Switched to raw

[bmathers]

I decided to go for it and switched Diggity to a raw diet several weeks ago. I originally fed him kibble (that the breeder used), then I switched to a home cooked diet (a premix and cooked ground turkey or beef), and now have transitioned to raw. I have to say it is working out great. He loves it and had zero issues with the transition. All the things people say about the benefits of raw, including the reduced poop output, seem to be holding true. It might be my imagination, but I have also noticed his coat is a tad softer as well.

Instead of commercial raw (like Stella and Chewy’s or Primal), I decided to go with two raw companies that are smaller batch. One is Rawganics and the other is Top Quality. You have to buy both from co-ops...you can’t buy their food directly from stores unless you are in their local area. Top Quality is in Maryland and Rawganics is in NY.

Top Quality is easier to order because they have a web site where you can place your order and then choose your pickup location. I also like the fact that you can get an order a few times a month. You can have Top Quality delivered, but I think it is insanely expensive.

https://www.topqualitydogfood.com/

Rawganics is the one that most of the people I train with use (trainers, owners of training facilities, breeders.) They are a bit more difficult to use because you have to join a co-op through a Facebook group and place your order through the group. The co-op I use is near one of the places where we train, but they only do orders every two months. They don’t have a web site, but you can get an idea of their food from this site:

https://unleasheddaycare.com/rawganics

From what I can tell, Rawganics is a step up from Top Quality, but both are really good.

I am also giving him raw knuckle bones and I sometimes cringe when he chews on his back teeth too hard, but overall I feel like the raw bones are good for him. I know they are mentally stimulating for him and after a good chew session, he usually falls asleep.

One other great thing about raw is that even though it takes up a lot of space in my freezer, it is so much easier than the home cooking that I used to do. So unless something changes and he stops doing well on it, I feel like I have found his food.


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[Berna]

Good! I bet Diggity loves it. I switched Cookie to raw almost 7 years ago, and never looked back.

[Black Labbies]

WTG team Diggity!!! You're doing Diggity a huge favor by feeding him raw and in the long run, you'll have fewer vet bills, and if you're lucky like us, no need for dental cleaning, etc. And yes, better coats, breath, poopers, and so much more, and a dog who won't turn his nose up to his breakfast and dinner, but enjoy every bite in his bowl.

We started feeding homemade in 1999 and slowly went to raw and homemade. As for bones, if you can, look for large marrow bones instead of knuckle, as knuckle bone can, and do, break apart and if Diggity swallow a large piece, that would be an expensive vet bill. We get our marrow bones from a local deli and butcher store and they cut the bones to the size we want.

Good luck with happy Diggity!

[bmathers]

WTG team Diggity!!! You're doing Diggity a huge favor by feeding him raw and in the long run, you'll have fewer vet bills, and if you're lucky like us, no need for dental cleaning, etc. And yes, better coats, breath, poopers, and so much more, and a dog who won't turn his nose up to his breakfast and dinner, but enjoy every bite in his bowl.

We started feeding homemade in 1999 and slowly went to raw and homemade. As for bones, if you can, look for large marrow bones instead of knuckle, as knuckle bone can, and do, break apart and if Diggity swallow a large piece, that would be an expensive vet bill. We get our marrow bones from a local deli and butcher store and they cut the bones to the size we want.

Good luck with happy Diggity!

What do you think about beef neck bones? They are softer and have a lot more meat. I know they are meant to be consumed, not just chewed.

https://www.topqualitydogfood.com/pr...ef-neck-bones/


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[Black Labbies]

Beef neck bones are similar to chicken, turkey and duck necks, just much bigger. Years ago we had a great raw meat and meal supplier and they have beef neck bones and our girls loved them. Our words to all our raw bone fed girls is "chew it good".

When Opal was a young girl she swallowed the 'knuckle' of a knuckle bone whole and for days we were on pins and needles hoping it wouldn't cause an obstruction. Just hours after I phoned the vet to set up an abdominal xrays, Opal puked up the large piece of slimy, stinky knuckle. We all did the happy dance! That's why knuckle bones scare me.

[bmathers]

Beef neck bones are similar to chicken, turkey and duck necks, just much bigger. Years ago we had a great raw meat and meal supplier and they have beef neck bones and our girls loved them. Our words to all our raw bone fed girls is "chew it good".

When Opal was a young girl she swallowed the 'knuckle' of a knuckle bone whole and for days we were on pins and needles hoping it wouldn't cause an obstruction. Just hours after I phoned the vet to set up an abdominal xrays, Opal puked up the large piece of slimy, stinky knuckle. We all did the happy dance! That's why knuckle bones scare me.

Yikes, that would be scary!

That is why I have mixed feelings about a softer bone, like a neck bone. I think Diggity would easily break off chunks and swallow them whole. Whereas, with the knuckle bone, he gnaws at it and only occasionally gets off a small piece, which he chews somewhat and then swallows. I probably waste a lot of the knuckle bone, because when it gets smaller (probably a little bigger than a baseball) I throw it away. I don’t want to chance him swallowing it. I do have him in the same room with me whenever I give him a bone and am teaching him to stay on a large towel as he eats it.

I’ve given him marrow bones too, but they seem so hard and I worry about his teeth with those more than a knuckle bone. He gets a lot of the marrow out and then he start working on the edge of the bone to break pieces off and the way he bites down makes me think he could break a tooth. Plus, it creates a lot of sharp edges when he breaks off pieces, which also worries me.

A lot of my raw feeding friends say not to worry about either knuckle or marrow bones. They give both to their dogs without problems. I guess it really comes down to how aggressive the dogs chews bones. Still trying to figure that out with Diggity.


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[Black Labbies]

You know Diggity best and if he's not a aggressive chewer, then give him the bones you feel comfortable with. At least he's a happy, bone-loving boy .