How to start out on raw?

[ruthcatrin]

BIG bones, to big to swallow, turkey bones instead of chicken (whole wings, necks, drums etc), pork or beef ribs, but the spare ribs not short ribs.

Vegi's really aren't needed if you're balancing the rest of it right, and really the dogs don't digest them properly anyway, you'll just see them coming out the other end (looks really funny when its carrot bits).

I have to say I'd rather see home COOKED than cheap kibble, but if you can do it raw is better. A mixture would be fine in theory anyway if you don't want to go fully raw.

 

[angelbears]

I would stay away from the rice and any other grains because these can be sources of allergies for many dogs. I would stay away from the veggies since dogs do not have enzymes to digest them properly. Personally, I feel raw meat is the best we can give our dogs. Why raw meat because they also need the bones for calcium and other nutrients. NEVER give your dog cooked bones, as these will splinter.

Couple of thoughts on teaching your puppy to chew. You can hold the bone for him forcing him to eat it slowly or try giving him large hunks such as half a chicken or large whole leg quarters.

 

[musicdeb]

my wife and I are thinking of going raw/home cooked for our 10 wk old EM. we are debating wether we should go fully raw, or home cooked meals or maybe a combo of the two?.. anyone have ideas/opinions on cooked meals which includes rice and/or some veggies?

also any tips how to get our pup to actually CHEW the bones? we tried to feed him a chicken leg once, and he almost choked on the bone. we had to pull it out for him. any tips would help! thanks!

Re: bones. Dogs do not chew the bones. The first time I heard Titan go chomp chomp swallow, I freaked. The "chewing of the bones" is finished in their stomachs. They chew it enough to swallow it. IMO, rice is only good for a dog when they have an upset stomach. Dogs are not suppose to eat grains on a regular basis.