I am getting a shelter dog next summer and I expect it not to be as healthy as dogs that have been raised on high quality life styles. Here is my idea:
Switch to a high-quality dog food for about 4 months
If he doesn’t look better, go on a raw diet (i’ll need some recipes please) for about a month or whenever he looks nice
High quality dog food again for awhile and then switch to an okay dog food.
Does that sound okay? That will be over the course of like 10 months, is that too much switching, should I just feed raw, premium and then okay. Raw then okay. Premium then okay food?
Thank you!
PS I need to know how much to feed—- he’ll be about 45lbs with about 1 hour of exercise a day.
of course I’ll love him :) He’ll get as much TLC as the most spoiled dog in the world! Does anyone have raw recipes?
He isn’t getting crappy food!!!!! He’ll probably be a lab x whippet or something nice. Just to build his immune system on the good food and make his coat shinier and then and OKAY dog food to maintain the coat.
He’ll be young… 3-5 years

I have two Chihuahuas who are rather small for the breed. Because of this, I keep a close eye on their eating behaviors so that they maintain a good and healthy weight. Both of them seem to have lost an interest in their dog food (Innova Puppy), so I tried to switch them to another to see if they would like it better. Turns out that they don’t like it either. I am just worried that they are not eating and it will hurt them. They will pick up a piece of food and then spit it back out onto the floor.

My question is if I can create a diet for my dogs with human food, such as chicken, hamburger meat, veggies, and other healthy foods. I know that I could do raw and that is an excellent option, but I just don’t think that is for me. If I could do this option of healthy foods, does anyone have any recipes that could be made?

Thanks!

I have 2 dogs.

1. Female, 6 month old Dobermin, approx. 50 pounds
2. Female, 3 year old Min Pin, 4.5 pounds

I have tried to do a lot of research with homemade meals and the BARF dog diet.

I am just concerned that my pets will lack vitamin-nutritional value.

I have 5 different recipes for a homemade diet, so there is variety in their consumption. I also know how much food to give per day based on their weight.

Questions:
1. Should I add a pet-multi-vitamin to their food?
2. Should I do a regular, cooked homemade meal or the"raw" BARF diet? Or switch to add more variety.
3. Cost – I know that fresh meat and veggies will cost more than a 20# bag of "pedigree" or "kibbles n bits", but is the fresh diet better in the long run?

My husband and I are really feeling the pinch with the current economy and I want to change my entire lifestyle to be 100% (or as close to it) as natural. We have changed our own diets, eliminating all sugars, processed foods, etc…I am using salt and vinegar mixed with water and oils for cleaning products as well.

I would like to continue this with my pets. Any advise you can give would be very appreciated.

Thank you.

idon’t know how much of what i should use and what i should use
i heard that you should use like 70% of meat in a diet
but idk what to do to
my dog doesnt eat dog food for some reason
but i want him to have a healthy delicious diet
what are the essentials that i need? and can i make something that isnt necessarily expensive all the time
please help :(
no raw food! but anything, a site to healthy but easy recipes for dogs would be nice
or any vitamins i might need
ANYTHING
i dont think chicken and rice all the time is really good for a dog right..?
her last owner said she only eats dog food a bit she never eats it she starves and eats grass or something
NO HELP.

Has anyone else had their dogs on this diet?
How did you transition them from kibble food to raw meat?
How much do I feed a 40 lb boxer, and a 60 lb pit bull
What are the pros and cons of this diet for your dogs?
I know threre are alot of questions, but I just want to make sure it is entirely healthy for them to eat raw food. These are my babies =)
Another thing, is it cheaper than kibble food and if not, what is the cheapest recipes you can recommend,

