Protien amounts in Raw Diet

[Little Monster]

In any community you're going to find people who want to push things, and you're going to find people who want to educate and help others and people who are dead set against whatever that thing may be. It's a personal decision for someone to want to feed raw and I don't think it's fair to condemn someone based on wanting to feed raw. Yea you have your personal opinion, experiences etc but it's not like the raw diet is a new thing and there are millions of people who feed their dogs raw with awesome outcomes. I think this really needs to be an let's agree to disagree kind of thing. I'm sure Christina and Mary both will only feed raw when they feel ready to do so and I'm sure professionals will be consulted in doing so. Many of the problems you mentioned happen when people don't know how to correctly feed raw or just wing it rather than researching and transitioning into it.

This is what I mean. I never once condemned raw food or people for feeding raw. I was relaying my unfortunate series of bad experiences with people and the raw diet. I don't have problems with people feeding raw, so long as they do it right and do their homework. I would certainly rather feed raw than processed dog food. I even mentioned that if this area had a nutritionist who fed raw, people could learn to do it right and I wouldn't see the problems I do in the vet field.

 

[Smart_Family]

This is what I mean. I never once condemned raw food or people for feeding raw. I was relaying my unfortunate series of bad experiences with people and the raw diet. I don't have problems with people feeding raw, so long as they do it right and do their homework. I would certainly rather feed raw than processed dog food. I even mentioned that if this area had a nutritionist who fed raw, people could learn to do it right and I wouldn't see the problems I do in the vet field.

All I'm saying as someone who works in the veterinary field was that rather than right away saying pork has parasites and you should never feed it is that people should do their research and maybe point out some resources on both sides of the fence. I don't feed raw even though I would love to but I hate to see people who are willing to take the time, money and effort to feed their dogs a balanced raw diet discouraged by one comment. I'm not here to argue by any means and you obviously have a lot of knowledge/experience to share which mastiff owners, especially new ones, can always use more of.

 

[Little Monster]

All I'm saying as someone who works in the veterinary field was that rather than right away saying pork has parasites and you should never feed it is that people should do their research and maybe point out some resources on both sides of the fence. I don't feed raw even though I would love to but I hate to see people who are willing to take the time, money and effort to feed their dogs a balanced raw diet discouraged by one comment. I'm not here to argue by any means and you obviously have a lot of knowledge/experience to share which mastiff owners, especially new ones, can always use more of.

Yes, let's not argue. I didn't mean to offend anyone or turn anyone away, just simply sharing my experiences. I really have read that pork was bad because of tapeworms. When clients come in that feed raw, I am the only person that works at the clinic that doesn't start screaming no. I always ask what they are doing and feeding how much of what to be sure they are doing it right and not just winging it. I usually talk people out of cooking for their dogs (my choice of feeding) because I know how much work it is and what serious problems can show up if a diet is not balanced. However, because I need my job, I typically recommend a high quality food (like Acana, Orijen, etc.) to keep the bosses happy and do right by the client. Like I mentioned before, it is unfortunate that when it comes to raw, my experiences are always bad (Intentional subject change to avoid arguing) like weight pull. I always wanted to do weight pull with Ickis, my Corso, but the people I have met that do it, well, they kinda suck. I'm sure it is an awesome sport and a lot of fun and there are a lot of people that do it correctly and aren't so... well... you know... but my personal experiences have pushed me away from it.

 

[Smart_Family]

It sucks that some people ruin it for others! I think it's awesome that you recommend foods like Acana and Orijen to your clients though. I love my vet but everytime I go I get the spiel about science diet and how great it is. I just shake my head and smile haha. I hope you and Ickis can find a way/place to do weight pulling away from the sucky people.

 

[bullyBug]

I would only consider feeding raw meat to my dogs if I had access to free range, organic not processed through a huge factory and dipped in bleach meat. That's the only way I would do it. I cook the meat to get rid of all the contamination we people put in the meat to make it safer. I also work at a vet clinic and see all the bad stuff that happens to dogs fed raw. I can only think of 1 client that feeds her dog raw that didn't get sick from it (pancreatitis, enteritis, obstruction in the stomach, obstruction in the large intestine, broken teeth, etc.) Maybe if this area had a better raw nutritionist people could have someone to turn to for help and guidance and these things wouldn't happen?

I don't ever feel the need to convince anyone to feed raw. I recommend commercial foods daily at my job, and - in eight years - have only discussed raw with two clients that brought it up. I thought your position was also neutral, but the end of your post is as demeaning as you describe raw feeders to be. I'm a veterinary technician and see all of the conditions you listed on a regular basis. All in commercially fed dogs. I am not implying that raw fed dogs are immune, only that these conditions affect non-raw fed dogs on an equal (from MY experience I'm inclined to say higher) basis. These conditions can also occur in dogs fed organic, free range meat blessed by the pope so I'm not sure where you're going with that?

 

[Tailcreek]

We have fed raw for several years now (including pork!) and have found it to be a great diet for our dogs. We have raised a number of pups on raw and have been very happy with their development and health.

Jennifer
www.tailcreekmastiffs.com

 

[Oak Hill Farm]

If you are concerned about the quality of it (or any other raised or wild caught meat) freeze for a week and thaw appropriately;to kill any organisms.

As for the original question, You want to feed 2-3% of the ideal ADULT weight of your puppy. So if you think she will weight 180 lbs feed 3.5-5 lbs a day, split in 2-3 feedings for a 6 month pup. Remember raw is equal in nutritional requirements over a period of time, not every meal. 80% muscle 10% organ and 10% bone, if fed in this ratio equals 21-25% protein in the diet. Which Is acceptable to me, but aske 5 others and you may get 5 different answers