The babies are home!

[Norman Hechavarria]

We got to bring home our puppies 2 weeks ago. They are doing great! I was eating g ribs outside a couple days ago and a couple bones fell off my plate. These two snatched them up and we're loving the bones. Is it okay to give them bones like this? I am told I can put them on a raw diet for the same cost as the grain free all stages kibble I am feeding them now. Anyone know if this is true? We have an English Bulldog and we are picking up a Siberia Husky rescue. Plan on putting them all on a raw diet if it isn't too crazy expensive. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[PippatheMastiff]

Congratulations! Adorable!!!
But Never give cooked bones. Although at this age, they might not be able to break off any shards. But raw beef back rib bones are great! Check FB for Raw feeding pages just search, and there are many books on the subject. I feed my 22 month old raw for morning meal usually. Kibble with home cooked mixed in for evening meal. For raw I feed ground beef and chicken thighs with bone in, skin and excess fat removed. I have started 8 week old pup on ground beef and small amounts of raw chicken without bone. Take it slow especially with pups. Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bailey's Mom]

O.M.G! I just want to get my paws on them. Oh to be back in the puppy days. Such sweetness.

As for the bones, I agree with Pippa, no pork or chicken bones, but beef bones are okay. I don't usually give my girl many. After a BBQ, she might get a few to worry for a little bit, but I usually take them away after an hour or so. Once all the meat is gone, she's not that interested. No use tempting fate.

I have never raw fed, so I leave you to the advice of the other members like Pippa.

 

[Nik]

O.M.G! I just want to get my paws on them. Oh to be back in the puppy days. Such sweetness.

As for the bones, I agree with Pippa, no pork or chicken bones, but beef bones are okay. I don't usually give my girl many. After a BBQ, she might get a few to worry for a little bit, but I usually take them away after an hour or so. Once all the meat is gone, she's not that interested. No use tempting fate.

I have never raw fed, so I leave you to the advice of the other members like Pippa.

They are certainly adorable! I'm not eager to go back to small puppy days though. Puppies are like babies. A lot of work. I love when all that hard work you put in starts to pay off and they start developing into these wonderful loving dogs. <3 But omg those little faces are enough to make you forgive every accident, every ounce of destructive behavior and every sleepless night. Enjoy them Norman!!!! Oh and share all the photos and stories. :-D

 

[DennasMom]

Wait... you just picked up 2 mastiff puppies, already have one bulldog, and will be adding a husky soon?
I think you may be a touch insane! That's quite the eclectic mixed pack!

For feeding raw, figure 2% of adult weight (maybe closer to 3% for the husky, being a higher-energy breed) x $2/lb per day (price will vary depending on where you live). Chicken is cheaper, but you also need to feed red meat (beef, pork, etc.), and find organ meats (liver, kidney, etc.) to round out the vitamin profiles.

2 x 160lb mastiffs, 1 x 60lb bulldog, 1 x 60lb husky (guessing here) = 440 x 2% = 8.8lb of food per day x $2/lb = $17.60 per day x 30 days/month = $528/month x 12 months = $6,336/year
Not cheap... but with four dogs, you'll be buying a lot of kibble, too.

If you know hunters that will share their take, that can certainly make it more cost-effective.
Most raw feeders like to think they are avoiding vet visits by feeding fresh, wholesome food... but our past kibble-fed dogs were never sick, either... I'm hoping we avoid cancers by avoiding preservatives in kibble, but only time will tell on that one...

Enjoy those puppies!!! They don't stay little for long.