. Before though...)
12. Conker took to it right away. When he was on kibble he would always try to snatch my food, especially if it was meat, and he was often given small scraps of raw meat I was preparing for the humans. The first day he got a completely raw meal he looked like he was in heaven.
13. None that he will flat out refuse to eat. He doesn't particularly like whole gizzards but if they're chopped up they're fine. He boycotted liver for one day but after having it shoved down his throat like a pill he stopped doing that.
14. Beef covered with salmon oil.
Edit: Added questions answers.
15. Zuke's Mini and Jerkey Naturals. (NO chicken flavor, bad things happen with cooked chicken)
16. Conker is almost 11 months, I started him when he was about 6 months old.
This was fun! I'm glad you asked, and it'll be neat to see other people's responses.
- I feed prey model
2)Any other raw feeders add things like supplements, veggies or herbs to your dogs meal? if so why do you add them what benefit are they to your dog?
- I will sometimes supplement with a probiotic, if I supplement any type of fish/salmon oil, I will give a dosage of Vitamin E.
3)Feeding raw what improvements have you noticed with your dog?
- Mika's teeth is still very very clean, her coat is amazing and always soft. She used to have teary eyes all the time, I would have to wipe them every 30 mins, now it doesn't happen anymore.
4)How many times do you feed your dog meals? Once, twice?
- 2x a day for Mika, 3x a day for Kyuubi
5)Do you gorge/fast your dog at times?
- Nope
6)Do you feed them at the same time or keep their meals varied?
- I try to keep it at the same time, but it's been hectic with moving, so it has been around the same time but not exactly.
7)Do you feed organs if so what kind?
- liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lung-trachea, I know some listed are muscle meat, but figured would list here anyway
8)Do you feed whole prey any?
**I don't mean live prey i mean pre killed kind like the kind you get from hare today or other places..**
- I haven't fed whole prey yet, but my raw provider does offer whole prey.
second thought if sardines count as whole prey then I have lol
9)Does your dog self regulate or will he/she eat till he/she explodes?
- I'm sure both will eat til they explode lol
10)Does your raw fed dog seem to want to eat more or less during certain times in the year?
-haven't really noticed much with Mika~ She's been eating the same, although I did cut back to 2% of her adult weight instead of 3.5% when she was a puppy.
11) what mistakes have you made feeding raw?
- rushing too fast with switching proteins =P
12) when you first started did your dog take to it right away or did it take time getting used to?
- Mika took right away to it because she was on premade before hand. Kyuubi eats anything, he gulps everything in his food bowl
13)Is there a certain protein or organ your dog not fond of?
- sometimes Mika will get tired of chicken, but now that I have a freezer chest we have more variety for her and she loves chicken again :P
14)What's your dog's favorite meal to have?
-They both love RMBs! But really I think they both will eat anything that is in their bowl
Added questions
15)What type of dog treats do you use for training?
- Natural balance rolls, Stella & Chewys, sometimes freezer dried liver
16)How old is your dog? and how old when she/he started raw?
- Mika 13 months, started a premade raw diet when she was about 3-4 months, she started prey model at 8 months. Kyuubi has been on raw for a few weeks now~
I started feeding prey model diet, but now I follow the basic guide of 80% meat/ 10% bone/ 5% liver/ 5% other organ I don't exactly measure the bone. I try my best only think I be sure is weighed and portioned is her liver and other organs with her meat I got it measured in 3oz 5oz to 6oz.
I try to feed as much of whole prey as I can so I guess I'm working on my own way to feed raw.
2)Any other raw feeders add things like supplements, veggies or herbs to your dogs meal? if so why do you add them what benefit are they to your dog?
I add solid gold seameal to Saya's egg and ground meats also I started to add parsley to Saya's ground meat too and she seems to enjoy it. I've read the herb parsley is good for dogs. I'm still researching stuff like that. she only gets ground meat once or twice a week some times more.
I used to add salmon oil to her food, but she gets mostly grass fed red meat and whole fish.
I give chicken feet and beef gullet as natural source of glucosamine and condrotine.
Saya loves cooked carrots, spinach, broccoli and fruit like pear, peach, mango, blue berries, raspberries, banana, strawberries mostly likes her fruit smashed up if given whole she spits them out what a princess.
