Question about raw?

natdobe · 09-12-2007, 03:21 PM

Hello all,
I am currently starting Skyler out on raw, and she is doing fine. Our rat terrier only likes ground meat raw and some muscle meat. She WILL NOT eat anything with bones, and she will not eat raw eggs. So, I was wondering what your opinions were on feeding raw and kibble? She eats Canidae. I have heard to NOT feed the two together bacause they digest differently, but I have also read that it was fine to mix them as long as the raw is in small amounts. I also have the Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog book. The book says that if you don't want to do a total raw diet you can get a holistic kibble and add 1/2 cup of raw meat to the dog food along with cottage cheese or yogurt. It also lists vitamins and other things to add also. So, I was just wanting to know what some of your thoughts were. Thanks in advance! Sorry for the long post.

charlesmdodson · 09-12-2007, 03:35 PM

Everyone I have talked to, from dog nutrition people on down, say to skip the kibble due to many factors. Some say it tends to expand and doesnt allow proper digestion, etc. Anyway, that's what I've heard. I went cold turkey one day; no more kibble.

Will not eat anything with bone? Hmmm... I would still offer things with small/light bone to encourage it, like chicken parts with ribs, etc. Maybe fish? I notice bones are an important part of keeping Sherman's mouth clean and white.

natdobe · 09-12-2007, 03:42 PM

Thanks Charles. I know in my heart that raw is best, but my rat terrier is SOOO picky, and I know you have to have variety in the raw diet. So, that is why I asked about doing both raw and kibble for her. She is doing fine on Canidae. I just wanted something better for her, even though she doesn't know that she needs raw bones for her teeth. She is a bit of a primadonna! I have offered her every kind of RMB that we have available. She turns up her nose at them, including fish. We have to brush her teeth. I have noticed a big difference in Skyler's teeth with RMB's. Anway, thanks for the suggestions!

sundobe · 09-12-2007, 03:50 PM

Just an idea...If you really can gradually introduce her to it by chopping up the RMB's to finer chewable pieces. If that doesn't work, you can always grind up the RMB's and whatever you are adding (like kelp, flax oil, yogurt, whatever..) make patties to feed her. That way she still gets most all of the benefits of eating RMB in the form that she likes, ground raw meat.

Dr. Ian Billinghurst has a couple of good books on feeding raw and they also give good ideas on how to help your pooch make the transition form kibble to raw.

Good luck!

Andrea · 09-12-2007, 05:07 PM

Bones are very important, because the included calcium. At first the dog must learn to eat the bones, that take time. You should start with chicken or turkey necks. Good luck!!

Edit: I can recommend -

Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats, Kymythy R. Schultze, Hay House
Raw Meaty Bones, Dr. Tom Lonsdale
The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog, Wendy Volhard / Kerry Brown
Give your Dog a Bone, Dr. Ian Billinghurst
Grow your Pups with Bones, Dr. Ian Billinghurst

charlesmdodson · 09-12-2007, 06:42 PM

Sherman adores turkey necks..

sorthund · 09-12-2007, 07:13 PM

Just grind the bones with the meat, and continue to brush her teeth like you're doing now. Maybe with time she'll come around.
IF you feed kibble, I've learned to feed it seperately too, but honestly I just don't know what the truth is, but better safe than sorry, I guess.

natdobe · 09-12-2007, 08:58 PM

Thanks for the replies. I have the book from Wendy Volhard and Kerry Brown. That is where I read that you can add raw meat and other things to kibble IF you couldn't do TOTALLY RAW. So, I guess if they said it was fine than it is, but I have read differing opinions. I just don't want to miss something. I also read on some other web site that said the idea feeding raw and kibble is bad is a MYTH. Of course, I don't remember what site it was. I will do a search to try to find which one it was. Thanks again!

**Luvbirds59** · 09-13-2007, 06:55 AM

I'd do a kibble meal at night and the Raw meal in the am. If you feed kibble, the dog will get all his vitamins and minerals, so then the ground meal will be enough. Keep trying different types of bones with him, Petey is the pickiest dog ever....now he is turning his nose up at his Lamb Breast. Grrrrrr

oxc

**brumwolf** · 09-13-2007, 08:12 AM

Amber is picky about chicken portions but we can get ground chicken with bone from our supplier and she will eat that no problem so you could try that,she is just a fussy old girl at heart but give her a rack of lamb and she can destroy it quicker than the rest.