Who else feeds RAW?
- Thread starter jdatwood
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Steph, you're welcome to some of ours when we get a bulk order. It's definitely difficult when you don't have the room though.
When I was just feeding Shiloh I'd shop the meat sales once or twice a week. Food for just her didn't take up too much space in the fridge/freezer.
There's no way we could feed 4 + Kitah now without at least 1 dedicated freezer
When I was just feeding Shiloh I'd shop the meat sales once or twice a week. Food for just her didn't take up too much space in the fridge/freezer.
There's no way we could feed 4 + Kitah now without at least 1 dedicated freezer
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*raises hand*
A mastiff, lab/dane mix, and aussie mix.
Come to the dark side, your dogs will thank you for it.
ETA: Yeah, definitely need a designated freezer for the dogs. We also have a designated fridge for them, too, because their food doesn't go anywhere near human food.
ETA again: We also have canned food on hand for those occasions when we forget to defrost meat. It happens.
A mastiff, lab/dane mix, and aussie mix.
Come to the dark side, your dogs will thank you for it.
ETA: Yeah, definitely need a designated freezer for the dogs. We also have a designated fridge for them, too, because their food doesn't go anywhere near human food.
ETA again: We also have canned food on hand for those occasions when we forget to defrost meat. It happens.
ETA again: We also have canned food on hand for those occasions when we forget to defrost meat. It happens.
We RARELY feed anything processed (except for table scraps). Maybe canned fish but that's about it...
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If we ever forget to thaw meat, they either fast for a day OR we throw it into a hot water bath in the kitchen sink. I've also fed completely frozen as well. They don't seem to mind one bit
We RARELY feed anything processed (except for table scraps). Maybe canned fish but that's about it...
We RARELY feed anything processed (except for table scraps). Maybe canned fish but that's about it...
I have one gulper that I won't feed anything frozen to- he'd just swallow it. We're very careful about what kind of bones. I only feed canned food from companies I trust- sadly that number is going down- but it's there in a pinch.
If you read up on prey model raw a bit you'll find that most skip a day of feeding from time to time.
We don't feed on a schedule. If we feed more one meal we'll feed less the next meal. If we feed a really large meal, they'll skip a day the next.
With PMR you're trying to mimic what they'd experience in the wild. They don't eat every day and never eat the same thing, same time, etc...
Not saying what you're doing is wrong... just explaining why we do what we do
We have a gulper as well. Akasha the Dane pup barely chews any of her food (although she'll make sure to crunch a popcorn kernel...?? LOL) She's never shown much of a problem eating frozen aside from feeling a little cold afterwards
We don't feed on a schedule. If we feed more one meal we'll feed less the next meal. If we feed a really large meal, they'll skip a day the next.
With PMR you're trying to mimic what they'd experience in the wild. They don't eat every day and never eat the same thing, same time, etc...
Not saying what you're doing is wrong... just explaining why we do what we do
We have a gulper as well. Akasha the Dane pup barely chews any of her food (although she'll make sure to crunch a popcorn kernel...?? LOL) She's never shown much of a problem eating frozen aside from feeling a little cold afterwards
I feed raw. A combo of pre-made patties and prey model depending on a) what's in my tiny freezer and b) how lazy I am (and what's most of the way thawed). The pre-made that I use has very low vegetable content compared to many on the market, which I like.
I supplement with fish oil, brewers yeast, garlic and kelp, when I remember.
I supplement with fish oil, brewers yeast, garlic and kelp, when I remember.
Three Pugs all raw fed with premade patties. I have no freezer right now and currently no desire to move to the prey model. They get a tiny tiny amount of vegetable usually in the form of whatever's in the ground tripe.
I've heard about the teeth benefits of feeding whole pieces of meat, but they chew bully sticks and raw recreational bones and my almost 8 year old's teeth are still sparkling so i know it's not the only way to benefit the teeth.
I've heard about the teeth benefits of feeding whole pieces of meat, but they chew bully sticks and raw recreational bones and my almost 8 year old's teeth are still sparkling so i know it's not the only way to benefit the teeth.
No offense to anyone that's posted so far but...
I don't consider patties truly feeding raw. You're still feeding processed food that you have no control over the ingredients. You don't really know what's been put into those patties.
That's not to say that you aren't feeding a better diet than commercial kibble. I know that sometimes it's not easy for people to feed prey model raw due to space issues, etc...
Feeding what I personally consider a true raw diet of meat, bones, & organs you know exactly what your carnivore is getting EVERY meal.
As for small/tiny dogs, they can do just as well on prey model raw. Our 4lb kitten has been eating PMR since coming into our home malnourished and weighing only 1lb.
We buy frozen sardines and other smallish fish from the ethnic market for her. Aside from that we don't buy anything special for her. She gets whatever meat we're feeding the other 4 girls.
If we're feeding chicken quarters, I'll break off the back that's left on one of them. If we're feeding backs, she gets an entire back. If we're feeding meat, I'll cut an appropriate piece off for her.
Lately she's been getting larger whole fish as well. We got some beautiful trout that we cut into 3-4 large pieces that she's been eating.
No matter their size, your dogs and cats are carnivores. The only thing they need to survive is raw meat, bones, and organs
You'll want to feed as much variety as you can to make sure they're getting a balanced diet. The great thing about a balanced PMR diet is that they don't need supplements or anything but meat, bones, and organs.
