Quote: mike bellemare

.... I use to give raw organs and meat from the store too but then I got concerned with the chemicals that some of the animal we eat are exposed to (which are supposed to be broken down by cooking it). What are your thoughts on this?

But why would the chicken used in the pre-mix be better?

But anyway, I'm with Alyssa on using salmon oil (short-chain 3s in flax are not converted to EHA and DPA in dogs; in fact, they are not converted particularly efficiently in humans, but at least humans have about a 10 to 15% conversion rate, whereas in dogs it's around zero) and E.

 Quote: mike bellemare

yeah, conveniently they also offer raw bones from the same "certified" animals (i use the term loosely), which i give twice a week. ...

There may be terminology confusion here, between RMBs and recreational bones ....

P.S. As Cindy said, variety is so important to me that I go to some lengths to provide it. I use Smart Chicken for the RMBs part of the raw diet, but I too would be happy to supplement it with a mix that was just the meat, bones, and organs of different animals (rabbit, say, or the quail mentioned here, etc.). I give canned unsalted sardines, canned unsalted mackerel, cheapo lamb flaps, yogurt, local eggs, Trader Joe's cheap frozen fillets of wild fish, an occasional package of buffalo --- or any other cheap(ish) protein source that presents itself to become the added-muscle-meat part of the dogs' diet ....

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

... This site is a huge raw feeding resource.

Here is the forum:
http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/postlist/Board/12/page/1

And in fact, let's move this thread to the raw feeding forum.

aaaahhhh I did restrained my search to the General Dog Conversation board

Thanks!

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Mike Bellemare

.... I use to give raw organs and meat from the store too but then I got concerned with the chemicals that some of the animal we eat are exposed to (which are supposed to be broken down by cooking it). What are your thoughts on this?

But why would the chicken used in the pre-mix be better?

From their website:
Our raw food formulas contain the freshest 100% human-grade antibiotic, hormone and steroid free meats, poultry and game, certified organic produce, certified organic minerals and unrefined vitamins. At Primal Pet Foods, we procure our meats, poultry and game from ranchers throughout the United States that take pride in producing wholesome sources of protein through natural, sustainable agriculture.

My local grocery store can't claim the same description! Well it is only a claim (thus me using most of the quality terms loosely )

What are the prices on their RMBs? Didn't see it on the site (probably wasn't looking hard enough).

Danke loves turkey necks, but unfortunately, we sometimes experience a turkey neck famine in the area, and she has to go without for a month or so, which breaks her furry heart. If I could get my hands on a reasonably priced year-round turkey neck supply, she'd be in heaven.

 Quote: mike bellemare

... From their website:
Our raw food formulas contain .... 100% human-grade antibiotic, hormone and steroid free meats, poultry and game, certified organic produce....

That is what I buy to make my dogs' raw diet.

I'm fortunate to have a natural foods store with a butcher department a few blocks away -- a small local chain like a teeny-weeny Whole Foods.

But there are many sources of "100% human-grade antibiotic, hormone and steroid free meats, poultry."

However, I'd buy supermarket poultry and meats for the dogs if the kind I buy became too expensive or maybe unavailable/inconvenient. (Or maybe I would do what you did and give the food that you are giving!) I know that it's hard for me to imagine something that would make me turn to kibble.

All JMO.

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

... Danke loves turkey necks, but unfortunately, we sometimes experience a turkey neck famine in the area ...

Turkey necks are something I almost never see. Chicken backs are the closest I can get to that! LOL

They do love chicken backs. I think that like necks, they are loaded with chewy soft cartilage-y bones.

Danke is on a chicken back strike. She has decided she can't stand 'em. Go figure.

I don't know anything about Mr. Cusick and his recipes other than what I've just read on his site, including:

The German Shepherd Dog is unique because it has a very short colon in comparison to other breeds of the same body weight. For this reason a high fiber diet is required to slow the movement of food through this breed's digestive track, thereby allowing more time for the nutrients to be drawn out. This high fiber diet will result in a larger stool but better assimilation of the food. I caution that this fiber must be from the proper sources and the amount should be carefully controlled. Too much fiber or fiber of the wrong type can cause impacted bowels.

The environment for the Alsatian Region of Germany provided this breed with primary food sources of beef, wheat, and leafy greens like cabbage and alfalfa. Thus, I recommend a blend of these food sources as the ideal base diet for the German Shepherd.

Well, there's an approach I haven't heard before!

As a raw feeder for 8 yrs. or so, I feel more comfortable relying on the info and advice from the many knowledgeable members here than someone like Cusick. I think if you do a lot of reading at the link Connie posted, you might agree, too.

JMO

Mike

Connie, what are cheapo lamb flaps (or even just lamb flaps<g>?

Thanks,
leih