I have decided to RAW feed Prince

Boxerlover219 · 08-06-2009, 04:41 PM

I have decided to RAW feed Prince starting tomorrow since the last of his kibble will be gone tonight.I was wondering if anyone could give me any suggestions about how to start him off and wat combinations of foods have you found to work best. Im hoping this process goes smoothly and i will surely keep you guys updated. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE HELP

whitedaisy · 08-06-2009, 04:52 PM

Well, raw is really best, and I'm really glad you are considering it but I do have to say that it is VERY important you do it right. If you really want to start tomorrow then it is super important that you spend the next 2 week really reading and learning about raw feeding.

When feeding this diet you MUST feed meat, bone and offal - no exceptions. You cannot NOT feed one of those things. You don't need all those things in each meal, but you do need them over time.

when starting out you should feed chicken for a couple weeks straight to get him started. There are few threads right now going for others that are just starting. Please check them out and ask lots of questions!!

AussieGirl · 08-06-2009, 07:23 PM

Okay, read through the sticky on the RAW feeding sub forum so you can understand getting "balance" in a RAW diet an an idea of the things you will need to feed.
To start out most pick chicken because it had a perfect bone to meat ratio and takes some of the work out of "balancing" the RAW diet. So buy whatever chicken pieces are on special can be legs, thighs, quarters or whole chickens. You need to stick to just chicken for 10 - 14 days until his body adjusts to it and then you can introduce another source of protein like turkey, beef, fish, lamb etc - but each time you introduce something new you need to stick to that for the 10 - 14 days to get him adjusted. Because you need your guy to gain weight leave all fat on the meat and feed a little more tha you would normally have to (just until his weight picks up) I would be giving about 600g which I believe is 1.3lbs (maybe even a little more) PER MEAL (so twice a day). Once he has three or four different sources of protein you will be able to slowly add the offal - that will be a few weeks off so it gives you plenty of time to read up on RAW feeding. In the sticky there are some links I would strongly advise you visit and look through for more info and ideas on what to feed. It is very important you do take the time to read up because a RAW diet needs a ratio of 80% meat(muscle) 10% bone and 10 % offal for it to be balanced for the dog, otherwise you will end up with deficiencies and health problems. Sometimes when dogs switch over to RAW they have a change in their stools for awhile - do not be alarmed and they can vomit up a little bone during the adjustment period - no need to be alarmed, he will probably just gobble it back up. Please ask as many questions as you need, we don't mind answering them and keep us updated - I love a success story

Boxerlover219 · 08-06-2009, 07:35 PM

so for now me feeding him a whole or half chicken twice a day should do him good for about 2 wks

Spyglass Sally · 08-06-2009, 07:37 PM

We just started Buddy tonight on it with a quarter chicken leg and it went fine! I was more worried than I needed to be - even reviewed the Heimlich maneuver for dogs.

But it no problem.

AussieGirl's Sticky under Raw Feeding is great as well as the links she has, to help educate yourself and at least know what to ask the group. We're lucky to have so many raw feeders that are willing to help us!

AussieGirl · 08-06-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxerlover219

so for now me feeding him a whole or half chicken twice a day should do him good for about 2 wks

Yes, but it is very important he gets at least 4 sources of protein in his diet plus offal and bone once he has completely switched over

Boxerlover219 · 08-06-2009, 08:03 PM

wat about pork and beef seeing that those two meet sources always have problems here in the states

whitedaisy · 08-06-2009, 08:11 PM

beef and pork are both fine. Also I feed canned mackarel and fresh fish when my son goes fishing.
do you know any hunters? good way to get venison, duck, pheasant, grouse, turkey, ect....

Boxerlover219 · 08-06-2009, 08:55 PM

Thank you all for all the help I will update tomorrow to let everyone know how the first feeding

sashadog · 08-07-2009, 11:11 AM

OKAY I want to start my little guys on raw. Tell me how to do it please. I see you say start on chicken. What chicken. If i get breast, do I feed him bone and all. Just put it in the dish and let him go at it? Right now it eats for fast. We put his food down, within 45 seconds, no kidding, it is gone. He is feed 3 times a day. What is offal? Can you please give an example of a beginners meal for a 29 lb 15 week old puppy?
I feel so lame but I just cant wrap my brain around this. I learn better by seeing and doing? Thanks

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