Phasing out the kibble...

[Jennifer Goaring]

So I am trying out raw feeding... or at least a mixture of raw and well made non-kibble dog food.  I was told to check out Honest Kitchen dog food which is a dehydrated version of homemade food that seems like a good middle road for us... makes it something easy for us to do and not quite as messy as handing him chicken thighs and other raw meats every meal.  I did also by some raw rabbit thighs (because the bones looked a bit easier for my 6 month old dog to chew -- what do you think?) and I bought some pre-made raw patties from a company that is local... would have to check the label to see who it is...  made in Portland, OR.

My husband will totally NOT get why I am giving up the kibble... but really, every meal we are having to add something to it to get him to eat it and it must not be very good if he won't touch it on its own.  It just feels too much like feeding him boxed mac n cheese everyday... and just the idea of eating the same meal every day seems boring also.

I may post this to to Food Group also -- so sorry in advance for the cross posting. 

(random puppy photo :)

I think I will be feeding the raw meat with bone outside only... I just can't deal with blood/juices/etc/ in the house.  He liked the Honest Kitchen stuff -- ate it all quickly an licked the bowl.  I think it has a weird herbal smell to it, but oh well.  There are many types to try -- but I got the one that said it was OK for puppy-adult and happened to be the only kind our pet store had today.  I am sure I can order different types if I want him to try other things.

I will be mixing kibble in until we use up what we have just because I hate to waste food and it is good quality kibble (Wellness and Evo).  We also have a bunch of sample bags from puppy class that we could use up over time or mix in over time... we'll see.

Would love to read more about what you feed your doodles.  This is all new to me!

Jen G.

[Joy & Buddy]

Hi Barb,

Could I get a copy of the food list you referenced that you send home with your puppies?  I have been feeding raw (prepared) food for about 3 months (and adding in raw vegies and sometimes an egg yolk) and Buddy is doing well on it.  But I'm considering DIY raw too.  Also, he doesn't seem to want to eat duck or turkey necks (not using chicken because he was sensitive to chicken in kibble)--just licks once or twice and walks away.  Raw meaty bones just seem like a good idea!  He'll eat buffalo rib bones and licks out marrow bones.  But no go on the necks.  And he's lost a fair amount of weight on the raw: 5 lbs in 3 months.  So I'm trying to get his weight up now.  Any advice would be appreciated!  Thanks.

[Nancy - Opal, Meadow & Tariki]

My girls get a raw premade frozen meat with veggies in the morning which I actually supplement with more veggies and then 3/4lb of wingtips for dinner every day (occasionaly I will slip in some turkey necks as long as they are not too meaty).  I feed my girls on a mat and then if they feel the need to put something down they can and I spray the mat with a high quality disinfectant (Benefect Botanical Disinfectant).  I have never found raw feeding messy at all.  My girls are now 4 1/2, and they have zero health issues.  As Barb mentioned they drink very little water, and practically poop dust.  Friends who feed their dogs kibble can not believe how small, dry and unsmelly the poop is!