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by cledford on 13 February 2009 - 19:02
I'd like to move my dogs from kibble to raw. I've got 4 GSDs and go through a bag of Inova Large Breed formula every 8 days. So, not considering the prep (I'll make the effort if it is break even otherwise...), I need to come in at $55 or under per week.
I'm looking for the simplest, easiest to prepare, yet balanced meal to feed, from both the "get the stuff" and "get it together" perspectives. I'm also hoping for prices as I need to ballpark all of this.
Any advice on shortcut worth the investment would be appreciated as well. For example, I've heard the feeding chicken legs can be inexpensive, but the bone to meet ratio is off - so you have to supplement with calcium. The recommended way of doing this was by grinding up egg shells. That is a bit too much work for me, however if "pre-powered" egg shells can be purchased for a reasonable fee that would work for me.
Finally, rules of thumb re. amount to feed daily. I've got one dog in work, 2 retired and a one pet.
Thanks for the help,
-Calvin
by London on 13 February 2009 - 20:02
I follow a "prey model" diet which means my boy eats meat (80%), bones (10%) and organs (10% with 5% of that being liver). That's it. No veggies or fruits of grains, etc. So this would be the easiest to prepare. Buy meat....give meat to dog. The dogs will get everything they need from this, although some people (ncluding myself) supplement with salmon oil if they don't feed fish regularly. Variety is the key. You should try to feed as many protein sources as you can.
Any advice on shortcut worth the investment would be appreciated as well.
The most difficult thing to learn when feeding raw is how to find cheap sources of meat. It took me several months, but I'm currently feeding 2-3lbs a day (1 growing, very active, 11 month GSD) for about $30.00 a month. I watch for sales and stock up. I have friends that give me all their freezer burned meat. I have deals with butchers. I have a friend who is now talking to hunting friends of his so I can whatever they don't want., etc. There are often raw feeder co-op groups in many places that buy as a group for even bigger discounts (search yahoo groups). I have friends that feed for less and some that feed for free.
For example, I've heard the feeding chicken legs can be inexpensive, but the bone to meet ratio is off - so you have to supplement with calcium.
This doesn't sound right to me. if you're feeding 10% bone the bone ratio is high in chicken legs. The best way to tell if your dog is getting too much, or not enough, bone is to look at the stools: crumbly indicates too much bone, loose stools imply the opposite.
If you're going to feed egg shells, why grind them up? I just give my boy the whole egg. He eats the shell just fine. Be careful if you have pups because too much calcium is not good.
Finally, rules of thumb re. amount to feed daily. I've got one dog in work, 2 retired and a one pet.
Rule of thumb is 2-3% of dog's body weight. If the dog weighs 100lbs, then 2-3lbs a day. Remember though, this is only a starting point. If your dog is active, they may need more, retired dogs probably less. This may change seasonally for you too (e.g. more in summer, less in winter) If my guy looks or feels a little heavy around the ribs, I cut back a bit. If he looks/feels a little thin, I add a bit.
If you punch "raw feeding," "chicken," etc. into the search you will get lots of info, plus a number of links to websites devoted to raw feeding.
by Blackdog on 13 February 2009 - 22:02
A good place to purchase all natural beef organ meat and green tripe is
http://www.hillview-farms.com
They also have marrow and knuckle bones. You can get free shipping for over 50 pounds! That is a huge savings.
Any schutzhund club that would like to make a little extra money for their clubs and and have access to raw food should give Blake at Hillview Farms a call to ask him about the opportunity.
by TessJ10 on 14 February 2009 - 00:02
The simplest, most balanced, and best IMHO is K9Kraving. Don't know what it would run in your area. Around here it's $60 for 30 lbs. Maybe it's less if you buy it in larger quantities?
http://www.k-9kraving.com/
It couldn't be simpler to feed, dogs love it, they do super on it, and it's already balanced for you.
by EmilyC on 14 February 2009 - 01:02
I feed mostly chicken leg quarters supplemented with liver, beef, kidney, etc. Always stock up when anything's on sale. Not sure where you're located, but I buy chicken leg quarters from walmart for 58 cents/lb. My working gsd eats 2.5 lbs a day, but my last one ate 3. So if you brace for the worst and assume that all 4 of your dogs need 3 lbs a day to maintain, that would be $48.72/week in chicken. Hard to figure the other stuff since of course on the days they get liver, beef, etc they'd be eating less chicken. Even if it comes out to be about the same in price, I think in the long run you'll save on vet bills and your dogs will be healthier.
I don't have any magic recipe. I just make sure the dogs get organ meat and beef at least once a week. And 1-2 eggs per week. If you could get an arrangement with a local butcher or grocery store for them to call you when they have to throw stuff out that would be awesome. I think it's hard to do since these things are regulated with the chain stores. But if you had a mom and pop type place around you they may do it.
by Dog1 on 14 February 2009 - 13:02
Chicken backs are about .40 a pound. Organ meat is available at Wilson Farms in Catlett, .75 lb. The other ingredients (except tripe) should be less.
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