View Full Version : Raw food diet
Shadowlands
11-06-2010, 08:00 PM
A few months ago, my oldest guy of almost 11 years started to retain excessive amount of water, lose weight, breathing heavy even thought he was not doing anything and was very lathargic etc. The vet first told us that he had cancer, then it was kidney issues and three thousand dollars later still had to answers and the problem still existed. By chance, I found out that Blue Buffalo was doing a voluntary recall and the reason was a Vitamin D level issue. Apparently too much Vitamin D had been added and the symptoms fit exactly with what he had wrong. 3 weeks later, he is on new food, lots of energy and almost off meds completely.
So my question is this: those that feed a raw diet, what meats do you use and what other ingredients do you use?
I am asking as I am seriously thinking of staying away from commercial dog foods.
I use nothing but Poultry for Buddy, when I feed him RAW. I do RAW 2 times a week and kibble and half a can of wet food the other 3. He seems to do well on this....and more specifically when I say Poultry I mean...chicken legs, chicken thighs etc etc.
sorry Shadow...even when I do RAW...i give a little bit of Kibble to...I use Canidae ALS and so far no problems at all.
von Cosack Dobermann
11-22-2010, 12:12 PM
Theres a tried and true diet by the "Great Dane Lady" that you can google to get her info. When I fed raw without kibble I made sure there was muscle and organ meats from a wide variety of animals along with fruits and veggies. The difficult amount to judge at first is bone amounts, that becomes a trail and error situation. I still feed a variety of meats while using PPP Selects, salmon & br. rice. Try to google the GD Lady and she has a worthy diet thats been established for some time. Von
Hey Von thanks for passing that info along...i will google that!..
I read Science Digest on the net. It's full of new research etc. This link is on feeding raw foods:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100917085624.htm
Years ago we fed raw diet only, but changed that with our dobermans. We do supplement meat and fresh veggie but that's in addition to........it's worked for us. Thought you'd like to read this one.
I am also considering the raw diet for my new addition but should start with the older girl I have at home so that she is used to it before he comes home. Does anyone know of any good websites that have recipes and detailed nutritional needs? I am finding the info very overwhelming!
We butcher a cow each spring and use the hamburger. We add fresh vegtables in the summer. We still use kibble though.
Years ago we used tripe (think that's the name of it)with the toy dogs and they loved it. i think that is what it was called. A GS breeder made it up for us.....no problems with it.
Anyone famaliar with NATURES VARIETY INSTINCT,,raw frozen food?
I'm finding a lot of bad and good info online for raw diets.. Whats the deal with grains?? Good, bad or what??
I'm finding a lot of bad and good info online for raw diets.. Whats the deal with grains?? Good, bad or what??
Dogs do not need grains and some are actually allergic to them. There are many brands out there that are now grain free. You generally pay more but you are getting a better product that is free of all those unnecessary fillers.
Shadowlands
02-01-2011, 07:45 PM
In my opinion it depends on what grain. Corn is not digestable by us or our dogs, not easily anyway. Gluten (wheat) it a high allergy ingredient. These days more and more dogs are showing up with allergies to thier food. A large amount are allergic to chicken, gluten and corn. That is why I don't use grains in my dogs' food.
With a raw diet I have some personal issues and they include: How do we know without doing blood work regularly that they are receiving their nutrients that are needed? Also with all the growth hormones and antibiotics etc, do I really want to feed that to my dogs, let alone a growing puppy? Cost is a factor in regards to feeding a raw diet consisting of certified organic meats. Also, I don't want to feed raw meat from a grocery store as I have no idea how long that food has been "sitting" around.
I think a healthy medium to this dilema is to feed a premium kibble but add raw to it. That is what I have been doing and the dogs love it. :)
I hope this helps.
Hey Guys funny the discussion is the RAW Diet...started Buddy on a pre made ready to serve balance raw diet this week...he is doing Great ...check out link below.
http://www.naturesvariety.com/InstinctRaw/dog
Shadowlands
02-01-2011, 08:15 PM
Hey Guys funny the discussion is the RAW Diet...started Buddy on a pre made ready to serve balance raw diet this week...he is doing Great ...check out link below.
http://www.naturesvariety.com/InstinctRaw/dog
Thanks Nupe, will look into this. :)
Ok Shadow I would like to know your opinion after you check out link, please!
arwclubhouse
02-02-2011, 07:01 AM
Hey Guys funny the discussion is the RAW Diet...started Buddy on a pre made ready to serve balance raw diet this week...he is doing Great ...check out link below.
http://www.naturesvariety.com/InstinctRaw/dog
Hey nupe, I didn't read a lot about it but from what I did, it looked good and reminded me of the ingredients in Orijen kibble. The big difference though was the protein, Orijen I believe is around 38-40% protein.
You said Buddy is doing great, he didn't get the skitters from it? :eek: That happens sometimes with new food.
