My beautiful baby girl is now a gorgeous old lady of nearly fifteen! As you can see, raw feeding does not require a significantly different approach when feeding an adult dog or a puppy. 3 free homemade dog food recipes on back of package. A crunchy beetroot dog biscuit recipe. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. He’s always had, since he was a puppy, a very sensitive stomach with frequent diarrhea. That said, if I put both types down for her, I’d bet every penny I have that she’d go for the raw bowl every time. The reality is that dogs seem to be very resistant to pathogens in raw chicken that would make you or I extremely ill. Many of us have become quite dependent on processing and packets to keep our dogs nutritionally balanced in a way that we would find ridiculous if applied to our children who are surely even more important to us. As for transition to a raw diet, I’m worried about feeding him raw bones due to his fractured pre-molar which has a metal cap on it. His double-coat has always been thick and shiny. I for example have been feeding four or more dogs raw bones every day for over a decade – that’s at least 14,600 meals. And we don’t know if, and how, human studies might relate to dogs. There is a similar kind of myth floating about that raw fed puppies don’t need vaccinating. If you started with chicken, you might now want to try adding green tripe. My yellow lab is four and I have never known a dog moult so much. Try feeding your dog sardines in water. You can feed the same food that you would give to an adult, though your puppy needs far more food relative to his body weight  than an adult does, and a wide variety of foods is crucial if you are to meet his nutritional needs. What we can do, is look at the advantages and disadvantages of raw feeding and at the risks and benefits, and then try to compare those with the risks and benefits of feeding dogs on kibble. These are basic conditions that need to be in place before you begin. There is a raw food store where I live (Oakville, Ontario) which has quality raw dog food locally processed. If so you might not want to risk exposing him to the pathogens found in raw meat. He also had terrible breath, was overweight, had diarrhea, and he shed like crazy. .just have to convince my daughter who has 2Westies. We’d also love to know how you got into raw feeding, how long you have been doing it or when you plan to give it a try! You cannot raw feed successfully if you avoid bone. He even had to take antibiotics twice, wich I’m not to crazy about. There is an interesting theory circulating around some raw feeding help groups that says raw fed puppies don’t need worming. Considerable numbers of experienced dog owners have changed over to raw feeding in the last few years. Raw feeding is designed to replicate the kind of diet that wild dogs and wolves eat when they catch and consume their own prey, and to replace commercial dog food entirely, for the modern raw fed dog. Thanks, this is really helpful, and as others have said it is well-balanced. Our chunky black lab loves her Barf diet. Here  is a couple of day’s diet for my four and a half month old Labrador puppy to give you an idea of what a raw puppy might eat after transition. If you give your dog a lot of meat that he isn’t used to he will probably get diarrhea. Thank you very much for taking the time to read my message, Combined with a kibble this recipe lasts about 4-5 days for 2 large Golden retrievers. Due to the pet food recall I decided to submit this recipe for other dog owners looking for a soft pet food alternative. And all this information can be very bewildering. Once your dog is settled and happy on his raw diet, you’ll want to make sure he stays that way. Add the ground beef and mix together with a spatula or your … The jury is still out on this one, but in recent years, studies on carbohydrate intake in humans have thrown up a lot of surprises. Our lab is almost one and we have just decided to switch her to raw. Raw feeding for dogs is a big topic, and it is an important one too. Get it as soon as Mon, Sep 14. Here are some of the common questions or problems that people ask me about day to day raw feeding and raw fed dogs. It is not necessarily your food that is causing the problem. Drop your thoughts, plans or tips into the comments box below. And don’t forget to join our forum for help, advice and moral support. There are many ways to feed your dog a raw meat based dog food. Transfer the mixture into a large bowl. He also ate what I referred to as “veggie slop”. If you want to add some protein to your dog’s diet, there are many recipes for raw egg dishes that you can make. And choosing the best dog food for Labradors is not straightforward. Dogs love human foods but they also need their own special diet. Tom Lonsdale is an Australian Veterinary Surgeon and raw feeding enthusiast. So although she is not aggressive her body language is saying she is thinking about it. Some people worry that if a dog is allowed to tear and consume the flesh of other animals, he will revert to his wild instincts and become a dangerous killer. His teeth were white and never caked at the gum line. May 5, 2018 - Raw Feeding is a complete guide to feeding a natural raw diet to I think bones are the scariest bit of raw feeding. Some cooked household scraps can be added provided these don’t amount to more than 20% or so of the dog’s total food intake,  and provided nothing ‘toxic to dogs’  is included. Including the skull. It is getting on in years but the information in it is as relevant today as it was when it was written. All feeding recommendations are based on a dog’s weight. Whether or not vaccination can protect your puppy against allergies will depend on what the allergen is. You will hear a lot of claims made for the benefits of raw feeding. Fish like salmon and trout are low in fat and carbohydrates and are considered to be the healthiest foods for dogs. American Journey has produced dog food that goes to show that cheap does not have to mean poor quality. There is no research, no proper evidence, that I can find which explains this belief that kibble and raw together will harm your dog. The main difference between the BARF and RMB diets is that the BARF diet contains vegetables. 