We curently have a Shar-pei mix & a pure bred GSD.. ANd my grandparents continue to feed them "Crap" dog food. Pedigree & Ol'roy. I want to switch them over to an all raw or natural diet. What would be the easiest way to start? And convince my grandparents it's okay for dogs to eat "Raw food" They're so afraid the dogs will be sick..

best way to convince them is to buy the books by DR. Ian billinghest, SEARCH WORDS "BARF DIET". The books spell out everything from how to make the switch to what foods to use, and the science behind the diet.

good luck...Chet

I feed BARF but if your grandparents are really opposed, you may consider tryting to get them to convert to a high grade kibble.

I am sure there are some links on this site or searches that can reveal the *ingredients* of common cheap dog foods.

At least her are some arguments against the cheap stuff:

Phenobarbital from slaughter of animals (e.g., dogs and cats at vets and shelters) in dog food - credible source = FDA
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/efoi/DFreport.htm

Concerning the dogs eating euthanized dogs -- I had an interesting conversation when we took one of our dogs (who died at 15 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> to be cremated. He said his business was way down because dog food companies were buying the carcasses for feed. Also when I went to buy chicken at the processing plan I saw them dumping trash and carcass remnants into an open 18 wheeler and was told that it was going to the rendering plant for dog food (plastic bags and all)

Here are some other articles (I am not an advocate of all on these pages just some more info)

http://www.homestead.com/VonHapsburg/petfood.html
http://www.belfield.com/article3.html
http://www.fuzzyfaces.com/lfood2.html
http://www.api4animals.org/79.htm

If you have my luck, your grandparents won't read the book. My parents held my dog hostage so I would come home from college to see them. I bought Schultz's book and they never read it.

I ended up just buying some raw chicken necks at the grocery store and giving them to Auster. Several days later when she was fine I let them know what I did.

Another option is to buy several bags of GOOD food. After the dogs are on it a while their health should improve and unless your grandparents are cheap and don't care about the dogs they should notice the difference and want to continue.

I worked for a vet for a few years while in high school, and we could literally tell what dogs were on crap food as soon as they walked in the door. Clipping their nails was horrible because they just fell apart, and their coat was a nightmare (lots of skin problems) If you want me to call and talk with your grandparents let me know.

It might also help with your dog's aggression. When dogs feel like crap they act like it too.

They love the dogs, but they are on a budget, and since Pedigree is one of the only dry foods Sassy has touched, they continue to give it to her. I was wondering if Diet can influence Aggersion problems.. When we had to medicate Sassy for a UTI, we hid the pill in raw hamburger, and she was 10 times less aggersive.. I've been reading alot online about differant diets, and how to start.. I'm going to the store today, I might buy some stuff for her & the GSD..

Because of your grandparents I would suggest you switch to a good kibble first -- THEN try raw.

The reason I recommend is because I have seen some dogs blow their coat and get hot spots as they detoxify after getting off bad food, particularly if they have been on it for a long time. The new coat that comes in after this is wonderful but this freaks out some folks and could really turn off the grandparents. If it were not for them I would so jump right into BARF.

I don't know what good kibble is available to you but you can also make the argument that you have to feed less volume and it really is not that much more expensive. You would probably not find what you are looking for at the grocer but would at pet stores -- about $35-$40 for a 40# bag.

Seems like the diet she's one now is causeing ear problems along with what look like hot spots.. I bought some Royal Canide for them is that pretty good?? I see they have a specific formula for GSD's <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

The ingredients look good and I know a lot of people who swear by it.

It is also very palatable. My dogs love it but I cannot feed it (I tried to get away from raw but one of mine cannot even tolerate rice or barley so I have to make his food.......)

What exactly is raw and barf? Candace

BARF, Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. or Bones And Raw Food. Take your pick!
TONS of info in Leerburg archives and on the web. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />