About a month away, leaning towards raw.

[Cetan]

Okay, so, I'm about a month away from taking home my puppy (at 7-9 weeks old, depending on my schedule more or less) and I've been reading up on BARF and the various FAQs and testimonials about overall health, and what really sold me, the dog's immediate preference for raw foods over kibble. Having eliminated the "doesn't raw cost a lot more?" factor has almost sold me on it. I'm mosly being held back by my understanding.

So, I'm asking for a good few resources that can hold my hand through the initial process. I've browsed a few here in the stickies, and honestly it feels like I'm jumping into a pool with nutritional claims and the like. I'm talking like baby steps. Feed X-weight of chicken neck/back per Y-dog's weight. Grind up Veggies A, B and C and give with RMB. I'm especially interested in puppyhood feeding, since i'm going to be scooping him up at that age.

It's new, I'm not quite understanding it, but, I'm sure once I get that *click* lightbulb on in my head, things will be alright. \

What all can I feed him? If I needed to, could I grab a pack of chicken breasts and toss it out for him (emergency situation?)? And I guess the biggest question is... where do I find the kinds of meat cuts that seem like they aren't going to be out on the supermarket's shelf. Is this something carried by supermarkets? Is this something I'm going to want to set up with the store's butcher, or an independent butcher?

[Anjulian]

Hi, here in the UK, it is better to use an independent butcher,and this is where I get most of the dogs food from. He orders me chicken carcases and heart,sometimes a pigs head or the entire inards of a cow of pig. ( this of course will mean a lot of cutting up to do,depending on the size of your dog)(I fill plastis containers and put in the freezer,ready to take out when needed) This is only done about once a month or so. We usually feed mainly chicken as it the cheapest meat to buy. It should be pieces of meat with bone in,but you could and should add meat such as chicken breast to a carcass as that has too much bone for a meal.My two have a basic diet of chicken.I also get chicken legs or portions from the supermarket when it is marked down because it is on the sell by date.Sometimes I get them pork or beef when it has been marked down.Generally aim for 80% meat,10%bone and 10% organs,half of that to be liver,which they really need.Veg is something that people disagree on,it cant do a lot for a dog,but I give some and cook extra to leave some for them. It really is only a tablespoon or so and not even every week.I did give veg to my pup as when we changed to raw he always seemed to be hungry so I added veg to fill him up.He had put on too much weight,as was getting chubby.That is sorted now, so for us it is an occasional thing.I sometimes add a a salmon body oil capsule as I cant always get fish and they are fussy with fish and only eat eat fresh sardines,Although the pup will eat salmon( if I could afford it )as he will eat most things.I get lamb ribs from the butchers as well. They are both doing so well on raw that it is a joy to see.There are sources and books,which others will let you know about soon. I did previously feed a dog raw many years ago,but I found out now that I didnt know enough about and got a lot wrong.Have read so much about it now that I feel that the only problem is sourcing the food. Hope this has helped at least a little bit. Feed one type of protein to start with, for about 3 weeks so they can adjust to the new food,then add other protein,one at a time,leaving a week gap to be sure. After all that you will start with the liver,tiny little piece at a time.All dogs are not the same and for some,you might need to sear it for a few seconds first and feed when cool. Julie.