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Everything posted by hopenfox
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Question About Changing To Raw Feeding
hopenfox replied to Garden Girl's topic in Health / Nutrition / Grooming
None of my dogs ever had any problems changing from dry/processed to raw, but they did occasionally have 'episodes' during raw feeding caused accidentally by me. I believe that most problems are caused by the *Too Much's; *Too much food (loose stools/vomiting/gas) *Too much new (loose stools/vomiting/gas) *Too much fat (loose stools/vomiting/gas) *Too much bone (constipation/loose stools/bone&bile vomits/bone in stools/mucous coated stools) or *Too much organ (loose stools) And can usually be fixed/avoided by cutting back... ~ ~ ~ Oh, and just a comment on stools - with raw fed dogs, what goes in, comes out, so boneless red meat = dark soft stools chicken with bone = firm pale yellow stools organ meat = dark soft stools red meat with bone = brown coloured firm stools And sometimes with a mixed meal, stools will come out multicoloured! All of which is totally normal for a raw fed dog. ~ hopenfox -
Hi Nekhbet, It's called Prey Model...it's modelled on Whole Prey. If we were feeding whole prey, the diet would be called 'Whole Prey', and though this would be everyone's ideal, it's often too difficult to do nowadays as whole animals are hard to find. Our goal with Prey Model is to provide as many parts from as many animals as we can, with the goal of providing everything they need over time, rather than every day. And since dogs are wolves, we try to base it on what they would eat - whole deer, which is the ideal diet of a wolf. If it could live on solely deer, it would. A deer is made up of approximately 10% edible bone, 80% meat (which includes fat, tendons, skin, hair, etc) and 10% organs. Since the wolf shakes out the stomach contents and never eats it, veggies aren't included. Not only that, it has been scientifically proved that wolves and dogs have identical teeth and digestive systems, and so both are incapable of digesting or absorbing vegetable matter anyway. Their digestive system is too short, and their teeth are built for ripping and tearing - there are no flat molars for crushing plant matter small enough for digestion, so it goes right through. Our goal is to feed a dog what it is biologically meant to eat, not what it would eat if it went scavenging. Just because a dog will eat inappropriate food, doesn't mean it should. hopenfox
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I aim as close as I can for 10% bone, 80% meat, 5% liver & 5% other organs. An average week for Fox, who's allergic to chicken (19kgs) is; Monday: Salmon head (frozen), 1 lamb kidney Tuesday: 1/2 an ox tongue Wednesday: 2 lamb hearts Thursday: whole lamb neck, 1 egg Friday: boneless lamb chunk/s Saturday: 1/2 an ox tongue Sunday: turkey drumstick, chunk of liver An average week for Hope (17kgs & with a throat condition that doesn't allow whole bones) - she eats 'Big Food Fed Less Often', since she's a greedy eater who loves to eat, but gains weight easily; Monday: whole ox heart, three tsps of chicken frame mince Tuesday: 3 tsps of chicken frame mince Wednesday: 3 tsps of chicken frame mince, chunk of liver Thursday: pork hock (on the bone, but she doesn't eat the bone) Friday: 3 spoons of chicken frame mince, 1 egg Saturday: 1/2 an ox tongue Sunday: 3 tsps of chicken frame mince I also feed when I can get it; whole rabbits (with or without fur), pork shoulder roasts, turkey parts, lamb shanks, beef boneless chunks, kangaroo parts and boneless chunks, goat parts, lamb brains and whole raw fish like sardines, mackerel and whiting. For 'time using' treats I feed Kongs stuffed with raw meat or mince and frozen. For training treats I use chopped up raw heart, or cooked meat cut very small.
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About a year ago Fox started licking regularly under his tail for no apparent reason. His anal glands were fine. Our vet suggested it was most likely a food allergy, causing irritation in the bowel, hence the anal licking to try and soothe the itchiness inside. I removed all but one variety of his meats (he's fed raw prey model) with the intention of keeping to the one meat for two weeks, then adding another for two weeks, and so on till we found the food that made him itchy. I started with chicken only and quickly discovered it was the culprit; his licking got worse and worse in that fortnight, and when I then changed to completely lamb, we were both delighted when the itching/licking stopped completely within a few days! The licking has totally stopped now with chicken off the menu. Maybe you could try an elimination diet too? He may be allergic to one of the ingredients in the dry food... hopenfox.
