Raw feeding plan

 It looks good for a day's plan.  On a longer term basis, though I would look into trying to get some more variety in there.  You might try a fish meal a week.  Or some lamb or pork once in a while.  It can be easy to fall into the trap of feeding the same thing day in and day out for convenience purposes.  For the most part though, just monitor your results closely and you'll start to see when something is missing or you've got too much of something else.

That will be fine sort term.  I can't remember, has Zoe done much raw meaty bones already?  If not, be sure to switch her slowly.  When we switched, we started by doing a week of porridge with the kibble, then adding in the veggies, then adding a small amount of raw meat, which we increased slowly as we decreased the kibble.  Then we phased out the porridge and added the organ meats last.  It took a month for my oldest dogs who had touchy tummies, while I had a couple of younger dogs who'd been getting a mix of RMBs and kibble for a while, and I just switched them cold turkey.

I think a lot of people switch cold turkey or transition too fast, and then decide that their dog can't handle RMBs.  I was solemnly informed when I took in one dog I have here, that she had too sensitive a tummy for RMBs and I shouldn't give her bones or raw meat.  Well, as it turned out she transitioned very smoothly and went from being terribly underweight on her arrival, to almost chubby now. 

Her previous owners (not the ones who underfed her, but previous to that) cannot believe how well she looks as she's always been a "hard keeper."  When I told them what she's eating, they were surprised and repeated their feeling that "she can't handle raw meat."  Ooooookay, well, I guess I could let her go back to being skin and bones!

The moral of the story is, the best source for your answers is the wee black and tan expert on dog nutrition, at your feet.  She will tell you if your plan is working, short term.  Long term you'll want to check for major (hidden, asymptomatic) imbalances and add some variety as mentioned.

Good luck!

 

Last week Zoe had some chicken legs but not the past few days.  I was thinking about doing chicken leg and necks raw this week each night and after a few days add in some ground beef.  Then next week add the liver and veggies if she is doing ok.  She sometimes changes food fine, other times (when I did the grain free kibble) it ended up bad.

Can I re-freeze ground beef that I defrosted in the fridge?

Any needed supplements?  My goal is to not really need any.  I may do fish oil w/vit. e in it.

Uggg.  So I went to give Zoe her chicken leg and Jake got sooooo excited that he was getting some too.  So, I gave him a thigh I had. 

Jake is hubby's dog and doesn't want him to switch to raw for a few reasons.  I can't figure out a way to give Zoe raw and Jake not knowing about it. 

 I think I may just stick with kibble and give them each a RMB 2 times a week to help clean teeth.  Is that an awful idea?

 It's not an awful idea, at all, as long as it agrees with them.

smilee1079

I think I may just stick with kibble and give them each a RMB 2 times a week to help clean teeth.  Is that an awful idea?

  As long as they do well on kibble, it's fine. If you want to find some balanced raw recipes this booklet is a good source; 

http://www.monicasegal.com/catalog/product.php?cPath=25_26&products_id=81

  It's only $6.95 and will answer your questions about supplements, etc.  The same website has balanced cooked recipes.

Edited to add; I forgot Zoe's a Miniature Dachshund. This booklet has both raw and cooked recipes for toy dogs;

Thanks for those book links!

 The dogs do well on kibble.  I was feeding Canidae and decided I should do a rotation in their kibble.  This led to me wanting to do homecooked and then I was like might as well do raw.   But in the end, I think kibble, supplemented by RMB may be best for me at this point.  I may change my mind in a few months but I think for now, this is best.  I am too much of a wuss to not give Jake raw, but give it to Zoe.  His sad eyes woo me.

 I may get the Monica Segal pamphlet.  I like that it is tailored to a small dog because I do wonder if feeding both dogs the same homecooked would work.

 Thanks!!!!!!!

 You're welcome;