I have a 3 year old chihuahua who i have recently put on the BARF diet.
What i would like to know is a little about the diet, like:
How it helps them?
Why its preferable over kibble?
Maybe some recipes?
Would i need to mix vegetables in it also? As otherwise he would be eating protein and nothing else?
Should i still give him kibble as well as Bones and Raw meat?
Can i feed him raw fish as well as meat?
And some additional info would be great, thanks

I have been looking in to (and starting the dog) feed a barf diet to my dogs and cats…my dogs have always gotten raw soup bones and pig ears. and they get most table scraps, mixed with kibble…
however after we lost our male cat at the young age of 4 to a bladder blockage…i have been looking in to feeding our other male and new female cat a raw diet…the vet told me that indoor fixed male cats get it more often then say a fixed male barn cat would. my mother also loss her indoor unaltered male cat a week before we lost ours(same food fed). So the more i looked the more i belamed the food companies that claim they care.
also the male cat is VERY over weight. and the dogs are chunky…but they get lots od exersize….so lite diets would be helpful.

so the question is have u read any good books or web sites with some free recipes?

thanks in advance.
first off CS u asume to much and are a bit of a b*itch about it….i know what caused it..i know the crystals and the male urthea..i also know that u have to watch the ash content and Magnesium ect. for males. As MY FAT CAT has had infections..i know this my cats where on the right food…
CS SAID: Funny though, your willing to blame a food company, but not your own medical management of a cat that you have let become overweight and therefore unhealthy…wonder why that is?

…my cat was over weight well before i got him….and he has lost some because i cut back his food and diet food make him sick…or he won’t eat them wasted even money on the crap the pet food companies sale….and like i said Assuming makes ya look like an ASS.

Oh and what do u think our pets ate before the pet food company’s?!

oh and thanks electro….
oh my dogs are not over weight they are just a bit chunky… it winter here it been very cold (They are not out side dogs but they do play outside for about 3 hour though out the day plus i walk them for about an hour a day….before any one belames me for that to)and they seem to gain winter bulk. they are at 73 and 75 lbs they are rottie/ border collie and ‘u name it’ mixes. so i figure they are about 6-8 lbs over ….

My dog loves cooked food. She hates dry food, although I buy her a good brand.
Some people believe that dry food is the best solution, because it is formulated to have the nutrients a dog needs.
Some other people believe that fresh high quality ingredients that we’d eat ourselves is the healthiest solution.
I give both opinions some basis. So I want to combine them, by cooking some food and adding some kibble in it, or giving her some cooked meals and some kibble when I don’t have time or ingredients to cook for her.
However, I want to make sure she gets the nutrients necessary in her cooked diet. What would you suggest? I cooked her chicken+chicken livers+rice today. With a few peas in it too. One day I had added pasta instead of rice.
How much rice or pasta is allowed so that she doesn’t have diabetes problem? How much and what type of veg should I add?
NOTE: 1. I know what foods are poisonous and must not be given, so don’t tell me.
2. I also know some people suggest raw food and bones, but I won’t do this so don’t tell me to do that.

Here we go…

As you may or may not know, I don’t eat meat for ethical, environmental, and health reasons. Whether you agree/disagree with my personal choice, please don’t slight this question because of that. I am personally healthier than I’ve ever been, I haven’t been sick at all in the past two years since I went vegan and for the first time in my life I FEEL healthy, so veganism works for me. This isn’t the place for arguing about human diets, so let me go on.

I have two young, large breed dogs, and as their care provider I look out for their best interests. After doing a lot of research on dog foods I had settled on a kibble I’m happy with until I could securely start them on a raw diet. I feel at home researching vitamins, supplements, natural sources of protein, digestive properties, because I took the same care when I made the personal switch, and do the same for my dogs. And yes, I realize the requirements for me are not the same for them.

