Trihounds Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 We've had our boys for 3 years now and the first 7 months was spent trying to find a kibble that agreed with them. By agreeing, I mean, firm stools, little or no gas, healthy animal, etc. After doing a ton of research, we switched them to raw and noticed an immediate improvement in the way they digested their food. ie: no gas, firm stools, etc. Fast forward 2 years and we transitioned them off raw, back to kibble (with raw bones like backs, feet, etc) given the cost (~$350/month) and the time / freezer space. We immediately noticed the increase in stool quantity and other digestive 'hiccups' until we found a limited ingredient kibble that somewhat agreed with them. After several months, they were doing ok on it, but with Bumper's spinal problem, he doesn't always get much warning when something is coming down the chute and we'd often simply have to clean up after him several times a day. Last week, I switched them cold turkey back to raw, thinking the reduced stool volume would help both Bumper and us, and I have to say he has gone from accidentally pooping in the house up to 4 times a day (despite us working from home and letting him out constantly) to not once since he's been back on raw. 7 completed days now and not one mishap inside. He's pooping 1-2 times a day now and in half the quantity as he was with kibble. No, we aren't starving him, either!! Just a PSA for anyone that might have a pup with a similar spinal / bowel issue to consider raw food and eliminate more than half the waste secreted by your pup. Raw feeding is certainly not for everyone and has its share of opponents, but it is saving our household and inhabitants a lot of grief! Not to mention the health and teeth/gum benefits!! Quote Doe's Bruciebaby Doe's Bumper Derek Follow my Ironman journeys and life with dogs, cats and busy kids: A long road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAJ2010 Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 $350 a month! WOW what are you feeding? I buy in bulk and spend about $300-$400 on an order every 4-5 months. And that's the expensive I'm being lazy ground food. You might wan to look into a blue ridge supplier (actually I'm just seeing that your in CA... prices are prob way different up there) Maybe you can get on a roadkill call line for the moose that get killed? When I first switched to raw Rainy's 6 month of D cleared up instantly. That was enough to convince me. Her itchy bloody bumps went away in another month or so. Sunshine came into the family while we were already feeding raw and she switched with zero tummy issues. Although she went back to her foster Mommy for a vacation this past summer and refused to eat anything but the Kirkland kibble there. Quote ------ Jessica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RaznNik Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 (edited) I could not agree with you more. It can be a bit of a pain when travelling, but to me the pros far out weigh the cons. Edited to add that I spend between .50/lb to 1.50/lb max in Can. Takes a bit of homework, a lot of calls to butchers, but I found what I was looking for. Especially this time of year you should be able to get some venison-just keep asking everyone! Edited December 14, 2011 by RaznNik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAJ2010 Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 I travel almost every weekend in the spring/summer/fall. A nice fabric cooler and a couple of bowls and we are good to go. I freeze the food beforehand in those tall quart Chinese food containers so they stay cold for a few days. If we are staying at a hotel it thaws out easily in the tub or sink. Quote ------ Jessica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RaznNik Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Thanks JAJ2010. Yes, I do that too, freeze whatever I am bringing. I am planning on driving to Fla in Feb, (first time with the dogs), so not sure what I am going to do, as I understand I am not to bring raw meat across the border. Usually my trips are no more than 3-4 hours, so this will be new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trihounds Posted December 14, 2011 Author Share Posted December 14, 2011 Yes, prices are ridiculous - we tried everything to find savings. The best we could do on meat and all the trimmings (feet, bone, etc) was about $2/ - $2.50 /lb. The dogs eat about 5-6 pounds a day between them, so that is $10 - 12. 30 days in a month = $300 - $360. That's the best we could do talking with butchers, non supermarket people as well. I need a direct line into a <gasp> slaughterhouse, I think. Not that I want to get that close to the 'source', but dogs are carnivores, afterall. I just ordered a grinder online so I can buy huge cuts of beef or whole chicken for (I'm hoping) $1.75 a pound or so. Bumper doesn't like poultry in its natural form (unless a wing / foot)...I think it's too 'slimy' for him. I plan to grind and mix it with other things. The most inexpensive ground beef is $2/lb on sale but is usually $3 - $4 /lb. I'm in Ottawa, ON so if anyone has connections, I'd love to hear about them! Quote Doe's Bruciebaby Doe's Bumper Derek Follow my Ironman journeys and life with dogs, cats and busy kids: A long road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAJ2010 Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Thanks JAJ2010. Yes, I do that too, freeze whatever I am bringing. I am planning on driving to Fla in Feb, (first time with the dogs), so not sure what I am going to do, as I understand I am not to bring raw meat across the border. Usually my trips are no more than 3-4 hours, so this will be new. You can always hit a grocery store along the way. Or even a fast food joint... A few fast food burgers always work in a pinch. Are you driving down I95? You can stop in and pick up a few meals here. I'm refilling the freezers with chicken and beef the second week of January. Should have a large stock of chicken quarters/turkey necks/beef necks/pork necks/ground beef/and other misc stuff. I think it's too 'slimy' for him. I plan to grind and mix it with other things. The most inexpensive ground beef is $2/lb on sale but is usually $3 - $4 /lb. I'm in Ottawa, ON so if anyone has connections, I'd love to hear about them! Try feeding chicken quarters frozen. My girls refuse to eat it thawed because it's too slimy, but they will settle in and gnaw it if it's frozen. After 2 years of raw feeding I broke down and spent $400 on a good grinder. Then the girls started eating the unground food with no issues. I suppose it's a good investment to have around if they ever have a medical issue where they cannot eat whole pieces anymore Quote ------ Jessica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAJ2010 Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Do you have any sled dog kennels by you? I bet if you were to call them or search them online they would probably be able to tell you about some raw food suppliers. Grocery store prices are too expensive for me to pay to feed them. It works in a pinch but not long term. Quote ------ Jessica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Somewhat similar experience here too. I've had my boy for three years and tried many many kibble brands to settle his bowels. Some he was good on for quite a few months, then he would get the trots again, or refuse to eat it. We went raw which we do not enjoy feeding, $$$ and storage issues. The freezer has more stuff for him than us. (Sometimes we eat stuff I bought for him - nice chicken legs or cheap roasts!) Anyway, we've got him back on mostly kibble , Nutro Sensitive Stomach but with a nice big topping of raw. Keeps his appetite up, stools pretty good and cleans his teeth. I believe in the Power of Raw! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FrankieWylie Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Another immediate benefit.... it's takes them 20 minutes to eat instead of 20 20 seconds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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