I'm not clear ... sorry. The directions call for 2 cups a day and you're feeding 2 cups plus RMBs?

Not that the quantity mentioned on the package is law; in fact, it's a very rough guide.

But if you were feeding 2 cups and the dog was maintaining correct weight, then wouldn't you decrease the THK as you added RMBs?

P.S. You'll want to just keep an eye on the necks and backs and on his poop; unless backs are good and meaty, they generally need a little muscle meat besides to make them kind of a replication of the meat-bone ratio of the whole bird.

I don't mean you need a scale or calipers or something; I just mean you want to eyeball the pieces and think "Are these pretty much the same boniness/meatiness as a whole prey animal?"

At the rate you are adding RMBs, you are fine for balance. If and when you increase the raw add-ins, you'll also want to introduce organ meat at the rate of about 5-10% of the RMBs you feed.

I mean that THK is balanced; if a substantial part of the diet ends up being raw, with THK as a "side dish," then you will want the raw part to be balanced. Very simple and easy. :>

You are giving fish oil and vitamin E?

Another P.S.

I think THK plus RMBs is an EXCELLENT tool for the new raw feeder. While the owner reads up and looks at the Leerburg sample daily menus, meanwhile he can be assured that the THK is supplying a very good balanced diet and that the RMBs are helping the dog's system to start producing the enzymes that process bone..... as well as all the other benefits of fresh, raw food.

Thanks Connie !! oops, I am not currently giving fish oil or vit. E. I will monitor his poop. I still monitor him while eating the RMBs though. Im just a little concerned that he may choke but I guess thats just me being over protective..hehe.

I also will probably decrease his THK. youre right, he has maintaned a good weight thus far.

youre always full of good info !! Thanks !!

DEFINITELY add fish oil and Vitamin E. :>

The combination is THE supplement for regular use, IMO. It's one most important part of the diet that you really can't get naturally from the diet these days (at least not a practical diet).

There really is no modern canine diet (even raw) that supplies the long-chain Omega 3s that used to be present in range-fed slaughter animals' meat and fat.


This one is very popular, and it has a measured pump:
http://www.leerburg.com/47.htm

And you can get Vitamin E in any drugstore or natural food store, but if you are ordering the fish oil anyway, this one is good:
http://leerburg.com/53.htm

It's natural d-Alpha Tocopherols.

What you don't want (IMO) is dl-alpha (which is synthetic).

I'll see if I can find some locally to save on shipping...

I also feed my dog THK; I live in Germany where neck and backs are not available in the grocery store. Are chicken and turkey legs okay? I have also been adding chicken liver (which she loves) is this okay or should I just stick to THK, and not add other raw items?

 Quote: Kimberly Fleming

I also feed my dog THK; I live in Germany where neck and backs are not available in the grocery store. Are chicken and turkey legs okay? I have also been adding chicken liver (which she loves) is this okay or should I just stick to THK, and not add other raw items?

MHO is that THK is a terrific product, but at its best when used with RMBs. It is balanced with calcium, but so are the RMBs you add. I think that all non-raw diets are improved by adding fresh foods. And THK is dehydrated at such low temps that it's not the big slower-down of digestion that kibble is. (I didn't read this; I know it from feeding my raw-fed dogs THK on occasion.)

I don't give weight-bearing bones, but I'm aware that this is not at all universal. Almost everyone else does indeed feed unground poultry legs.


Chicken livers at about 5 to 10% of the total food is a good addition, IMO.

I should say that I'm NOT talking about the no-meat THK; I mean Force and Embark.

P.S. Adding fish oil and E to any dog's diet (including THK) is good.

Kim, I think what you're doing sounds fine. I feed chicken/turkey legs, drumsticks, etc., all the time, but it depends on your dog. I have APBTs and GSDs-both strong jawed dogs who are very familiar w/what to do w/bones. I wouldn't use them on a newbie to raw, or w/a known gulper, but I have honestly never had a problem w/"weight-bearing" bones from a bird w/my dogs. My Chihuahua eats wings and small legs, and has no problem at all. Even my cat can eat through a leg bone. Just watch that they're properly breaking it down before swallowing. I think you need to feed RMBs w/THK, as THK does not have bones in it.

Thanks for the input.