Where do we start?
- squidgy100
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Where do we start?
Have been considering for a while, and I knew this was going to come at some stage, but waited until we had a trial run with a puppy staying with us fed on raw for a few days, to see if it was something we could do.
Ive been worried about the practicalities of feeding raw, going away, cool boxes, freezers, bones and raw food being eaten in the house etc, but I can honestly say I have never seen Lolah so excited to eat her dinner (yes, we mixed raw with her kibble for a few days...and she loved it). She is at the moment eating Arden grange Kibble with a couple of raw bones a week, and tbh she leaves her dinner most of the time, not enthused about it at all.
So where do I start? Need time to read up on the whole subject and gain some information first before jumping into such a big decision...can anyone point me in the right direction, give advice etc?
Ive been worried about the practicalities of feeding raw, going away, cool boxes, freezers, bones and raw food being eaten in the house etc, but I can honestly say I have never seen Lolah so excited to eat her dinner (yes, we mixed raw with her kibble for a few days...and she loved it). She is at the moment eating Arden grange Kibble with a couple of raw bones a week, and tbh she leaves her dinner most of the time, not enthused about it at all.
So where do I start? Need time to read up on the whole subject and gain some information first before jumping into such a big decision...can anyone point me in the right direction, give advice etc?
All because of Lolah!
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- zeta1454
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Re: Where do we start?
To some extent it will depend on whether you want to prepare the meals yourself from scratch using raw meats / fish ( and added vegetables, oils etc) . There are benefits to preparing from the basic ingredients yourself in that you do know exactly what your dogs are eating BUT if someone is new to raw feeding or if ( like me) they are vegetarian and not keen on chopping up raw meat, offal etc, it can be very daunting to do this. I know some members of the Forum do prepare their own dogs' meals and they will probably be able to help with advice on this.
We have opted to feed ours a prepared raw food -Natural Instinct which the dogs all love and it does make things pretty straightforward as regards meal times. The website has lots of information and general feeding guidelines and there are a variety of different foods available including just meat if you did not want to feed veg etc. The foods are predominantly meat ( or fish) with added fruit veg and fish oils and some herbs depending on variety. You should be feeding offal at least several times a week and you might need to check whether the variety you use includes this as not all do. We also give ours pure raw green tripe one day a week' which is very smelly but really nutritious.
http://www.naturalinstinct.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There are other companies too that offer frozen prepared meals for dogs usually in 500g or 1kg containers and you can get next day delivery direct from the companies if you do not have a stockist nearby. We have invested in a separate chest freezer for our dogs' food as we order in bulk although with eight dogs we do get through it quite quickly anyway
Wolf Tucker and Nutriment are two other companies we have used in the past and both are also good suppliers. They do sell frozen bones, trachea and other frozen meat treats for dogs as well as the food. The containers with Natural Instinct are a recyclable plastic and could be stored at the bottom of the fridge to defrost but I usually transfer the contents into a Tupperware type container as being more secure.
If you are going away you can take the food still frozen in a cool bag with ice packs as long as the place you are staying has a fridge/ freezer. We have successfully done this in the past. The alternative would be to buy fresh meat when you are on holiday to feed instead or call in at a pet store which sells frozen raw pet food.
Feeding bones or similar that are not in a bowl, I would always make sure that the dogs are either outside or on a floor in the kitchen or similar room that can be cleaned afterwards or that they are in individual crates to enjoy their bone ( again on surfaces or a blanket that can be cleaned afterwards).
