Raw Diet????

[Adrienne]

I have seen some DK members refer to a "raw diet" as being better for your Doodle.  Can this food be purchased from a manufacturer or are you literally preparing raw meats, etc. for each meal?  What are the pros and cons?  My last dog ate Eukanuba/Iams for 14.5 years--now I learn that this is not ideal.  

[Heather]

I used to feed Oliver & Ellie Orijen. It was a little rich and bothered Ellie's tummy. I switched to Pinnacle and I have ALWAYS cooked for them. Eggs, sweet potato, chicken, string beans, banana, and plain Greek yogurt are ALL Foods they get mixed with their Kibble. I change it around everyday and they are BOTH Excellent eaters and have Beautiful coats!!! :)))

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Some people swear by the RAW diet.  I know there is a pet store near where I live that sells raw food frozen.  We use Blue kibble puppy and augment it with healthy leftovers like salmon, sweet potatoes and yogurt. You might find info on the Food Group pages.  

[GBK]

Here is a link to the Raw feeding group Adrienne :)

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/rawfood?commentId=2065244%3AComme...

 

I feed raw occasionally, Stella and Chewie brand.  It is a complete meal patty.  I also feed a no grain high grade dry food.

When I was researching, I had read it was OK to feed one meal raw and one meal kibble, just not together.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There are commercial raw diets which we have listed in The Food Group. There are also people who follow a "prey model" raw diet which is literally raw meat and bones. Raw food being "better" for your dog than cooked food is a matter of opinion. 

Eukanuba/Iams is not recommended, but there are lots of other kibbles which are excellent. Also canned foods, dehydrated raw products, and home-cooked diets as well. Lots of healthy options to choose from. We discuss all of these in The Food Group except for the prey model or Raw Meaty Bones diet, and GBK has given you the link for the Raw Feeders Group. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

THE FOOD GROUP Recommended Brands List.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I am sorry, I am just looking for clarity.... what exactly do you mean when you say you fed them to an early death? Did you feed them poison ? Did they get into something they should not have? I am not trying to be sarcastic but to me this insinuates that anything other then raw is going to lead to an early death or am I misreading this.. I may be... That is why I am looking for clarity.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I just cannot do raw - hate the smell and the 'grossness' of raw stuff, which is just me.  I feed my guys grain free kibble from the suggested foods in the food group.

[Adrienne]

I will probably end up with grain-free kibble because I feel the exact same way about prepping meats from a butcher.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I was giving my guys frozen raw food for one meal a day and then kibble for the other but recently stopped because it cost a lot more and I was trying to cut back on some expenses and felt that I could phase out the raw and just stick with a high quality grain free kibble.  They are back on the kibble now and doing just fine.  I think the people that are really into the raw feeding are going to suggest that you avoid the commercial stuff (Stella and Chewy, Primal, etc) and feed actual animal parts and bones that you get from the butcher.  That was too much for me and I just did the commercial diets.  I don't eat a lot of meat myself so I really didn't think I would be able to handle listening to my guys crunching on a whole chicken leg (bone and all).

[Adrienne]

Thanks for all of the wonderful advice and the links, especially the recommended food list.  I am going to research this issue some more.  I do know that if I were to do the raw diet, I would most definitely have to go with the commercial stuff because there is no way that I would be able to do the animal parts from a butcher--I can almost smell it now...  I most definitely want to do all I can to help my Doodle (when I get him) to live a long, healthy life.

[Janice Hammond]

Sadie is now 6 years old and has eaten a diet of Orijen once a day and then a raw meal in the evening her whole life.She really loves her chicken backs and turkey necks..She is also given lots of fruit and veggies.Sweet potatoes and all kinds of berries are a real favourite.

Really try a grain free food .