She just gets them as a treat.
3)Feeding raw what improvements have you noticed with your dog?
Saya's breath doesn't smell like it used to, she no longer reverse sneezes which she used to every night and when eating kibble, but now she only does it once in a blue moon when sleeping, but it seems to be less and less now.
4)How many times do you feed your dog meals? Once, twice?
Saya gets fed once a day, but sometimes I feed her two times.
5)Do you gorge/fast your dog at times?
I sometimes give Saya something to work on and if it's a big meal like whole saury fish, or whole quail or pork shoulder roast etc. I'll fast her the next day or just feed her a smaller meal.
I don't think she's ready for a gorge/fast plus I want to make it a satisfying meal that will take lots of work to eat it.
Whole quail seems to be the best thing for a gorge for now.
6)Do you feed them at the same time or keep their meals varied?
I keep Saya's meals varied sometimes she eats in the morning, sometimes at lunch, sometimes at the evening, or sometimes before bed.
seems to work for Saya I try to keep it at different times and she never really seems to get as excited over food like Bella does.
7)Do you feed organs if so what kind?
Saya is spoiled when it comes to her organs since all of them are from local farmers who have grass fed or free ranged meats.
Saya gets beef, chicken, pork, lamb liver, and for other organs she gets beef and lamb kidney, beef pancreas, beef sweetbreads(thymus).
She also gets beef, lamb, pork heart, pork, beef, lamb tongue, and beef lung and green beef tripe.
8)Do you feed whole prey any?
**I don't mean live prey i mean pre killed kind like the kind you get from hare today or other places..**
Saya gets whole quail once a month that I got from hare today she also gets whole saury a type of fish she gets it two times a month.
I plan to get more whole quail and get whole Atlantic herring, Whole sardines, Colossal Rabbit, and jumbo rabbit from hare today for my next order plus more beef tripe.
9)Does your dog self regulate or will he/she eat till he/she explodes?
Saya self regulates pretty well sometimes she eats more and sometimes she eats less.
10)Does your raw fed dog seem to want to eat more or less during certain times in the year?
I find fall and winter Saya likes to eat a bit more than usual my guess is she has more energy during cooler times or she wants to gain weight for winter. I dunno. During fall and winter I usually just let her eat a bit extra and the next day she either fasts or gets a small meal.
11) what mistakes have you made feeding raw?
I feed Saya a meal of kibble instead of her usual raw next day loose poop besides that not much.
12) when you first started did your dog take to it right away or did it take time getting used to?
It took saya a bit to get used to the texture of the chicken thighs, drumsticks, and breasts so much different then just plain ol kibble.
She'd at first strip the meat off the drumstick and thigh the gnawed on the bone and then she finally after a week crunched the thighs and drumstick bones with the meat still on.
Most part I had to hold the bone in items for her to eat it up now she eats it without me helping her.
13)Is there a certain protein or organ your dog not fond of?
Saya did not like kidney at first, but after freezing small pieces of kidney she was fine with the pieces and I slowly increased the sized of the frozen piece and now she eats her kidney with no problem.
She also didn't like heart or tongue at first I guess couldn't blame her heart and tongue has a bit odd texture. I did same with kidney and I did some tough love too and now she loves tongue and heart. She only gets meals of both once or three times a month.
14)What's your dog's favorite meal to have?
Saya loves pork, lamb, and quail she also love raw beef tripe.
Added questions
15)What type of dog treats do you use for training?
I use wellness dog treats, dog jerky, string cheese, zukes salmon treats, kibble, caned fish, hot dogs, cooked meat, dehydrated meats like beef or liver. I'm thinking of trying natural balance rolls for training too.
16)How old is your dog? and how old when she/he started raw?
Saya is now two years old she started raw at 8months old.
I love what raw has done for Saya. Raw seems to keep her more hydrated too she drinks less compared to Bella who eats kibble. Saya only drinks after playing, exercising and at the dog park.
2) I guess Acana Ranchlands is considered the supplement. I sort of use the kibble as the "fall back" nutrients and experiement with raw.
3) Teeth was a big one, tartar doesn't build up at all and their breath is always great. Their coat is clean smelling, full and shiny. I think their energy is appropriate on raw - not over the top or lagging.
4) The Acana is always out, I think they munch overnight. I feed them raw once a day, at lunch.
