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

Hey guys!!! It's me!!! Haven't really been around because I've been so insanely busy. But I had some questions so I knew where I needed to turn!!!

I've done research on feeding raw over the last couple years off and on just out of curiosity. Then last week I started seriously considering the possibility of switching (he needs to shed a few pounds and I don't like the idea of cutting down his kibble much lower). So...when I went to feed Shiloh the other day and realized I'd let the dog food run out, instead of rushing to the store like I would have done if it had happened last month, I just grabbed a 10 oz chicken breast thinking "this'll do for now" and gave it to him raw (he's had cooked chicken on several occasions before).

Well since he did well with that meal I still didn't rush out to the store and just did the same thing again for breakfast the next day. That also went well so it happened again for supper. That was yesterday. This morning I gave another chicken breast and added some carrots.

My plan for this evening is to go to Aldi to stock up on $.89 per lb chicken thighs (this way he'll be getting bone instead of just breast meat) and some liver, blend a bunch of vegetables and portion out a couple weeks of meals.
Basically a chicken thigh and a couple ounces of veggies in each ziploc freezer bag. I would sub the thigh for liver once or twice a week (shooting for 10% organ meat).

So the questions:

1) Does this sound like a good plan for getting started?

2) Is the two thighs per day enough meat if I'm adding enough veggies to be feeding around 2% of his ideal body weight? (Ideal body weight is 65-70 lbs)

3) Is the bone in the chicken thighs sufficient (or not too much) for what I'll be feeding? I, of course, plan to add things like turkey necks and bones when introducing other meats that don't include bone.

4) I know the guide for 80/10/10 for how much muscle, bone and organs but is there a guideline for how much to feed for veggies? Or is it good enough that they're there and ok if there's more than really necessary?

5) I know it's important to introduce several different meats but when I do, does that need to be for just one meal or switch for weeks at a time? I'd prefer to throw in the other proteins here and there and primarily stick with poultry due to cost. Am I good to keep feeding chicken almost always but with some pork here and a little beef next week etc?

6) How long should I wait before I do introduce other protein sources?

7) A lot of the prey model stuff I've read about this week talks about eyes etc. providing omega 3 and how this should be replicated by adding fish oil or flax seeds etc. Do you all agree with this? Should I add a source of omega 3 and, if so, is there an economical source?

8) Am I missing anything? Anything I haven't mentioned that I should be considering?

Thanks so much for the help everybody!!!

I got a lot of great advice in this thread: https://www.lab-retriever.net/board/b...highlight=feed when I asked about going raw. Not sure if you saw it or not but it should answer most of your questions.

Good luck!

I feed PMR and don't know much about BARF, but can answer the question about the Omega 3's. Yes, if you are feeding primarily chicken, I would add salmon oil. Omega 3's are naturally occurring in grass fed red meat, so theoretically if a person was feeding mainly that, then fish oil supplement would not need to be added. In your case however, I would. I feed a lot of grass fed red meat, but not all the time. So I give Grizzly Salmon Oil every day just to cover my bases.

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Originally Posted by beth101509

I got a lot of great advice in this thread: https://www.lab-retriever.net/board/b...highlight=feed when I asked about going raw. Not sure if you saw it or not but it should answer most of your questions.

Good luck!

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Thanks!! I'll check it out!

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Originally Posted by shellbell

I feed PMR and don't know much about BARF, but can answer the question about the Omega 3's. Yes, if you are feeding primarily chicken, I would add salmon oil. Omega 3's are naturally occurring in grass fed red meat, so theoretically if a person was feeding mainly that, then fish oil supplement would not need to be added. In your case however, I would. I feed a lot of grass fed red meat, but not all the time. So I give Grizzly Salmon Oil every day just to cover my bases.

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Thanks. I just googled Grizzly and see that chewy has the 32oz bottle on sale for 23.91. Do you know if it would work to add it straight to the veggie mix and freeze it with the rest of the meal? Or would I need to add it fresh at each meal?

We do prey also. We only added green beans as a filler. We cold turkey transitioned our Newf rescue this week from kibble and he loves it. I wouldn't load up on too much chicken until your sure that your dog likes it. I have read that you are supposed to wait 2 weeks before trying out new proteins - we didn't and it's been ok for him. We give vitamin E oil capsules with the fish oil.

Two other thinks to consider is joining a RAW Coop to get more proteins cheaper and to get a dedicated freezer to take advantage of sales and buying in bulk. Good luck - you won't be sorry with the change.

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Originally Posted by Carlos

Thanks. I just googled Grizzly and see that chewy has the 32oz bottle on sale for 23.91. Do you know if it would work to add it straight to the veggie mix and freeze it with the rest of the meal? Or would I need to add it fresh at each meal?

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Should be fine, a friend of mine makes organ grinds, adds it to those, and freezes.

Hi,

First of all, congrats on taking a step into raw! I am sure you won't regret it!

