Raw Pet Food

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by Diana

I will defrost 1-2 days worth of meat at a time and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. I feed twice a day, both portions on the small side. When it comes time to defrost more food I use a new container. I let them clean their bowls really well and then give them a wash at least once a week.

You can switch your dog to raw right away with little to no effect (i have never seen any). Just be sure not to feed too much or they get backed up (raw food barf is pretty gross).

I still let my dogs kiss me, but not right after a meal. And keep in mind too that their poops could contain salmonella and stuff. I think if you follow proper meat handling precautions then you will be fine

-Diana

This all makes sense and I think I will probably do something similar. I am a bit of a cleanliness freak at times so I will probably feed him out on the balcony where I can hose it down after and disinfect if I feel the need. I have a feeling if I give him a bone that he will drag it all over the place!

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Well, I wouldn't let my dog lick my face immediatley after eating chicken (mostly), and common sense goes a long way. Kids are more susceptible I imagine because their faces are at licking height and perhaps they're not as tolerant to bacteria as adults.
To start out, I'd feed mostly boneless chicken for a few days, until the dog builds up higher enzyme levels. After that, you can start feeding more bone, different meats, etc. Some are richer than others, ie; venison, moose (most game).
Getting it right is pretty simple, I keep containers in the fridge that I rotate from frozen to thawed. Wash the bowls well afterwards, and if feeding large pieces that they can carry away, make sure you clean up the eating area, or the crate, wherever they eat.
I live on my own and have a large yard, so I often just hand them a chicken leg/back and let them run out in the yard with it. Bad days, they eat in their crates, and I spray it down afterwards.
More work than kibble, sure, but worth it for those of us that, well, think it's worth it

Thanks, I think I will start with boneless, small portions as you say. I will probably try it with both my dog and cats actually.

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Which pretty much follows my eating habits, but I still can't afford organic meat. If it was 10% more, no problem, but I've seen it 3x regular meat. That just isn't going to happen.
If prices come into a reasonable range (which is likely not possible due to volume) then I'll happily switch over.

I have also seen organic chicken about 2-3 times the cost of regular! It really is too bad...

[Diana]

Ah, and maybe this is where there is conflict, cus I don't really eat chicken. I think maybe once in the last 3 months. We buy those PC meatless "chicken" breasts that cost $11 for 8 breasts or something like that. Chicken tends to turn me off nowadays, even if its organic.

As far as other meats, I've found beef to be a little more expensive and buffalo pretty much comparable to organic beef, if not even cheaper. We had buffalo NY striploin steaks the other night and they were DIVINE! Oh and $5 a steak too.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Diana

Ah, and maybe this is where there is conflict, cus I don't really eat chicken. I think maybe once in the last 3 months. We buy those PC meatless "chicken" breasts that cost $11 for 8 breasts or something like that. Chicken tends to turn me off nowadays, even if its organic.

As far as other meats, I've found beef to be a little more expensive and buffalo pretty much comparable to organic beef, if not even cheaper. We had buffalo NY striploin steaks the other night and they were DIVINE! Oh and $5 a steak too.

Bison is fantastic (we don't have buffalo in north america ) it also happens to be one of the best meats you can eat, almost as low fat a chicken, more iron than venison, low calorie, low cholesterol, plus a host of vitimins, acids, and so on. and they are a "true" organic meat even though they are not marketed as organic usaly.

I have been buing more and more bison. only thing is you have to cook it slower over low heat or it gets dry.