RAW Feeding (BARF/RMB) for newbies

[pippainnit]

Some really interesting stuff in this thread but, as I haven't been able to trawl through all fifty pages, I'm afraid this post is probably going to be VERY repetitive.

I'm eager to start Willit (my 9 month old Husky/Mal/something) on a raw diet but aren't really sure how do go about it. I've read (on here) about the variety of things that can be used but how much is recommended? Generally, how many times a day, etc? He's been on kibble since I've had him from 12 weeks old with just the occasional bone and cooked meat. He's 9 months at the moment and weighs 7.5 stone (so he's a big boy!)

Just not sure how to go about it initially. Is it recommended to wean them onto it or just start as you mean to go on?

Again, apologise if this has already been covered.

[LoveForLizards]

Originally Posted by pippainnit

Some really interesting stuff in this thread but, as I haven't been able to trawl through all fifty pages, I'm afraid this post is probably going to be VERY repetitive.

I'm eager to start Willit (my 9 month old Husky/Mal/something) on a raw diet but aren't really sure how do go about it. I've read (on here) about the variety of things that can be used but how much is recommended? Generally, how many times a day, etc? He's been on kibble since I've had him from 12 weeks old with just the occasional bone and cooked meat. He's 9 months at the moment and weighs 7.5 stone (so he's a big boy!)

Just not sure how to go about it initially. Is it recommended to wean them onto it or just start as you mean to go on?

Again, apologise if this has already been covered.

How much depends on the individual Dog..for a 47kg pup 1300-1400g should suffice depending on how much exercise he gets, once he's an adult he will eat quite a lot due to the breed and the exercise they need, though.
Again how you switch depends on the individual Dog..for a Dog with a sensitive stomach it'd be best to slowly wean over where as if he has a relatively strong stomach then you can switch over quicker...if he has 2 meals a day I'd say feed less on the first feed, give bones in the middle of the day, feed as normal on the second feed, feed BARF the following morning and no kibble, feed mid day bones, feed second meal as normal, the next day feed all BARF and see how he goes.

[tinyrottie]

I googled BARF and got linked to this thread and I have to say after reading the entire thing that this is the most amazing and helpful thread ever! There are some great ideas, suggestions, problem solvers and money savers on here and I would just like to say thanks to everyone who contributed, I am now saving a small fortune because of you!!! Keep up the good work!

[Skunk]

I'm a vegetarian and both of my dogs get fresh bones from the butchers, with blood, tendons, marrow, knuckle joints, the whole lot. Of course, it's not a daily thing, but I know it does them good.

[mrsphas]

How much depends on the individual Dog..for a 47kg pup 1300-1400g should suffice depending on how much exercise he gets, once he's an adult he will eat quite a lot due to the breed and the exercise they need, though.

i have fed my dogs barf for quite some time and if i fed this much to my present danexcorso hed be an elephant [hes only a hippo at the moment]
adult low/medium activity = 2% of bodyweight
adult medium/high activity= 3% body weight
divided over two meals

so my present 2 yr old foster at 35kg gets 700g over 2 meals
my 2yr old danexcorso at 45kg gets 900g over 2 meals
my 14 yr old yorkie gets 200g over 2 meals and can still walk/run/play as far and hard as the two 2 yr olds, in fact he acts like hes 10 years younger
none including the 14yr old have ever had teeth scraped or removed

a 9month old 47kg dog should be having around a kilo to 1500g spread over 3 meals, depending on how active he is
but as he gets older [over 18months] he should be taken down to 2/3% of body weight not eat masses more

the veg and fruit slop IS important as in the wild all of the carcass is eaten, so when the dog eats the stomach he eats all the contents too, the veg and fruit slop replaces it
i use
1 kg of raw fruit and vegetables normally from the following list;

apples
pears
strawberries
peppers
courgettes
broccoli
carrots
tomatoes
spinach
kale
cabbage
plus
a couple of eggs, including shells!!. All of this has to be blended to a complete mush to make the slop. then add to this a half a large carton of natural yoghurt, couple of tablespoons of honey and a few cloves of garlic, a packet of liver and 500g of minced chicked with bone
i divide into 400g bags and freeze - defrost overnight
thats their breakfast most days

also, as i cant be bothered to read all 50 odd pages, so this may be a repeat, you should barf treat your dogs when training, using liver cake or similar, a training session can get through 200g of treats which is a lot of crap to introduce if your using commercial treats

is it any wonder i cant get a man when i permenantly smell of barf lol

[AussieHerps.com]

Awesome post mate really good advice.

