Best supplement for raw diet - Page 3

Hi everyone!

Thank you for all the advice!
We want to switch him at 11 weeks of age...he is 9 weeks now.He is quite huge! Weight was 16.9Lb at 8 weeks, on the day we got him from the breeder(had a vet check immediately after pick up)Breeders request.

We have been to many vets, Problem is...they are kibble crazy! one vet freaked out just hearing Orijen puppy food...
The other all want to push Iams or Hills into him! How can some Vets be so oblivious!? 
We just want a vet that can understand our preference in food and Not to support animal cruelty.

I know Raw diet is not easy...But we are willing to do  what it takes to keep him healthy. 
The whole "what to add" and "what Not to add" is a bit confusing.

I was wondering if Honest kitchen "preference" is a good one? has no meat and no grain...I asked and still not very clear how many times a day and if the feeding chart is for current weight or weight at adult?

I am so sorry for all the questions! My other German shepherds I had was all in South Africa....Completely different kinds of food.My female lived to over 14 years..

Thanks to everyone!

"Nothing in excess and eveything in moderation." - Get that right and you dont need supplements. The more you read the more you should realise how simple it is.

Honest Kitchen Preference is strictly vegi's;  YOU add the meat but it does have vitamin/minerals added to make the diet complete.  I use it in my 4 dogs ( 2 which are seniors) 2 younger dogs;  the only thing I do add to their diets is Salmon Oil caps/vit E cap.  That is it.  I try to use a different type ground meat every couple of days; X-Caliber once per week, I like to add beef heart/liver/kidney occasionally; and given raw chicken quarters for PM meal.  Preference in AM; chicken with bone or pork necks or beef necks for PM meal.  That is it.  I do believe I have covered the important nutritional requirements as they look good, have good energy, good stool, etc.  Adding a supplement could offset the balance unless a bloodwork up shows a deficiency of some sort.

You can also use Honest Kitchen Preference and add one of the raw prepared already ground meat diets,  Bravo, K9 Kravings, and there are several more if you want to be sure they get extra vitamins/minerals.  Just a thought.  I have done that on occasion with good success but not long term;  I also used HOnest Kitchen Zeal (fish) and added ground meat of different sources and types, beef, pork, turkey, chicken,  that works also.  BOL   Nan

Thank you Nan!

We also thought of giving him chicken with bone+some carrots in the am (so we can rest assured he does not get any bones stuck)You never know) and ground meat(different types)  in the pm....

Thank you again!

Once again I will say that raw meat and bones AND organs is not enough for full nutrition! Period! Raw feeding is all based on how they would naturally feed in the wild. It is the best diet out there and quite expensive if you do it correctly.  When feeding naturally in the wild the dogs will eat the stomach also. The prey is almost exclusively herbivores. The stomach that is eaten from a herbivore contains the rest of the nutrition that God The Creator, designed for them to get. Unless you are also feeding a stomach full of herbs then the complete nutrition is not there.  Hokamix is ALL 100% natural herbs and completes a true raw diet.  If you want to do it correctly, do your research and research the herbs/nutrition in Hokamix also. Why wait until blood tests or illness, show your dog is not getting everything he/she needs???
The prepackaged raw diets are good also and DO contain all the nutrients that your dog needs. I would also add Natures Variety frozen patties to the list of prepackaged raw foods.
Debby

With my pups I feed a cup of kibble in the morning usually on their puppy tracks, I used Solid Gold Wolf Cub for our current pup and raw food at night with K9 Puppy Gold (http://www.k9power.com/k9-puppy-gold.html).  I have been feeding this way for about 8 years now and been happy with the way the pups grow nice and slow.  The raw feed is mostly chicken necks, but I also feed Natures Variety and pork or turkey necks, beef ribs along with a little veggie/organ meat mix. 

At 6 months I move my pups to the same feeding regime as the adults.  I give them yoghurt, occasional egg, Flexile Plus, Salmon Oil, Daily blend and Green blend from B-Naturals (http://www.b-naturals.com/)

Louise

Giving the dog some raw meat, bone and carrots is NOT enough, NOT balanced, and if done long term you will surely do more harm than good.

Sounds like it would be best for you to pick up pre-made complete blended diets. Natures Variety, Stella and Chewys, Oma's Pride to name a few. Someone also mentioned K-9 Cravings which is great.

If you plan to make your own, do your RESEARCH! You cannot just throw stuff together without the correct ratios of bone, organ, meat, veggies etc.

My 6 month old bitch gets Natures Variety or Oma's Pride raw blends in the morning with salmon oil and occasionally a raw egg, and less than a cup of Acana Wild Prairie kibble at night. Occasionally she gets whole bones as well. I feed raw at 8 weeks. I know breeders who mix raw into their 3-4 week old puppy "mush".

I use Honest Kitchen Preference mixed with whole chicken that I grind with Grizzly Salmon oill/few drops of Vit E, cider vinegar, Liquid Healthe K9, kelp and alfalfa powder.  I mix it up and freeze it in two serving batches, enought for each dog.  I serve it every day with chicken parts and other meaty bones.

They look great and have tons of energy.

Good Luck,

Michele

 Hi everyone!

Thanks for all the replies!  We decided on Honest kitchen, not the preference one.
We also found a Good vet that actually has all of his own dogs on raw! so we are happy!

Thanks again for the replies! 

Hi again!

The vet is going to help us with his diet, all of his dogs look amazing and are very healthy!
Thank you again for everything!