Going raw...

ORIGINAL: Michele12

[sm=tex.gif] I noticed if my dog eats alot of red meat his poop is a little runny.  Mix his foods up.  Feed chicken turkey rabbit venison fish  (I dont feed pork) or shellfish). His poop will be okay after a while. 

 
lol, I have noticed that when Romeo eats fresh lamb meat, but not when eats the premade lamb.  I agree with you too, is good to rotate the protein, I do it because I know I would be bored eating the same thing day in and day out.  []

[sm=tex.gif]Cakana,
I buy the 2 pound tube of Bravo.  I buy chicken and turkey.  They are 3.95 for 2 pounds.  He gets 2-3 tubes per day. I also feed raw beef or chicken or lamb or venison, whatever I can get cheap. Right now its expensive.  Dont forget puppies should be eating 10 percent of their body weight a day.  As they grow the food intake decreases.  Don't panic it will get cheaper.  Also you will save on vet bills.  They wont get that icky tarter on their teeth. They will not have smelly breath.  They will also poop less and drink alot less water.  So no dental bill for you.  You will be feeding the same amount with raw as you would with commercial dog food.  Puppies are expensive.  If you have children remember diapers and formula and baby food how expensive that was.  They got cheaper as they got older. LOL LOL

[sm=tex.gif]Be careful some people on this site are totally against raw feeding.  They mock it.  I guess they have human dogs.  They must also be very wealthy to afford high priced kibble with fancy labels, powdered vitamins, coat powders, and vet bills.  Raw is soooo much cheaper than commercial dog food and commercial treats.  Some people should just do their homework.  Enough venting for me.  Thank you

OK, nobody here is against raw.  I am against this method of trying to convince people that you are right.

ORIGINAL: Michele12

[sm=tex.gif]Be careful some people on this site are totally against raw feeding.  They mock it.  I guess they have human dogs.  They must also be very wealthy to afford high priced kibble with fancy labels, powdered vitamins, coat powders, and vet bills.  Raw is soooo much cheaper than commercial dog food and commercial treats.  Some people should just do their homework.  Enough venting for me.  Thank you

Oh, come on! 

I'm so sick of your kibble tree and alpha wolf remarks, which you've managed to throw onto most of the threads.  It's great that you love raw, and believe me, not one person -- guest or member -- thinks otherwise of your feelings towards it.

Why not consider your little signature item.  " Those that cannot govern themselves will be governed by others."  Um, hello!  You're trying to force your raw thoughts on others, which, as I take it, is like trying to govern others.  We can govern ourselves and decide what is best for our dogs, based on what we believe in, okay, Michele?

ORIGINAL: Michele12

[sm=tex.gif]Be careful some people on this site are totally against raw feeding.  They mock it.  I guess they have human dogs.  They must also be very wealthy to afford high priced kibble with fancy labels, powdered vitamins, coat powders, and vet bills.  Raw is soooo much cheaper than commercial dog food and commercial treats.  Some people should just do their homework.  Enough venting for me.  Thank you

 
I would not say they mock it.  I remember my first post ever, was about the wonders of raw food, I did not even introduce myself, I just posted away, everyone was nice, while not everyone agreed with me, they did not make me feel bad about my decision to feed raw either, because when all is said and done, we all have that common denominator which is we want and do what is best for our dogs.  []
 
I don't feed kibble not because I am totally opposed to it, but Romeo turns his nose up at it, I do however feed canned Innova on those rare occassions that I forget to thaw food out. []

Thank you ladies.  I'm so glad that I'm not the only one sick to death of the kibble tree and the alpha wolf.  Dogs are NOT wolves.
 
I happen to feed some raw.  But, guess what?  It isn't cheaper than kibble and homecooked.  In fact, it's quite a bit higher in the state where I live.  This is an area where, if I'm LUCKY I can get the cheap crappy ground beef on sale for $2.79 per pound.  And when one is feeding SIX german shepherds, well, gosh, you have to draw a line someplace.  They'll just have to settle for Innova, homecooked and what raw I can afford to give them until I win the lottery.

Glenda - I like your idea.  []
 
I'm not comfortable enough to jump both feet in and go completely raw, nor could I afford to feed two large dogs all meat all the time. 

