OK I WANT TO FEED A RAW DIET - Page 1

After reading a lot of threads on people who feed raw I still have some questions. Because I am anal and I want to do it correct can you please tell me what my goal is for appropriate consumption for my dog. I see it is 80% protien 10% bones and 10% organs.
I also read where some give fruit & veggies so I really want to know what I have to have to supply my dog with what they need.
I read a person say they deworm there dog regularly is this something I need to know about.
What about the people that give oils & other supplements to there dog.
I hope you experts at least that is what I will call you if you have been doing this for awhile and have it down pat.
So please with the more detail the better explain to me what foods, oils, vitamins, fat etc. I should be choosing for my dogs and the amounts they will need to benefit the most from this diet.
Can any food be cooked? 

whats ever happend to regular dog food?????

Hi,

I have feed raw for about 12 years or so.  I will be honest, I do not measure food out (80% bones, etc)  I think it's just because  I have done it for some long that I just kind of know from what I am feeding.

I suggest you join a yahoo email list of two.  There is one for raw fed GSDs, and many others.  There are also a lot of co-op groups where people buy a lot of food as a group to get better prices in your area, they always have knowledgable people there too.

I do not feed fruit or veggies, unless i am cleaning out the fridge.  I feed enough tripe that I feel it makes up for the "veggies"

The only suppliment I feed is fish oil, because I do not feed a lot of fish (its just hard to get good fish for a cheaper price).

I have recently bought "show stopper" to try on my one male that I plan to koer in the spring, I have heard good things about it about bulking up the coat and stuff (he has a close coat)

I worm with diatomaceous earth about every 6 months. 

When you first start feed raw it can be overwhelming and scary, but once you get the hang of it it's not that hard

Jessica
GSDBrisko@aol.com

whats the difference between raw  diet and regular dog food???

check out search link on raw diet . tons of info.

Zin,
Don't over complicate it or over think it.  It's really not that hard.  Here's a link to Dean Calderon's site and he explains the raw feeding pretty well.

http://www.deancalderon.com/offthecuff/desk.htm

You can also check out the raw feeding group on Yahoo, and some off the other links provided on other threads on the PDB.  It is really easy to do, but I understand your trepidation in getting started. 

Jim

GSDBrisko,
I see we posted at the same time.  Although your response is better than mine.

Jim

Thank you!!!!!!!

Jim,

thats ok, I've read Deans website, it does a good job explaining it.

thanks
Jessica

GSDBrisko@aol.com

    There are many theory's and methods considered to be best or better for the dog. I also have my own, if feeding a GSD make sure the food has no corn or barley they do not digest it, most do well on a food with a protein source from chicken. the advantages of kibble ( some are better then others ) is the are nutritionally balanced for the heath of the dog, also cost is lower ease of feeding and it does not go bad as quickly raw. Considering raw diet unless you are purchasing a complete product like and Omar's pride or Barf product just raw meat and ground up bone will not cut it. You will need to add kelp, alfalfa carrots broccoli and others plus supplements in order for the raw diet to be nutritionally complete or go with a 50/50 mix of raw and kibble. An AFS meat eaters and a good kibble would be a great mix for the GSD.

   Overall remember this and this is the base of my opinion and concern when feeding your dog. Select a nutritionally balanced food that your dog digest completely that yeilds a solid stool and feed him the same thing at the same time of day from the same bowl and in same area and your dog will be healthy.


Joe