Raw Food Options

[Angelique]

This is a new thread to discuss raw food options. I hope this is the right space to start the conversation Neil.

I confess that I am a raw feeder (mostly chicken, some local lamb and goat when I can get it, my GSD absolutely can't tolerate beef) BUT, I don't use raw for pushing. The bone is too important a part of their food and doling out flesh without the bone has caused nutritional problems in the past.

I actually use kibble right now and their teeth are suffering mightily for it. Sigh. I've had issues with grain free dog food in the past as well, so the kibble is only wheat and corn free, with a reasonable protein level (24%).

I have toyed with the idea of grinding up the chicken parts, including bone, but I'm just not there yet. If anyone else has tried this I could be persuaded...

[Chris]

Hi Angelique

Bone is a very important part of the diet, my guys get one morning and night and with Ty I push for each. Sure I only get one push but that's OK.

When Ty was a pup the breeder had not raise him on raw so for the first few weeks I ground chicken necks up but by 9 weeks he was eating them whole and there is also some much mental goodness for a dog to chew a bone so I've never done it again.

[mark]

raw foodie here too...

but also using kibble here, but looking for alternatives still.

we used to make dried liver for treats at one point, they were quite good, and easy to 'make' and clean, but lizzy got a bit bored of them after a while.

(i worked on principle that the treats were the offal requirement of barf)

[Hane]

I also use to use kibble but found that if i put chicken hearts in the microwave on low for 30 min it gives me a more natural treat and it works wonders.

I put the raw chicken hearts in a strainer and but that on top of a bowl to collect the heart juices. Microwave on low for plus minus 30 min and leave to cool in the microwave in the strainer. When cooled bag and put in fridge.

[jojo]

Originally Posted by Angelique

I have toyed with the idea of grinding up the chicken parts, including bone, but I'm just not there yet. If anyone else has tried this I could be persuaded...

I haven't tried it since I think having whole bones is important to the meal but there are pre-ground mixes that include bone you could buy and turn into treats. One is made by Bravo, but there are other brands. They're pricey, but if your just using it as a treat it might work for you. The place we do agility sells such foods, as well as natural locally made treats we use (dehydrated organs of all sorts), but they can be ordered from online sources as well, one example is http://hare-today.com/, they also have dehydrated meats that include bone. You can also get dehydrated tripe, I saw it in the store but I haven't tried it, since tripe is not something I want in my hand for very long. But maybe it fits into your dog's diet plan.

I know I use a lot of ground egg shells to increase the calcium content of my dog's diet. It could easily be blended with ground meat and be used raw or cooked, might help with the nutritional problems you've had before. Even with bone in his meals I find the Ca:Ph ratio keeps heading in favor of phosphorus so I need to use a calcium supplement. I use a spread sheet and nutritiondata.com to make sure no mineral balances get out of whack.

[Margot]

I use cheese, Irish cheddar to be specific.

Dairy comes with the right cal : ph ratio so it will not tip those scales in either direction, and a little bit of cheese cut into tiny pieces can go a long way.

Because it is fermented for a long time, hard cheese often will not give the intestinal issues that processed dairy can.

Additionally it is not the usual fare, raw fed dogs are a bit spoiled in a sense. A kibble fed dog would do much for a bit of heart, whereas a raw fed dog might think, maybe later thanks. With Butters in any case, it is hard to get the required enthusiasm for any other treats. Raw fed dogs are nutritionally satisfied so food is not the greatest motivator for all of them.

[Angelique]

Thanks Margot and Jojo for the great suggestions.

[jojo]

Can your dog really tell the difference between Irish and English Chedder

I suspect my dog likes blue cheese the best, the stinkier the better. Or some camembert that didn't get eaten quickly enough (doesn't happen often), and got extra ripe.

[Margot]

It seems he can.

You have no idea what it took to identify Irish cheddar as his treat of choice. Odd thing is that it is the only treat he will accept from me. He will eat anything from the fridge at my neighbours house. He is not even slightly fussy