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Kibble/Raw combination

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
All,

Does anyone feed a combination of both? We have occassionally added "some" raw but generally feed kibble. A 50/50 mix probably doesn‘t make sense and would concern me from a balance standpoint. However, if you feed both, how do you logically combine it.
For those on kibble only, is it safe to allow for some raw treats from time to time (chicken necks or anything like that).

I don‘t think I‘m going to fully switch soon, but would like to introduce some elements and get him used to it.

Thanks,
Sebastian
 

TylerDurden

Well-Known Member
I feed kibble in the morning and raw at night. My dogs haven't had any issues with it. Even when I had dogs on only kibble for meals I gave raw bones for chewing.

That‘s interesting, thanks for sharing. What would a typical raw meal at night consist of?
 

scorning

Well-Known Member
That‘s interesting, thanks for sharing. What would a typical raw meal at night consist of?
I below to a raw coop, http://www.wazzuor.com/, I buy both processed raw and just random ingredients. Some of the recent mixes have been:

1) Sardines, beef rib ends, and tripe
2) NW Naturals beef mix
3) Columbia River quail mix
4) Turkey necks and organ mix
5) Ground rabbit

I usually add some goat milk and Green Juju or other veggies puree into the mix. I tried to do raw prey model but my dogs didn't like it, they prefer ground food or bones they can chew on.

I also buy lots of random trim and organ through the coop and keep the dehydrator going with liver, heart, and jerky treats.
 

Steven C

Well-Known Member
My DDB was a tough eater, he didn't love kibble until we found BilJac which he loved the real chicken in it plus the glucosamine (I'm huge fan of BilJac). Two things we did and it had to be ok since he had a pretty long life in comparison to many of that breed. We added Turkey dogs to the kibble he didn't really enjoy as much and that helped a lot, I liked the turkey as it was less fat for him. We also gave him chicken necks and turkey necks anytime I was shopping and I spotted them. It was his private treat in the patio and he loved them so for us no problem mixing. Also once in a while I would give him an extra chicken breast if we had one.

I used to worry about him choking on the larger neck bones until he stole a 20 pound turkey and devoured it, the only issue was defecation problems for a day or 2.

I also thought about the raw thing but it was just a massive hassle and too much involved for full time raw for us.
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
I'm in a facebook group, "K9 Nutrition" run by Lew Olsen, who wrote a book on feeding dogs that includes some notes on kibble, but more on home-prepared raw and cooked foods...so... a pretty open discussion on all types of diets.

Many people in that group feed a mix of raw and kibble... anything from split meals, like scorning does, to just some "raw" or "real" food toppers on the kibble.

If you're going to mix, start slow and see how your dog does. Then keep an eye on your dog's farts and poops to see how it's all digesting. Adding in some probiotics can help everything digest better, too.

If you're adding lots of boney pieces to chew on, you might need to add some kind of veggie material as well to keep the poops moving... too much bone can cause constipation, and kibble is already designed to maintain "firm" poops.

I went all raw, and love it. No more running to the store when I run out of kibble and forgot to buy another bag. I pack the freezer with goodies from the same coop that scorning's a member of, or can just grab something at the grocery store if I need to. Mainstays here are pork shoulder and pork ribs (all from Costco), with beef liver and kidney from the local grocery. The kidney I normally have to go up to the big Asian grocery market to get (H-Mart), but if I miss a week or so without it, it's not a big deal.
 

DenyMcKusker

Well-Known Member
I don't feed kibble just cause he doesn't like it. I was told by the BARF diet folks you can mix regular dog food with raw as long as you do so at least 1 hour between the 2 as the digestive system works differently on the both foods. Tonight Max had a cornish hen, handful of ck hearts and a beef neck portion. He will get a snack later of a Turkey neck and 1 turkey gizzard.
 

alou

Well-Known Member
[QUOTE="

Many people in that group feed a mix I pack the freezer with goodies from the same coop that scorning's a member of, or can just grab something at the grocery store if I need to. Mainstays here are pork shoulder and pork ribs (all from Costco), with beef liver and kidney from the local grocery. The kidney I normally have to go up to the big Asian grocery market to get (H-Mart), but if I miss a week or so without it, it's not a big deal.[/QUOTE]

DennasMom excuse the ignorance but I've seen the term "coop" when people discuss raw diets. What exactly does that mean? Thanks.
 

DenyMcKusker

Well-Known Member
I was feeding raw at both meals but with 9 dogs it started getting real expensive so I am now doing Kibble in the AM and Raw at the PM. I always let 2-3 hours go by between feedings before I give them anything else not raw for digestion reasons. I haven't had any problem mixing . The reason I started on Raw is because Max would not eat any Kibble. I tried every kibble at Tractor Supply I now have to Dr. the kibble for him to eat it. I use cottage cheese, plain yogurt and cooked ground beef or turkey. He is 10 months and 120 lbs so I need to make sure he is eating enough to support his size. He looks good and real healthy. Raw is so easy cause he loves it. I raised my first pup on BilJac and he always loved it. I actually forgot about BilJac because you can't buy it in the stores where I am at. I am going to try it again. You can order online at PetCo. Good tip. Thanks.