[wyx]

I think there could be a couple of reasons for problems with chicken. First, chicken is a bit more alien as a protein compared to beef or lamb so it's not too surprising that dogs seem to have more trouble with it. If they're having trouble with chicken meat, I'd probably avoid giving them chicken bones or any other chicken part. You may find their tolerance for chicken improves after they've been off of the even more alien plant proteins (from grains especially) for a few months to give their immune systems a chance to recover.

Another problem with chicken is that when the skin is removed it is very lean, especially the white meat. Protein needs to be balanced with fat, probably at least 50/50 by energy for a dog.

You can have your butcher grind in some beef or lamb bone if you're worried about your chi's getting enough bone because of their size. A better option may be pork rib bones (raw) which are much softer and easier to chew than just about any beef or lamb bone. Your Chi's are small but if their teeth are sound they should be able to eat the soft ends off of pork ribs and get plenty of bone mineral that way.

I recommend green tripe (and no, I don't sell it) because we have had such great results with it for our Corgi who is prone to diarrhea.

[Wimble Woof]

Originally Posted by RawFedDogs

Go to the grocery store and get some chicken wings. Feed those to your dogs for two weeks. Nothing but chicken wings.

After 2 weeks on chicken wings, start adding small pieces of meat from another animal. Start small at first. Feed something from another animal maybe one meal every other day.

Don't worry about organ meat for a couple of months. After 2 months, give them just a pinch of either chicken or beef liver once a week. They only need about 2oz a week plus or minus. Exact amounts of any of this stuff isn't critical.

I'm sorry but only chicken wings for 2 weeks? Only add organ meats after 2 months?
Offal is just as important to a prey model raw diet as bone or meat.
Just curious as to why you would recommend not feeding offal for such a period of time?

[kelliope]

Originally Posted by RawFedDogs

That is weird. It's usually the other way around. One more suggestion. Take the skin off the chicken and feed a smaller amount.



Yes there is a reason not to do that. I just addressed that in my post on another thread. I think it was the thread "is raw the answer". Your dogs should be able to handle lamb bones. Feed some lamb pieces with bones still in it and that will take care of the bone need. Dogs don't need A LOT of bone. If it's just 10% of the diet, you are ok. Thats about 1 1/2 oz for each pound of meat. You should be able to feed some lamb bone once or twice a week and be ok.

Thanks! I'll look into lamb bones.... poor little lambs. But what are you gonna do....

(Oh, and the chicken was boneless, skinless breast meat - it was for my husband but I took a little aside and kept it for the dogs - no spices or anything on the dog's portion)

Originally Posted by wyx

I think there could be a couple of reasons for problems with chicken. First, chicken is a bit more alien as a protein compared to beef or lamb so it's not too surprising that dogs seem to have more trouble with it. If they're having trouble with chicken meat, I'd probably avoid giving them chicken bones or any other chicken part. You may find their tolerance for chicken improves after they've been off of the even more alien plant proteins (from grains especially) for a few months to give their immune systems a chance to recover.

Another problem with chicken is that when the skin is removed it is very lean, especially the white meat. Protein needs to be balanced with fat, probably at least 50/50 by energy for a dog.

You can have your butcher grind in some beef or lamb bone if you're worried about your chi's getting enough bone because of their size. A better option may be pork rib bones (raw) which are much softer and easier to chew than just about any beef or lamb bone. Your Chi's are small but if their teeth are sound they should be able to eat the soft ends off of pork ribs and get plenty of bone mineral that way.

I recommend green tripe (and no, I don't sell it) because we have had such great results with it for our Corgi who is prone to diarrhea.

Didn't see this until just now. Thanks - that makes sense too about the chicken. For some reason my dogs just don't seem to want/like/tolerate poultry well.