Raw Feeding, Where Do I Start?

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I have a 1 year old Aussie, and he's started getting dry skin, and scratching alot. I've been reading about raw feeding, specifically prey model and how it's meant to help improve skin and coat condition. I have no idea where to start though. Any advice on getting started?

[twodoggies2001]

I have a 1 year old Aussie, and he's started getting dry skin, and scratching alot. I've been reading about raw feeding, specifically prey model and how it's meant to help improve skin and coat condition. I have no idea where to start though. Any advice on getting started?

Join a raw feeding group on line and you will be guided through step by step. I am a member of 'raw feeding for dogs and cats' and have learnt a lot from them.

[Red Fox]

The Ian Billinghurst books are good (though they are BARF not Prey diet)

I started by doing some Google searches, reading up a bit and contacting several breeders (my breed and others -but all large breeds) who fed raw and asking for advice.

[persephone]

Hi- have a look HERE and also, HERE

have fun!

[Mas1981]

My dog had a dry coat too, I feed him a home prepared diet, all meat is raw but I feed cooked veggies, sometimes I feed them raw depending on what they are but he wont eat all veggies raw. I also give 5 Evening Primrose caps a day and 5 fish oil, they help a lot with my dogs allergies.

Edited to say that Claire Middle has written a book on raw feeding that I got from the library, it has been very helpful

Edited June 13, 2010 by Mas1981

[...]

The Ian Billinghurst books are good (though they are BARF not Prey diet)

I started by doing some Google searches, reading up a bit and contacting several breeders (my breed and others -but all large breeds) who fed raw and asking for advice.

Do you think BARF is a better option than prey model? I was looking into prey model rather than BARF because my dog usually won't eat veggies, I guess he's a typical boy huh?

[Red Fox]

The Ian Billinghurst books are good (though they are BARF not Prey diet)

I started by doing some Google searches, reading up a bit and contacting several breeders (my breed and others -but all large breeds) who fed raw and asking for advice.

Do you think BARF is a better option than prey model? I was looking into prey model rather than BARF because my dog usually won't eat veggies, I guess he's a typical boy huh?

For my dog yes, otherwise I wouldn't feed it

At the end of the day I think it depends on what the dog does best on and what you have access to. Dogs done necessarily need veggies, but they do provide fibre/roughage which is not otherwise available in just meat and bone (though would be if you were able to provide whole animals including the fur and feathers). I also add some fresh fruit, parsley, garlic, eggs and kelp to my veggie mix. My dog won't eat raw fruit (besides apple) or veg on it's own but he will eat it all pulped up together with the supplements and mixed in with his meat.

Perhaps buy some premade BARF patties and see how you go. Or borrow/buy some of the books suggested and make up a small amount for your dog to try

eta: just saw this in the member marketplace (2 Ian Billinhurst books) http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=198408

You won't be able to acess it as it's in OT and you don't have enough posts but you could PM Belgian Blue and ask her if you were interested

Edited June 15, 2010 by SecretKei

[Hafhafa Hounds]

I have no idea where to start though. Any advice on getting started?

http://www.rawlearning.com/

Loads of info!

Sonia