Going RAW

[ChancetheGSD]

After loosing Chance yesterday I'm terrified of losing Zoey too given that she's already 13. My moms bringing her to me tomorrow (Left her in SC while I got settled in NC) and I've decided I'm going to go RAW for her to hopefully help keep her as healthy as possible, as long as possible because I can't handle losing a 2nd dog to health or accident.

I've always added in "extras" to my dogs food and Zoey has a stomach made of steel so I'm not worried about going super slow.

Does this sound ok for variety?

Chicken
Beef
Green Tripe
Venison
Turkey
and I can probably get the store to order me rabbit as well since I know the meat supplier has it, that store just doesn't carry it regularly.

I also can feed some chicken hearts (is it much different than regular chicken MM?) since they come mixed in with the gizzards I'll use for OM.

Also, if I feed fish, what kind is best? Sardines, Jack Mackerel, Salmon, Tuna...? I can also get tilapia but it's kind of expensive.

The turkey/chicken all have bones ground into it (I'm planning to feed Blue Ridge meats for the most part) so I just plan to give RMB's maybe 2-3x a week. It'll probably mostly be small turkey/chicken necks or wings if I can find them. Would cutting up some pig feet work ok too? I just bought some 2 days ago. :/ She's a small dog (14lb) unlike Chance so I think a whole foot would serve nearly a whole day worth of food. Will that be ok for bones?

I also can get chicken livers/gizzards as OM. Will this be ok or do I need it from a variety of animals? Blue Ridge also carries a ground organ mix from beef if I need more variety, chicken OM from the store is just cheaper.

Anything else I should feed? (Besides the occasional yogurt, pumpkin and things I give her anyways)

Supplements she already gets fish oil, vitamin E, vitamin C, cranberry, joint pill and garlic.

Anything I should be aware of that could effect her thyroid? (She is hypothyroid but manages on meds) Has anyone ever used kelp to supplement for thyroid management?

Also, has anyone ever used Answers premade RAW? Answers Raw Pet Food Company: Detailed

I've given Chance some in the past mixed in with his kibble (But that was only like 1-2oz at a time so barely part of his diet) but never in a large part of a diet. Didn't know if anyone had experience with it, they come in premade patties/sausages which for a dog of Zoey's size/age/activity wouldn't cost much. It would give me a pork option as well including the MM, OM and bone.

Any other information would be great!

[baileys423]

Originally Posted by ChancetheGSD

After loosing Chance yesterday I'm terrified of losing Zoey too given that she's already 13. My moms bringing her to me tomorrow (Left her in SC while I got settled in NC) and I've decided I'm going to go RAW for her to hopefully help keep her as healthy as possible, as long as possible because I can't handle losing a 2nd dog to health or accident.

I've always added in "extras" to my dogs food and Zoey has a stomach made of steel so I'm not worried about going super slow.

Does this sound ok for variety?

Chicken
Beef
Green Tripe
Venison
Turkey
and I can probably get the store to order me rabbit as well since I know the meat supplier has it, that store just doesn't carry it regularly.

I also can feed some chicken hearts (is it much different than regular chicken MM?) since they come mixed in with the gizzards I'll use for OM.

Also, if I feed fish, what kind is best? Sardines, Jack Mackerel, Salmon, Tuna...? I can also get tilapia but it's kind of expensive.

The turkey/chicken all have bones ground into it (I'm planning to feed Blue Ridge meats for the most part) so I just plan to give RMB's maybe 2-3x a week. It'll probably mostly be small turkey/chicken necks or wings if I can find them. Would cutting up some pig feet work ok too? I just bought some 2 days ago. :/ She's a small dog (14lb) unlike Chance so I think a whole foot would serve nearly a whole day worth of food. Will that be ok for bones?

I also can get chicken livers/gizzards as OM. Will this be ok or do I need it from a variety of animals? Blue Ridge also carries a ground organ mix from beef if I need more variety, chicken OM from the store is just cheaper.

Anything else I should feed? (Besides the occasional yogurt, pumpkin and things I give her anyways)

Supplements she already gets fish oil, vitamin E, vitamin C, cranberry, joint pill and garlic.

Anything I should be aware of that could effect her thyroid? (She is hypothyroid but manages on meds) Has anyone ever used kelp to supplement for thyroid management?

Also, has anyone ever used Answers premade RAW? Answers Raw Pet Food Company: Detailed

I've given Chance some in the past mixed in with his kibble (But that was only like 1-2oz at a time so barely part of his diet) but never in a large part of a diet. Didn't know if anyone had experience with it, they come in premade patties/sausages which for a dog of Zoey's size/age/activity wouldn't cost much. It would give me a pork option as well including the MM, OM and bone.

Any other information would be great!

My heart goes out to you losing your baby...I lost my 5 yr old May 26th and I miss him like crazy, so after that I started feeding my 9 yr old female GSD RAW because I'm be damned if I'm going to lose her over some sickness like I lost my big boy Duke. I want my old girl as healthy as possible.