I'm two weeks into feeding RAW to tiny dogs. Two chihuahuas. One just under 10 lbs, one just under 6 lbs. I bought split backs and do like the rest, freeze a few days worth in ziplocks, along with my other meat sources. I use a meat cleaver to chop off a small bony piece of the back for each dog, then add ground turkey, chicken gizzards, green tripe, small pieces of beef heart, and some days very small pieces of organs to get to the target weight (just over 4 oz. a day for the big one, just under 4 oz for the small one, devided into two meals). I don't do veggies, but do give kelp/alfalfa, salmon oil, Vit. E, Vit. C. The only fruit I give is frozen blueberries. I weigh and measure all thier food and supplements, because of the small amounts needed. So far so good. I will add more protien sources as we go. The devour everything at this point. Haven't given them whole thigh yet, but I'm thinking about it! The most gratifying thing is to see how much they LOVE thier food now. They never did spins for the kibble.

If I can do it, you can do it!

I also am RAW feeding my big dog, a 115 lb Rhodesian Ridgeback. He gets 3 lbs a day. Talk about a difference, you should see thier meals side by side!

 Quote: Nora Ferrell

Now for the aversion part. I guess because I can't stomach the thought of raw meat or chicken (even thou I eat rare steak) I will need to get over that.

Do you buy meat for yourself? How do you get it from the package to the pan?

I'm a vegetarian and still feed raw to my dogs with no problem. But you are already buying and handling raw meat.

NOTE:

Grapes (and especially raisins) are toxic to dogs. They have caused deaths from liver failure.

Dogs vary in their tolerance. It is not worth it to test the dog with small amounts.

(I noticed that these were listed on a dog's diet, so I am speaking out in warning.)

 Quote: Sharon Empson

I believe dry dog food was created for convenience, but it doesn't mean it is good for dogs.

Exactly.

 Quote: shody lytle

The most gratifying thing is to see how much they LOVE thier food now. They never did spins for the kibble.

My most recent adoptee came with the notation on his shelter paperwork that "he doesn't eat well."

Well, this is the same guy who now sits and VIBRATES while I dish out their food. They must sit while I do the food prep, but their butts are barely on the floor, as they are coiled to spring at the bowls when I say OK. And this little senior just shivers with joy, along with making a kind of anticipatory moaning noise when the bowls come out.

His skin, coat, eyes, ears, and arthritis have all improved on real food.

Connie: Yes, I know that they are toxic, that is why I have to watch them like hawks. I will not give them any raisins now. I only give them one but will not do it again.

I am glad that you put that in there so others will know too.
God bless you

 Quote: Sharon Empson

I know that they are toxic, that is why I have to watch them like hawks. I will not give them any raisins now. I only give them one but will not do it again.

I am glad that you put that in there so others will know too.
God bless you

You are absolutely right not to give them any.

I noticed you didn't mention what exact size dog you're feeding. There were a couple issues I ran into when first attempting feeding raw to my little guys who run between 4-8lbs at adulthood. The main one is they were simply unable to break up the bones even in a chicken back. They did however have little trouble with necks and wings which were simply too expensive or difficult to come by. Then I got a piece of inspiration by our frozen food feeding customers at work in the aquatics dept.
I invested in a good grinder. I'm a big fan of the ones sold at Lehmans.
Basically I began making trays of my protein grind in 1/4lb patties with finely ground eggshell added ( I run it through a coffee grinder), another of ground organ meat in 1 oz patties, and I currently don't use veggies at all. Most of mine just eat around them or left me a little pile of them neatly outside the bowl. You can however work them into the protein if you wish. Go by weight rather than looks which are deceiving.
Anyway I take the end resulting burger. Flash freeze it. Vaccume seal it, and label it as dog food (Dad didn't appreciate my chunky chicken beef burgers last time).
As far as what you use as your protein source in this just make sure it's varied. I use a combination of cheap burger, chicken, rabbit culls from a friend, fish, ground lamb when it goes on sale, cheap pork. Basically as I'm gathering ingredients like egg shells I store them in a gallon freezer bag in my freezer to keep them fresh.
I'm a pretty big neat freak as well when it comes to raw food. I have a gate in my kitchen to keep the dogs in there since they have a habit of picking up a mouthfull of food and waddling away with it only to spit it out on the carpet :P and I use stainless steel dishes which go in with my dirty dishes every night. I usually at least swiffer after every meal and bleach mop every week.

Connie, and all you guys/gals. Thanks for sucn an whole hearted response. When I posted about the chicken backs, you hadn't yet posted the chicken back post. We were probably typing at the same time.

I am not vegetarian and I'm not a squeamish person. Touching raw meat doesn't bother me. I guess EATING raw chicken just sounds un-appetizing. Actually, near raw beef doesn't. I guess I am humanizing.

My dog weighs about 6-8lbs. I haven't weighed her for exact weight and she should go to 10 - 12 when grown. She is about 7 mo.

Well, out of desperation, I am going to try the raw feeding. I don't have any books yet, but I have read Cindy's articles and have poured over the threads here and hope I have a feel for it.

I am out of the good grade kibble that I was using. Went to Wal-mart yesterday to find something suitable to use until I start the raw and, of course, it was all dog chow, beneficial, ol roy, etc. I live in a very small town and there are no pet stores. I am at the mercy of Wal-mart and Krogers.

If I didn't know any better, I would have gotten some sort of kibble (probably the most expensive thinking it's the best), but to know and not do would be worse for me, and now I know better. So, I got another pouch of the Three Dog Bakery Entree I spoke of before.

Went to the meat case and there were no chicken backs. The closest thing I could find were wings and a package of gizzards and livers.

If I read correctly, she doesn't needs vegetables and of course grains. Soooooo, I am going to grind up the wings and gizzards and livers.

Now for the questions.

Should I grind them? Should I mix the organ meats with the wings or feed separate?

If I read correctly, Should I feed her apx 2-3 oz per meal (she eats twice a day, weighs about 7 lbs and should weight 10-12 lbs when grown and is 7 months old)?