[Kristin C]

Cheryl-I have a Beagle Aussie mix and a Chihuahua mix. I don’t worry too much about the fat in the Orijen since they only get one meal per week of it. The freeze dried is expensive so I just keep it in rotation because it’s great when traveling.

I have tried Stella and Chewy’s FD but don’t love the ingredients. It’s does rehydrate well though. I have not tried the toppers since I make most of the dog’s food myself and only use kibble 1-2 times per week. S&C is treated with HPP and I don’t care for that either.

I am actually going to order some Primal Sardine grind to try, maybe some beef too. Primal uses HPP on their poultry products. Where would you order Primal from? It looks like wag.com will have it shipped from the manufacturer.

[Kristin C]

The rabbit, bones and all, went good. Both my dogs had no problem chomping through the bones. Think I am going to see if I can purchase a whole rabbit and cut it into portions myself, assuming it’s more cost effective than purchasing the pieces already cut up.

[Kristin C]

Bobby dog-they’ll be getting their first rabbit bones in the morning. If all goes well, I’ll probably buy an entire rabbit and just cut it up myself. If it freaks me out I’ll probably just do rabbit grinds in the future.

Re: the dinner mixes. Urban Wolf looks like an awful lot of work to me. Better in the Raw is on my list to try. I’ll check out the CarnivoreRaw.

I’ll post if the rabbit bones go well, or not.

[Kristin C]

I think you should stick with one protein per meal if your dog has allergies. Omit one ingredient at a time if you can. I make most of my own food so I guess that’s easy. Raw eggs make my dogs’ eyes run, sweet potato makes them itchy.

[Kristin C]

I use SSLL and I agree with C4C the dog poops are great. I don’t love the color or smell but when I make my own food I carve a hole, dump the SSLL in the center, cover it, and voila a great doggie dinner. I use small mason jars and freeze. Have only tried THK once and I did not love it, there’s a lot of chunks, and it’s dehydrated not raw. Have you looked at Better In The Raw? I may try it when my SSLL runs out.

My dogs are having raw rabbit chunks in the morning topped with sardines:) Their one RMB meal of the week. I am thinking about buying a whole rabbit at Whole Foods and carving it myself.

[Kristin C]

Jon-what are you feeding your dog?

[Kristin C]

Cheryl-I use Orijen FD and have never found it to be gooey. Initially I found it took too long to dissolve, but resolved that by breaking it up before adding water. I feed it individually (sometimes) but mainly use it as a 50/50 mix with Orjien Adult kibble once per week. If you have not used Sojos yet, it is a dehydrated product that does not digest well for either of my dogs (comes out in their poop). I even tried pureeing it after rehydrating to chop up the pieces but that didn’t work and I threw the rest of the bag out. Luckily, it’s not that expensive.

S&C dissolves easily, but I don’t love the ingredients, nor did one of my dogs:( So I say find which one’s good for pup(s) and go with it. Stewart’s is another FD I found, but I think it’s processed the HPP way like S&C and one of my dog’s doesn’t seem to do well with those products.

[Kristin C]

In the future is it possible to identify whether The Editor’s Choice raw picks are treated with HPP? It would be helpful if that’s something you think is important. I was looking at purchasing some Primal and found on their website that some of their products are treated with HPP and some are not. Thankfully the ones I’d like to purchase are not HPP products.

[Kristin C]

Ron-sounds like Blue Buffalo works for you. I thought it worked for me too. I fed my older dog Blue Puppy and then Blue Wilderness over the course of 4 years. I thought it was a premium food, and maybe it was at one point. When we got a new puppy Dec 2013 I naturally transitioned her to Blue Puppy and the shit literally started flying, and the barf. And for several weeks I tried everything I could think of to get her used to the food but it stumped me, never had an issue with my older dog. As I read more about kibble in general it horrified me and I tried the new pup on raw. Voila, no more diarrhea and barfing. So I transitioned my older dog to raw and not only did she lose weight taking her off the Blue Wilderness, but her coat got better and she doesn’t even smell like a dog anymore:) In fact, I feel terrible that I fed my older dog only kibble for as long as I did.

So my point is, maybe you have a dog with a great constitution and it works for you, but The Editor’s Choice is just that, it is The Editor’s Choice and there’s specific criteria he looks at. I signed up for a membership so I could keep track of how the kibble I feed a couple times per week ranks on a regular basis, and to see when any new raw foods make the list. If the kibble I use comes off the list I will most likely look at making a change. The information I have found on the forums, and the answers the other members provide, have been invaluable to me for keeping my fur babies healthy.

[Kristin C]

Cheryl-referring back to one of your earlier posts, what do you mean about Orijen FD dissolving poorly? If you break up the patties they dissolve just fine. The ingredients are better than Stella and Chewy’s and some of the other products you mentioned are actually dehydrated.

[Kristin C]

One of my dog’s ate her poo for the first 4 years. She was on Blue Buffalo (puppy, then wilderness). We switched her to a raw diet last year, along with the occasional Orijen kibble and she no longer eats it. From what I’ve read the flavors in kibble don’t digest and so poop tastes just like kibble to some dogs. Unless your clients are willing to change diet then picking it up right away is about your only option.

