I did it - they are eating raw

[whackichic]

I owe it all to you guys. All these posts on raw, people having the same fears I do, helped me try. Well that and Deniro seems to hate kibble.
It's been 4 days of only raw. Neither of them has diarrhea or runny poops and no puking. Gabbi, the GS with a wicked sensitive stomach any time I switched kibble has no runny poo! I am amazed. They are eating Natures variety patties with some pumpkin, yogurt, salmon oil w/(vitamin e capsule). Deniro is wiping his face on the fake grass in the mornings so I'm wondering if he is allergic to chicken. I gave him 1/4 beef patty this morning and so far so good. I'll look when I take my break from work to let them pee.
I am wondering how long to give them the single source food.
If they don't have the runs now are they out of the woods?
How often should I give them kibble? I have 1/2 bag of Evo left and don't want to just throw it away.
Is it better to keep them eating just raw for a few weeks then split it? I believe I red somewhere it's good to have in their system for times they are boarded or something comes up. (Vegas trip end of the month!)
Thank you everyone for all the great info and I have to say I am very happy thus far! This site has been invaluable.

 

[Gempress]

Congrats on taking the plunge! If there's no problem after 4 days, I think it's fine to go on to a new food item.

 

[IcyHound]

Chances are that he is not allergic to raw chicken!

You are giving pumpkin, yogurt, the capsules are probably soy based. The patties have Apples, Carrots, Butternut Squash, Ground Flaxseed, Broccoli, Lettuce, Spinach, Dried Kelp, Parsley, Honey, Olive Oil, Blueberries, Alfalfa Sprouts, Persimmons, inulin, Rosemary, Sage, and Clove. (I looked them up)

I would put money that any one of the above items is causing your dog to have an allergic reaction since they are all plant material and not needed in a carnivores diet. Don't blame the chicken please, its going to be the last culprit on the list.

 

[vanillasugar]

Also, often times dogs who have been fed kibble all their life go through a "detox" period once switched to raw. All those preservatives, chemicals, etc junk need to work their way out of the system somehow, and that usually presents itself through the skin (itchy scratchies are very common).

 

[whackichic]

well ok then. Scratching chicken off the list.
Should I not continue feeding the patties then? Crap I just bought 4 packs of them, you know buy 3 get 1 free. I put the pumpkin and yogurt to help his stomach. I am out of pumpkin so that's out anyhow.
Any suggestions on the kibble stuff? Deniro is 15 months old so his detox shouldn't take that long right?
Thanks again.

 

[IcyHound]

I wouldn't scratch chicken off the list. I guess feed through the patties or something. I don't know, never purchused htem. I tossed a ton of kibble, cans, and treats when I switched. I know not everyone wants to do that.

All pumpkin does is slow down the digestion with fiber and suck up water to make the stool seem firmer.

Yogurt is milk based and uneeded. It makes a lot of people feel better to give it. I used to give it as well with kibble but I no longer do.

Right now the food you have been giving plus the pumpkin so full of fiber that it is sucking any excess moisture up. You don't know if they are honestly having solid stools or not. However, the bone content is normally so high with premade patties that it causes firm stool regardless.

 

[skittledoo]

Bamm got his first raw chicken today too and so far so good.

 

[whackichic]

I meant scratch chicken off the allergy list.
I'm playing it by ear. 4 days is not that long. I'm still pleased its going so well.
I'm searching craigslist for a small freezer.

What type of chicken did you give Bamm? I'm going to try and find some chicken backs and maybe buy a pack of chicken wings. Or I may just stick with the pre made for a bit longer til I am comfy with the whole thing.

I hate wasting things, especially expensive things like Evo. I put the royal canin in the green garbage food waste bin and the beneful I took from my friend but I dunno. Throwing away $50 worth of perfectly good dry food? I have 3/4 of the small bites and 1/2 of the 28# large bites. Maybe twice a week they will get that for breakfast or dinner.

 

[DanL]

My advice would be to keep the patties for later on, and switch to nothing but chicken for a couple weeks. Once they are stable on a few different food sources, say a month or so, you could use the patties again. This way they aren't wasted. It it might be too soon for all those ingredients. Start simple, take your time and let them adjust. 2-3 weeks of nothing but chicken leg quarters or backs isn't going to hurt them. You don't need yogurt or pumpkin on a regular basis. Pumpkin is good when the dog is too loose or is constipated. Other than that it's a filler you don't need. It's normal for them to get loose when you 1st change over. I wouldn't give pumpkin at that point, let them work thru it and after 2-3 days they'll be ok.

I've started using Evo as well. Once a week or so they get a few handfuls of Evo mixed in with whatever raw food I'm feeding that day. The little guys more so because I simply get tired of chopping up their bones for them. They are both gulpers and will try and swallow pieces that are too big. Doing CPR on Bruzer is not something I want to experience again! Plus, it's supposed to be a complete diet, so if I'm missing anything with what I'm giving raw, the Evo covers it.

 

[Dekka]

Kibble makes good training treats for raw fed dogs

 

[whackichic]

Ok. Thanks very much. I am off this weekend and will venture to the stores to price check. The only one I know for sure is Costco 10# for $8.99 of thighs. Maybe Trader Joe's has good prices for meat. I never buy the stuff. (sad I know) I have to admit the thought of them choking on a piece of chicken scares the hell out of me. Does the frenchies underbite help or hinder? He hacks sometimes with the raw knuckle bone and quits. I did buy a scale last weekend and will bust it out.
I never planned on throwing out the patties. They won't go bad, the dry food will eventually.
I think Gabbi is going to have to learn. She licks the patties so far. Deniro finished before she did last night. 1st time ever.

 

[ihartgonzo]

I'm glad it's working for your pups. : )

Gonzo always, always rubs his face in the grass, on walls, furniture, etc, after he eats raw. Just because he's rubbing his face does not indicate any allergies... so don't worry. Unless his skin is dry/itchy, he's biting his feet, or he is experiencing swelling in his face/paws/etc, it probably isn't even allergies.