chuckorlando
Well-Known Member
So chicken bones are not bad?
You have to be really careful with switching kibbles like that with most dogs. It's one thing to switch within a brand to a different flavor every time but switching to a totally different kibble needs to be done slowly and over a 9-15 day period as to avoid severe digestive upset. Switching too quickly can cause shock to the digestive system and it's hard to get out of it once you do, not to mention no one ever enjoys projectile diarrhea haha!Once you find good sources, raw is awesome. I used to feed partial raw (when I could get raw). Now I have a big chest freezer. As far as that thing taking up space...well, lol, I live in a trailer. It basically takes up my entire kitchen. What I do for those darned dogs. LOL
Not sure where you are but I hunt and I often get stuff from my deer processors. I asked one about the bins full of unwanted parts like heads, rib cages, legs, etc. They told me I could have whatever I wanted from there. As long as its cold enough outside, its safe. I also donate most of my deer to me dogs. I have gotten free meat from craigslist (just once). I check grocery stores for sales. I got chicken leg quarters for 0.39 a pound recently which was awesome. You just have to make sure it isn't enhanced with chicken broth or extra sodium (should say on package). I currently get my staples of meat (chicken backs and beef heart) at a local meat retailer. I am also going to start calling around farms and slaughtering places (if I can find any) and see if we can work something out. Being a raw feeder takes some leg work to find good deals. And you need good deals when feeding large dogs.
Even if you stick to kibble, its not a bad thing to offer your dog a raw meaty bone now and again for mental stimulation and dental health. Just no weight bearing bones. Don't want to crack those teeth.
Before going raw full time I would rotate my dogs food. Every bag was something different. One bag I would get Taste of the Wild High Prairie, another bag would be Innova or Holistic Select. Etc.