Questions on Raw Diet Options - Page 2

Question

Once you have started feeding a raw diet, can you switch back and forth between kibble and raw.  Or is it all or none?  Can you for instance, feed a raw meal once or twice a week and then do the kibble whenever???  Or, does your dog, once you start the raw, not ever want kibble again??

In other words, can feeding raw be done in baby steps??  

I feed almost exactly as Slamdunc. I buy chicken quarters for 70 cents a lbs. Then 2 organ meals a week. One day of fasting per week. Don't think going back and forth is a good idea. My dogs won't touch kibble now. I'm sure they would if there was nothing else for a couple days. LOL Raw is cheaper to feed than any halfway decent kibble out there. Best of luck. It's not hard. Just hard to get started. Take care.

Thanks Slamdunc,

If you get a chance to answer, are you grinding up your meals or just putting it down whole?

Michael:  I just read the ingredients in chicken/ vegi mixture and the only thing that concerns me about the Darwin is they add flax;  2 of my 4 cannot take any type flax,  seed/powder/or oil) they start itching within hours.  But that is my only issue with ingredients in Darwin.  Don't know if it is in all their formulas and don't know if you will have an issue with flax BUT just be aware if your dog starts itching.  Some do fine.  Best of luck  Nan

I've found it cheaper to buy my own, rather than prepacked. The trick is to get a hold of suppliers, however as time passes it becomes easier as you become more familiar with vendors in your area. It is also fresher, I've found.

No need for grinding MC. Let the dog do it. Great for teeth cleaning!

Isachev, what does a typical 'organ meal' consist of for your guys? I'm always toying with the idea of switching to raw in the back of my head, but...

I appreciate all you folks sharing your info. I did look at the Darwin and I like the subscription part of it but after looking t Slamdunc's way I might just do it up like that.

OK I scrambled up some eggs and added some raw hamburger meat and cooked carrots to Maya's soaked kibble tonight. Man, did she like that.  Like I said, baby steps.

Eldee,
I would not add raw meat to your dog's kibble.  If you are going to feed some raw and then kibble I suggest that you space the meals at least 5 hours apart.  You could feed two meals, one raw and one meal just kibble.     You can feed raw in baby steps if you need to or you can switch cold turkey directly to raw.  As I said, I do not advocate feeding raw meat and kibble together.  Kibble is processed and designed to digest slowly.  Feeding raw with the kibble causes it to take to long to digest the raw meat and that is exactly what you don't want.  JMO

Michael,
I do not grind up my raw food, I feed the chicken quarters, deer necks and legs whole.  Part of the benefit of feeding raw is the whole body work out the dog gets from crushing it's food.  I am now feeding two meals a day, a snack in the morning about 1/2 lb and the rest at night.  I am convinced for several reasons that two meals a day is the best way to go.  

Jim