I wanted to start my dogs on a raw diet because of all the positive testimonials I had heard. Buying marrow bones for them to snack on and hot dog treats for training is one thing, but when I went into the deli to actually get prices on meats, I’ll be honest, it was a lot for me to take in when I saw the meat locker open. Hanging pigs and racks of cow, things that I don’t agree with or can even stomach anymore, and here I was getting prices on these dead animals in bulk to feed to my dogs. I felt hypocritical, and while that may be something I need to address with myself, it made me want to at least ponder other options.

I had seen Natural Balance Vegetarian formula in Petco, and was intrigued by the idea and knew a lot of people who recommended this brand. And it met AAFCO standards, if anything it is something I could try. So I started looking online, and there are a lot of vegetarian options for dogs. I’ll list them so you can view them and please give your opinion or any red flags you may see. I’ve also posted factsheets on vegetarian dog diets.

FACTSHEETS/WEBSITES:

http://www.helpinganimals.com/pdfs/Dog_Health_Survey.pdf

http://www.vegsoc.org/info/dogfood1.html (also a dogfood2.html)

http://www.vegforlife.org/dogscats.htm

http://www.peta.org/factsheet/files/FactsheetDisplay.asp?ID=34

COMPANIES:

http://v-dogfood.com/ AAFCO approved

http://www.vegepet.com/ Supplement to homemade kibble

http://www.naturesrecipe.com/recipe_detail.aspx?id=424 Nature’s Recipe AAFCO approved

http://www.petguard.com/dog-products/dry-food/petguard-organics-adult-dry-dog-food Free of Corn, Soy, Wheat, and Yeast fillers

http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/Vegetarian.html Natural Balance AAFCO approved

And there are more on the web sites provided. If these companies can create a kibble that is healthy for dogs, it also crosses my mind that a raw vegetable diet should be okay for dogs also, along with proper supplements if needed. I would much rather feed fresh than kibble, but I’ve found very little information on that online. Your thoughts with that would be appreciated. Also, I plan on doing trial runs with both of them on either the raw veggie or veggie kibble diets, whichever I’m more comfortable with doing. And if they’re healthy to my standards and that of my vet, I will then keep it. But I won’t make them stay on it if it doesn’t agree with their bodies. And depending on how it goes, I may go on to try a raw diet, but not all dogs do excellent on that, either.

Just warranting opinions, hopefully opinions of intelligent people who can respond as such. And don’t tell me to rehome my dogs, unless you’ll personally take them and let me have them on weekends (sike), that’s not happening. But please be open-minded and considerate, as I’m seeking out my dog’s best interest, with my interests in mind.
Marketing gimmicks that are still approved by AAFCO.

Carnivores they may be, but they are not obligate carnivores. They do not need protein from meat to survive, or even to sustain. If dogs were strict carnivores, then all the purina / ol roy / pedigree food that is mostly CORN and WHEAT would have killed them by now, but we all know dogs who are basically corn-fed and have lived long, healthy lives. Not defending these corn brands, but it’s still something to consider.
And in the amount of time it took you to respond, I can tell you checked all the links out and read what I posted in detail. Thanks.
Dachs – I am aware it is just what makes me feel better, The question is geared towards whether they can sustain. Everyone brings up wolves in the wild, and while I know they are direct descendants, I don’t know of anyone who lets their dog attack a duck, possum, squirrel, etc., and let them devour it "like they would in the wild." So no one takes care of their dogs like a wolf takes care of itself, they are domesticated after all.

GSD – If you read the ingredients in a lot of the veg foods, a lot of it is fully natural and what isn’t is vitamins and mineral supplements. You could argue the same about ‘man made chemical compounds" with over 50% of approved dog foods on the market. Plant protein and Animal protein are equal when it comes to amino acids and how they break down, the only difference is with Taurine, which dogs create on their own.

Thank you Paul, and that’s a good idea Jenny about kosher meat.