[JPP]

Originally Posted by mrsphas

i have fed my dogs barf for quite some time and if i fed this much to my present danexcorso hed be an elephant [hes only a hippo at the moment]
adult low/medium activity = 2% of bodyweight
adult medium/high activity= 3% body weight
divided over two meals

so my present 2 yr old foster at 35kg gets 700g over 2 meals
my 2yr old danexcorso at 45kg gets 900g over 2 meals
my 14 yr old yorkie gets 200g over 2 meals and can still walk/run/play as far and hard as the two 2 yr olds, in fact he acts like hes 10 years younger
none including the 14yr old have ever had teeth scraped or removed

a 9month old 47kg dog should be having around a kilo to 1500g spread over 3 meals, depending on how active he is
but as he gets older [over 18months] he should be taken down to 2/3% of body weight not eat masses more

the veg and fruit slop IS important as in the wild all of the carcass is eaten, so when the dog eats the stomach he eats all the contents too, the veg and fruit slop replaces it
i use
1 kg of raw fruit and vegetables normally from the following list;

apples
pears
strawberries
peppers
courgettes
broccoli
carrots
tomatoes
spinach
kale
cabbage
plus
a couple of eggs, including shells!!. All of this has to be blended to a complete mush to make the slop. then add to this a half a large carton of natural yoghurt, couple of tablespoons of honey and a few cloves of garlic, a packet of liver and 500g of minced chicked with bone
i divide into 400g bags and freeze - defrost overnight
thats their breakfast most days

also, as i cant be bothered to read all 50 odd pages, so this may be a repeat, you should barf treat your dogs when training, using liver cake or similar, a training session can get through 200g of treats which is a lot of crap to introduce if your using commercial treats

is it any wonder i cant get a man when i permenantly smell of barf lol

usefull post thanks
ive been feeding my ebt pup 5.5 months old now on 10% body wieght is this too much?
also im gona try the thing you do for breakfast as he wont eat kidney or liver sometimes

[freekygeeky]

BARF is still doing well in my house, they have become picky about chicks/heart/bones/rabbit/wings they will hardly touch it anymore... hmm

I have been to the vets a few times with other issues, 3 out of my 5 cats are overweight, so will ALL be going on a strict diet. Naughty naughty.

Ginger has become obsessed with tomatoes recently... how unusual?

[mrsphas]

Originally Posted by JPP

usefull post thanks
ive been feeding my ebt pup 5.5 months old now on 10% body wieght is this too much?
also im gona try the thing you do for breakfast as he wont eat kidney or liver sometimes

no 10% is fine spread over three meals, dont start to cut down until at least 18months, unless hes really starting to gain weight [bad for his joints] which is why its so important to keep an eye on their weight at such an age, otherwise a quick growth spurt can catch you unawares and your 10% suddenly becomes 5%
or
isnt having enough exercise, which should be 4x15 mins onlead walks at this age to protect his growing bones, plus other play, no jumping, but ive never met an ebt that could resist a game of tug [sorry if that a bit teaching granny, didnt mean it to be]

can i just please point out,
im no expert,
tis just what ive found works through trial and error over the years, long before barf was fashionable or even given a name lol and ive had my swings back to dried because of ease or getting galled by the 'new improved' or nagged by a vet, just like anyone else, but ive always come back to barf in the end

nice ebt by the way, one of my fave breeds

[mrsphas]

sorry to double post but i thought people might like this
its not my recipe by any means, i just googled microwave liver cake and up it popped

It is really easy to make - ingredients:

1lb liver
1lb granary flour - try not to use white unless absolutely necessary, barf aims to keep refined grains out of the diet
3 eggs -shells added too
2 cloves garlic (optional) - or do what i do and use a teaspoon of dried or lazy
1 teaspoon oil
splosh of milk

Liquidise liver with eggs, milk, oil & garlic in blender.

Add to flour & mix

Put into a microwavable dish & hollow it slightly in middle, then cook on full power for about 10 mins.

Cut into slices & freeze.

Defrost when ready to use - don't defrost too much at once as it goes mouldy quite quickly (as if it would get a chance to!)

Dogs would kill for this!

It is extremely useful for training if broken up into small pieces.

believe me, when my lot are fed up of training exercises for praise, this will get them shifting again and performing like crufts winners [ i wish]