Best dog food out there?

oliwa · 02-15-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seebrown

How do you find the cost compared to higher end kibble? Where do you get the meat?

Shouldn't this be put into a new post?

tonisaysss · 02-15-2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elisabeth

Raw is so easy!

I spend about 4 hours a month weighing and bagging and I am good to go. All I have to do is pull out 2 bags (RBM and MM/OM) out of the freezer at night and I am good to go!

Hahaha...

how much do you figure you spend a month on raw diets? do you buy regular meats from grocery stores? do you grind the bones that are in the diet or give them whole?

elisabeth · 02-15-2010, 05:21 PM

I buy in bulk. I have 2 large chest freezers that hold my meats.

Remember am I feeding 2 large breed dogs plus 3 cats.

I find raw a lot cheaper than kibble, as I only have to buy my meats once every 2-4 months, depending on my suppliers.

I buy from local farmers, butchers and I get some from local hunters in my area. Anything else I suppliment from the grocery stores or farmer's markets.

For an example, about two months ago I recieved 400lbs of turkey (wings, necks, hearts, gizzards, livers) for $150.00 (Canadian), this also included delivery.

After Thanksgiving the farmer had all this left over human grade meat and so I contacted him beforehand and asked if I could purchase the 'left overs' and he happily agreed.

I should also mention that I feed organically, so this increases my costs. But you really don't need too go that far, it's just something I believe in.

Here is a link to my website that explains it a little further:

http://wildwindsstark09.yolasite.com/

Mods - please removed if this is not allowed.

elisabeth · 02-15-2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliwa

Shouldn't this be put into a new post?

If the Mods feel they need too they can, but to me, this is the best dog food out there.. so it is relevant.

elisabeth · 02-15-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonisaysss

how much do you figure you spend a month on raw diets? do you buy regular meats from grocery stores? do you grind the bones that are in the diet or give them whole?

For 2 German Shepherds and 3 cats I spend about $15.00 per month (Canadian) for everyone.

I buy my meats from different sources; farmers, grocery stores, butchers, hunters, etc..

I do not grind anything, even for the cats. Part of the benefits of feeding raw comes from giving whole bones (cleans gums and teeth, strengthens jaw and neck muscles).

toddreaves04 · 02-18-2010, 12:07 AM

I have thought about a raw diet before, but to be honest I am ignoant when it comes to it. I am going to start researching it and see what I come up with. I think I can feed raw cheaper than what I currently feed.

Mikey · 02-18-2010, 03:15 AM

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Just my 2 cents since you mentioned these brands: Iams & Eukanuba are both made by Proctor & Gamble who do horrible live animal testing. I personally avoid all P&G brands of any product as much as possible

Ditto-I dont' want to be one of 'those vegetarians' but if you ever saw the tests-and they are available for who wants to see them...you wouldn't buy it.

Quote:

Raw is so easy!

I spend about 4 hours a month weighing and bagging and I am good to go. All I have to do is pull out 2 bags (RBM and MM/OM) out of the freezer at night and I am good to go!

Hahaha...

I completely disagree-for one-the veterinary community see's no issue with cooking-do you? Is the food better raw?

And second-how can you balance food easily? How is that easy? If you really 'GET' raw-you wouldn't say it is easy.

If anyone is considering raw-it's not the devil-but its not easy.

You need to do your nutrition research.
I challenge any feeding raw to tell me minimum and maximum values of essential nutrients dogs should be getting? Go for it.By weight.

ANd how your meeting those-it's NOT easy.

It CAN be done certainly-but those who say its easy are not meeting those. It's IS easy to toss your dog raw meat. Is it easy to meet their DRV? no.

Quote:

I have thought about a raw diet before, but to be honest I am ignoant when it comes to it. I am going to start researching it and see what I come up with. I think I can feed raw cheaper than what I currently feed.

I'm not talking raw-but any home made diet-ensure you do your reserach-and I am glad you are talking about doing it. Don't get caught up in any internet garble-do solid research. I can share what I've found as well if your interested. Hints-affco and the fda have the minimum standards on dog's DRV so start there-also there are different kinds of raw-barf, prey etc. I've been reseraching dog nutrition specifically for over a year-scientific journals that are peer reviewed-and I'm not close to an answer. If I can suggest an article.

Elsevier

**Criosphynx** · 02-18-2010, 03:24 AM

Quote:

I spend about 4 hours a month weighing and bagging and I am good to go. All I have to do is pull out 2 bags (RBM and MM/OM) out of the freezer at night and I am good to go!

no thank you.

I don't consider 4 hours bagging food convienent.

i found raw to be messy, inconvienent, expensive, time consuming and it made my dogs ill. To the point Kiwi had to be rushed to the E vet because she lost so much fluid from both ends.

if you research raw heres a keyword for you that they downplay. DETOX.

Your dog will "detox" which translates into vomiting and diarhea while your dog "adjusts". I found it extremely alarming and went back to kibble after watching my dogs vomit and crap themselves for almost a week with no end in sight. It is not pretty.

from this site
Why Raw Diet For Cats and Dogs

Quote:

Detox
Up to a month into the raw diet, some dogs and cats bodies are ridding themself of an accumulation of toxins from their former diet. These detoxes can happen periodically throughout the diet but should not last more than several days. After a period of detox you'll notice that your fur friend looks and feels better than before the detox started. If your pet experiences symptoms similar to detox that last longer than a few days contact your Holistic vet and have them look at your pet to insure that it isn't something other than a detox. Your vet can also add a remedy to help the detox go easier. Cats may go through a period of detoxification where they may experience loose or mucous stool, their coats may get worse before they get better, their eyes may begin to run or their ears might get gooey. Skin is even more itchy than normal. All of these are positive signs

sounds peachy right? I researched raw very heavily before I began and found similar blurbs...occasionally they did mention the dog becoming ill but that was "normal" and would quickly pass. This was not my experience and do not appreciate the raw circles downplaying this phenomena.

Mikey · 02-18-2010, 03:31 AM

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sounds peachy right? I researched raw very heavily before I began and found similar blurbs...occasionally they did mention the dog becoming ill but that was "normal" and would quickly pass. This was not my experience and do not appreciate the raw circles downplaying this phenomena.

Ditto
Since when is vomiting a sign of health-except in pro-ana circles?

ghengis · 02-18-2010, 11:06 AM

I think I rather spend the 4 hours playing with the dog outside

I admire the dedication raw dieter have with their pets... but honestly.. it is way too time consuming and that does not include the research you have to do on your own. It took me over a week to figure out which kibbles to pick.. now I'm reaping the benefits of giving my pup Orijen puppy... he loves it... I use it to train.. he picks it over any other food including my wife's awesome cooking.

I know friends and neighbors that have done raw ..lasted them a week or maybe less. Specially those that have full time jobs.