Quote: Mike Bellemare

 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.

You could always start with organic poultry and meats and not feel so uneasy about composing your own raw diet.

Also, you might like to read up:

http://leerburg.com/935.htm

http://leerburg.com/970.htm

http://leerburg.com/feedingdogs.htm

http://leerburg.com/diet2.htm

If you're getting the "special" steroid and hormone free chicken look for the fine print on the package. It will say something like "it is illegal to give poultry steroids and growth hormones". These same packages that promote their "special" natural steroid hormone free status are often enhanced with various broths or solutions. Antibiotics are possible and coccistats(sp?) are VERY commonly used in chick starter. There is an increasing number of people vaccinating against coccidosis. The vaccine is nullified by the medicated feed so they wouldn't be giving that but I don't know if the large producers have switched over.

Reading the package might save some of you folks some money. I thought it was hilarious when I read what's in the "natural" packaged chicken.

As to what I feed my own dog: Sandy gets a cup of Solid Gold Wee Bits as training treats through out the day. If I haven't had time to distribute the whole amount than it gets put into a treat dispensing ball. She never really gets a whole meal at a time. She also gets about a quarter of a can of Blue Buffalo as a treat about every other day. Her poop is good and I'm happy with the quality of the food especially the canned stuff. I don't do raw because I know she won't be getting raw at the rescue she's going to. I figure it's easier on her to go from a good kibble to what most likely will be a lower quality kibble than to go from raw to a lesser quality kibble.

 Quote: cathy goessman

If you're getting the "special" steroid and hormone free chicken look for the fine print on the package. It will say something like "it is illegal to give poultry steroids and growth hormones". These same packages that promote their "special" natural steroid hormone free status are often enhanced with various broths or solutions. Antibiotics are possible and coccistats(sp?) are VERY commonly used in chick starter.

The chicken I buy is antibiotic-free and has nothing injected (including water).

You are so right that "natural" means nothing in poultry-label-ville. Actually, it means nothing on most labels.

"I thought it was hilarious when I read what's in the "natural" packaged chicken."

I'll say! One of the most hilarious is Tyson, at WalMart.
http://walmartwatch.com/blog/archives/whats_in_wal_marts_all_natural_chicken/

Alright, decided to make some tests over the weekend and fed the dogs some chicken necks and backs...

damn did they seem to like that. It was awesome to see them chew on the bones as well.

thanks for all the info!

Awesome.

Keep on reading and getting a feel for the "homemade raw" approach.

Pretty fun, isn't it?

 Quote: Mike Bellemare

... fed the dogs some chicken necks and backs... damn did they seem to like that.

Is it great to see the dog eating what dogs are meant to eat, or what?!

What a great thing to do for a dog: to give him fresh food of the kind he evolved eating.

I have a seven month old GSD. I am stationed in germany so I only shop at the commissary which has a limited selection. I want to start the raw diet but what exactly should I get her until my books on the subject get here? I also have two yorkies, are they ok to eat the same thing? Thanks for any help.

You should wait until your books are there and you can get an understanding of the balance over time concept, percentages of protein to calcium, and any additives (like oils) you may want to add to your mix.

the major frustrations I've noticed with people new to raw diet is that it doesn't have a magic wand effect or it's simply done wrong and maintains those grosser effects of changing a diet. Some dogs detox or have simply epic runny poop and it's more than the owner intended to deal with.

As far as yorkies yes they can eat raw. They can even eat the same raw as large dogs in smaller portions except that they may not be able to chew the heavier bones that the larger dogs can. For those bones or those dogs I grind their food into a rough hamburger like consistancy.

Thanks. I am just eager to start. Maybe I will go to the library to see if anything is there since living here takes so long with the mail.