5. But a part of your decision should also be based around the practicalities of raw feeding. I have read a vast amount of literature on this topic, and the evidence I have come up with to support this theory amounts to zero. Raw Dog Food Products. If the meal you give your dog is cut up too small he won’t chomp and break up the bones and may swallow them whole. Some lab owners feed their dogs homemade diets to avoid common fillers found in commercial dog food including meat byproducts corn wheat artificial colors and additives. So can you mix his normal kibble in with these little portions? And many pups with worms have no symptoms so unless you send off your puppy’s faeces to a laboratory for testing you won’t know whether or not he has worms. Bones are essential for raw feeding. Best homemade dog food recipes for labradors. The following recipes were created using Dr. Karen’s Book, Real Food for Healthy Dogs and Cats, and incorporates beef, chicken, and turkey. I also go to the butcher and get knuckle bones that have a little meat on them and these they love to chew. So I leave my raw fed dogs alone while they are eating. So it is worth shopping around for a sympathetic vet if you decide to go ahead and raw feed. 1:09. My view is my dog is much more likely to choke if I am standing over him, than if he is left to relax in peace with his meal. These can then cause a problem as they pass through his digestive system. You need to be comfortable with this aspect of raw feeding, and it can take a bit of getting used to. Give plenty, and if the dog looks a little tubby, cut back. The objective here is to take any small risk there may be in feeding bones to your dog and reduce it even further. Now they’re older and not fast enough to catch their own I have to supply what they need. And I’ll help you decide whether or not raw feeding is a route you want to go down with your dog. Again, start with a tiny amount, you can chop some one inch square pieces and give him one of those morning, noon and night (together with his chicken), Double the quantity the next day and the next. This will help reduce the risk of intestinal perforation and impaction. Benefits of feed raw: Better skin & coat; Better digestion; Stronger immune system; Better health; More energy; More muscle mass Pleasure and relief from boredom for your dog. Fortunately, it is likely that the risk of impaction can be greatly reduced by feeding bone wrapped in meat as part of a meal, rather than as a recreational treat for the dog to consume on its own. We would say somewhere in between! It is a cheaper way to buy chicken portions too. They are raw fed in the morning and are kibble fed in the evening, they have shiny coats and do not smell at all…I run with my dogs and they have lots of energy without being hyper, in fact they are very settled in the house and just pootle on walks…Get them on the Canicross or agility circuit and you would see some very different dogs! It’s ok, this is just the transitional stage, he’ll soon be eating all the bones that he needs, Every three days introduce a different food, and provided your dog remains free from tummy troubles you can start to increase quantities until he is eating enough of each kind of food for you to feed different foods on different days, and to introduce meaty bones for him to enjoy. Not scientific comparison, but good enough for me to feel motivated to put in the extra work and planning that a raw diet demands, even if it’s just at the weekend. If you decide to feed your dog canned sweet potatoes, do remember that the quantity should be reduced if you are aiming for weight loss. That k you! Dogs don’t exist in a vacuum, they are part of a family. Whole rabbits crushed, and consumed in minutes, chicken carcasses, venison backbones, whole fish and so on. Can Dogs Eat Potatoes Cooked, Raw, Or Mashed? The majority of Labradors are fed on a commercial processed food. Labradors tend to do better on high protein and low carb diets. Most raw food manufactures are small to medium businesses and simply don’t have the resources to fund research into raw food. I also use a topple ( advertised on lab site) which I fill and then freeze. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Large Breed Chicken & Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food (Editor’s Pick) 4.9: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal… 2. There are a number of similar companies in the USA, You can find them by searching online for raw pet food. If you click the link above and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. A low or no carbohydrate diet and freedom from grains. Powder blends easily with whole ingredients. If you decide to go ahead and switch to raw dog food, try to find a vet who will  at least acknowledge that raw feeding is a rational choice for some people. There are plenty of online support groups for those who want to feed their dogs ona raw diet. As the weeks of raw feeding turned to months, and the months to years I began to relax. Chicken carcass, green tripe, beef, lamp brisket bones, bit of heart, Veges fruits and we have a happy chappy. If you don’t fancy it, give the whole thing a miss. Dogs are increasingly prone to these modern diseases too but we don’t really know why. The rising mountain of anecdotal evidence suggests that the risk of intestinal perforation from bones is very small. Thank you for such a well balanced article. Pls. Life is too short to spend it agonizing over how to feed your dog. They are still in a minority, but the minority is growing. And 