Michele12, this is meant as a forum for DISCUSSION. You may voice your opinion and share your experiences but don't bash those who do not follow what you do. Stop being a Nazi dictator! People who don't go raw (like me) have their own reasons and it's NOT always about how much it costs. You make it sound like people don't want what's best for their dogs and anyone who does "less" than raw is just mistreating their dogs. What rubbish!! I admire people who go raw for their dogs. It's just not what works best for me and my dog. As I always say "go for what works best for you and your dog".
 

Michele, I agree with Glenda. Unless you have a huge freezer and a good raw co-op, or feed a ton of chicken, raw is not cheaper than kibble.I've been feeding raw a couple of months now, and I cannot get it down to what I was paying for Evo.
I also think you will get the opposite effect you are looking for if you try to push raw down everyones throats.I already am a raw feeder, and your comments about the kibble tree, etc are making me grind my teeth.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Thank you ladies.  I'm so glad that I'm not the only one sick to death of the kibble tree and the alpha wolf.  Dogs are NOT wolves.

I happen to feed some raw.  But, guess what?  It isn't cheaper than kibble and home cooked.  In fact, it's quite a bit higher in the state where I live.  This is an area where, if I'm LUCKY I can get the cheap crappy ground beef on sale for $2.79 per pound.  And when one is feeding SIX german shepherds, well, gosh, you have to draw a line someplace.  They'll just have to settle for Innova, home cooked and what raw I can afford to give them until I win the lottery.

Like Glenda said, raw is not cheap.  Romeo is 30 lbs, and between the premade, or regular muscle meat/organ meat, fresh or canned fish, fresh bones, fruits, tripe, natural treats,,etc I spend about $40.00-45.00 every 2 weeks that is expensive as heck, but it was my choice.  If I had 2-more big dogs maybe my choice would be different.  I have a part time job just for Romeo. [] I have never had 2 jobs in my life, but for Romeo, hell yeah.[sm=biggrin.gif]

I second shorthair's sentiment, it was not cool, there are ways of saying things.

In the short amount of time that I have been posting, I have learned and have come to respect the knowledge of the people who post here kibble feeders or not...emma's mom, glenda, brookcove, dyan, ron, jessies mom, callie, kayla's mom, tacran just to mention a few. 

So lana_banana don't feel intimidated like you will be bashed or ridiculed for you choices.  There may be a frew growls or air snaps at the park, but is all good and we all play nice at the end.[]

I do feed raw on the cheap.  But I realize I'm in a unique situation (though I try to help as many people as I can, tap into the same resources where they are - getting food from the farmer rather than the grocery).  The most expensive part of my diet is the premium food I supplement with.  When I home prepare that also, I can feed one of my medium sized dogs for about $5 a week.

I think the point is that there's simply no absolutes when it comes to dog feeding.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Thank you ladies.  I'm so glad that I'm not the only one sick to death of the kibble tree and the alpha wolf.  Dogs are NOT wolves.

I happen to feed some raw.  But, guess what?  It isn't cheaper than kibble and homecooked.  In fact, it's quite a bit higher in the state where I live.  This is an area where, if I'm LUCKY I can get the cheap crappy ground beef on sale for $2.79 per pound.  And when one is feeding SIX german shepherds, well, gosh, you have to draw a line someplace.  They'll just have to settle for Innova, homecooked and what raw I can afford to give them until I win the lottery.

 
I agree, I've looked into RAW and cannot afford it.  I live in an apartment and only have a very small freezer, and I'm NOT renting freezer space.  I add some of the raw medallions, but she does well on what she gets.

Some people should just do their homework.
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Indeed. And just how do you know so much about dog nutrition? Pro-raw websites? Hearsay? Many people here has done serious research on raw. I do not agree with raw feeding , because I believe there has not been enough research done on it in the scientific world to prove its safety for today's modern dog (NOT wolves), but I very much respect the fact that most raw feeders here are not just making blanket statements about RAW IS BEST and DOGS MUST EAT RAW. They are intelligent, open-minded people who do not push their beliefs. Instead of spouting rhetoric, back your statements up.

And pardon my fervor, but don't dare to assume that a person who feeds kibble is not as good of a dog owner as a person who feeds raw.

I'm sorry if I sound harsh but it is blind acceptance of tenants combined with disdain and close-mindedness regarding other people's choices that really raises my hackles.
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And I apologize for going off-topic - Lana, good luck with your endeavor! I may not agree, but I am thrilled that you care enough about your pets to try to give them whatever is the best food option. Bravo.