Diet for Michelangelo???

Comments

• brandon_w

  July 2008 edited November -1

  If you go with a raw diet that includes bones, they will clean the teeth. Since you have Michelangelo as a pup I would get him used to having his teeth brushed. That way you can help keep his teeth clean with brushing every few days as he gets older.
  
  I used to feed Missing Link and always liked the results. The only reason I stopped is because I get Standard Process supplements for free. I really like the Standard Process products and my Shiba does really well on them. They have a large variety of formulas. I also give Nemo fish oil capsules and I think they do help keep his coat much nicer. He also gets Acidophilus or Standard Process' Enteric support to help with his sensitive stomach issues.
  
  Solid Gold is a good food company. Nemo is currently on their Barking at the Moon which he always does well on. After this bag we are rotating back to Orijen though.
• tsukitsune

  July 2008 edited November -1

  Our raw dogs have much cleaner teeth from the ripping and tearing of the raw meat from the raw bone than they ever did with kibble! With raw, they use their entire upper half to get the food chewed as opposed to the back teeth only crunching of kibble.
  Even with the fish, I gave them the fish than after they finished with a chicken drumstick for the bone portion that day.
  We sometimes buy premade raw (ground meat/bone patties) for the protein variation, like lamb and rabbit that we haven't gotten whole raw, but I try not to so they are getting more out of their meal by ripping, tearing and crunching on meat, marrow, organs and bone.
  
  We also supplement, we give Solid Gold Seameal, fish oil, vitamin C and E and yogurt for a probiotic along with their raw.
• WetWork92009

  July 2008 edited November -1

  Oh yeah I totally forgot I also add organic yogurt to his WolfCub. Thanks for the info Brandon and Tsukitsune.
  
  How did you guys cure your pups of the desire to but everything??? My two previous akitas did not bite everything. I have bought several chew toys but he likes going after my Kenneth Cole's and computer cords and my cycling shorts. :(
  
  ~A
• kwyld

  July 2008 edited November -1

  I give my pups fish oil caps from DVM pharmacuticals(sp?) because I get it cheap from my work. I also give olive oil sometimes. I also rotate them on supplements from The Wholistic Pet, they are organic products. I am giving bee pollen right now, was giving them kelp before, and will probably give alfalfa next. If you're looking for a completely balanced raw diet, Nature's Variety makes an organic chicken formula in 1 oz and 8 oz patties. My dogs drool rivers for this food.
• brandon_w

  July 2008 edited November -1

  I kept Nemo from destroying things by keeping him in his crate when I wasn't home, and keeping him in the same room with me at all times when I was home. He did still destroy some things though.
• WetWork92009

  July 2008 edited November -1

  I have been working on it. I totally forgot the funny things puppies do. I have a fireplace (yeah go figure in SoCal) and Michelangelo can see his reflection in the glass and he starts jockeying for position tryin gto stalk his own reflection and I am crying on the couch.
  
  Where do you all get the raw meat on bone??? Butcher? After reading so much about Monsanto and their rBST I would be inclined to go this route if I could be gauranteed it was truely organic grain fed source.
  
  ~Andy
• tsukitsune

  July 2008 edited November -1

  Andy,
  I get meat from many sources, always on the lookout for hormone free, cage free (for eggs), grain fed source.
  -my poultry comes from grocery stores in the form of drumsticks, thighs, wings or whole fryer chickens or cornish hens or turkey. I also get chicken liver, gizzards and hearts from the grocery store. I also feed whole raw eggs.
  -pork, when we do feed it, will probably be grocery store pork.
  -fish sources, I don't use many, I get from a local fish supplier or when on sale at grocery stores. I also use canned sardines and mackerel when canned w/o salt in water.
  -red meat I get from the butcher directly, he gives me 'sled dog scraps' which are any parts of beef meat, red meat fat, and beef or lamb organs. I will also buy Nature's Variety prepared RAW lamb or rabbit chubs at the petstore.
  -I also found oxtails and pigs feet at a Mexican grocery store recently. It was awesome.
  -other sources, like whole rabbits or tripe/spleen/kidney I get from hare-today.com or when my grandfather shoots a deer
  
  I also hit meat sales like a mad meat woman. I just bought a deep freeze.
  
  Along with the diet research, I did a lot of searching for good, human grade sources for RAW. it's not a simple task, but once you collect phone numbers of butchers, wholesale and retail meat sellers, etc., its really not that bad at all! Especially when you know what you are looking for.
  There are also co-ops, you can probably find some in your area here:
  http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html#co-ops
• WetWork92009

  July 2008 edited November -1

  tsukitsune, I owe you huge. Thanks, time to test my google skills.
  
  ~Andy
• tsukitsune

  July 2008 edited July 2008

  hey, no problem! I'm so happy to be able to share!
  
  I put a lot of my research here: http://shibainusanctuary.tk/
  I did a ton of research before starting the diet to make sure it would be a completely balanced RAW diet for them. We no longer have any kibble whatsoever! Its all raw!
• WetWork92009

  July 2008 edited November -1

  Well please know it is much obliged.
  
  ~A
• tsukitsune

  July 2008 edited November -1

  I don't know where you are located, Andy, but maybe this website can help you locate sources too: http://www.localharvest.org/
• WetWork92009

  July 2008 edited November -1

  I am in Carlsbad CA which is considered N. County San Diego. I will check out that link. Thanks for the heads up.
  
  ~A