We have fed ours raw for over eight years now and wean the pups onto raw minced chicken. The dogs love it and we have found it the best kind of food for the dogs' good health. Good luck with trying it out - I am sure Lolah and your new puppy will thrive on it
We have opted to feed ours a prepared raw food -Natural Instinct which the dogs all love and it does make things pretty straightforward as regards meal times. The website has lots of information and general feeding guidelines and there are a variety of different foods available including just meat if you did not want to feed veg etc. The foods are predominantly meat ( or fish) with added fruit veg and fish oils and some herbs depending on variety. You should be feeding offal at least several times a week and you might need to check whether the variety you use includes this as not all do. We also give ours pure raw green tripe one day a week' which is very smelly but really nutritious.
http://www.naturalinstinct.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There are other companies too that offer frozen prepared meals for dogs usually in 500g or 1kg containers and you can get next day delivery direct from the companies if you do not have a stockist nearby. We have invested in a separate chest freezer for our dogs' food as we order in bulk although with eight dogs we do get through it quite quickly anyway
Wolf Tucker and Nutriment are two other companies we have used in the past and both are also good suppliers. They do sell frozen bones, trachea and other frozen meat treats for dogs as well as the food. The containers with Natural Instinct are a recyclable plastic and could be stored at the bottom of the fridge to defrost but I usually transfer the contents into a Tupperware type container as being more secure.
If you are going away you can take the food still frozen in a cool bag with ice packs as long as the place you are staying has a fridge/ freezer. We have successfully done this in the past. The alternative would be to buy fresh meat when you are on holiday to feed instead or call in at a pet store which sells frozen raw pet food.
Feeding bones or similar that are not in a bowl, I would always make sure that the dogs are either outside or on a floor in the kitchen or similar room that can be cleaned afterwards or that they are in individual crates to enjoy their bone ( again on surfaces or a blanket that can be cleaned afterwards).
We have fed ours raw for over eight years now and wean the pups onto raw minced chicken. The dogs love it and we have found it the best kind of food for the dogs' good health. Good luck with trying it out - I am sure Lolah and your new puppy will thrive on it
Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras
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Magic - Silversocks Sharade at Darksprite
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- squidgy100
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Re: Where do we start?
Thanks Leigh, yes it would be remade raw that we would be using for ease really....will have a look at the raw websites and read from there
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- Cam2
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Re: Where do we start?
I changed from kibble to raw food for my 3yr old boy in March of this year.
was very unsure of "preparing" it all myself, I give him Natures Menu raw nuggets. - the nuggets come frozen and I just get out the required amount the night before, put them in a Tupperware container and leave in the fridge overnight for use the next day.
I have found the Natures Menu website very helpful and they also reply very quickly with any questions I've asked them.
They also sell several frozen bone treats which I give a couple of times a week, I've also been buying chicken wings myself and giving him those. I buy from Pets At Home/Pets Corner and Natures Menu also do a delivery service
My younger 5 month old boy was raw fed as a puppy and also has Natures Menu. I now have a second small freezer that I keep the dogs food in.
When we went on holiday earlier this year there was no freezer in the cottage, so we used Natures Menu wet food, for that week.
My 2 are doing really well on raw and I'm glad I made the change, as previously mentioned there are several companies who sell raw foods so have a read up and see what might work for you
was very unsure of "preparing" it all myself, I give him Natures Menu raw nuggets. - the nuggets come frozen and I just get out the required amount the night before, put them in a Tupperware container and leave in the fridge overnight for use the next day.
I have found the Natures Menu website very helpful and they also reply very quickly with any questions I've asked them.
They also sell several frozen bone treats which I give a couple of times a week, I've also been buying chicken wings myself and giving him those. I buy from Pets At Home/Pets Corner and Natures Menu also do a delivery service
My younger 5 month old boy was raw fed as a puppy and also has Natures Menu. I now have a second small freezer that I keep the dogs food in.
When we went on holiday earlier this year there was no freezer in the cottage, so we used Natures Menu wet food, for that week.
My 2 are doing really well on raw and I'm glad I made the change, as previously mentioned there are several companies who sell raw foods so have a read up and see what might work for you
Zack (15/6/01 - 9/10/12) My 1st schnauzer, always in my thoughts
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Molly (11/6/04 - 12/3/15) My beautiful girl xx till we meet again
- squidgy100
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Re: Where do we start?