I’m seriously considering doing the raw diet for my dogs. I’ve read many a web page on the topic and I think I get the basic idea of how to go about it, but unfortunately, most of the sites were raw food retailers who sell in bulk and were pushing me to use their product and only gave me guidelines for the use of their product- nothing about how to do it on my own. I have a wonderful Italian market in my locale that sells every part of the animal you can think of, and at low prices. I think the average cost of a whole lamb liver is .50, and about the same price for gizzards and other body parts such as pigs feet and snouts. They also sell their meats at a great price (chicken is usually around per pound). So the tools are there, I just need to implement them. Can anyone reccommend a good online resource for a homemade raw diet? Or perhaps you prepare homemade raw foods for your pets and have valuable recipes/advice? I also have questions about feeding veggies- which ones are acceptable and do they have to be steamed before consumption (some sites say yes because steaming them brings out all the nutrients, but other sites say no because technically it’s no longer raw)? And is mixing in rice a good idea, and if so, which type of rice is best to use? And I’m kind of worried about feeding bones because while all the raw sites say it’s good to do that, many of my friends who have worked in a vet clinic before say that most of the dogs on a raw diet came in with torn intestines from the bones peices. Logic tells me they should be OK, but I’ve been scared by one to many people to just let this go without asking someone who has had succes with the raw diet. As always, any help is much appreciated and links are wonderful!

I was hoping to get an answer from someone who has experience in this. I have a couple questions about feeding raw foods to my puppy. Is it safe? Is it really better for her than the crappy commercial food like Science Diet and Why?? How do I get started? I read I have to make it balanced and complete, How? Should I be using some sort of vitamin supplements as well? Which meats, veggies and fruits are best? Which things should I NOT be feeding her( ex. onions) ? Is there anything else I should know before considering this? Can you recommend a good site with some sort of recipes or something? Thanks, A best answer will be awarded if there is one :)
I would talk to my vet, but she thinks science diet is best.. Its crap. It contains corn and soy meal, and barely any meat. Dogs have trouble with this because they cant digest it well. Making them appear full, but it is not healthy, I have researched brands that are supposed to be good for her but I have no way of getting them. I am on an army base in Germany and cant find a place that will ship the food to apo. So my options are feeding her brands like science diet, purina, and iams, Or making her food so I know its not crap.

I have 3 dogs and 2 cats.
Both cats are indoor/outdoor and hunt occasionally when out. I fee them Blue Buffalo Wilderness – Duck(Grain Free)
1 of my dogs is on Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Salmon, Pumpkin, and Sweet Potato
1 is on Blue Buffalo Large Breed Fish and Oatmeal
1 is on Blue Buffalo Puppy Lamb and Oatmeal

I know the main concern with switching to raw is that its grain free, but if my cats and 1 dog are already on grain free diets, is there really that much of a difference?

Also, I am very busy (law student & dog trainer), so I wouldn’t be able to feed them raw in the morning. My dogs eat twice a day and my cats eat sparingly. No one is overweight, but I was wondering if I can feed their kibble in the morning and raw at night, or would that throw them off?

Also, I know to feed them 2-3% of their body weight, but I have a 28lb corgi, a 100lb lab, and a 19lb corgi puppy. I can do the math, but I have yet to find recipes or examples besides just ingredients to give them. Anyone have any suggestions for exactly what to give at meals?

Also, I supplement my dogs with fish oil (omega 3 &6) every night, would I need to keep doing this if on raw? How much omega 3 &6 are in actual fish?

SORRY FOR ALL THE QUESTIONS!!! THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

So.. I know I’ve asked similar questions like this before. Don’t go spastic on me lol(:
Anyway, something I always forgot to mention in my previous questions was that my dog refuses to eat any raw meat. If I want her to eat it, it has to be cooked. I usually have to boil it.
Although I just don’t trust raw diets, I have tried them with no success. She just WON’T eat them. I’ve had so many people tell me on here to feed raw when my dog just refuses.
Plus I’m getting fed up with commercial dog food, which I have fed for years, and almost all my dogs have had some sort of health issue.
And, if I make sure to balance it and add supplements, would it be safe to use Raw or B.A.R.F. recipes and just substitute cooked instead?
I CAN feed raw bones, but last time I did, my dog almost got internal damage because they splintered, but fortunately no damage was done because she threw them up the same night. (They were sharp too because I accidentally stepped on one and cut my foot).
Thanks in Advance(:

I am going to put my dogs on a Raw Diet, but I have some questions on what and how much to feed.

