RAW Feeding (BARF/RMB) for newbies

[LoveForLizards]

Originally Posted by Ian.g

excellent, thanks for that! ...so basically all the leftover offcuts of anything from a butchers would pretty much be suitable, if i was to feed for instance chicken carcuses, wings, lamb and beef offcuts, turkey legs etc etc that would be a suitable diet (with the added organs once a week) what about fish? is that just given whole?...sorry to go on, but i`m finding all this really interesting, but it is all alien to me as well after feeding commercial foods to our dogs ever since i was a child.

Yep, the off-cuts are good quality yet cheap or often free. "Fit as a butchers dog!" That diet would be fine, you're aiming for roughly 70% muscle meat, 10% organ and 20% bone in the diet, but this will vary and you'll soon find what suits your dogs individually (ie. Some should have more bone added to the diet, some should have less organs and so on). Fish is usually fed filleted, though I do know some people who feed them whole. I wouldn't personally as I can see the tiny fish bones causing a problem, but again that depends on the individual dog. You can easily buy filleted white fish and the like so I don't see it as worth the risk, I wouldn't feed more then one fish meal every week.

Originally Posted by sammy1969

I used to feed what i think may of been a form of BARF a few years ago but stopped after continued badgering from my vets of the time, now with a different one. I used to feed my poodles chicken wings,quarters raw pork and beef bones etc and raw veg in a bowl as one of my dogs is a fruit and veg freak lol will even eat citrus (clemintines satsumas arnages but not lemon)which I know is very unusual.
They still have raw bones when I can find them nolonger have a chaufeur lol to take me to any farms etc and being disabled and in a wheelchair makes getting anywhere rather awkward.
I want to put allmy animals both the dogs and cats back onto this diet but I amnot sure hwo to do so and I am a bit worried as one of my cats is brain damaged and has no predatory instincts to speak ofand tends to let the other cat take food away from him.
The other thing is I live in a flat with no garden so feeding whole carcasses could be a bit of a problem, (and before anyone thinks i am cruel for keeping dogs in a place with no garden I will say that straight opposite me is a large field where they are walked daily). I dont have room for a large freezer to get food in in bulk and cant seem to find anywher that delivers locally to me but will be asking local butchers if they have meat delivered on carcass or not once I can get out due to breaking my ankle last friday.
Anyone have any ideas how i can change the cats over and what i shuld feed them to start off with
Thanx
Sam

Have you tried abbatoirs and meat processors? Or if you have any local farms ask if they're ever passing by and if so would it be possible for them to drop BARF off-cuts when they pass and so on.

With cats I'd try minced poultry at first, slowly working up to meat chunks and bones. Are yours on wet or dry food? It's usually easier if they like wet food, but far from impossible if they only eat dry.

[sammy1969]

Have you tried abbatoirs and meat processors? Or if you have any local farms ask if they're ever passing by and if so would it be possible for them to drop BARF off-cuts when they pass and so on.

With cats I'd try minced poultry at first, slowly working up to meat chunks and bones. Are yours on wet or dry food? It's usually easier if they like wet food, but far from impossible if they only eat dry.[/QUOTE]

Unfortunately I live in a city so no local abbatoirs not even that many local butchers to be honest although I am going to try the two I have heard of near to me. And to make matters worse have broken my ankle so cant get out at moment.
I think one of the cats will take well to this diet( he already goes for any uncooked meat he can lay his paws on so we have to defrost everything in the fridge and as well as that he will eat any bread that is left out as well as pasta and rice) and I know the dogs will as they loved it when they were on the one similar a few years ago.It is just the brain damamged one I worry about as I am not sure he will understand what he is supposed to do with raw meat but I am definately going to give it a try especially as when I was defrosting the giblets from my turkey new years they both went for the them big style running off with the neck and gizard I managed to get to the liver and heart before they did and cooked it for myself lol yes I am strange

Forgot to add they are on dry at moment but regularly get treats and they tend to pinch any bones the dogs are given yes my dogs are both daft enough to let the cats have what they have

[kenneally1]

Originally Posted by fenwoman

I know that some people go for the minced meat route but personally my feelings are that if you can't do the job properly and feed whole carcase so they get all the nutrition they need, you should stick to kibble and offer a chicken wing as a treat occasionally. Kibble is a complete diet so if you start add8ing it to mince and using it like a mixer, you may end up with problems.
How sad it is that your 'other half' is in control and you have to beg permission to feed your dog properly.

