can this be done?

i've been reading 'the BARF diet' and having done research on this in the past as well, i'd like luc to be on a raw diet, but haven't started switching him to this b/c i go away backpacking regularly throughout the year, and he's obviously going with me. so far on a couple of trips (weekender and week+) i've taken kibble and dehydrated (but cooked) chicken as treats.

i know it's not good to switch back and forth between diets, particularly kibble and raw. but can you safely dehydrate raw meat? has anyone done this?

 Quote: Jennifer Mullen

can this be done?

i've been reading 'the BARF diet' and having done research on this in the past as well, i'd like luc to be on a raw diet, but haven't started switching him to this b/c i go away backpacking regularly throughout the year, and he's obviously going with me. so far on a couple of trips (weekender and week+) i've taken kibble and dehydrated (but cooked) chicken as treats.

i know it's not good to switch back and forth between diets, particularly kibble and raw. but can you safely dehydrate raw meat? has anyone done this?

Here you go:

http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=12&Number=144532&Searchpage=1&Main=15326&Words=dehydrate&topic=0&Search=true#Post144532

There are some dehydrated diets out there. I have tried one with my dogs for traveling. They did not like it at all.

I really have had no problems finding raw diets when I travel. I go to the U.S. a lot for herding and other events. Just went to Battleground this past week. I didn't take any food with me. THe person I travelled with took a 30 lb. bag of dog food. It was heavy and cumbersome to take with.

When I go to the hotel we decided to stay at, I saw a pet store next door in a stip mall. Went in and they had 2 raw diets to choose from. It was more expensive than making my own but very convenient and the dogs loved it.

Thus far I have almost always found raw diets whereever I have travelled. When I can't, I get meat from the butcher or grocery stores, add some canned food and they eat that while I am away.

Before I travel I make sure that the dogs have eaten a good, balanced diet. I then take some good vitamins and a bottle of salmon oil with me and add this to thier food while I am away. It has always worked great for me.

much appreciated, both of you!

the problem is with backpacking that i'm in the backcountry for multiple days and have to carry all food with me, so spoiling (and weight) are major issues.

also, if dog kibble is a bear attractant (and, it is, trust me) then i can only imagine what raw meat would be, i don't want to carry that unrefrigerated for multiple days! i would imagine the smell would be....strong. yikes!

the honest kitchen looks great though - i'm going to try that out, or see if they have a canadian equivalent. i'll test it first at home before we hit the trail to see if he likes it. i'm very excited! it is expensive, but if i do my own food at home and then use the dehydrated on the trail, that's not so bad.

Jennifer, the only caution I'd give you about dehydrated is start feeding it even before you leave on your trip and get your dog's gut used to it...also, I would feed less than what they recommend and allow access to much more water than what he/she usually drinks. Allow for more expansion internally than you think he/she will need as it will absorb more water and possibly get your dog's lower GI tract to get clogged up..I bought dehydrated from a local shop here in Houston, a very expensive brand that many here have endorsed, and mine got pretty messed up on the exit door end;( I'm NOT saying don't use them...I'm just saying to start them on it early and give them more water than you usually offer...

If you are a gun owner and can obtain a hunting license, check the places you'll be hiking in...you could be very close to very fresh raw food My family's hunting dogs couldn't wait to get in the woods with us---they knew they were fixin' to eat!

thanks mike, that's a good point about the water. i was going to let him try it to see if he found it palatable but having him on it for a period prior to the trip would make sense.

i'm pretty excited about switching him!