Lauren. "can’t" and "shouldn’t" have different meanings, please learn them.
Thank you, GSD. Ultimately, like I said, I’ll try it out if I do feel comfortable with it, which I don’t as of yet. I’m just trying to gather as much info as possible. I’ve been vegan the entire time I’ve had these two, and I’ve always told myself they eat meat because it’s what’s best for them, but like I said.. I’m trying to ponder all options. If only one does well on the veg. diet, then that’s great, I’ll keep the other one on the diet that works for them. If they both do poor, they will be fed what is optimal for their bodies, and at least I’ll know I tried.

Tria – I don’t want a rabbit. I may go with the idea of free range and kosher if anything, but I could never afford premade raw food for my 50 and 70 lb dogs, unfortunately.

Thanks Rachel :) Genetic makeup is another thing to consider, you’re right. There’s still a lot to consider, like if they’ll even like it! I’m glad you can tell the difference between me and some lunatic trying to feed their dogs an all-apple diet.
Thank you, GSD. Ultimately, like I said, I’ll try it out if I do feel comfortable with it, which I don’t as of yet. I’m just trying to gather as much info as possible. I’ve been vegan the entire time I’ve had these two, and I’ve always told myself they eat meat because it’s what’s best for them, but like I said.. I’m trying to ponder all options. If only one does well on the veg. diet, then that’s great, I’ll keep the other one on the diet that works for them. If they both do poor, they will be fed what is optimal for their bodies, and at least I’ll know I tried.

Tria – I don’t want a rabbit. I may go with the idea of free range and kosher if anything, but I could never afford premade raw food for my 50 and 70 lb dogs, unfortunately.

Thanks Rachel :) Genetic makeup is another thing to consider, you’re right. There’s still a lot to consider, like if they’ll even like it! I’m glad you can tell the difference between me and some lunatic trying to feed their dogs an all-apple diet.
Thank you Mayv, it’s nice to see someone who is doing it and having great results. After 13 ‘no’ responses I didn’t think anyone on this forum would be helpful with it, thanks.

Curtis – I said I’m not rehoming my dogs under any circumstances or getting a damn rabbit. Unless YOU are going to come take them, bike ride 12 miles with them a day, make homemade treats every sunday night and stuff all their kongs for the work week, cut up packages and packages of hot dogs for training, vacuum up after Josie twice a week, put up with her anxiety and velcro tendency, Zoey’s excited peeing, her tail knocking drinks and papers off the coffee table all.the.time., take them swimming weekly, drag their limp bodies into their crates every night when they try to sleep in the bedroom (they become QUITE unconscious, imagine that), buy nic nacs for them anywhere you go because they’re YOUR girls and mean their weight in gold to you.

I love and take care of them, so thanks for NOT reading my full post

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!!!

I’ve been considering getting a pair of ferrets next year, and have been doing some research and have heard that they are obligate carnivores, and the ferret dry kibbly can cause them cancer.

Do any of you experienced ferret owners have any raw diet recipes you’d care to share?

Additionally, I have also heard they have some difficulty adjusting to new foods. How do I go about feeding them a varied raw diet, and ensure they won’t become picky and eat only one type of meat?

Thanks in advance!
**And feeding the ferret dry kibble can cause them cancer

@_@ This is what happens when I don’t sleep for 3 days…

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

they are 7 and 9 weeks and have been on dry kibble but would like to introduce them to a raw food diet what food should they be having. is it true that they will eat bones and such like. Advice on meat that should be given and other bits….i am researching online aswell but it is nice to have advice of people who are feeding this diet.

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.

as a "treat" a few times a week to supplement their kibble?? I’ve heard alot about the "raw food dog diet" but no recipes to be found.. Also, I’ve heard raw eggs are good for dogs and then that it causes a vitamin deficiency….???

My mother’s 9 year old cat now has diabetes. Would he benefit from a raw food diet? I’ve been doing quite a bit of research for my pup and mentioned the idea to my mother (which kinda grossed her out). I thought I had read somewhere that a raw diet could help with feline diabetes and now I’m trying to find some research for her.

