Nature's Variety

Oooh, I would have loved to be at that seminar! I bet there was some really good info!
 
I can see why you couldn't afford to feed 3 Ridgebacks only Nature's Variety raw patties. If I fed just my little Shih Tzu only NV raw, it would cost around $40 a month. I don't even want to think about how much it would cost to feed three large dogs all raw. It's definitely more feasible to feed the patties or medallions only part of the time.
 
I really love the ingredients in Nature's Variety, I still don't know if I can bring myself to feed the raw though. Somehow it makes sense to me for breeds like Huskies to eat raw, but a Shih Tzu, Poodle, or Maltese? It just seems like they're so different from the way dogs naturally are. Did they say anything at the seminar about different breeds eating raw and/or raw safety? Just curious and I hope I'm not hijacking your thread!!

ORIGINAL: Luvntzus

Oooh, I would have loved to be at that seminar! I bet there was some really good info!

I can see why you couldn't afford to feed 3 Ridgebacks only Nature's Variety raw patties. If I fed just my little Shih Tzu only NV raw, it would cost around $40 a month. I don't even want to think about how much it would cost to feed three large dogs all raw. It's definitely more feasible to feed the patties or medallions only part of the time.

I really love the ingredients in Nature's Variety, I still don't know if I can bring myself to feed the raw though. Somehow it makes sense to me for breeds like Huskies to eat raw, but a Shih Tzu, Poodle, or Maltese? It just seems like they're so different from the way dogs naturally are. Did they say anything at the seminar about different breeds eating raw and/or raw safety? Just curious and I hope I'm not hijacking your thread!!

The lady that owns the dog healthfood store I go to has Shih Tzus and she feeds raw and Nature's Variety raw. Her dogs are GORGEOUS. Healthy, shiny coats, pretty eyes, no teary stained faces and she keeps them well groomed. If I ever got a littler dog, I'd think about shih tzus.

ORIGINAL: chewbecca

The lady that owns the dog healthfood store I go to has Shih Tzus and she feeds raw and Nature's Variety raw. Her dogs are GORGEOUS. Healthy, shiny coats, pretty eyes, no teary stained faces and she keeps them well groomed. If I ever got a littler dog, I'd think about shih tzus.

 
That's really good for me to hear! Lately Gingerbread has had much more tear staining. I even ordered Eye Envy and have to go pick it up at the post office later today. I'm not sure why he has so much more tear staining all of a sudden. [] I switched over to Solid Gold Barking at the Moon, hoping that a grain free food will help. It's only been a few days though.... I just might have to take that plunge and try raw.

gingerbread is a doll.
When you say feeding raw, do you mean the NV pre-made raw? or home-put-together raw?
I feed home-put-together raw and I only really add sea kelp, eggshells (when not feeding a meat with bone), fish oil, vitamin E, and the occasional splash of olive oil to her food. If she gets any veggies then it's usually just a spoonful and she gets about 4 spoonfuls of yogurt daily. But my dog is considerably bigger than yours.[]

That's awesome Paula! I don't know how big your dogs are, but my raw-fed dog is 25 lbs. I keep two bags of the NV raw medallions on hand (lamb and venison). Two reasons:

1. Variety. Sometimes its harder for me to come by venison.

2. For the DH. Its easy for DH to thaw out a few medallions if I'm not around for some reason. Takes the stress away for him!

That being said, you may find that the NV raw is fairly bone heavy - so if you're feeding that in addition to chicken necks, you may need to add some muscle meat, and a little more organ meat to balance it out. Just watch the poop - it'll tell ya.

ORIGINAL: dogslyfe

That's awesome Paula! I don't know how big your dogs are, but my raw-fed dog is 25 lbs. I keep two bags of the NV raw medallions on hand (lamb and venison). Two reasons:

1. Variety. Sometimes its harder for me to come by venison.

2. For the DH. Its easy for DH to thaw out a few medallions if I'm not around for some reason. Takes the stress away for him!

That being said, you may find that the NV raw is fairly bone heavy - so if you're feeding that in addition to chicken necks, you may need to add some muscle meat, and a little more organ meat to balance it out. Just watch the poop - it'll tell ya.

Thanks guys for the feedback, and thanks Laura.

1. Regarding Shih tzu vs Husky - they're both dogs. Having said that, I am still reluctant to recommend raw to people because I think it has to be a personal decision since it has it's own risks. I suggest they research it, I may say people anecdotally have had good results on in (like my dogs for instance), but I don't know if it is just a hold over kibble predjudice or what....

2. Regarding the bone content if I use the patties and necks. I did think about that too. One of the things I can add is organ meat. The same supplier of chicken necks will give me livers, hearts and gizzards at a competetive price.

3. (I forgot to add this so I've edited this post). I have three ridgebacks - Yoshi is 110lbs lean (mutant), Milo is about 80lbs give or take, and Nandi is 63lbs. Yoshi is 6, Milo is 9 and Nandi is pushing 11.

You guys, this seminar was awesome, and went in knowing something about raw and it was still awesome. It makes ME want to make better food choices for myself, and I'm the kind who resents those 'you better eat better' messages geared towards me.

Paula

For the DH. Its easy for DH to thaw out a few medallions if I'm not around for some reason. Takes the stress away for him!

[]Typical man!!! lol...just kidding.  This is silly, but I have always "thought" DH stands for dumb husband...am I wrong if so what does DH stand for. 

I wish I could get the pre-made raw nature's Variety diets around here.  For the time being I rotate between all their kibbles, canned and freeze dried foods and prepare my own raw meals.

At the grooming shop my Sister owns she has many clients whose dogs were suffering from tear stains, dry coat, dandruff, skin problems etc clear up immensely on a raw diet.  Buying meat etc from good human grade sources is a good idea as well. 

As for possible death or sickness from eating raw foods, your taking the same risks by feeding kibble...it only takes one bad batch of kibble with afloxin (sp) to kill hundreds of dogs in a bad batch of kibble...it takes many dogs to die sometimes before catching the problem it seems.  When you buy your own meats and veggies you have the choice to pick up organic produce, you have the ability to see the meats to make sure they smell fresh and look good...you also have the ability to choose good non rancid grains human grade if you choose to add grains.[]   
Altho, I'm sure there are some purebreds that cannot tolerate a raw food diet and may do better on cooked.  It's all what works for the dogs...which is why I like rotate between kibbles mixed with canned, freeze dried, dehydrated, cooked and raw.[] 

Typical man!!! lol...just kidding. This is silly, but I have always "thought" DH stands for dumb husband...am I wrong if so what does DH stand for.

rofl You're exactly right. Bless his heart. Hehe, the "D" in DH can stand for whatever you want... dear, dumb, da*&...