Dog food - Page 2

 My humble opinion is like this: For an average person the safest is a ready complete dog food with all needed for the dog. For a knowledgeable owner like a breeder or a professional raw is good natural dog food, the difference is a professional would know what to feed and what ratios, I myself don't think raw would be right for one like myself. I feed ready kibbles plus some boiled chicken/meat/chicken feet after removing the nails. This way I feel I wouldn't hurt or feed my dogs less nutrients. Not all owners are of same capabilities/knowledge and each should make sure their dogs are safe and get suitable enough nutrients. Recently there was a post about raw food and I could tell raw food is not for all types and levels of dog owners. sorry I am not on line with some of my friends on this, lol.

Ibrahim

sitasmom, 10 days is not long enough to transfer to the raw diet.  One likely reason the dog got the runs is because the dog was cleansing and detoxifying from the kibble while on the raw.  The body will purge out the bad stuff.  For me personally I fast a dog first before switching to the kibble.  And then give it time.  Also keep in mind the natural way to feed raw is in whole carcass form.  That way there is the neccessary bone and roughage and what have you in the meal to prevent the runs. 

felloffher, just shoot a squirrel and toss it to the dog.

Sting,

 Where the hell were you last year before I made the switch? Oh well.

One of my vets here in Michigan and I got into  a discussion about dog foods...and he asked what I feed...and then my wife gave me the evil eye...Like don't get into it...Anyways...I told the vet I feed RAW and RAW Chicken...and he said the same thing...That why would I feed them that...and asked me "Would I eat RAW food/Chicken"...and then I got the REAL Evil Eye...like Shut Up and don't get into it...So I just left it alone...
By the way he (the vet) never changed by mind and I do as i want for my dogs...I mean why wouldn't you feed RAW...That's what dogs/wolves eat when they're in the WILD...

~BOB~

sting369
That's just crazy!
I fasted the dogs for 2 days before the switch. Hero, our male didn't even like the raw chicken or beef and wouldn't eat most of what was given to him. He lost so much weight it was frightening. Even now, he won't eat any raw tidbits offered to him as treats. He will eat parboiled and cooked with enthusiasm.
After that horrible experiment, my dogs were so happy to get back on their Orijen.
I'm not doing that to them again.

 OMG. How ridiculous. If your dog doesn't know what it is, they may not eat it, depending on their personalities. 

"Not doing that to them again"??? Not doing what? Feeding them biologically appropriate food for a dog? 

If someone doesn't want to bother feeding raw properly (and folks, there's absolutely no need to capitalize the word "raw"), then fine. Say so. But to act like it's doing some harm to your dog and that's the reason you won't do it is preposterous.

You have to have some idea what you're doing and can't be a complete moron or the dog may suffer, so it's probably best that not everyone feeds raw. 

 My dogs eat raw chicken quarters, raw stew beef, raw venison, raw muscle meat, and I have to tell you it is the best thing I ever did. They love the food, they drink alot less water and their stools are about 1/3 of what they were. Their coats are shiny, they have great energy, I just can't say enough. 

i feed a piece of raw beef every day with my kibbles.i also on occasion feed chicken thigh and legs when i catch them on sale.i am lucky as my friend owns a large dairy farm and he lets me have his downer cows which are perfectly good for my dogs.