[Jude s]

So like the title said, I need help! I’m trying to start my puppies, that are about to be 4 months on the 11, on raw food. I was told that starting them on premix meals, then transitioning them to homemade or raw prepackaged food is best. The problem is I don’t know which premix meal brands are best…I have pitbull/chihuahua mix puppies. If anyone can help me I would greatly appreciate it 🙂 …..oh and I’ve done my research but it’s a ll overwhelming :/

• This topic was modified 10 years, 1 month ago by Jude s.

[pugmomsandy]

I’m not sure if there is a best way to start pups on raw. But some recommended premixes are See Spot Live Longer, Urban Wolf, The Honest Kitchen, Granda Lucy’s, maybe Dr Harvey’s. There are also some premade frozen raw that come in small nuggets like Primal Pronto and Natures Variety Instinct which are quick to thaw and easy to introduce.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 1 month ago by pugmomsandy.

[theBCnut]

I didn’t say best, I said easy. At least I meant to. When you decide which one you want to use, if you decide to go that route, skip a meal, then the next meal feed about 1/4 what you would normally feed, then feed 1/2 for a couple meals, then go to the full amount. Or you can do what a lot of us here do and just start adding the raw as a topper, and then continue to increase the amount of raw. By the way, you can make big batches and freeze it in portion sizes, or enough for 2 or 3 days, if that works better for you.

[Jude s]

Ok, sorry didn’t mean to offend you…….I was looking more into different brands, and I just got a little overwhelmed by all the different brands, and the reviews. I guess I’ll just buy what I think is best and learn as I go. Sorry if I’m annoying anyone

[Cyndi]

Jude, I really don’t think you offended BCnut! Not sure that’s even possible, lol! You are not annoying anyone. We are all here to learn and welcome questions! It’s pretty much trial and error. While one dog may do awesome on any given food, it may not work for another dog. You’re right, you buy what you think is best and see how your dogs do. Unless there is some kind of intolerance to a certain protein or ingredient, I’m sure they’ll do fine.

Good luck!! & don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you happen to see the thread I started about starting my dog on raw from a year and a half ago, you’ll see I asked a TON of questions. & everyone here was more than happy to answer them. 🙂

[Kristin C]

Hi Jude-when I first started my puppy on raw earlier this year I would give her treats of raw chicken during the day. When I was sure she could tolerate it I gave her a full raw breakfast for a few days, then added dinner. I did the same thing transitioning her to raw beef. I have tried Darwin’s but the meat turns brown and it’s expensive. Nature’s Variety worked for us and it is very accessible as it’s sold at Petco, but it’s expensive too. Orijen Freeze dried works for us when when we travel, again expensive though. I have resorted to buying my own chicken and beef when on sale, add organs, puréed vegs, sweet potato and pumpkin and, as of this week, am adding in See Spot Live Longer to my homemade. I buy grinds of novelty meats from Reel Raw to get more variety and rotate those in. In addition, my girls each get a can of sardines per week and I make tripe and yogurt treats for them a couple times per week. You can request samples of THK on their website. I have a couple samples I have not tried yet. The best advice I can offer is to try one thing at a time, keep doing what works, discard what doesn’t work. Every household is different. I have revised my dog’s eating schedule many times this year!

[Jude s]

To Cyndi ok as long as I’m not being annoying lol…..I’m just trying to gain as much “data” as I can. I’m so happy I came across dogfoodadvisor.com, I don’t feel so alone lol

[Jude s]

To Kristin, Thank you for the tips and advice, every little bit of advice from all you awesome people helps! Lol ….I think I’ll try introducing raw foods little by little, just too see if they can handle it *crosses fingers*

[crazy4cats]

Hi Jude-
Welcome to DFA. I saw your pups on the review side. They are adorable! I also took in two male littermates at the same time, and it was quite an adventure. Mine are lab and golden retriever mix. Both weighing about 80 lbs. I also have been on an adventure learning how to feed them more appropriately! I feed them mostly kibble, but I do add toppers to every meal. What I add is changing over time. I started out with canned, but while I’ve been on this site, I’ve incorporated other toppers as well. I wanted to give you this link to the See Spot Live Longer website as others have mentioned they have a premix. Here it is: http://www.seespotlivelonger.com/ I started with downloading the SSLL the ABC way for @2.95. It is a guide for people who feed kibble and want to supplement with various raw meats, fruits and vegggies. It is a pretty informative little download. I use his guide for supplementing kibble. Now, in addition, I feed one kibble free meal a week with the See Spot Live Longer Dinner Mix. So far, I’ve just added lightly cooked ground turkey to it. He also has a book available on the site that has home made recipes. I don’t see me doing that in the near future. But have at it if you are so inclined! Another good site is http://www.dogaware.com. It has recommendations for books, premixes and even recipes on that site. Good luck and have fun with those pups! They grow up REALLY fast!

