The Raw truth, puppy diet?

[JustJon]

Our breeder had started the litter on Answers Pet Food- Chicken formula (for dogs), We don't have any store close buy that carries the brand, and the one that does carry the brand doesn't have the chicken formula. I've ordered a few pounds of the food, and fermented goat milk (Which is available in store), however, the shipping and handling is ridiculous.

I've fed raw in the past, and it worked pretty well! As a new Doberman owners, I've heard so many different things about the sensitivity of the dogs stomachs and more. I'm wondering what's your opinions on me doing away with the pre-made raw, buying and feeding at home. I have a great relationship with our local butcher and can buy raw in bulk for a fair price. Do I need to stick with the brand my breeder uses and "ween" the pup off or can I just up and make the switch?

Thanks Fam!

 

[Ravenbird]

I love the idea of feeding raw, but it's out of my spending range for pre-made balanced raw. I was way too afraid to try this on my own, especially on a growing puppy.

I ended up feeding a All Life Stages kibble, soaked in water or home made broth (no salt) for her main diet, and I used the dry kibble to train with. I also topped her kibble once a day with some raw: beef heart, beef liver, ground turkey, chicken gizzards, raw (home grown) egg with shell, plus I'd throw in a can of sardines packed in water once a week. This way she always got some human grade raw, but not so much it would throw off the balanced nutrition of the kibble. She's 3 1/2 years old now and never developed any food sensitivities - sometimes I wonder if it helped that she had a little of all the common meats (Franken-meal) every day. She is absolutely nuts about eating - food drive is crazy.

 

[Ddski5]

@Kaiser2016

 

[Kaiser2016]

opinions on me doing away with the pre-made raw, buying and feeding at home. I have a great relationship with our local butcher and can buy raw in bulk for a fair price. Do I need to stick with the brand my breeder uses and "ween" the pup off or can I just up and make the switch?

Yes, you can make the switch just like that! Access to a butcher is great! Buying raw in bulk is the best way to do it. We still use premade raw because of the convenience, but the idea is the same, the more you can buy up front, the cheaper it is.

Freezer space will be the only issue. Make sure you determine the right size that you need and then buy one size bigger That's to accommodate any sales you come across, and making home made bone broth specifically for your dog (meaning it has to be free of onions and salt). I also freeze treats like bully sticks and bull tails. If you plan to feed any fruit/veg, you can puree those items and also turn them into ice cubes. Plus, you have a puppy right now, so you need to account for his meals as a full size dog.

You're already doing goat milk and that is awesome! I will freeze that into ice cube trays so I can include it randomly in his meals. Since you have fed raw before, you probably just need a refresher on how to do it and this site will provide that: Raw Feeding Puppy Guides, Puppy Nutritional Requirements, Raw Diet

sometimes I wonder if it helped that she had a little of all the common meats (Franken-meal) every day. She is absolutely nuts about eating - food drive is crazy

I believe this. Kaiser's stomach could be made upset so easily in his kibble days, but not since feeding all the strange meats and other foods too. I pretty much fed him a piece of everything we've ever had in the house. If you expose them to a tiny amount, it's as if the body recognizes the next time it gets a bigger amount. Really glad I did that because I love sharing my own food with him without fear of 'consequences' lol. Food drive is so high for Kaiser too, when I do quick obedience sessions with him in the evening (so all his meals are finished by then), he'll act like he's starving but then a burp will slip out when he sits

 

[Ukesox]

If your pup is already on a raw diet just go for it with the home made. There may be a meat source that your individual
wont get on with (chicken doesn’t sit well with mine).

 

[strykerdobe]

Yes, premade will cost $$$.

If you want to go and do your own this is a good book by Dr. Karen Becker. $20 on Amazon

 

[JustJon]

I love the idea of feeding raw, but it's out of my spending range for pre-made balanced raw. I was way too afraid to try this on my own, especially on a growing puppy.

I ended up feeding a All Life Stages kibble, soaked in water or home made broth (no salt) for her main diet, and I used the dry kibble to train with. I also topped her kibble once a day with some raw: beef heart, beef liver, ground turkey, chicken gizzards, raw (home grown) egg with shell, plus I'd throw in a can of sardines packed in water once a week. This way she always got some human grade raw, but not so much it would throw off the balanced nutrition of the kibble. She's 3 1/2 years old now and never developed any food sensitivities - sometimes I wonder if it helped that she had a little of all the common meats (Franken-meal) every day. She is absolutely nuts about eating - food drive is crazy.

