[rawfeeding] Digest Number 12464

There are 22 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

1a. Re: Hello there everyone hoping for some advice to a newby
From: Chia
1b. Re: Hello there everyone hoping for some advice to a newby
From: Sandee Lee

2a. Re: Pig feet?
From: Sheila0344@aol.com

3a. Re: What is considered organ meat?
From: Laurie Swanson

4a. Future newbee in training
From: shantith38
4b. Re: Future newbee in training
From: Giselle
4c. Re: Future newbee in training
From: katkellm
4d. Re: Future newbee in training
From: shantith38

5a. Re: raw food ordering in Canada
From: Tracey WAGC
5b. raw food ordering in Canada
From: Vivienne Swarbreck

6a. Re: Pork ear
From: Morledzep@aol.com

7a. Re: Getting over intimidation (was Portion sizes)
From: k9_smiley
7b. Re: Getting over intimidation (was Portion sizes)
From: Elizabeth
7c. Re: Getting over intimidation (was Portion sizes)
From: katkellm

8a. Re: Recent Vet Visit
From: Sherrel Leininger
8b. Re: Recent Vet Visit
From: Casey Post

9a. Re: Pork? / wild hog
From: Morledzep@aol.com

10a. Re: Honey?
From: Monica Hughes

11a. Chunky labrador
From: twojakes45
11b. Re: Chunky labrador
From: katkellm

12a. BRAND NEW TO RAW DIET
From: kimhollett
12b. Re: BRAND NEW TO RAW DIET
From: katkellm

Messages
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1a. Re: Hello there everyone hoping for some advice to a newby
Posted by: "Chia" chia.m@shaw.ca cia22m
Date: Sat Jan 5, 2008 5:22 pm ((PST))

Well first all hello everyone not sure we're everyone is but I'm in
Leeds, UK and have one female Lab (5yrs) and one male rottie (13mths).

### welcome!

I've started on the raw diet, bit by bit, I've done my homework and
read books but no doubt can still learn alot.

#### not too much you need to learn since all that reading will confuse
you! The only thing you need to know is your dogs, and BIG dogs at that,
are carnivores and the only nutrition required is raw flesh, bones, organs
with the optional addition of eggs and fish if so desired. My boy dislikes
fish so he gets plenty of other items when he actually decides it's time to
eat.

Anyway i have problems with my two eating chicken wings, they will not
touch raw chicken at all, I've tried cutting breast up into little
peices to get them started but they won't touch it. When i tried the
wings they just looked at me as if i was mad. The diet was going so
well until i hit this stumbling block.

#### they're probably mortified that a mere 'wing' is offered as a main
course.

My 50 pound Border Collie easily consumes ENTIRE chickens or hens, served,
'as is'. Once your dogs have adapted to raw you can feed bits and pieces on
occasion when you feel confident in their eating style. The 'know thy dog'
mantra is essential.

BUT, at first, they need to learn HOW to eat and to use those glorious
teeth. Purchase whole chickens, lop into half, and give them each a half.
Perhaps smash up a bit or tear the flesh so they know what it is supposed to
be but that's it.

If they don't eat within 15 minutes, put away until 24 hours later and
offer NOTHING else until then. It's tough on you but it's for their best
health. It also discourages picky eating which is something you do NOT wish
to start with.

Go to www.rawfeddogs.net

and check out the recipe section..see our dogs
in action.. Just follow nature and feed as they were born to eat...peruse
the archives but truly, there is nothing more you need to read. Dogs are
Wolves, Wolves eat their prey in it's entirety with balance of assorted
organs and meat over time, not each day.

Chia & Ricco

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Messages in this topic (3)
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1b. Re: Hello there everyone hoping for some advice to a newby
Posted by: "Sandee Lee" rlee@plix.com mariasmom2001
Date: Sat Jan 5, 2008 5:35 pm ((PST))

Wings and necks are far too small and bony and chicken isn't necessary at
all so no problem! Chicken is bland and many dogs don't like it at
first...there are some tricks to try if you want them to eat chicken, but
you certainly can feed a very good diet without it. Concentrate on lots of
meat from whatever protein sources available to you...beef, pork, lamb,
goat...a little edible bone and some organs. That's all you need!

