[Kristin C]

Lucky? 1 dog going from 10 ticks per week to none, and 1 dog never having ticks living here is lucky? I think there is more to tick and flea infestation than is being discussed. If I am brave enough next year I will completely omit the Advantix and just go with feeding a raw diet plus B-vitamins and see what happens. I will say that I have almost completely eliminated one of my dogs heart murmurs by feeding her raw heart, so I do believe a lot has to do with diet.

[Kristin C]

C4D-I was just asking a question about the possibility of the immune system being a factor. I actually live in Salem, CT, Lyme tick heaven. We live on 2 1/2 acres where my dogs have regular free roam in the woods. One of them (6 yrs) has had 10 ticks a week in the past (with Advantix). Since switching her to raw food, plus B-vitamins, even with a half dose of Advantix I can’t remember the last time she had a tick. My younger dog (2 yrs) has never had a tick, and she has spent a considerable time roaming the woods, and she is on the same raw food, B-vitamins, half dose of Advantix. I was worried a few months ago about fleas since they were both itchy, but I added more chicken to their raw food diet and that solved it.

[Kristin C]

Hi Ella,

Read up some more on homemade raw. Is your recipe boneless? Chix breast or thighs? No gizzards or hearts? Liver ratio? How much fish oil for the weight of your dog? Vitamin E? I am not sure canola oil is necessary. Your parsley and veg ratio is probably fine with the pumpkin and yogurt.

Keep in mind that variety is key for the long term. You will need to add more proteins than chicken.

[Kristin C]

Is it possible the immune system of the dog contributes to the frequency of flea and/or tick problems? No one seems to have mentioned that in this post so just wondering. I feed my dogs B-complex vitamins with their raw food, plus am currently giving them each 1/2 Advantix dose every 8 weeks and there has not been one tick on either of them this summer. No fleas either as far as I can tell. I think they are both pretty healthy is my point, and I am considering taking them off Advantix completely next season, keeping up with the B-complex, liver treats and raw food.

[Kristin C]

Do his paws smell like corn chips? If so, yes it’s probably yeast. Try a vinegar foot bath.

[Kristin C]

Have you looked at Zignature dry or canned food? Also, this might sound strange (but I feed my dogs raw), have you thought about feeding her pancreas? Like cures like philosophy. I tried it with heart and one of my dog’s heart murmur is almost gone. Just a thought, you could cook it and top her food.

[Kristin C]

Hi Anna-I do think some dogs do well on a grain free diet. I have one beagle/aussie mix as an example. She has lost 7 lbs (from 37 lbs) when switched to raw plus grain free kibble. She currently eats Farmina Lamb Grain Free a few times per week. But of course it has potato,has to have something to bind it. I have another dog that seems to do better with grain. I have fed her Farmina Lamb Ancestral Grain, but since I don’t feed kibble enough it’s hard to say whether it works. I have better luck with satin balls putting weight on her. I have learned that each dog is different so it’s not one size fits all for food.

[Kristin C]

Patricia-I have used modified satin balls to put weight on my chihuahua/whippet. 1 lb 80/20 ground beef, 1/2 jar unsalted peanut butter, 1 cup cooked oatmeal.

[Kristin C]

Well thanks for not slamming me pitlove, I kind of gathered it was a little more fierce weather down there:) I think giving heartworm during mosquito season is a must, which is what we do up here in CT.

From what I understand fleas and ticks are most likely to gather on a compromised host, a pet with a weakened immune system. Since our dogs eat raw liver, liver treats, and they are currently getting B-complex vitamins each night, I am finding it has worked so far and just wanted to mention it. I understand the need in the south will be more aggressive than what i do up here.

[Kristin C]

If those are the 2 you are deciding upon I would say start with Acana and move up to Orijen. Although, Orijen sounds like they are changing their formula next year since they now have a Kentucky plant.

Have you looked at Farmina?