[Kristin C]

I can’t seem to find the bad reviews on Reel Raw on this site. I’ve looked for online reviews several times too and there’s not much out there on the company. I agree the 10lbs looked fatty so I have not purchased it again. As I said, the smaller portions look ok but I only order novelty meats. I don’t completely thaw the beef organs, just partially thaw and cut off what I need. Perhaps that’s why I have not experienced the leakage issue. Different products work for different people I guess.

[Kristin C]

Hi Paz-did you order the smaller portions, 1 or 2 lbs? Or the the 10 lbs? I’ve ordered from them for about 6 months and I have to say I don’t care for their new packaging. They used to deliver the smaller portions in tubs. I ordered 10 lbs of beef once and noticed a lot of white and I was concerned with the fat content since they don’t post their nutrient data. So now I just order the smaller portions and they actually look ok to me, but I only feed a few meals per week of the novelty meats. I make the rest of my dogs meals with chicken and lean beef from the grocery store. I do order individual beef organs from Reel Raw and haven’t had the leaking issue you have. You may want to email them about it. They are very responsive.

[Kristin C]

Happy New Year! Second post in 2015.

[Kristin C]

We feed our raw grinds out of a jar or dog food bowl right in our kitchen. RMB’s get fed outside in our driveway, but we only do that once per week and we supervise. Dried beef trachea we feed as a treat outside (or in the garage), weather permitting.

[Kristin C]

If you mean gizzards then yes it’s ok to feed. I feed mine raw. Are you adding the organs to each meal in small amounts? Or are you feeding 1 or 2 meals per week organs only? Be careful about feeding too much.

[Kristin C]

It’s not true raw since it’s cooked to 115 degrees. I have used it and it seems safe but I ended up throwing out most of the bag since there was always chunks in my dog’s poo. At the price, I preferred to be rid of it and move on to something else.

[Kristin C]

Since they cook it to 115 degrees it’s actually dehydrated. Freeze drying is a completely different process and end product. In my experience, freeze dried products digest completely, dehydrated products do not digest well.

[Kristin C]

Based upon the price point I’m pretty sure Sojos is dehydrated. I use freeze dried Orijen, have used Stewarts, Stella and Chewy’s and they are completely different products from Sojos (and THK). I would love to hear from someone whose dog has digested Sojos well.

[Kristin C]

Hi Liz-may I ask what reason you are feeding coconut oil for? And if it’s working? I have a chihuahua whippet mix who I have a hard time getting to gain and keep weight on.

[Kristin C]

So this is the first I have read about foregoing heart worm meds in the winter months. I live in CT so this would apply? Of course our vet never suggests it. We do omit the flea/tick treatments in the colder months, unless we travel to FL as we did for Thanksgiving.

[Kristin C]

I make my own raw food and store/freeze it in mason jars, the flatter ones (8oz) with regular mouths. This makes my dogs work for their food. And it works for their size so that’s a consideration.

[Kristin C]

I believe Sojos is dehydrated, it’s not raw and does not digest well from my experience.

[Kristin C]

Funny! Thanks for sharing.

[Kristin C]

Hey Bri- I use SSLL and I

1. Add liver (5%) and other organs (10%) if I have them.
2. Don’t add bone due to the ingredients in the mix.

I emailed the company in the past and I believe it’s a complete meal if you use the mx, regardless of what you add.

[Kristin C]

We live in CT but are vacationing in FL this Thanksgiving. We drove 26 hours here with our 2 dogs. Never leave home without them!

[Kristin C]

Hey Pluto-not sure how old your pup is but because it’s a larger dog you may want to look into the 90-93% if you are feeding raw. I would feed raw and kibble at separate meals if you are new to it.

[Kristin C]

Michael – one more thing. Have you looked into coconut oil? It could help with your 8 yr old’s yeastiness and your younger one’s hunger issues, if you’re providing enough calories. I’ve added oatmeal to my younger dogs’ food to bulk her up, but I have to do it regularly to make a difference.

[Kristin C]

Michael H – I am currently using Orijen Freeze Dried Adult. I use it along with the Adult kibble a few meals per week but I feed mostly homemade raw. Have not had any issues and am considering rotating to Orijen Regional, but it has even more proteins. I looked at BDN too but something about their process did not sit right with me, just a gut feeling really. I order from Reel Raw and my dogs love it. You just have to plan according to their delivery schedule and have the freezer space. I have tried Stewart’s Freeze Dried but one of my dog’s doesn’t tolerate it so I always end up back to making my own raw. Good thing we got a turkey neck, liver and gizzards from our dinner today. We fried the heart and some of the liver for our stuffing:)

[Kristin C]

Wow-may I ask what your dogs symptoms are when you say allergy.

[Kristin C]

I think it depends on what else you feed. If you only feed kibble then it might be a good idea to add water for the hydration. If you feed dehydrated you are (usually) already adding water. And if you feed raw there’s naturally moisture in the meat. Freeze dried can be fed dry or with water I guess but I always add water. I feed mostly raw so when I’m at home I don’t add water to the few kibble meals per week. Right now we are on vacation so I added water to the kibble meals we fed at the hotels.