What were you feeding before this stumbling block?

Sandee & the Dane Gang

From: "persia_elvis" <persia_elvis@yahoo.co.uk>

Anyway i have problems with my two eating chicken wings, they will not
touch raw chicken at all, I've tried cutting breast up into little
peices to get them started but they won't touch it. When i tried the
wings they just looked at me as if i was mad. The diet was going so
well until i hit this stumbling block.

Can anyone advise me how to get them to eat the wings or is there
something else i can feed them? They love bones including ribs but
just not the wings, can't find any necks anywhere as i've read these
are a good starting point.

Messages in this topic (3)
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2a. Re: Pig feet?
Posted by: "Sheila0344@aol.com" Sheila0344@aol.com s_mayo2002
Date: Sat Jan 5, 2008 5:57 pm ((PST))

In a message dated 1/5/2008 8:08:36 PM Eastern Standard Time,
katkellm@yahoo.com writes:

Pig feet are a great chew, keep em busy thing, but since they don't
have much meat on them, i either feed them as a side with a hunk of
boneless meat or as a snack type thing. KathyM

Thanks Kathy:)
Sheila

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

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Messages in this topic (7)
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3a. Re: What is considered organ meat?
Posted by: "Laurie Swanson" laurie@mckinneyphoto.com las_lala
Date: Sat Jan 5, 2008 5:58 pm ((PST))

Hi Frances,

--- In rawfeeding@yahoogroups.com, "francesdrew" <francesdrew@...>
wrote:
> What other organ meats are readily available (other than liver)?

***I can get kidney, spleen, brains, tongue, penis, and sweetbreads
(which are thymus, I believe) at local Asian markets and other grocery
stores. I also get some organs through my local buying group (I'm in
WA, but there are several around the country.).

> Are intestines organ meat? Tongue?

***I just look at it like those are parts of the animal, so if I can
get them, I feed a bit.

> What percentage of organ meat should liver take up?

***About the percentage that it is of the animal, which people have
calculated at around 5%. I just try to think about nature and use
common sense. I doubt it is a critical percentage.
>
> For organ meat I have been using beef liver, gizzard and hearts,
whatever giblets I get in
> my turkeys and I recently I bought sweetbreads, but those are hard to
find.
>
***Sounds like you are doing fine. If you find more stuff, add it in
when you can.

--Laurie

Messages in this topic (3)
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4a. Future newbee in training
Posted by: "shantith38" shantith38@yahoo.com shantith38
Date: Sat Jan 5, 2008 5:59 pm ((PST))

Hello all, I am mom to two wonderful greyhounds, almost 8 yr old Ram
and just 4 year old Polly. I have been curious about raw feeding for a
while now but my last episode with Ram had lit a fire under me. I've
been digging through the archives and reading the new posts for a few
days now and I want to make sure I've got the right ideas. Ram has
stomach issues, he has episodes of hypermotility and vomiting for no
apparent reason. He's been on pepcid for over a year now (per the
vet). It helps but not enough. It sounds like the raw feeding may be
a big help for him. I already know he would enjoy it, he prefers his
bland diet to his kibble, and can always locate the store bag with the
meat in it before I even get it in the house.
1. Would it be appropriate to start them on split chicken breasts? I
read a lot about the potential issues with legs and fat content.
2. 3-4 weeks seems to be an appropriate wait between introducing new
meats.
3. Sudden change is OK. I can take them from kibble to meat in a day.

Any advice, corrections welcome. I am one of those people who study
something to death before I jump, but once I jump, I'm all in. I
really think my babies will be much happier with the switch, an
dhopefully Ram can get some relief with his GI system.

