 Re: How to switch an 8-week old puppy to raw food?
[Re: Michael_Wise ]
#244224 - 06/23/2009 01:19 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-05-2009
Posts: 50
Loc: The Live Free or Die State
 Offline |
|
OK, thanks, Michael, will do.
So, if I go cautious like this for a week or so, that wouldn't cause too serious of a vitamin/nutrient imbalance?
|
 Top
|
|
Re: How to switch an 8-week old puppy to raw food?
[Re: Michael_Wise ]
#244226 - 06/23/2009 01:23 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-10-2006
Posts: 4454
Loc: Arkansas
| Offline |
|
And don't think I'm saying that, "It MUST be done this way!"
If you genuinely think she is showing tolerance to something, and therefore feel like it is time to add something, then go ahead. You are there and know your dog. I'm not and don't know your dog.
You do want to stay with one change at a time, though. If several different changes are occuring at once, then you will have no idea of the cause if she starts to get diarrhea or something.
Keep in mind that the most common diarrhea triggers for dogs switching to a raw diet are: Too much fat/skin or organs for that particular dog Too much variety too soon
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: How to switch an 8-week old puppy to raw food?
[Re: Sam Fain ]
#244227 - 06/23/2009 01:32 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-10-2006
Posts: 4454
Loc: Arkansas
| Offline |
|
OK, thanks, Michael, will do.
So, if I go cautious like this for a week or so, that wouldn't cause too serious of a vitamin/nutrient imbalance? Cautious as in waiting that long to add organs?
No. No imbalance. As long as you are progressing towards more variety. Which you are doing by the sounds of it. Even though you don't feel like it you are making progress.
Balance is going to occur over time.
How many days are you into this?
Now I am assuming that you are still wanting to increase the food amount, right?
If not, and you are feeding the amount you want, then you can start to slowly add the fat in.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: How to switch an 8-week old puppy to raw food?
[Re: Michael_Wise ]
#244229 - 06/23/2009 01:51 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-05-2009
Posts: 50
Loc: The Live Free or Die State
| Offline |
|
Well, this is her 4.5th day on raw so far, so I guess I'm just worrying too much. 
I think it's more important to get her up to the normal amount of food first. My calculations are done by the 5% of current weight number, and that's on the low scale of 5-10% anyway, and now she's not even at full 5% yet. So, the volume of food is most important right now. And then I'll go gradually, just like you suggest.
Thanks again!
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: How to switch an 8-week old puppy to raw food?
[Re: Sam Fain ]
#244232 - 06/23/2009 02:11 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-10-2006
Posts: 4454
Loc: Arkansas
| Offline |
|
Yeah, get her amount up first.
When I say "slow", I mean as slow as THAT dog needs.
One of mine didn't need anything to be done gradually. Another would get diarrhea with anything that was new and not added slowly.
So progress at the rate that she shows you is O.K.
"Slowly" is stressed so much because, as you already know, it is VERY easy to want to hurry up and get the switch over with. Hurrying with the wrong dog makes switching take forever.
If she can progress with an ounce more in every meal 'til you are feeding the desired amount, then do it that fast. If she needs it done slower, then go slower.
Remembering that dogs are all individuals and require different rates of switching.
What has her weight been doing?
How much more food do you think she needs?
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: How to switch an 8-week old puppy to raw food?
[Re: Michael_Wise ]
#244234 - 06/23/2009 02:18 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-05-2009
Posts: 50
Loc: The Live Free or Die State
| Offline |
|
She was about 16 pounds yesterday, which at the low scale of 5% translates to 4.3oz of food 3 times a day. At 10%, that would make it 8oz a sitting. She's getting 3-3.5oz right now, plus a spoon of pumpkin plus treats for training. She has a really defined waist when viewed from the top, but then it's not like all of her ribs are showing.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: How to switch an 8-week old puppy to raw food?
[Re: Sam Fain ]
#244235 - 06/23/2009 02:24 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-10-2006
Posts: 4454
Loc: Arkansas
| Offline |
|
See how the next poop or 2 looks, and then increase to 4-4.5%. If the poop is good.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: How to switch an 8-week old puppy to raw food?
[Re: Michael_Wise ]
#244237 - 06/23/2009 02:31 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-05-2009
Posts: 50
Loc: The Live Free or Die State
| Offline |
|
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: How to switch an 8-week old puppy to raw food?
[Re: Sam Fain ]
#244442 - 06/25/2009 10:00 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 06-05-2009
Posts: 50
Loc: The Live Free or Die State
| Offline |
|
Update:
Thanks to you guys, we're doing great!
The poops are well formed and firm (but not too firm, so she's not constipated). We have slowly increased the food to about 14oz today plus a little pumpkin (should I stop the pumpkin now that the stools have been OK for a couple of days?). I'll bring it up to 16oz tomorrow, which will make it just over 6% of her current weight, and if everything stays fine, I'll start to leave a little bit of skin/fat on and see what happens.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: How to switch an 8-week old puppy to raw food?
[Re: Sam Fain ]
#244447 - 06/25/2009 10:53 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 07-10-2006
Posts: 4454
Loc: Arkansas
| Offline |
|
We have slowly increased the food to about 14oz today plus a little pumpkin (should I stop the pumpkin now that the stools have been OK for a couple of days?). Keep increasing the food like you are planning, and start cutting back gradually on the pumpkin.
Glad to hear y'all are doing good.:smile:
|
|
Top
|
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic.jpg)
