Prepackaged Raw - Page 2 - Labrador Retriever Dogs Chat Forum Board - Dogs, Puppies, Photos, Training, Pictures, Rescue Forums

Atticus's Mommy · 10-13-2009, 04:44 PM

This thread has seemed to have dissipated but I had to share... I currently have a lab puppy and shih tzu eating the prepackaged raw from Nature's Variety (Taste of Raw). The reason I made the big switch (from high quality kibble) is because my puppy just wouldn't eat. I tried Evo, Wellness, Taste of the Wild, Innova, and Solid Gold. I tried heating up dry kibble, canned food, warm canned food, etc.... the puppy would pick at it throughout the day. It was embarassing taking him anywhere and having people comment on how thin he was... =( I happened to go to the local "small" pet store (I'm anti-PetSmart/PetCo/etc but that's another story) on a lucky day when the rep for Nature's Variety was there. He asked me if I needed help choosing (as I had 3 bags of food in arms to try once again)... I was reluctant to say yes (because the last time, I ran into an evil nutro rep), but said, "Sure, as long as you don't recommend anything over there <pointed to Nutro and Eukanuba and other yucky brands>". He asked me what I was looking for... and I said I needed 2 foods: one low in protein for my liver failure shih tzu and one that tastes good for my lab puppy. I then proceeded to say that I didn't want grains/wheats... and he said, "That's a tough one but we got the food for you...". I was extremely hesitant at first. Then he handed me a handful of coupons so I could try it. I got 2 free bags of medallions (1 oz patties), and 2 free bags of Instinct Dry Kibble (4# bags). I took it straight home and started my research! I researched for about 5 hours or more before deciding to try it.
I AM SO GLAD I TRIED IT!!!! I have been feeding a 50/50 diet for about 5 weeks now and I'm really seeing a difference in BOTH dogs. My 13 year old Shih Tzu is spunky, jumps for food, has a beautiful coat (which I think I may let grow out for the first time in 3 years), and her liver values have dropped 160 points.... and the Puppy... OMG!! He LOVES it... I've never seen a dog so excited about eating before! He is more active, dandruff is GONE, itching has subsided, and he is finally having normal stools (which are 1/2 the size of pre-raw stools).
I sound like I own the company and am promoting it... but it's just an amzing difference in both dogs!

And the best part... (I shouldn't say this but I will)... If you go to Nature's Variety website /tryit... (I can't post links yet).... you get coupons for free food. I made e-mail accounts for both dogs, and used our e-mail addresses to get these coupons. When I goto the store, I buy a bag of 8oz patties, and get a bag of 1 oz medallions for free... so basically, my shih tzu eats it for free!! I'll make new e-mail addresses as I need more food. Supposively, you get coupons sporatically through your e-mail but I haven't gotten any yet...

Anyone have experience (good or bad) with this particular brand??

Asquared · 10-15-2009, 11:57 AM

We love our Primal

That is the majority of what we feed.

GlennBaxterFam · 10-15-2009, 03:45 PM

I feed our 5 ferrets and 2 cats Primal and NV's commerical raw. The ferrets will not eat kibble now. I really like Primal

I am not sure about switching the puppy though. Cost wise I don't know that my checkbook could handle it! If cost wasn't a factor I would feed Primal though as I think it is a quality raw food and the ferrets and cats enjoy it!

Hot Chocolate · 10-23-2009, 09:30 PM

I have not tried primal but we stopped feeding her the prairie NV kibble. We were feeding Shelby prairie and stella and chewys raw. I think she started to out smart us though! Shelby would eat the raw and jsut leave the kibble. So i waited a few days without feeding the raw and she didnt eat for a few days. So it looks like she will be a raw dog from now on

Jenny B · 11-13-2009, 11:23 AM

Jet LOVES, LOVES, LOVES Stella and Chewys... He eats it for breakfast every morning, and I do "other" meat for dinner... They just came out with a duck/goose mix that he does FANTASTIC on... It is a little pricey, but doing it once a day and other meat for dinner helps. Plus, He has not been to the vet other than one time and for his yearly checkup... which saves a lot of money.

I have also gotten a couple bags of the rabbit from Nature's variety, but it is like 750lb... so that is a rare treat for him

With the premade, I feel he gets what he needs... ground bone, organ, meat, etc... And we do the marrow bones once a week for teeth cleaning.

I tried doing whole (chicken or pheasant) and he consistently threw up after every whole meal... So, we are back to ground and he is doing excellent...

Every dog is different, so you need to do what is best for your dog and for yourself.

LabBuddy · 11-25-2009, 07:13 PM

Stella and Chewy's is what I feed and it is a wonderful product IMHO. I tried the homemade route and I found it time consuming to prepare.

