Raw food who feeds it and what ???

[red poodle]

Just wondering who else feeds raw food and what they are feeding i am thinking of making my own feeding 9 dogs is a chore anyway you look at it just wondering who else is doing it ??

[Kruml's Rudy]

We were feeding raw until it was no longer affordable for us. Raw feeding is the best way to go if you can afford it. As far as making your own food is concerned, you need to do a lot of research to make sure your dogs are getting everything they need. We were fortunate enough to help our raw food sponsor make food a few times to see what goes in it. They have a breeding facility and have put years of research into their formula. They have a full time nutritionist on hand to make sure their formula is nutritionally sound and balanced. If you are going to make your own food for all 9 of your dogs you need to purchase a large grinder, a freezer, and spend a least one day a month making food. Most active dogs require 3% of their body weight in food every day. Whatever you end up doing, make sure you include raw green tripe in their diet on a regular basis. If you are going raw, feed raw only. If you have a slaughter house in your area that would be a good place to start. Email me at learningtofly@cox.net if you would like more info.

[Los Angeles Dock]

I have been feeding raw since 2005. I feed raw prey model, which is basically feeding pieces of whole animals till you have fed a whole animal. It costs me a little less than it did to feed Eukanuba. I feed whole pieces, bone in and organs. It takes me about 10 minutes a month to cut up and bag the meat and put it in the freezer. I put enough in a ziplock bag to feed my lab for two days. I then that out a bag every other day.
One advantage of "bone in raw" is that it keeps the dogs teeth very very clean.

Los Angeles Dock

[red poodle]

I have 4 of my dogs on green tripe and another called excaliber with bone The diva denali doesnt like the texture so i am looking at other options and the puppies because they will go to homes that i am unsure of what they are gonna feed started on kibble i know its not good as soonas the 2 i sell are gone my guy will get started on whatever i decide right now they are eating chicken necks for snacks , we have the frezzer space hubby is a taxidermist so that isent a problem been checking out grinders any input would be great also gonna grow some squash pumkins etc so i know its organic Thanks again keep the info comin !

[beth14kk9]

We've successfully been feding raw for about 10 years now and while it is more of a hassle, the benefits have been great. I'd highly recommend Kymythy Schultze's "Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats" as an easy to read/follow guide. You really need to educate yourself on how to do this before you start. It's not that complicated, but you do need to get some good basic info.

[Los Angeles Dock]

You don't need a grinder dogs do just fine with feeding a whole piece of meat/bone. One of the biggest advantages of feeding raw is keeping the dogs teeth clean by letting them use them as intended. I so wish I even knew a taxidermist, you are so lucky. Avoid feeding weight bearing leg biones from large animals beef,elk,bear,buffalo etc..

[tlhesq]

We also feed raw, both previously prepared (Stella & Chewy, Bravo and Primal) and our own. It really is the best diet for your dogs but can be expensive and very time consuming. Keep in mind you can go to most local butchers and buy chicken/turkey necks, beef/lamb/chicken/turkey organs etc in bulk at pretty reasonable rates.

Like Vit said, if you are going to do it, you really have to do your research to make sure they are getting all the necessary nutrients. Here are a couple of essential resources: http://www.amazon.com/Pitcairns-Complete-Guide-Natural-Health/dp/157954973X/ref=pd_sim_b_1, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0813821495/ref=oss_product. And with 9 dogs, be prepared to buy another freezer! :-p Good luck!

[Kruml's Rudy]

L.A.D. is right, you do want to feed whole bones. We would feed our dogs whole bones at least once a week and it really does wonders for their teeth. The food we were feeding had ground up bone, several body parts, ( hearts, livers, etc. ) and several veggies and fruits in it. Most of us do not have access to whole animals. There is also a raw food group that purchase parts in bulk and they can save you a ton of money. My wife, Barb has the info. We'll P.M. you the info.