i have access to buffalo/venison by-products and i'm thinking i should treat them basically as beef (but, of course, leaner and probably higher-protein/lb).

anyone here with experience/thoughts on feeding? thanks!

Hi Ann,
I do not feed the raw diet but a friend of mine has a Buffalo ranch and I gave my dogs some big bones to chew on...only thing I noticed was that my Bloodhound got semi-loose stools and some pretty "chase you out of the house" gas <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
My Mal seemed fine. Probably not the answer you were looking for but I thought I would let you know.
Carol <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have never had access to buffalo, but I would think that gas would be normal if a dog is not on a raw diet, then given something as rich as buffalo. I wouldn't worry too much about a young puppy who isn't really used to anything in particular yet.

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i have access to buffalo/venison by-products and i'm thinking i should treat them basically as beef (but, of course, leaner and probably higher-protein/lb). ...anyone here with experience/thoughts on feeding? thanks!

I have fed buffalo, and I think (just MO) that if the dog is used to red meat, it's unlikely to be a challenge. If not, then I'd go slow, as with any richer food. Venison I can only guess is similar. Sorry -- no experience.

By-products means the meat left after the best steaks and roasts are taken, right? I mean, it isn't a mystery product from a packaging plant? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

This thread is going better than the Beaver roadkill thread done by Deanna last year......


Must...hold......tongue..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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......Must...hold......tongue..... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Tongue is good, too --- probably even deer and buffalo tongue.

My gsds LOVE buffalo and deer; it is a little richer, but my dogs like it way better than beef. My parents are in MT and I bring over tons of deer and buffalo when I can get it. I like it better since it is way leaner. They get enough fat from the chicken I give them.

yeah--looks like you BETTER hold your tongue, will <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> but we could talk about road kill too, as a supplement; we have a fair amount of coon, possum and skunk around here <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

anyway, so should i feed a little less because this meat's "richer", then slowly up it? i'll probably be feeding chicken parts, boneless venison , and i'm calling the locker plant tomorrow to check on buffalo trim, neck bones, other pieces and parts. when i get a list from them i'll post it for feed back (this is not the same thing as "up-chucking", BTW). i'm thinking i'll be able to get the occasional tripe (tongues are probably worth too much to buy for dog food), maybe "oxlips" (but i think they're nutritional value may be low)-help me on this! but i'm serious--all this stuff is boxed and sold by the packing co i work for. how 'bout oxtail? though buffalo don't have much of a tail.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

keep the input/ideas coming--i'm thinking i can buy this cheaper than chicken parts, and i KNOW i can get an entire deer (or more) every year. the dogs can have what i don't want...but no rib bones, right?

They get used to the "richer" meat very quickly - we never had a problem going from beef to wild. You want to keep chicken in their diet though since beef and wild game do not have all the nutrients as chicken. I just bought 30 whole chicken (limit 3 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> for .39 / lb. They were all around 4lbs or less and I cut them in half and gave one each to my 2 gsds (minus the leg/thigh). So if you can find them on sale, stock up. We have an extra freezer just for the dogs. Ox tails are good for recreational - don't know how much nutritional. Just like the big knuckle bones are mostly recreational, even though my two almost devour them fully. When they get too small I throw them away. Sure keep their teeth white though. And no rib bones.

Ann, I had written you a lengthy reply regarding our experience with the use of buffalo & venison in our dogs diet (we feed an assortment of meats including buffalo, venison, beef, turkey, chicken, etc... combined with fruits, veggies, grains and dietary supplements) however the system crashed and I lost all of what was typed <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> I hate that.

Anyway, basically we've had great success with the use of these meats for our GSDs. If your dogs are used to a raw diet I'm sure the transition will be smooth, if they are accustomed to a commercial diet then you may notice some loose stools and gas for a while. In this case I'd gradually introduce the new meats (ie: over a 3 week period +/-) and see how they do.

Also, we use all assortment of parts (muscle meat, organs, most bones, spine/neck, hooves, etc) and they seem to love it all. The bones are wonderful for their teeth and also gives them a little something to occupy thier time while they are in the kennels.

I'm certain they will enjoy the cuisine <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. Good luck!