[theBCnut]

Hey Jude,

I am in no way annoyed or offended. We have all been in your shoes. Sorry, you didn’t get my lousy sense of humor, but I was laughing at myself. I’m taking care of my aunt with Alzheimer’s, and I think I’m loosing my marbles, so I will frequently reference my own poor memory. Better to laugh than cry, and all that.

What I was trying to get across is that there is no wrong way to get started. It’s what works for you. And it is OK to learn as you go. We all did. I don’t believe there is a single one of us that is doing things the exact same way as when we started. I started with what seemed easiest to me and kept reading and researching. Some days I still do easy, and others, it’s like I am preparing a gourmet meal. But some days, that is what works for me.

I use premixes and Darwin’s(until recently) and I make my own. I make large batches and freeze portions, and I make individual meals. Some times I just throw them a meaty bone and don’t add anything at all.

It is daunting at first, trying to do everything just right, but remember, people need a balanced diet too, but we aren’t dropping over like flies from not eating right. We balance our diets over time, and by feeding variety, we can do the same with our dogs. That concept really helped me to relax and enjoy feeding my dog.

You are going to do great! And you are going to have 2 very happy and very healthy pups.

[Jude s]

I honestly appreciate everyone’s advice. It’s really making it easier for me 🙂

At BCnut, sorry I took it so sensitive, I assume that I’m being annoying with so many questions lol. Sorry about your aunt by the way 🙁
I think I know the route I’m going to go, it’s going to be a journey but I’m up for it 🙂
If I have any more questions….I’ll be back lol

[crazy4cats]

Good luck. Let us know how it goes. Maybe you will start teaching us!

[pugmomsandy]

I started raw by offering a couple bites as treats during the day. Then I would feed them a whole meal of commercial raw. Then, we followed that with chicken wings, then drumsticks, thighs and turkey necks. Now I make my own grinds or buy some products from GreenTripe.com and texastripe.com.

[theBCnut]

Have fun with it. Come back with questions as many times as you like. We love helping people. And definitely let us know how it’s going.

[Jude s]

Ok guys, I think I’m going to start my puppies off with premixes for they can used to raw food, but I’m not sure which to choose. I was thinking of See Spot Live Longer dinner mix, The Honest Kitchen preference or kindly, Dr. Harvey’s Veg to Bowl Fine Ground….which one do guys think is the better one of the bunch?

[Jude s]

Oh and which brand of fish oil should I use, If I do go with See Spot Live Longer dinner mix?

[theBCnut]

If you want, you can just add a can of sardines packed in water once a week, instead of fish oil.

Of those premixes See Spot Live Longer is my favorite.

[Jude s]

A whole can in one day? Yea, so far I’m leaning toward that one. Can I add liver, hearts and what not to the mix, or should I just add like plain chicken or turkey chunks?

[Kristin C]

Jude-I just started my girls on the See Spot Live Longer Dinner Mix this week. Good poops! I mixed ground beef (normally I have hearts and beef cheek but this was a test) with 5% liver, 5% kidney and thymus, 5% puréed vegs, 5% sweet potato, 10% pumpkin. I think you can add just muscle meat or you can add an additional 20% fresh ingredients, if that makes sense. I split a can of sardines for them over the weekend and mid-week.

I have a sample of The Honest Kitchen base mix I am going to try next week. I don’t have high hopes. I think it will come out like it goes in, chunky.

[pugmomsandy]

Not sure how big your pups are but you can try some raw sardines too (or when they get a little bit adjusted to raw first). They come in different sizes. Also, splitting a big can (12 oz or more) of mackerel or salmon between all the pups might be cost efficient. I bought my whole sardines for $1.19/lb.

http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/u651/pugmomsandy/pictures%20for%20posting/0bd6f2d9-225c-454e-9521-122834da060d_zps44b288af.jpg

[Jude s]

Wow, Thanks everyone! I’m going to try SSLL dinner mix 🙂 I’ll experiment with different meats, and the sardines little by little. Also I was thinking of adding enzyme pro-biotic supplements , one of my pups is having really soft stool, and a lot of it. I’m going to be taking them both to the vet, but I’m hoping the supplements will work.

[Zach M]

The famous sardine pic. I just love seeing it.

[pugmomsandy]

Lol! Have you seen the whole prey quail pic?

[Zach M]

No! I would love to though!

[pugmomsandy]

Here is the topic with pictures! The pugs and quail are on page 4.

/forums/topic/pictures-of-dogs-eating-raw-raw-meals/page/4/

[Zach M]

Those pictures are so funny! I love seeing your dogs eating whole quail! They look like their in heaven lol.

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