I feed mostly raw, but I feed kibble a few times per week and have been rotating the brands for variety. If I fed kibble exclusively I would probably change the brand with each bag to give the most variety.

[Kristin C]

Hi-no one has mentioned this so I will. I live in CT so I know the circumstances are different, but I do hate treating my dogs with chemicals. We use Advantix on our 2 pups every 6 weeks normally. For their last treatment, instead of a full dose, we gave them half of a dose PLUS I have been giving them B-complex in their food each night. No ticks, no fleas. If it continues we will eliminate the Advantix, but I am sure we will not be able to eliminate it completely, we always treat them with a full dose of Advantix before we travel.

I will also add that they eat mostly a raw diet so they get B vitamins through the liver they eat, which is apparently what naturally repels the fleas and ticks.

[Kristin C]

I have tried the trial size on the Better in the Raw products and although my dogs did fine on it, by my calculations it can be expensive to use on a regular basis. Has anyone else found this?

[Kristin C]

I’m not sure I qualify for what you would consider as preparedness. I feed my dogs mostly raw, but provide 2-3 kibble meals per week because it suits our lifestyle. When we travel we do find kibble to be convenient, particularly for our car sick pup. My dogs eat a combination of grinds, RMBs, and kibble. I actualy have a calendar on the frig with their meals listed about 2 weeks out so I guess I am prepared now that I am writing this. A bag of 5lb kibble lasts about 3-4 months for our 25 lb dog.

[Kristin C]

Yes, I grind the meat and organs and add a supplement. I put the grinds in mason jars and freeze. It’s easy to thaw and feed inside.

I feed the RMB plus organs as a separate meal. I only feed these outside. My dog’s don’t touch the meat with their paws so we don’t have contamination concerns. I also watch them as they eat no matter what so I think that helps

[Kristin C]

Hi Miss Koa-I feed both my dogs raw, mostly homemade and raw meaty bones, no more than 2-3 kibble meals per week. The ratio between homemade raw and commercial raw I feed depends upon the time of year. Right now, I will buy more commercial raw since the summer gets busy and it’s also easier to feed RMBs. I also buy raw nuggets from Steve’s Real Food For Dogs. It’s not HPP treated though, which I prefer. I also order grinds and RMBs from Reel Raw in Maine, and occasionally get turkey necks from a grocery store. When I make homemade food it’s a combo of muscle meat and organs plus a supplement. When I feed RMBs I make sure I add matching organs in proportion (this is cheaper I am finding). I also add some fish oil and vit E a few time per week (or sardines) plus a raw egg and cottage once or twice per week.

I have not found feeding raw to have any contamination issues. When I make the food I take the same precautions as if I was making food for me and my husband. Children,and the ill, I would watch out for though as others have mentioned. I only feed raw grinds inside, I feed in small mason jars. RMBs I feed outside, but my dogs don’t use their paws.

The final thing I can add about feeding raw is that I think it’s great IF it works for your dog. It is definitely a process. I have changed how I feed my dogs several times in the last year, keep reading and form your own opinions on what works for your dog and household.

[Kristin C]

Steve’s Real Food.

[Kristin C]

Since this thread has mentioned it so many times, what does meeting AAFCO guidelines mean? Does this product meet NRC guidelines?

[Kristin C]

Judy-my story sounds exactly like yours. I got a puppy in Dec 2014 who we put on Blue Puppy. Our older dog was on Blue Wilderness at the time. Our puppy did terribly on it, actually did better on Purina Puppy Chow! I consider it a learning experience as I would have just kept feeding my older dog Blue if we had not gotten another dog. They both eat homemade raw now. One gets Farmina kibble and one gets Orijen kibble a couple times per week though. My older dog now has a barely audible heart murmur since taking her off the Blue. Could be the raw, and extra heart I feed her but I am thrilled and hope she will be with us for a very long time. Good luck with your dogs.

