So I got some advice on how to feed raw. I wanted to start my dogs getting use to it by giving some treats to them. I got some raw hamburger and then put a raw egg in it with some crackers. Mixed it all up and rolled them into little balls for treats. Good idea? I would have use other and more ingredients, but we didn’t have much to use and I forgot some stuff at the store. Also I heard the veggies have to be shredded very small or it will pass right through your dog. Is that true?
How long do you think my meat balls will be good for in the fridge? In the freezer? How slow should I start them off? How much should I increase it by? Also another good question, how much on a two week basis is it to feed a dog raw? For about a 50 pound dog? Lots of questions!! Please help!
Thank you!
First off, nice Bully!! Secondly, this diet is a great choice for Bullies, or any dog, with skin allergies. It saved our first Bully’s life and we have been feeding it for over 10 years.
Be careful with crackers as many of them contain salt. I use bread crumbs to make meatballs for my Bully. For veggies, I steam a large pot full of broccoli and carrots and then use a food processor to make them easier to mold in my meatballs. I don’t think that they have to be shredded very small, but veggies can cause loose stool. If my dog has loose stool, I cut back on the number of carrots I give him and that seems to stop it.
I cook the meatballs because of my Bully gets terrible gas and chases his bum if he gets raw. Cooking takes more time and loses a lot of the nutrients so I don’t recommend it if you don’t have to. He also gets bad gas when he eats the meatballs twice a day so he gets a natural kibble or chicken for his second meal.
The meat should only be kept in the fridge according to the supermarket’s best before date. I usually make a month’s worth and freeze them in medium sized containers. Then I take out each container and it is used up within 3-4 days. If they have any sort of odd smell, I throw them out. You can also freeze them and defrost them in the microwave before feeding.
I would transition your dogs to raw food over a couple of weeks. Start giving them about 1/4 of their meal for a week or so and then add a few meatballs each day until they are completely eating raw. Watch their stool to make sure you aren’t moving too fast.
In each batch that I make, I use about 15-20 lbs of ground beef, 1 head of broccoli, about 6 large carrots, 6 eggs, and some bread crumbs. This lasts me 1 month of feeding him once per day and he is also a 50lb Bull Terrier. This is only half of his food so what I make would last you 2 weeks of feeding twice per day. I get the meat from Costco for a total of $45 Canadian.
If you are looking for a cheap and healthy option, you should try chicken necks and backs. They are a great source of meat and the bones help clean their teeth. The price varies, but I used to buy them pre-packaged in 1lb bags for $1 each. Our 70lb Bull Terrier would eat 1 bag per meal and we would add veggies, crushed egg shells, and flaxseed oil.
Good luck!
quick answer is that dogs have eaten raw meat for hundreds of years so yes they should be pretty used to it and before you give them the treats if its been a while since u made it smell them and check to see if they are still good btw i would just give them, him, she, the raw hamburger by itself u don’t really need to mix and add more ingredients but if the experts say so fine also I feed my chihuahuas my shepherd and rottie raw meat everyday but thats all i know about that
hope i helped
i’d leave out the crackers- how bout mixing in some grated carrot or sweet potato instead?
the meat balls will keep in a sealed container for a week or so- practically indefinitely in the freezer.
a 50 lb dog should eat 2 +/- lbs a day if you’re feeding just raw.
you can start feeding them raw the same way you would change foods. a little less of the old stuff, and a little more of the new stuff.
many people like to feed the kibble and the raw at two different meals.
i feet TOTW, and feed the raw right on top of the kibble.