Thanks...hubby has said we will manage the change etc easily, so if I have his support for a change of feeding routine that's great! Will look at an
natures menu too as I have 2 teenage boys (mini men in some respects but will not touch dog food!!!). My boys will do some of the feeding so has to be an easily fed and accessible choice for us!!!
natures menu too as I have 2 teenage boys (mini men in some respects but will not touch dog food!!!). My boys will do some of the feeding so has to be an easily fed and accessible choice for us!!!
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- Maty
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Re: Where do we start?
Leigh has given you great advice [THUMBS UP SIGN]
I started Rodders off on Ni, as he hated kibble, only to find that he didn't like that either after I had stocked the freezer! He loved mince, wings and ribs, just not the Ni so I ended up giving it away.
We then tried Wolftucker, which is much meatier, and he loved it.
Creggan is happy whatever you give him!
I started Rodders off on Ni, as he hated kibble, only to find that he didn't like that either after I had stocked the freezer! He loved mince, wings and ribs, just not the Ni so I ended up giving it away.
We then tried Wolftucker, which is much meatier, and he loved it.
Creggan is happy whatever you give him!
Maty
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Creggan the Mini Pup, born 17/03/13, came home on 01/06/13
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Rodders the Mini Pup, born 10/08/11, came home on 09/10/11
Creggan the Mini Pup, born 17/03/13, came home on 01/06/13
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- Donna 9
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Re: Where do we start?
We swapped to raw earlier this year due to Flynn's health, he has a liver issue so needs low phosphorus and low purine food. The prescribed kibble the vets suggested was horrible, so after getting good advice from Dinkum (Dean) and others on here both boys now have Nutriment as they sell a version that literally says 'low phosphorus and low purine' on the tin as it were, so sorted! Both boys absolutely love it, Flynn fusses and gruffs in anticipation when I'm getting into their bowls!
On the practical side..
We just went for a straight swap one meal. I can just about make one order last a month (I have issues getting stuff delivered) and just make do with not freezing as much for myself. I don't like the packaging for Nutriment, I find the tubs really annoying to open and want to when the lids flicks 'juice' in my face. But other than that, all good, would recommend
On the practical side..
We just went for a straight swap one meal. I can just about make one order last a month (I have issues getting stuff delivered) and just make do with not freezing as much for myself. I don't like the packaging for Nutriment, I find the tubs really annoying to open and want to when the lids flicks 'juice' in my face. But other than that, all good, would recommend
- ZiiPAngelclaws
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Re: Where do we start?
ive been feeding raw for two years and never had "juice" flicked at my face when opening the tubs...Donna 9 wrote:On the practical side..
We just went for a straight swap one meal. I can just about make one order last a month (I have issues getting stuff delivered) and just make do with not freezing as much for myself. I don't like the packaging for Nutriment, I find the tubs really annoying to open and want to when the lids flicks 'juice' in my face. But other than that, all good, would recommend
Torsten has been on Wolftucker, Natural Instinct, Natures Menu and Nutriment. He also gets what ever is in the freezer at a raw supplier i know.
once you've decided on which brand to go for have a look or contact them for a starter pack, Nutriment will send 5kg of mixed flavours for £19 with out any postage costs. ;)
- Robert Lockwood
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Re: Where do we start?
Nadia, if you are uncertain of which foods to order there is a shop called Fetch on King Lane Alwoodley that has all the N.i foods and treats stocked in a branded freezer that way you can buy and try more flavours as and when to start.... I would stick to the more basic chicken or turkey varieties to start and then move on when you're happy things are going well..we were advised to give a teaspoon of natural goats yoghurt after each meal which helps the swap over..... I would say around 220-240g a day would be a good starting point for a dog of Lolah's size and build.
- Donna 9
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Re: Where do we start?
Hayley it's only happened once or twice, but it's gross! Usually when I've turning it all ways and sloping it about..
- squidgy100
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Re: Where do we start?
