Raw diet

[traceywacey]

In the next two weeks i am going to start feeding my lot raw. Have done quite a bit of reading and think I am getting there.

Any help or advice would be really useful re: suppliers, bones, supplements and the mix ratios.

Think a new fridge freezer will be needed for the meat. All that meat is already making me heave but I am hoping that it will be better for the dogs.

[lurchernut]

There is a very helpful Facebook group- raw feeding uk. They have a couple of related groups too, one of them being a list of suppliers etc.

I finally settled on DAF, as my lot wouldn't eat the foods from a few other suppliers. Mine is delivered monthly and I get a discount because the order is so large. I have now found a local butcher who sells off bags of bones for 50p each, so they are being given to the 3 youngest who absolutely love them. They get all giddy when they see their to 'eat bones on duvet covers' being spread out the other three love to have a duck wing with each meal, which does a good job of keeping their teeth good.

I add coconut oil in to their food to boost their omega intake and I also add dorwest herbs keepers mix too.

I bought a big chest freezer to go with the smaller freezer and I found the cheapest at the time was from sainsburys, which was handy as I paid through GAYL and I earned nectar points too

Here is a link about coconut oil

Coconut Oil

I buy the Coconoil from Amazon. It needs to be organic unrefined solid oil.

And just to add the happy image for you, I can now fit 4 or more poos into one poo bag during a walk much better for the environment and so inoffensive to the nose too

And, clearing the garden is so much pleasanter

Good luck

[deborahburt]

I use DAF too. Lots to choose from and good prices as well.

The difference in their poo is amazing. It just goes to show how much crap(excuse the pun)goes into even the better kibble.
Good luck.

[Nettie]

I use Nutriment, we have a local company that delivers every fortnight.

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[sharonhigh45]

No advice Tracey but wish you luck.xx

[Ted]

I feed my 4 Hounds Gelert Country Mix 1 tin each and half a carton each of either Naturediet or Forthglade for their evening meal. They have half a carton of either Naturediet or Forthglade for their breakfast. I do not like the Raw diet as I considered the possible bugs have to be killed which is carried out by the food being cooked. At the moment due to supply problems from Naturediet being out of stock Berriewoods are giving a 20% discount on Forthglade foods. FORTHGLADE20

[Nettie]

Salmonella has been found in dry foods too. As long as you have good food hygiene you shouldn't have a problem.

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[thedogpack]

Finding this raw food thread interesting , thank you .

I love feeding my pack raw food , think it is the best thing for them . I feed Natures Menu Frozen Complete Meal ( it has the veggies added )  along with chicken wings , Raw meaty bones , duck wings etc . Should I be adding supplements into this complete meal ? 

I'm not confident enough to feed raw only so they have Naturediet for breakfast . 

[traceywacey]

Thank you for your help.

The raw feeding face book page is excellent. Going to mix it myself and follow their guide slowly introducing new things over a four week period.

Have found a supplier in Redditch called TPMS that delivers to Coventry every Thurs.

Have done lots of reading, my first order is coming next Thursday and once my kibble has gone will start. Really hoping that it will suit them.

Did a trial day last week and they all loved it and had a good crunch on a chicken wing each as well.

[Nettie]

Nothing better than hearing them crunching on wings. Glad to hear they approve, I used to make up their mince myself every Sunday afternoon and then freeze it in portion sizes. It was whizzing up the veggies that took a lot of time so now I buy complete raw which includes veggies.

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[pjpenny]

My two have been on Natures diet for about 6 weeks- Freeflow chicken and lamb mince, chicken 'nuggets' which has veggies and vitamins, fish pieces and a mix of either poultry neck pieces, or duck necks.I had to start them on duck wings and it did take a few days before they knew how to eat them.. Still have to hold the duck necks to stop one of them swallowing the whole thing! I've found Natures diet to be really good and deliver free if you place an order £30 or more. I've also read about the unsweetened coconut oil and will be adding it to the mix when it arrives. Certainly agree with the poop situation, but don't be too surprised it it doesn't agree with them straight away. Really good idea to start slowly and build up to a full range of raw - would probably give raw for just one meal to start with before going cold turkey. Good luck!

[Nettie]

How is it going Tracey?

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[traceywacey]

Now on their 3rd week. Finding it quite a lot more work because I am preparing it myself because it would be just too expensive to buy it already done. Have started to introduce liver this week which is going well. Only change I have noticed for them so far is how much less poo they do. They all really love it but I can't say I enjoy the smell of green tripe. Just trying to get the amounts right because on 2.5% they were all losing weight.

[Nettie]

If mine lose or gain, I up or reduce their daily amounts by 50g and see how it goes for a few weeks.

[deborahburt]

Glad to hear they've taken to it Tracey. Can't say tripe bothers me. Can't say the same for Victoria,she hates the smell.