Raw Diet problems

[GeeRome]

Oh, another thing to try with the fish, is feeding it in different stages of "frozen". Are you feeding it completely thawed? Partially frozen? Completely frozen? Try switching it up, as the level of frozen makes a difference for some dogs.

I finally got my guys to eat pollock (though Gio still turns his nose up at it), but chopping it up and mixing it with ground beef.

Searing works in some cases, though I haven't had to go that route myself. I've lucked out that neither of my guys are overly picky. The only thing that gave a little bit of trouble was the fish, and for the most part Romeo ate it, just tended to follow Gio's lead over the pollock. Trout and Salmon heads don't stand a chance!

 

[GeeRome]

Check out this link as well:
http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html#co-ops

It is a list of raw feeders co-ops listed by state. You might find something helpful there!!

 

[Crestlynn]

I live in Tiffin, Ohio
there is a co-op not to far from where I live,....I know I could get on a list with the sheriffs department to pick up deer that have been killed on the road, but I don't even like cutting up whole chickens let alone a whole deer

I'm in Akron and just got on the Columbus co-op but haven't ordered yet. We are going to try Talapia for our first fish but on the raw feeding list that I'm on they said right now as long as I'm feeding plenty of venison that I will have enough of the Omega 3's. I have gotten a couple small deer and plenty of carcasses and they are very hard to cut up (mentally!) but I just keep thinking of FREE meat LOL Once I get it past "looking" like an animal, I do okay. But the two that I had to skin were really hard!

I can't get on the road kill list because my hubby is NOT into this the way that I am and he would be at work most times they would call and I wouldn't be able to get it in the van by myself If you can get a whole one, there is quite a lot of usable meat though! Some of the rib cages that I have gotten have given me almost 20 lbs of meat.

As for the fish...if the searing doesn't work maybe try adding it in with other meat they do like???

 

[diinin]

I was wondering why you would go to all this trouble if the little lady prefers kibble anyway? I know some people advocate a raw diet, but doesn't the doggie in question get a vote in this?

 

[Crestlynn]

I was wondering why you would go to all this trouble if the little lady prefers kibble anyway? I know some people advocate a raw diet, but doesn't the doggie in question get a vote in this?

Most often, when they prefer kibble, it is just because it is all they have known. I have a raw weaned litter and they have no idea what kibble is and won't touch it! But we have to do what we feel is best, just as we would for our human children...I wouldn't let my kids eat candy for dinner every night just 'cause they wanted to

 

[JessicaR]

well, she also prefers cat food to dog food when she was eating kibble, but cat food is not good for dogs! I have been using the kibble as a training treat so she doesn't feel too left out.

 

[GeeRome]

I was wondering why you would go to all this trouble if the little lady prefers kibble anyway? I know some people advocate a raw diet, but doesn't the doggie in question get a vote in this?

I liken kibble versus raw to feeding your kids chicken fingers versus grilled chicken breast. Sure, chicken fingers are still chicken. Sure, they aren't going to HARM the kids directly. But no one would argue that a grilled chicken breast is healthier than chicken fingers. But if the kids prefer chicken fingers to chicken breast, are you just going to throw your hands in the air and say "Okay, darling. You prefer chicken fingers so I won't try to offer you healthier options anymore."?

Yes, the dog has a choice in the matter, but in the end we have to make the decisions that we know are best for the dog. If my dogs go to choose, they would eat cheese all day every day. As it is, I recognize cheese in and of itself is not a healthy diet option, so they get cheese as a treat and healthy food as their main meals.

I as well have a raw weaned dog, never had a bite of kibble in his life as far as I am aware. Even given hard store bought dog cookies (which I don't offer my dogs either) he has no idea what to do with them. So the fact that a dog initially refuses a raw meal shouldn't be written up to "oh she doesn't like it, let's go back to kibble". Rather, the dog just has to figure out that it is actually food first. That generally only takes a day or two, or no time at all in the style of my older guy who switched to raw after 4.5 years of kibble without a hitch.

 

[Crestlynn]

So the fact that a dog initially refuses a raw meal shouldn't be written up to "oh she doesn't like it, let's go back to kibble". Rather, the dog just has to figure out that it is actually food first. That generally only takes a day or two, or no time at all in the style of my older guy who switched to raw after 4.5 years of kibble without a hitch.

I agree! I switched all of my dogs which range in age from 6 yrs. to 4 mos. cold-turkey with no problem. Oh, and the cats too However, I've just brought home a puppy that was kibble fed and he isn't taking to it quite as easily but I know in time that he will!

I'm pleased enough with my raw weaned litter (as well as the benefits of the older ones) that I will find a way to make sure that my dogs can stay on the raw diet.