Actually, that's not far off in terms of ratios of the main components of most raw diets. Though I think a zero is missing and she meant 10% organ, since then it all adds up to 100%.
Am I crazy
When I was growing up my parents bought 50bl bags of Alpo dog food to feed our dogs. We didn't have shepherds (sans one shepherd/lab mix who terrified me as a small child) or any other fancy dog. Just mutts most of which just wondered onto the farm and took up residence. A few months ago I took in a husky, who reminded me how much I missed having a dog. I was almost in tears when the owner was found, and the place at the foot of my bed was once again empty.
Thus, my puppy search began. After some breed research, and my wife insisting not a husky, we decided on a shepherd. After visiting shelters and breeder we finally found Reagan, and immediately took him to the vet. I was still under the impression that the standard way to feed a dog was to buy a bag of Purina or Alpo and tuck it in a large water tight container where it would serve as a source of nourishment to your canine companion for several months. But, out of curiosity, I asked the vet what food she would suggest. Our vet, in not so many words, said Science Diet was the way to go. I thought to myself 'this food cost twice as much but the dog cost infinitely more than any other dog I had as a child, and i love my new pup so what the heck'.
Recently it came to my attention that Science Diet is a terrible food source, and descent dog food cost a lot. By my math, I could just feed Reagan a boneless chicken breast in the morning and some flank steak at night and pay about the same money (which is becoming a very serious consideration). Now I'm not a rich man, but I want what is best for my dog. And I have to say I'm a little skeptical of all these premium dog foods, after all some of my parents dog are still alive and quite happy almost two decades later (the ones who have passed, met ends other than poor food quality). The whole time they've been eating food that apparently should have my parents up on animal cruelty charges.
Now don't misread me I believe my pup is worth the $100+ cost of premium food, i'm just blown away by it. I haven't owned a dog in ten years, is this a new thing, or am i just too back woods to know about it? What should I feed my puppy and what should the cost be? What do you feed your dog? Has anyone else ever thought the same thing?
Thus, my puppy search began. After some breed research, and my wife insisting not a husky, we decided on a shepherd. After visiting shelters and breeder we finally found Reagan, and immediately took him to the vet. I was still under the impression that the standard way to feed a dog was to buy a bag of Purina or Alpo and tuck it in a large water tight container where it would serve as a source of nourishment to your canine companion for several months. But, out of curiosity, I asked the vet what food she would suggest. Our vet, in not so many words, said Science Diet was the way to go. I thought to myself 'this food cost twice as much but the dog cost infinitely more than any other dog I had as a child, and i love my new pup so what the heck'.
Recently it came to my attention that Science Diet is a terrible food source, and descent dog food cost a lot. By my math, I could just feed Reagan a boneless chicken breast in the morning and some flank steak at night and pay about the same money (which is becoming a very serious consideration). Now I'm not a rich man, but I want what is best for my dog. And I have to say I'm a little skeptical of all these premium dog foods, after all some of my parents dog are still alive and quite happy almost two decades later (the ones who have passed, met ends other than poor food quality). The whole time they've been eating food that apparently should have my parents up on animal cruelty charges.
Now don't misread me I believe my pup is worth the $100+ cost of premium food, i'm just blown away by it. I haven't owned a dog in ten years, is this a new thing, or am i just too back woods to know about it? What should I feed my puppy and what should the cost be? What do you feed your dog? Has anyone else ever thought the same thing?
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Actually, that's not far off in terms of ratios of the main components of most raw diets. Though I think a zero is missing and she meant 10% organ, since then it all adds up to 100%.
