Thinking of switcing to raw

[Lkirkland]

So I have been dealing with a picky 17 week old English mastiff puppy and I am at my wits end with his feeding!! I have tried tons of different kibbles..cheap, expensive, grains, grain-free and he just doesn't love any of it. He will pick at it but never eats the recommended daily amount. I've tried mixing in peanut butter, yogurt, raw eggs, water, broth..you name it I have tried it. This will usually work for a meal or two but then he goes back to his normal ways. He's been to the vet numerous times and checks out fine and is parasite free. I wasn't too worried about it but he is starting to look thinner. He only weighs 40 pounds which I understand is pretty small for a 4 month male EM. I have been thinking about switching to raw but just didn't feel ready to take the plunge but tonight my husband gave him a couple raw chicken gizzards and he was in heaven..he scarfed them down and kept whining for more which he never does. I am thinking he may need to be switched to raw but I am not sure where to start!! Any advice would be appreciated. He definitely needs to put some weight on!!!

 

[ruthcatrin]

I'm on my ipad and so NOT up to typing out a huge post. But if you do a search on here theres been ALOT of discussion on it. Also this site: How to Get Started | Prey Model Raw has a good breakdoen for Prey model raw.

 

[Lkirkland]

Thanks so much..I looked for some previous posts but couldn't find much. I'm sure I just don't know what I'm doing Ill check that link though!!

 

[ruthcatrin]

Go read there then come back and ask questions lol. Thats easier for me cause I HATE typing big long posts on this thing.....

 

[Lkirkland]

okay...so I think I am going to start with chicken backs and quarters since that's what they recommended. Should I feed a little more than what they recommend daily since he is underweight? Based on his parents weight I think he should end up somewhere around 175..so Im thinking he should get about 4-5 pounds per day..does that sound right?

 

[ruthcatrin]

Go ahead and start there. Many pps end up wanting more, especially in a growth spurt, but you'll adjust by his condition.

Be prepared to reduce the bone and add meat fairly quickly. Most pups make the change over really quickly.

 

[Lkirkland]

ok great..thank you so much. I'm hoping this will help my little guy get caught up soon with his weight!!!

 

[Sadies Mom]

Just take it slow and do not rush the organs. If the poop is runny add more bone, if it is chalky, add more meat. I was a little uncomfortable about the whole thing at first, but it is pretty easy. I follow the Prey Model with Sadie and she is doing great. Good luck

 

[angelbears]

I know you want to put weight on him but be careful. It has been my experience that they can get plump pretty quickly on raw. You still want to keep your pup on the lean side for joint health. My picky eater devours raw. He will occasionally turn his nose up at something but nothing like when he was eating kibble or even homemade cooked meals.

Good luck!

 

[Lkirkland]

Thanks so much for the advice. I am not looking to get him big..just catch him up a little and get him to where I cant see all his ribs. He had some runny poop this morning..Im assuming it was from the guizzards. I am going today to get him his chicken with bones so hopefully that will help him firm back up!!

 

[ruthcatrin]

Yah, the gizzards did it, cause his sytem's not used to it.

 

[DennasMom]

It could take 3-4 days for his stomach acids to build up to raw-digestion - so you'll see soft stools due just to the transition, too. Once you've got the system "primed" I'm sure he'll take right off into all sorts of new stuff. But DO go SLOW to start. Any new stuff can loosen the stools as the GI tract adjusts.

We also UNDER-fed the first couple days when we started raw, to make sure the system made the transition before we loaded it up.
If you have a hard time getting solid stools after 2-3 days, try feeding less. Over-feeding can loosen things up too.

And, Denna DID get... ah... overly prosperous once we went all raw... so we've had to dial back her portions as she's gotten older. She's 125lbs at 1yo, expected to get in the 160's... but she only gets 1.5% of expected adult weight, now. She's not a TOTAL couch potato... but she is pretty calm.

There's lots of support and help on this forum for raw! Welcome to the group!

 

[musicdeb]

Check out this link and watch the 3 videos to help you with raw diet. Great advice given on this post.

Raw Feeding: info/truths/myths

 

[Lkirkland]

Thanks so much for the advice. I bought drumsticks today since that was all I could find and he scarfed them down. I am going to try to go to a local meat market tomorrow and find some backs and quarters. He is still having loose stools but Im hoping after a few days all will be well. I started slow and didn't feed him as much as he should have but he whined and barked for more so I did give in and give him more. I am hoping he will really thrive on this diet like so many others do

 

[ruthcatrin]

Drums are fine as long as he's chewing.

 

[DMikeM]

I think adding a probiotic like plain yogurt can help kick start his stomach acids too. Mine don't care for the yogurt so I give them cottage cheese it's lower in the probiotics but at least it will help.

 

[Lkirkland]

Yea I made sure I supervised and he chewed each one very thoroughly before swallowing!!

 

[Lkirkland]

I think adding a probiotic like plain yogurt can help kick start his stomach acids too. Mine don't care for the yogurt so I give them cottage cheese it's lower in the probiotics but at least it will help.

Could I give him flavored yogurt of does it have to be plain?

 

[ruthcatrin]

Flavored usually has extra sweetener, I usually recommend plain.

 

[DMikeM]

Some people give their dogs sugars in the form of honey or molasses but sweeteners like Ruth mentioned are not healthy for dogs.