5) When we did prey model I fasted them on Sundays, not so much lately. I did let a foster gorge, it was the first time I'd ever done that. The results weren't anything extreme on way or another, but it did help her behavior in that she used to be frantic about eating but calmed down feeling full.
6) During the week always raw at lunch, on weekends its varied. They get canned & cooked on weekends.
7) I cook the organs now
8) I tried whole quail, frozen, and that was a disastrous mess! The rabbit was messy too... fur e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e!
9) When I fed only raw at two specifics times a day, my male shiba would not stop eating, ever, but my female shiba would stop when full.
10) Less in the summer, when its the most humid. I think they are less active and therefore seem to know to eat less.
11) I made a lot of mistakes. I think thats why I'm a hard ass when people ask me about raw. I always advise to know your dog, read all you can to supplement your choices, but listen to your dog (and therefore, your gut) more than anything else. Not every dog will respond to raw the same way nutritionally, behaviorally or physically... so its a bit harder when feeding multiple dogs with varied tolerance to raw stuff.
Looking back I wish I read more conflicting books before starting, books from different trains of thought like BARF advocates, prey model advocates, cooking advocates. I wish I had a more well rounded sense of what is fed and why. Only through studying nutrition at a human level did I understand what feeding really is - and why it matters to do it individually and not by doctrine, if that makes sense.
I made the mistake of thinking that it was all or nothing at first... I was afraid to feed many types of things on the same day - so it was all prey model raw all the time until we adopted Buckley (the beagle mix who can't handle any raw). Now I just gauge what each dog can handle and go with that. Like Tsuki can eat a raw drumstick, cooked liver, sweet potato and canned tripe together whereas Kitsu would get a bit icky from the raw + cooked at the same time, and Buckley can't do raw at all. Fun stuff
12) All the dogs I've fed raw to took to it right away, within 20 mins or so of sniffing and considering what this chicken thing was, then when they bite in its almost instant! They *get* it!
13) Pork, pork always causes problems. However... we were fortunate enough to get some scraps from a wild boar that someone shot for meat, and my shibas did fine on that. I was pleasantly surprised!
I hate feeding kidney, but thats just my preference. My dogs love it.
14) Without question - raw green ground tripe.
15) I use freeze dried beef lung as treats and give lots of bully sticks.
16) Tsuki is 4, Kitsu is 5 and they've been eating raw for 2 and a half years. I did research a year before they even tasted their first raw, though.
Basic 80/10/10, modifying it a bit to suit the needs of every dog. Kito, the youngest gets more bone, for example.
2)Any other raw feeders add things like supplements, veggies or herbs to your dogs meal? if so why do you add them what benefit are they to your dog?
Vitamin C daily for the kids and the pregnant female, something for their joints based on green lipped mussel extract - for healthy strong joints and to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia. Vitamin C also boosts their immune system.
I also give them chicken feet and beef gullet regularly for their joints.
3)Feeding raw what improvements have you noticed with your dog?
The level of energy is much increased, the stools are great, coat and teeth look much better. Tenshi received kibble and cooked food when he was a pup, i switched to raw when he was about 3 years old and the change was instantaneous, was behaving like a pup again.
4)How many times do you feed your dog meals? Once, twice?
Twice for all, regardless of age. Puppies up to 6 months get 3 meals a day.
5)Do you gorge/fast your dog at times?
Just the adults, but not regularly.
6)Do you feed them at the same time or keep their meals varied?
Same time.
7)Do you feed organs if so what kind?
Yes, all. Less liver though, they can cause loose stools. Basically beef organs.
8)Do you feed whole prey any?
**I don't mean live prey i mean pre killed kind like the kind you get from hare today or other places..**
Fish - mackerel. I'm toying with the idea of rabbit but I heard it could have many parasites, so still investigating.
9)Does your dog self regulate or will he/she eat till he/she explodes?
Hmmm, depends on the dog. Tsuki will steal and eat chicken' grains, so she's a definitely no lol
10)Does your raw fed dog seem to want to eat more or less during certain times in the year?
Less during summer, more during winter.
11) what mistakes have you made feeding raw?
All possible ones lol. Establishing the level of bone and organs was the most difficult part. Few breeders feed raw here and there is no pre-made raw, so I had to go to the butcher's and just pick out their meals lol. We learnt together.