Thank you
Anna, Ram and Polly

Messages in this topic (4)
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4b. Re: Future newbee in training
Posted by: "Giselle" megan.giselle@gmail.com megangiselle
Date: Sat Jan 5, 2008 6:54 pm ((PST))

Hi, Anna!
Have you seen this post?
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding/message/150877

I'd recommend that you follow a similar plan for your guy.

The Slippery Elm Bark Powder really works well on GI upsets.

If Ram has no trouble with chicken, by all means, start with that. You can
always trim all visible fat, and most of the skin. I've fed an IBD/IBS dog
and a dog with pancreatitis successfully this way. I like to start with
whole chickens, and feed through the whole critter. The Whole Prey thing,
you know. ; ) But, if bone is a problem, then chicken breasts would work
fine.

Usually, you wait only as long as it takes to get them acclimated to a
protein, no digestive upset, then move on. There's no real hurry to
introduce new proteins and organs, tho'.

I like to switch cold turkey, but others have changed over much more slowly
than that, with no apparent trouble. I don't see the need to do this for the
dog's sake, tho'.

I'd get him off Pepcid asap - this changes the ph in the stomach and
suppresses stomach acid, which the dog needs to digest meat and bone. The
SEBP is very soothing and anti inflammatory. It creates a mucousy film in
the digestive system, which just gets passed in the stool.

TC
Giselle
with Bea in New Jersey

Hello all, I am mom to two wonderful greyhounds, almost 8 yr old Ram
> and just 4 year old Polly. I have been curious about raw feeding for a
> while now but my last episode with Ram had lit a fire under me.
>

> <snip>
> Any advice, corrections welcome. I am one of those people who study
> something to death before I jump, but once I jump, I'm all in. I
> really think my babies will be much happier with the switch, an
> hopefully Ram can get some relief with his GI system.
>
> Thank you
> Anna, Ram and Polly
>
>
>

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Messages in this topic (4)
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4c. Re: Future newbee in training
Posted by: "katkellm" katkellm@yahoo.com katkellm
Date: Sun Jan 6, 2008 2:12 am ((PST))

--- In rawfeeding@yahoogroups.com, "shantith38" <shantith38@...> wrote:

> 1. Would it be appropriate to start them on split chicken breasts?

Hi Anna,
Nice to meet you and your 2 greyhounds. Since you have a dog with
stomach issues, i would think that you might want to take the extra
precautionary approach. I think i would start with bone in chicken
breasts and remove the skin and fat for Ram. This is not necessary
for most dogs, but it is something you might want to consider to make
the switch extra, maybe overkill, easy. After a few days with the
skin and fat removed, i would start to leave some of the skin and fat
on the chicken and gradually increase the amount over a few days until
you are feeding the breast as is. Once breasts are a piece of
cake, you can feed leg quarters.

> 2. 3-4 weeks seems to be an appropriate wait between introducing new
> meats.

For most dogs, one week is usually enough time to adjust to a new
protein, but it is also a dog by dog thing. If your dog experiences
no digestive issues after a week, its probably time to move ahead.

> 3. Sudden change is OK. I can take them from kibble to meat in a day.
Yep, fed raw, donate the kibble.

> Any advice

It seems that feeding too much food is the main reason lots of dogs
get loose stools initially. Feeding too much new food too soon is
another thing to avoid. Too much fat and too much organ meat too soon
round out the don't list. KathyM

Messages in this topic (4)
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4d. Re: Future newbee in training
Posted by: "shantith38" shantith38@yahoo.com shantith38
Date: Sun Jan 6, 2008 2:12 am ((PST))

Hi Giselle,

Actually, the post you linked was one of the ones that convinced me
that sooner is better for my boy. His bland diet is chicken and rice
which he not only does fine with, but will actually cry for when it's
suppertime! He's been on a natural lamb and rice kibble, but that
obviously has not helped anything! I was thinking of the split
breasts for portions and to make it easier for him at first. If I
plunked a whole chicken in front of him, he wouldn't know what to do.
Also I want to transition him without the heavier fat load of the
legs, and the richer marrow in the long bones. I will be trying the
slippery elm though, I didn't realize dogs could have that until I
started reading through here. Thanks for the advice and
encouragement!

