I am still fairly new to the raw diet, and I am easing into it still. Kodee eats twice a day, and some meals he gets Orijen adult food, and other meals he is given THK w/chicken (including bones). So far, the only raw meat I've included in his diet is chicken,and occasionally (not often) ground beef. Today I bought some beef liver on sale, and I am trying to start varying his raw ingredients. However, I don't know how much/how often organ meat should be included in a raw diet. I assume it's "richer" than muscle meat (less should be fed, perhaps?) Also, can he eat beef liver with chicken, etc, or should different "types" of meat be fed separately? I will start looking for sources of wild game, maybe, in the near future.

Sorry if this sounds dumb, I'm still making the transition, although he is eating raw pretty regularly. Just not a lot of variety, other than which cuts of bone-in chicken he gets in his raw meals.

Another dumb question: If you don't personally know any hunters who have/sell wild game, is there somewhere you can look to buy it?

Thanks!

Organ meat, 5 to 10%, starting gradually.

 Quote: kori bigge

Also, can he eat beef liver with chicken, etc, or should different "types" of meat be fed separately?

Variety is better, IMO.

All I do with liver and organs is toss it on a couple of times a week, I don't count it as much more then a supplement Kori. I've mostly been buying whole chickens so he gets those organs accross about 5 meals (the amount of meals I get out of a cut up whole chicken)

Thanks. I get what you're saying Steve. I guess I will just use it as a supplement.

Connie- Sorry to sound like a dummy , but when you way 5-10%, do you mean 5-10% of his total meal? Thanks!

 Quote: Kori Bigge

do you mean 5-10% of his total meal? Thanks!

Not Connie, but I thought I'd answer. Yes, 5-10% of the total meal.

Ditto Connie. Slowly is the fastest way to bowel tolerance.

Once used to it you can feed it at every meal, all in one of the meals, or an organ only meal if your dog can handle it. After your dog is used to the organs, of course.

In my state you cannot sell wild deer. I'm pretty sure that goes for other animals, too.

When hunting season comes around I would hang out at wildlife check stations and ask anyone that comes to check game. Most hunters really like to use everything they can, but some parts just aren't really worth getting or are harder to get most of the meat off of. I think most hunters would be glad to give you scraps even if they don't know you just because it would mean less waste.

Ask game wardens, too. Just remember to nod and smile politely when they tell you dogs aren't suppose to eat raw meat and bones.

I haven't gotten a chance to check with a butcher to see what, if any, meat on bone is left after they slaughter a deer. If I get a chance I will see. I know that they don't use heads, so you could at least ask for those.

Don't forget that a $10-20 handshake will ensure that your phone rings when a hunter has some scraps to dump.

Thanks, Michael! LOL - My uncle is the biggest hunting/fishing fanatic on the planet, but unfortunately I don't see him much (he lives a couple of hours away, and is alway gone...hunting. LOL.). But the next time I do see him, I'm gonna hit him up for some deer meat/scraps/bones. I'm sure I'll have to take a lot of heat when I explain what I want it for, but oh, well. I think I can sweet talk him into sharing with my dog...My other relatives already think I'm crazy over my dog (and they are right ). Every family has a nut, and I think I'm turning into The One. lol.

Just tell him you want to make venison stock and stew!

Most of the time hunters take the legs, back straps, and tenderloins.

Most leave the ribs and neck alone. If you can get the rest of the spine there is usually still a good amount of meat even after the backstraps and tenderloins are removed. There is at least enough for a dog to pick around on and have to work to get some meat. If I could only have one piece of a deer it would be the neck. Lots of meat, all the bone is edible, windpipe, and lots of other connective tissue. Plus fed in one large piece makes for a very engaging meal.

Neck meat is tough and people would usually use it for stock and stew, which makes Connie's "fib" even better.

Get Uncle to tell his friends, too.

This could really snowball. Your gonna' have to buy a couple freezers when its all said and done.