Thinking of Switching to Raw..

[Bully]

have done some reading on various websites, including this one. My biggest concern is my boy Tsu is a "gulper." He gulps things down pretty quick, and I am worried about him choking on something before he figures out the chewing up stuff before swallowing.

I read here where someone mentioned they started with chicken wings and held on to them to encourage chewing. That sounds good. I was thinking of maybe starting with chicken leg quarters, since they are bigger and he would have to work on them some.

Any other suggestions on starting? Tsu is 11 months old and has been fed kibble to this point.

[gmacleod]

Chicken wings are very frequently what people start with - precisely because they're a handy shape for people to hang onto the other end of while their dogs learn to chew. That's actually the only reason though - they're otherwise not an especially great RMB, and the bones in wings are actually the hardest to digest.

If you're willing to risk your fingers (LOL), then chicken thighs or legs are an excellent choice. And if your dog takes to it quickly, then you could move on to chicken backs/frames. Those are actually very easy for dogs to digest as the bones are quite small (much of it is just cartillage) but the size and awkward shape of a chicken back gives the dog no choice but to chew it plenty.

Beyond that though, the one bit of advice I'd give you is to start with one thing at a time (one thing really means one meat - if it's chicken, that can be a mix of different chicken parts). And add new items one thing at a time, with several days between new items. So if you're testing out a vegetable, that means one vegetable, not a mix of six different ones ;) Or one single new meat type. Doing things that way means that if there is anything that doesn't agree with your dog (he's allergic to beef, for example, and breaks out in hives when fed it) or that he just doesn't like (eg. celery) is going to be easily recognised - and you'll know what you can and can't feed.

[Bully]

Thanks for the advice - think I will start him with chicken legs. As far as the fingers go, I haven't lost one yet rummaging around in that mouth when it is chewing on something it is not supposed to be chewing!;)

Only other thing I wonder about is the dog getting raw chicken all over his face and paws while eating. I realize his stomach is able to handle the bacteria, but am more concerned about him spreading the bacteria around the house and to us? Any thoughts on that?

[gmacleod]

Only other thing I wonder about is the dog getting raw chicken all over his face and paws while eating. I realize his stomach is able to handle the bacteria, but am more concerned about him spreading the bacteria around the house and to us? Any thoughts on that?

Wipe his face after he eats, and/or wait 10-15 minutes before you let him lick your face :) LOL - raw chicken or fish breath is enough to ensure you don't forget.

I've been feeding raw for around about 30 years. Never had a sick dog or person yet (and I've got a boxer - which is a breed that just loves to wipe their faces on any available surface after eating). Believe me, if it were a risk, I'd have had salmonella long ago. Never have though ;)

Here are a couple of sites that might help with those sorts of concerns:
http://www.rawfed.com/myths/
http://www.rawlearning.com/

pollismom: In a straight comparison between pre-packaged raw or home-made, I'd go with the homemade very time without question. Doing it yourself is the only way to know absolutely what your dog is eating, what quality it is, from what source, and in what exact quantities. For most dogs, I also think whole bones are far superior to ground ones.

BUT: that doesn't make pre-packaged bad (just that my opinion is that whole meat parts are better ;)) Some mixes are far better than others, of course, and I'd avoid pre-packaged raw that contains vegetable mixes or supplements (far better to add your own pureed vegetables fresh.). One thing that can't be beaten with the pre-packaged stuff though is convenience. It's really just as easy as feeding kibble.

[franp]

I use premade for 2 reasons.The first is that it is just too easy..The second is that I was able to go to the Bravo factory and was totally impressed by the cleanliness and conditions..

Bravo makes a mix with veggies and without. I started out using the mix with. Now I use the one without and add Urban Wolf..Why Urban Wolf?Convienince..I like what is in it and it is easy to store and not perishable..

Many of my West Coast friends go to the Supermarket and buy ground chicken and beef to feed to thier dogs..It is all a matter of personal preference and time..

There is supposed to be a brand on the West Coast called Granddad's or Grandfathers? Less expensive because it is made out on the West Coast.

[Borgan]

After having done the DIY raw diet, I found the pre-made stuff a lot more quick and easy, too. If you're willing to suck up the extra cost, it's an almost fool-proof way to get started. Usually the people who sell the pre-made raw are pretty helpful in recommending brands and how much to feed, etc.

Pollismom - Luna just had a bout of coccidia too! It was awful! I noticed you're also on the West Coast; I wonder if it's going around at the dog parks here? Or just a coincidence?

[franp]

Steph,
Urban Wolf is a dried Vegetable and Fruit mixture that I put into Dari's raw meat..

As for books on Dog nutrition..Call Whiskers. They are in NYC on E 9 st..This is a holistic pet supply store that is wonderful.. Ask for Phil; he is there Thurs - Sun. and will send you a book that will start you out.

Coccidia lives EVERYWHERE...Not just in the SE..Please tell your Vet,One of my dearest friends lives in Fresno...Got her pup in Canada and 2 weeks after Igor came home he came down with Coccidia..This germ lives in the ground all over...No just dog parks..Wherever dogs walk...So IMO do not deprive Polli the fun and socializtion of the park out of fear of illness...

Steph, your Vet may have also been seeing dogs from puppymills in the SE.. Remember that Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas are BIG puppymill areas.. Dogs from mills usually are sick.. This may explain why there have been more from that area than others..

I live in NYC and ALL of Dari's off leash time is in the dogpark...If getting coccidia was limited to the park, she would be sick forever...heaven forbid..As my Vet said to me; wherever the dog walks is where they track the germs.. Wherever they have a bowel movement is dangerous..

Parasites are the exception NOT the rule....I know many breeders and talk on a daily basis (on other sites) to people..And this is NOT the norm...when a pup leaves the breeder they are taken to the vet and SUPPOSED to be given a fecal saying they are clear...There is a health certificate that comes with the pup..One of the things that SHOULD be done is a fecal.. And if that is positive, the pup should NOT leave the breeder...so, either it is not being done..or....not being done properly IMO..

[Borgan]

Hm. Luna is 2 'n a bit, and she just had her bout of coccidia - guess it's not a puppy OR a dog park thing, like Fran says. I had never heard of it until Luna got it. She must have licked her paws after being exposed or something. It's nasty!!!!

[Bully]

Raw chicken for Tsu to start the new year. Think based on the reading and advice here, I will start with chicken hind quarters, and keep a close eye on the situation for proper chewing. Also think I will round up some prepared Raw stuff for when others are responsible for feeding (my wife - not to "down' with the raw chicken deal:eek: ).

Wish me luck!