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 Quote: Nancy Manuel

I need some experienced advice. What are the guidelines for determining "appropriately sized parts"?

For the dog in your sig pic?

If so ..... dinosaur backs?



Actually, I like to start just about all dogs on chicken backs.

Are you already feeding raw, or planning a change?

The appropriate size comment came from me. Your concern was about gulping and eating too fast. What I meant is to offer parts that are large enough that the dog is incapable of swallowing them whole. Then the dog will have to spend a little time crunching the piece of food into hunks she can swallow.

So, with those chicken backs, feed them whole versus chopping it into four pieces.

The dog's size is the thing. Big dog, big pieces. Small dog, smaller pieces. A GSD can inhale a chicken wing. A wing would be challenging feast for a Corgi pup.

At the opposite end of this discussion is to serve everything in such SMALL pieces that the dog can safely swallow without chewing--for example by grinding the food into mush. This isn't a popular option for most raw feeders because it requires a lot more work, and it deprives the dog of the benefits of chewing. But it is an option.

Bottom line: visualize the approximate size of your dog's gullet. What size hunk of food would run the risk of getting stuck? Whatever that is, DONT feed that size part. Choose something much bigger (or much smaller) than that.

Thanks Connie and Tracy for the clarification.

Yes Connie, for the dog in the sig photo. LOL

When my dog was about 1 year, a friend recommended feeding chicken quarters now and then. I read a couple of books about raw feeding, but wasn't compelled to make the switch. He is now 3 years old.

A few weeks ago I came to this webboard with concern about his dirty and rapidly wearing teeth. Long story short, we consulted a veterinary dentist, cleaned his teeth, took away certain toys and switched, cold turkey, to a well balanced raw diet. Everything has gone well.

I'm still in the process of dialing in my food resources. I asked this question about determining serving size, because I was considering cutting up whole chickens. It sounds like that will be fine, as long as the pieces are no smaller than quarters, which he chews thoroughly.

Thank you.

Hi Nancy,

As a sidenote, have you checked out or already joined SoCal BARF as a food resource?

Where in So Cal are you located?

I'd be happy to tell you more if you're interested.

Thank you Cathi. I will look into it.