Anna, Ram and Polly

Messages in this topic (4)
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5a. Re: raw food ordering in Canada
Posted by: "Tracey WAGC" wagc@sasktel.net frustrated_tracey
Date: Sat Jan 5, 2008 6:23 pm ((PST))

I'm In saskatchewan, If there is a market for ground frozen tripe, trachea, pancreas....etc, I might have an opportunity to start a mail order internet business as a hobby.
I own a small town bar/restaurant now so I don't have any real time but if there is a market for it in Canada then I'd make the time or get employees. If not then i'll use what I can for my dog and leave the rest for the coyotes due to lack of freezer space. I know more and more city folk are feeding raw 1 - because its better for the health of their fur babies and 2- the big processed dog food scares out there. I dont know if there are any government regulations on grinding animal parts for resale, I would have to investigate that. I told this idea to a cow calf owner last night and they won't do it on principles ( Pets is animals and shouldnt be elevated to another level), but they would have no problem calling me to have a go at the gut piles..........I know how hard it is to find tripe and such so It's just a thought since right now all the guts and innards are considered waste here and they go to the coyotes.

Tracey

----- Original Message -----
From: Lynda McLellan
To: rawfeeding@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2008 4:28 PM
Subject: [rawfeeding] Re:raw food ordering in Canada

It's a big country Tracey, where are you? I know of a few food co-ops in the Calgary area. Lots of feed lots and butchering around there. I need a good one in BC.
Seems like there are hardly any butcher shops left that take a live animal, butcher and then sell the meat. These are the ones that could sell the parts.
Take care, Lynda

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Messages in this topic (8)
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5b. raw food ordering in Canada
Posted by: "Vivienne Swarbreck" sienna_seiko@yahoo.ca sienna_seiko
Date: Sat Jan 5, 2008 8:53 pm ((PST))

There are a couple of people I know of in my area (Greater Toronto)
who get the waste from local slaughterhouses and grind it up, freeze
it and sell it locally. They charge about 50 cents a pound. I think
shipping costs may be prohibitive, but you may find a good market in
your area. I don't buy from them because you have to buy 50 lbs at a
time and I don't have that kind of freezer space!
Vivienne

--- In rawfeeding@yahoogroups.com, Tracey WAGC <wagc@...> wrote:
>
> I'm In saskatchewan, If there is a market for ground frozen tripe,
trachea, pancreas....etc, I might have an opportunity to start a mail
order internet business as a hobby.

>

Messages in this topic (8)
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6a. Re: Pork ear
Posted by: "Morledzep@aol.com" Morledzep@aol.com morledzep
Date: Sat Jan 5, 2008 7:24 pm ((PST))

In a message dated 1/5/2008 5:07:18 PM Pacific Standard Time,
sunshine_annamaria@yahoo.com writes:

I have never heard of pig face mask...what isit like??

Yassy,

it's the skin and some fat from the pigs face.. the snout is there too, and
that has a little cartilage. I just get it to keep small four legged folks
busy when they can't be out and tormenting the big dogs.

Catherine R.

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Messages in this topic (10)
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7a. Re: Getting over intimidation (was Portion sizes)
Posted by: "k9_smiley" k9_smiley@yahoo.com k9_smiley
Date: Sat Jan 5, 2008 8:02 pm ((PST))

--- In rawfeeding@yahoogroups.com, "katkellm" <katkellm@...> wrote:
>
> --- In rawfeeding@yahoogroups.com, "k9_smiley" <k9_smiley@> wrote:
>
> > For that matter, how does one start introducing a dog to the concept
> > of Big Meals, without starving her into desperation?
>

> I am sorry but i am not sure what you mean
> by starve into desperation. Does your dog like pork? Is this the
> first thing that you offered her that was big or did it have skin on
> it?

