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Post by Nicole on Jul 12, 2004 6:05:53 GMT -5
I switched Sunny to Canidae from Innova a few weeks ago and I am not happy with it. His coat is dull, he is very lethargic (I am sure the heat is adding to this but he seems generally dull), he is getting very skinny and he doesn't really like it. He won't finish his meal which is so unlike him. The most noticeable thing is that he is drinking nearly double what he drank before. Most of the drinking is immediately after eating so it seems food related. The only good thing is that his stools are firmer. I can't put him back on Innova because it is too rich for him so I think this is the push I needed to make the plunge. I am not feeding him this morning and am going to buy chicken quarters to give tonight. Is it Ok to give chicken fresh that has not been previously frozen? Oh Amyjo... are you still available for one on one mentoring... pretty please... ;D ;D
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Post by amyjo on Jul 12, 2004 7:45:34 GMT -5
Yep it is okay to give the fresh chicken and yep... I will be here for you every step of the way. I am very happy for you and for Sunny. It is the right decision and very soon you will see the undeniable proof right in front of your eyes.
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Post by sibemom on Jul 12, 2004 13:42:33 GMT -5
Great news Nicki In a short time you will notice a very healthy looking dog Chicken is our main source of food because Blade does not like anything else, except the occasional Pigs Foot ;D One thing you might want to think about adding is Salmon Oil, and Vitamin E. That is the only thing I add to the raw diet. He hates eggs, he hates veggies, he will eat sardines or canned salmon but is not real crazy about it. So for us it's pretty much chicken and ground turkey. I know Sunny will do great on this diet We are all here to help so don't be afraid to ask
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Post by Nicole on Jul 12, 2004 16:22:41 GMT -5
Thanks guys!! I need you!! I am actually very excited about this which is weird. I am not nervous this time. Although I will be more at ease once I get the hang of organs and eggs and things which hopefully eventually I will. My biggest dilemma right now is where to feed it. I was thinking of newspaper on the kitchen floor. Sunny will stay put if I tell him to. Then I can just throw out the newspaper. Here is a stupid question ...do they lay down to eat this?? I am going to feed in about an hour. I will let you know how it goes.
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Post by amyjo on Jul 12, 2004 16:28:01 GMT -5
Kylie and Gracie lay down right away - Elvis will only lay down if it is something big and it's gonna be a good long chew. Lot's of people use towels or just let thier dogs lick the floor clean Me? I think there is only one place for my dogs to eat raw meat and that's the yard! Please let us know how it goes!
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Post by Willow on Jul 12, 2004 19:57:24 GMT -5
Great news, Nicki! I knew you would take the plunge before too long. I am with Amyjo on where to feed, too. I also think the yard is best, but if the weather is really bad, I chop up the meat/chicken etc. and feed in her dish or give her a meal of ground turkey and egg, or salmon so it can be eaten from her dish too. You go girl! It will get easier and easier!
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Post by amyjo on Jul 13, 2004 8:03:01 GMT -5
Nicki - what about your brother? Is he rawfeeding Reign or is he waiting to see how you and Sunny do?
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Post by Nicole on Jul 13, 2004 8:20:15 GMT -5
My brother has been researching raw for longer than I have (we both have the missing brain part ;D) and I was supposed to follow him but my sister in law is pregnant and they want to wait now. She is more of a germ freak than I am. But I understand. So now, I will keep a journal from your instruction and when they are ready I will give it to them.
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Post by Willow on Jul 13, 2004 9:52:50 GMT -5
That "germ thing" is so hard for most people to accept, because we are so brainwashed to believe that "germs are bad" and that we should avoid and kill them with strong chemicals, when in reality, exposure to bacteria is necessary to strengthen the immune system, and the cleaner, more paranoid you are about germs, usually the more suppressed your immune system is. Not to mention that the chemicals kill "good bacteria" too.
I have always used what I call "normal" caution...washing counters, boards, knives, hands etc. with Clorox water after coming in contact with raw meat, and we have had no problems. My husband is not even that cautious and only uses soap/water (he hates Clorox. Says the smell makes him "sick"). We are both in our 60's and have never suffered from Salmonella, food poisoning etc. I'm not saying it can't happen to any one of us at any time, but since he is also a hunter and we come into contact a lot with raw meat, you would think if it was so "dangerous" we would have gotten sick a looooong time ago.
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Post by Aussienot on Jul 17, 2004 1:10:22 GMT -5
I'm with Loey on this one. Treat Sunny's food with the same basic common precautions you use with your own food and you shouldn't have any problems.
I use a separate chopping board for dog meat and I clean it throughly after each use. I usually keep the dog's meat frozen until close to use, with only two days worth in the fridge.
Both my dogs are fed outside, and other than bringing their bowls back inside, I really don't clean up after they've eaten.
Maybe it's not Kosher. Maybe it's not sterile. But they are both the picture of health, Finn's itching problem has been almost eliminated, and they both have energy, spirit and vigor. I'll know in 10 year or so if I made the right move, but the results I've seen in the past couple of years have convinced me never to feed cereals and grains to my dogs again.
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Post by ripley on Jul 29, 2004 23:24:03 GMT -5
I had one major problem with Canidae: Ripley wouldn't touch it. Something in it that must have been revolting to him, I guess.
As for raw feeding, I've researched a bit and I'd love to do it, but my mom is close-minded on the topic (She thinks dogs should eat kibble and that is that) and I'll have to convince her otherwise.
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Post by sibemom on Jul 30, 2004 3:07:14 GMT -5
Well don't sweat it about the kibble. Keep educating your mom on the benefits of it for you dog and when you are both in aggreement then you can switch In the mean time just get a good quality kibble that your dog will eat and make sure meat it the first ingrediant.
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Post by amyjo on Jul 30, 2004 6:56:40 GMT -5
And she means MEAT not "meat meal" there is an excellent article around here somewhere about what "meal" actually is...worth a read. very eye opening.
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Post by ripley on Jul 31, 2004 17:50:51 GMT -5
I'll have to look for that article. Thanks!
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