Wow! I can’t believe I lucked out and found this wonderful site, you people are just great, I have spent the last few day’s reading on the many different forums here.

I should be getting my Bouvier pup around April/June and was considering feeding one of the new high quality naturel dog foods supplemented with raw meat. But after all I have read here think I will stick with a natural diet. My existing dog eat’s a natural diet, with one big error, committed out of ignorance and my own aversion to raw meat, I cook his food lightly.

Now I want to get off on the right foot with the new pup so hope some of you can address my concerns. I have also gotten a copy of the book by Dr Pitcairn, which I hope will be helpful.

Meat: Is there any problem severing ground beef raw? I understand due to bacteria it should be cooked?

o you buy regular, medium or lean meat?

:What other kind of meat do you use and where is a good source to buy it? I’m in Canada.

:I’m also reading a lot about not feeding grains, where as I thought this was good for the animals?
: If no grains, what do you add as a filler?

: finally, how do you judge the proper amount to feed?

My thank’s before hand for any input, or extra advise that is offered.

Originally posted by Pam Smart:
Now I want to get off on the right foot with the new pup so hope some of you can address my concerns. I have also gotten a copy of the book by Dr Pitcairn, which I hope will be helpful.

Meat: Is there any problem severing ground beef raw? I understand due to bacteria it should be cooked?

o you buy regular, medium or lean meat?

:What other kind of meat do you use and where is a good source to buy it? I’m in Canada.

:I’m also reading a lot about not feeding grains, where as I thought this was good for the animals?
: If no grains, what do you add as a filler?

: finally, how do you judge the proper amount to feed?

Hi Pam,
To help you with your questions, in my experience cooking the meat is unnecessary. Healthy dogs don't have the same problems with bacteria that we humans do. They lick their own butts (sorry), eat nasty stuff they find outside, deer and bunny poop, etc......

Variety is the key to feeding a raw diet, don't get into the habit of only feeding one type of meat. For example, I use chicken leg quarters, chicken necks and backs, turkey necks, beef heart, chicken gizzards, hearts and livers, ground turkey, tripe, canned mackeral and pork neck bones. Also raw eggs with shells, occasionally cottage cheese and yogurt.

Dogs must have more than just meat, they need the RAW (never cooked) bones or you can use ground eggshells for the calcium source.

No grains for my dogs, they aren't necessary.

The proper amount to feed depends on the age and activity level of the dog. Ed sells a GREAT book that is easy to use http://leerburg.com/935.htm

I highly recommend it. It will answer all your questions and is a great reference.

Hope this helps!

Originally posted by Pam Smart:
:I’m also reading a lot about not feeding grains, where as I thought this was good for the animals?
: If no grains, what do you add as a filler? You already said it yourself, they are nothing more than an unneeded filler. I use a little rice or oat with Auster's food just to help keep her weight in the right range, but if I was feeding bones I don't think I would need the grain at all (Auster gets cooked meat and calcium because she bloated while on kibble and can't handle raw now).

Thank you Cindy for your very quick reply. I found a Canadian site very fast that sold this book, and have ordered it. Along with the book I already have, I will hopefully be successful in implementing this diet, and get over my aversion for raw meat.

I understand bloat can be a problem in many breeds, but there appears to be evidence that a natural diet may help reduce this problem, does your research and experience support this?

One last question for now please. Are all these bones safe? I read many conflicting reports.

I apologize if I’m touching on subjects that have already been addressed. As I become more familiar with the board and where all the different info is posted, I will be able to find many of the answers to my questions without posting.

Thanks again Pam.

Raw bones are fine. Cooked bones are bad (they splinter).

http://www.leerburg.com/ubb//ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=000195

This should help with the bloat questions. My experience certainly supports a raw or home made diet (raw being ideal, but Auster's stomach is too weak for it and according to the vets she should be dead anyway).

Thank you all for taking the time to reply to my post, I find all this information to be invaluable.

I looked at the discussion concerning bloat and feel I gleaned a great deal of info. I plan to keep doing my research on this and every aspect of rearing a larger breed dog.

My goal is to have a well trained and mannered dog, healthy, happy and who will I hope get a lot of fun out of life. I’m convinced with what I read here that I have as I said in my first post, lucked out with this site, and will be able to get most of the tips I need here, and be able to ask any questions I have.

Again my thanks to all. Lauren, I was sorry to read your story about Auster, and hope I never have to go through that kind of experience with any dog.

Hi! Again, just wanted to let you know that along with ordering the book recommended here, I lucked out once again and found out the breeder I’m dealing with only feds raw and raises the pups on raw.

She is going to be great. Although I will have to drive around two hours, she will be setting me up with her butcher to get all my meat/bones.

At her advise I have started changing my existing dog to raw. Very slowly, by reducing the amount I cook his food.

Thanks Pam.

I feed all sorts of things, including raw and cooked meat, and raw bones. Raw bones can and do splinter, it is a myth that only cooked bones splinter.