Breeders Feeding Raw

[SisMorphine]

Are there any breeders on here that feed a raw, or partial raw, diet?

I was speaking with a friend regarding feeding raw to pregnant/lactating bitches. My question to raw feeding breeders is: do you change your pregnant/lactating bitch's diet at all? Add or subtract any supplements?

I did an internet search and of course there are a million different articles and opinions (as there always are when it comes to a raw diet), so I am just interested in how each raw feeding breeder on here does it.

I am a long time (15+ years) raw feeder.

I do not change anything for bitches up until 6 weeks gestation. Then it depends on the girls. If they are hungry, I feed them. I increase organ meats a little.

With Penny I had to revert to her normal diet post whelping, because extra food made her milk too rich and gave the puppies loose stool.

She raised NINE puppies on her regular maintenance diet, and nursed them ALL until 9 weeks, and the remaining three occasionally until 12 weeks.

[SisMorphine]

Awesome, thank you so much for your response RR.

I didn't realize you've been such a long time raw feeder. I love meeting people who've been feeding raw for more than a couple of years. I've been doing it for almost 4 years myself and still feel like a super newbie at times. LOL!

[youbetcha1018]

Also a good sized bone from the butcher will come in handy for the marrow and teething, also some vets recommend adding calcium powders and vitamins/minerals as they are a large dog and this supplements them for their growth spurts.

[fillyone]

Originally Posted by youbetcha1018

Also a good sized bone from the butcher will come in handy for the marrow and teething, also some vets recommend adding calcium powders and vitamins/minerals as they are a large dog and this supplements them for their growth spurts.

Caution should be used in adding calcium to the diet of a large breed puppy.

One thing to give bones from time to time, a whole different thing to add a calcium supplement.