[RonE]

Let's limit this thread to links and advice - especially for those of us who want to explore the possibilities of feeding raw. Let's start with the assumption that we all want whats best for our dogs and look at this as a possible option.

Since this will be a sticky, any off-topic posts will be deleted.

[Wimble Woof]

Here are some good info beginner links.
My usual I post.


http://www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm great beginners site.
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding/
great forum to join
More great sites.
http://members.shaw.ca/tamgarboxers/...ted_Links.html
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/sampleraw.htm
http://www.barfworld.com/
http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/he...ition_food.htm
http://rawfed.com/
http://www.rawdogranch.com/rawdietbasics.htm Follow the links on the lower left hand side of the site.

Prey model raw links
http://www.geocities.com/havens_home/feedraw.htm

[briteday]

How much to feed...
http://www.boneapetit.ca/feedchart.html

Nutrition Info...
http://home.earthlink.net/~pawsreflect/nutrition.html

Co-ops, sources, diets, supplements...
http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html#co-ops

[borzoimom]

go here to get started.. http://www.dogforums.com/5-dog-food-...structual.html (Feeding raw- two instructual videos)

[briteday]

Please do not add to this sticky unless you are sharing websites.

Open a new thread if you have specific questions regarding raw feeding.

[DogsforMe]

www.rawmeatybones.com/diet/exp-diet-guide.pdf

[Breeogie]

I fed my dogs raw food for three years, and would definitely recommend it if you're willing to deal with some of the hassle. Remember, meat doesn't travel well, dogs can't switch from raw to kibble (so you pretty much have to pick one) and raw meat is fairly expensive.

Some tips I can offer are:
If you don't feed bones, feed bone meal. Dogs, in the wild, would eat the whole thing after all.
Don't feed rice or other grains. Dogs can't digest them.
Don't bother cooking veggies or fruit that you feed.
Give you dogs some supplements. While I disagree that your dog needs his own cabinet full of vitamins and minerals, I strongly believe in feeding fish oils for a healthy brain (for humans too) and flax seed oil (also good for you, by the way).
Finally, grown dogs will need to eat 2-3% of their body weight in meat every day, while puppies need about 10%.
That's pretty much the gist of it; there are plenty of sites out there with plenty of information, but I thought I'd throw something a little more abbreviated out there.
I'll be more than happy to answer any more questions. I've read the books and the sites, I can probably save you hours of valuable time.

[BoxMeIn21]

Originally Posted by Breeogie

dogs can't switch from raw to kibble (so you pretty much have to pick one) and raw meat is fairly expensive.

I think this all relative. Some dogs can switch back and forth between kibble and raw. And raw meat is not always expensive. Just do your research.

[briteday]

Please be informed about "enhanced chicken" that contains as much as 15% salt water by weight. You have to read the fine print on the labels to find this information.

Here is some info on daily requirements, deficiency, and toxicity for sodium in dogs (table salt is sodium chloride in proper proportions):

American College of Veterinary Nutrition states:

"Daily sodium and chloride requirements in dogs...

In general, the chloride requirement is 1.5 times the sodium requirement. This is because most of the sodium and chloride come from salt, and by weight, salt provides 1.5 times more chloride than sodium. Adult dog foods should contain at least 0.06% sodium and 0.09% chloride (on a dry matter basis). Puppy foods should contain 5 times that much. Kitten and cat foods should contain at least 0.2% sodium and 0.3% chloride (on a dry matter basis).

Sodium and chloride deficiency

A dietary deficiency of sodium and chloride would be extremely rare because most pets today are fed commercial pet foods. A sodium or chloride deficiency is more likely to occur because of an excess loss of these two minerals from the body. This can result from prolonged (or chronic) severe diarrhea and/or vomiting. This can be a very serious condition and animals with prolonged vomiting or diarrhea should be seen by a veterinarian.

Sodium and chloride toxicity

Sodium and chloride toxicity generally does not occur in normal animals with access to good quality drinking water. Any excess intake of sodium or chloride is filtered through the kidneys and excreted into the urine. If good drinking water is not provided, however, the concentrations of sodium and chloride can become too high. Signs of sodium chloride toxicity include seizures, blindness, dehydration, loss of appetite, and death within 24 hours."

Then, since I love documentation:

COMMITTEE ON NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS OF DOGS AND CATS
DONALD C. BEITZ, Chair, Iowa State University
JOHN E. BAUER, Texas A&M University
KEITH C. BEHNKE, Kansas State University
DAVID A. DZANIS, Dzanis Consulting & Collaborations
GEORGE C. FAHEY, University Of Illinois
RICHARD C. HILL, University Of Florida
FRANCIS A. KALLFELZ, Cornell University
ELLEN KIENZLE, Zentrum Für Lebensmittel Und Tierernährung, Oberschleissheim, Germany
JAMES G. MORRIS, University Of California, Davis
QUINTON R. ROGERS, University Of California, Davis

(this is a varied group of individual who are nationally recognized at the university level)

"100 mg of sodium per day for a 33 pound dog, daily"

Just for perspective...15% enhanced salt in 4 oz of chicken is 180 milligrams of salt.

This equates to ... for every pound (16 ounces) of chicken, by weight, 2.4 ounces is salt water. Or...if you are paying $0.50 per pound for that bag of enhanced chicken thighs you are paying 7.5 cents for salt water, per pound...that equates to 75 cents for a 10 pound bag...for salt water.

[DogsforMe]

Originally Posted by BoxMeIn21

I think this all relative. Some dogs can switch back and forth between kibble and raw. And raw meat is not always expensive. Just do your research.

My dogs mostly eat kibble plus extras including raw meaty bones at least 3 times per week. I would like to feed totally raw but its not always conveinient. I have heard that it's best to feed kibble & raw in separate meals. Kibble doesn't digest as quickly as meat & bones.
An excellent link is www.rawfed.com/myths/index.html

[Robyn B.]

I feed my dog Jake and Daisey's Raw Food. Some people prefer to make their own food for their dogs, but Jake and Daisey's is great, and simple.. plus its isnt that pricey! They are also already pre-packaged in 1lbs vaccuum packed 'baggies.' You keep it frozen, and de-thaw the ones you are using the day of. They have a great variety of different meats they use; chicken, beef, pork, turkey, buffalo... and all of them have fruits and veggies mixed in for extra nutrients Its also great to throw in some oils or flax seed or eggs once in a while.
And you are supposed to feed your dog 2% of its own body weight if you are feeding raw.

[MoonStr80]

I found few good sites I looked over from other dog forums I am on & yahoo groups etc
Switching to Raw
A Raw Deal
Article from B Natural - Raw Diet