Raw vs Kibble for SAR Dogs Diet - Page 1

I have been told by several breeders that they prefer to feed raw food over kibble for various reasons. Which is OK.  I have never fed raw but want to do what's best for my future puppy.

Can you or should you feed a combination of raw and kibble if you have a puppy that will be a SAR dog? Because it seems like it would be hard to take raw food on missions with out it spoiling.

I want him / her to be at their best and do not want to upset the digestive system while he / she is working.

If you can feed just kibble while on a mission (assuming the dog gets fed both normally) what other supplements, if any, would you recommend to make up for the difference in the diet. 

I have asked some of my team members what they do and they all feed only kibble. None of them have a GS SAR dog.

Appreciate your input.

Cheri

Cheri,
I feed my Police K9 raw and would never go back to kibble.  It is easy to find raw food for my dog on trips, I just go to the grocery store and buy chicken quarters and meat.  I have a 3 day pack and keep some MRE's with me in case of a long call out, I suppose you could keep some kibble on hand for the same reason.  I wouldn't eat MRE's as a regular diet, but once in a blue moon in an emergency maybe.  There are those that do alternate between raw and kibble.  I would never feed them together as the kibble will slow down the digestion of the raw. 

If I was going to feed kibble on an extended mission, which would have to be 3 or more days I wouldn't supplement with anything, except maybe yogurt.  I have no problems traveling for several days with raw food in a cooler.  I simply make up my meals and freeze them and let them defrost as I travel. 

JMO,

Jim

There are some dehydrated raw dog foods that you might be able to pack for missions.  The Honest Kitchen is one my friend uses - you can get small samples that may be the perfect amount to pack.  They sell through their website or at small pet shops.

Opal

Jim:
I have been told not to feed the raw and kibble at the same time. But was told it is because of a bacteria issue. Did not know it also slows down the digestive system.
I like the freezing idea. Some of my team members do that wile training with hot dogs. The only draw back is food does not stay frozen very long (without lots of ice) here in the southwest in the summer.
Still learning about the proper diet and am curious what the yogurt ( I assume it's plain) has to offer.

Opal:
Will check the Honest Kitchen website.

Thanks for your input.
Cheri

Cheri,
Raw food digests very quickly, that is why healthy dogs really don't have issues with Ecoli and salmonella.  Dry dog food is filled with binders which cause it to digest much slower.  The combination of raw and kibble together causes both to digest slowly which can cause bacterial blooms in the digestive system.

Yogurt offers calcium and beneficial probiotics, like acidophilus.  I live in the South and often travel to Florida.  I can freeze and pack the food for 2 or 3 days without a problem.  By the third day the last packages are thawed but still cold.

Jim

You might never be on a rescue overnight, even in your first 50 to 100 rescues.  Pack kibble or jerky, just don't use it until you need to.  It won't be routine enough to be concerned about.

The dehydrated diets do work well..   we traveled with them to europe last year..  Oma's Pride also makes many dehydrated  products..  

jody