[SandyandMila]

Katie J, you’re lucky your boyfriend is supportive and helpful, mine won’t even let me open a can of sardines in the house. I portion out everything when he’s not home and put enough in our freezer for a week or two an the rest my mom lefts me store in one of her freezers. Another freezer would be great especially for large orders, and that’s a pretty great deal at Home Depot but I can’t hide a freezer from him. lol

[SandyandMila]

That was such a great example. Lots of people don’t transition their dogs to raw due to the cost. But if someone can make feeding a Great Dane look more cost effective than it’s definitely worth a shot. I was going to add that if you have a local co-op or wholesale supplier you can get things like RMBs in bulk that’ll last you for awhile and worth the price. http://www.dogaware.com/diet/rawgroups.html

[SandyandMila]

Now that you know what RMBs are you’ll probably be able to find a lot more easier locally than you thought you had. Attached is also another link you could use, actually the whole site is very informative, if you need help finding resources in your area. http://www.dogaware.com/diet/rawfoods.html I’m pretty new to raw myself, just started feeding about a year ago RMBs and commercial raw and hope to get started again very soon, the forum here is a great resource if you have any questions and everyone is very helpful.

[SandyandMila]

RMB stands for raw meaty bones. From http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/raw-feeding-primer/ “This can include chicken backs, wings and necks (or even whole carcasses), lamb necks, pork necks, turkey necks, ox tails, beef ribs, turkey tails; any meaty bone that can be completely consumed by your dog. If you are feeding meatier meals (turkey or lamb necks), feed about 50% RMB, if your choices are bonier (chicken backs, pork necks, wings or ribs), feed about 30% RMB.
Large, weight bearing bones such as marrow and knuckle bones are not considered RMB’s if the dog is not able to consume the bone. These can be given as a recreational bone..” I can find at my local supermarket chicken wings, leg quarters, turkey necks, beef oxtail, pork neck bones, whole chicken, whole turkey, whole quail. Others you could find at at a local butcher or wholesale supplier and also online at sites like Hares Today, My Pet Carnivore, and if you have Primal pet food at a local pet store they also have chicken necks, chicken backs, and turkey necks. That site is a good reference and there are so many more knowledgable people on DFA that can help you. Feel free if you have any more questions!

[SandyandMila]

Awesome, thank you! I think it’ll be interesting to see her eating it, like her expression when she ate her first RMB last year. The wow! you’re actually letting me eat this look. 🙂

[SandyandMila]

Yeah, just need to stock up locally and from Hares Today and get some supplements. I want her to try all kinds of different stuff. I’m pretty excited about it!

[SandyandMila]

When feeding the whole carcass grinds that contain either fur or feathers, is there any digestive issues or concerns I should worry about? Should I add any digestive enzymes to aid in the process if she’s never had fur or feathers before? I’m interested in feeding and seeing if Mila would like them. I’m sure she would. I’m still feeding kibble and canned with some eggs and sardines occasionally but would really like to go back to raw soon. 🙂

[SandyandMila]

It looks like it does have green tea. 🙁

[SandyandMila]

Oh good. So it’s be better to break it up into several balanced meals during the week than having just the one day , like Sunday, with a big balanced meal (large turkey necks, large leg quarter, or even a whole prey) with organ/muscle/supplements.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 11 months ago by SandyandMila.

[SandyandMila]

I’m actually thinking of doing the same at the moment. I was doing just raw (commercial and RMBs) for awhile but because of availability or cost I am now back to canned and dry with a periodical commercial raw (Answers recently). My dog is about the same weight and activity level as the dog above. If I make a meal from the RMB (adding organ/muscle meat, chicken feet, green supplements, fish oil, eggs, etc. ) would I have to feed it for the same 3 meals a week as the person mentioned above or is that if it’s not balanced? If I use a bigger RMB like a turkey neck or chicken leg quarter and make a meal of it would that be a one meal day, with her eating about 1 1/2 lbs a day? Would that be enough to fill her up for the whole day? Since chicken is easily available and usually on sale I wanted to start feeding RMBs again and eventually feed her more homemade raw. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[SandyandMila]

pfeiner – have you tried rotating other brands as well? The same happened to me when feeding Primal so I started using others as well (NV, Stella and Chewy’s, Bravo, etc.) and using ground beef or turkey with Preference.

