I have been feeding raw for a couple of weeks and am happy with my dog's progress. I was not having any issues with his health but after doing some research (prompted by all the food recalls) I feel feeding raw is a healthier and safer option.
A couple of unexpected positives have occurred, fur is growing in around his elbow callouses even though it is still hot and he is opting to sleep on the stone floor instead of his bed. The fur grows in every winter once he is staying in his bed.
And two he very rarely scratches, he has never been excessively itchy but that behavior is almost non existant now.
My concerns:
#1: I fed him a turkey drumstick today and he had quite a time with it, about 20 minutes to eat. When he has eaten the necks or quarters there isn't so much as a morsel left over. Today I found several long sharp slivers of bone left from the drumstick. I must admit to being a little freaked thinking he may have ingested similar bone fragments. Is there anything I should be watching for as far as being in distress due to a bone fragment?
#2: I am introducing different components of the raw diet slowly. I started with the turkey necks and when he ate those for 3 days straight with no impact to his digestive tract, I added chicken necks, same protocol, I then added chicken quarters and an egg and most recently the turkey drumstick. With the addition of each ingredient I have had very minor reactions, a little vomiting the next day, then fine there after. The egg is proving to be more difficult on his system, some vomiting and loose stools for the past few days so I stopped feeding it thinking as he becomes more tolerant of raw I can reintroduce it?
I understand the concept of balancing the diet over time but how I am feeding now is not accomplishing that, I am not giving any supplements at all; waiting to get the diet down first. Should I be adding things quicker and ignore the stomach upsets or stay on this path and maybe add some supplements. Also, I have fed him yogurt in the past but have discontinued since switching to raw, would adding that back to his diet be beneficial for handling the digestion of the food? I think that covers it but I know where to find you if I come up with anything else
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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I like the yogurt's probiotics. I do give live-culture plain good-quality (health food store) yogurt.
I'm a strong proponent of fish oil and Vitamin E. Modern diets don't have the Omega 3 EFAs we and dogs need.
You could do either no eggs or maybe 1/4 egg at first, working up to a whole one every so often, if you want. I don't think eggs are crucial. JMO.
You could skip weight-bearing bones until his digestive enzymes have come up to speed.
I like to give small enough amounts of each new addition so that no vomiting is triggered. Like organ meat: I start with a little bit, like the equivalent of a teaspoon of liver, not getting to the 5% goal for days. No reaction that way.
I would add a little plain yogurt, or some Prozyme or similar enzyme product. How big is your dog? Sorry, I don't remember what kind of dog you have. I feed turkey drumsticks to my big ones w/no issues, but they are bigger bones than chicken for sure, so the splintering might be an issue if he's not quite big enough. I wouldn't worry about the fragments left over-he didn't eat them. What he did eat was probably better-chewed.
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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P.S. I really like sloooow additions, as you are doing. My first addition after the necks and backs is the fish oil and E, and then everything lese is a little at a time.
P.S. I really like sloooow additions, as you are doing. My first addition after the necks and backs is the fish oil and E, and then everything lese is a little at a time.
Okay yogurt and fish oil are back with tonight's meal since he had been supplemented with them regularly before, with absolutely no issues. The vitamin E, I'll add slowly since I have never given it before, I need to reread the links and posts about the best type and amount to use.
I am more comfortable with the slow and steady approach too...Connie, that must be a sign of our gaining wisdom with age
Quote: Jenni Williams
How big is your dog? Sorry, I don't remember what kind of dog you have. I feed turkey drumsticks to my big ones w/no issues, but they are bigger bones than chicken for sure, so the splintering might be an issue if he's not quite big enough. I wouldn't worry about the fragments left over-he didn't eat them. What he did eat was probably better-chewed.
He is a 90lb White Shepherd, big enough, but maybe a little lazy today. He ate one last night without issue. If it were still partially frozen could that cause the problem? I didn't take it out of the freezer until this morning.
You put me at ease about the left over fragments. You are right he has become very efficient at pulverizing the bones. I think I'll steer clear of the turkey drumsticks for now,just to be on the safe side.
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Quote: sheila buckley
The vitamin E, I'll add slowly since I have never given it before, I need to reread the links and posts about the best type and amount to use.
One thing is not to give the fish oil without the Vitamin E.
Vitamin E is needed with any oil supplements. The system uses the vitamin E to protect the delicate polyunsaturated oil from free radicals.
Most agree that the added vitamin E is crucial in protecting these PUFAs ---- enough do to convince me, and since E is beneficial in several ways, why not use it.
The system can usually handle free radicals (less efficiently as it ages), but if antioxidants like E are in short supply, then one of its tools to break the chain of oxidation ("rusting" could be a way to describe it) is weakened.
Long story short: Fish oil uses vitamin E, so if we give fish oil, we should give E as well.
JMO. :>
You could give 400 IU to this big dog, and, if possible, in the best form (mixed tocopherols).
One thing is not to give the fish oil without the Vitamin E. Vitamin E is needed with any oil supplements. The system uses the vitamin E to protect the delicate polyunsaturated oil from free radicals.
I have been supplementing with Fish Oil for about 3 years now and have never used the Vitamin E......waaaaaaahhhhh
On the positive side I do like to learn something new everyday, so I'll chalk this up as today's lesson.
Thanks again you are a wealth of information and I'm happy to report no ill effects from the turkey drumstick.
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