Finally switched to all raw,,,LMAO - Page 2

That could be your new PT business - scrap removal.

They will pay you to take it away.

Michele

PS. my thirteen year old ate whole chicken pieces till the day before he died (PTS for back injury).  He was a thorough chewer.  He started on raw chicken when he was 5.  If you see your dog gulping hunks and not chewing, time for the grinder.

Hey Michele, that's a great idea!  Not only could I get paid to remove them and have free food, but I could sell the leftover to other raw feeders for 50 cents a pound!  I know there are many at an all-breed training club that I belonged to.  I've seen the prepared raw diets available and the cost is at least double that of feeding kibble.  It could be a win/win/win...trifecta!

Just make sure you give no weight bearing bones to eat.all weight bearing bones such as femurs and the like are far more brittle than non weight bearing bones!  No cooked bones period! never saw a dog cooking over a camp fire! One exception is cooked bones that have been in a slow cooker for a long period of time! then inspect and allow only softer portions!

 OK, you guys have me intrigued here.  I currently feed my 2 GSDs a combo of Orijen and raw.  I feed them processed raw (Oma's Pride) several times a week and the Orijen the rest of the time.  I supplement with Alaskan salmon oil and an occasional raw egg.

Now my question, if I were to switch over to a diet of raw chicken, turkey, etc., how much do I feed per day.  I'm trying to figure out if this is a cheaper way to go as the Orijen sure isn't cheap!

Thanks...Dan

I found this site helpful and they answer pretty much any questions you may have, including how much for your dog.  Go the the FAQ section.

www.rawlearning.com/rawfaq.html

Depending on your dog's activity level, you will base it on the formula of 2-4% of the dogs body weight in meat per day. Then if your dog looks too fat or skinny, you adjust accordingly.

GSDTravels, find a meat DISTRIBUTOR, especially an Asian one.
 

Lav, I had an old dog who ate raw chicken for half her life...what finally killed her was eating a towel. Sigh. No bones there. If one thing don't get 'em, something else will! 

PS. Raw chicken is a great place to start for a month or so, but then try to branch out to additional kinds of meats.

Don't forget to also toss in some fish every once in a while.  Canned mackeral or fresh, just no raw pacific salmonids.

Ok, so I have already posted my question a week or so ago about trying to get brave enough to begin feeding raw. I have not started yet, but I have been encouraged by you GSDTravels! Thanks! 
 But I have one more hurdle to overcome. Well ok maybe two. One is my husband is not thrilled and feels it will end up being way to expensive. Second I have small children and worry about raw chicken on the floor! Got any suggestions on how to sway my husband and how to curb the raw chicken issue? Thanks again to this board for all the great answers to my last raw feeding questions.
Shelby Dean
www.neuermondeshepherds.com

I personally feed the prey model diet. which is 80% meat / 10% bone / 10% organ

the organ meat is rich, and can cause diarrhea if fed by itself. Some game meat is just as rich and can cause diarrhea.

Bone makes the poop solid. So give bone accordingly. if your dog is constipated dont give as much the next night

your dog should eat 2-4% of its ideal body weight depending on activity level.


Neuer Monde Shepherds
"One is my husband is not thrilled and feels it will end up being way to expensive. Second I have small children and worry about raw chicken on the floor! Got any suggestions on how to sway my husband and how to curb the raw chicken issue?"

I personally feed my dogs either outside on the concrete porch, or in their cages on their plastic floor and they usually lick it clean but I will sanitize it with bleach twice a month.
I  have found that it costs me $10-$15 a dog a week depending on the sales that week.
I get meet from a butcher, local grocery store, walmart, and hunters.
I am constantly searching for deals on meat and if meat happens to be cheaper one week i will buy in bulk that week. I used to feed Orijen, Evo, Natures variety etc. on a rotational diet but this has turned out to be cheaper for me. and my dogs look a lot better!

 

Pharaoh eats with a placemat in my laundry off the kitchen.

I have a stand with a food bowl and a water bowl.  I put his chicken, or tripe or whatever, in the bowl.  He takes it out of the bowl one piece at a time and puts it on the mat and eats it.

He does this because at this point it is a habit.  I have been feeding him this way since I brought him home.  For a long time I supervised him closely.  I didn't want him in the living room on the Persian rug in front of the fireplace enjoying his meal of raw chicken!!!! 

Now I am in the kitchen and not far away.  He doesn't take very long to eat.

If the grandchildren are here, I pick up the bowl when he is finished and fold the placemat in it and put it out of reach.

You could also do a combo, many people here do.  It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

Michele

here's Pharaoh with his first whole chicken parts (11 wks).  I started with a bowl on the mat.  Notice how early character shows.  I had to watch him every second.  Notice how he takes it to the edge of the mat.