February 29, 2012
We have two German Shepherds & switched to raw about a week & a half ago. Initially they were in heaven, but now they have both had the runs on & off since we started. Should I add to, drop something?
Full Question:
Hello,We have two German Shepherds & switched to raw about a week & a half ago. Initially they were in heaven, now the female has gotten picky. She did not eat supper well last nite & no breakfast today. The male is starting to follow her. He did not eat breakfast. They have both had the runs on & off since we started. Not ploppy, but coming out stream like & lord, really stinky!!! I realize if a dog has the runs, that kinda affects their appetite. Since they're kinda big dogs, being shepherds,I'm a little worried that I'm stepping in something that is not gonna be good. I think I'm having doubts of rocking the boat. I know all the great things with the raw diet, but when things are cropping up that you weren't facing until you decided to strike out with a new plan, it's easy for me to get a case of nerves and start doubting that the dogs are doing ok. The female is my grown daughters' & she's starting to talk mutiny, and jumping the ship!!! I have ordered from y'all the probiotics & digestive enzymes, which are coming.
Food fed: chix backs marrow bones, chicken breast, ground hamburger, stew meat chunks, liver, ground turkey, some ground lamb.
Should I add to, drop something? I plan on adding sardines. Please help me.
Thanks,
Ethel
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I wouldn’t be giving any variety at all in a dog new to raw. Their system needs to adjust and if they have problems a simple menu makes identifying problem ingredients much simpler.
I’d also add digestive enzymes to their meals for a while. I see that you placed an order for probiotics but NOT digestive enzymes. They are 2 very different things.
The 2 best books for learning about the raw diet are Raw Dog Food and Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats. We recommend both these books to our puppy customers and rarely have questions about the diet.
I’d get these books, restart the diet with only one very easy to digest ingredient (like bone in chicken breast) and get the dogs adjusted before you add so many different things.
Cindy Rhodes
I’d also add digestive enzymes to their meals for a while. I see that you placed an order for probiotics but NOT digestive enzymes. They are 2 very different things.
The 2 best books for learning about the raw diet are Raw Dog Food and Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats. We recommend both these books to our puppy customers and rarely have questions about the diet.
I’d get these books, restart the diet with only one very easy to digest ingredient (like bone in chicken breast) and get the dogs adjusted before you add so many different things.
Cindy Rhodes
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