I'm sorry, but you are very rude women ! And before you prattle on about living the good life, and your only telling it your way, remember manners cost nothing.


Aside from that i generally respect your opinions, i just find your manners utterly lacking!

[Meko]

Originally Posted by sammy1969

Unfortunately I live in a city so no local abbatoirs not even that many local butchers to be honest although I am going to try the two I have heard of near to me. .

you'd be surprised about the abbatoirs.
I live just outside Preston City centre and near me there's at least 2 abbatoirs and 2 chicken places where we get carcasses from.

What i do as well sometimes, instead of buying chicken breasts and legs etc i'd buy a chicken and cut the meat off so i'm left with a carcass for the dogs.

[sammy1969]

Originally Posted by Meko

you'd be surprised about the abbatoirs.
I live just outside Preston City centre and near me there's at least 2 abbatoirs and 2 chicken places where we get carcasses from.

What i do as well sometimes, instead of buying chicken breasts and legs etc i'd buy a chicken and cut the meat off so i'm left with a carcass for the dogs.

Have looked for abbatiors but no success on that front but when I went to one of the butchers he had his carcasses up as stock bones and was charging about 50p for 4 small chicken carcasses and then pork and lamb and beef stock bones for between 40p-50p which I thought was reasonable so bought £5 the most expensive item being pigs trotters which were £1.50 for 4 so started them all off on the same thing chicken for the cats and pork for the dogs all but one cat has taken to it ok so will have to persevere with the last one.He is stuborn and knows if he refuses to eat it my oh will giv ein and let him have dry.

[Meko]

the chicken carcass isn't a bad price. i pay 10p a lb for mine. although they don't look very big they are filling as they get more from them than they do tinned.
If i give my staffy cross 2 small carcasses he'll huff and puff half way through the second one but won't give up.

[sammy1969]

Originally Posted by Meko

the chicken carcass isn't a bad price. i pay 10p a lb for mine. although they don't look very big they are filling as they get more from them than they do tinned.
If i give my staffy cross 2 small carcasses he'll huff and puff half way through the second one but won't give up.

Yeah I must admit I was surprised just how long the chicken carcasses lasted with the cats i did have to break them down a little but still left the pieces large enough for them to have to spend time chewing them up instead of just swallowing like they do with ther dry food. THe dogs have had great fun with their pork shoulder bones and pigs trotters although it has caused my miniature poodle to lose two of her teeth that were loose but even that hasnt stopped her chewing them to nothing I am going t try them on the beef bones next as they usually dont like beef flavoured dryfood and see if it pleases them, should be interesting.

[fenwoman]

Originally Posted by kenneally1

I'm sorry,

Why are you sorry?

but you are very rude women !

I am only one woman.

And before you prattle on about living the good life,

Did I mention anything about the good life?

and your only telling it your way

Since I am me, who else's way would I be telling it????BTW, ITYM 'you're'

remember manners cost nothing.

pot/kettle/black.

BTW your post was off topic

My dogs had raw eggs and fresh bones today.
I also give my rats fresh meaty bones from the butcher.

Aside from that i generally respect your opinions, i just find your manners utterly lacking!

Have you just repeated yourself?
What are my manners lacking in?

[kenneally1]

Originally Posted by fenwoman

Why are you sorry?
I am only one woman.

Did I mention anything about the good life?

Since I am me, who else's way would I be telling it????BTW, ITYM 'you're'
pot/kettle/black.

BTW your post was off topic

My dogs had raw eggs and fresh bones today.
I also give my rats fresh meaty bones from the butcher.


Have you just repeated yourself?
What are my manners lacking in?

Oh dear

[JPP]

im gonna get my pup on this REAL diet as soon as possible

i started reading the thread and i think i know enough from the first 7 pages just need some tips for my pup please