Nature's Variety Raw

[JoeV]

Hey Everyone,
Not sure if this topic ever came up, but has anyone fed Nature's Variety Raw frozen before? http://www.naturesvariety.com/raw_products
They seem pretty good was thinking of feeding Lucky 50% kibble and 50% raw (thinking of switching food to EVO). Any opinions?? I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

[KeeperBoy]

We fed NV raw for several months. It is much more expensive than some other raw options and has more ingredients than we care for because of Keepers allergy issues. Other than that, it's a great food and we were pleased with it.

If you do try it, it is cheaper to feed their "chubs", but they usually need to be special ordered from the pet store. They are big 2 pound tubes of the food.

[JoeV]

Originally Posted by KeeperBoy

We fed NV raw for several months. It is much more expensive than some other raw options and has more ingredients than we care for because of Keepers allergy issues. Other than that, it's a great food and we were pleased with it.

If you do try it, it is cheaper to feed their "chubs", but they usually need to be special ordered from the pet store. They are big 2 pound tubes of the food.

Hey Andrea, thanks! Lucky has recently developed allergies (but not sure what exactly to yet) so that's a concern for me. Depending on what we find from her allergy test, I guess we can rule certain foods out if need be. Glad to know that under most circumstances it is a good food though. I saw the chubs on the web site and was wondering how that came... good tip. Thanks again.

[Doreen]

Can you mix that raw with Kibble. I thought it wasn't good for their digestion to mix the two at the same time feeding. You have to break it into, say morning and evening feedings. In other words, hours between each kind.

[JoeV]

Originally Posted by Doreen

Can you mix that raw with Kibble. I thought it wasn't good for their digestion to mix the two at the same time feeding. You have to break it into, say morning and evening feedings. In other words, hours between each kind.

I was going to ask that. I intended to mean feeding her say kibble in the morning and raw at night. I know Nature's Variety pushes a "rotation diet" which involves their kibble, canned and raw food... but I just wanted to stick with kibble and raw so I'm sure to get her everything nutrition wise she needs. (I've never been a fan of canned food, wouldn't ever give that to her).

[KeeperBoy]

Boo gets kibble in the AM and raw in the PM. Don't mix them at the same meal, but one for each meal of the day should be fine!

[boxingBabe]

i didn't realize how expensive raw feeding was until you guys posted a couple of sites the last few days . I thought you just went to the grocery store and bought what was on sale each week and just mixed the menu around that . I'm not judging anybody I just didn't realize it .

[JoeV]

boxingbabe, that's what I thought also... but now I realize going to the grocery store or a butcher is the best way to do this. if we bought the nature's variety pre-packed patties, etc. it gets very expensive.

we went to the vet last night for a check up and i asked about raw. they said it is great to do and gave us a short lesson on how to start. Today, lucky ate a whole chicken wing. We're starting with chicken for the first week or so (just introducing one protein source first). she loved it. i think this is going to work out great. when we get her into meat, they suggested a butcher they've used for years and it is only .50/lb. can't beat that.

PS - not doing the 50%kibble / 50%raw ratio.... going 100% raw

[daisy'smom]

Good for you JoeV for going raw. My dogs are doing so well on it. I feed raw from the grocery store, butcher and meat processing plant. I would love to hook up with a hunter and get venison.

[KeeperBoy]

The hardest part of raw for us is organ. We can get kidneys but that's about it. It is much more work to get lung/liver/heart. We use a local raw dog food supplier and things are going great.

We do also supplement with salmon oil, and missing link.