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  1. #1
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Feeding Mackarel (one off)

    So since my freezer is loaded with mackarel - like the full fish head and all - how do you feed that - frozen or thawed?

    Would it be ok (or a bad idea) to feed one to my pups as a treat (or i guess instead of a meal)? I think one fish is too big for Penny (38 pounds) but possibly ok for Rocky (80 poundS)? do I give half a fish to penny? we think they are about 400-600 grams per fisH (since she was told to feed one fish per meal) or could this lead to some...major issues? too much too quick?

    Oh I feed kibble normally. I wouldn't feed fish and kibble (I know not to mix the two in a meal), the fish would be the meal. So likely something like breast at 8am (kibble) and then the fish in the evening (6-7pm).

  2. #2
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    We feed the sardines partially thawed and cut up. Heads, fins and tails. We use a large cleaver on a cutting board. Our Lab eats it all. I have thrown him a fully frozen whole fish in the back yard and he scarfed it down. We tried totally thawed and he wasn't interested. I think it's a texture thing. Partially frozen isn't mushy or too hard. I think you would substitute the fish instead of one meal. One of our Newfs won't eat the fish at all. Our newly rescued Newf will eat it cut up but not whole.

  3. #3
    Senior Dog shellbell's Avatar
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    You can feed either way, frozen or thawed. And honestly, I don't think it is harmful to mix kibble and raw in the same meal. But given the size of the fish, it would make sense to replace a meal with one.

  4. #4
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    I just throw them into a bowl, whole. My guys are not gulpers. I feed them thawed or slightly frozen. They LOVE them. You can feed them as a meal. I don't really count the bones as "bones", so I will often feed them with a chicken back or a wing or something boney.

    Mr. Fatty Pants gets 2 - 3 for a meal (he is in the high 90s) and Linus, who is younger, more active, and has less of a weight problem, gets 3 - 4 for a meal. It all depends on the size of the fish and whether it's all fish or part fish. I save the little ones for the cat, so usually the dogs get the ones that around around 8 inches long, give or take.

  5. #5
    Senior Dog charliebbarkin's Avatar
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    I feed them whole and frozen. It will depend on if your dog. Enjoy!
    Charlie and Burton


  6. #6
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    thanks
    Ok I may try to cut one in half for penny - probably will try this weekend (and a full one for Rocky).

    Any issues with dogs not chewing enough and swalling a piece that i too big? (yes I am THAT nervous about everything haha)

  7. #7
    Senior Dog shellbell's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tanya View Post
    Any issues with dogs not chewing enough and swalling a piece that i too big? (yes I am THAT nervous about everything haha)
    They are pretty good at not choking, even if they do swallow a big hunk. If you are worried though, you can always cut it up in smaller pieces.

  8. #8
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    Mine don't. They are easy to cut up though, even just with kitchen shears.

  9. #9
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    thanks ok pups will have a yummy treats sometime soon

  10. #10
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    Have you considered feeding your Labs raw? You already have the freezer...

 



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