I just wanted to share that my boyfriend and I switched our two GSD's over to pure raw tonight. I'm very excited!

It was kind of a spur of the moment thing, we needed more kibble ( we fed Innova ) and my bf was surprised we went through the bag so fast. I suggested we just try raw instead, a quick phone call/trip out and we had bought a ton more food for the same price. Bought a 40lb box of chicken necks, a bunch of huge whole chickens and some beef bones for the price of one bag of kibble!

We were going to buy leg quarters too but they were out, we're going to pick those up on friday because they get a fresh order that day. We already have a ton of raw hamburger and eggs too. Already have em both on fish oil and E pills, so that's good.

Their first meal was just some chicken necks to see if they'd eat them and they both loved it. Tomorrow morning I think I'll try a meatier portion of a whole chicken and a raw egg each. We're both very excited about this-I almost want to feed them again and again just to watch em eat, lol. My pup, Reesee has some itching and skin problems ( allergies perhaps ) and I wonder if this will help.

Now..what to tell the vet that I'm feeding her when they ask me on Friday when I take her to get her skin checked..

Edit: I also want to give a big thanks to Jason Sidener for the help he gave me!

Congrats Heather!

Sorry, you didn't ask, but.....

It might be a good idea to stick with chicken necks with the skin and fat removed for a day or two. At least long enough for a few bowel movements to make sure that the dogs are adjusting to the diet change.

After a few days then it should be fine to venture into meatier pieces, but still removing the skin and fat.

Eggs could also produce loose stool for a new raw feeder. Best to hold off on them for a little while, too.

Please don't think I'm telling you what to do. Too much food, too much organ meat, and too much NEW food are the most common triggers of diarrhea. Going slow will make this transition easier on all of you.

Congrats again. Feeding is as fun as training, IMO.

Hey Michael. The only real reason I wanted to switch it up so soon was I figured the chicken necks were too much bone and not enough meat and was worried they weren't getting a full meal out of them.

I didn't think to remove the fat from the meats but the necks they got tonight were real lean. There are alot in that box though that are fatty, and I noticed the box had some big leg pieces and wing parts in there too. I'll remember to hack most of the fat off until they're stools look normal consistently.

Thank you for the heads up. =3

You don't have to remove every little piece of fat. Mainly the skin and any fat globs you can get a hold of. If you are having to *pinch* really small to get off a piece of fat, don't worry about it. Just the big stuff.

You're right, the necks are too much bone. Don't worry about them getting everything now, though. Even if their meals are a little small weight wise it is O.K.

A few days on necks and a super slow pace of increasing meat and fat won't be detrimental to them. Getting them use to the food is way more important than variety at first. Variety is for later.

A slow switch will be the fastest route to having them fully and comfortably eating raw.

Y'all will do fine, just go slow. Did I say go slow yet?

Thanks for not thinking I was bossing you around. I hate giving advice when it wasn't asked for in the first place. I don't want to be "that guy".

 Quote: Heather Perring

We're both very excited about this-I almost want to feed them again and again just to watch em eat, lol.

I had the exact same reaction when I switched Oscar almost 3 years ago - and it STILL feels great to watch him eat! It seems so pleasantly natural, but whenever we have the occasional guest over during dinnertime, all conversation grinds to a halt as they stare slack jawed or gasping at the primal scene carrying out over Oscar's dog bowl... cracks me up.

 Quote: Heather Perring

Now..what to tell the vet that I'm feeding her when they ask me on Friday when I take her to get her skin checked..

Even if you think your vet will be opposed to the new food, I'd be honest - they don't have to approve of it, it's completely your choice, but they should be aware. If you get an earful anyway, it might help to mention any research you've done linking allergies to commercial kibble ingredients, or raw diets to healthy immune systems, etc. If the skin issues started well before the raw diet, it's not like they can blame the raw chicken! Some vets are quietly quite open minded about raw diets, so don't assume it'll be an unpleasant visit.

Congrats on the switch - wishing your dog's a smooth transition!

~Natalya

 Quote: Michael_Wise

... a super slow pace of increasing meat and fat won't be detrimental to them. Getting them use to the food is way more important than variety at first. Variety is for later. .... A slow switch will be the fastest route to having them fully and comfortably eating raw. ....

Bears repeating.

 Quote: Natalya Zahn

... whenever we have the occasional guest over during dinnertime, all conversation grinds to a halt as they stare slack jawed or gasping at the primal scene carrying out over Oscar's dog bowl... cracks me up.

AH-HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Great morning laugh.

 Quote: Natalya Zahn

it's completely your choice, but they should be aware. If you get an earful anyway, it might help to mention any research you've done linking allergies to commercial kibble ingredients, or raw diets to healthy immune systems, etc.
~Natalya

Or the many salmonella kibble recalls ..... oh, and the thousands of dogs who ate kibble from the 2006 melamine recall (that hit virtually every dog food manufacturer) who are still dead.

 Quote: michael_wise

I hate giving advice when it wasn't asked for in the first place. I don't want to be "that guy".

Really? That's weird. I looooove being that guy.

 Quote: connie sutherland

oh, and the thousands of dogs who ate kibble from the 2006 melamine recall... who are still dead.

"who are still dead" - What a snarky reminder!
I should really start writing this stuff down and keeping the list of "Connie's anti-kibble one-liners" tucked into my jacket pocket for quick reference when at the vet...

~Natalya