How many of us feed raw??

[Crestlynn]

lol...you're kidding right?

I am sorry, your comment is really very funny if you think about it

Well, I'm not really sure what part of my comment you think is funny. I'm new to raw feeding and not putting off any info that I hear. However, I have 4 children ages 17 to 6, and they have never vomited when I've introduced a new food unless there was an allergy. But when the puppy (6 mos. old) ate the potato, he was not able to digest it and vomited it back up.

I also know that as humans, we can crave different foods if our bodies aren't getting the nutrients that we need. I would think that if the dogs had access to something that they needed, nature would take over and they would crave the berries and foliage and therefore eat them.

And I still keep wondering why the dogs would vomit things like grass back up if their bodies needed it? I think that I'm still going to have to go with GeeRome saying dogs are opportunist omnivores and they eat the veggies because their beloved human gives it to them

 

[graydawntreader]

My dogs have always had a liking for grass, plants, leaves, ferns etc. Moss is a particular favourite . Not sure if they should be eating it, can't find anything that says they shouldn't. Maybe it just depends on the dog.

Adam

That's interesting. Treader used to eat grass all the time. After the switch to raw, he stopped eating it and I've only seen him nibble at it once since.

 

[BarbV]

Just noticed at the pet shop where I brought the boys to be groomed today that they have fridge full of raw diet. I didn't have time to check it out but will do so, next time I'm there.

How does raw diet compare to high-quality kibble cost-wise? Should I buy "store" raw diet, or simply create my own?

 

[Crestlynn]

Just noticed at the pet shop where I brought the boys to be groomed today that they have fridge full of raw diet. I didn't have time to check it out but will do so, next time I'm there.

How does raw diet compare to high-quality kibble cost-wise? Should I buy "store" raw diet, or simply create my own?

For me, it is sooooo much cheaper than middle priced kibble (purina pro plan) and I would do-it-yourself as the store bought stuff can be very costly!

 

[TaraLynn]

Just noticed at the pet shop where I brought the boys to be groomed today that they have fridge full of raw diet. I didn't have time to check it out but will do so, next time I'm there.

How does raw diet compare to high-quality kibble cost-wise? Should I buy "store" raw diet, or simply create my own?

Well, I know for my trainers SIX dogs...4 border collies, 1 sheltie, and one terrier, it costs her about $90-$100 per MONTH in total for RAW...I guess it all depends on where you get it as well. I'm going to go check out a store in my city this week to see what the cost for me is going to be...'cause I have 100% decided to switch him over to RAW. I read a book that I found very informative and insightful. Hopefully it works in Calibers favor.

You also have to think of this...for me personally, a big bag of kibble(30lbs) last me about 3 months, and cost about $90 per 30lbs...but it just sits there for three months(after it registered in my little brain...I said EW!!)...but to buy a smaller bag costs more...so you go for the larger bag because it saves you money in the long run...so you either buy a small bag for $40 that will last a month or so, or $90 that will last 3 months... And I usually just keep it in a large container(still grosses me out)...where as with RAW, you buy the air tight packaging, freeze it, and about $20-$30 lasts a month. So, all in all it's either going to save you money or cost you the exact same.

Here are some websites to check out:

www.animalwellness.ca

www.amorepetfoods.com

www.tryhealthypaws.com

www.homemade4life.com

www.theultimatediet.com

I have quite a few more if anyone needs them. As you can see, the first few are Canadian, so...sorry if that doesn't help anyone out.

 

[BarbV]

It was the amore pet food I saw at the pet store yesterday.

I didn't notice the pricing....got to finish my research first.

Thx
Barb

 

[GeeRome]

The price will depend on how much work you are wanting to put into it.

Personally, I am feeding two Shelties raw for about $60/month. I try to average less than $2/lb when possible. Keep in mind though that I am in Canada where prices are comparatively higher than many places in the US. I know some people in the US that are feeding raw for somewhere around $1/lb. A middle-of-the-road kibble for the two of them would be roughly $80/month. So I'm saving about $20/month by feeding raw. Keep in mind, too, that I stock up on deals whenever I can. So some months I may spend $200 on food, but other months I don't spend any money at all.

I make things cheaper by searching out deals, making friends with hunters and farmers, making other raw friends so that we can split bulk deals, stocking up on sales whenever I find them, etc.

If you purchase the premades, it is much easier but more more expensive. If you are willing to shop around then you can make things really inexpensive. If you just want to buy at the grocery store than your selection can be limited and it can increase your overall cost. It's all up to how much work you want to put into it.

 

[TaraLynn]

I make things cheaper by searching out deals, making friends with hunters and farmers, making other raw friends so that we can split bulk deals, stocking up on sales whenever I find them, etc.

If you purchase the premades, it is much easier but more more expensive. If you are willing to shop around then you can make things really inexpensive. If you just want to buy at the grocery store than your selection can be limited and it can increase your overall cost. It's all up to how much work you want to put into it.

Yeah...I have a butcher shop like, 30 seconds away from my house...and our family always gets our meat from him...so next time I go in I'm going to ask him if he sells, or is willing to sell me some ground up stuff for Caliber. But other then that I'm thinking I'm just going to buy the pre-made stuff. As long as i know he's getting all the nutrition out of REAL food, the cost doesn't bother me so much. And it's more then likely going to - at most - break even for me, because I only have one baby. I'm so excited for the switch!! I've heard SO many good things about it!

 

[Crestlynn]

Yeah...I have a butcher shop like, 30 seconds away from my house...and our family always gets our meat from him...so next time I go in I'm going to ask him if he sells, or is willing to sell me some ground up stuff for Caliber.

Don't bother with ground up stuff. Ask your butcher if he has things like hearts, tongues, and other obscure meats that are generally inexpensive. Also do a google search for any meat buying co-ops in your area. You can also buy meats as they are going out of date. The dogs can eat them a bit 'off' that we wouldn't normally eat. You want to feed the meats whole though, not ground up.

I'm in Ohio and I'm feeding A LOT of dogs for under $1/lb. right now. I have to admit that I have to kind of work hard at it since I am going through almost 15lbs. of meat daily. To find large quanities that are affordable can be a little tricky

 

[romeosangiovese]

Small question - I'm feeding prey model raw. I found that feeding boneless meals result in soft (sometimes even looser and splatty) poop. If I've already fed the 10% bone for breakfast, should I feed more bone for dinner to harden the poop that comes from the dinner meal? (This obviously throws the 10% proportion off but I know it's not a definite figure - each dog has its own needs) And does this also mean I have to feed bone for every meal for the rest of Romeo's life?

I would prefer if one meal can be boneless because I can only supervise breakfast (this will be the meal with bone). Dinner is fed by someone else and I would rather there not be any risk of choking at all.