RAW - Just Leraning as I GO

[Kelly]

So I've been feeding my dogs the raw blocks of ground up meat from the butcher. they are loving it. Also putting some fish oil on it. Jovo licks the fish oil first before he even eats the meat, he loves it.

here's my question:

I bought some raw liver the other day and put some in their food last night. Tess ate hers, Jovo picked his up out of his dish and put it on the floor, licked it a bit. then carried it over to a bed. Then he left it. Tess went over to it and started to eat it and it nearly caused a fight.

This morning I cut his up into smaller pieces and put it in his dish along with some fish. Same with Tess. Niether of them ate it. They are the fish, just not the liver. if i cook it up, is that ok to give them with their raw food? Not sure what to do. Jovo acts like its a bone (very high value) but doesnt eat. What am I missing here?

 

[Oak Hill Farm]

Try lightly searing it. You don't want to cook it all the way, as it looses some of its benefits.

You can also try feeding it completely frozen. A lot of dogs find the texture/taste of liver unappealing. My terrier tries to roll in it if it is thawed *eye roll*

 

[bullyBug]

Raw liver is an aquired taste for a lot of dogs. I use to have to put it through a food processor with some meat (or canned fish) and crack an egg over it to get my old dog to eat it. Some people sautee it lightly and gradually cook it less and less until the dog is eating it raw. Be sure to start with very small amounts at first. (That should also prevent them from carrying it around.) If you've been using beef liver, you might want to give chicken or duck liver a try.

Are you feeding bones at all?

 

[Chrissy]

Anyone else have a great tips for raw feeding? Just placed my first order with the butcher for chicken necks and he is coarse grinding hearts and livers for me. What else do your babies seem to prefer? And how much quantity wise do they eat each day? Thanks - oh and my baby is not quite 4 months old.

 

[angelbears]

Kelly are they getting fresh(uncooked) bone?

---------- Post added at 01:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:00 PM ----------

Chrissy if you are just starting raw, I would not give liver for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Why are you getting ground? Whole helps to keep their teeth clean. You want to feed 2 to 3% of your pups projected adult weight.

 

[angelbears]

Chrissy if you are just starting raw, I would not give liver for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Why are you getting ground? Whole helps to keep their teeth clean. You want to feed 2 to 3% of your pups projected adult weight.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Chrissy if you are just starting raw, I would not give liver for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Why are you getting ground? Whole helps to keep their teeth clean. You want to feed 2 to 3% of your pups projected adult weight.

Dumb question but could you explain this? It always confused me.

 

[Kelly]

Bones - no not yet. I have some inthe freezer, also some pig's feet. I've been hesitant to start feeding as jovo gets aggressive with bones and since I've had my brothers' dogs here more often than not, better to just keep everyone calm. i have chicken necks and backs.

will sear the liver and give it to them now. with raw egg.

Thanks so much for answering, guys!!

 

[angelbears]

Yeah, I always have a hard time with that one. What if you don't know the parents? It's just a good starting point. You of course watch your pup, if it looks lean feed more.

---------- Post added at 01:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:20 PM ----------

Bones are very important. They should be getting them, if not they need a supplement or ground up egg shell. Introducing new proteins to quick or too much organ, especially without bone can cause cannon butt.

 

[angelbears]

Bones are very important. They should be getting them, if not they need a supplement or ground up egg shell. Introducing new proteins to quick or too much organ, especially without bone can cause cannon butt.

 

[Kelly]

Cannon butt, omg. well i sure dont want that. Ill give them some of the frozen necks now then. they ate the cooked liver.

 

[Oak Hill Farm]

Dumb question but could you explain this? It always confused me.

a good rule of thumb if your breed is unknown is a mid range % and mid range weight guesstimate. So a small dog say 10-20 lb full grown start with a little under 1/2 lb., 20-40 lb dog 3/4 lb., 40-60 lb dog 1.25 lbs, 60-80 1.75 lb, 80-100 lb dog 2.25 lb etc., ect. basically for every 20 lbs ad about .5 lb food. From there adjust accordingly. If you cant see last rib, or your dog looks a little porky, cut back, or to ribby or thin add a little. I would say adjust about a 1/4 lb. at a time.

You can also go by current puppy weight: you can also use the 6-10% of current weight for puppies you are unsure of. That tends to be a bit high at times so just go with your eye. Keep a watch on your dogs.

 

[angelbears]

Slow, Kelly, Slow....Cannon butt is no fun. Kind of like a baby, introduce things very slowly and watch their poop to see how well their body is taking it. It takes some time for their stomach acids to get up to speed. The number one mistake that almost all raw feeders make, myself included is introducing new proteins to quickly.

Also, be careful not to over feed. Some dogs put on weight pretty fast on raw.

 

[Kelly]

yeah they've been on the ground stuff for over a month now. and i have given them bones but i have to watch when the other dogs are around. just thawing out some necks now.

 

[angelbears]

Kelly, take pictures of their teeth. Once they start getting bones and pieces of meat you will be shocked at how white their teeth will be.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

a good rule of thumb if your breed is unknown is a mid range % and mid range weight guesstimate. So a small dog say 10-20 lb full grown start with a little under 1/2 lb., 20-40 lb dog 3/4 lb., 40-60 lb dog 1.25 lbs, 60-80 1.75 lb, 80-100 lb dog 2.25 lb etc., ect. basically for every 20 lbs ad about .5 lb food. From there adjust accordingly. If you cant see last rib, or your dog looks a little porky, cut back, or to ribby or thin add a little. I would say adjust about a 1/4 lb. at a time.

You can also go by current puppy weight: you can also use the 6-10% of current weight for puppies you are unsure of. That tends to be a bit high at times so just go with your eye. Keep a watch on your dogs.

So if a pup or dog looks skinny feed more, fat feed less. Got it. Those percentages always threw me for a loop I was never good at math, lol.

 

[Oak Hill Farm]

So if a pup or dog looks skinny feed more, fat feed less. Got it. Those percentages always threw me for a loop I was never good at math, lol.

Exactly. It sounds way more complicated than it is. I say KISS (keep it simple sally) If you are in doubt, just start with 2.5 lbs a day and adjust from there. skinny, feed more, fat feed less. Works every time

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Exactly. It sounds way more complicated than it is. I say KISS (keep it simple sally) If you are in doubt, just start with 2.5 lbs a day and adjust from there. skinny, feed more, fat feed less. Works every time

LOVE this, LOL

 

[Chrissy]

Chrissy if you are just starting raw, I would not give liver for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Why are you getting ground? Whole helps to keep their teeth clean. You want to feed 2 to 3% of your pups projected adult weight.

Hello, thank you for the info on liver!!! It won't be completely ground - more like larges strips or chunks. Also a bit easier for storage and freezing. I am buying in bulk. Thank you also for the percentages that will give me a great starting point for packaging the food. Love this forum - you guys are all so knowledgable and friendly.

 

[angelbears]

Any questions, just ask. Raw is so simple it is hard. LOL