I'm thinking of moving my puppie to a raw diet. I'm rather new to the idea but I REALY like it. I read Ed Frawley's eBook on Feeding a raw diet. I thought it was great. I'm wondering if I could get some people to tell me what they think about feeding a raw diet.Thanks it would realy help. THE MORE THE BETTER!!!

I switched my dog about 2 weeks ago. It is going great, he loves it and I see improvements in his condition. He had started to lose hair over one eye that looked a lot like demodex mange. This is common in puppies, but not older dogs. Being he is 11 mo. old It meant that his immune system could somehow be compromised allowing it to get a foothold. Mind, it was very mild so I did not take him to the vet. Whatever it was, it has gone away on the RAW diet. He was also having stomach/digestion issues that sounded a lot like mild bloat, but that the vet called enteritis. So far, no issues at all with that either, great stools, no other signs. I'm really a newbie about this, but I'm sure you will get lots of encouragement on this subject. I say, go for it!

Dear Christi: I used to feed my other dogs kibble but never felt good about it. When they died of old age (17) and I got my new dogs I was determined to research feeding dogs. When I found this site and they explained raw feeding so well, I decided to give it a try. It made such sense, why would an animal eat cooked food? I also had a concern with the rising of cancer in pets. For myself I do not want to eat things that would not be healthy for me so why would I feed my dogs any differently. I gave it a try. It has been wonderful. I adopted my two dogs one was 1 1/2 years old and another at 3 months. They both had very dry hair, and one of them even had a skin problems. They have loved it! They have totally filled out, they are more muscular and their hair- even though terriors- has a shine to it.( not that terriors don't have shinny hair just course, usually.)
I have not found it more expensive, or more time consuming. I divide and prepare all my food ahead and then take it out of the freezer each day. THeir teeth are stark white, my other dogs had problems with thier teeth and plaque. My new dogs have tons of energy and their eyes sparkle. I couln't be happier.
I would never go back to kibble, if at all possible. I don't even buy them dog biscuts but make their treats home made or buy them from this site, leerburg. People think I am nuts, but I know I am doing what is best for my dogs.
Hope this helps.

I would also strongly urge you to go here:

http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/postlist/Board/12/page/1

Start reading on any thread.

If you skip the whole forum on raw feeding, then you'll miss 99% of the encouragement and advice you could get from a few thousand posts on the subject.


Example: http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/176972/page/1#Post176972

Edited by Shannon Reed (02/01/2008 10:30 PM)
Edit reason: add link

Thank you all SO SO much for all your help!!! It's a go. I'm going to do it! I think it all sounds wonderful!

I switched almost two years ago because of my Brussels Griffon. She was allergic to all kibble. She was constanly chewing on herself. We put her on weekly allergy shots. Switching to a raw diet was fantastic.
On the superficial side, there is hardly any poop to pick up. Their coats are in good shape.
The energy level in the boxer back to puppy level.
The doggie odor from their coats is gone.
the brussels whole quality of life is improved. She does not chew on herself AT ALL.
She still does allergy shots for other enviornmental issues but just twice a month. Her dermetologist cannot believe her turn around. Not to mention at three her teeth are pearly white. Almost unheard of for a five pound dog. Tiny dogs usually have all sorts of teeth and gum issues.

Thanks to everyone fo rall of your help. My pup has been on raw food for 2 days and he LOVES it! I never seen him eat so fast and he licks it clean. So far everything is going great.

Right now he's getting mostly chicken RMB's, some beef liver, some (very little) ground beef and some peas. If this dose not sound like what I should be feeding him PLEASE let me know. I tryed to do my best off of Leerburg's puppie diet. I would love your input. Thanks

 Quote: Christi Collett

Right now he's getting mostly chicken RMB's, some beef liver, some (very little) ground beef....

Are you giving salmon oil and E too?

Even before you introduce variety (I know it's been just two days ) , I'd do the salmon oil and E.

 Quote: Sharon Empson

I would never go back to kibble, if at all possible. I don't even buy them dog biscuts but make their treats home made or buy them from this site, leerburg.

What raw treats do you make?