Raw Feeding FAQ (finally)

[doberkim]

just watch with so many recreational bones - because they are a lot harder than the bones that are actually edible (RMB's), some dogs will break some teeth, and get slab fractures. i actually dont feed recreational bones like marrow bones anymore, he gets a nice work out from the choice of RMB's and the meat he can pick off. his fave is currently ribs - he works for over an hour to get the meat off them, its a niec work out, and its not something he can really chew and break. hes been known to break marrow bones and pig femurs, and he already has a slab fracture on his upper canine from a nylabone and such

[gaddylovesdogs]

We buy bones from our vet, who get's them from a local butcher. She has all kinds, but once when we got LARGE ones the girls couldn't really eat them, so we stick we stick with marrow bones that are usually in pieces, sometimes whole. A lot of the time they actually have a lot of meat on them...

[flyndog]

Kim, I'm thrilled to see this thread kept active! As long as "detractors" are told where to go ( to the debate forum, of course ) this will be a great place for people get quick info about raw diets.

Kit

[GreenleafGreyhound]

Originally Posted by doberkim

just watch with so many recreational bones - because they are a lot harder than the bones that are actually edible (RMB's), some dogs will break some teeth, and get slab fractures. i actually dont feed recreational bones like marrow bones anymore, he gets a nice work out from the choice of RMB's and the meat he can pick off. his fave is currently ribs - he works for over an hour to get the meat off them, its a niec work out, and its not something he can really chew and break. hes been known to break marrow bones and pig femurs, and he already has a slab fracture on his upper canine from a nylabone and such

Thanks for the warning. We usually feed the soft femur heads. I usually test the bone by taking my thumbnail and dragging it across the bone. With the femure heads, it's actually quite soft and Giselle often consumes 1/2-3/4 of the bone. I'll have to lessen the harder rec bones and up the RMBs, though. Wonderful topic!

[kjm]

GREAT article, Kim. Answered a lot of my questions about RAW.

I feed Boone Wellness, but I've wanted to try just giving him a bone or two a week (whatever is best) to clean his teeth. I have no problem brushing them, he actually gets VERY excited when he sees me put on my little green finger brush because he loves the toothpast so much. And I give him Greenies to munch on occasionally. BUT I would very much like to just give him a bone to gnaw on instead.

Kim or anyone else, what would you recommend giving him just for this, a marrow bone? and how many times a week? He's a 16 lb mini schnauzer and he's gotten to be a pretty aggressive chewer (I heard somewhere this happens during puppy puberty LOL). I don't know if that makes a difference or not.

[gaddylovesdogs]

Originally Posted by kjm

I feed Boone Wellness, but I've wanted to try just giving him a bone or two a week (whatever is best) to clean his teeth. I have no problem brushing them, he actually gets VERY excited when he sees me put on my little green finger brush because he loves the toothpast so much. And I give him Greenies to munch on occasionally. BUT I would very much like to just give him a bone to gnaw on instead.

Kim or anyone else, what would you recommend giving him just for this, a marrow bone? and how many times a week? He's a 16 lb mini schnauzer and he's gotten to be a pretty aggressive chewer (I heard somewhere this happens during puppy puberty LOL). I don't know if that makes a difference or not.

We buy basically whatever is available at the vet's office, LOL, usually medium-sized bones. I try to feed weekly, so they get their weekly dental care. I probably wouldn't feed more often than that. I would say a marrow bone.

[kjm]

Thanks, Gaddy. I need to swing by the grocery store today or tomorrow (Ugh Anyone else hate grocery shopping? LOL) so I'll try to get one then.

[doberkim]

for recreational bones, my personal favorite is either knuckle bones (becuase they are harder to crack, harder to get stuck on a dog, etc) and ribs. yes, a whole side of ribs - your dog WILL get meat in this meal though i like whole knuckle bones.

[fireworksinjuly]

I love the article....
I just have to add that people need to watch which Swiffer antibacterial stuff they use....make sure it clearly states safe for animals.
One version of the liquid Swiffer stuff contains an ingredient that is one molecule different then antifreeze, which both are very harmful to Dogs. If they get it on their paws then lick their paws they can get very sick.

Actually this word of warning should be for all floor cleaners. Make sure they wont harm yuor dog if they lick it off their paws.

[gaddylovesdogs]

Originally Posted by kjm

Thanks, Gaddy. I need to swing by the grocery store today or tomorrow (Ugh Anyone else hate grocery shopping? LOL) so I'll try to get one then.

You're welcome . Actually, no.....we only go to Trader Joe's for grocery shopping, and I like getting samples and it's not as crowded as most other grocery stores, LOL.

[RedHotDobe]

Originally Posted by fireworksinjuly

I just have to add that people need to watch which Swiffer antibacterial stuff they use....make sure it clearly states safe for animals.
One version of the liquid Swiffer stuff contains an ingredient that is one molecule different then antifreeze, which both are very harmful to Dogs. If they get it on their paws then lick their paws they can get very sick.

This is actually another myth, and has been proven false.
http://homemadesimple.custhelp.com/c...Z2U9MQ**&p_li=
There are a few other websites that talk about it, but I'm too indolent to look them up and post them. If anyone really wants to see them I'll find them tomorrow.

And I had a question for Kim, which is why I read this thread, but I'm so tired I forgot. I'll just ask tomorrow.

[doberkim]

snopes is a nice place to check but yes, its false.

caitlin, whenever you think of it, just let me know. kisses to dukeyman!

[DarknessDivine]

Originally Posted by fireworksinjuly

I love the article....
I just have to add that people need to watch which Swiffer antibacterial stuff they use....make sure it clearly states safe for animals.
One version of the liquid Swiffer stuff contains an ingredient that is one molecule different then antifreeze, which both are very harmful to Dogs. If they get it on their paws then lick their paws they can get very sick.

Actually this word of warning should be for all floor cleaners. Make sure they wont harm yuor dog if they lick it off their paws.

Yes, that swiffer thing is a myth

[RedHotDobe]

Okay Kim, I think I remember.

You said that many people recommend against mixing raw and kibble in the same meal, but I would like to get Duke started on a sort of moderated raw diet. Not full on raw, and still have kibble either as the main or maybe half and half. The only reason I don't think I could do all raw is the price. I'm sure if I add anything else to his diet the expenses will get dumped on me. So what would you recommend- a combo of raw and kibble everyday, or raw, kibble, raw, kibble...? Or just stay all kibble if I can't go all raw? If you do think I can do a moderated raw diet, what meats would you recommend I go with?

Let me go find the list of ingredients of his kibble for you, and I'll post them in a sec...

[RedHotDobe]

Here it is:

Beef Meal | Ground Barley | Ground Brown Rice | Menhaden Fish Meal | Flaxseed Oil | Salmon Oil | Rice Bran Oil | Garlic | Parsley | Thyme | Dried Seaweed Meal | Cranberry Meal | Dried Sweet Potatoes | Dried Apples | Dried Carrots | Taurine | Carotene | Choline Chloride | Calcium Carbonate | Iron Proteinate | Vitamin A Supplement | Zinc Proteinate | Niacin Supplement | Folic Acid | Thiamine | Pyridoxine Hydrochloride | Manganese Proteinate | Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide

It's the Beef and Barley Mmillennia.


Oh, and in response to your kisses, he sent me stinky love farts last night.