Does Anyone Feed Raw?

[binka_nugget]

I used to feed raw but switched back to kibble due to time constraints. It can work out to be comparable in price if you're a good shopper and have extra freezer space. The dogs are currently on Acana and are doing pretty well on it. My only complaint is that Keeva is verrrrry gassy on this food but activity levels and general health are good for all three dogs (one competitive sport dog and two couch potatoes). They all did a little better on raw though. Coats were a little better, I didn't have to worry about teeth, it was easier to give supplements to the older dogs, didn't have to pick up dog poop, and everyone's weight was better. I was able to get weight off the Shelties a little easier, and it's a little easier to keep weight on my Malinois. The downside was the time it took to keep things in stock since I went to lots of different suppliers. It also took a little more time to prepare their meals, making sure food was defrosting, bagging meats, etc. I plan on switching them back to raw after a little more shopping around.

Don't feel bad about feeding kibble Feed whatever works for you and your dogs. Supplementing with the occasional raw bone sounds like a great idea.. you still get the benefit of clean teeth!

[MonicanHonda]

Thanks guys. And binka_nugget for making me feel better. lol

[Freedom]

I think you already know this but . . .

I use Dr. Harvey's Veg to Bowl. And have made my first batch of Spot's Chicken Stew from The Whole Pet Diet, by Andi Brown. OMGosh, the pups AND THE CATS love that stew!

[MonicanHonda]

Actually, the spots stew would be very good for dalmatians.

For a 50 lbs dog it says it would need 5 cups a day. How much does the whole pot make, do you know?

Oh, wow. A pot makes 8 cups... That would be like a whole chicken a day. That's kind of a lot. Lol

[Freedom]

Seeing as I had to make for 14 pets, I used 2 whole chickens. It says 2.5 pounds of chicken (that is bones, skin and all) so I was just above that. They were small chickens.

Deboning was the worst part of the whole job. It didn't say to remove the skin, but I did take out most of it. Just the thought of all that skin was making me gag.

I think I put in more water and chicken broth; that was the only thing I didn't specifically measure. The rolled oats and barley help absorb that.

I have 3 huge casseroles in the freezer. Using a fourth, I keep it in a pitcher in the fridge. I just walk around with the pitcher and put it in their bowls. No way I got "5 cups." More like 3 gallons!

It is going to last me at least 3 weeks!

Oh, and you can use it as a "liquid" over dry kibble. That will stretch it out, and help make sure they take in enough fluids. (Important for the cats). So if you have a kibble you like, that would also work.

[MonicanHonda]

Could I possibly, if I figured out calorie contents and such, feed half that, half kibble? Dalmatians need lots of liquid also, so I always have to add water to her kibble.

[Freedom]

Of course! You can mix whatever you wish!

You are an adult now; you can even eat dessert BEFORE dinner!