[Kristin C]

Hey-so real simple idea for jerky is……. Turn your oven on as low as it goes and place your sliced meat (slightly frozen when sliced), on a rack. Check on it and flip every few hours until it’s JERKY. Thus is best to do when you plan on being home, but you can definitely freeze the excess. My girls’ love it.

[Kristin C]

I feed both my dog’s raw but only one seems to eat grass regularly. What super green do you use BC?

[Kristin C]

I have recently started using See Spot Live Longer Dinner mix which I like but they are discounting as of December. Once my supply is depleted I will probably try THK, one of the bases, which I’m not thrilled with because of the chunkiness. I have been looking at Better In The Raw. Would love to know thoughts on that.

[Kristin C]

Hi Bri – I have dogs so I’m not sure this applies, but have you tried pumpkin for the constipation? It’s supposed to work for diarrhea too. I’ve been using Darwin’s but terminated because of price, increased fat in their newest formula, and the meat turns brown

[Kristin C]

Susan-so sorry for your guy. Have you thought about trying an elimination diet? Novelty proteins (rabbit, duck, quail, etc.) plus veggies, to see what bothers him? We live in the U.S. and our dogs get sneezy and eye boogery too, usually environmental. We feed mostly raw, little kibble and freeze dried, so they don’t get used to any one thing.

[Kristin C]

Jumping in too. I feed raw (w/ SSLL dinner mix) and Orijen kibble and Orijen freeze dried for convenience. Have tried other brands but I don’t love the ingredients or processing, and one of my dog’s seem sensitive to many of them.

[Kristin C]

Hi Julie-I feed my dogs Orijen Adult 2x per week. One of my dogs was overweight on a Blue Buffalo kibble, but since switching her to raw and Orijen she has lost almost 10% of her prior weight. I agree with BC that the amount on the bag is a suggestion. If you can feel your dog’s ribs that’s good so adjust accordingly. Can you provide more activity to lose weight? I found that helped with my dog, but our second pup helps with the activity.

[Kristin C]

I like the Simply Sojo’s Lamb and Turkey plus Evanger’s beef tripe and lung. If I can, I buy pork, lamb, etc. and dehydrate it in my oven. Single source ingredients.

[Kristin C]

Pumpkin works good to firm up stools, while he’s getting used to the food. I use it when I switch kibble just to be safe, although we feed mostly raw.

[Kristin C]

Becky- I have one dog who is pretty sensitive, and one who is pretty solid. However, I have noticed they both seem itchy when their food has sweet potato in it. When I omit the sweet potato they don’t seem to itch. Also, I give them each a can of sardines per week. They eat a variety of homemade raw proteins, plus Orijen kibble and freeze dried.

[Kristin C]

FYI, I just read on their website SSLL is working with a larger company on dinner mixes which will be available Spring 2015. That sounds promising for any fans of the product.

[Kristin C]

Good idea BC. I’ll store my extra bags in the freezer until I need them. I’m searching for another mix I can move onto after my SSLL stash is gone but not finding anything so far. Anyone ever tried Better In The Raw?

[Kristin C]

I’ve only tried THK samples. I like the SSLL better, it’s a powder versus chunky and it doesn’t need water, just mix into meat. I only bought 1 lb the first time about 6 weeks ago. I haven’t been using it much with my 2 dogs but it will probably be gone by the end of the month because I’ll use it more on vacation. I don’t see an expiration date on the package tho. The production date is May 2014. I would imagine it has 6-12 month shelf life.

[Kristin C]

Yeah I bought 3 lbs which will at least get me through until I find something else. It’s hard to find products with ingredients I like. It’s too bad he can’t just sell the company to someone reputable.

[Kristin C]

Thank you. I’ll probably just stick with my own organ blend than risk it.

[Kristin C]

Thanks BC. Do you think (thyroid) in an organ mix used as 10% of a meal, beef as 30% of diet overall, would be an issue for a healthy dog?

[Kristin C]

My dogs sneeze a lot but I think it’s environmental. I avoid rice, potatoes, and limit sweet potatoes in their diet.

Tammy-your dog sounds allergic to everything. Have you tried buffalo? Tripe?

Aren’t dogs usually allergic to foods they eat too much of? Or is it a compromised immune system that needs to be built up?

[Kristin C]

Does the gullet always contain the thyroid in the grinds? I was going to order the Hare Today beef organ mix for my next round of homemade but…

[Kristin C]

Hi Nancy-I fed my dogs beef rib bones a couple weeks ago and it’s not for me. I’m not sure if you were on my DFA post that day. Once all the meat was gone they did not want to give up the bones. And my fear is that they’ll break a tooth, which my older dog did on a beef marrow bone which I no longer feed. We stick with the consumable RMBs, chicken necks and backs, and turkey necks, duck parts. I have to order them as I don’t find them at the grocer, other than occasionally turkey necks.

[Author]

Posts