Help Needed With Changing Diets

[Michelleva]

Currently our 9 month old sheltie girl gets a combination of Advance Puppy as well as some raw chicken necks and chicken wings. She also gets a meal of sardines in oil once a week for her coat. We've almost finished the back of dry and I want to get her on 100% raw instead.

Are there any good websites or info anyone can give on the best way, what meats I need, how much bone etc. I was thinking maybe the way to go is to make up patties with meat and grated raw vege, but I don't know if thats the right way to go about it.

Any help is appreciated.

[shelby-001]

If you use the search function up the right corner of the page and search 'feeding raw' or something similar you will find HEAPS of threads that already discuss this.

However the one with probably the most info is here:

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...;hl=feeding+raw

[Mason_Gibbs]

Its had changing from kibble to raw - I did it for an elimination diet and I have never gone back to kibble. You will soon see if you are feeding enough etc as the dogs weight will go up or down. I give roo, lamb or goat mince and bones + (hearts, liver and kidneys about 2 x a week) and a small bit of pumpkin or sweet potato each day. I also do sardines and eggs about once a week. I just put it in his bowl as is I dont make patties or anything.

[Michelleva]

Thanks, I think what would work best for us, as we only have one little dog is to make up a batch and freeze in individual portions. I found a place this morning that sells goat meat at a reasonable price. It said it was for stewing, would you normally mince meat like that or leave it chunky.

My cats get raw meat chunks every night and have sparkling teeth, even my oldest who is 7.

I'll check out that other thread soon Shelby.

[Mason_Gibbs]

Thanks, I think what would work best for us, as we only have one little dog is to make up a batch and freeze in individual portions. I found a place this morning that sells goat meat at a reasonable price. It said it was for stewing, would you normally mince meat like that or leave it chunky.

My cats get raw meat chunks every night and have sparkling teeth, even my oldest who is 7.

I'll check out that other thread soon Shelby.

I would leave it chunky, the more chewing workout the better.

[JulesP]

There are 2 different raw feeding diets. One is BARF and the other is RAW (probably variations of both around). BARF has you feeding veggies, kelp, eggs etc. RAW is pretty much chunks of various bits of various animals

For BARF I would recommend getting Ian Billinghurst's "Give Your Dog a Bone" book. For Raw google Tom Lonsdale.

[Michelleva]

Thanks Jules, I'll look them up.

[bianca.a]

This a really good site too for info about RAW.

Note :it is American so weights are not in metric

http://www.rawdogranch.com/GettingStarted.htm

Good luck, I will never go back after switching Molly to RAW

[Michelleva]

There are 2 different raw feeding diets. One is BARF and the other is RAW (probably variations of both around). BARF has you feeding veggies, kelp, eggs etc. RAW is pretty much chunks of various bits of various animals

For BARF I would recommend getting Ian Billinghurst's "Give Your Dog a Bone" book. For Raw google Tom Lonsdale.

I found an Ian Billinghurst book at my local library, I've borrowed it and have already started reading. It actually makes a lot of sense so far, I'm now starting to wonder if the food I've been feeding my gorgeous girl has lead to her current health issues. :D