questions about raw food

I get my meat and poultry from the local butchers, and local chicken companies. I make up a two weeks worth of raw food for them and vacuum sealing the food up with a food saver.

Well, I've never heard of a raw food pet shop. This is what I do...

Go to your local grocery store and ask your butcher for the left over cuts of meat they won't be selling. You would be surprised at how much they throw away! You might even get it for free. You can also pick up some turkey necks or chicken wings as treats in between feedings. They help keep the dogs teeth clean.

As for vegetables, get the freshest of course and chop them finely to mix in with the dogs meat. It is about 9 to 1 ratio of meat to vegetables. It helps to purchase an enzyme supplement as it will help the dog process the food and get more out of the food they eat. This also means that you can feed them less! I use Dr Goodpet Canine enzymes for my dog Cleo. I also use their Max Protection formula to ensure my dog is getting enough nutrients.

Before jumping into it, I would suggest reading more on it. There are several fruits and vegetables you should NOT give dogs so do a bit of reasearch before hand.

Donnie

Oh boy.
 
You BOTH need to go to rawdogranch.com
 
AND PM Lauric for information.   You don't just feed the butchers "junk" and you don't jump into raw feeding without a GREAT deal of research FIRST.

Definitely second the suggestion to do some research.  Don't be put off, however, by the apparent complexity.  Once you get the hang of what your dog needs and how to do it, it will quickly become second nature and very similiar to preparing food for your family.  I can prepare the dog's evening rmb meal just as fast as their morning kibble meal, in fact.  Cost is similiar to or less than any premium kibble, depending on whether you decide to supplement or not.

Besides rawdogranch there are several excellent raw feeding internet resources - check out sites that detail daily routines and tips for obtaining wholesale rmbs.  There are also a couple of decent e-mail lists.  Also, check out the books that are out there - there's lots of resources listed here:http://www.rawlearning.com/rawfaq.html

tks guys for the info. i found both of the websites are useful.

First of all, I don't feed my dog "junk" nor did I say I do. I feed my dog human grade meat and meat products which we as humans choose not to eat and do not buy. I don't feed my dog anything I couldn't eat myself (a turkey neck just doesn't seem appetizing).
 
Secondly, feeding your dog raw is very much up to interpretation, like most things. Many raw food "experts" say many different things, this includes Veterinarians. You need to read as much as possible and choose what you feel is right for your dog. All dogs are different and have different allergies/dietary needs (diabetic, etc.) There are some people in this world that are simply out to make money... it is sad but a simple fact.
 
Here are a few books I can recommend on feeding your dog a raw food diet.
 
Dr. Ian Billinghurst's "Give Your Dog a Bone"
Kymythy R. Schultze's, "The Ultimate Diet"
Pat McKay's "Reigning Cats and Dogs"
 
And I have since corrected my post. The last line should have said there are several vegetables you should NOT give your dog.
 
Donnie
 
 
 
 

I am all for the benefits of a raw diet, however, I don't have the time to actually "do it" myself.  I have been using Nature's Variety frozen raw medallions and my furbaby absolutely LOVES it.  It's easy, it's good food and all the guess work is done for me.  I have been rotating with dry as well.  I feed it thawed out in the bowl mixed with some random leftovers, yogurt, pumpkin and whatever.... and I also freeze it in a kong when I need him to be preoccupied.  I don't know if it's expensive, I don't have anything to compare it to, but it's no mess and they have different varieties.  Good luck with whatever you choose to do!