I've read the books, I've done my research. I think raw is definitely the way to go... but I am still not sure where to start!
Should I start with a leap or rather more of a gentle step in the right direction?
How should a complete beginner get started?
Any hints?
Stephanie Page, Harrogate
Stephanie, I am the slow small steps type myself!
While circling the issue of feeding raw with interest I always tried to feed the best natural prepared food I could find. For me that meant buying food in the 'Nature' genre as I'm not a big fan of dried. Of late I've been feeding canned Natures Menu which, while not raw, does appear to be a very simple honest food that looks and smells real.
After much nudging to get on with it, I cleared a little bit of space in my freezer and took delivery of a box of Natures Menu's frozen raw foods from the same range.
As I have previously confessed, freezer space is something I am very short of so some of the food was also shared out between friends and colleagues who all tried the raw experiment at the same time.
I soon found defrosting the nuggets in advance became part of my routine.
But from the first bowl I put down, I found I was getting dramatically different reviews from my two dogs.
I discovered Oscar (our Beardie) wasn't a big fan of raw, he was slow to eat and seemed to be chewing every mouthful just in case there was anything in there he didn't like. He preferred some varieties more than others, but he still would much rather have had his tins.
Tess on the other hand, a Working Springer who loves catching rabbits, was in her element and loved everything we put down with a passion. Her eyes were so very bright at the prospect of each meal.
All the other dogs trialling the food loved it, too - so it perhaps our Oscar has forgotten how to be a real dog!
But I have to say, the frozen nuggets were a very, very easy way to try raw! I'm sure other people have got tips for putting that first toe it the water, but I also found the UK BARF website very helpful.
Beverley Cuddy, Editor
Positive help to stop dog-on-dog attacks
9 years ago
3 comments:
Congratulations on deciding to raw feed your dog. I have raw fed my Hungarian Vizsla since she was 9 weeks old. After having had Irish Red Setters previously who had to be put under general anaesthetic to have their teeth cleaned every six months, not to mention bad breath, and very unpleasant smells from their back end, I decided there must be another way.
So when Dali joined my family, she was being fed on quality kibble, but was drinking a huge amount of water. That was the push I needed to make the switch, and we did so overnight. Her first chicken wings were eaten very slowly, but they are now, two years later, still her absolute favourite! Making sure she gets a good amount of oil (tinned sardines in oil were the breakfast of choice in the run up to Crufts!), garlic and fruit and vegetables, Dali adores her diet and I have never looked back. I am frequently complimented on her condition, and her teeth are beautifully white and clean. She will still scoff kibble if a four legged friend has some in their bowl, but the after effects are extremely unpleasant and can result in diahorrhea for a couple of days. Good luck with your decision - I hope you find it as wonderful as Dali and I have!
If feeding a puppy, can I suggest you freeze the food before feeding (obviously defrost it again first).
Congratulations on deciding to raw feed your dog. I have raw fed my Hungarian Vizsla since she was 9 weeks old. After having had Irish Red Setters previously who had to be put under general anaesthetic to have their teeth cleaned every six months, not to mention bad breath, and very unpleasant smells from their back end, I decided there must be another way.
So when Dali joined my family, she was being fed on quality kibble, but was drinking a huge amount of water. That was the push I needed to make the switch, and we did so overnight. Her first chicken wings were eaten very slowly, but they are now, two years later, still her absolute favourite! Making sure she gets a good amount of oil (tinned sardines in oil were the breakfast of choice in the run up to Crufts!), garlic and fruit and vegetables, Dali adores her diet and I have never looked back. I am frequently complimented on her condition, and her teeth are beautifully white and clean. She will still scoff kibble if a four legged friend has some in their bowl, but the after effects are extremely unpleasant and can result in diahorrhea for a couple of days. Good luck with your decision - I hope you find it as wonderful as Dali and I have!
If feeding a puppy, can I suggest you freeze the food before feeding (obviously defrost it again first).
Why not introduce chicken wings as a next step - supermarkets sell these very cheaply (eg about £1.70/kg in Asda). I feed chicken wings and (whole) chicken legs as the 'meaty bones' portion of my dogs diet. For the 'muscle meat' and 'organ meat' portions, I buy frozen lamb, rabbit/chicken, white fish, tripe and liver from the UK Barf club, and packs of fresh kidney and tins of sardines/mackerel from the supermarket. For the 'vegetable' portion, I buy frozen chunks from the UK Barf club. I also feed eggs a couple of times a week. I find this a very easy, convenient and affordable way to feed raw - and not all time-consuming!
Post a Comment