To feed a dog a raw diet, does this mean, I go to my local grocery store, pick up bags of chicken drumsticks/wings/necks and start feeding to them raw? Or do i need to do something else to it?

Also, how much should I feed? I have two boxer puppies (6 months, 40 pounds). And what about vegetables. What types should I give? I also read that you shouldnt give raw vegetables, but you have to grind it up. Is this true?

I know you can buy packages of raw/barf food, but I would like to do it on my own. I have been searching through the web, but if any of you can provide some experience or recipes, that would be great. Thanks!
Please, if you dont believe in Raw diets, do not answer. I understand that many dont like it, so just skip the question.

We ran out of dog food again, we called to order more (we have to order it from the feed store) the guy said he would order it, then we called to see when it would be in, now that were out, only to find out he never ordered it! so they said there not sure when it will be in.. Gah! This is the second time this has happened! We’ve been feeding them Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Formula. So now were totally out, last night i made some plain white rice, with a chicken breast cooked into it. Which of course the dogs really enjoyed, but i feel this isn’t a very complete meal. I’m hoping the food will come in tomorrow, but i fear it may not be until next Monday. So i need to figure out what to feed them until then. What else can i add to this rice chicken mix to make it more complete? things i thought of might be eggs (hard boiled maybe?) Carrots, frozen veggies, or canned pumpkin (i give them pumpkin when there stomach is upset and they love it) We also have plain oatmeal maybe that would be better than rice? or mixed with the rice? I really have no idea,
I’m not sure what else we have that might be good to add, we might be able to go buy some more veggies or something tonight, if my fiance doesn’t have to work too late. What else might be a better meal? I haven’t really had time to look into feeding a raw diet, but i have considered it many times, especially since its so hard to find good dog food here. If anyone has some basic dog food recipes, hopefully ones that don’t call for a lot of fancy ingredients, because we live in a small town and only have a basic grocery store.

After the recent selling of natura to satan (or as some call Procter and Gamble) I have decided to feed my puppy a diet which can only be changed by me, and its food isn’t created by animal/pet killing multinational corporation. I have researched a bit, but have come across so much conflicting information that I was hoping that someone would have a website, or book recommendation that pretty much had it all, or had a recipe that their dogs thrive on.
@ Tom – My vet recommends kibble.
Thanks to you four who actually gave me information. It was really helpful, and thanks alot.

Is ground beef good for him? because he likes that and also any other kind of real meat. he does not eat kibble or anything like that. he doesnt even look at the dog food.
will raw meat make him sick???
also do you have any good website about recipes for dogs?
thanks
He is a 3 month old Rottweiler

‘m to mind him for the next three months or so and I knew he was coming but I expected an older dog since this is way too young.
I cannot send him back to his parents, it’s not a viable option as I am his guardian for a little while now.
I’ve put him in a puppy pen with a crate inside, some food and some puppy milk (I don’t think he has been weaned) and a puppy pad.
He drank heaps, ate a bit and fell straight to sleep.
Please don’t judge me I was asked to mind this dog for a little while but this young I did not expect is there anything I can do to help him?
He has only cried a little bit before going to sleep.
Please, any advice?
(He is being fed a raw food diet I found the correct recipe and made some up today when I found out he was coming, he enjoys it. The puppy milk is lactose free)
Please any advice?
(P.S I’ve wormed him and he has been vaccinated I don’t think he’s been wormed before (BIG stomach) so I’m expecting a lot of worms soon, I’ve also brushed his teeth thoroughly since they were already major black spots on his teeth)
Also Is it too young to start house breaking him?
I’m not sure.
THANKS!
(I posted this a little while ago but I didn’t get many answers)
I’m letting my other dogs play with him (supervised) and he enjoys that, they are 4 and 5 months old, I think that’s okay do you?