This guy has a crazy food drive as well! He's learning where his meals are prepared, and the schedule. When its close to meal-time he will make his way back and forth from the "spot" almost as if he's thinking "it'll be any minute now before he(me) feeds me"

 

[JustJon]

Yes, you can make the switch just like that! Access to a butcher is great! Buying raw in bulk is the best way to do it. We still use premade raw because of the convenience, but the idea is the same, the more you can buy up front, the cheaper it is.

Freezer space will be the only issue. Make sure you determine the right size that you need and then buy one size bigger That's to accommodate any sales you come across, and making home made bone broth specifically for your dog (meaning it has to be free of onions and salt). I also freeze treats like bully sticks and bull tails. If you plan to feed any fruit/veg, you can puree those items and also turn them into ice cubes. Plus, you have a puppy right now, so you need to account for his meals as a full size dog.

You're already doing goat milk and that is awesome! I will freeze that into ice cube trays so I can include it randomly in his meals. Since you have fed raw before, you probably just need a refresher on how to do it and this site will provide that: Raw Feeding Puppy Guides, Puppy Nutritional Requirements, Raw Diet


I believe this. Kaiser's stomach could be made upset so easily in his kibble days, but not since feeding all the strange meats and other foods too. I pretty much fed him a piece of everything we've ever had in the house. If you expose them to a tiny amount, it's as if the body recognizes the next time it gets a bigger amount. Really glad I did that because I love sharing my own food with him without fear of 'consequences' lol. Food drive is so high for Kaiser too, when I do quick obedience sessions with him in the evening (so all his meals are finished by then), he'll act like he's starving but then a burp will slip out when he sits

Glad to know, I made the switch this morning... gave him the last of the Answers Dog Food, and mixed it with a little of ground chicken I got from the butcher yesterday evening. He loved it! And everything stayed consistent during potty time. I'd already bought a Fresh Pet Chicken Formula, but I've heard some mixed reviews about it, and am a bit hesitant to feed it.

 

[JustJon]

If your pup is already on a raw diet just go for it with the home made. There may be a meat source that your individual
wont get on with (chicken doesn’t sit well with mine).

Thanks. I did try a ground turkey from the same brand he was feeding at the breeder, and it didn't sit well with him. So the turkey is on the shelf for now

 

[JustJon]

Yes, premade will cost $$$.

If you want to go and do your own this is a good book by Dr. Karen Becker. $20 on Amazon

I'll order and read this book. Answers isn't really all that expensive product alone, but that shipping and handling was crazy... To come from Pennsylvania to Minnesota, 2 day ground was $40+ Ridiculous! I have bought Fresh Pets, but am a bit stand-offish after seeing a few negative reviews.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Fresh Pet

I tried this brand and I wasn’t sold on it. They sold it in a long cylinder form (chub) at pet smart but it was gross to handle, to feed, and the poop was…

Pretty much anything coming from pet smart will be crap. Except for their pine pellet cat litter which experienced shortages during the pandemic. And now the only place I can find it IS Pet Smart. So yikes lol. Curb side pick up for all natural cat litter but nothing else.

 

[Rits]

Except for their pine pellet cat litter

Sorry, OT but try pine pelleted horse bedding. Same thing but way cheaper.

 

[Ravenbird]

Again, I like a big variety, so when Asha was a puppy & I was feeding the soaked kibble (chicken based) I added a small amount of Fresh Pet Beef - about 1/4 lb chunk added to her morning feed. I used the beef only - DFA gave it 5 stars, so I felt confident that the few questionable ingredients were not high enough on the list to be of great concern. I definitely wouldn't feed it as the only food, but I still use the 1/4 lb. chunk daily in her breakfast. Also if I'm traveling I use it with her soaked kibble instead of the raw topper. Raw is a PITA when traveling!!!

Freshpet Dog Food Review | Recalls | DogFoodAdvisor

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I slice the 6 lbs chub into 24 chunks, freeze them on a cookie sheet then transfer the frozen chunks into ziplock bags. I take 3 out at a time to thaw for her breakfasts.