Quote: JessicaKromer

Organic is best for all of the reasons you are talking about, but bottom line is that the meat you but at the grocery store is fine, and five hundred times better than kibble and way better than cooked.

The cooking MAY destroy (I have ZERO knowledge of how cooking affects hormones… Never read a study&hellip but it will also remove much of the nutrients that the dogs get from it as well.

There was a study done on cats ( Pottenger's cat study ), where one colony was fed raw food, and one cooked food. First generation was “less” in many ways for the cooked food colony, and within a few generations (we are talking cats here, that would only be a couple of years) the cooked fed cats had smaller, sicklier litters and shorter life spans among other health issues.

Just go with raw. Throw him a cornish game hen and watch him love all of the crunchy bones and real meat!

It sounds like you are putting a TON of research into this, and kudos to you for that.

Thanks for the kudos.

I was trying to prevent the nutrient reduction of cooking the meat/vedgies by using supplements for dogs. And there goes another endless quest to find the proper supplement.

I'm still reading the sample menu along with the RAW coop list of food available to see if I can achieve something similar.

Thanks for all the comments so far, this is pretty instructive.

Supplements are good, but there is no replacement for the degradation and change in the type and quality of protein when meat is cooked.

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

Why half and half?

I did half and half for 2-3 weeks to introduce the raw patties i talked about earlier in the thread, and never got to a complete switch. Until recently I decided to make the full switch and here I am with all my concerns and questions

Ah.

Did you read the articles Connie posted?

Mike,

I'm with Steve and Jessica on this. Feeding raw can be expensive and difficult. If you can feed all organic, free range meats to your dog, go for it! (Send me the leftovers) The key is to find a program that works for you. IMHO, it would be much better to feed garden variety supermarket meats and continue that for the life of your dog, than to quit feeding raw in a few months because it is too much hassle or gets too expensive.

And, as Jessica pointed out, raw is light years better than kibble. My 11.5 year old Rottie, Alex, is a living example. Before we got our new pup, we fed kibble and on occasion eggs, and table scrapes. Alex had really bad skin/fur problems. All of the hair on his butt and legs had fallen out. He looked like a big black iguana from the rear. He also had a constant stream of mucous-like discharge from his eyes. Our vet told us it was allergies and gave him meds--they didn't help. The breeder of our new pup fed raw, so after researching, we switched.

Now, after only 5 months on a raw only diet, Alex looks 5 years younger. He has ALL of his hair back and no eye problems. He also has more energy. The only thing different is his diet.

We look for the cheapest RMBs and meat we can find. Usually, the supermarket "day old" bin (about 50% off for meats sold on the "expiration" date) or Chinatown ($.99/lb. chicken carcasses and duck necks) work best for us. Last week, after Thanksgiving, we got 2 whole 16 lb turkeys for $5 each

If you feed raw, you get the added benefit of the thrill of finding really good deals like that

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

Supplements are good, but there is no replacement for the degradation and change in the type and quality of protein when meat is cooked.

What she said!

It sounds like you are overanalyzing this (I live with a man who does this too) in an attempt to make it perfect. It is good that you are worried, but trust me, all will be fine, and cheaper when you get comfortable with it.

Reminds me of new parents that want the most expensive diapers and follow the baby around with Lysol and bleach, and swoop them off the ground at every bump or bruise. As they grow, and you get to be more comfortable, you let the small stuff slide. Then you look back and laugh at the new parents that used to be you.

Raw feeding is pretty simple once you get the hang of it. Take your time, and read up. You will get there soon enough!


P.S. I’ll even pass on my old kitchen scale that has been gathering dust for years now from disuse. It really is that simple.

 Quote: eric sacks

Mike,

We look for the cheapest RMBs and meat we can find. Usually, the supermarket "day old" bin (about 50% off for meats sold on the "expiration" date) or Chinatown ($.99/lb. chicken carcasses and duck necks) work best for us.

HAHA, and you know you are comfortable when you sniff your meat, find a slightly "off" smell, and say, "Oh well, he'll like it even more now!"

I do that as well, even though we aren't feeding Raw exclusively right now, any meat or eggs I am a little iffy about goes to the dogs...and they don't mind a bit.
Certainly not totally rotten, but past its prime so to speak.
The mole he ate last week was certainly more than rotten and it must have been tasty because he ate it in two gulps!

Last night they got freezer burned hamburger meat, and I trained Yote using a block of cheese I had cut the mold off of this morning. The rest of the cheese was fine..but I won't eat it once it gets mold on it anywhere.

 Quote: mike bellemare

I live in Foster City. The Raw co-op sounds good, ill have a look. I'm still wary on feeding raw meat from the supermarket (that is intended to be cooked I think).

But with so many successful people doing it here, I'm starting to change my mind.

I work in Foster City and regularly get items from 99 Ranch on Foster City blvd. Right now they have wild caught Cod heads for $0.49 a lb. They are also a great source for organs and chicken feet.

The meat in the primal grinds is intended to be cooked as well if it was used for human consumption. When I lived in So Cal I belonged to SoCal Barf co-op and besides the small selection of grind products everything came from local meat suppliers that serviced the supermarkets. The Co-op went through 50,000 lbs or more a month of "super market grade meat" with out issue. At the SF raw co-op besides the grinds, the farm sources are meant for the super market as well. Green tripe is the only raw ground pet diet that I have fed my dogs.

Another options for the Bay Area is http://www.peninsulapups.com/
As I stated before FoodsCo is in Redwood city and regularly have 10 lbs of chicken 1/4's for $6.90 or less.

 Quote: JessicaKromer

It sounds like you are overanalyzing this (I live with a man who does this too) in an attempt to make it perfect.

Story of my life!!!!

(well, the overanalyzing part that is...not living with a man)

Ok, I'll take a few deep breaths and will give it a shot.