[SandyandMila]

Houndie Crack 🙂

[SandyandMila]

HDM- does that go for the Primal beef mix as well? I fed it today for one if the meals and gave Mila a RMB for the other meal.

[SandyandMila]

Yes it can be, but you made the right decision by coming to DFA and improving Sadie’s health. Good luck with her!

[SandyandMila]

I had found the Bravo tripe a natural foods store nearby while I was waiting for my HT order and have about a week supply left of that one so I portioned out the HT tripe (2lb ground). I don’t mind the smell I just noticed a big difference.

[SandyandMila]

I finally was able to portion out the green tripe today, WOW it definitely smells different then the other raw green tripe (Bravo) I’ve used!! I was scared the juices were going to splash on me. lol

[SandyandMila]

My Mila (1 1/2 today) isn’t picky at all and I’ve had her on a lot of variety. Kibble [Canidae, Earthborn, Orijen, Acana, Brothers, Wellness, Fromm, Annamaet, (Chicken Soup, TOTW when I’ve had to)] and canned (Merrick, TOTW, Fromm, Canidae, Dave’s GF, Tripett, Wellness, ATG). Freeze dried and Dehyrated: Stella and Chewy’s, Primal, THK, Grandma Lucy. Premade raw: NV, Primal, Bravo. Raw organ/muscle meat, green tripe. And also RMBs:chicken back, turkey necks, pork necks. The only one I wouldn’t recommend is the Canidae Single Grain Protein Plus, although a 5 star food, because of the multiple protein sources and not grain free. (It was suggested at a pet store before I got Mila) You have received great advice above, stick to a single protein source and try to go grain free. Is it just when the dog has chicken protein that you see these issues? Maybe Sadie has a chicken food allergy? Try other protein sources beef, lamb, turkey, fish and also add a little canned pumpkin and plain yogurt (digestive enzyme and probiotics). And once you find a few that work rotate them, being on one type of food for too long can make it easier to form food allergies. Mila does have sensitive skin especially during spring-summer allergy season, I guess that might be a “pit issue”, so adding omega 3s and coconut oil to her food are a big help, and also bathing often is key. I’m using a medicated antifungal antiseptic shampoo right now because her skin was negatively effected after getting her spayed and vaccinated during allergy season, which is a big no-no. (The main reason I’ve switched to raw) But also like Earthbath or any good teatree oil shampoo. Try not to use a oatmeal based shampoo especially if Sadie’s skin has open sores, red, and irritated.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 7 months ago by SandyandMila.

[SandyandMila]

Congrats to you!! Have you asked to see if you could return the quail Bailey didn’t eat, or suppliers nearby to you?

[SandyandMila]

How about beef oxtail? I haven’t fed it yet but am also looking for an alternative to pork necks while their freezing for 3 weeks.

[SandyandMila]

Ah, I see. Thanks

[SandyandMila]

Ok, thanks! You don’t find it necessary for me to alternate another type if fish oil (like the one in the link)?

[SandyandMila]

Yes, I love using coconut oil with her and also see the best improvement especially with her allergies, and use it topically as well. Should I just use that instead of getting another fish oil? I can use both sardine and coconut oils together?

[SandyandMila]

Has anyone used this product Ark Naturals Royal Coat Express http://www.arknaturals.com/royal-coat-express. The bottle of krill oil is almost gone and haven’t really received the benefit like I thought it would, so I was thinking if changing it up. It consists is 100% wild fish oil and borage oil with no other inactive ingredients. I also will be alternating it with the NL sardine oil I already give and also sardines occasionally. Thanks

[SandyandMila]

I have to worry about my dog and cat when portioning the food. They both start begging. The other day I was cutting into a Primal sardine grind and portioned them out into ziplock bags. I put the cutting board near the sink while I was cleaning the table and I looked over to see my cat licking the cutting board. They’re too much. lol

[SandyandMila]

My dog’s skin gets red when we come in from our evening walk. I might have to decrease the amount if time shes exposed to the outdoors. 🙁 I do bathe her often. I also have tried bee pollen recently but not seeing much of a difference. I do like using coconut oil in her food and topically and seems to work better. Have you tried coconut oil, Pugsonraw?