Sorry about that, I don't think I articulated well what the problem
was, because I was just bummed that I gave my pup such a luscious big
ol' hunk-o-animal and she completely ignored it. :) At the time the
only way I saw that I would not waste that lovely piece of meat was
just not to offer anything else until she tried it -- and she's a
stubborn pup, it would take a while, I'm sure!

I think the size and the skin on this 2.5 pound pig-piece are
intimidating her. She likes pork OK, but I don't think it's a favorite.

Yesterday for dinner I tossed the leg in the yard. She sniffed, then
morosely went to lie down on the other side of the yard. After a while
I took it back up. I put it out this morning with a big ol' slice cut
through the skin and into the meat; parmesan in the cut. She licked it
a bit, then wandered off. Tonight I cut deeper and cut a piece off --
she ate the piece quite readily but still would have nothing to do
with the larger portion. I finally gave up and gave her a leg quarter.

What's next? :\

-Alison and Mieke (that's not FOOD!)

Messages in this topic (5)
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7b. Re: Getting over intimidation (was Portion sizes)
Posted by: "Elizabeth" rainsou1@yahoo.com rainsou1
Date: Sat Jan 5, 2008 8:53 pm ((PST))

-Hi Allison,

Well, for my doggie, who is the same size as yours, as well as a
border collie mix, I feed pork ribs, lamb brisket, oxtail, beef muscle
meat; chicken, beef, pork and lamb hearts, turkey necks, beef kidney,
liver, tripe, and spleen, chicken quarters, whole chickens, lamb
necks, pork necks, pig's feet, lamb chunks, whole fish, eggs... etc.

All of those might be fed in chunks as small 1lb, to chunks as large
as 5 lbs. (except for the eggs, of course.) My dog does best on meals
about 2.5 lbs or less. So, for those larger chunks (I always feed
frozen), I simply pull the food out of the bag, let her gnaw on it,
eat her fill, and put the rest away. It is best to let them slowly
build up, so as not to cause gastric torsion if they are not used to
eating their fill. My dog loves to gorge until her belly is distended,
but with having such a narrow, deep rib cage, she cannot fit much in
her abdomen.

-Liz

Messages in this topic (5)
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7c. Re: Getting over intimidation (was Portion sizes)
Posted by: "katkellm" katkellm@yahoo.com katkellm
Date: Sun Jan 6, 2008 2:12 am ((PST))

--- In rawfeeding@yahoogroups.com, "k9_smiley" <k9_smiley@...> wrote:
> What's next? :\

Hi Alison,
I think it might be the skin on the pork more than the size. I would
try peeling the skin off of half of the pork, kinda like peeling half
an apple, then ribbon the skinless part of the leg for her. If that
doesn't work, you need to decide if you want to tough love it. Since
you feed outside, i would put the leg down and go into the house.
Watch her out the window and see what she does. I wouldn't go out
there and pick it up. When you bring her in, leave it out there.
Watch her again when she goes out. You just can't feed her anything
else until she eats the pork. If you don't pick it up, she'll get
over the notion that "meal time" might bring a new entree. Just keep
watching out the window so when she does eat, you are there to keep an
eye on her. I'm assuming that its not hot where you live now and that
the meat won't draw flies... In the winter, i don't pick up my big
meals. If it is warm where you live, pick the meat up and only offer
that piece of meat until she eats it. Good luck. KathyM

Messages in this topic (5)
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8a. Re: Recent Vet Visit
Posted by: "Sherrel Leininger" meawolf50@yahoo.com meawolf50
Date: Sat Jan 5, 2008 8:21 pm ((PST))

She can not be 100% raw if she insists on feeding veggies.

Just my thought. Sherrel

My question: She almost insists after hearing what we feed (she is 100%
pro raw--tries to convert all patients to raw) that we add Green Leafy
Veggies! She kinda seems pro veggie for all veggies ,but when I balked
at veggies (not so much green leafy but other veggies) she insists
they "NEED" what they will get out of green leafy veggies. I would like
the experience of those on this list and their thoughts on this.

