Can I move to a raw diet for my eight year old and also, what snacks?

[BirthdayRainbow]

My golden retriever is in brilliant health and the perfect weight. She has dried biscuits for her meals and some treats. In the evening she has a dentastix.

I would like a replacement for the dentastix as I've learnt they aren't the best for her.

I've been thinking about moving her to a raw diet as emotionally it feels more natural but have I left it too late? She is eight.

If not too late, how would I go about it, what to give her and how much?

Since she is so healthy I suppose it sounds daft to change but I would be interested to know your thoughts. I've spent a while reading another thread on here and can see there's lots of well informed dog owners.

TIA.

Sure. But the OP's posts suggests that her dog might have digestive issues and that her diet could be improved. And another dog walker has commented on her grass eating - possibly an interfering busybody but possibly someone who has noticed something that the OP has not. Again, not to criticise. We all miss things and should take note if someone else picks up on something.

Also this: "There is zero evidence to say dogs do better on raw food over a good quality dry or wet. The best diet is the one that suits the dog." is not true.

Please post the peer reviewed evidence that raw is better nutritionally for dogs and I may change my mind. Not ‘but they’re little wolves’ or similar. Actual hard numbers of life expectancy, illness, fitness etc.

Don't be ridiculous. She does not have digestive issues because occasionally her poo is slower to come out. I absolutely notice everything my dog does. She's always with me. Currently sat on me. I ask questions if I want reassurance or don't know or just making conversation.

She thought her poo was slow exiting because she'd eaten too much grass, nonsense.

@survivingunderarock I quoted too much of what you said: it is of course true that the best diet is the one that suits the dog. That's one of the reasons why I don't feed my own dog raw.
But it's not true to say that there is zero evidence to say dogs do better on raw food over a good quality dry or wet.
There might not be heaps of peer-reviewed evidence but that's not what you said. There are a whole host of reasons why peer-reviewed evidence may be lacking: the number one being money.

Anyhow, the OP's gone on the defensive now rather than consider making some changes that might help her dog and it seems like this thread was all a waste of time in any case.

My dog is allergic to whatever colouring/flavours in dog food and treats, his skin develops large, weeping weals. He wouldn't thank me for a raw diet. He has Chappie (yes, I know), celery, carrots, apple as and when and for treats I make beef meatballs that fit into a Kong toy. An 8 year old healthy dog? I wouldn't start experimenting with him.

There's nothing wrong with Chappie! It gets looked down on a lot but loads of dogs absolutely thrive on it.

My dog absolutely loves Bella and duke raw. Really simple to feed and scores well nutritionally. They are very helpful if you email or call them and have a good fb group.

There are plenty of natural chews you can swap the dentastix for that don't actually resemble body parts, if that would help with your son.

Things like buffalo or camel rolls are good and come in all different sizes, depending on size of your dog. I can't deal with fluffy bunny ears or chicken feet either 😳 I do give cow ears, they're lower in fat than pig's ears... only bald ones though 😂

There are plenty of online shops that sell this stuff and places on FB that will put you together a little trial pack.