One thing to be aware of is that commercial dog foods, including the cheap kibbles like Dog Chow and Alpo, have changed a LOT in recent decades. They use to be much higher quality, with much more meat in them. Someone mentioned horse slaughter and that was a HUGE portion of the pet food trade for decades. Now that such a cheap and nutritious meat source is no longer available for pet food, companies have had to choose between more expensive meats, and compete with the human food market for the good stuff, or cheaper, less ideal ingredients. The cheap foods many of us fed our dogs 30-40 years ago were very different, more on par with what most of us would consider midrange at least today. And of course all the new high quality brands didn't exist back then, nor did they need to since the cheap stuff wasn't as bad. But as the cheap stuff has gotten worse that oppened up the market for the better stuff.
lol...I actually follow the 50% rmb, 45% mm & 5% organ.It adds up to 110%
Are you talking about 4Health Large Breed Adult? If so, it's a good food especially for the money. It's what I feed.
No, the brand is actually called Exclusive.
Ok, that one I have not heard of. Could you provide a link?No, the brand is actually called Exclusive.
LOL.. you're right. Math is not my strong suit, clearly. :hammer:It adds up to 110%
Anyway, so to revise, 10% organ and the rest roughly split evenly between MM and RMB is a pretty common basic raw diet.
What about green? I haven't figured that out yet. Now I just mix puried veggies in with Mac's mm.LOL.. you're right. Math is not my strong suit, clearly. :hammer:
Anyway, so to revise, 10% organ and the rest roughly split evenly between MM and RMB is a pretty common basic raw diet.
Probably a better place to discuss would be in the raw forum rather than sidetracking this thread, but to answer briefly I view the MM, RMB, and OM as the primary diet itself and consider all the other little components (eggs, fish, veggies, vinegar, yogurt, etc..) more like supplements that get thrown in on top of it. They are an important part of the diet, but in small amounts. They aren't a primary part of it.
Ok, that one I have not heard of. Could you provide a link?
Here is a link for it. Thanks.
Exclusive Pet Food - Dogs
Don't worry, it's not mine either.LOL.. you're right. Math is not my strong suit, clearly. :hammer:
I agree with this. I don't feed veggies/fruits/grains with my raw diet when I fed. I fed a slightly different (but probably still close with the rmb instead of straight bone) model, but I gave beans every once in a while, eggs weekly, etc. as supplements like Chris said. All reading I've done has said they are not necessary.Probably a better place to discuss would be in the raw forum rather than sidetracking this thread, but to answer briefly I view the MM, RMB, and OM as the primary diet itself and consider all the other little components (eggs, fish, veggies, vinegar, yogurt, etc..) more like supplements that get thrown in on top of it. They are an important part of the diet, but in small amounts. They aren't a primary part of it.
Sorry for the OT.
Don't worry, it's not mine either.
I agree with this. I don't feed veggies/fruits/grains with my raw diet when I fed. I fed a slightly different (but probably still close with the rmb instead of straight bone) model, but I gave beans every once in a while, eggs weekly, etc. as supplements like Chris said. All reading I've done has said they are not necessary.
Sorry for the OT.
I agree with you. I only add veggies when I'm feeling saucy
I feed according to the 80/10/5/5 prey model of feeding, being muscle meat/bone (total percentage)/liver/other organ, though I usually end up with more bone than that in the end. Veggies aren't really necessary if you feed the appropriate variety of meats.
Sorry for even more OT!
I think I'm gonna give the lamb and rice 4health, Thanks for all the ideas. I was aware that you can't just feed them meat, but it was more something I was just toying with. I'm sure that getting meat trimming or mashed potatoes (Reagan's favorite food as near as I can tell) help supplement his diet.
This is close to the same calculation that I use.If you decide to go to raw, you'll have to feed 55% raw meaty bone, 45% muscle meat and 1% organ meat. Plus either green tripe or puried veggies. Just so you know.
I work with 50% RMB, 45% MM and 5% OM. I adjust that based on the type of RMB. A chicken quarter has much more meat than a chicken back or turkey neck. If I feed a bonier RMB then I adjust the MM to 50%, lower the RMB. A chicken quarter, I'll lower the MM to 25% because the RMB has more MM on it.
A good place to start is Lauri's site rawdogranch.com. She has a spreadsheet on her site to help you figure percentages.
DJ- The percentages came from rawdogranch.com and suggestions from Lauri. It's in the RAW section of the forum.
wow...I was wayyyy behind on this thread!
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