Some raw feeders choose to feed vegetables which is fine. It can cause stomach upset. In the end it's no different than giving your kids a twinkie or a candy bar. It tastes good to them but doesn't provide them any nutrition.
I don't consider patties truly feeding raw. You're still feeding processed food that you have no control over the ingredients. You don't really know what's been put into those patties.
That's not to say that you aren't feeding a better diet than commercial kibble. I know that sometimes it's not easy for people to feed prey model raw due to space issues, etc...
Feeding what I personally consider a true raw diet of meat, bones, & organs you know exactly what your carnivore is getting EVERY meal.
As for small/tiny dogs, they can do just as well on prey model raw. Our 4lb kitten has been eating PMR since coming into our home malnourished and weighing only 1lb.
We buy frozen sardines and other smallish fish from the ethnic market for her. Aside from that we don't buy anything special for her. She gets whatever meat we're feeding the other 4 girls.
If we're feeding chicken quarters, I'll break off the back that's left on one of them. If we're feeding backs, she gets an entire back. If we're feeding meat, I'll cut an appropriate piece off for her.
Lately she's been getting larger whole fish as well. We got some beautiful trout that we cut into 3-4 large pieces that she's been eating.
No matter their size, your dogs and cats are carnivores. The only thing they need to survive is raw meat, bones, and organs
You'll want to feed as much variety as you can to make sure they're getting a balanced diet. The great thing about a balanced PMR diet is that they don't need supplements or anything but meat, bones, and organs.
Some raw feeders choose to feed vegetables which is fine. It can cause stomach upset. In the end it's no different than giving your kids a twinkie or a candy bar. It tastes good to them but doesn't provide them any nutrition.
Thankfully what you consider raw doesn't make a difference to me.
There are companies out there that do care about animals, it may be hard for you to believe that they're not all out to kill our pets. All of the companies i feed from are local to my area, all within driving distance from me. They use local producers to get their meat and clean and grind it themselves. Two in particular are very very small businesses that literally started out of the owners' backyards using their own animals even.
The patties contain meat, bone and organ. No veggies or tripe unless specified; nor feet, hair, hooves, horns, hides, eyes or brains. They're also hormone and antibiotic free which is much more than i could say for the affordable meat at the grocery store.
ETA: I also am far from confident in the meat in our grocery stores, who's to say where it's from, how far it's travelled and what the animal was fed? I'll take my organic grass fed beef and bison over the corn and grain fed crap beef and bison from the store.
There are companies out there that do care about animals, it may be hard for you to believe that they're not all out to kill our pets. All of the companies i feed from are local to my area, all within driving distance from me. They use local producers to get their meat and clean and grind it themselves. Two in particular are very very small businesses that literally started out of the owners' backyards using their own animals even.
The patties contain meat, bone and organ. No veggies or tripe unless specified; nor feet, hair, hooves, horns, hides, eyes or brains. They're also hormone and antibiotic free which is much more than i could say for the affordable meat at the grocery store.
ETA: I also am far from confident in the meat in our grocery stores, who's to say where it's from, how far it's travelled and what the animal was fed? I'll take my organic grass fed beef and bison over the corn and grain fed crap beef and bison from the store.
Like I said, no offense... obviously you didn't read that part...
Where did I post that ALL companies are out to kill our pets? I admitted that feeding "raw" patties is better than feeding processed kibble...
That's wonderful! I wish more people would do something to fight the pet food industry
Which is exactly what they need. You're just missing out on the dental benefits of feeding RMB. You do realize that ground bone can cause blockages as well I'm sure?
Again, my post wasn't to ruffle feathers although it appears yours were anyways. I'm VERY passionate about raw feeding. That's why I started this thread. On the other forums I frequent they have sections dedicated to raw. I simply wanted to see what the raw scene was like over here and share my thoughts & experiences.
It certainly wasn't to bash your choice. While I might not agree on it entirely (which doesn't matter to you), you are feeding better than kibble which says a LOT!
Do our dogs eat store bought meat? They sure do. If it's good enough for me, it's good enough for them.
BUT
They also get wild Bison, Elk, Deer, Antelope, Rabbit, Fish, Squirrel, ANY wild game we can get our hands on...
Where did I post that ALL companies are out to kill our pets? I admitted that feeding "raw" patties is better than feeding processed kibble...
That's wonderful! I wish more people would do something to fight the pet food industry
Which is exactly what they need. You're just missing out on the dental benefits of feeding RMB. You do realize that ground bone can cause blockages as well I'm sure?
Again, my post wasn't to ruffle feathers although it appears yours were anyways. I'm VERY passionate about raw feeding. That's why I started this thread. On the other forums I frequent they have sections dedicated to raw. I simply wanted to see what the raw scene was like over here and share my thoughts & experiences.
It certainly wasn't to bash your choice. While I might not agree on it entirely (which doesn't matter to you
), you are feeding better than kibble which says a LOT! Do our dogs eat store bought meat? They sure do. If it's good enough for me, it's good enough for them.
BUT
They also get wild Bison, Elk, Deer, Antelope, Rabbit, Fish, Squirrel, ANY wild game we can get our hands on...