[Kristin C]

Google it and there’s plenty of info. My new pup could not keep Blue Puppy down a little over a year ago, barfing and endless diarrhea. I had been feeding my older dog Blue Wilderness at the time and switched them both to raw. Last year my older dog had a heart murmur. This year it is barely audible (I have also been feeding her extra raw heart). Kibble is like feeding processed food at every meal. Research and pick the best one you can afford.

[Kristin C]

I tried Sojos but ended up throwing the bag out. Pieces came out as they went in, even after I put them through the food processor. I don’t reccommend the product.

[Kristin C]

Darwin’s shipping cost is per pound after the free trial. It’s cost prohibitive for me in CT. The trial was great though, on their old formula. Their meat turns brown though which I did not like. I order from Reel Raw and as long as I get 30 lbs the shipping is free plus their meat never turns color it seems.

[Kristin C]

Hi Mark – I make my own raw dog food and the cost depends on the type of meat and if I can get it on sale, plus if I had any supplements. Withought a supplement I will say it can cost from .80-$1 for chicken, up to $1.50 for beef PER SERVING. I have a 25 and 30 lb dog. I use chicken breast, thighs, hearts, liver, gizzards, plus raw egg and fruit, vegs, pumpkin. For beef it’s whatever is on sale plus heart, liver, kidney, lung, thymus, fruit, vegs, pumpkin. I feed a lot of other stuff too but the chicken and beef are the best examples I have. I make it in batches every 7-10 days.

If you are looking for ideas to market your product maybe offering a sample size would help. The cost is a bit prohibitive to feed full time for most but I’m sure as a supplement to what people are currently feeding it might be worth exploring. Good luck!

[Kristin C]

Brit-sounds like you are doing a lot, as I do. The itching? How much sweet potato are you feeding for breakfast? I ask because both my dogs have scratched less since I’ve ommitted sweet potato from my recipes, which was 15% at times. I’ve replaced it with pumpkin.

One of my dogs is skinny so I add oatmeal to her food and feed her unsalted peanut butter as a snack a few times per week.

How much salmon are you feeding? Are you adding vitamin e? I freeze my juicing pulp for my dog food, nice to hear someone else uses it too:)

[Kristin C]

Addition to my previous post-I also add add raw eggs to the poultry I make, and add cottage cheese once a week as well as yogurt and green tripe once a week as a frozen treat. On the days I don’t feed sardines I will add a small amount of fish oil and vitamin e to supplement. It’s hard to include every single thing on these posts. Just remember balance over time.

[Kristin C]

BulldogMom-I make most of my dogs food and if you are looking for a chicken recipe here is one.

30% breasts
30% thighs
5% liver
15% gizzards
5% pureed vegs and/or fruit
15% pumpkin
If you are not adding a supplement with calcium then add 1/2 tsp ground eggshell per lb of meat.

Please note that this is not all you can feed in the long term. I feed beef with many organs, plus a variety of other proteins/organs and raw meaty bones, plus sardines. Hope that helps.

[Kristin C]

Aimee-what state are you in?

[Kristin C]

Hey Cheryl – I’m partly responding so I can opt out of yet another post. But, if it was me I would feed a small amount as a treat for a few days to see how she tolerates the new raw food. Once you’re confident with that then I would feed her a breakfast meal of it (or lunch too I guess). I wouldn’t suggest trying anything new for an evening meal in case it upsets her. It’s not fun to wake up in the middle of the night to a barfing dog:) Good luck to you.

[Kristin C]

I am only replying so I can get off this post. And I think I’ll get my information elsewhere moving forward. If Aimee’s posts are considered friendly and calm we must be reading different ones. The ones I seem to read are ranting, somewhat heated and critical with occasional sarcasm. I prefer to get my information from more emotionally intelligent sources.

