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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Curious about raw feeding experiences.

21 replies

Champagneforeveryone · 01/12/2020 13:48

I raw fed years ago, before it was popular and when commercial butchers gave away chicken carcasses and other associated gubbins so they didn't have to pay to dispose of it.

We had odd issues with all 3 DDogs, mainly coat and breath related so decided to give it another whirl. So far we are 6 days in and the difference is unbelievable, I am astounded!

No discernible difference in the coat issues but I suspect it's very early days. Breath is 100 times better. The biggest difference however is with DDog3 who is an extremely anxious and hyper dog. She takes daily calming supplements and we have had a great deal of behavioural input to get her to where we are today. Since changing her diet however, she's calm Shock Not super chilled calm, but calm. I'm just gutted we have struggled on for nearly 7 years when this has been such a game changer.

Our only issue is finding a kennel that will deal with raw food, but since we're not going anywhere anytime soon that issue can wait for now!

I'm interested to hear others experiences, good or bad to see whether we have just been lucky Smile

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Coffeeandcakee · 01/12/2020 21:20

Following with interest. Our pup was eating part raw and part kibble when she came from the breeder and we continued that, however, we noticed a pattern of her having an absolutely crazy half hour after meals or when we'd use kibble for training treats. We've decided to go completely raw and have bought treats that are just fish and veg. Started the transition today so hoping to see a positive change soon 🤞

StillMedusa · 01/12/2020 22:49

Mine has a bit of both.. mostly because I need the flexibility to not give her raw when we are camping or if someone else has her for the day.
Also mine is fussy and won't always eat it.
Her coat is good, her behaviour is generally good and tbh I haven't ever noticed a difference in any way between top quality kibble (not the cheap stuff) and raw except her poos are harder with raw, especially if she has chicken wings. I tend to use raw completes but again it's hit nd miss whether she will eat it... and she will not eat supplements or vegetables so I like having a 'pre prepared' kibble back up.

Hate the smell of raw tho.. I'm a vegetarian!!

Original poster
Champagneforeveryone · 01/12/2020 23:32

They're all loving it as well which is lovely to see Smile

DDog1 is nearly 13 and is the only survivor from my earlier foray into raw feeding. He is disinterested in bones and stuff that takes any effort to eat, so I think he'll probably just eat mince. The puppies will adore the bones and bits when we finally get to it though Grin

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Thischarmlessgirl · 02/12/2020 08:11

Mine is raw fed , She has been to two home borders who are both okay with it though I’m not sure about more commercial kennels. She was weaned on raw and has a glossy coat and shiny teeth and small firm poo! My last dog was fed and grain free Kibble but I wish I had known about raw back then

SlothMama · 02/12/2020 10:28

I moved my girl onto raw and my puppy was raised on it, I wouldn't go back now. When I'm travelling and raw isn't an option I use Forthglade trays instead.

Sprig1 · 02/12/2020 10:31

What were you feeding before? I used to feed raw but found with 3 dogs that it was too much of a pain in the neck. I now feed a high quality, grain free kibble which I am v happy with.

Original poster
Champagneforeveryone · 02/12/2020 11:25

sprig1 We fed Burns lamb and rice before. I've used it almost exclusively for over 20 years and have always found it to be the best fit for numerous dogs. Until I moved to raw I would have happily used it alongside, the difference I've seen already makes me very keen not to if I can avoid it! It's also worked out ever so slightly cheaper to feed raw.

I haven't really seen it as a hassle, but then I am an enthusiastic cook and diligently menu plan and portion up meals. It's only been a small step to incorporate "menu planning" for the dogs meals.

slothmama thank you for that advice, I hadn't considered an option like Forthglade for kennels.

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Sprig1 · 02/12/2020 12:21

It sounds like raw is the way forward for you then.

ArabellaScott · 03/12/2020 20:18

I did try this, but I couldn't handle her dragging bits of dripping raw chicken carcass all round the house. She especially likes to bury them half chewed in the sofa. So, no.

It's a pity as I think it was pretty good for her, but she also seems to much prefer food hot. On a Tuesday. Served in a wedgewood bowl while the children sing Portugese fado in harmony.

