I've been searching through the past archives on here, and then on some of the Yahoo Groups that are raw feeding. I've seen where some people feed only meat, some that feed veggies and fruit, some that add supplements, and then a combination of all of the above. I was wondering if there was any right or wrong way to these different styles, or if it is just what your preference is. I'm still new to raw and learning, so all insights are greatly appreciated.

Hi Megan,

The way you feed your dog is your choice. Within the raw feeding arena there are many different opinions. I hope by only meat you mean with bone. Feeding just meat will lead to nutrional deficiencies. I feed a prey model diet (No veggies). It consists of 75-80% meat, 10-15% bone and 10% organ. The only supplement I add is fish oil and occasionally Vit E. Occasionally I may throw in some probiotics in the form of pills and yogurt or Kefir (if there is loose stool). 100% pure canned pumkin can also help in this area.

I also feed a prey model most of the time, except that I start with a live animal, butcher it, and the dogs eat everything but the squeal. Veggie glop is included in the intestines.

I don't think the veggie glop is crucial, but my dogs like it when they get it.

I think an equivalent substitute (if you want to do it) would be pureed veggies with a little bit of vinegar or yogurt mixed in and left to "digest" overnight. I think it would be more digestable to the dog this way than just fresh pureed veggies.

Well aren't you lucky Debbie. Actual prey at your disposal. While I have some great sources, my dogs for the most part get FrankenPrey. What sort of animals do you raise for your dogs.

Jonathan already asked, but when you say "only meat", you mean meat AND bone AND organs, right?

Only meat=No veggies or supplements?

I'd bet that you can find someone here who feeds any way you can imagine.

I have an opinion of "right and wrong", but unless a dog's health is at risk I'll keep it to myself. Each way you mentioned can be a right way.

If someone is feeding the small amount, and types of vegetables that all the pro-veggie books recommend, then they don't form very much of the diet. If it makes you feel better to add some veggies that you KNOW aren't harmful to dogs(For example, onions aren't good for dogs.) in the small amounts recommended then it won't hurt, IMO.

Supplements are a little different. Since most "grocery store" meat isn't pastured, it lacks O3's. Hence the reason fish body oil supplementation is so highly recommended. Those O3's in turn use up vit E in the body. Hence vit E supplementation.(this is just a brief explanation of why these are supplemented.)

If you are going to give a supplement, then IMO you should have a reason like the ones mentioned above. Not, "Just because."

I try not to get to hard-core on "rights and wrongs", or technical jargon that sometimes only serves to hide the actual ease of rawfeeding. Even though I do have my opinion of "right and wrong", I still think ANY of the diet recommendations listed on this site, or in books sold here is a HUGE step towards good health.

This is just 1 opinion, though.:wink:

 Quote: Jonathan DeLuna

Well aren't you lucky Debbie. Actual prey at your disposal. While I have some great sources, my dogs for the most part get FrankenPrey. What sort of animals do you raise for your dogs.

FrankenPrey very funny :laugh: If I want a vacation I feed that.

I buy my animals (mostly hog, sheep, and goats) at the livestock market or from the neighbors, and I will feed my dogs an occasional goat from my small herd. Roadkill deer are always a (free) favorite.

 Quote: Jonathan DeLuna

Feeding just meat will lead to nutrional deficiencies.

It sure will. Good catch!

http://leerburg.com/feedingarawdiet.htm

http://leerburg.com/diet2.htm

http://leerburg.com/diet.htm

Sorry I didn't specify earlier, but yes I meant bone and meat. Thanks so much for the answers, they really helped me out! I was just really curious about whether some of the people on the board did or didn't feed veggies and supplements because all of the pics on Leerburg's site have pics of veggies and veggie glop looking stuff. I didn't know if that stuff was necessary, or only given when needed.