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No, it's rarely dangerous if they go down (only if they get stuck do you need to worry). Dogs aren't like humans in the way they eat and digest food - digestion doesn't begin in the mouth like it does for us, but in the stomach, so 'chomp, crunch, swallow' is perfectly normal for dogs. Feeding bigger pieces will help slow him down, like a half or whole chicken. Regurgitating excess bones is also pretty natural - dog's only need around 10% bone and often excess is brought up. Nothing to worry about! The 'runs' is usually caused by too much something: too much food, too much fat, too much new, too much liver...and sometimes too much bone or not enough bone.
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I normally feed edible meaty bones when I can't find whole prey - all different kinds and shapes and sizes, but one of my dogs isn't allowed to eat them whole and unfortunately needs to be fed her bone minced. So I've had to look for boneless options to help keep her teeth clean and her gums healthy. To clean her front teeth, I've found pulling the meat off lamb shanks works well (she's been taught not to try and eat the bone). Pork hocks work well too, pulling off meat cleans front teeth and gnawing off the tough skin helps with the back ones. But my absolute favourite for an all over teeth clean is an ox tongue! Really tough and chewy and the huge, rough taste buds act as a great natural tooth brush.
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I put a box in for you :D Thank you! But since I've already voted it wont let me add that vote now.
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Pancreatitis isn't caused by too much fat, but dogs with pancreatic issues can react to too much of it. So unless a dog is prone to pancreatitis, normal amounts of fat can be fed without problems. I rarely trim fat, and then only if there's a shocking amount, like a 2 inch layer on pork or heaps of excess skin hanging from chicken frames.
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I feed Fox his meat in large chunks (around grape-fruit size or larger) on or off the bone (including whole prey), with minced meat only used for Kong stuffing or hiding tablets. I try to feed as close to Prey model as I can as I believe dog's have teeth for a reason - why feed pre-chewed when they can do it themselves? There was no-where on the poll to tick for Hope - she has a throat condition which forces me to feed mostly minced meat & bone. I have no choice and wouldn't if I didn't have to... My ferrets are never fed/won't touch mince, and are only fed whole prey or prey model.
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Just an update...I've been informed that Delta will accept a titre test. I've emailed Vetpath twice asking if they test for Bordetella, but so far no reply. I intend to ring them later, though I didn't see it on their list of services on the website. I'm now waiting for confirmation from Pet Partners that I only need to test for Bordetella, then I guess I'll have to organise everything (like having my Vet send a sample off to America). Our assessment day is on the 28th of February, so hopefully I have time... hopenfox
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I'm really not sure if its once off or every year or so. I'll have to find out... When I get a reply regarding the titre testing of CC in Australia, I'll post it here. I'm not worried about any of these at all. Once vaccinated over the age of six months, immunity is for life. Revaccinating doesn't boost immunity at all... http://www.dogs4sale.com.au/Notice_Board_D...rld_UK.htm#Vac2 hopenfox
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Fox ate his very first raw salmon head, but then refused the next, wrinkling his nose with distaste at the slimy skin. Next time I offered it frozen solid and he ate it happily without a thought and has ever since. He prefers all his fish frozen as fishcicles... My first dog (Nicky - Cavy) was, and my other dog (Hope - Koolie) and my sister's dog (Bean - Staffie) are happy to eat theirs raw.
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I feed wild rabbits to my dogs and ferrets, with or without fur. The dogs eat the entire rabbit, but the ferrets usually leave most of the furry skin. I usually freeze the freshly caught ones for 3 or 4 weeks to kill any parasites. The ferrets also get shop bought frozen mice and rats on the rare occasion I can afford them.
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Don't forget: you feed 2 - 3% of the dogs IDEAL adult weight. Raw feeding amount calculator.
