Question of feeding Nature's Variety Raw

Do you like it, how did your dogs do on it or am I better off doing something else?

Yes, I like it! My dog that eats it likes it too. You know, bottom line, IMO, is you have to do what you're comfortable with, and what your dog can handle. If he eats it, and does well, then GREAT! I have a dog I'm getting ready to feed kibble in the AM, and NV in the PM.


Second question, the guidelines say to thaw in the microwave or with warm water. I used the microwave, but I wasn't sure if the patties were in there too long (I went by the microwave guidelines for defrosting, 1.20 minutes). Should the patties be frozen at all? Or should you be able to break them up like ground beef?

Yes, the patties (and the medallions) should stay frozen, until you get ready to feed them. I feed the medallions simply because they're easier to deal with, but I like the patties just fine too. I do kinda break them up with a fork, but Ginger doesn't care really. It's all my preference.

Oh wait, I see what you're saying. Sometimes Ginger's are still a tad frozen, but not much. I make them to where I can at least break them up a good bit - but if there's still a frozen spot or two, I don't sweat it.

Is that what you meant? []

Yes, that is exactly what I meant! [] I actually feed the medallions too (the patties would be too much food for Dasher).  When I nuked (on defrost mode) them this morning they were slightly brown on the outside but still slightly frozen in the middle.  I could break up the medallions into bite size pieces. 
 
Is there an advantage in feeding only kibble for one meal and raw for the other?  I was thinking about having some kibble and some raw for each meal, but maybe its better to do one type for each meal?
 
Thanks!

  I like the NV raw too; Jessie gets the medallions for lunch a couple times a week. I forgot the name for the type of plant they process it in but the plant follows strict sanitary procedures and I feel more secure feeding it than raw meat from the grocery store. I thaw the medallions in water before feeding them.

I feed NV raw.  Joey likes it.  I do not thaw it in the microwave.  It takes him longer to eat it frozen.  For my cats, I do have to thaw it.

I actually like it better than the other premade raw diets.  Of course, I 've only tried one other, JJ fudds.  I like the NV better because it doesn't contain synthetic vitamins.

Are you mixing the kibble with the raw?  I ask because you should be feeding them separete.  You may cause tummy upsets if you feed them together.

When I nuked (on defrost mode) them this morning they were slightly brown on the outside but still slightly frozen in the middle. I could break up the medallions into bite size pieces.

I usually hit auto defrost, and then hit the "1" button - it goes for approx 45 secs. At about, I dunno, 30 secs I open it up, and turn them over. Then I probably pull them out at around 15 seconds. That is usually plenty enough to thaw sufficiently, but not enough to start cooking them. As long as I can break them at least in half I'm happy.

Is there an advantage in feeding only kibble for one meal and raw for the other? I was thinking about having some kibble and some raw for each meal, but maybe its better to do one type for each meal?

There's been a lot of debate about kibble and raw digesting at different rates. I don't know as that's true, but when I started looking into raw that was what I was told. Now I can't seem to change my ways. [] According to several things I've read, though, it should be fine to feed both at the same time, as long as your dog does OK.

Are you mixing the kibble with the raw? I ask because you should be feeding them separete. You may cause tummy upsets if you feed them together.

 
Ah!! Yes, I just fed it for the first time this morning.  I fed both together.  I will keep them seperate from now on.  Only kibble in the breakfast and only raw for dinner.   Thanks for that! [] 

There's been a lot of debate about kibble and raw digesting at different rates. I don't know as that's true, but when I started looking into raw that was what I was told. Now I can't seem to change my ways. According to several things I've read, though, it should be fine to feed both at the same time, as long as your dog does OK.

 
Thanks for that info.  I think I may keep them seperate just to be on the safe side.  I fed both together this morning, we'll see how he does with that. []

I sometimes feed the NV raw..I mix it up alot amongst the raw foods. I love the ease of the NV and the variety they offer.
I would not defrost the raw in the microwave, the brown parts you are talking about ..are cooked, which defeats the purpose of feeding raw. They defrost easily in warm tap water (in a plastic bag).
 
I was told the same thing about raw and kibble digesting at different rates when I first started feeding raw, and I also can't let go of it now..I always feed separate. It makes sense to me that it would be more difficult..or take more energy for the body to break down the kibble than the raw..but I don't have proof.
When people ask me this at the shop I tell them that I personally feed them separate..but I think whats most important is that the dog get some live enzymes and if that means the person is mixing raw in with kibble..I won't discourage them.

I fed NV raw medallions and Natural Balance Raw cubes and JJ loved both.  I stopped feeding when JJ was having allergy problems and I put him on an allergy food.  I had thought about starting up again, but with 2 dogs now it can get a bit pricey and none of the places that sell the frozen raw are very convenient for me to go to.  SO now being able to order TWO online and delivered to my doorstep in less than a week is really working out for me.  I use to feel like all I ever did was travel from store to store getting all the different things I needed for them.
 
I may try NV again in the future if I find a place closer to my house that carries it.
 
I too fed them separately although I am not really convinced it makes a difference.  There is so many conflicting viewpoints on it.
 
The way I did it is that I feed 3 meals a day, so the a.m was kibble with a tablespoon or two of canned.  Then right after their breakfast meal I would take out the raw and put it in a glass container in the fridge.
 
By the time it was time for their “lunch” meal the raw was still frozen, but thawing just enough to where I could add a little warm water and it would thaw completely to not have to microwave.
 
Then dinner would be back to their kibble with canned.        

Thanks for all the feedback. Yes, Maisey, I was worried about the medallions turning brown in the microwave, I may try the warm water or just nuke them for a less time. I will go ahead and feed kibble and raw in seperate meals, sounds like that is the norm. []


I really like all the different flavors that NV carries, gives me the chance to give Dasher a bit of variety.

I really like all the different flavors that NV carries, gives me the chance to give Dasher a bit of variety.

 
that is one of the things i like best about their company...the variety is better than anywhere else!  Guess they picked a good name![]

My favorite raw company is Columbia River..they have a huge selection of proteins! It's not a "complete" ...everything is done for you food, like NV..I do add some things, but the selection is awesome.
they have Pheasant, quail, poussin, chicken, duck, venison, lamb, beef, rabbit, buffalo, tripe, guinea hen, turkey, and I'm sure I have forgotten some. Some come with just the bone and meat, some with bone, meat, and organ and some are bone meat and veggies. A few are just the meat. They also have veggie packs, buffalo bones, and rabbit livers. It's one of the most affordable raw products we carry. It comes in 2 lb chubs which are perfect for my crew..but not for everyone.
I'm not sure how far this company reaches or how available it is in places outside of the Pacific Northwest though.

Ohh, that stuff sounds GOOD, DeAnna!

I'm googling it, to see if I can get it around here. I'd love most of those products.

A wonderful company selling raw frozen meat and veggie combo's is A Place For Paws.
www.aplaceforpaws.com They package their food in plastic containers and ship in styrofoam coolers.
They are very reasonable and and the company is a pleasure to deal with.
They also sell unbleached raw green tripe which actually doesn't smell bad at all.
I feed a combination of  Nature's Logic kibble and canned formulas,  A Place for Paws raw frozen meats and veggies and also Evanger's canned 100% meat diets.