I know he’d benefit from a raw food diet regardless, but would a raw diet help with his diabetes specifically?
ETA: She’s been feeding him one variety of Purina brand kibble for his entire life and has only recently switched him to a Friskies wet food. [For the record]

I’ve done a lot of research about the raw food diet for dogs and I see no reason not to do it. Most kibble is processed with preservatives, artificial coloring/flavoring, animal "meal" which is not meat by the way, fillers like corn and soy, heat baked which takes out most nutrients- and so on and if its the higher end kibbles yea they’re healthier but how are they healthier than a balanced raw diet?…Yea there are certain things that you cannot feed your dog with this diet but all it take is a little research into it to discover whats good and bad…I dont get it. What do you think? And to set the record straight-chicken bones are FINE for dogs as long as they are RAW- not cooked in any way..
lol I’m talking about kibble vs. raw meat/veggies diet
chicken bones do not splinter when raw..

Hi there,

I’m interested in switching my cat over to a raw food diet. I currently feed him Innova kibble during the day and Wellness wet food at night.

Is it best to switch my cat over to raw gradually or should I just go "cold turkey"?

Any tips you have about switching kitty over would be much appreciated!

Also … I’ve also read about some commercial brands of frozen and freeze dried raw foods. Are these brands any good and if so, what would you recommend?

Thanks!

Iv’e been in the process of switching my dogs to a raw diet. I still have some kibble left, so I have been slowly introducing them to some raw food to get thier stomachs used to it. It seems there are a million and one different ways to go with this raw diet! I would like to buy the foods myself and prepare them myself. I always buy 1/4 cows and have a storage freezer to fit the extra meat for dogs. I have been giving them some raw chicken thighs, some steak and hamburger. Now I know this probably is not all there is to it. Iv’e googled up raw recipies and seem to get companies selling thier products more than actual do it youself recipies. What are some good recipies I can give my dogs. I’m not really to worried about the veggies as much as I am the supplements I need to add to make the meal complete and healthy so they do not lack any vitamins or essential supplements needed. What are some of your recipies? I am looking for the complete meal with absolutely everything they need.

I feed my dog a mix of a little kibble with a raw food diet which consists of venison, chicken and egg. I was just wondering what other people used for their dogs and what you thought about the diet. It works well with my dogs and I don’t have any weight problems and they have great coats. They really love the raw over the kibble that is for sure. It is a little time consuming to get everything ready for them as I have 8 dogs but I think it is worth it in the long run.

What does this mean?
With regular kibble, he will go lay down, he is NOT a licky kissy sort of dog.
But after I feed him the raw food diet regimine he give cuddles and kisses?
[ slowly introducing raw food diet ]

He is a husky.

I recently got what I believe is a Shih-Po or Shih-Su mutt. He is only a year old and the Previous owners had him a a raw meat diet. I have never put my dogs on a raw meat diet, and I really don’t have the funds for that. How would one go about switching from a raw meat diet to good kibble?
Thank you for the great answers so far.

Should I feed the at separate times also? My little one likes to hog the bowl. Does it take the same amount of time to work it’s way through the body as regular dry kibble since raw food is supposed to be absorbed more into he dogs body?

I am thinking about switching my dog to a raw food diet. I want to know how much you spend a month of raw meat? Also, he is 50 pounds and eats about 4 cups of dry kibble a day (Merrick). How much raw meat would I give him a day?

I’ve done research on this, I’ve joined several yahoo groups, etc. Since my dog has been on kibble for a little while(Blue Wilderness) everyone has suggested slowly started adding in raw foods and taking away kibble. Everyone has suggested starting off with a raw egg in the shell on top of a little kibble.

However, I cannot find the answer to one question. Can my dog eat the shell as well? Is the shell a good part of the raw food diet?