Raw Diet problems

If you want her to eat fish or pork, just keep offering it. Set it down for 15 minutes, if she doesn't eat or if she walks away from it, pick it up and put it back in the fridge until next meal. Offer the SAME piece of meat for the next meal ... and the next ... and the next. She will not starve herself, and it won't hurt her to skip a couple of meals.

As for price, crunch some numbers. You may find that you are actually saving money on raw compared to kibble. I pay an average of $60 per month to feed two dogs raw (that is $2/lb), if they were eating a middle-of-the-road kibble (not even premium kibble), it would cost me closer to $80 per month to feed the both of them. But I am in Canada where prices are a bit higher ... in the US, it isn't impossible to average $1/lb for all you need for a raw diet. If you hunt out deals, find farmers/hunters, look in your area for raw co-ops, you can save a LOT of money.

 

My guys were a bit picky about fish in the beginning. What types of fish have you tried? For instance, neither of mine would touch smelt, but they both LOVED trout. Try different types of fish. And to introduce the concept of fish, you can try canned sardines as well. Just be sure to get the stuff packed in fresh water, no salt, and rinse them well under the tap before feeding.

I do feed ground beef, though I prefer to feed whole cuts of beef if at all possible. Of course, price is an issue and beef is one of the most pricey in this area. I'm fortunate enough to work at an Agricultural College so have access to cull animals from the research farms. I recently went in with a couple of friends to purchase a whole side of beef for about $2/lb (fabulous prices for here!). The side was portioned out into roasts/steaks and ground meat, about half and half. If there is an Ag College in your area, that might be another place to check for cheap meat. You usually have to buy in large quantities, but the prices are wonderful! I get most of my chicken from there, whole trout, beef, and even occasionally mutton.

 

I know some people have had luck with sites like Craig's List. Post offering to take any old freezer-burned meat. This is a really good idea around hunting season, as hunters will be going out and getting "fresh" kills, but might still have some left over in the freezer from last year that they want to get rid of. Cull cows, sheep, chickens, etc. are great as well if you can find someone to chop them up for you (or you can chop and clean them yourself if you are so inclined. )

 

Careful introducing new foods.....!

I was delayed bringing Ginnie home this weekend because of a potential food allergy. Seems my breeder was feeding her pups the "leftovers" from the nursing mom - high protein food: cottage cheese, sardines, etc.

Ginnie all of a sudden developed skin rashes and now has three bald spots on her legs (not large, smaller than a dime, but still a concern) that she never had before. And neither had she had "people food" before either.

I'm not saying, don't do it, but do take it slow, and watch for changes in eating habits, bowel routines, etc.

I'm sticking to dry kibble myself!

 

Since cottage cheese is only 12% protein and sardines are only 25% protein (with high quality kibble being upwards of 30-40+% protein) I doubt it was the protein content that caused the hair loss. More likely it was incomplete or unbalanced nutrition.

 

I hear if you just sear the fish that it might make it more appetizing to them. I haven't ventured to fish myself as I've only been feeding raw for just about 2 months now.

However, I'm a breeder and am feeding quite a few dogs Cost is always an issue! I haven't had the best luck on Craig's list or freecycle (have gotten a few things) but have had great luck with hunters giving me their deer carcasses. It is quite a bit of work to cut up the meat and deal with something that large but it is well worth it for FREE meat!

Where are you located? Have you looked for a co-op in your area? I've just joined one and am finding the prices to be very good. I also found that our local Save-A-Lot stores have pork neck bones for 99 cents a pound and the Super WalMarts usually have something useful for a decent price.

Are you on any of the Yahoo! Raw groups or Supply lists? I am searching for all the cheap places to buy meat and would be more than happy to help!

Good Luck!
Crestlynn