Food & Water...

[goforette]

Okay - so I'm tired of the pee in the puppy pen when Chris and I wake up - (they're still puppies) I get that. The poop situation is under control and we're good to go on telling us when they have to go and they'll hold it. But the pee every morning is there. I let them have their water at night. Should I be taking that away. They're obviously drinking it at night. If they were sleeping w/us at night like my other dogs did they wouldn't have access to water - but I know they're still puppies so should I keep the water dish in there or take it away at night?

The food thing... well I'm like 85 percent close to trying the raw diet... (but I'm scared) I know that Angus and mom are doing the raw and are doing great. I've heard great things about it - but then I've also heard that dogs that are closer to the wolf do better on raw than smaller breeds like the Cairn. I almost gave them raw buffalo and raw organic ground beef ($21.00 for 2 pounds - I know I must be crazy) last night, but opted to cook it because I'm just not sure - I don't want to make them sick but I've heard that dogs naturally have enzymes that can digest such things. Right now we're spending about $9-10 every 2 days for 2 dogs on meats that I cook from roasts, to buffalo etc and I'm sure the raw diet is more cost efficient - not that I'm complaining if I have happy healthy dogs... How highly recommended is the raw diet? Is anyone else besides Angus doing it? I did try a sample of the sojos eurpoa over the weekend that a kind company on the internet sent me. It's all dehydrated veggies that I guess you mix w/the raw mostly but can mix with the cooked. They liked everything except the brocolli which they decided to play cat and mouse with on the kitchen floor (they enjoy playing with food) I also was going to try a sample of Dr. Harvey's mix but it has beets in it and I'm not sure about giving beets to a dog. Anybody done beets? I've read lots of information on the raw, but I'm curious how many of you are actually doing it.

[mrskti]

I always took their water away no later than 7pm when they were little and took them out their last time to pee at 9pm, unless I stay up later and then take them out so I can sleep in a little!!! They never peed in their crate.

[maggie]

Keegan gets no water after dinner and makes it okay through the night.

[Tracy A.]

When Metty & Bratty were wee things, I would take the water up at around 8:30pm- then one last potty break before bedtime. It was around 4-5 months old that I could get them outside to pee first thing in the morning (this was at 5am mind you). If I recall the first time both of them held it all night and until I got them outside to pee - I celebrated!

Also, on raw diets- I'm not sure if you've gotten a book yet or not. Awhile back when I was looking into feeding it to Mett & Bratt I got some sample meal plans and if I recall Veggies are served as a seperate meal from the Meat and bones because the digestion time is longer for veggies vs. meat & bones. I know that chicken wings and backs make one meal plan, then offal which is innards another meal plan, then puree veggies meal. I know that non-weight bearing bones are the ones used BARF diets.

A lot of people on the Forum feed BARF, so you might be able to find some links/more info by searching the forum.

[goforette]

No I haven't gotten a book yet (didn't know there was one) all of my research has been really via internet or talking to the two closest hollistic stores I have. Is it possible to do the raw diet and not completely follow the BARF diet as far as providing raw bones? I mean if I get to just the raw point can I skip the raw bones or do you have to do both for it to be a successful diet. Any recommendations on the book? Unforutnately I haven't been able to find a vet yet in my area (and haven't heard back re: my email inquiries) as to a vet that would be experienced in the hollistic area. I think I'm going to try Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital this weekend and give them a call at least to see if they follow a hollistic/medical type of practice. My current vet now thinks I'm crazy and that hollistic pet stores are worthless... so he's zero help.

[Brody'sMom]

Brody and Mia do not have water in their crate on a regular basis. Sometimes, when I think they are thirsty, I'll put a bowl of water in there, but they rarely drink from it.

[OzGirl]

Stacy, I have just PM you a couple of raw feeding sites.

My girls don't have water during the night either and they are okay too, they go out for a wee about 11pm when I go to bed then get up when we do about 7am.

[bradl]

I shudder to think of people feeding 'modified raw diets' and things like meat without bones, etc. Perhaps consider trying a commercial preparation such as Steve's Real Food, Farmore, Billinghurst's patties, or similar.

[goforette]

I shudder to think of people feeding 'modified raw diets' and things like meat without bones, etc. Perhaps consider trying a commercial preparation such as Steve's Real Food, Farmore, Billinghurst's patties, or similar.

Thanks Brad - that was exactly the kind of info I was seeking. I think I was confused that I had to add additional raw bones to the diet - but it sounds like the raw things like Steve's and Billinghurst has the crushed bone in it's ingredients. I'm finding myself nervous that I may not be giving them the appropriate diet in my quest to find something more hollistic for them. Right now I've been cooking my organic meats and combining it with the Timberwolf Organic kibble line or the Sojos Europa deyhdrated veggies. But If I am only doing the Sojos Europa and the cooked meats does that mean I'm missing the important bone ingredient or is that completely different since I cooking opposed to raw? Is the raw or BARF diet highly recommended? I know the raw diet line of Nature's Variety seems to be the only brand my stores here carry - is that a reasonable/good brand? I'm so new at this because traditionally in the past for my dogs I did the traditional Alpo - Science Diets - etc. - I'd buy anything without considering what was in things. And ever since visiting a local holistic pet store for the first time - I'm slowly trying to educate myself on everything I was doing wrong in the past. Thanks again for all the information that any of you can throw my way.

[Tracy A.]

Here are some books on raw/BARF feeding, a few of these I bought, others I just found doing a web search for you.

[mrseggcup]

Hi! Eli's Alpha, here. Please accept my comments in the spirit of which they are meant. Why are you putting yourself thro all this with the eating?? Who's running the household? Pick a quality, affordable food and unless they have health issues, stick with it. There should be 2 menu choices: take it or leave it. They will eat when hungry and will not suffer if they miss a meal. I think you are being manipulated by your smart little critters. Put the food down, then leave the area. Pick it up later, with no comment. They will eat when they are hungry. I had a friend who swore that her westie would only eat Black Angus beef. Yeah, right. And I will only eat Alaskan King crab legs and Godiva chocolates!

I have fed all my dogs quality kibble (Eli gets Canidae) and I just leave it in his bowl so he eats when hungry. Some people don't agree with doing that, but it has always worked for me. The only critter in MY house eating Black Angus beef is ME!

JMHO,

Eli's Alpha

Their palate is not all that picky. Afterall, they lick their butts and eat cat poo!