Feeding raw

[Sam I Am]

Question for people that feed raw.

So I have switched Rosie to raw bison patties that have ground bone, liver, heart and kidneys. I also add puréed veggies (that I make) plus add salmon oil.  I am also still giving her a vit /mineral supplement that has kelp etc in it. My question is what supplements do you raw feeders add (or not) .? Rosie loves them and has no issues with the change over from cooked.

[kjwarnold]

What brand of raw bison patties do you use?

[Sam I Am]

Carnivora. 

[kieiras mom]

I am considering a raw food for Keira. She is nearly 7 yrs. Any thoughts on this subject are very welcome. Thanks, I trust and admire all you folks with so much information on the subject.This will be my first   venture into this realm

[Dempsy's Mom]

Sounds great - she's going to keep her girlish figure.  She is so loved.

[sanford]

On November 13, 2016 at 8:31 PM, Terrier lover said:

My question is what supplements do you raw feeders add (or not) .? 

I feed Instinct raw frozen, or Primal raw frozen. Instinct claims that in addition to the ground up flesh, the ground organs and bones supply complete balanced nutrition. (I haven't checked the online site or the ingredients list for Primal).

Because Ruffy has some underlying health issues, I add supplements, etc. to his  frozen raw diet. Your vet might be a source of info in this matter, although some on these pages claim that vets are not well-schooled in the field of nutrition. I would hope that this has changed for the better in recent years. In my case, I have faith in my vets knowledge... and his awareness of Ruffy's health history, so I go with his suggestions.

Keep investigating, Terrier lover! It's the responsible thing to do!?

Edited January 18, 2017 by sanford

[kieiras mom]

Thanks for the information. I am excited. we are getting a new pet store soon that will carry Natures , Merrick and another raw food. Have cooked for her and really enjoyed that.

[Sam I Am]

Rosie is doing great on her raw diet!  Carnivora (Canadian made) sounds very similar to Sanfords diet of Primal. Ground bones, flesh and organs.  The brand I use comes in two different diets, one is just the straight meat, organs and ground bones (which I feed) another comes with veggies and fruit. I choose  to puree the veggies and fruits as I can change it up whenever. I just make a batch then freeze it into portions that last about 4 days. There is a lot of research out there for Scotties in particular that giving them green leafy veggies like kale, romaine etc helps in their general health. With her meal I do add a mineral/vitamin supplement (i purchase it at our vets)  plus a squirt of fish oil.   Here are some interesting articles about feeding leafy greens that pertain to Scotties, however given that Westies are also considered higher risk, and Cairns are so closely related, I feel it can do nothing but good to eat your veggies! See.,,,,, Mum was right.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16013542 

And this article. A bit long but interesting. http://www.stca.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=585:bladder-cancer-study-final-report-what-every-scottie-owner-needs-to-know&catid=330:bladder-cancer&Itemid=100

[sanford]

The articles from Terrier lover were very interesting re diet and nutrition.

Something else to possibly worry about: Forgive me if this is off-topic, but the link between harmful pesticides, insecticides and cancer that were mentioned is very concerning... for our pets, as well as ourselves. A close relative lives nearby in a swanky suburb where an army of gardeners, nursery people, etc. descends throughout the week, chemically treating and spraying every well-manicured property in sight. Sadly, In the past dozen years, she's lost 5 dogs to cancer in their late middle age, (goldens, schnauzers and a chow). I would visit often and knew all these wonderful dogs very well and still miss them terribly. A horrible statistic to be sure, but a cluster that's hard to ignore. Processed dog foods may not be the only culprit.

[kieiras mom]

Thank you for the article. Was a good read.  Evey one here is so helpful, am hoping for a good result with the change in Keira's diet.

[Hillscreek]

Sadly Sanford whether it be local gardens or large agricultural business I personally think all our food and drink is contaminated. Almost all seeds for crops planted are touted as Roundup ready. Glyphosate is acknowledged to be a carcinogen. http://www.glyphosate.news/2016-08-30-investigation-into-top-secret-studies-reveal-glyphosates-link-to-cancerhttp://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/04/150422-glyphosate-roundup-herbicide-weeds/

 

 

 

[hheldorfer]

1 hour ago, sanford said:

A close relative lives nearby in a swanky suburb where an army of gardeners, nursery people, etc. descends throughout the week, chemically treating and spraying every well-manicured property in sight. Sadly, In the past dozen years, she's lost 5 dogs to cancer in their late middle age, (goldens, schnauzers and a chow).

Interesting that you mention this, Sanford.  A friend of mine who lives in a swanky Atlanta suburb came to visit last summer.  He was astounded at the number of birds, squirrels, rabbits and other critters he saw while sitting in our very small back yard for only an hour or two.  He said he rarely sees much wildlife at all in his area and cited the overuse of pesticides and other lawn chemicals as the culprit.  

It's a pity that people consider a perfect green lawn preferable to a yard with some life in it. 

[Min D]

I buy the raw frozen food but I 1/2 cook the food as I can't deal with it totally raw.....seems to work well- I supplement with Acana dry food more as small treats, which probably amounts to 1/3 of a cup per day. 

Because I am currently in Florida instead of Nova Scotia Tewcsby has been eating primal here and seems to really like it.

 

[CharlaysServant]

We feed Charlay raw chicken and some of the cheaper cuts of beef and pork which we alternate.  We mix in a little organ meat in there as well.  Nothing is ground up.  He'll eat a whole drumstick or thigh, bones and all, with gusto (remember raw chicken bones are softer and pliable).  The other meats we cut in to large chunks and it seems like he inhales those!  Hahahah.  Recently our vet suggested to add some veggies to his diet, so we will probably slowly introduce some to him.

One thing my daughter noticed was his stools eventually dry up, turn white and have a chalklike consistency.  On store bought processed food, his poop just stinks and doesn't "biodegrade" as nicely.

[Monia]

I just started Lexi on raw this weekend.  How long will it take to see any changes?  I switched for allergy reasons, the itching was horrible.  She LOVES its.  I'm also worried about her teeth on raw vs kibble.  I do provide her with nyla bones.