Raw Pet Food

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by RobynR

they use ground beef mixed 50/50 with beef heart.

I would say you'd want to expand on that though, just straight beef isn't enough. You need organ meat (liver, kidney, anything weird you can find) as well as bone. I'd also add in some other meats, chicken/pork/fish, etc.

[Diana]

I read your never supposed to mix meats? unless you meat rotate them... and I also read something somewhere about pork being bad?

let me find this article


-Diana

[Diana]

Ah, found it. Its not so bad, just need to take an extra step to freeze it:

"I've heard about trichinosis and pork. Is it safe to feed pork? As with many other food items, feeding pork is purely a personal choice. But yes, it CAN be fed, safely. Some dogs do very well on pork and others don't (loose stools). If you'd like to feed pork but are afraid of possible trichinosis, it is recommended that the pork be frozen, at Zero degrees F for 3 weeks, to kill the flukes. The incidence of trichinosis is actually fairly minimal in most places now (particularly in inspected meats). Many have fed fresh pork (pork necks, being a favorite) without any ill side-effects. Be aware of smoked pork necks, as they are slightly cooked from the smoking process. Pigs feet can also be fed, but are very high in fat...something you may want to avoid if your dog needs to lose a pound or two."


From this site, its an excellent read:

http://www.njboxers.com/faqs.htm


-Diana

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by RobynR

I called our local butcher, they make up to 200lbs of dog food base per week (which is pretty impressive for the smaller community I live in), they use ground beef mixed 50/50 with beef heart. Not exactly what I was looking for, but it's something. It was 2.49 per pound, which seemed reasonable to me, less expensive than purchasing the products individually from the IGA or SuperValu we have locally. So you may want to at least inquire at a butcher.

Thanks, I am going to look into this for sure.

Last night I fed my cats some raw chicken and boy did they love it! I didn't want to overdo it but after the small amount I gave them, they were chasing me around and crying for more...crazy because my cats never beg for food!

It was easier than I thought with the cats because they are pretty clean and ate all the food in one place and also cleaned themselves well after. I doubt if I had kids that I would allow my cats to eat raw chicken in case they went and licked them after eating. For the cats though, I think this will just be a treat a few times a week to supplement the EVO they usually get.

I was surprised to see and hear how many of the bones the cats ate!

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by RobynR

It was 2.49 per pound, which seemed reasonable to me, less expensive than purchasing the products individually from the IGA or SuperValu we have locally. So you may want to at least inquire at a butcher.

that would make my dog eat better than I do , at about 130 bucks a month that would not be a cost effective answer. you can make it yourself and put more variaty into it and probably get down to a little over 1-1.50/ lb.

Steve

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

I started my pup out tonight with 2 chicken wings, some chicken liver and fish oil. No veggies yet as I am still trying to figure out which to use and how much.

I will keep you guys posted on how it goes. I have to admit after watching how fast he eats the chicken, I am a little worried about the bones! Is there anything to worry about? Some the bones are so small and look like they could easily get stuck in his throat or puncture something.

[Diana]

Raw bones don't really splinter... but a puppy might be so excited to eat this delicious raw food that he doesn't chew it properly. Maybe giving him bigger bones would be better, that way he is forced to chew them up instead of inhaling them.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Diana

DON'T EAT IT YOURSELF OR FEED YOUR DOGS FACTORY RAISED FOOD ANIMALS! read read read before you consume any meat products and find out exactly where they come from. it is so unbelievably important.

the problem with that is last time I went to the local market and looked at a free range organic chicken, I would have needed a bank loan! I'm not sure what prices are like that side of the water, but I can't afford to eat anything but factory cows and chickens

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

the problem with that is last time I went to the local market and looked at a free range organic chicken, I would have needed a bank loan! I'm not sure what prices are like that side of the water, but I can't afford to eat anything but factory cows and chickens

This is so true. After I said I would feed the dog organic, my fiancee reminded me how much it costs. I guess its a bit of a lie to say we ONLY eat organic meat. We try to eat only organic but at times its just too expensive. I also eat out a lot and don't pay attention if its organic or not.

I understand the reasoning behind organic meat and I agree that its something that more people should be eating BUT if prices stay as they are now, people cannot be expected to make the switch and I doubt a high percentage of people ever will. Its just one of those things where it certainly may be better but the cost just doesn't allow most people to buy it. Many families can barely afford to buy enough "regular" meat for the whole family as it is now, let alone organic.

[Diana]

I know its expensive, but humans don't need to eat meat every day. I've cut down drastically on meat intake to be able to afford organic/free range/wild meat. We eat meat maybe 3 times a week, and thats all you need if you provide yourself with other protien sources such as eggs,nuts, seeds, beans, etc etc.

I understand also that we do not have kids to feed (other than the furry ones!) so its easier for us to eat more expensive foods. But honestly, since going organic/cutting out most meat our grocery bills have not gone up. Its all about portion control.

A great movie to watch is called Food INC. Its not super gross so don't worry too much about that- other than maybe when they show you how they kill entire herds of pigs at once using a giant garbage press (i will never in good conscience eat pork again). It talks about making smart choices at the grocery store, and a little more about the American way of producing food that is just spiraling out of control. Animals do not need to be treated in such awful ways, and you vote 3 times a day.


-Diana