10-15-2009, 11:57 AM	#17
Asquared CREAM TEAM Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,801 My Mood:	We love our Primal That is the majority of what we feed. __________________ MACH Abby Jo Kickass "Abby" XF MAD ASA AS AG SJ SR CGC TDI Lil Brudder White Lightning "Alex" - OA OAJ XF AD SR SG CGC Sir Hamilton's Kickass Mini Chops "Remi" - AX AXJ NF AD

11-13-2009, 11:23 AM	#20
Jenny B I Love Cheese ! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Waukesha, Wisconsin Posts: 1,416	Jet LOVES, LOVES, LOVES Stella and Chewys... He eats it for breakfast every morning, and I do "other" meat for dinner... They just came out with a duck/goose mix that he does FANTASTIC on... It is a little pricey, but doing it once a day and other meat for dinner helps. Plus, He has not been to the vet other than one time and for his yearly checkup... which saves a lot of money. I have also gotten a couple bags of the rabbit from Nature's variety, but it is like 750lb... so that is a rare treat for him With the premade, I feel he gets what he needs... ground bone, organ, meat, etc... And we do the marrow bones once a week for teeth cleaning. I tried doing whole (chicken or pheasant) and he consistently threw up after every whole meal... So, we are back to ground and he is doing excellent... Every dog is different, so you need to do what is best for your dog and for yourself. __________________ Jet Born 5.15.04

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10-13-2009, 04:44 PM	#16
Atticus's Mommy Puppy Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 8	This thread has seemed to have dissipated but I had to share... I currently have a lab puppy and shih tzu eating the prepackaged raw from Nature's Variety (Taste of Raw). The reason I made the big switch (from high quality kibble) is because my puppy just wouldn't eat. I tried Evo, Wellness, Taste of the Wild, Innova, and Solid Gold. I tried heating up dry kibble, canned food, warm canned food, etc.... the puppy would pick at it throughout the day. It was embarassing taking him anywhere and having people comment on how thin he was... =( I happened to go to the local "small" pet store (I'm anti-PetSmart/PetCo/etc but that's another story) on a lucky day when the rep for Nature's Variety was there. He asked me if I needed help choosing (as I had 3 bags of food in arms to try once again)... I was reluctant to say yes (because the last time, I ran into an evil nutro rep), but said, "Sure, as long as you don't recommend anything over there <pointed to Nutro and Eukanuba and other yucky brands>". He asked me what I was looking for... and I said I needed 2 foods: one low in protein for my liver failure shih tzu and one that tastes good for my lab puppy. I then proceeded to say that I didn't want grains/wheats... and he said, "That's a tough one but we got the food for you...". I was extremely hesitant at first. Then he handed me a handful of coupons so I could try it. I got 2 free bags of medallions (1 oz patties), and 2 free bags of Instinct Dry Kibble (4# bags). I took it straight home and started my research! I researched for about 5 hours or more before deciding to try it. I AM SO GLAD I TRIED IT!!!! I have been feeding a 50/50 diet for about 5 weeks now and I'm really seeing a difference in BOTH dogs. My 13 year old Shih Tzu is spunky, jumps for food, has a beautiful coat (which I think I may let grow out for the first time in 3 years), and her liver values have dropped 160 points.... and the Puppy... OMG!! He LOVES it... I've never seen a dog so excited about eating before! He is more active, dandruff is GONE, itching has subsided, and he is finally having normal stools (which are 1/2 the size of pre-raw stools). I sound like I own the company and am promoting it... but it's just an amzing difference in both dogs! And the best part... (I shouldn't say this but I will)... If you go to Nature's Variety website /tryit... (I can't post links yet).... you get coupons for free food. I made e-mail accounts for both dogs, and used our e-mail addresses to get these coupons. When I goto the store, I buy a bag of 8oz patties, and get a bag of 1 oz medallions for free... so basically, my shih tzu eats it for free!! I'll make new e-mail addresses as I need more food. Supposively, you get coupons sporatically through your e-mail but I haven't gotten any yet... Anyone have experience (good or bad) with this particular brand??

10-15-2009, 03:45 PM	#18
GlennBaxterFam House Broken Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Shoreline, Wa. Posts: 127 My Mood:	I feed our 5 ferrets and 2 cats Primal and NV's commerical raw. The ferrets will not eat kibble now. I really like Primal I am not sure about switching the puppy though. Cost wise I don't know that my checkbook could handle it! If cost wasn't a factor I would feed Primal though as I think it is a quality raw food and the ferrets and cats enjoy it!

10-23-2009, 09:30 PM	#19
Hot Chocolate House Broken Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 44 My Mood:	I have not tried primal but we stopped feeding her the prairie NV kibble. We were feeding Shelby prairie and stella and chewys raw. I think she started to out smart us though! Shelby would eat the raw and jsut leave the kibble. So i waited a few days without feeding the raw and she didnt eat for a few days. So it looks like she will be a raw dog from now on

11-25-2009, 07:13 PM	#21
LabBuddy House Broken Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 36 My Mood:	Stella and Chewy's is what I feed and it is a wonderful product IMHO. I tried the homemade route and I found it time consuming to prepare.