BaBoNi

^^ Thanks Hazz. I'll look into some books. I didn't realize veggies had to be mashed. If I throw them in a blender, will that do? I sure have A LOT to learn!

I was about to post a very similar thread!!! This has all been VERY helpful. I'v recently started introducing more & more veggies to my 8yr old Lab x BC. He's a little overweight...mainly from having eaten poor quality food his entire life (shame on me for not knowing any better when I was 12yrs old) and so I've put my parents on strict NO FEEDING THE DOGS restraints. I was wondering if there was a list of NO-NO's when it comes to dogs. Obviously, Onions are toxic. As is chocolate. Caffeine. I also read somewhere that Grapes can be bad too. What else should I steer clear of? Tyson has been getting: -2 cups Supercoat Lite & Mature for breakfast -1.5 cups Supercoat Lite & Mature, chopped carrot, raw egg, chopped celery stick...for dinner. (at dinner time, I also add Live Culture Yoghurt, boiled veggies, cooked chicken, cucumber, capsicum, etc depending what's available in the fridge) So with BARF, is it still considered BARF if they are being fed a quality kibble along with the bones & veggies? I am looking at changing all my dogs over to Eaglepack. I've heard ALL great stuff about their products. What bones are safe to give? - chicken/turkey necks, wings - lamb flaps What isn't safe in regards to bones? Is there any other veggies apart from Onions that are toxic? Any fruits? Do you feed fruits & veggies in the same meal? Should potatoes & such be peeled before being fed? How about portion sizes? If a certain food gives the dog the runs, should it be excluded or will the dog get used to it? Clearly, the BARF diet is a very new concept to me & I really want to go about it the right way. Can it also be fed to cats?

I suppose I could attempt to mix a smaller amount than you do. What sort of fruits & veggies do you use? My Lab X BC has a VERY healthy appetite although is a little overweight. The 2 little ones aren't all too fussy - except with "El Cheapo" foods. I didn't know about all the different raw bones that can be given. My little ones & the cat get raw chicken wings & gobble them up within 10mins. Tyson (the Lab x) gets large bones mum gets off the butcher for cheap. Not sure what type but look quite massive & usually have a fair amount of meat on them. Not ribs or anything though. They are probably some type of limbs. So Brewer's Yeast is simply Vitamin B in powder form? And it's also available at the supermarket for humans? I know my questions might be really silly but *shrugs* I can't help it. I've already learnt so much in the few days I've been a member. I'm like a SPONGE...hehe...absorbing everything!!! Also, is it recommened to give Calcium supplements?

I am clueless as to how to add it all up. If anyone has the result for Royal Canin Small Breed Junior? And just Royal Canin Small Breed Bites? That would be really useful. I keep the food in an airtight plastic container & throw away the bag. It's more readily accessible with the measuring cup. But this is a VERY USEFUL thread. I'm going to cross post to another dog group I am part of. I hope that is alright!

I blend fruit and vegies to a pulp and add brewers yeast, kelp, organic eggs, live culture yoghurt, flaxseed oil and cottage cheese. I then mix this with human grade chicken, turkey or beef mince and freeze in meal sized containers. The Rottweilers get a chicken frame after the BARF meal and the Cavaliers get a wing. They have raw meaty bones at other times too. I give a Salmon oil capsule to the big dogs daily and the little dogs twice a week. Vitamin E capsule to all dogs every third day.. Eagle Pack is a good dried food and my dogs have nice shiny coats on the food they are on. Hope this helps. Edited to add. I don't use pasta, rice or any fillers but they do get it occasionally as leftovers. ^^ your method seems pretty well worked out. do the Vitamin E capsules & Salmon Oil Capsules have expiry dates? And how long can you keep your little pulped mix froxen for before it goes off? I have 2 little ones and one big boy. I don't think I'd go through enough if it's not too long lasting. Also, do you think it would be acceptable to feed my cat the same? Is Brewers Yeast just a dietary dog supplement? My Vet told me mince wasn't good for their teeth & that it would make my little ones fussy but if it makes them healthy & happy then why not? Especially since the only reason it makes them fussy is because the cheapo not so quality dog foods taste like utter crap (and smell like it too). After eating a gourmet pizza, would you go back to stale bread? Exactly. Anyway, so yes. How long can you mix be frozen for without going off was my main question! Thanks.

you are a lifesaver. i've been trying for days to find a place that stocks Natural Balance!!! Thanksa bunch!!! x0x0x