More news about the perils of dry food. Now the culprate is fluoride. I've noticed many people here use the Raw food diet. Is there a link to this and a proper way to begin switching pets over? I'm currently using Iams and like the ease of cleanup on walks, but I'm concerned about the health of my pups. Any referrals to websites or books would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

This Yahoo group is awesome.
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding/

Very comprehensive raw food group. Lots of daily discussions and help/advice.

 Quote: Michelle Pociask

More news about the perils of dry food. Now the culprate is fluoride. I've noticed many people here use the Raw food diet. Is there a link to this and a proper way to begin switching pets over? I'm currently using Iams and like the ease of cleanup on walks, but I'm concerned about the health of my pups. Any referrals to websites or books would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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

http://leerburg.com/feedingarawdiet.htm

http://leerburg.com/diet2.htm

http://leerburg.com/feedingdogs.htm

How old are your dogs? Let's get you started away from Iams. That would be high on the nice-advertising-crappy-ingredients list, and contains a ton o' corn where meat should be.

Moved this topic to natural feeding forum.

THanks for the referals I'm on two lists and have been reading like crazy. Black dog is 3yrs 125 pounds, middle dog 1yr 47 lbs, dog on rightis approximately 2 yrs 36 lbs. I've read you feed them 2-3 % of body weight in pounds. My large on has stool problems when eating anything (including treats) but Iams so I'm thinking this raw will benefit him the most. I've read where to feed , when to feed and what to feed. I'm just wondering how to start. I don't return to work until August 17th so now's the time to start in case they get digestive adjustment probs. I just don't know whether to do it gradually like when switching kibble or just jump right in. I'm a little wierded out at the prospect of throwing them a whole rat or rabbit, but will overcome for the good of my pups.

"I'm a little wierded out at the prospect of throwing them a whole rat or rabbit, but will overcome for the good of my pups."

You will have no requirement to do any rabbit- or rat-throwing. Ever! That's 100% optional. I, for example, do none at all.

You can buy everything you need at a grocery store.

Did you look at the Leerburg Sample Diet? There are photos of a bowl of raw food.

The one with diarrhea issues (all of them, in fact) can start very very simply and slowly, while that corn-based food gets out of the system.

I'm thinking that if you read all those LB links, then ask questions, it will work out great, and you can grocery shop in a couple of days. Read and look at the photos. It won't take more than today, even in you look at several threads in this forum where this thread is, about starting raw.

And yes, I urge that you not combine a kibble and raw diet, so although you'd start cold turkey, it would be slowly (small simple low-fat meals while poop-watching so nothing triggers any upset).

P.S. You would start with very small (far less than the probable goal of 2% body weight per day, for a day or two) meals of skinned chicken backs or other parts that have nice soft cartilage-y bones. That's it. Then the poop-watch goes into effect as one more item is added after you see perfect poop on the items already being eaten.

This is geared to the one with G.I. issues, but they will all be fine this way and it's the easiest way to forestall any issues. Slow and gradual, stopping and backing up a bit at any sign that too much fat or organ meat or quantity in general has triggered soft stools.

Noting the 125 weight of the black dog (unless said dog is a Newfoundland), keep in mind that the percentage of body weight formula is the percentage of IDEAL body weight; not current. What kind of dog is this? How big/tall is he/she?

I have had luck with fasting a dog who is used to eating yucky kibble before starting raw. I have noticed that these dogs tend to have bowel movements for 2 days at least after not having any of the kibble; kind of scary how long that crap (no pun intended,lol) sits there. I just give a few RMBs and plenty of water for 2 days before getting any more creative. It has seemed to work very well as far as avoiding stomach upset. I have transitioned several this way and not even had any diarrhea. Also, too MUCH food is usually the biggest diarrhea contributor.

Thanks, the leerburb links were fabulous as well as the questions. OK the poop question-What am I looking for again? I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who counts and inspects my dogs' poop. I actually know who did what pile. But that may change with this raw food diet. I hope they have skinned chicken backs at Walmart. The local butcher looked at me like I was nuts when I asked for bones (not smoked) with meat and told me I was better off finding them "road kill". He did say I could have what he termed "carcass meat". I guess it's the top layer of meat they have to trim off as it's tough. He said he couldn't do feet as the health dep. won't allow, it's not scalded. I'm very excited. My pitty mix is constantly chewing and pooping paper I hope this may curb her urge. As for the large dog he's got lab hair and a shephard shape. You can see his rib outline and he has hips. The vet has never said he was overweight. He also has a torn cruciate (not all the way, just limps when he walks , but improves on long walks) so ideal weight is important for him. Everyone else is also at ideal weight. Pitty mix may fill out as she's only a year on July 12.

Did you look at the photos on LB?

Again, those bowls of food are sample dinners. You see how the poultry is actually poultry that you would eat, but raw?

You're not asking for "bones with meat" from a butcher. That would be recreational bones. And not "carcass meat."

RMBs are parts of actual prey-type animals like a quarter of a chicken or rabbit, etc.

Starting with chicken backs (you will have to skin them, just at first, to get rid of some fat) is good because they have soft bones for beginner raw eaters.