Does Anyone Feed Raw?

[Asiel]

I've been feeding raw for ages and I don't think I could ever go back to kibble. I don't understand why people think it's so expensive, most of the raw meat I get comes from the butchers around here. When hunting is in season I can fill freezers for a year with what I get from the hunters . I do buy chicken on sale but only because I like to vary the meals. I can honestly say that it doesn't cost much more than a few hundred a year to feed 3 dogs raw and only because I buy the chicken and more organ meats.

[MonicanHonda]

I would say it would be more expensive because I don't know of butchers/hunters around me. Oh, and I live in an apartment so I don't have a big freezer. And, the thought of them not getting enough nutrients just scares me. Because I know you give them their nutrients over a week and not a day. So much to learn. Lol

I've been researching homecooked (because dalmatians have the whole purine thing) and basically the diet would consist of mostly rice and some lamb or chicken. But not a lot...

[Seravieve]

We currently feed Blue Buffalo, Chicken and Brown Rice or Sweet Potato and Fish. But man.. All three are having some serious gas problems right now. It just seems to be this bag of food. We've fed BB for 4-5 months now.. so we're not sure whats up with the smellies. Going to be getting them some plain yogurt to add in.. see if that helps.

And the only way we can afford to feed BB is with coupons, coupons, coupons. We've been buying BB coupons on eBay and then stacking them with Petsmart ones and stocking up when its on sale. A little work.. but they get a better food. We save at least 50% with the coupons.

I'm interested in feeding raw.. but I don't think it really would fit our lifestyle or budget right now.

[MonicanHonda]

Coupons on ebay?!? Sweet!

Chicken soup was 37 or 38 dollars at PSP. But I found a feed store that has it for 31 dollars and it's on sale now for 29.99.

TOTW is like... 42 dollars at PSP. But at the feed store it's 38.

If anyone has a feed store by them, I would recommend checking it out.

[Queen of Poop]

Cali and Diego eat raw. They love the Amore Rabbit/Salmon mix.

[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