Is there a good reason why I should NOT feed my dog all her meals via the kong?

[Slubberdegullion]

She has got the idea of the kongs now (hooray)

The reason I ask is

Meal served from dog bowl = food inhaled in under 20 seconds = hiccups, burps and indescribable farts to follow.

Meal served from 2 (puppy) kongs = food obtained after ooh probably 20-30 mins of rolling it around, chewing it, licking it (all with waggly tail). No wind issues afterwards.

There is the minimal hassle factor of filling them up, and also I need to soak the kibble so I can freeze it and it doesn't just tumble out of the end when I give the kong to her.

Breeder said she should be on dry kibble by 12 weeks (iirc) - why is this? Something about teeth?

Seems a no brainer to me but I thought I ought to check with you lot .

Why is the dry food best?

I'd love to scatter on the lawn but then I would have to be fully present on the lawn for the whole time as she will move onto daffodils, tulips, snails and stones for pudding

The kong is working so well as it gives me three windows of opportunity in the day when I can put her in the pen and leave her for a good half an hour to get things done upstairs. This has also improved her relationship with the pen no end.

Dry food is meant to clean teeth - as a raw feeder I do not have this problem as bones do this fantastically.

If you sort out something for the teeth then feeding from a kong is fine but why not try stuffing the end of the kong and leave some dry food in the middle.

Sounds to me like a good idea as it keeps her busy - do also get her used to doing nothing in her crate and build this time up. (Only a few minutes or so or else she will start to fuss the minute she has finished her food)

Yes, as directed I am popping her in the pen (usually with nothing in) every time I leave the room. So far so good and she has stopped all the howling now.

Will start putting some dry kibble sandwiched between the mushy frozen stuff.

minimu, I know there is tonnes of info out there on BARF diets (is that the same as raw?) I am quite interested in it in principle (and a little anxious tbh). When can you start doing BARF? She is still only 10 weeks old. Can you do a bit of barf and a bit of kibble? (half-barf )

Is there a definitive site for the complete raw feeding novice?

While dry food would seem, logically, to be better for teeth, some dogs have a diet of soft food and have beautiful teeth and others live on dry food only and have revolting mouths. There are more factors than the food alone to consider.

Whatever food she eats she should be getting some sort of dental hygiene routine anyway. Ideally brushing once a day but if not there are tons of mouthwashes, chews, toothpastes etc which you can use - your vet or nurse will be able to give you suggestions. The possible exception is raw feeding which IME tends to leave dogs with pretty good teeth for longer than conventional dog food does.

The benefit (in terms of stimulation of natural behaviours) of having to work a little for her food IMO far outweighs the potential downsides for her teeth which, as I say, should be cleaned anyway. So carry on

Brushing? What just brushing round with a standard toothbrush? Sounds like....a challenge

Raw food does seem to kick off a bit on here. There is a group on yahoo that know everything and have raw feed for 100 of years between all the members. It is moderated by a vet and if you join will help you every step of the way.

Raw feeding does take some research and all my dogs are feed this way. My new pup coming on Saturday will also be raw feed. However you do need to do you research and make sure that the nutrition is spot on for pupps

Search for BritBarf on yahoo groups. Some people do (half barf lol) part feed just make sure you do not mix up dried and raw in the same meal.

Meant to say if your dogs have bones (uncooked) there is no need to clean their teeth.

Bad enough checking the kids without having to do the dogs as well

my dogs teeth

LOL Lovely set of gnashers your dog has there minimu.

Have yet to see a raw food kick off on here (on a par with parent and child car parking spaces ?) As OhExpletive says I'm quite keen on encouraging the natural behaviors thing (apart from lewd acts with the dcs big stuffed racoon)

Will go check out that yahoo group.