[Kristin C]

Hi Aimee-I understand that you have a background in the field just by your posts. What I mean by your “approach” is that maybe you can tone it down cause the newbies could get scared off. If you scan this forum it’s a lot of people who just want to do right by their pups, and that’s putting it mildly. People come here looking for answers to their concerns, and some are pretty serious (not just questions on dinner mixes). I found this forum after having a pretty solid dog who has a rock solid stomach but she had a mast cell tumor on her face as a puppy. I got another puppy who couldn’t keep kibble down and was just absolutely wilting and it shocked me.

I believe, from all I’ve read, it’s pretty grey on what to feed. One size does not fit all and I have worked super hard on variety for my fur-girls, as I am sure many others have in their own research. My dogs are thriving. I don’t have kids, unfortunately, but I’m sure I would be just as diligent, if not more diligent, in my efforts to feed them as I’m sure you are with your kids.

Aimee, just don’t steamroll EVERYTHING is all I am saying. Different diets may work for different dogs. Sorry to Jakes Mom for her post taking this turn:( Have a good night.

[Kristin C]

No prob Bobby dog. I prefer light, sharing, and supportive for everyone.

[Kristin C]

Hey Everyone – Maybe we should get a Dog Food Advisor Skype meeting going. Monthly? Quarterly? Because then we can look at each other when we speak.

Aimee-everyone isn’t the science girl or guy. You say you feed your dog(s) commercial what? You have not identified that, you double science major that ?never graduated and wife of the professor/mom. I’m sorry Aimee your post are so ridiculous I nod off.

[Kristin C]

Akari-Re: Reel Raw, I bought one of their 10 lb beef mixes last summer and thought it looked quite fatty. I never emailed them to ask about the fat content though. So just a bit of info before you order 50 lbs. I do regularly order the smaller packages of novelty meats and the RMBs that I can’t get at my grocer and only feed those a few times per week.

[Kristin C]

Hi Cheryl – I am not familiar with those supplements, but have you ever looked into green tripe? It provides probiotics and digestive enzymes. It’s incredibly stinky! I feed it to my dogs in their food sometimes and give them tripe treats regularly.

[Kristin C]

Ok Aimee, take all the classes that you want but I don’t give my dog’s cattle or hog feed so now I know I don’t need to read your posts anymore. They are exhausting, like dealing with my narcissistic ex-sister-in-law. The information you provide and your approach is not supportive, but that’s just my opinion. If I was newer at this raw feeding thing, and completely unsure of what I was doing, you’d definitely scare me away from it.

[Kristin C]

I feed raw chicken backs and necks just as they come. I can’t imagine trying to grind them myself. If there is a lot of skin on the backs I’ll take some off. I usually feed some boneless muscle meat along with it, or feed a boneless grind in the evening to prevent constipation.

[Kristin C]

Hi Dori – Thank you. One of my dog’s is sensitive so think I am going to pass on the Steve’s for now. I have some Primal beef coming to try. I’ll be interested to know how Better In The Raw goes for you. It has real food in it so it interests me.

It’s 0 degrees here in CT! The dog’s get a little nutso on these days when I’d rather not be outside. My beagle/Aussie has gone from slug to supercharged in the last year since changing her diet so it can be a challenge with the weather.

[Kristin C]

Jakes Mom – I’d like to hear back if you like KBPF. I’m thinking about ordering some of Better In The Raw. At least it has some real food ingredients in it.

Cheryl-I ordered some a Primal too today! Going to try the Sardine grind instead of buying so many sardine cans.

Dori-Have you tried Steve’s Real Food for Dogs? The prices look somewhat reasonable.

[Kristin C]

I am going to tag onto what Cheryl said, I don’t mean to offend either. But, Aimee, it’s a little confusing why Balance It is the only dinner mix/supplement that makes sense to you but you’ve never used it. Dogaware.com does not recommend it, it’s an entirely synthetic product. But since I don’t know anyone’s background I am going with it’s just a matter of opinion. I find the dinner mix/supplement category a bit confusing and since there are too many ingredient variables to consider I am guessing they will not be reviewed. Since I don’t eat an entirely balanced meal every day myself and don’t really worry about it I am just going to continue feeding my dogs as much whole food variety that I can and hope the new SSLL product is not too far apart from the old formula, because it works for us.