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Okay, thanks. I emailed Dr Dodds, and she mentioned that titers ARE available for Bordetella and Parainfluenza, and to ask Vetpath if they offer it (I've sent them an email asking, but don't see it on their website). She also suggested what you did Erny; to ask if they'll let me sign a waiver, and I've now sent an email off to the Pet Partner's organiser asking about this. If they don't let me sign a waiver and Australia doesn't do the titres (or if Pet Partners wont allow titres), I guess I'll have to weigh up whether to pay to have the test done by Dr Dodds, or forgo Fox's Therapy Dog assessment. hopenfox
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After thoroughly researching vaccinations I had decided not to vaccinate Hope (nearly 8) and Fox (nearly 7) again. Their last vaccination was in 2005. However, I really want to join Pet Partners with Fox as therapy work would be so ideal for him and we both love it so much (he is currently a sometime/unofficial therapy dog). After questioning the organisers of the program on this and sharing some links on the dangers of over vaccinating, they've agreed to a minimum vaccination of Kennel Cough. Since I work at the local RSPCA shelter in the quarantine dogs section and come into contact with KC just about every week, and my dogs come to work with me (they stay in the car), surely they have developed a natural immunity to it? They both had KC when I first adopted them from this shelter years ago, but haven't had it since. Does anyone know of a way I can get out of giving Fox this (pointless, unnecessary, possibly harmful) vaccine? Or if not, would the inhaled or injected one be less damaging? Thanks, hopenfox
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Most dogs tolerate frozen and cold food well, but some don't and will bring it back up shortly after to re-eat or not. I've also heard it can be dangerous to some really small dogs, as the frozen food lowers their body temperature too much. I feed fish frozen all the time, as Fox wont eat it otherwise.
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Meeting A Butcher - Perth People Rejoice!
hopenfox replied to Garden Girl's topic in Health / Nutrition / Grooming
Drool...that's my dream too! Lucky you! You'll have to let us know how it goes... -
What do you feed him? Diet can often affect the activity levels of a dog (colours, preservatives, etc.). Maybe you could research raw feeding? I know many people who's dog's relaxed heaps after changing to raw. Also have a look at your leadership behaviours - maybe there are more things you could be doing? Sounds like he may be a little anxious, and if he sees more clearly that you're in control, he may settle down a bit. Oh, and ignore him when he's excited (no attention at all - not even eye contact) and praise and give attention when he's calm. I've found the quickest way to teach a dog not to jump is to fold your arms out of his reach, avoid eye contact and turn your back, then reward when he sits or has all four feet on the ground. This will only work if everyone does this though. Remember ANY attention (good or bad) is rewarding to a dog.
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I have fed: lamb kidney lamb liver lamb brain beef kidney beef liver chicken liver chicken kidney (which is usually found adhering to the roof of chicken frames) salmon/fish brains & eyes (in whole fish or heads) and all the organs in a rabbit (fed whole with fur, so had everything inside still except for the intestines) I also feed chicken, lamb and beef hearts, and ox tongues, but count them as muscle meat. Organs should be around 10% of the diet, with liver being half of that.
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Does Anyone Feed Tongue To Their Dogs?
hopenfox replied to Garden Girl's topic in Health / Nutrition / Grooming
Where do you find lamb and pork tongues? When I've asked butchers in the past about them, they act like such things don't exist! -
Mincer/grinder For Chicken Wings Necks Etc ?
hopenfox replied to dogbesotted's topic in Health / Nutrition / Grooming
Due to a throat condition, my Koolie Hope can only eat her bones minced or ground. It's much cheaper to just buy pre ground food than it is to buy a grinder. I buy minced chicken frames/necks from Lenards for 80c pkg, (but have also seen it for sale at several butchers too) and also sometimes buy the 'bone dust' collected from a butcher's bone saw for around 50c pkg, so she can get some bone variety (beef, lamb & pork bone). This is usually really dense though, so can only be fed a few tsps per meal. -
A small amount of swelling/filling with liquid is normal, but if he starts to feel pain there, it's back to vet. My Kelpie swelled up hugely after being desexed and was soon in obvious pain. Turned out he had an infection. Antibiotics cleared it up, and the swelling went down quickly after that.
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Does Anyone Feed Tongue To Their Dogs?
hopenfox replied to Garden Girl's topic in Health / Nutrition / Grooming
Tongue is classed as (muscle) meat. I use tongue as boneless meat as often as I can find it. For some reason, many butchers don't get them in ;) . How much do people pay per tongue? I get mine for $2.50 each, but I notice one butcher was selling them for $5.50 each! My Koolie, Hope has a throat condition, so she isn't allowed to eat bones unless they're minced or ground, so I've found Ox tongues are the best way to keep her teeth clean. The tough, abrasive texture is like a tooth brush and I love the jaw work needed to gnaw off chunks of it. -
From what I've read, freezing kills parasites, but only puts bacteria to sleep. Any bacteria on the bone/meat before it's frozen, will still be there after it's defrosted. A healthy dog's gut can easily deal with any bacteria, so its not a problem at all.