Messages in this topic (6)
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8b. Re: Recent Vet Visit
Posted by: "Casey Post" mikken@neo.rr.com mikkeny
Date: Sun Jan 6, 2008 1:02 am ((PST))

>she insists
> they "NEED" what they will get out of green leafy veggies. I would like
> the experience of those on this list and their thoughts on this.

As someone who used to feed leafy greens (and only the "best" - organic!
beautiful red oak leaf lettuce, wheat grass, romaine, etc.) and went so far
as to pulp fresh ones every single day for my crew, I can tell you that it
did NOTHING to improve my dogs' health. What did improve their well-being
was to skip the veggie nonsense and replace it with more meat in their
lives. Won't ever go back to veggies!

Casey

Messages in this topic (6)
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9a. Re: Pork? / wild hog
Posted by: "Morledzep@aol.com" Morledzep@aol.com morledzep
Date: Sat Jan 5, 2008 8:38 pm ((PST))

In a message dated 1/5/2008 8:31:30 AM Pacific Standard Time,
boswellrt@aol.com writes:

Usually my husbands kills many wild hogs every year they are overrunning
things out here in the woods. We don't eat pork so it all goes to his
relatives
but it would be nice to be able to feed it to the dogs.

Trish,

i would freeze it solid for a month and feed all of it to the dogs, even the
squeel.

(wishing i lived where there was free food for the killing)
Catherine R.

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Messages in this topic (5)
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10a. Re: Honey?
Posted by: "Monica Hughes" monicabeth10@yahoo.com monicabeth10
Date: Sat Jan 5, 2008 8:54 pm ((PST))

I happen to be a beekeeper so I'm a little biased. I know sugar isn't appropriate for dogs, but honey is highly antibacterial! I once put a little in my dog's water to get her to drink more (I live at high altitude, it's very dry here). Is that bad? :)

Monica

---------------------------------
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11a. Chunky labrador
Posted by: "twojakes45" nigelburley@hotmail.com twojakes45
Date: Sun Jan 6, 2008 2:12 am ((PST))

Harvey, my 3yo chocolate labrador, has been on a raw diet for the
last 2 years or so now and doing very well on it. In fact too well
as he is decidedly porky!, not obese but carrying more weight then
is good for him

While it would be beneficial to have more exercise of course he does
get about 2 hours of mainly off lead exercise every day which is
about as much as I can fit in so I have to consider changes to his
diet to try to slim him down a bit

Currently I keep him restricted to about 1lb a day, any less then
that seems very mean for a big dog considering the 2.0% of body
weight guideline equals around 1.6lb

I try to give him a varied diet of different types of muscle and
organ meat but confess that brisket on the bone has featured heavily
in his diet up to now. Could this be a contributing factor to his
weight and would it help to cut back on the beef and replace it with
some other, less fattening, meat?

Also I currently feed once a day, would it help in restricting
overall intake yet still be able to give reasonable portion size by
only feeding once every other day? Are there any pitfalls in doing
this (apart from a very disappointed labrador on non food days!)?

Any hints or tips on helping him shed a few pounds would be
appreciated

Many thanks
Nigel

Messages in this topic (2)
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11b. Re: Chunky labrador
Posted by: "katkellm" katkellm@yahoo.com katkellm
Date: Sun Jan 6, 2008 5:28 am ((PST))

--- In rawfeeding@yahoogroups.com, "twojakes45" <nigelburley@...> wrote:
> Currently I keep him restricted to about 1lb a day, any less then
> that seems very mean for a big dog considering the 2.0% of body
> weight guideline equals around 1.6lb

Hi Nigel,
I am going to preface this by first saying that i am assuming that
there are no health issues which are causing the weight problem with
Harvey. When figuring out the 2% make sure you are using 2% of the
weight that you would like Harvey to weigh, not his current weight.
Also, 2% is just a starting number. Not all dogs need that much food.
>
> I try to give him a varied diet of different types of muscle and
> organ meat but confess that brisket on the bone has featured heavily
> in his diet up to now.

Beef brisket, from my experience, is very fatty, and so yes, i would
think that feeding really fatty food too often could contribute to the
problem. Beef heart is usually cheap and is a good muscle meat.