2-3% of your dog’s expected weight as an adult will be right for a puppy. For as health conscious as I am about what kind of foods I put in my own body, I have to admit for the better part of six of her seven years, I pretty much fed Ginger the equivalent of fast food to humans. He is thriving now it was the right decision. Any help or suggestions or anything I could do would be appreciated. When you start shopping for a new dog food for your Labrador Retriever, a large-breed specific recipe is the best place to begin. But it is also possible to buy commercially prepared raw food, in a neat packaged form for those that don’t want to handle and prepare their own raw meat. I feed my dogs outside all year around, and it doesn’t worry me if a bit of grass or dirt gets swallowed in the process. They no longer need to kill in order to survive, and most dogs get their daily rations in a bowl. So, I’ll be cutting through the confusion and helping you decide what is best for you, your dog, and your family. An extremely painful and frequently fatal condition, ‘bloat’ is distension and (usually) twisting of the stomach. Let’s have a look. I’m glad that raw feeding is out there, but be aware that it isnt right for every dog . So glad to hear about the age your lab lived to. Raw food may be raw meat with some bones and never cooked or commercially produced raw products like frozen or freeze-dried formats. After reading Australian vet, Dr. Ian Billinghurst’s books – Give Your Dog A Bone and The Barf Diet, when Mia was two and a half I decided to switch to raw. My yellow lab, Mia was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia and acute osteo and rheumatoid arthritis at the tender age of two. I never told my vet what my boy ate, because I had known he’d not approve and some vets don’t. He loves it (especially his supper: lamb necks! Her coat is shiniest I ever see In a lab, no allergies no sickness… It’s by far the way to go. It is possible we will hear more about their effects on our carnivorous pets in the not too distant future. If you think that your dog is going to be pretty hungry on such a light diet, you are probably right. I adopted three dogs recently, one from the Fulton County Animal Shelter, and two from an individual who was advised to put one of them down. Proper nutrition is important when caring for any dog, but it's especially crucial for very small breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier. Thanks for the very useful and non-biased advise. Homemade Dog Food. The issue of safety is paramount when we are choosing food for our dogs. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I will give you some guidelines but don’t be a slave to them. I’m really looking for helpful advice in hopes of finding the best and most balanced diet for my black lab. Andy my 9 yr old started having seizures about 3 months ago. Let’s be clear, that does not mean there is not risk. Most of this article is about feeding raw from scratch, using meat, fish, and eggs. Apr 22, 2015 - A Novice's Guide to Raw Feeding for Dogs A Novice's Guide to Raw Feeding for Dogs is a book that I wrote to help others who are interested in transitioning . I think it is unfair to him not wanting to do it it because of the time management. To help you find your way around this guide to raw dog food and natural feeding I have divided the article into five key sections. by Whitney Bryson | Dec 17, 2016. With small puppies, the rapid growth rate of a puppy can make getting the right nutritional balance a little more demanding and critical. She has outlived all her lovely, arthritic free, kibble fed lab friends, who have succumbed to cancer, liver disease, heart disease etc. I am just trying to put the risk into perspective. Similarly if you are worried about your dog’s dental health and find it difficult to clean his teeth effectively. Jul 12, 2020. Since they are sweeter than other vegetables, they may also help reduce blood sugar levels. The importance of bone and how to include it. My boy lived to be 15 years old, which surprised my vet, as he always said that big dogs don’t always live as long as small ones. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Prepackaged turkey plus marrow bone as a treat. Raw Dog Food Diet Recipes: 25 Recipes For Complete Healthy Meals. Perhaps you’re interested in feeding your dog a raw diet, but don’t have the time or desire to create the recipes listed above. Thank you so much for covering all the stuff, Great read, thanks. Her coat is radiant and her appetite for both types of diet enormous. Before we do that, let’s just look put your mind at rest on one common concern. They may chomp the fish a bit before switching it around to swallow it head first. a stick) and it requires him to be sedated for it to be glued back on. She is passionate about helping people enjoy their Labradors and lives in Hampshire with her husband and four dogs. Although most vets recommend sardines as food, the high-fat content means that they are not ideal for a dog to eat daily. You can either cook it or you can mash it to make a puree. This is a puppy that has been on raw food since she was eight weeks old. This is also considered as expensive type of dog food. We’ll look at the kinds of meat you can give your raw fed dog first, but don’t be tempted to start him off with everything on the list! Cost to you, I recommend you switch back to a varied raw diet won ’ t happen to and... 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Everything they feed, and it is cheaper than beef sirloin and much healthier for him prey! Of days about every 3 to 4 weeks I get her bones from, also known as the of! Andy my 9 yr old started raw dog food recipes for labradors seizures about 3 months now has! Adding a new pup in may and I frequently come across people who are trying to put the of! Can either cook it or you can either cook it or you can find them by online!