Dogs - Raw Diet Update

[RACER X]

(this is Z, once again, too lazy to log the Hobbit Footed one out=see shoe thread)

omg Moira I'm so glad she's doing so well. I remember you telling how she wasn't doing well and you didn't know what you were going to do w/ her, and then WOW look at that video! that's so freakin' awesome!

[Kaneman]

Hey guys, stay away from raw pork, can give your dogs worms I believe.

[shmike]

Originally Posted by Kaneman

Hey guys, stay away from raw pork, can give your dogs worms I believe.

I'm not sure about worms but it can certainly give them the squirts!

Where are you getting the worm info?

Pork hearts were actually recommended by our dog's nutritionist.

Yes, I said nutritionist.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Originally Posted by Triple

Probably wise to steer clear of beef and pork bones unless you have an extremely heavy-duty grinder. They are more difficult to break, harder to digest, and more likely to be swallowed in larger pieces than poultry bones. This means they are more likely to lodge themselves in your dog's intestines (which is one of the leading causes of death in wild predators).

That's true, I didn't think about that.
It's also possible that she might not even finish it, just gnaw the tissue off of it.

As for freezing fish and some other meats for safety, I'm reading a little about that now. A couple of sources say freezing pork for ~3 weeks can kill trichinella (and, I'm guessing, some other worms).

[azoomm]

Still going really well on the Raw diet. Converting more and more people - my daughter brought Sadie to the park by our house for an after school thing, and fed her chicken at the park. She got yelled at by "grown ups" for feed her dog chicken bones. All these adults are now looking for more information from me.

My vet is looking at more information as well. Here's the start of a diet revolution.

Thanks Josh.

[defector]

Our update:

Our boy Duke (APBT mix) is 84lbs. Vet says change nothing with the diet.

Our girl Dutchess (Staffy/Boxer mix) is a portly 114lbs. (Thyroid problem). She definitely has her energy back, and is back to bowling over any kiddies (or flyweight adults) who dare get in her way at full boogie.

[OneSickPsycho]

When we get a dog... I'm totally doing this... these stories are AMAZING.

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by OneSickPsycho

When we get a dog... I'm totally doing this... these stories are AMAZING.

Of course, I'm going to be the skeptic... I've checked this thread from time to time and I don't know all of the particulars. Do you only feed your dog meat? Has anyone tried doing both or supplements? Dynabite, etc. What do you do if they don't eat it all in one sitting? You don't leave raw meat laying around, right? This goes against everything I've ever been told about giving a dog anything but dog food. I'm also not sure how raw meet is "cheaper" than dog food. I buy a bag maybe once a month or so... Not a major expense. Believe it or not,I am interested but have a bit trepidation as my dog is home alone for 10 hours... would not wish to come home to a nasty mess...

[Gas Man]

It's not cheaper Amber... that is for sure.

i don't know about the other questions.

[Adeptus_Minor]

My dog has been doing great on a diet of raw chicken (mostly just thighs, with skin and bone) and veggies, and a little unflavored yogurt.
Occasionally canned salmon, as I haven't found a good source of fresh, ungutted fish (for any price I'm able to pay on a regular basis).

I've tuned her portions to as much as she will eat in a sitting... actually a little less, because her activity level doesn't demand a heavy food intake.

I took her in for her vaccinations and physical week before last and her primary vet was very pleased with her coat and energy level. Her bloodwork and her fecal sample all came back clean and indicating good health.

Unfortunately, later in the week she developed a stomach issue and I had to take her back in. The vet on duty that day was not as pleased with the raw diet as her primary vet, and suggested cooked food and this supplement (BalanceIt?).
She's since recovered and has been doing fine. Per vet's orders, I gave her only cooked chicken and rice for a few days and treated her with an antibiotic. Now she's back on her regular raw food and seems plenty healthy and happy to be doing that again.