 kibble and raw?
#243698 - 06/17/2009 10:32 PM |
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I am considering raw with a new GSD puppy that we are getting in 3 weeks and with my 8 year golden. I have a few books ordered on the raw diet and like the idea a lot, but I am concerned about the usual things - cost and time. I know there is plenty of debate about kibble or raw, but what about kibble and raw? I was thinking of a Solid Gold kibble (am) and Honest Kitchen (pm). What are the pros and cons of that?
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Re: kibble and raw?
[Re: Lisa Harvey ]
#243699 - 06/17/2009 10:43 PM |
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Honest Kitchen doesn't count as "raw" in the sense that you're talking about. You can mix that w/anything w/no worries. I would feed a better kibble than Solid Gold (IMO, it's expensive for the quality; you can do much better for the price). You can absolutely do one meal of each; the problem comes in when you feed them in the same meal. They have very different digestion rates.
If you are set on kibble for one meal, try any of these:
Orijen (one of the best IMO)
Taste of the Wild (by far the cheapest grain-free)
Canidae grain-free (fed this to 2 of my dogs while they were out of state w/a friend for a few mos. and they did phenomenally on it, esp. for a kibble b/c they don't eat much kibble usually)
Fromm Surf and Turf
Horizon (looks good-really like the first 4 ingredients all being meat, and 3 of them are meat meals)
Timberwolf Organics- Wild and Natural
Wellness Core
Innova Evo (can be hard to transition to, but some do very well on it)
Instinct
Solid Gold-Barking at the Moon (their only grain-free)
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Re: kibble and raw?
[Re: Lisa Harvey ]
#243700 - 06/17/2009 10:44 PM |
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Kibble and Honest Kitchen would be O.K., IMO.
Dehydrated raw can be mixed with kibble with no problems.
Raw meat and bones, on the other hand, digest WAY faster than kibble.
The time that it takes to digest kibble raises the dog's stomach pH to a level that is hospitable for certain bacteria that would otherwise be killed in a dog's acidic stomach. Mixing kibble and raw takes away both of the dog's best defenses for bacteria on food. The potent stomach acid and the speedy transit time of raw food.
They should at the very least be fed at separate meals, but even that can pose a problem for some dogs.
Several forum members feed kibble and raw at separate meals.
There are also forum members that have had dogs get sick from doing this, too.
Its a dog by dog thing.
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Re: kibble and raw?
[Re: Michael_Wise ]
#243701 - 06/17/2009 10:49 PM |
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You've actually hit on how I feed. Right now I do kibble am and raw, THK, or kibble pm. It really depends on how my day is going.
Happily I've noticed so long as I vary foods often my dogs very rarely have upset stomachs. I would strongly encourage you to do probiotics if you decide to go this route.
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Re: kibble and raw?
[Re: Lisa Harvey ]
#243702 - 06/17/2009 11:02 PM |
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I have a few books ordered on the raw diet and like the idea a lot, but I am concerned about the usual things - cost and time. You are way ahead of the game if you have books on order to educate yourself on the subject.:smile:
Cost and time can both be determined by experience, too.
Starting out you will probably spend way too much time, and way too much money on food.
Eventually you will know how to shop smarter for raw dog food. Then you'll get some contacts with hunters and fisherman. Possibly a slaughterhouse connection if you're lucky.:wink:
One day you'll be so deep into this that you'll stop and pick up fresh, FREE roadkill squirrel, rabbit, or deer. 
With a little brainstorming, price can be cut WAY down.
Same with time.
At first, you'll probably weigh everything out to make sure you are doing it right. Eventually you'll get the hang of it and rarely touch the scale anymore.
You'll find ways to streamline packaging meat, and portioning meals to the point that you'll spend only slightly more time a day making meals than you would scooping dog food out of a bag.
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Re: kibble and raw?
[Re: Michael_Wise ]
#243703 - 06/17/2009 11:16 PM |
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So kibble and raw "can" be done depending on the dog it seems. For me Honest Kitchen seems less intimidating than true "raw"; it's at least a start. I think I need to look into some of the other kibble options provided by Jenni.
I think this is how I would like to start, while I'm learning how and if I want to make the complete switch.
I have had dogs my whole life and fed them junk and then better junk and no problems. With this new puppy though, it's like a whole new world and want to do better if time and budget allows! And thinking this would also help my golden who sheds profusely!!!! Still need to educate myself more. thanks for the input.
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Re: kibble and raw?
[Re: Lisa Harvey ]
#243704 - 06/17/2009 11:30 PM |
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For me Honest Kitchen seems less intimidating than true "raw"; it's at least a start........I think this is how I would like to start, while I'm learning how and if I want to make the complete switch.
No......Its a damn good start!
If and when you decide to take on a full raw diet for your dogs, anybody here, me included, will be more than happy to assist in any way possible.
It really isn't as difficult once you do it. There are very few "rules" that have to be followed. Few, but still important.
Honest Kitchen with RMB's added is another option that is a little less intimidating.
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Re: kibble and raw?
[Re: Lisa Harvey ]
#243719 - 06/18/2009 06:22 AM |
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Loc: Indiana
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You are making a good start.
If you contact Honest Kitchen they can tell you what to add to the dehydrated foods and how much...you can add raw or RMB's. They is a limit if you add only raw meat due to calcium/phosphorus ratios, but Honest Kitchen will help with that.
I do suggest the digestive enzymes for the older dog since he hasn't had a chance at raw before...I got mine at a Pet Store - organic and certified but quite simple with no bells and whistles added. It helped my Lucy tremendously and my other dog (11 yo) is doing better with them added...albeit for different reasons.
So, feel good about your decision and do what you think is right down the road.
Take care.
Look! I DO fit in the bag. |
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Re: kibble and raw?
[Re: Lisa Harvey ]
#243724 - 06/18/2009 08:03 AM |
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...Honest Kitchen seems less intimidating than true "raw"...
Speaking as one who just transitioned over from "the other side" to raw, it's not as intimidating once you start. I've only been feeding raw a little over a month...not so great at first, had to get Connie to straighten me out, and still working on the variety, but it's OK. I, too, was intimidated by the whole picture. But look at it in steps. You will start with just chicken back (or such) and then gradually add in. That made it much easier for me as I only had to worry about 1 add on at a time. I now have a "doggie shelf" in the fridge!
I was feeding the high-quality kibbles listed above. My dog was neutral when it came to eating. He now dances for dinner, so that's enough for me!
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