I bought a dog homemade food cookbook, it isn’t the raw or barf diet, just cooked food. But I was wondering if I can feed them the same thing every night oppose to feeding my dogs something new every night. They eat the same dog food every night so does that apply to home cooked meals?
My dogs are eating store bought food the dry one that comes in the bag "dog chow" and I just wanted to make the switch, it’s not they need to, but I want to know what they are eating. But thanks for teaching how to do the switching

I am interested in making homemade dog food for my 3 year old chihuahua and my 12 week old malchi. I have found a few recipes, but I need more information on what nutritional guide to go by. Like how much meat and which vegetables and fruits to use and how much. I am not interested in the raw food diet since they include bones and being that my dogs are little and one is so young. Also with the raw diets, I hear there is risk of e. coli. I definitely want to cook mine. Also which vitamins or supplements are the best to add? Thank you!
Can i get some more info. on the raw diets such as Barf and raw meaty bones diet?

before any gets too heated (at least if this is anything like the cat section!) I DON’T have a dog. I am asking this for future reference… just to store the information away for later.

I sort of recently switching my cat to an all wet food diet (not an easy feat since he loves dry food, was never fond of wet food, and I still live at home and my parents feed their cat dry food, which is left out all day…). I know closely inspect the ingredients before I buy him anything and have a few brands and flavors he likes so I can mix it up for him.

anyway, recently I’ve been wondering if we were wrong about dogs too… are they healthier on an all wet food diet? half and half? no wet food?

we ha a siberian husky who had kidney failure and cancer that went to her brain… she was put down on december 12 2005 and I just want to prevent anything like that from happening to future dogs, I’ve heard all dry food can cause kidney failure?
dry food cleans your pets teeth about as much as a potato chip cleans your teeth…
I have done EXTENSIVE research on my cat’s diet and I was not asking for advice on that, but thanks anyway.

how long have you been feeding raw to your dog?
which raw diet are you on ? ( BARF meat and bone kibble & raw ? )
have you or your dog gotten any illness attributed to raw meat?
did you notice any change in your dog since feeding raw?
and how much would it cost to feed 3 60-75 lbs dogs and a 6 lb cat ?
dose your vet have anything to say about your choice for your dogs diet?
also has you vet said anything about your dog thats attributed to raw? ( like if hes noticedd a change etc etc etc)
and any other helpfull advice would be appreciated

I have always thought that dogs were omnivorous with a carnivorous tendency.
I know lots of dogs don’t exactly get any meat since they live on dry dog food, but I am curious since I want to put my dog on a vegan/vegetarian diet if it is healthy.
If it isn’t healthy can you please tell me why?
I am sure people do do it but whether it is good for the dogs I am not sure.
And just to clarify I am not talking about putting my dog on a BARF (Bones and raw food) diet.
Thank you.
I really care about my dogs, that’s why I posted the question. At the moment they get fed probably better then most dogs, I coook for them three times a day and they ALWAYS have meat.
I was asking because I know that alot of people eat meat, but research shows vegetarianism and veganism is healthier if done correctly.
I was curious if this is the same policy for a dog.
Okay?

I know many people who feed their dog the BARF diet. It’s healthier, cleaner/shinier coat, they feel better, and they live longer.

Seeing this, I’ve thought of a ‘people raw food diet’. What WE would eat in the wild. Fruits, veggies, cooked meats, no dairy, sugars, or processed foods.

Don’t you think we’d feel just as good as our dogs?
Has anyone else thought about doing this?
Some of you need to re-read my details. I never said raw meat in the first place. Read thoroughly before answering, please!
Thanks, Bonslyar! :) Great links! That’s so interesting! I shiver at the thought of raw eggs, though. >_< Lol.

Of those who feed a BARF diet, what exactly do you feed them.?
I’m interested in examples of actual diets you give your dog.

I have friends that have their dogs on raw, but where I live they don’t have the meal packages or they’re way too expensive. So we are going to have to do this from scratch. (the veg and fruit part)

I’m not interested in somebody telling me about possibilities of salmonella poisoning, blah blah blah. Go to your local dog food factory and see how much salmonella you can find in the factory. And while you’re there ask why most of the food they make is not even absorbed or capable of being absorbed by the dog’s system – it’s filler and most is bad filler. It’s sickening! I’ve done my research, and I have made up my mind. I’ve seen results and heard of results.. dogs on their death bed switched to raw and turning 360s. Less vet visits, doctors asking what the flip the people have their dog on because they seem so healthy, etc.
thehamburgs@hotmail.com email us if you have any questions on BARF or are new to the idea.

