What probiotics are you using with your raw diet - Page 1

It has probably been talked about already but i was wondering what brand and why? Have you had any that seem to work better and what did you notice in your dog?

If BARF is so good and natural for your dog, why supplement???

This is not about raw vs. kibble. I was asking a question to which i wanted a answer for.

I'm not on about Raw v's Kibble (I've fed Barf off and on for 15yrs) my question is... why supplement? 

If the diet is right then there should be no need to supplement?

There are as many styles of raw feeding as there are people.  I switch things around all the time.  BARF feeders are probably a minority.

I feed Pharaoh 1 cup of Origen daily because it is easier for me.  Pharaoh has the energy level and activity level of a puppy and the muscle development of a mature adult dog.  He eats a lot more than my previous adult shepherds and is in lean, healthy condition.  The only bummer is that even 1 cup of kibble per day results in mildly smelly kibble poops as opposed to smaller poops that turn into calcium and disintegrate.  It is a compromise based on convenience for me that he eats 1 cup of super high quality "cardboard pellets" per day in addition to raw food.

That is the whole point of kibble, convenience for the pet owner.  In a kennel situation with many dogs, it makes a huge difference.  This is not a criticism, it is simple reality.

I eat good quality food and yet I take vitamins. 

It is not either or.  It is not all or nothing.  We have free will and make choices. 

I use fish oil and vitamin E because Jenn78 said it is important.  I cut up chewable vitamins.  I use Pet Guard yeast and garlic mix.  If I decide tomorrow to add or subtract something based on observation, I will change that.

Michele

If you feed all raw, you shouldn't need any probiotics.

I feed raw, dont use supplements at this point. I only supplement with natural 3.5% plain yogurt (probiotics) should any of the dogs show signs of a yeast infection or should they need antibiotics.

i USE  a really good quality yogart also, daily, approx 3 tablespoons in AM per dog.  But I also like to go to the health food store and buy a really good quality probiotic (in the refrigeration section) and give if needed in place of yogart.  So that also works well, but I don't use the pills consistently, I would rather use yogart daily.  I know you get better strains from the pills though and any type will do fine.  I make sure it is a good quality though;  whatever the health food expert tells you and keep refrigerated also. 

JHC people, this is about protiotics, not raw vs kibble.  I have all my dogs on raw and I feel they all benefit from protiotics.  It has helped my older skinny, picky male tremendously.  He hates to eat and the yogart which he loves helps him eat.  Great day  Nan

I feed raw and dont use probiotics other than for illness. The only time I worry about enough good bacteria in the gut is when the dog is sick or has been on antibiotics and is stressed. Otherwise too much of a good thing, imo is bad. The body needs to be able to maintain balance on its own and not let us humans interfere. If we are constantly trying to make things better then when the dog is really sick, wont be able to bounce back to health. JMO.

Barb

daily - none. 

they are TYPICALLY not needed when your dog is 100% raw fed UNLESS the dog has a certain medical condition, etc.  however, since you feed one meal kibble, a probiotic could help your dog out a bit, and there's nothing wrong with adding it.

once in a while, if i need to add probiotics, or if i am dealing with a dog with digestive or health issues, i will use or recommend the following:

wholistic pet wholistic acidophilus

renew life ultimate flora critical care 50 billion

i have also used the products below in the past, but they either changed their formulas, or i did not like them as much as the products above:

prozyme

garden of life primal defense

primal defense also comes in powder form, and i have seen dogs with ibd/ibs with good results with this particular supplement. 

the reason fish oil is required is because our food (meat) is raised on grain...and meat raised on grain is very high in omega 6, and very low in omega 3.  fish oil balances this problem out, for the most part, and vit e works with fish oil.  so if you're not feeding grass fed and wild caught meat, your dog will definitely need fish oil for omega 3's.

probiotic/digestive enzymes, on the other hand, vary by dog because of all the other issues that the dog may have to overcome (ie. medical conditions, vaccine damage, environmental stress and "allergies", etc.).

hope this helps a little.  please let me know if you need anything else.