So I guess I started raw...guidance for where to go from here?

[Berna]

Thank you so much!!! That answers a lot for me. Very helpful!!
I'm honestly not really expecting noticible health improvements other than hopefully losing some weight just because he was already doing great on his kibble (great coat, energy, good poops about once or twice a day). I do expect him to be healthier long term though.

I think I'll try to find some backs over the weekend. Hopefully I can find a co-op in my area as well.

When I introduce beef, is there a cut that already incorporates a good balance of bone and meat or is it better to just feed ground beef and add bone?

Believe me, I also thought my dog looked fantastic on kibble but the change after a few months on raw was amazing. You won't believe your eyes!

When it comes to weight, if you see him gaining weight reduce his portions. Not adding carbs will also help (kibble is at least 40% carbs). I don't know anything about how much he is exercised, so if you could give me some information about that, I may help. The muscles my dog developed with regular exercise + raw meat are nothing I ever imagined!

When it comes to beef: beef heart is a muscle and I sure hope you can get that! I feed beef heart and tongue for "muscle meat", and beef liver, kidneys, tripe (cleaned though, not green, because I can't find green tripe where I live unfortunately; if you can find green tripe, that's jack pot), trachea, lungs as "organs", and beef ribs have a decent amount of "bone".

[Carlos]

Believe me, I also thought my dog looked fantastic on kibble but the change after a few months on raw was amazing. You won't believe your eyes!

When it comes to weight, if you see him gaining weight reduce his portions. Not adding carbs will also help (kibble is at least 40% carbs). I don't know anything about how much he is exercised, so if you could give me some information about that, I may help. The muscles my dog developed with regular exercise + raw meat are nothing I ever imagined!

When it comes to beef: beef heart is a muscle and I sure hope you can get that! I feed beef heart and tongue for "muscle meat", and beef liver, kidneys, tripe (cleaned though, not green, because I can't find green tripe where I live unfortunately; if you can find green tripe, that's jack pot), trachea, lungs as "organs", and beef ribs have a decent amount of "bone".

Awesome!!! When the weather is nice I take him jogging with me about three times a week for 2-3 miles (about 3-5km) per run. Unfortunately, it's been far too cold for running except for a few nice days here and there so that hasn't really been happening for several weeks and we've just been trying to find ways to burn off energy (tug of war, games in the house, etc.). We'll be back out as soon as I can stand the weather again.

I'm pretty sure green tripe is available here so it's just a matter of finding the best price I can get it for.

[shellbell]

There aren't many beef bones that are actually edible...ox tails are, but often expensive. I'm trying to get ahold of some beef kneecaps, I have heard those are edible. Weight bearing bones from cows (marrow bones) aren't actually edible, they are more of a recreational chew. Beef ribs may or may not be, depends on your dog. They make me nervous to feed, I have a friend whose dog swallowed whole most of a beef rib bone. The dog was fine, but beef ribs, though not weight bearing, are still kinda dense IMO. I usually just feed boneless cuts of beef, like heart. If I need to also feed bone that day, I might add like a chicken drumstick or something.

[Snowshoe]

Wow, so much good stuff up above I have only one thing I can think to add. Check out raw dog food suppliers near you. They may have a cheaper supply of the meats you need and they may be a valuable source of information for you. I'm now using a couple of suppliers and they all have impressive websites with links to knowledge on feeding BARF or PREY model diets.

WE started BARF at the urging of our Holistic Vet when Oban was sick last summer. It's been a big success. It would be really nice if your Vet supported you. Not necessary, but nice.

Good luck, I bet Shiloh loves it. Oban does.

[Carlos]

There aren't many beef bones that are actually edible...ox tails are, but often expensive. I'm trying to get ahold of some beef kneecaps, I have heard those are edible. Weight bearing bones from cows (marrow bones) aren't actually edible, they are more of a recreational chew. Beef ribs may or may not be, depends on your dog. They make me nervous to feed, I have a friend whose dog swallowed whole most of a beef rib bone. The dog was fine, but beef ribs, though not weight bearing, are still kinda dense IMO. I usually just feed boneless cuts of beef, like heart. If I need to also feed bone that day, I might add like a chicken drumstick or something.

Thanks! That's good to know.
One good thing for me is that Shiloh's never been a gulper. Even small pieces of treats he'll chew first.

[Carlos]

Wow, so much good stuff up above I have only one thing I can think to add. Check out raw dog food suppliers near you. They may have a cheaper supply of the meats you need and they may be a valuable source of information for you. I'm now using a couple of suppliers and they all have impressive websites with links to knowledge on feeding BARF or PREY model diets.

WE started BARF at the urging of our Holistic Vet when Oban was sick last summer. It's been a big success. It would be really nice if your Vet supported you. Not necessary, but nice.

Good luck, I bet Shiloh loves it. Oban does.

Thanks!! Other than a couple websites that ship anywhere I'm having a hard time finding any local co-ops or anything. :/

[shelly]

Try looking at the Coop Directory Service www.coopdirectory.org Don't limit yourself to your immediate city. The coop that we belong to services all of Western Washington and Northern Portland, Oregon.

[shellbell]

Though not a co-op, My Pet Carnivore delivers to Ohio. I use them, they have great products and awesome customer service.

https://www.mypetcarnivore.com/index.php?lang=en

[Carlos]

Though not a co-op, My Pet Carnivore delivers to Ohio. I use them, they have great products and awesome customer service.

https://www.mypetcarnivore.com/index.php?lang=en

Wow!! Talk about variety!! Everything from chicken to tripe to beaver to muskrat!!

[Georgia]

Years ago I fed raw and I used to order from this place in Ohio. A Place for Paws - Columbiana, Ohio - Home