Making the switch to pre-made raw - YorkieTalk.com Forums

yorkie_mama22 · 08-31-2009, 06:53 PM

I am going to make the switch to pre made raw for Lola and my other dog. I have looked up on the internet stores in my area which sell it and only found two speciality stores that do. I will call tomorrow and make sure they have it. I looked up on the Nature's Variety site and it gave me the locations. Now my question is which one should I use? Is it okay to switch the meats up? Also is it okay if I am still going to give them a bit of kibble too? And my last question, would it be fine if I gave them some raw chicken legs or other raw meats as treats or chews too? Not every day but perhaps a couple times a week. Thanks in advance!

Bellaandhelen · 09-01-2009, 03:00 AM

I am also about to make the switch to natures variety raw

I think it's fine to also feed kibble. I don't know about the chicken bones - I might worry about the bone splintering and hurting mine internally in some way, but I'm no expert.
I noticed on the primal website when I was researching, that their feeding calculator allows you to account for bones and kibble also- you might want to check that out.
Feeding, Transition and Safety for Raw Dog Food Diets

Good luck with your switch! I am so excited to switch- I really hope Bella and Baci like Natures Variety

Wylie's Mom · 09-01-2009, 06:59 AM

A lot people will start out w/ venison or chicken. If you're using NV - the organic chicken is a super nice choice.

Yes, you can still give kibble.

I would not switch meats for the first 3wks-1mth or so, let their bodies get used to everything.

Some people like to give raw chicken legs, lamb chops etc.; I use bully sticks and CET chews, generally.

amandawash · 09-01-2009, 09:00 AM

I agree with Ann- if you are going with Nature's Variety, start with the organic chicken. The other meats can be a bit rich. I feed Primal raw, which I prefer because of the organic, free-range proteins. These proteins are only fed from US sources and nothing is used from China

I switched cold turkey. I fed exclusively raw for months, and the transformation I saw in Ryder was unbelievable. I now feed kibble for snacks and travel, and raw for meals. They are done really well that way.

Wylie's Mom · 09-01-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amandawash

I agree with Ann- if you are going with Nature's Variety, start with the organic chicken. The other meats can be a bit rich. I feed Primal raw, which I prefer because of the organic, free-range proteins. These proteins are only fed from US sources and nothing is used from China

I switched cold turkey. I fed exclusively raw for months, and the transformation I saw in Ryder was unbelievable. I now feed kibble for snacks and travel, and raw for meals. They are done really well that way.

I switched to Primal too. All of NV's raw has flax in it, which Wylie can't have. For Primal, I think only 1 formula has it.

yorkie_mama22 · 09-01-2009, 09:06 AM

Awesome, thanks so much I will definitely get the organic chicken and see how they do on it for a month. I do bully sticks too and my big dog likes rawhide ( i know bad, but my fiancee gets them for her and doesn't listen to me, his dog not mine lol )
I still want to do the kibble for the purpose of convience! If I am out, or they are out with me, or something comes up I can have that as a back up. I am excited to switch!!

amandawash · 09-01-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I switched to Primal too. All of NV's raw has flax in it, which Wylie can't have. For Primal, I think only 1 formula has it.

I love Primal. The nuggets seem to thaw quicker and don't have the sharp pointy pieces of bone in them. They also seem more consistently sized. My kids are still on the lamb and do so well on it. Give those boys some lovin' for me!

Wylie's Mom · 09-01-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amandawash

I love Primal. The nuggets seem to thaw quicker and don't have the sharp pointy pieces of bone in them. They also seem more consistently sized. My kids are still on the lamb and do so well on it. Give those boys some lovin' for me!

I love it too, and you're right - they do thaw quicker and are nice and soft and consistent. And I like the company.

Aw, thanks so much - some lovin' right back at you and the boys!

08-31-2009, 06:53 PM	#1
yorkie_mama22 Currently Suspended! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 2,275	Making the switch to pre-made raw I am going to make the switch to pre made raw for Lola and my other dog. I have looked up on the internet stores in my area which sell it and only found two speciality stores that do. I will call tomorrow and make sure they have it. I looked up on the Nature's Variety site and it gave me the locations. Now my question is which one should I use? Is it okay to switch the meats up? Also is it okay if I am still going to give them a bit of kibble too? And my last question, would it be fine if I gave them some raw chicken legs or other raw meats as treats or chews too? Not every day but perhaps a couple times a week. Thanks in advance!

09-01-2009, 03:00 AM	#2
Bellaandhelen Donating YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: West Lafayette, IN, USA Posts: 279	I am also about to make the switch to natures variety raw I think it's fine to also feed kibble. I don't know about the chicken bones - I might worry about the bone splintering and hurting mine internally in some way, but I'm no expert. I noticed on the primal website when I was researching, that their feeding calculator allows you to account for bones and kibble also- you might want to check that out. Feeding, Transition and Safety for Raw Dog Food Diets Good luck with your switch! I am so excited to switch- I really hope Bella and Baci like Natures Variety __________________ Helen, Bella and Baci

09-01-2009, 06:59 AM	#3
Wylie's Mom Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 35,889 Blog Entries: 2	A lot people will start out w/ venison or chicken. If you're using NV - the organic chicken is a super nice choice. Yes, you can still give kibble. I would not switch meats for the first 3wks-1mth or so, let their bodies get used to everything. Some people like to give raw chicken legs, lamb chops etc.; I use bully sticks and CET chews, generally. __________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann \| Pfeiffer \| Marcel Verdel Purcell \| Wylie \| Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨°

09-01-2009, 09:00 AM	#4
amandawash Lovin' my R & R Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Middleton, Idaho Posts: 2,152	I agree with Ann- if you are going with Nature's Variety, start with the organic chicken. The other meats can be a bit rich. I feed Primal raw, which I prefer because of the organic, free-range proteins. These proteins are only fed from US sources and nothing is used from China I switched cold turkey. I fed exclusively raw for months, and the transformation I saw in Ryder was unbelievable. I now feed kibble for snacks and travel, and raw for meals. They are done really well that way. __________________ Amanda 's Ranger & Ryder

09-01-2009, 09:06 AM	#6
yorkie_mama22 Currently Suspended! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 2,275	Awesome, thanks so much I will definitely get the organic chicken and see how they do on it for a month. I do bully sticks too and my big dog likes rawhide ( i know bad, but my fiancee gets them for her and doesn't listen to me, his dog not mine lol ) I still want to do the kibble for the purpose of convience! If I am out, or they are out with me, or something comes up I can have that as a back up. I am excited to switch!!