Raw is Intimidating

Feeding your loved ones a raw diet can be intimating to start, but once you see the benefits, there is no turning back.  On our Raw journey, others like to share their Raw stories with us.  Here is one from AJ Larribas of RBF Bullyhouse in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Raw is intimidating! There’re so many things to know! There’s so many different types of raw. We decided that PMR or Prey Model Raw was best for our English Bulldog. Raw Meat, Raw organs, Raw Bones. 80% Meat, 10% Bone, 10% Organs or 80/10/10 80% Meat, Minimum of 3/4 proteins the more the better. Examples= Beef, bison, chicken, fish, gizzards, heart, goat, kangaroo, ostrich, pheasant, duck, pork, quail, rabbit, sheep, tongue, tripe, turkey, venison. Do not feed bear, fox, raccoon, wild boar, or other carnivores. 10% Secreting Organ examples= Brain, kidney, liver, ovaries, pancreas, spleen, testicles, thymus. 10% Bones Feet, necks, ribs, whole prey wings. Your raw diet must have calcium. Organs are the Multi-vitamins. Muscle meat is the foundation. Watch the Fat. Variety counts! Balance over time. Feed fish once a week. Eggs are also a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin 812, Riboflavin, Iron, Selenium and fatty acids. The shell is also full of vitamins and calcium. Over all eggs help provide healthy coats. Eggs should always be farm fresh and free of chemicals to be safe! The first rule I follow is ALWAYS use a metal stainless steel bowl. CLEAN IT OFTEN. If properly cleaned stainless steel will not trap harmful bacteria. The amount you feed is based off of age and weight. This is just a rule of thumb. EVERY dog is different. Depending on the breed, activity level and metabolism of certain dogs being fed higher percentages is necessary to keep a dog healthy. 7-10 weeks old= 10% of current weight. 10-16 weeks old= 8% of current weight. 16-20 weeks old= 7% of current weight. 20-24 weeks old= 6% of current weight. 24-36 weeks old= 5% of current weight. 36-56 weeks old= 4% of current weight. 56-68 week old=3.5% of current weight. 68 weeks and up= 2%-3% of current weight. Other examples of raw suggest 2% to 3% of ideal adult weight. For example if they should weigh 50 pounds feed 1 pound of food. Weight loss is 1.5%-2% of current body weight. Maintaining weight is 3%-4% of current body weight. Weight gain or high energy is 5+% Some dogs are more accustomed to eating once a day. My pack is more accustomed to eating twice a day. My English bulldog eats 1.92 pounds day. He eats 1 pound for breakfast and .92 for dinner. Do what is best for you and your pack!