Anyone feed raw?

[Seneschal]

I'm thinking about switching my german shepherd to a raw diet. I've heard people who support the Prey style diet and the BARF (Bones and raw food) diet. Does anyone have any personal experience feeding raw? I've heard lots of good things about it, and I really like the idea of knowing what's in my dog's food, rather than it just being terrible smelling brown crunchy...things...of indeterminate origins.

Thoughts? Experience? Do you feed your dog raw? If so, why? If so, what are your experiences with it?

Thanks everyone!

[AkHerps]

I used too, I give them plain yogurt with kibble for a while before switching over, so their stomach can get all the right bacteria going.

My dogs always did very good on it. Their teeth looked great, and their coats were amazing

[Seneschal]

Thanks for the input!! What method did you use? Did you feed meat, bones, organs, and vitamins all ground up like hamburger meat, or did you feed whole meaty bones and organs?

Thanks!

[Freakie_frog]

Our dogs love Apples, Carrots, raw sweet potatoes, pears, and the occasional steak or roast trimmings. They are not on a totally raw diet due to jaspers slight hip displaceia he has to have a diet high in glucosamine. But they do seem to really enjoy their raw treats..

[AkHerps]

Veggies give dogs no real nutrients, because their bodies can't break down the cell walls of vegetables.

I fed whole meaty bones and organs. My dog was about 15 pounds though, so she would get raw chicken wings, turkey necks, etc..

[Jay_Bunny]

My dog (dachshund) gets raw on occasion. We used to feed the ferrets raw, but had to switch to kibble due to money issues (We were spending $60/month on raw for the ferrets. Kibble is half that) but when they were on raw, our dog got some whenever I'd prepare the week's meals.

I really want to get the ferrets, dog, and cats on raw as soon as I can. The ferrets will go on a whole prey diet (mice, rats, gerbils, asfs, chicks) as soon as I can begin producing enough of each.

[Brunoheart]

My Danes are raw fed and have gotten nothing, but raw meat and bones since Oct 06. I couldn't be happier. I would not recommend grinding bones unless your dog has health issues that prevents chewing properly. The chewing action slows their eating, cleans their teeth and mentally stimulates them. My two get fed appropriate sized meals twice a day (can't bring myself to feed only once a day, though I know lots of people that do). After having switched, I won't go back to kibble unless some unforseen circumstance demands it. My dogs are cleaner, healthier and happier than ever. Do your research, but just remember, you don't have a degree in nutrition to be able to feed yourself (or your kids) and don't need one to feed your dogs. Feel free to PM me if you would like some tips and websites that can help.