[Kristin C]

Thanks for the info Aimee.

[Kristin C]

Cheryl – I made chicken yesterday and most of the ingredients were on the Balance It Autobalancer.

60% Chicken thighs and breasts
15% Chicken gizzards and hearts
5% Chicken liver
5% Spinach, Green Beans, Blueberries
15% Canned pumpkin
SSLL dinner mix

I usually use whatever vegs and fruit I have on hand. Beef is a bit more work for me. In addition to the dinner mix, pumpkin, veg/fruit, I will use 90-93% lean ground beef or whatever other cut I can get for a decent price (60%) heart & cheek (10%), liver (5%), kidney & thymus & lung (5%).

Hope that helps.

[Kristin C]

Thanks Aimee. I checked out the Autobalancer and although it’s fun to play around with it does not list all the ingredients I use for chicken and beef meals.

What do you feed your dog(s)?

[Kristin C]

Got it. Thanks BC.

[Kristin C]

To Anyone – does your vet suggest a consult when you tell them you feed homemade, raw or cooked? Mine did, but she suggested one who doesn’t advocate raw, which is what I feed. Another topic I guess.

[Kristin C]

Oops. Cheryl-I thought this posted on the Dinner Mix topic, my bad.

[Kristin C]

Hey Cheryl – go for it! I make my dog’s food, but as of a few months ago I have added the SSLL supplement because I am paranoid.

I looked up the Just for Dogs website, and it’s probably not something I would personally use. It appears they cook their food, I do raw (with 1-2 x per week kibble + FD). Their “balanced” supplement is for dogs with GI problems under vet care. They also do not ship frozen.

Don’t get too frustrated. Most people on the DFA forums have been through all the questions and doubts too. Just find what works best for you and your dogs. And consider it a process that you can re-evaluate and make better.

[Kristin C]

So I thawed RR rabbit chunks this weekend and the bag leaked but as Michael says it was probably from the bones. The grinds do not leak. I do thaw them in a bowl in the frig regardless. I would like to add that if you are concerned with the fat content then don’t feed it as your sole source. I open one 2 lb bag of grinds per week for my dogs. That’s only 3 meals each of a novelty protein. I probably would never feed them raw from one company all the time anyway just to be safe.

[Kristin C]

Cheryl – KBPF I believe stands for Know Better Pet Food. I’ve looked at their Better In The Raw mix and may consider trying a sample. I’ve heard about Just for Dogs in the past. They are a storefront that’s based out of CA. They have products you can order but I’d have to look closer at the ingredients. At first glance, they may not work for me since I don’t feed rice, white or sweet potatoes.

[Kristin C]

Hi Aimee – so you make all your dog’s food and use Balance It? That’s it? I checked out the website and the supplement doesn’t give use instructions. It looks like downloading or purchasing recipes, or going through a vet is the only way to get that information. The ingredient list looks like all chemical based supplements to me, as opposed to whole food ingredients which I prefer not only for myself but for my dogs as well.

Have you ever reviewed the See Spot Live Longer product?

[Kristin C]

Good to know. Right now I get the chunked rabbit for $7.79/lb so I don’t feed it very often. I’d like to know about Urban Wolf too for when my SSLL runs out.

[Kristin C]

Cheryl-thanks. Whole Foods is where I would get the rabbit too so I’ll check out how meaty they look and go from there. I responded to the meal toppers on the other post.

I use SSLL when I make my own food. I don’t love that it turns everything green, so I just bury it in the center of the meat. I ordered several pounds of it and put it in the freezer when I found out they were discontinuing. Hopefully it lasts until they come out with the new product. And hopefully the new product is as good, so yes I am pleased with it overall.

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