First, my apologies if this has already been disscussed. I know it probably has, but I can't find it. If anyone has any tips to help me better my search results they are welcome.

I started raw a couple of weeks ago. The past 2 days there has been more bone in the poo. Is there anything I need to do different, or let it be? The only thing I would be worried about is calcium absorbtion, not the bones themselves. I had read in my books that digestive enzymes would help, but was wondering what everyone elses experiences were. Can you just get the enzymes at the health supp. section of the supermarket or do you need to get something specifically for pets?

Are you feeding weight-bearing bones, such as thigh bones from poultry?

I've seen the probiotics at the natural food store where I shop. From Raw-Connections.com:

QUOTE: Probiotics
Probiotics and digestive enzymes are suggested to speed up the good type of bacteria to establish itself in the intestines. Keep adding the probiotics and digestive enzymes for about two weeks, depending on the pet. END

I ask how long and what bones you've been giving because a couple of weeks is generally what I believe it takes for the dogs own digestive enzymes kick in, with the possible exception of heavy weight-bearing bones, which I grind.

Did you start with necks and backs, maybe, and just recently add legs?

I started with chicken necks and a few days ago added chicken wings. My dog got off to a very good start with the necks and hasn't had any problems so I have been adding more things, veggies, organs, different ground meats. Could I still be going too fast? Every meal has been eaten, and every bowel movement has been good other than excess bone the past 2 days. I do have probiotics that I add to the food every few days when I remember. Should I do this more often? If I ever do weight bearing bones I will grind too cause he is a little guy, only about 17 lbs.

You could add probiotics for a few days, every day, IMO.

I think you are doing fine. He is just "learning" to digest the harder bones. The bones in necks are very cartilage-y and easy to digest.

Thanks Connie. I fed the wings for 3 meals and went back to the necks after the excess bone 'til I re-read that part in my books and asked on here. Tonight he did have some vertebra from the necks in his stool, but I think your right in that he is still adjusting. I will add the probiotics more often and keep an eye on what comes out. This diet is really fun. This may be kinda corny, but you always hear people say that you need to treat a dog like a dog. I feel like I do that, but I never really appreciated him for the animal he is as much as I have since I have started feeding him raw meat and bones! Sorry....had to have a moment.

 Quote: Michael_Wise

Thanks Connie. I fed the wings for 3 meals and went back to the necks after the excess bone 'til I re-read that part in my books and asked on here. Tonight he did have some vertebra from the necks in his stool, but I think your right in that he is still adjusting. I will add the probiotics more often and keep an eye on what comes out. This diet is really fun. This may be kinda corny, but you always hear people say that you need to treat a dog like a dog. I feel like I do that, but I never really appreciated him for the animal he is as much as I have since I have started feeding him raw meat and bones! Sorry....had to have a moment.

I'm with you, Michael. I get a lot of satisfaction seeing my dogs eat what I know they evolved to eat and would eat on their own if they had a perfect world and no human interfering with their food. Fun is a good term for it, too!

I'm rather new to the raw diet (only 4 months in) and am also concerned with my pup getting enough calcium from the digestible bones. You said you fed wings for 3 meals and am wondering if that may be the problem with some coming out undigested - too many bones to start with? Others may know better about this, but I took my cue from the menus on this site and it seems bones are fed once a day (correct me if I'm wrong). It seems like a good way to go, one meal being raw meaty bones, the other 2 meals being meat of some sort.

This is what I do: 3 chicken wings or 2 turkey necks for morning meal, Omaspride raw (which has some bone ground in but don't know the percentage) for lunch and dinner. I give enzymes every day, according to the label (the one I have is specifically for dogs). Helps with digestion.

I'm still not sure, however, if my almost 6 month pup is getting enough calcium and am concerned about that. Just have this unsettling "feeling" (which won't go away) that I hope someone will address for me. Am I not giving enough bones, should I supplement with calcium? How many milligrams of calcium should a 6 month old get per day, and how do I know if he's getting that amount? All my research has never come up with an actual dose needed for dogs according to weight, size, age, and/or breed. All I have seen are ratios given, but what about an actual dose?

I tried splitting rmb's and the other stuff into separate meals for a few days. All his rmb's at one time was too much for him. He's small so he gets 2 wings a day. He would eat one and try to bury the other and wouldn't eat it. Don't you big dog people wish you only had to feed 2 wings a day

I see what you're saying now, about splitting up the wings. Makes perfect sense. I clicked on Turbo's pic to remember what size he was. And yes, 2 wings a day would be nice!!! And cheaper!!!

Anyone with an answer to how many milligrams of calcium a day is needed (see my previous post)?