WINTER AND A RAW MEAT DIET

[BigAinaBuilt]

Does anybody have a guestimated ratio for feeding raw? Pound or quarter to pound or size of dog?

I go by size of the dog or if I think they could use more I throw in a little extra

I ground sum deer meat up into hamburger cause i have a 9yr old dog without any front teeth and it is easier for him to eat. I was wondering if it is better for him if i add beef fat or just feed it straight?

It really depnds if you're planning on giving him the deer for an extended time or just as a "meal" every couple days. If that is all you plan on feeding him you may want to add a little more fat into his diet or just keep an eye on his weight

[cantexduck]

2-3% of adult weight. Some take more some less. Each dog is going to be differant. I dont weigh the food,just geuss with mine. One takes more to keep weight on, a few take less then 2% and do fine. I feed whole fish 2 times a month,rice with chicken one week and organ meat one time a month. 44/lb for my chicken now. 2.xx/lb for whole fish, 2.xx/lb hearts/gizzards. rice cheap/lb.

[TrueBlueLacys]

2 to 3% of total weight for most dogs, though really active curs with a high metabolism might need up to 4%. My dog is between 30 and 35 pounds, and most of the year I alternate between .5 pound chicken thighs and 1 pound chicken quarters to get the weight right. I really don't weigh the meat any more, I eyeball it, and then adjust according to whether or not she's gaining too much.

You also want to make sure that you make some cuts with bone in them. A lot of dental and digestive benefits in raw come from the bones. Bulldogs can probably eat most of the bones on a deer, I've seen a pit mix literally eat an entire shoat. For curs and hounds and younger bulldogs, the ribs and neck bones are perfect.

As for freezing meat, I', fine with feeding deer straight off the animal. The only thing I wouldn't feed without freezing first is hogs. But I do know people that feed fresh hogs regularly and their dogs are fine. Personally, I don't want to risk it with all the diseases and parasites wild pigs carry, but deer should be pretty safe. Of course if you have time to freeze it and remember to thaw it, freezing can't hurt.

And with the digestive track, the stomach is fine, and yes, in the wild dogs would eat the liver, heart, lungs, kidneys and other internal organs first. Definitely save those, they have tons of fabulous nutrients that dogs won't get from meat and bones alone. But I've always heard the intestines, especially the lower intestines, are often left. Of course if you want to clean out the intestines to feed, I'm sure the organ itself is fine, but that process was a little too nasty for even Betty.

[earlisbubba]

I wonder if freezing is to kill potential parasites that can live in pork muscle.  Trichinella or something like that... been a long time since biology class, but I remember something about that parasite living in swine

[uglydog]

The actula chewing process of the Raw Bones and meat are part of the Raw process that makes it healthier. The dogs with hardly any teeth can still eat it and is good for them, it helps make their gums healtheir to preserve what teeth they have left, you think you are making it easier for them, but in reality you are defeating part of the benifits!

BONES (that are RAW) are good for the dogs to digest- BONE Marrow it is important part of the diet.

[cantexduck]

Most of my dogs will not eat a rib bone but will hammer a leg bone, go figure. Deer necks are also good. They are pretty meaty as well.

[nosightsneeded]

I thought you raw guys tried to stay away from the spine because of the fluids?

[cantexduck]

 I have feed many spines. Right or wrong, I dont know.

[uglydog]

Just like anything else RAW has many different "experts" each has a variation of opinion of does and don'ts. I feed bone in, ribs with chuncks of spine, now I may regret it one day, but for now I will keep doing it. I have read alot of info on the internet, even picked up a book and read parts of one time, but the real answer is going to be inthe results what it does for the dog, and what comes out the other end. I will do what works best for my dog, even when some of the experts advise against it.

I use a SAWZall to cut up carcass so I can give chunks of meat on the bone and let the dogs wear it out.

[nosightsneeded]

Thanks yall I got a new deep freeze just to feed out of and a saw zaw  I think Iam ready

[Swine Stoppers]

What is the problem with givin them the meat when your cleaning the hog? Why do you have to freeze it? I usually cut 2 or 3 up at a time and just cut pieces off and throw it two them. They dont ever get sick.

[Swine Stoppers]

I have actually been told that the intestines are good for the dogs and that when wild dogs catch their prey they usually clean out the cavity before moving on to the meat & bones.

Ya i have heard that to. The intestines are the first things coyotes go for to.

[Gangly]

Once deer season starts, my dogs will eat venison until i run out.  they lean out nicely and there are no negative side effects that I have seen.  More solid muscle, less fat, much nicer coat, and their sh!t piles are a lot smaller and firmer.  The only bad instance was when I gave them deer meat that was cooked and seasoned.....it gave them the RUNS!!!!!