we still have "butchers" here in Australia. these are usually local shops, that sell meat. After they have cut up the large sides of beef, they are left with some bones. The bones you are after are the breast bone, which is usually discarded as waste, but is good for dogs. Get them to cut the bone (which is about 1 metre (about 1 yard) long), into the size that is good (mine are cut into chunks about 7.5cm (about 3 inches)) or whatever size you want. The cutting is done on a bandsaw so no effort on their behalf. The advantage is that there is no debris left for the motor mower to fling at your windows, or for insects to settle on. Even at the supermarkets there are some to be had, but find out from the meat section when they get deliveries. You will pay more at the supermarkets, but you should not pay more than necessary.
Raw meat diet
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Anyone really thinking about raw, check out the frozen raw diets that many places carry. Even Wholefoods out here in Calif carries it their stores.. there are a number and are pretty well balanced…. and there are a number of sites on line that you can check out too.... however, be warned, they are not cheap
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I am a firm believer in the raw diet. My 5 have been on it since they were old enough to eat solid food and their parents before them. So do your research and go for it.
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Everything I have heard about the BARF (bones and raw food) diet is good, I am just too lazy- and my dogs are pretty healthy on their dry kibble (Innova Evo mixed with a bit of regular Innova), but if they weren't healthy, or didn't love their kibble, I would try it. As Andrea said, I don't spend that much time feeding myself, heck, if they had good quality human kibble, I would probably eat it!
Anne in Tampa
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. As Andrea said, I don't spend that much time feeding myself, heck, if they had good quality human kibble, I would probably eat it!
Anne in Tampa
supplimented with the appropriate amount of chocolate of course.
My dogs are feed Canidae, Evo and homemade muttloaf. Sometimes I'll do a soft poached or scrambled egg (on trial days) or chicken. (In fact, you can see 1/2 of my puppy on the Canidae testimonials page.) I think everyone has to do what they feel is best for thier own dog. All dogs don't do best on xyz diet.
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My dogs are feed Canidae, Evo and homemade muttloaf. Sometimes I'll do a soft poached or scrambled egg (on trial days) or chicken. (In fact, you can see 1/2 of my puppy on the Canidae testimonials page.) I think everyone has to do what they feel is best for thier own dog. All dogs don't do best on xyz diet.
Sorry to hijack your picture but this is just adorable
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Bwa ha ha ha – Now that would be EL D
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Thanks. I love the pic, I just wish we hadn't been in the middle of re-plastering/uncarpetting/re-doing that room at the time. I think there was one or two little pieces of kibble in that bag at the time. Canidae - good to the last crumb!
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I used Canidae for years and loved it… I am not so thrill with the senior version however... so now I am using Natural Balance Potato and Duck with some EVO canned duck with some homemade stuff like veggies, potato, chicken, etc thrown in... I do will do eggs (scrambled or poached)... and I agree, not one size fits all...
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I haven't tried the senior version of Canidae. I probably won't either. My boyz look great and act younger than they really are. My brindlewonderkid just turned 11 this year and had a great year in competitive agility. Of course, I also suppliment with salmon oil (everyone) and joint supps (the 11y and 10y boys and myself). I did ask the holistic vet about the high protein content of the Evo and we're both comfortable feeding it. If something changes, I'll re-evaluate.
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I too am now trying a raw food diet for both my dogs (one Basenji, one Pharaoh Hound/Collie). The lesson that I've learned over the last few weeks is to make dietary changes SLOWLY. I gave Ziggy an entirely new type of food all at once, and his poor system couldn't handle it. He's had terrible digestive problems. I'm now verrrrry slowly working the raw in with the food that he's accustomed to, and he seems much better.
Lori
The Z-Pack: Zen, Zoe, and Ziggy
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I haven't tried the senior version of Canidae. I probably won't either. My boyz look great and act younger than they really are. My brindlewonderkid just turned 11 this year and had a great year in competitive agility. Of course, I also suppliment with salmon oil (everyone) and joint supps (the 11y and 10y boys and myself). I did ask the holistic vet about the high protein content of the Evo and we're both comfortable feeding it. If something changes, I'll re-evaluate.
It is interesting to hear the different opinions about protein count for older dogs… as most vets will tell you "low" protein for the kidneys... but then the new way of thinking doesn't support that... so I go with what seems to work best for my old kids... and I have one in renal failure (she is 16 1/2) and has been now for 1 1/2 yrs... she is very hard to find something she will eat... but has done well now for a couple of months with the potato and duck... with the canned EVO.. and other goodies added....
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I spent quite some time at Carol Webb's when I was going around meeting breeders and we talked about feeding and giving raw meat. One thing I remember her saying is that it's important to not feed raw meat and dry kibble in the same meal because they get digested at different rates. In the future I will probably try giving Zip a handful of raw meals a week and see how she does. I'm not sure how I'd make that transition though. Right now she's doing fine on Innova.
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I spent quite some time at Carol Webb's when I was going around meeting breeders and we talked about feeding and giving raw meat. One thing I remember her saying is that it's important to not feed raw meat and dry kibble in the same meal because they get digested at different rates. In the future I will probably try giving Zip a handful of raw meals a week and see how she does. I'm not sure how I'd make that transition though. Right now she's doing fine on Innova.
She is correct about the kibble and the raw meat..
