Raw feeding success stories

[Wiggle Butt]

I'm making a website about why I feed raw. I am asked frequently about what diet my dogs are on and a lot of people are interested in it, so I figured I'd make a website about it to direct them to.

I'm planning on putting up a "success story" section. So I'd love for anyone who feeds raw to post what it has done for their dogs (even if it's very faint changes). You can include a picture of your dog(s) if you'd like, but it's not necessary. Before and after pictures are even better

I don't care what your feeding style is so long as it is raw. Half raw/half kibble dogs are also welcome

Any other ideas for what to put on the website are also welcome. I'll post the link here when I'm finished

 

[juliefurry]

Well even though right now we are having problems getting Hannah to adjust I have noticed a difference in her teeth. Her teeth were starting to accumulate some plaque and not even brushing would help. I would say within the first week of the raw bones and everything her teeth were a lot better and within two weeks there was absolutely no plaque or tarter and her breath was better too. Her coat has always been beautiful so no noticeable changes there but her teeth definetely have improved!

 

[DanL]

Midnite, at 11 years old.
Before

After (about 4 months on a raw diet)

 

[iheartsammy]

Midnite, at 11 years old.
Before

After (about 4 months on a raw diet)

holy crap! thats shiny!

 

[Wiggle Butt]

Wow! That is an incredible difference!

Thank you both, I appreciate it!

 

[Mordy]

For Quigley, cleaner teeth were also one of the really noticeable things.

In addition to that, he doesn't have "doggy breath" when he doesn't eat commercial food, which (I've found out on road trips) becomes apparent after 2-3 meals.

He also has more lean muscle mass.

 

[frenchboxer]

All the positives I have noticed... shiny coat, no more anal glad problems, way less gassy, no more copious soft-serve poops (sorry if too graphic) and an overall improvement.

 

[dogsouth]

It's been about 2 or 2.5 months on raw so far and not once has Jed had anal gland explosions.

He was also developing a dark patch on his stomach. It's now gone.

His teeth have less crud on them.

He is finally losing weight without me having to walk and exercise him like crazy.

More excited about mealtime.

He's become even more of a shadow.

More energy and more playful, as if I really needed that

 

[rhinecat]

EV (~6 year old rescue Chihuahua, mine since 05/05, very bad luxating patellas) has had:

--noticeably cleaner teeth

--soft, shiny fur that is growing at a really fast rate (I assume this is good)

--strong, hard nails, where they used to be soft and prone to breaking

--far less itching and paw-licking

--better breath

--small, firm bowel movements that don't smell very bad (you know, by the standards of, well, poop. I hate writing about this because it seems so silly; "Feed raw and your dog's poop won't smell!")

--an increased level of excitement about eating, and this is saying A LOT about this dog. I didn't think she was capable of being any more interested in food.

--less gas, no anal gland problems

--knees have not slipped out of place once, which they did every once in a while at her foster mom's house

Adam (10.5 year old rescue Chihuahua, mine since 12/20/05, history of dental disease, grade IV heart murmur, hip arthritis, luxating patellas) has:

--improved dental health for his four remaining teeth

--maintained a consistent level of health; none of his problems have worsened, like one might expect them to do over time. Hopefully this will continue to be true as the years go by!

--increased enthusiasm about eating; again, this is really saying a lot, because Adam is hard to convince to eat. When he was on (high-quality) kibble, he would leave his food indefinitely and only eat if he went a long time without doing so, or if the cats came near him to steal his food. Now that he's eating raw, he gulps down his food very quickly, wags like crazy when I open the fridge for mealtime, and I can even get him to take pills hidden in his food.

--same fur, poop, breath, gas, and anal gland improvements as his 'sister'

I hope any of this helps! I feed frozen pre-made raw as their staple food, high-quality kibble and canned while traveling, and home-prepared raw meals with whole bones at least twice a month.