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Post by Dom on Mar 25, 2005 10:38:02 GMT -5
Hello! I have been feeding my puppy Raw for about a month and half. She is just over 5 months now.
She has taken very well to eating Raw. She did throw up twice and did have loose stool for 2 days. Over all her health, coat, and activity level has improved after eating Raw. I am very worried about bloat after seeing some articles on it. She has a very deep chest (the GSD in her) and when she was on kibble she would get the hiccups 10 or more times per day. They always occured right after eating and sometimes when she got up from a nap. I am not sure what caused them but she may have the hiccups once a week now after eating Raw.
She normally gets chicken necks, chicken wings, veggie slop, fish, ground meats and sometimes organ meat. I tried to give her turkey necks and since she has most of her puppy teeth (I am assuming) she had difficultly chewing them. I did cut them into smaller pieces. Later that day I noticed bone fragments in her stool. Is this normal?
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Post by amyjo on Mar 25, 2005 12:30:01 GMT -5
I have seen this from time to time and it is nothing to worry about. I saw it early on and the longer my dogs are on raw - the less I see it.
I presume that the digestive system gets stronger and better at digesting bones.
Sometimes I still see bones in the stool when I feed something a little harder than usual like lamb shank. A year ago it would happen with turkey but now it doesn't.
YOu can do yourself a favor and ditch the veggies if you want. They are messy, complicated and not at all necessary. They might actually get in the way of proper digestion since dogs are carnivores and not really meant to eat them. When I remember the effort I used to put into veggie slop - I am so greatful that I gave it up ;D
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Post by Dom on Mar 25, 2005 13:20:37 GMT -5
Thanks. ;D I was worried the turkey neck bones might have been a little too much for her system. I forgot to mention that I do feed her a good kibble (no pres/corn) in the morning sometimes. I am trying to keep her use to kibble in case I need to leave her with my mom. My mom won't touch the Raw. YOu can do yourself a favor and ditch the veggies if you want. They are messy, complicated and not at all necessary. My husband will be happy to hear that. He gets jealous when he sees me bring in 3 bags from the store and he finds out 2 of the bags are "Sadie sacks".
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Post by Aussienot on Mar 25, 2005 16:27:40 GMT -5
I'd recommend adding some red meat - beef or lamb . Chicken alone won't provide enough amino acids. Can you get neck bones - find a good butcher and ask. These would be suitable for a puppy.
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Post by Dom on Mar 25, 2005 16:59:00 GMT -5
I tried giving her lamb neck bones before and she licked them once then walked off. I did by oma's pride lamb ground meat/bone and she would eat that. Should the beef or lamb be given daily or just a few times a week along with the chicken. As I said, I am new to raw feeding so the bones still do kinda scare me. Especially the lamb and beef ones. Since she was having trouble chewing the turkey necks I thought those would be even tougher for her to chew and digest. I even bought some pig feet a month ago for her and they are still in the freezer because I am scared to give them her. This is all a learning process for me so I am taking baby steps as I feel comfortable. I am sure a year from now I will feel silly about being so cautious. I know I do want to continue this method of feeding because I have seen the change in her with the little time she has been on Raw. Thanks for the advice! Btw are pig feet okay to feed puppies?
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Post by Aussienot on Mar 25, 2005 17:24:01 GMT -5
It can be quite scary when you start. I remember feeling this incredible weight of being totally responsible for their nutrition, and not feeling like I knew enough to do it right. But you're right, in a few months you'll feel more confident.
Anything ground does not clean the teeth, work the jaws, massage the gums and stimulate digestion. To get these benefits, the dog must rip, tear, pull and knaw. A raw fed dog will spend longer over a raw meat and bones meal because they have to work at it a bit harder. Pig feet are good to build up strength and to occupy time in a good way. For a pup, I'd thaw them to room temperature, but for an older dog I'd give it to them frozen - lasts longer that way.
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Post by Dom on Mar 27, 2005 22:49:00 GMT -5
Thanks!
The pig feet I have are split down the center but I will defrost them tomorrow and she how she does with them. And yes I feel the way you said. I think that is another reason I still have her on kibble during the AM. I don't want my slow progression to hender her in anyway.
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