Introduction to Raw diet

Tylerlucas227

Hello all, Tyler Lucas here.  This is my first post, and would first like to say, that as we have just obtained our first Bull Terrier, this site, and all of your constructive input has been very beneficial to me.  It seems just about any question a BT owner may have, is somewhere addressed here.  With that said, I understand this question may have been answered before, so for that I apologize, just wanted some direct input.  

Anyway, our little guy, Copper, is just shy of 4 mo. old.  We would like to integrate the BARF raw diet, after doing research, and hearing both positive and negative feedback.  Currently his diet is as follows:  Blue Wilderness Puppy: 1/2 cup 3 times a day (7am-12pm-5pm) Not sure if snacks come into play but he gets blue wilderness training treats while I am working with him, and this organic chicken jerky I found at Petco.  

My question is, 1- Aside from the obvious health benefits, is there anything else that draws some of you to choose a raw diet?  2-How do you properly, and safely integrate this diet coming from his current diet above.  3- being that he is 4 mo. old, what would the ideal feeding chart look like?(times of day,amount, etc) And 4- for those of you that utilize this diet, is it strictly the BARF diet? Or is it mixed with kibble, IE: kibble for breakfast, raw for lunch and dinner, or some other combination?   

Forgive my ignorance, as this is my first BT.  Any input from you will be greatly appreciated.

philsergeant

What a cute little guy.... Congratulations!!!! I can promise you your life is about to change (and improve) considerably.   Some believe a full raw diet is what a dog is "designed" to eat and they certainly can with their digestive systems... I have ours on a 40 raw/ 60 cooked or kibble diet because obviously there are nutrients in raw not available in cooked or processed food. From about 6 months you could slowly (as with all diet change) introduce raw up to the percentage you and his system are comfortable with. Whether  you make each meal a mix, or just do one or the other is again up to you and how his system copes with it... the danger here is that he might like the raw (or not) so much that he leaves the other meal, knowing he will be getting raw (or kibble) later. Please keep contributing or asking, and posting photos for sure.
It's hard to tell from one photo, but if his right ear is consistently floppy by comparison with the left that seems nice and erect, then you may want to give the right one a helping hand to catch up.

Tylerlucas227

Phil,

Thanks a lot for the info.  That helps quite a bit, and gives me a sigh of relief, due to the fact that I now know I have 2 months to dial this is before he should start.  

Questions for your answers:

Are you utilizing BARF, or actual raw food purchased in a grocery store?

If using actual raw, What exactly are you using, and is it consistent, or do you change up the type of meat throughout the day or week?

What would be some indicating signs (aside from him not eating it), that integrating raw, is not safely, or properly meshing with his body?

How about quantity of food, factoring in raw?

And lastly, how about treats throughout the day, Raw, or conventional?  

As for the ear, for the first two days we had him, which is when that picture was taken, his right ear was loose, however, since that time, it has been upright.  So good to go on that note.  

Thanks a lot for your input again, I appreciate it.     

Djammy

Philsergeant will probably have loads of more good tips for you.

So I just want to jump in real quick for two suggestions on food here.

The first one is Darwin Frozen Dog Food
A very convenient solution to feed balanced and high quality. They deliver the frozen food right to your door in a special container. I believe they deliver nationwide, but I am not sure. We've tried this food for quite while. And it was always great! Can be used as an "only" diet or mixed with kibble.

This is the Raw Diet we feed right now (recipe from my blog, a little less expensive than Darwin, depending on the meat prices you get. But you will need a good grinder). Currently we mix it with grain-free high quality kibble. But it can also be used as an "only" diet. Very important with this recipe especially when it's an "only" diet: additional Calcium and supplements.
In this forum as well as in my blog you will also find more information on supplements.