Thanks Robert....will have a look...I know Pets at Home only sell Natures Menu, now thats shop only Natural Instinct....bit of reading to do and 3 6Kg bags of kibble to get through yet...but want to be informed before we make the leap...will go in and have a chat with them!
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- squidgy100
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Re: Where do we start?
So we have investigated, not a great deal but enough to start and Lolah is now tucking into Natural instinct chicken.....however small the serving might be....200g per day!!! She is positively ravenous by tea time!!!
So my next questions are:
Can I add raw veg and cooked veg to her serving and would this then reduce her measured amount (I know it does have veg in the complete meals)
If I were to give her a wing or neck etc, do we weigh it and reduce her percentage of daily allowance....would she need veg aswell as meat and bone?
She is however really enjoying her meal times now.... and wolfs it down rather than plays around with it!
So my next questions are:
Can I add raw veg and cooked veg to her serving and would this then reduce her measured amount (I know it does have veg in the complete meals)
If I were to give her a wing or neck etc, do we weigh it and reduce her percentage of daily allowance....would she need veg aswell as meat and bone?
She is however really enjoying her meal times now.... and wolfs it down rather than plays around with it!
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- Maty
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Re: Where do we start?
She will get used to the lower amount fairly quickly. Rodders only gets 120g/day but Creggan is on the same as Lolah.
I usually give necks (2 for Creggan, 1 for Rodders) or Wings (1 each) instead if a meal, unless they genuinely are starving when I may add in lunch one day.
I usually give necks (2 for Creggan, 1 for Rodders) or Wings (1 each) instead if a meal, unless they genuinely are starving when I may add in lunch one day.
Maty
Rodders the Mini Pup, born 10/08/11, came home on 09/10/11
Creggan the Mini Pup, born 17/03/13, came home on 01/06/13
Proud of my Scottish Heritage
Rodders the Mini Pup, born 10/08/11, came home on 09/10/11
Creggan the Mini Pup, born 17/03/13, came home on 01/06/13
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Re: Where do we start?
We have just taken the plunge and swapped Doogie over to raw feeding. We have gone with Wolftucker for now; ordering a few variety packs and some chicken wings. He is loving the food but as yet we haven't given a chicken wing as we don't know whether we reduce the amount of food given by the weight of the wing. Also the food has bone in so we are not sure if feeding wings would mean he is having too high a percentage of bone!
Would be grateful of some advice, please! And some encouragement as I think we are also a bit nervous to give the wings in case he tries to swallow them whole!!
Would be grateful of some advice, please! And some encouragement as I think we are also a bit nervous to give the wings in case he tries to swallow them whole!!
- ZiiPAngelclaws
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Re: Where do we start?
all kibble makes them bloat which is why when switching to raw they act like they are starved, but a few weeks and she should be used to the feeling. if you want to bulk it out then you can add raw carrot, i dont reduce their amount when they have it though. mine also get raw broccoli, green beans and pepper, well anything we have they have.
As for chicken wings and alike, i measure out each portion and then bulk up the daily allowance, though you could give 2 chicken wings if the amount measures right.
When Torsten was a pup he had wing tips and i freaked out as the first time he swallowed it whole, but the next time he had lambs ribs or chicken wings he was fine and actually chewed his food though if you are worried about them just hold on whilst they have a chew.
If either of my two are a little loose (they do enjoy munching on rabbit poo ) i normally give them a treat of wings or ribs and still give the normal amount of nutriment ;)
As for chicken wings and alike, i measure out each portion and then bulk up the daily allowance, though you could give 2 chicken wings if the amount measures right.
When Torsten was a pup he had wing tips and i freaked out as the first time he swallowed it whole, but the next time he had lambs ribs or chicken wings he was fine and actually chewed his food though if you are worried about them just hold on whilst they have a chew.
If either of my two are a little loose (they do enjoy munching on rabbit poo ) i normally give them a treat of wings or ribs and still give the normal amount of nutriment ;)