12) when you first started did your dog take to it right away or did it take time getting used to?
Straight away. Kito and Tsuki were weaned on raw, so that is natural to them, Tenshi and Hinu received raw every now and then, so it wasn't a problem.
13)Is there a certain protein or organ your dog not fond of?
Hinu has issues with chicken. She itches.
14)What's your dog's favorite meal to have?
MEAT lool.
Added questions
15)What type of dog treats do you use for training?
I make my own liver cake and sometimes i use dehydrated meat.
16)How old is your dog? and how old when she/he started raw?
Tenshi is 4, started when he was almost 3. Hinu is almost 3, started when she was around 2, Tsuki and Kito are a bit older than 8 months, 6 months respectively (weaned on raw).
I was just curious with raw feeders so I thought I'd post this. Don't have to answer all of the questions if you don't want to.
1)What type of raw diet do you feed?
*We feed raw green tripe and another product from the same company (www.greentripe.com) "Xcalibur" which has bone, organ meat and other "parts" mixed in. In a pinch will we feed one of the commercial raw diets...Nature's Variety or similar...
2)Any other raw feeders add things like supplements, veggies or herbs to your dogs meal? if so why do you add them what benefit are they to your dog? We add some supplements - primarily a quality antioxidant/joint supplement/performance. We are looking to add a good kelp/mineral supplement, too.
3)Feeding raw what improvements have you noticed with your dog? TEETH. i have rarely ever had my dogs at the Vet for teeth cleaning. i have fostered several rescues with horrid teeth and after a month or so on the green tripe - you can see great improvement! Their coats are healthy and shiny. No skin issues/allergies.
4)How many times do you feed your dog meals? Once, twice? *AM/PM
5)Do you gorge/fast your dog at times?
*Occasionally, skip AM on the weekends
6)Do you feed them at the same time or keep their meals varied?
*generally the same time daily
7)Do you feed organs if so what kind?
*We use the Xcalibur product from Green Tripe for organ meat: XKALIBER: Green Tripe, Muscle Meat, Heart, Tongue, Trachea/Gullet and Ground Bone
8)Do you feed whole prey any?
**I don't mean live prey i mean pre killed kind like the kind you get from hare today or other places..**
*No - no prey feeding
9)Does your dog self regulate or will he/she eat till he/she explodes?
*Not sure - but i'm guessing they would over-eat!
10)Does your raw fed dog seem to want to eat more or less during certain times in the year?
*Not sure - they ALWAYS act starved at mealtime!
11) what mistakes have you made feeding raw?
*i haven't had anything bad happen to any of my dogs ...so far...
12) when you first started did your dog take to it right away or did it take time getting used to?
*The only dog i had who didn't like anything raw was my Rottie...she preferred kibble and she lived till 13yo -
so i guess she did OK
*Actually - one littermate to my girl comes to stay quite often - she has been on kibble all her life and her
teeth are horrid (i've told her owners to PLEASE get her teeth cleaned!), her coat is dull, dry and *always*
shedding. i've tried to feed her green tripe when she comes to stay - but she won't touch it ;^(
i've always pleaded with the family to at least feed her a quality kibble...what can you do? She's not my dog...
13)Is there a certain protein or organ your dog not fond of?
*so far...no
14)What's your dog's favorite meal to have?
*They are not picky [2 Shibas / Border Collie / mini Aussie {North American Shepard!}]
Added questions
15)What type of dog treats do you use for training?
*pretty much any of the healthier training treats...for special "jackpots" (Agility Trials) i'll make Turkey
16)How old is your dog? and how old when she/he started raw?
* Our current dogs have all been on Raw from puppyhood: (i've been feeding Raw for 20+years)
Taboo {13YO Shiba}, Twix {Taboo's daughter, 8YO Shiba}, Lucky {4YO mini Aussie}, Speedy {2YO BC}
I feed half raw, half wellness core.
2)Any other raw feeders add things like supplements, veggies or herbs to your dogs meal? if so why do you add them what benefit are they to your dog?
Occasionally the pup will get a squirt of salmon oil and occasionally some pureed roasted cheese pumpkin that I roast and then freeze during the pumpkin season. She might also get roasted sweet potatoes, and rice if she isn't feeling well.
