The big switch

[MaplesMommy]

Hi there

Are you buying the NatVar Patties? Does your store carry the 5lbs bricks?

Also does your store carry Primal? Primal is the least expensive and its all organic. You can buy grinds (just meat,bone,organ) or mixes (meat,bone,organ +15 % organic fruits and veggies).
When you follow the prey model rule 80-10-10 the 10% organ actually should consist of 5% liver.
The question now is how much liver is in your NatVar exactly? I can find this out for you though

Kefir is an awesome probiotic. It is full of good bacteria and good yeast and even lactose intolerant people can drink it. Its great!

If you have facebook check out Planet Paws Pet Essentials. They post great advice on raw feeding and natural approaches to everything.

Also Venison and Lamb are considered 'hot meats' in chinese medicine. So if you have an inflamed or hyper dog Id stay away from that.

 

[KimB3384]

You can get kefir at any grocery store - just make sure it's plain. Trader Joe's is a great source if it's close to you. I get mine at the local grocery store. I can even find goat's milk at my local walmart.

I hear you about wanting to do right by your dog. I've spent the past year agonizing about it and finally just decided I was going to make myself nuts if I didn't just let it go. There are so many people online who will bash you if you feed raw but don't feed in the form of meaty bones. There are people who will tell you not to feed too much liver, or too much this or that. It's insane because it's all opinion. A healthy diet is what works for you - even with people. One healthy diet might not work for your body but it works great for someone else. @MaplesMom can probably give you better info on the protein/liver stuff. She's actually studying pet nutrition, and she probably has data to back up her comments. Me? I'm just blathering on.

I buy my meat from reelrawdog.com, and I choose to feed just the grinds. They're already pre-mixed to be 80% muscle meat, 10% organ, and 10% bone. All I have to do is weigh it, press it into a patty, and then freeze it. Everything they have is all naturally-raised with no hormones, and it's all grass-fed. I also get my tripe there as well which, let me tell you, is THE SINGLE MOST DISGUSTING THING I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED, but it's supposed to be the Holy Grail for raw feeders. Loaded with nutrients and enzymes. Guaranteed to make your dog live forever! OK, not really, but it's supposed to be really good for them. I know that Bisou LOVES it. If I'm not getting her dish prepared quickly enough, she propels herself into my leg to let me know I need to get a move on.

I am a fan of Nature's Variety, Primal, and Stella & Chewy's. I think they're committed to producing good food. They either just didn't agree with Bisou's system or with my wallet. I honestly don't think you can go wrong with that food, as long as Dante likes it and does well on it.

 

[eeturk]

I think it really depends on your dog as to which one you choose. You'll know fairly quickly what works and what doesn't. Hudson wouldn't touch the frozen primal but goes crazy for Stella and Chewy's. They're all different! As far as differing opinions go, I always figure that everyone is going to have an opinion, but I just have to follow what works for MY life and MY dog. Hudson is a totally different dog on raw. People can say all they want about how bad it is and I'll just smile along thinking back to how he suffered when he was on kibble. Every dog is different and you have to find what works for yours.

We feed plain kefir too and Hudson loooooves it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FrenchieDante]

So... I've decided to go with the Nature's Variety Beef! I'm going to continue giving Dante his yogurt and honey. I hope this fulfills all of his nutritional needs.
[MENTION=377]MaplesMommy[/MENTION] - do you think the liver content is okay? And how do you all suggest I transition?

 

[MaplesMommy]

His nutritional needs should be fulfilled ! If you want to you can add Fish Oil since he is still a puppy and DHA helps to make them smarter
Yes, I double checked and the liver content is fine.

As to the transitioning; If he is really sensitive give him little pieces of the meat as treats/snack throughout the day then work up to the amount of one meal. You can start with one raw meal a day and then work up to two or three.
Usually dogs dont have any problems transitioning to a raw diet.