I'm switching my dog to raw this week as well, and yesterday, she didn't poop at all. Then this morning, she woke me up twice and it all came out at once (nicely firm, which was a pleasant surprise, since I was expecting liquid). I've fed her raw pieces before (not whole meals), and sometimes it takes an extra 12 hours or so. I figured I would keep some pumpkin on hand in case it takes longer than 24 hours and if it's longer than 48 or she looks like she's sick or in pain, then I'd take her to the vet.

 

Thanks! I did some more internet research and I guess it's pretty common for them to go way less on Raw (even only every 2 days) because far less of their food is un-digestible than in kibble. So, I guess I'll try and track his movements this week and see if it's a somewhat regular schedule, even if far apart.

 

I must admit, it's partly because of the easier clean-up that I'm switching over. I like the idea of fewer, smaller and neater piles to clean up.

 

Is your dog not in need of a bit of fibre from rice/veg in order to keep it's digestive health in check? Raw food (raw meat) seems like it's likely to lead to piles and ketonic breath, perhaps other problems.

 

Some people use the B.A.R.F. diet which includes rice and veggies, but I prefer to go with solely raw meat, bones, and organs as dogs digestive tracts are not made to process veggies or gluten, nor would they eat that in their natural environment. Feeding them the right proportions of various types of raw meat, bones (for calcium among other nutrients) and organs such as liver, gizzard, etc. will improve coat, teeth, and over all health as well as reduce doggie odors and allergies. The dog will be far less likely to get sick too, and increase their energy levels.

But if a person were to go on this diet then you're right, would definitely go ketonic but dogs aren't made to eat like us.

 

fair enough, s'pose that's why they only have canine teeth... does eating the bone help food move through their tracts?

 

I think it depends on the portion of bone in the diet. If you have too much the dog's poop will be whiteish and hard, not enough and it'll be loose stool. So if you find a happy medium it just makes for 'neater' poops that are super easy to clean up, doubt it does much for moving it through them though. But my vet just told me if the dog looks constipated to feed them pure pumkin puree or a little bit of milk.

 

Less poop is normal yes, as you've figured out.

And yes, bone helps move things through, but to much constipates the dog. It can take some practice to find the right balance.

 

nor would they eat that in their natural environment

?? Just in the GI tract of their prey...

The dog will be far less likely to get sick too, and increase their energy levels.

Some yes, others, absolutely not.

reduce doggie allergies

?? Not if they're allergic to the protein you're giving them, which is often chicken...

they only have canine teeth...

??????????



................... I have a facial twitch now.

 

?? Just in the GI tract of their prey...

But that is already mostly digested, way different than the B.A.R.F. diet which includes veggies. Dogs don't have long enough intestines to properly absorb the nutrients from veggies and fruits like people or other omni/herbivores.



?? Not if they're allergic to the protein you're giving them, which is often chicken...

Well, obviously. In which case you feed them something else. You are supposed to provide a wide variety of proteins once the dog has adapted to the raw food diet. And in the beginning it's easiest on them (and you) to stick to one protein for a week or two, which in my case is chicken because it's cheap and he isn't allergic, but it could be beef, bison, pork, turkey, etc.

But it's far more likely your dog is allergic to gluten in commercial kibbles than a protein provided in a raw food diet, which was my point. Not that a dog couldn't be allergic to chicken or another form of meat.

??????????



................... I have a facial twitch now.

^^ Yeah, can't find a good explaination for that one But, my hope is that person is attempting to point out the difference in size, shape, and type of human teeth versus dog. (Dogs have teeth primarily for tearing and ripping meat, and a few for fine grinding of bones. While people have flatter (and more) molars for grinding and chewing more fiborous food sources.

 

Oops, messed up that whole quote tool. But you get what I mean.

 

There's arguements over just how much of the contents of the GI tracts wolves actually eat. I've not seen conclusive proof on either side of the arguement. Everytime some says "BUT I SAW ...AND I HAVE IT ON FILM!!" doesn't actually have it on film due to the angle or distance of the photography.

I suspect the allergy refered to was to people allergic to dogs. Since dogs who do well on raw do have very healthy coats and skin this means less dander and less year round shedding to annoy noses. They often have less 'doggy oder' as well. It depends on what exactly the human's allergy was too and how severe it was.

As for the dog's allergies, I can now say that I honestly know someone who, via extensive food trials, confirmed that her dog was allergic to chicken, but now that she's switched to raw can feed raw chicken with no issues. Before a couple months ago I could only say I'd been told by people I didn't know well. This doesn't mean its true for all raw fed dogs, but it is for some.

Can't comment on the canine teeth thing, that painfull....

 

My guess is people confuse the carnissials with the canines.

That being said, even in the wild, wolves will eat berries, melons and tubers. Canis lupis are more mesocarnivores than the hypercarnivores a lot of raw food activists claim. I know I've written a long post breaking down the genetic differences between hyper- and mesocarnivores that suggest this, but I can't find it right now.

Tesla is also only allergic to the processed and cooked mammal meat - she can handle raw fine. The nutritionist I consulted with said it could happen.

 

That's interesting about the raw versus cooked allergies. It happens in people a lot too, I have a couple of friends who are (like epi pen) allergic to most fruits when raw, but can eat them cooked without a problem. Probably has something to do with the way foods change chemically when cooked?

edit: i realize you were referring about it being the opposite reaction in dogs, but i think my point stands vice versa as well. or could have to do with the way the meat is processed and cooked, etc.

 

**Twitch twitch**

 

Alright, enough was the passive aggressiveness Holly. I, and hopefully most other mature folks, are perfectly open to kind criticism or fact correction. If you think what I'm saying isn't accurate, then do offer a counter explanation. No one appreciates the holier-than-thou attitude.

 

before you go mental with punctuation. what i meant on the teeth front was that their teeth are meant for meat. Besides Im not even advocating this diet, so sort your tone out.

 

before you go mental with punctuation. what i meant on the teeth front was that their teeth are meant for meat. Besides Im not even advocating this diet, so sort your tone out.

It is the responsibility of the poster to communicate what they are trying to say. Readers are not telepathic and do not just "get" the intent of your message. They get what is posted. And "Dogs only have canine teeth" is well deserving of the questioning.

You would also do well to listen to your own advice about sorting tone out. Also, ableism is not appreciated.

 

Alright, I think we're getting away from the original intention of the post. Let's end the bickering!!

Please, no more replies unless it directly responds to the first post in this thread.

 

I switched my dogs over to raw earlier this year, and they've done great on it. My neighbor even asked me what I was doing with them because their coats were so glossy and soft.

They do poop less. I don't know if, overall, the frequency declines, but there is definitely less poop when they do go. It's whiter, and it decomposes unlike "kibble poop" which seems to fossilize in the yard and then come back to life when it rains (which isn't often where I live).

I have also read that it is beneficial for keeping their anal glands from becoming impacted, but I can't speak to this personally as my dogs have never had an issue with it.

All this said, my dogs still love to eat fruits and veggies - always have. I know they're carnivores, but mine love them some fresh garden produce. I had to put cattle panel up around my garden so that there would be some left for me!!