Giving kibble in addition to raw?

[MisssAshby]

Brawt who is fairly active acts like he is starving all the time.

He is feed raw and according to the NV website he should be feed around 6oz.

He will typically eat 8 oz of raw with a side (green beans, applesauce, yogurt, etc) and 2 hours later he acts like he hasn't eaten and looks SOOOOOOO skinny. There are times in which you can see his ribs, in which I know you shouldn't be able to see them but feel them.

What can I do so that he isn't starving all the time? Raw can get expensive, so I was considering giving him some kibble as well.

Ideas?

 

[Melissa_W]

So he's on the NV raw mix stuff? You could supplement that with meat you get from the grocery store. You can get that kind of stuff for $1.00 per pound or less. You can feed him fattier cuts of meat, or feed him once per day instead of twice. You can also supplement with kibble. It's really up to you.

 

[noludoru]

If he tolerates it, sure.

 

[Hillside]

If he won't eat the kibble I would try him with the NV INstinct canned. Django originally started out with kibble for breakfast and raw for dinner, until he quit eating kibble. I can sub the wet Instinct for any meal and he is still gung- ho about it.

Also, how are you buying your raw? The patties, medallions or the chubs? The chubs are pretty cheap, at my store they are 5 bucks for the 2 pound chub versus 21 for the 6 pound bag of patties.

 

[OutlineACDs]

If he's a dachshund (I'm guessing from your pic) then you should be able to see the last rib or two while he's standing. You really want to keep long-backed breeds very trim or you risk back injuries. If you really feel he is too skinny add some cottage cheese. If he will eat kibble you can add a little of that into his meals. Good luck.

 

[SizzleDog]

Corrie - WHERE are the chubs $5? Do they have rabbit chubs??? He loooves the medallions, I'd like him to get more of them but $14 for 3lbs is pretty ridiculous IMO.

 

[MisssAshby]

I know I can add the kibble and it shouldn't be a problem, but I guess my concern is that by doing that am I decreasing the benefits of him being on raw?

I was also thinking that I could substitute him with cuts from the grocery store -- but it's really hard to find anything other than really good cuts of meat besides chicken. I know that feeding him chicken (backs, necks, wings, etc) all the time can cause pooping issues.

Can you over feed things like green beans, cottage cheese, etc?

I'm not sure I can get him to eat kibble as that is part of the reason we made the switch to raw (besides the obvious reasons). He got to the point that he would refuse to eat for meals at a time because the kibble gave him such bad gas/tummy ache. We had tried Innova (all forms), Canidae, Eagle Pack. What other kibble would you recommend?

 

[MisssAshby]

If he won't eat the kibble I would try him with the NV INstinct canned. Django originally started out with kibble for breakfast and raw for dinner, until he quit eating kibble. I can sub the wet Instinct for any meal and he is still gung- ho about it.

Also, how are you buying your raw? The patties, medallions or the chubs? The chubs are pretty cheap, at my store they are 5 bucks for the 2 pound chub versus 21 for the 6 pound bag of patties.

The feed store I buy from does not carry the chubs. Although, they are willing to order anything I want so I will talk to them next time I go in and see what the pricing is.

I pay about $18.00 for a bag of patties and $12.00 for a bag of medallions. I wish there was a cheaper way for me to get this stuff. I've looked online and buy the time you pay for overnight shipping it doesn't come out any cheaper.

 

[Tatum]

NV Chubs

I get my NV chubs at complete petmart; they are $5.00 there. good luck

 

[girlbuffalo1]

Why not make your own patties or chubs? I make Wrigley's raw and food process everything and then put it into small containers and freeze. I would say (he is appox 16lbs) it costs me around $30 to keep him on raw.

Most of my meat content comes from ground turkey and beef bought at aldi's as well as bagged chickn breasts skin on (cheapest I can get them) and then any other cuts of meat I get on "manager's special" from Kroger--such as pork, and fish.
I get my kidney's and liver from a local meat processor.

Anyways--once you get into it it isn't that bad and it saves you money. You also can vary their diet a bit and try new things.

Wrigley too acts like he is starving all of the time--so sometimes I feed extra green beans ect but generally I just let him stare at me while I eat-- LOL

 

[Hillside]

Corrie - WHERE are the chubs $5? Do they have rabbit chubs??? He loooves the medallions, I'd like him to get more of them but $14 for 3lbs is pretty ridiculous IMO.

I'll give you one guess... IA Pet. They don't have the rabbit chubs, but I bet they would order them. Actually I just checked the NV site and it doesn't look like the offer the rabbit or venison in chub form. Maybe that will change? I know Ronin has some food issues, but can he have lamb?

 

[SizzleDog]

I think he can have lamb - he's never had a problem with it before.

HEY YOU - while you're looking... WHEN are we going to get Django and Ilsa together for a romp?????

 

[Hillside]

There you go, it's 5.25 for the lamb chub. I'll even deliver.