[SandyandMila]

The piece was a little bigger than others before so that was my concern. I did feed them with turkey hearts and she had no problems, stool has been great. I will try to slow her down then by using the method Patty suggested, instead of thawing overnight (almost 24 hrs) I’ll just take them out of the freezer in the morning when she’s had her breakfast. 10 hours should be enough time to partially thaw the turkey neck and hearts?

[SandyandMila]

At 3 am this morning, Mila threw up a piece of bone from the turkey neck she had yesterday, nothing else just the bone. And I’ve seen little pieces of bone in her crate also from other turkey necks she’s had this week. This was the first week of feeding the Hare Today turkey necks, I have fed the ones from the grocery store before with no issues. Her bowels were fine this morning small and firm, no bones in her poop. My question is, should I be concerned about the pieces hurting her throat? I still have a bag and a half of their turkey necks yet to feed, I don’t want to be worried they’ll hurt her. Should I grind them? I know they will lose their purpose of feeding an rmb, the carnivore instinct to crunch, pull, and chew but I really don’t want her to get hurt. What should I do? Thanks

[SandyandMila]

They sure do love it! Adding organ meat to RMBs is ok though right?

[SandyandMila]

Oh ok, that makes sense. Tripe is ok though right it doesn’t throw off anything? She has it 3 times a week with beef meal as an “extra” whether it be with the Preference, Primal, or Bravo blend. Or is that too often for tripe?

[SandyandMila]

Speaking of boneless meals, I wanted to ask a question. Would the meat (ground beef and turkey) be at the same ratio 2:1 with organs/tripe as it is with a RMB or is it more equal amount 1lb:1lb? I’ve only used ground beef with Preference so far and added tripe as an “extra” like with the cottage cheese and coconut/fish oils and wanted to maybe add some organ meat. Should I just add the organ meat as extra as well or add it ground and portion it out with the meat (2/3 cup)? Thanks 🙂

[SandyandMila]

Mila just had her first pork neck bones. No hesitation. Did take a little longer than her turkey neck/hearts yesterday but she seemed to enjoy it. Very crunchy! Hopefully her poops with be fine.

[SandyandMila]

Great, thanks! I fed it to her (had to feed dinner earlier because of work) and she did great. I turned away for a minute to wash some dishes and when I turned back around she was licking the bowl clean. If I do hearts and gizzards, would I be adding less oz.?

• This reply was modified 10 years, 8 months ago by SandyandMila.

[SandyandMila]

I’m going to start feeding turkey necks with hearts today. I already portioned them out but I’m starting to think I may have done it wrong. How much hearts in oz. should I feed with an 8 oz. turkey neck, is 4 oz. too much? How much with a 10 oz. neck? Thanks

[SandyandMila]

Nice!

[SandyandMila]

I don’t mind the travel, I traveled just to find her a particular supplement yesterday. lol I order online if I have to but I’ve been able to find RMBs and green tripe locally and with Thanksgiving just around the corner turkey necks and hearts will be easier to get.

[SandyandMila]

Great, thanks! I have to travel a little to find Nature’s Logic kibble, it’s not sold at the pet stores I usually go to. 🙁 Going to start with the Hare Today turkey necks tomorrow, just portioned them out last night with the turkey hearts. And will also be getting pork necks for the first time this week. We’ll see how it goes.

[SandyandMila]

beaglemom: I know! On that group they practically scold you for asking questions. It seems a lot if dog parents need help because their dogs are getting ill on raw, well maybe if they’re being instructed to feed it the right way (with organ meat, tripe, veggies/fruits, supplements) they wouldn’t be getting sick. I just started switching to raw a little over a month ago after getting Mila spayed and vaccinated. Her skin and coat really took a hit by the weakening of her immune system. I joined that group in hopes of getting some help, finding suppliers, maybe shared recipes. I officially left that group the other day. People on here are so helpful. They take time out of there busy lives to help educate us on proper nutrition for our dogs, they’re not rude even when others have been rude to them. A lot of us newbies have no clue what to do or where to start they help us to point us in the right direction. Mila’s skin and coat is starting to look a lot better and she’s long, lean, and muscular and I know it’s because of their help. Mila begs for her food now (just had her first raw dressed rabbit this morning) , she never did that before with commercial food, and that was some of the best stuff out there. So I’m very pleased. Which Nature’s Logic do you use? I only feed kibble one meal a week and am trying Annamaet right now and will probably switch to Nature’s Logic when the bag is done.

