RAW Feeding

[Springfield Pointers]

I feed all sorts of and parts of meat, fish, eggs, veggies, fruit raw; they also get live yoghurt, honey, herbs and oils.

I do not do measuring, I feed by hand and eye (although I have been doing it for over 12 years) much as I used to with horses (before it became so technical)

I think if you feed what your dog likes and it suits them and they look and perform well, what else is there to know?

Hi Allyson. Clearly there are a lot of people like yourself and Bill who have a sensible and educated view on feeding dogs, but sadly there are a vast majority who do not, to dismiss it with "what else is there to know", while many will agree, there are also a great many who will benefit from good information. This is why people ask questions on forums such as this, and being belittled by answers such as that is why many who are ignorant to the subject are afraid to ask questions that would expand their knowledge on the subject.

[Callthatagundog]

Why oh why oh why do threads concerning how to feed your dogs get so emotive?

I did not read Allyson's post as being dismissive in any way. Despite all the diverse methods and varieties out there, there really is only one way to feed your dog(s) and that is the way that suits them best (obviously taking into account factors such as budget but feeding the best you can afford).

I got into a "heated debate" a few years back just for saying that there is no right or wrong and you should feed what suits your dog. This was in response to a move from raw to tinned Chappie to help my old JRT with his pancreatitis.

For what it's worth, my food of choice is raw meat, bone and offal. I add to that pure salmon oil, garlic, fenugreek and a tablespoon of pulped veg. BUT I also use a grain free hypoallergenic kibble as breakfast. They also get fish and raw egg once a week and a raw meaty bone once a week also.

I am happy to share my ideas and suggestions with folks looking for advice but, when all is said and done, this is my chosen method and it is up to them to decide how/if to apply it.

If you are happy with the condition and energy levels of your dog(s) based on your current feeding regime then the only decision to be made is whether or not to increase or decrease the quantity. As has been said loads of times, if you can easily feel the ribs but not see them and looking down on your dog you can see a waist, then it sounds about right. I refuse to get uptight about how much any of my dogs weigh. My only reason for weighing them at all is for dosing purposes as necessary or when, as happened recently, we took on one that hadn't had a good start and I wanted to monitor his weight gain.

Sarah xx

[Bogtrotter]

Good post ... for what it's worth, I heartily agree with Sarah!

Fiona

[pontbeck]

Sarah's post just about sums it all up perfectly.

[Judy]

Allyson's posts have always been forthright and honest!

For every person who thinks they are doing the best for their dogs by feeding Barf there must be at least a hundred who feed kibble and have dogs which are fit, shiny coated, work two or three days a week without suffering and live to a ripe old age. Equally I do know a couple of Barf fed dogs which are knackered by lunchtime on the one day a week they work does Barf suit them? Did the kibble they were fed suit the two Springers who were like coatracks by Christmas working two days a week and getting all they could eat? Obviously not in both cases. As others have said be guided by the dog not by the books! Think that might be becoming my mantra given the number of times I've said it recently both in relation to food and to training!

Back to the original question, the OP is feeding 60 to 80 grams more than the recommended amount, this is nothing in terms of actual food considering meat is, what? 70% or more water?? (Sorry, can't be bothered to look it up). Suggest he feeds fattier food if he wants the dogs to put on weight, dogs get their energy from fat, if they don't get enough fat in their diet they break down proteins for energy, proteins which would normally be used for tissue building. Simple (for a kibble feeder ).

[jeffD]

Good post ... for what it's worth, I heartily agree with Sarah!

Fiona

And so do I

[da.drew]

Allyson's posts have always been forthright and honest!

For every person who thinks they are doing the best for their dogs by feeding Barf there must be at least a hundred who feed kibble and have dogs which are fit, shiny coated, work two or three days a week without suffering and live to a ripe old age. Equally I do know a couple of Barf fed dogs which are knackered by lunchtime on the one day a week they work does Barf suit them? Did the kibble they were fed suit the two Springers who were like coatracks by Christmas working two days a week and getting all they could eat? Obviously not in both cases. As others have said be guided by the dog not by the books! Think that might be becoming my mantra given the number of times I've said it recently both in relation to food and to training!

Back to the original question, the OP is feeding 60 to 80 grams more than the recommended amount, this is nothing in terms of actual food considering meat is, what? 70% or more water?? (Sorry, can't be bothered to look it up). Suggest he feeds fattier food if he wants the dogs to put on weight, dogs get their energy from fat, if they don't get enough fat in their diet they break down proteins for energy, proteins which would normally be used for tissue building. Simple (for a kibble feeder ).

Hi Judy,
I dont want them to put on weight, I'm happy with the weight. I was more concerned with the ratio of meat to veggies, to much or to little.. The 13kilo dog is small in stature so her weight is good, the 24kilo dog is 16 months so might still have a little bit of growing to do, but again Im happy.

[Judy]

Sorry! Your initial question was "does this seem like enough food?" That coupled with Holly always looking for more and you already feeding slightly above average led me to believe you were concerned about their weight. My mistake.

If they look good and have plenty of energy then don't worry about them, they are fine! Seems to me some feed veg some don't, the dogs survive which ever way the owners choose to feed. Just as some owners won't add anything to kibble because it will unbalance an already balanced diet and others, including me, add this and that just to ensure the dogs' gut flora can cope with anything.

[Miesque]

I feed raw, partially. Breakfast is Skinners field and trial with half a can of high meat canned food (depends what is on offer but meat content must be 75% or higher). Dinner is raw, mostly tripe mince or pet mince from the butcher. Sometimes chicken carcasses or lamb breast. Occasionally game. He gets salmon oil and a calmer (magnesium and brewers yeast) in the morning also. Sometimes raw eggs if the hens are on over production mode!

[Allyson]

I feed all sorts of and parts of meat, fish, eggs, veggies, fruit raw; they also get live yoghurt, honey, herbs and oils.

I do not do measuring, I feed by hand and eye (although I have been doing it for over 12 years) much as I used to with horses (before it became so technical)

I think if you feed what your dog likes and it suits them and they look and perform well, what else is there to know?

Hi Allyson. Clearly there are a lot of people like yourself and Bill who have a sensible and educated view on feeding dogs, but sadly there are a vast majority who do not, to dismiss it with "what else is there to know", while many will agree, there are also a great many who will benefit from good information. This is why people ask questions on forums such as this, and being belittled by answers such as that is why many who are ignorant to the subject are afraid to ask questions that would expand their knowledge on the subject.

FWIW if you do a trawl on this site on this subject you will see that I have been FAR from dismissive on the subject of raw feeding and have written plenty of posts on the subject with a full set of guidelines.

I have not "belittled" anyone, and I well remember the OP first posts on this subject and the very full and detailed response I gave him.

I am well aware of the benefits of good information, which is why I post it.

I cannot of course prevent you casting aspersions, but I can object to them as being totally groundless.