"Kibble FREE" - Challenge

[dogs4life]

Here's to great health!

I'm challenging myself to a "Kibble FREE" diet for my dogs for 1 week. I've tried to go 100% raw before but I always fall back on old reliable...kibble. If I can do "Kibble FREE" for 1 week then maybe I can keep it up for one more and one more...... Heck, maybe I can finally kick the habit

Anyone want to join me?

Here is my strategy:

100% Home Prepared, Fresh, Whole Foods
50% Raw
50% Stews
0% Kibble
Snacks are Roasted meats

[GSD]

Joint you?? already way ahead of you, I think you need to catch up

It's easy once you get used to it.

[dogs4life]

Originally Posted by GSD

Joint you?? already way ahead of you, I think you need to catch up

It's easy once you get used to it.

Yeah!!! Thanks, GSD. What are you doing? All raw, all cooked or combo?

I can do this! I know better than to feed kibble, there really is no excuse. I've done it maybe 4 times already but that darn kibble is soooooo easy. Sorry Innova, I love your kibble BUT it's gotta go.

[Rivsky]

I think the hardest part about raw is actually starting it!!

I eventually got the final push I needed from a holistic vet and haven't gone back to kibble since. I did have to buy a fridge with a bigger freezer to accomodate all his food though

[GSD]

I have a small fridge and a large upright freezer dedicated to dog food.

I do all raw, the only cooked stuff they get is the food we don't finish and sits in the fridge too long.

I used to be very meticulous and measuring and stuff, then I just used to how much when, and I vary it a lot. I mean I do for myself, why should it be different for my dogs.

I couldn't give specific amounts that I feed, I go by how my dogs look and act and make mental notes to activity and stuff and adjust food accoringly. What you feed at a meal isn't as important as what you feed over the course of a couple weeks if you know what i mean, diet is cumulative, not specific in most cases.

I don't really add any supplements but fish oil and sometimes vit E. I used to do veggies, but all it did was give my dogs gas and increase the size of their crap, even though I blended it, you could see the blended undigested stuff in there. I give it occasionaly because I'm guilted in to thinking I should, but really I don't think its necessary.

[Beryl]

I'm with you already and have no plans to return to kibble.

We cut back on kibble last October and my dogs would eat the home made part of the meal and leave the kibble at the bottom of the bowl!

We eliminated it completely for 50:50 raw:home cooking this March and turned 100% raw since September. I'll probably return to a bit of home cooking, however, since I'll be feeding canned fish.

Their treats are dried chicken breasts (USA made), bully sticks, dried beef livers, and cow tails.

I agree with you GSD regarding the cumulative effect of diets. I think they have a complete diet over several days.

(I need a small freezer for my fur-kids.)

[calgal]

Been feeding real food to every dog I ever had for over 49 years. Would never even consider anything less! Good luck, your babies are going to love you, and your going to see a major improvement in their health.

[dogs4life]

Wow look at all the support! Thanks everyone.

I have fed the last of the kibble today and off to the store to get more meat.

I tried turkey soup last night only to find turkey broth give my dogs the runs....wow, that was a messy long night. Won't do that again.

Raw or roasted Turkey from now on for these pups.

[dogs4life]

Hank is dancing and the cat is singing in anticipation of meal times, they just love their new diet. Before Montana passed, she was dancing too. I called it her Chicken dance since she was the only one who could handle whole chicken parts

calgal - I wish I had met someone like you earlier in my life, I might have made this change years ago.

Rivsky - What did your holistic vet share to make you stop feed kibble?

GSD - Totally agree in the relaxed approach to feeding and nutrition being cumulative. If we make smart meat selections, it's my opinion too that suppliments are not necessary either.

Beryl - What made you decide on 100% raw instead of your original 50% home cooking?

[Rivsky]

Originally Posted by dogs4life

Rivsky - What did your holistic vet share to make you stop feed kibble?

I'm glad they are all enjoying their new diet - I think it's the best thing about feeding "real" food!!

The vet basically wanted me to go through absolutely everything that River eats and said the huge variety he was getting was enough and by not feeding him the kibble he wasn't missing out any nutrients that he wasn't already getting through his diet. Basically put my mind at rest that he would be getting enough of what he needs without the kibble.