RAW for pups?

Sorry if this has been covered before, if so please point me in the right direction...

At Zee's vet check yesterday the vet advised me not to feed her Raw until she was 18 months old (she's 8 months old now).

When I asked why she mentioned that large breed pups need more phospherous and calcium for skeletal development, compared to smaller breeds who mature quicker. Surely raw bones would provide calcium and phospherous?

Obviously they plug their brands so she gave me a free 1 kg bag of Hills Large Puppy Food. I said I'd been feeding her Orijen and she'd never heard of it but to continue with it if it was good quality pup food.

At the moment I'm going to stay with Orijen Large Puppy food but I would like to wean her onto raw eventually, and wondered if there was a time scale for this?

In trying to research it, there's just the for and against RAW diets - no details about specific requirements for pupsters. Thanks in advance, guys

[LOVEGSD]

Sorry I have no idea but I thought some breeders fed their pups raw from the early days but I could be wrong....xx

Originally Posted by LOVEGSD

Sorry I have no idea but I thought some breeders fed their pups raw from the early days but I could be wrong....xx

Yes, that's what I thought. Breeds like huskies, NIs etc the pups are fed raw early. Part of me thought the vet's not clued up about raw but the other part of me wants to take her professional advice...

Just want the best for her, as she's been on Baker's Adult before I got her.

[LOVEGSD]

Originally Posted by Anni

Yes, that's what I thought. Breeds like huskies, NIs etc the pups are fed raw early. Part of me thought the vet's not clued up about raw but the other part of me wants to take her professional advice...

Just want the best for her, as she's been on Baker's Adult before I got her.

I know what you mean, you just want to do what's best for her....I'm sure others will be on to advise.

Omg Bakers adult Thank god she's off that now

[Caryll]

A friend on another forum has just had a litter of pups & they were weaned onto raw! Obviously at such a young age they can't gnaw the bones, but there's nothing to stop you from pulverising them for your pup!

All my dogs for the last 20 years have been brought up on raw (mainly tripe) with bones being added as the new teeth start to come through, and I've never had a problem.

I don't particularly like canned or dry food as they can leave the teeth stained & I hate brushing my dogs' teeth!!!!

Originally Posted by Caryll

A friend on another forum has just had a litter of pups & they were weaned onto raw! Obviously at such a young age they can't gnaw the bones, but there's nothing to stop you from pulverising them for your pup!

All my dogs for the last 20 years have been brought up on raw (mainly tripe) with bones being added as the new teeth start to come through, and I've never had a problem.

I don't particularly like canned or dry food as they can leave the teeth stained & I hate brushing my dogs' teeth!!!!

She's got her adult teeth and made short work of the chicken wings I gave her the other day so I don't think it will be a problem... but as she had the squits the other day I want to wean her gradually (though this might have been a combination of raw and kibble, not in same meal, but still in her GI tract).

Interesting, even though she's a pup her breath smells more doggy than Remus who's fed raw. And she's had 4 poos already today (firm) whereas with raw there's a lot less waste due to it being more energy dense.

I'm having to feed them separately at the moment as she'll scoff hers then start on Remus's - and he's so non-foody he lets her

[Stuart]

I see nothing wrong in giving a raw diet to Zee, only good, ... but you will have to remember that he will not be able to eat the same as an adult,..I know, that you are aware of this [ but for others ].

If you are in any doubt about the bone issue, you could always add bone meal,.. but to be honest many people here feed small soft bones to puppies,.. [just remember never cook them]

[mandie]

I see nothing wrong with it either, I have fed raw to my youngest Diesel from about 3 months old and he is massive now, as long as you give them eggs in the diet then they should get exactly what they need form the bone, meat and organs

[Caryll]

Originally Posted by Anni

She's got her adult teeth and made short work of the chicken wings I gave her the other day so I don't think it will be a problem... but as she had the squits the other day I want to wean her gradually (though this might have been a combination of raw and kibble, not in same meal, but still in her GI tract).

Interesting, even though she's a pup her breath smells more doggy than Remus who's fed raw. And she's had 4 poos already today (firm) whereas with raw there's a lot less waste due to it being more energy dense.

I'm having to feed them separately at the moment as she'll scoff hers then start on Remus's - and he's so non-foody he lets her

Please be aware that some dogs nowadays (I don't know why) are chicken-intolerant, and this could cause bad runs - probably no in your case, but be aware of it.

I've noticed that raw-fed dogs poop much less (they use more of what they've eaten) and have sweeter breath (the constant tearing & chewing of raw meat cleans teeth, the most common cause of bad breath being poor dental hygiene).

[mandie]

Originally Posted by Caryll

Please be aware that some dogs nowadays (I don't know why) are chicken-intolerant, and this could cause bad runs - probably no in your case, but be aware of it.

I've noticed that raw-fed dogs poop much less (they use more of what they've eaten) and have sweeter breath (the constant tearing & chewing of raw meat cleans teeth, the most common cause of bad breath being poor dental hygiene).

I agree, it is becoming more common with dogs is chicken intollerance, I fead mine poultrey neck which are turkey and chicken and they are fine with it, mostly beef parts are really good, also mince and organs.

Diesel breath is perfect, her fur is nice a silky and he is fantastic pup, we also give them a spoon of honey a week, eggs twice a week, soem veg from leftovers, cod liver oil tablets, Layla has some arden grange fish biscuits for evening meal because of her allergies and being unable to eat most organs as there pigs... but she is doing great as well..


oh and yes they poo a lot less... well it seemed that way until I got a 3rd dog and now it seems I'm just the poo picker in the house lol