More Raw Questions

[Tedsmum]

I am thinking about feeding some raw in Ted's diet as he has never had what you might call a good stomach on tinned or dry food.
I saw in Pets at Home today that they sell Prize Choice freeflow minced meats. They do chicken, tripe or beef and they say on them that they are pure meat minced and frozen.
Does anyone have any opinions on this stuff? I have to say it looks a lot more convenient than slicing up body parts etc.
I don't know what half the things you guys list on your posts actually are. I wouldn't know an ox cheek or a lambs rib if I fell over one.
I feed him twice a day and would like to keep his dry food meal a.m. of Royal Canin to ensure he is getting at least one good meal a day until I know what I am doing.
So I am very green here and would really appreciate any advice. I have read prior posts on the subject.

Hi Tedsmum, a friend of mine feeds her GSD those. He has 2 packs per day (beef and tripe). When she heard what I was feeding mine she tried him on some chicken thighs and now he's not fussed with Prize Choice!

Although Prize Choice is a good source of whole meat it's in the form of a 'burger' so the dog doesn't have to work at it. But if you're squeamish about handling body parts then it is an option for you.

The thing with feeding raw is you do have to get it right - the mistake a lot make is trying to give too many protein sources at the start and this can cause tummy upsets. Also some dogs are intolerant to certain meat / chicken. Have a look at United Kingdom Raw Meaty Bones Support & Action Group for advice, there's others too.

If you can cope with handling raw chicken, maybe start on that? You can buy packs of thighs in the supermarket so you don't have to cut anything up... For a balanced diet the dog needs some offal and that's a bit groo if you're not used to it.

Slicing up a sheep's stomach takes some getting used to! That's best fed outside cos of the smell. My butcher thinks I do pretty well for someone who doesn't eat meat Tonight's menu is lamb necks - they look like, well a neck!

[Tedsmum]

Thanks Anni
It sounds a bit complex but I will read the link. I am a bit scared about not getting it right for him at the moment. I thought the free flow stuff might be a good way to introduce it gradually too as he is so sensitive to new foods.
I could do raw chicken but I dont know about offal or sheeps stomach!
Yep I think you are amazing to do all that if you dont eat meat, that's dedication!

[Caryll]

The minced meat is fine as long as your dog will have something else to chew on during the day. I give mine raw minced tripe in the evening & he gets lamb's neck or spine/ribs late morning/lunchtime. If you're going to feed tripe be aware that it will put weight on so you'll have to watch the amounts you give & balance it with other things. Offal's a must, I'm afraid, but most dogs will happily eat lamb's kidneys whole so you don't have to cut them up!

[lozzy1]

i mix feed similar to what you are thinking of doing. i feed a meal of complete (roughly 60-75% daily allowance) on a morning and a raw meal on an evening. i am squeemish and i have no seperte storage facilities. i stick to whole parts that apart from weighing and bagging before freezing i have to do very little with. i get kidneys, livers and hearts from supermarkets (morrisons is the best as they have a proper butchers counter and if you make friends with them they will save you bits and bobs they would otherwise chuck away). i also get meaty bones sometimes from morrisons in "stock packs" which are 5 fist sized leg ends or ribs or similar for £1 otherwise i go to local butchers where i can also get tripe meant for humans (its expensive though) i also buy chicken pieces from supermarkets and chops. im always on the look out for anything reduced. i spend about £20 on complete and £30 on raw bits and bobs and eggs etc hope that helps xxxx