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1) Does this sound like a good plan for getting started?

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Sounds like a good plan. I switched to raw cold turkey. Starting with only one protein source (chicken) is recommended. I started with chicken backs and necks, which are bony and not too rich. It will take some time for the GI system to adjust. Cookie, for example, didn't get diarrhea but he used to poop 10x a day, LOL! The reason I am telling you this is not to get discouraged if you don't see a change for the better right away.

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2) Is the two thighs per day enough meat if I'm adding enough veggies to be feeding around 2% of his ideal body weight? (Ideal body weight is 65-70 lbs)

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Sounds good.

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3) Is the bone in the chicken thighs sufficient (or not too much) for what I'll be feeding? I, of course, plan to add things like turkey necks and bones when introducing other meats that don't include bone.

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You will see if it's too much bone. If the dog is straining to defecate, then it's too much bone for him. Add a small amount of organs. If on the other hand, you see runny poos, you need to add more bone. You can add egg shells, plain yogurt or kefir all of which are a great source of calcium later on.

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4) I know the guide for 80/10/10 for how much muscle, bone and organs but is there a guideline for how much to feed for veggies? Or is it good enough that they're there and ok if there's more than really necessary?

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Some people don't feed veggies at all, but I do. Veggies should be cooked or steamed or pureed, for the dog to be able to digest them. Veggies are cca 10-20% of the meal.

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5) I know it's important to introduce several different meats but when I do, does that need to be for just one meal or switch for weeks at a time? I'd prefer to throw in the other proteins here and there and primarily stick with poultry due to cost. Am I good to keep feeding chicken almost always but with some pork here and a little beef next week etc?

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I change proteins for every meal. I.e. if he had fish today, tomorrow I will feed beef, the next day chicken, and so on.

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6) How long should I wait before I do introduce other protein sources?

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I waited two weeks. Then I introduced beef and fish.

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7) A lot of the prey model stuff I've read about this week talks about eyes etc. providing omega 3 and how this should be replicated by adding fish oil or flax seeds etc. Do you all agree with this? Should I add a source of omega 3 and, if so, is there an economical source?

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I feed fish which is a great source of omega 3. Sardines are relatively cheap, I also feed salmon heads and tails (be careful with salmon though, if it's source is from the Pacific Northwest don't feed it raw).

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8) Am I missing anything? Anything I haven't mentioned that I should be considering?

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Just be careful not to feed kibble and raw in the same meal if you decide against switching cold turkey. With time, when the switch goes well and you introduce various proteins and organs, you can add some beneficial supplements like kefir, turmeric, spirulina or coconut oil.

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Originally Posted by shelly

We do prey also. We only added green beans as a filler. We cold turkey transitioned our Newf rescue this week from kibble and he loves it. I wouldn't load up on too much chicken until your sure that your dog likes it. I have read that you are supposed to wait 2 weeks before trying out new proteins - we didn't and it's been ok for him. We give vitamin E oil capsules with the fish oil.

Two other thinks to consider is joining a RAW Coop to get more proteins cheaper and to get a dedicated freezer to take advantage of sales and buying in bulk. Good luck - you won't be sorry with the change.

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Thanks!! I ended up just getting only one package of the thighs because they weren't on sale after all. I've got a big freezer in the garage that I don't quite use half of so I should be covered there I think. I'd love to find a good co-op!! I've been looking but no real luck yet finding one in the greater Cincinnati area.

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Originally Posted by Berna

Hi,

First of all, congrats on taking a step into raw! I am sure you won't regret it!



Sounds like a good plan. I switched to raw cold turkey. Starting with only one protein source (chicken) is recommended. I started with chicken backs and necks, which are bony and not too rich. It will take some time for the GI system to adjust. Cookie, for example, didn't get diarrhea but he used to poop 10x a day, LOL! The reason I am telling you this is not to get discouraged if you don't see a change for the better right away.



Sounds good.



You will see if it's too much bone. If the dog is straining to defecate, then it's too much bone for him. Add a small amount of organs. If on the other hand, you see runny poos, you need to add more bone. You can add egg shells, plain yogurt or kefir all of which are a great source of calcium later on.



Some people don't feed veggies at all, but I do. Veggies should be cooked or steamed or pureed, for the dog to be able to digest them. Veggies are cca 10-20% of the meal.



I change proteins for every meal. I.e. if he had fish today, tomorrow I will feed beef, the next day chicken, and so on.



I waited two weeks. Then I introduced beef and fish.



I feed fish which is a great source of omega 3. Sardines are relatively cheap, I also feed salmon heads and tails (be careful with salmon though, if it's source is from the Pacific Northwest don't feed it raw).



Just be careful not to feed kibble and raw in the same meal if you decide against switching cold turkey. With time, when the switch goes well and you introduce various proteins and organs, you can add some beneficial supplements like kefir, turmeric, spirulina or coconut oil.

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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?