Gino can be a picky eater sometimes so I'm curious to see how Buddy continues to do on this.
Keep us posted on how he does, ok!
Thanks!
Hey ARW,...No Buddy was fine...and he loves it! I will definitely keep you posted.:D
Twiggy
02-02-2011, 07:09 AM
I have never been able to figure out WHY corn is bad in the diet yet corn oil is good. I feed a standard kibble and use the powdered Knorr boullion (in a 2.2LB jar)..Sprinkle over and then add boiling water. On occassion I will add meat, vegetables, and sometimes even make a soup for them. nothing fancy...But with the weather as it has been, even though they live in the house, in front of the fireplace, I still prefer at least one hot meal for them...LOL...
arwclubhouse
02-02-2011, 07:22 AM
I have never been able to figure out WHY corn is bad in the diet yet corn oil is good. I feed a standard kibble and use the powdered Knorr boullion (in a 2.2LB jar)..Sprinkle over and then add boiling water. On occassion I will add meat, vegetables, and sometimes even make a soup for them. nothing fancy...But with the weather as it has been, even though they live in the house, in front of the fireplace, I still prefer at least one hot meal for them...LOL...
I want to come back as "your" dog!!!, LOL!
Twiggy
02-02-2011, 07:37 AM
I want to come back as "your" dog!!!, LOL!don't really know if you want that, since I make soup when I clean out the regrigerator, wilted carrots, celery and the like..My friend brings me her FREEZER burnt meat and that makes wonderful stock. Last week she brough me ham hocks...Oh my, they were in seventh heaven, plus they had the benefit of the bones after! But they consider it special, so who am I too question their judgement...LOL...
arwclubhouse
02-02-2011, 08:14 AM
don't really know if you want that, since I make soup when I clean out the regrigerator, wilted carrots, celery and the like..My friend brings me her FREEZER burnt meat and that makes wonderful stock. Last week she brough me ham hocks...Oh my, they were in seventh heaven, plus they had the benefit of the bones after! But they consider it special, so who am I too question their judgement...LOL...
Hmmmmm....Maybe you're right, let me think on it and I'll get back to ya! :)
Twiggy
02-02-2011, 08:21 AM
Hmmmmm....Maybe you're right, let me think on it and I'll get back to ya! :)I promise I won't package and market the ingredients!!!until I hear back from you! LOL....
Hey nupe, I didn't read a lot about it but from what I did, it looked good and reminded me of the ingredients in Orijen kibble. The big difference though was the protein, Orijen I believe is around 38-40% protein.
You said Buddy is doing great, he didn't get the skitters from it? That happens sometimes with new food.
Gino can be a picky eater sometimes so I'm curious to see how Buddy continues to do on this.
Keep us posted on how he does, ok!
Thanks!...arw posted this earlier in the week.
ARW..LOOK at this article and pay attention to the part where they talk about Protein and Dry Matter protein!! It will be right under the section titled..."'Natures Variety raw instinct, THE BOTTOM LONE"
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/natures-variety-dog-food-raw-frozen/
arwclubhouse
02-03-2011, 01:43 PM
Sorry nupe, I looked under the raw frozen only and not the freeze dried raw.
I stand corrected, thanks! :)
OK Guys, Buddy has been on a combination of the pre made raw complete and balanced diet from Natures Variety and a RMB (Raw Meat and Bone) diet for basically 2 weeks now. HE IS DOING GREAT!! Since the pre made Raw diet is expensive I split up the meal times with the RMB....Coat is glissening, poop is much less and he just looks even better than he did before. www.naturesvariety.com (look under frozen Raw section). The meat I am using when I buy it from supermarket is..chicken wings, chicken breast, Turkey Wings, veal neck bones and a little bit of sardines. Like I said....SO far so Good....Pic below is from last friday.
OK Guys, Buddy has been on a combination of the pre made raw complete and balanced diet from Natures Variety and a RMB (Raw Meat and Bone) diet for basically 2 weeks now. HE IS DOING GREAT!! Since the pre made Raw diet is expensive I split up the meal times with the RMB....Coat is glissening, poop is much less and he just looks even better than he did before. www.naturesvariety.com (look under frozen Raw section). The meat I am using when I buy it from supermarket is..chicken wings, chicken breast, Turkey Wings, veal neck bones and a little bit of sardines. Like I said....SO far so Good....Pic below is from last friday.
I dont know if it is a difference in lighting or not, but his coat does look good!
Yes Raja, the lighting probably is also helping with the look of coat, but trust me, it did not look this good on kibble (and I was doing Grain free).:D
Makes me wonder if I should be doing more. I hate the thought of more work in the kitchen!:)
bUDDY HAS been on strictly RAW for roughly 3 weeks now...he is doing great..pic below taken today....just giving a update!!**
arwclubhouse
02-17-2011, 02:48 PM
He sure is a good looking boy nupe! :)
tHANK YOU...arw...and Happy Birthday to your boy again to!!!
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