[SandyandMila]

Oh man, I’ve written 2 long replies and they disappeared. But anyways, I’ve been using krill oil for a few months now and just recently started with sardine oil and have been using coconut oil for the past year or so. I’ve been feeding sardines about once or twice a week with her raw. I am also looking into supplementing with vitamin e and of course the your whole food supplement I’ve been asking about and have already started giving her the NL supplement. I just wanted to know more info on flax and if it was something I needed to supplement. I’m running low on krill oil, should I stick with it and get some more or try something different, maybe salmon oil? I notice you use omega 3-6-9 with evening primrose, is that a good choice? Sorry about all the questions

[SandyandMila]

Congrats on going back to school, HDM!! We’re proud of you!! 🙂 Speaking of pre-mixes, Preference recommends using fish oil, coconut oil, or flax seed oil. What are your thought on flax seed oil, it’d the only one if the 3 I haven’t used?

[SandyandMila]

Good to know! Thanks

[SandyandMila]

Thanks for the heads up about the pork neck bones, I’ll make sure to keep an eye on that. I had read somewhere online that they suggested feeding them with beef hearts but wasn’t sure if that was correct due to feeding beef with pork.

[SandyandMila]

Thanks! It was taken last weekend, she finally got to go back to the dog park. She had so much fun!! 🙂 I just got my first Hare Today order delivered (turkey necks, turkey hearts, green tripe). How long should I thaw them for so I can portion them out? And also, I noticed you use the ground lamb supreme from MPC when u feed lamb, do you prefer it to Hare Today’s lamb/mutton? Is the lamb supreme in the correct meat/bone/organ meat ratio or does it need anything added to balance it out? I like it that it also has tripe. I’ll probably feed it in about a month or two but would just like your expertise. It’ll probably be my next order. She’s loved her raw so far, didn’t really need a long transition and no digestion issues. She’s going to love the long turkey necks, she’s only had the cut ones from the grocery store. I’m going to start also giving her pork neck bones next week, do i have to add any extra muscle/organ meat or tripe to it to balance it out? Sorry this is in the wrong section of the forum, if you feel more comfortable please leave your reply on the raw food section, when you can of course. 🙂

[SandyandMila]

Oh yeah, I’ve seen doggy cookies by K9 granola factory that are apricot and kiwi, just never tried them.

[SandyandMila]

Yeah, I’m sure NL wouldn’t put it in their product if it weren’t safe. I’ve read online people feed avocado to their dog. Btw, is kiwi ok for dogs? I saw it the other day in a baby food veggie/fruit purée and was wondering. Thanks guys!

[SandyandMila]

That’s what you had mentioned before, just making sure because it says to add to wet or dry food. Thanks!

[SandyandMila]

Is the avocado in the Nature’s Logic All-Food Fortifier ok? Is it less toxic in powdered form?

[SandyandMila]

You will probably be able to find a lot locally (as far as meats, rmbs, organ meat, etc), that you just weren’t looking for before. That’s happened to me, I just found green tripe at a natural food store. It makes making homemade raw a lot more easier.

[SandyandMila]

Check out dogaware.com as HDM suggested, there’s great resources on there and also a list of suppliers. You definitely came to the right place. I’m new to raw feeding as well (1 month now) and doing half homemade and half premade raw. I’m getting more comfortable with making homemade and enjoy learning on this site.

[SandyandMila]

I only buy the smaller 4-5 lb bags and rotate, I only have the one dog so it’s not so bad. And now that I feed mostly raw I only have one bag.

[SandyandMila]

That’s why I prefer to make one like yours, I’ll know everything in it. I really like what I read about dulse, that u suggested. Since I already use bee pollen grandular, can I substitute dulse for the bee pollen. Would it be equal parts also? I think it could be beneficial for her allergies.

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