Thank you to the poster regarding comment on knowing your source. So very true! :)

What i’m interested in – in specific – is the veggies and fruits. We’ll be feed majority of chicken back and turkey neck. But it’s all the other that doesn’t come pre-packaged that we will have to put together on our own. muscle meat, vegetables, fruits, oil, etc… the other 40% or "meal deal" portion that is.

just switch my lethargic dog to a raw food diet because he’s only like 14 months and wont move i brought him to a vet a bunch of times but he kept saying he was fine, so i finnaly changed his food its been a little over a week and he is doing great just wondering about how much food to feed him a day by weight and what kind of veggies your dogs like if they are on the diet too
im giving him chicken backs there is alot of meat and they are cheap from the butcher about 35 cents a lb

Yes, I did already ask this but no one really answered my question…please don’t tell me I shouldn’t switch my cat’s diet as it is neccessary for my one cat’s health as 1 is sick because of the commercial food.

I have been thinking about switching my cats to a raw diet for quite some time. Since I’m going to be getting a dog soon, I’ve decided there is no better time than now to really work towards switching them to a new diet. I do have a couple of questions though…first of all, if I am understanding the information I have read so far correctly cats have much more extensive nutritional needs than dogs…this slightly freaks me out as I’m afraid I won’t supplement their raw diet correctly. So look online I found this pre-mix for raw foods it’s called alnutrin, does anyone know anything about this? Do you think it is quality? You have to add raw meet and water that’s it. It’s fairly cheap w/o shipping and says it makes 32 pounds of food.
Also, I can’t find anything like this for dogs…is it because it isn’t necessarily needed? Can anyone recommend a pre-mix of quality for raw diets for dogs?
Does anyone have any recipes for making a homemade dry kibble, as I would still like to free feed my cats throughout the day, or any other recommendations for switching my cats (and soon to be dog) to a raw diet?

Here is the link to the stuff I am looking at http://www.knowwhatyoufeed.com/alnutrin_with_calcium.html

I have been thinking about switching my cats to a raw diet for quite some time. Since I’m going to be getting a dog soon, I’ve decided there is no better time than now to really work towards switching them to a new diet. I do have a couple of questions though…first of all, if I am understanding the information I have read so far correctly cats have much more extensive nutritional needs than dogs…this slightly freaks me out as I’m afraid I won’t supplement their raw diet correctly. So look online I found this pre-mix for raw foods it’s called alnutrin, does anyone know anything about this? Do you think it is quality? You have to add raw meet and water that’s it. It’s fairly cheap w/o shipping and says it makes 32 pounds of food.
Also, I can’t find anything like this for dogs…is it because it isn’t necessarily needed? Can anyone recommend a pre-mix of quality for raw diets for dogs?
Does anyone have any recipes for making a healthy dry kibble, as I would still like to free feed my cats throughout the day, or any other recommendations for switching my cats (and soon to be dog) to a raw diet?
Sorry I meant to attach this earlier this is the link for that mix stuff:

http://www.knowwhatyoufeed.com/alnutrin_with_calcium.html

Ok first of all…the reason I want to change my cats diet is because they have been eating commercial cat food which is terrible for them, my senior cat is pre-diabetic and needs to lose some weight.
Second, my cats have been exposed to dogs because I believe in socializing my animals to people and other animals…really who doesn’t do this?
Third, I think you can make homemade kibble and that’s what I would be interested in doing…PLEASE ANY RECIPE is greatly appreciated.

I currently feed my dogs Innova but I want to switch them to a home-made diet. Not exactly raw, but maybe cooked vegetables, chicken and some type of rice.

I just want to know if you can tell me exactly how much chicken to mix with how much rice. (eg. 2 cups rice to 1/2 cups chicken)

Also, do I have to add any supplements? I currently put a teaspoon of flaxseed and a teaspoon of sunflower oil on their food daily for their coats, but what about other stuff? If you could also tell me how much they cost that would be great. Thanks

P.S, all of my dogs range from 40lbs and up.