3)Feeding raw what improvements have you noticed with your dog?
Her teeth are cleaner with raw (with bones), her stool is smaller and more firm.
4)How many times do you feed your dog meals? Once, twice?
Admittedly she gets free-fed kibble and usually gets raw at night.
5)Do you gorge/fast your dog at times?
No
6)Do you feed them at the same time or keep their meals varied?
Varied. My schedule is a bit unstable. She likes to eat when I eat for her kibble, and as for her raw, I usually try to feed her after I eat. If both pups are with me I try to feed mostly raw, at lunch and dinner, and let them graze on kibble when they feel like it, though neither of them tend to eat much during those occasions.
7)Do you feed organs if so what kind?
Gizzards, hearts, liver, mostly from poultry due to size the fact that I share freezer space with 3 other people and don't have room for a deep freeze.
8)Do you feed whole prey any?
**I don't mean live prey i mean pre killed kind like the kind you get from hare today or other places..**
No.
9)Does your dog self regulate or will he/she eat till he/she explodes?
Very much self regulates. I hand feed raw and only weigh out organs. With muscle meat I let her eat until she is full, since she is very much on the slender side (15.5 inches at the withers, and only 17.5 lbs after I've put weight on her, for a long time I had trouble putting weight on her and she was probably only about 16.5 lbs and bony). When she is done she will avert her head and walk away from me.
10)Does your raw fed dog seem to want to eat more or less during certain times in the year?
I haven't seen much of a difference.
11) what mistakes have you made feeding raw?
I've been pretty careful, ask for guidance from my breeder, and have been lucky that there have been no issues. That said, I'm also really careful about where I get her raw from and she tends to get pasture raised, humanely raised meat that I purchase directly from the farmers. Sadly, on my budget that means she eats better than I do since meat is more of an expensive treat for me nowadays.
12) when you first started did your dog take to it right away or did it take time getting used to?
Took to it right away, but she came from a breeder that feeds raw.
13)Is there a certain protein or organ your dog not fond of?
I haven't found one but with raw I tend to feed pasture raised chicken primarily, supplemented with some turkey and beef.
14)What's your dog's favorite meal to have?
If she could get it, probably grilled salmon with a side of $25/lb cheese. She prefers both fish and cheese to straight meat. I've not been brave enough to feed raw fish, so she only gets cooked.
Added questions
15)What type of dog treats do you use for training?
This list will be huge.
castor and pollux chicken cookies, baked peanut butter granola things, freeze dried beef liver, freeze dried duck liver, freeze dried goose liver, buffalo liver, beef liver chips (pureed, then baked in sheets), chicken jerky, zuke's salmon treats, solid gold lamb jerky treats, ostrich jerky, venison lung, dehydrated sweet potato, smoked ostrich tendon, whole dried sardines, and whole dried anchovies (no salt added for either of the dried fish).
Also, apples, frozen peas, cheese (whatever I'm eating, which unfortunately for me tends to be expensive - though the pup does get to eat cow, sheep, and goat's milk based cheeses).
As for non-training treats, I will occasionally let her eat frozen edamame, cherries, blueberries, salmon roe, flying fish roe, and I will sometimes let her lick the remainders of greek yogurt off my spoon.
16)How old is your dog? and how old when she/he started raw?
She came from a breeder that feeds raw, so basically as soon as they started weaning the pups.
I was just curious with raw feeders so I thought I'd post this. Don't have to answer all of the questions if you don't want to.
"i've tried to feed her green tripe when she comes to stay - but she won't touch it ;^( "
So sorry you have to go through that. =\ I agree if your going to feed kibble at least try good kind there's some that are decent quality for low price too..
Odd she doesn't like it Saya loves green tripe I give her I plan to order green tripe strips next time I order yummy stuff.
Today Saya ate rest of her meat off of her lamb neck gnawed a bit on the bone and ate tiny bit of beef tongue she also got 1oz of beef tripe too.
She is so full and happy now.
I love how nice her teeth are and how nice her coat is too.
Bella my parent's boxer eats wellness core ocean, but she gets raw treats twice and sometimes three times a week. She gets chicken quarters, turkey necks, boneless meat, little bit of liver or kidney and tripe. She loves the stuff and so far her teeth looks nice.