I just get bags of butcher offcuts which I cook up for her now (thanks to a suggestion from this very board) - and try and sneak in some ordinary fairly low-end dogfood (which is the kind she far prefers) also.

MarinPrime · 04/12/2020 09:07

I did try this, but I couldn't handle her dragging bits of dripping raw chicken carcass all round the house.

Mine would do the same given the chance that's why they're always fed outside.
They're quite happy with this arrangement, even when its raining, or snowing like today.

ArabellaScott · 04/12/2020 09:24

Yes, mine hates the rain and will spend ages trying to sneak her contraband back indoors. But outside feeding would seem to be sensible!

catsrus · 04/12/2020 20:57

I raw feed three dogs, have raw fed for years, use completes with occasional raw meaty bones, eg wings, lamb ribs, duck and chicken feet, lamb necks.

they eat in the kitchen (tiled) or outside, wouldn't go back to kibble, but I'm not someone who treats it like a religious commandment - I'm happy to give them leftovers and some commercially produced treats. If they have a dodgy tum then I give cooked white rice with fish as I know it works - and a bit of cooked rice won't kill them. I've got dehydrated raw that I use for treats - but always make sure there's enough for one meal in case I run out of raw.

The main reason for being reluctant to feed kibble in an emergency is that it gives one of the dogs the runs, and they sleep in my bedroom - so not risking that!

They are happy, healthy weight, great teeth, nice breath, no smelly farts, good coats......

ZiggysPFrow · 04/12/2020 21:00

The main part of my business is raw food and I'm constantly hearing similar stories of improvements

furryer · 04/12/2020 21:22

We started our puppy on raw and his poos changed dramatically, for the better. He will eat anything so never had a problem there. Last month though we decided that we weren't feeling comfortable about the raw food around his face and ears(cocker) and as we have children it was no longer a risk we were happy to take. He's now on Pure dog food which is dehydrated food that we add water to. It has great reviews and seems to fit somewhere between raw and kibble. It's not cheap but everyone is happy now. His poos are bigger so I do wonder how much he's actually digesting but he continues to grow rapidly and is full of energy. Raw is fantastic if you don't mind the meticulous cleaning, smell and storage. If I didn't have children it would to be my first choice.

Snoopdogowner · 04/12/2020 22:54

@Coffeeandcakee we raw feed but use kibble for treats, same issue as you though, crazy moment before he passes out. Kibble is just easy to use when on walks etc (18 month cockapoo). Might need to have a think....

bowchicawowwow · 04/12/2020 23:09

I raw feed my dog, but I use DAF/ local supplier so I am not grinding up guts and bones myself. For a 36kg dog it costs around £12 a week so cheaper than tinned wet food. He never got on with kibble and would turn his nose up at it so we switched to raw when he was about 6months old. I'm happy with it but I don't really know any different!

cjpark · 05/12/2020 13:12

I feed a raw complete feed which goes straight in the freezer and I defrost when needed. His poos are smaller and dont smell, he's a chilled out dog and he seems to enjoy it. He gets sardines twice a week as a treat!

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 05/12/2020 13:22

Can I ask people how much the raw food diet costs per month?

Seriously considering it for our girl who is plagued with skin allergies. But trying to work out the cost. We'd have to buy the pre-prepared stuff as definitely wouldn't have time to be messing around with chicken carcasses every day.

Original poster
Champagneforeveryone · 05/12/2020 14:25

So much love for raw feeding Grin

batley, I use a local supplier and am currently paying 79p for 500g minced chicken. Between them they eat 750g a day so approx £35 a month. I've just placed an order to be delivered next week which was a little under £70 as it included some bones, lamb ribs and duck wings, as well as some mixed minces - chicken and salmon, chicken and tripe etc. I was paying almost £90 for two bags of complete food which lasted around 5 weeks, so it is also fractionally cheaper, although a little more hassle too.

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Original poster
Champagneforeveryone · 05/12/2020 14:28

And I also get free delivery one day a month, so don't have to factor that in. It's another cost consideration, as from sites I'd researched I have seen that can bump the cost up a fair bit.

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GrimDamnFanjo · 05/12/2020 17:00

A mixture of raw, forthglade and some kibble here. We adopted so have carried on with the same diet. Using forthglade should mean we can board him with my parents more easily.

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