> Also I currently feed once a day, would it help in restricting
> overall intake yet still be able to give reasonable portion size by
> only feeding once every other day? Are there any pitfalls in doing
> this (apart from a very disappointed labrador on non food days!)?

This is a great idea especially for a dog who is overweight. As you
mentioned, it feels kind of pitiful to hand a big dog this little hunk
of food. The poor dog is always hungry. Feeding less often than once
a day allows you to feed a bigger portion which actually allows the
dog to feel full on meal day. I think what happens is that a dog that
gets a little bit everyday is always hungry. So, the body does what
it is suppose to do which is conserve energy in order to survive.
Sounds desperate, but a dog 's body doesn't know that you, as the
hunter, will always bring food. After a while of eating meals where
the dog actually gets to be full, the body goes out of possible
starvation mode and burns calories more freely. I can tell you that
my lab couldn't eat a pound a day without getting fat. Anything less
than a pound of food for a 60ish pound dog seemed just too small to
call it a good dental workout, mentally or physically challenging, or
to leave her satisfied that she had eaten. She was always on the look
out for a crumb to eat...Now that i feed big meals, there was a slight
weight gain at the beginning until she realized that she didn't need
to inhale lots of food because eating plenty might be a short lived
bonanza, so don't be disappointed if Harvey gains a tad at first, she
is able to eat 7+lbs a week when fed every 2-3 days. JMO, KathyM

Messages in this topic (2)
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12a. BRAND NEW TO RAW DIET
Posted by: "kimhollett" kimhollett@yahoo.com kimhollett
Date: Sun Jan 6, 2008 2:12 am ((PST))

I have 2 dogs (Simba-a 17 month old Yellow Lab & Kayley-a 5 year old
Lab/Sheppard mix). I have just started them on the RAW diet. There is
obviously a lot of info out there which I find a little overwhelming. I
have a couple of questions:

1. Should skin be removed from chicken?

2. What about sausages? Should they be fed?

3. Ground meat (some say feed it & some say not to??)

I should mention that our yellow lab Simba already has health issues.
He has bad hip dysplasia in one hip & mild in the other. He also has a
luxating patella (kneecap) & pulled cruciate ligaments.

I would appreciate any tips especially if someone out there has a dog
with similar health issues. I'm interested in knowing what works best.

Also, I live in the west end of Toronto (Eglinton & Weston Rd). Does
anyone know of any good suppliers out that way?

Thanks very much!

Kim

Messages in this topic (2)
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12b. Re: BRAND NEW TO RAW DIET
Posted by: "katkellm" katkellm@yahoo.com katkellm
Date: Sun Jan 6, 2008 4:46 am ((PST))

--- In rawfeeding@yahoogroups.com, "kimhollett" <kimhollett@...> wrote:
>
> > 1. Should skin be removed from chicken?

Hi Kim,
Welcome and nice to meet ya. It is not necessary to remove the skin
from the chicken for most/a big majority of dogs. It is sometimes
recommended if a dog has shown a pre raw digestive stomach sensitivity
thing to remove it at the start. In the long run, fat and skin are
part of the prey animal and therefore need to be part of the diet.

> 2. What about sausages? Should they be fed?

Nope, i don't feed them. They are full of spices.

> 3. Ground meat (some say feed it & some say not to??)

Ground meat, unless its just sooo cheap, shouldn't be fed. Part of
the benefit of a raw diet is the food necessitates that the dog crunch
and rip and gnaw to eat their food. This is what produces the teeth
cleaning and promotes good dental health. Doggy food dollars are best
spent on other foods.

> I should mention that our yellow lab Simba already has health issues.
> He has bad hip dysplasia in one hip & mild in the other. He also has a
> luxating patella (kneecap) & pulled cruciate ligaments.

I have no experience, but can tell you that chicken feet and beef
trachea are high in chondroitin, so they should be helpful to feed.
KathyM

Messages in this topic (2)
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