Its been over a week now and all is well, I have noticed Marley is much calmer, same energy levels but walking to heal better, not diving up at guests etc  He only goes twice a day, which is supose to be a good sign, he always had a lvely coat but his fur feels softer, still glossy but softer to the touch  BUT  Im loosing my bottle, I keep reading about the dangers of chicken bones cooked and raw, I keep being told that I will not provide a balanced nutricious diet for my dog :-(  I really like this raw diet but am getting concerned.........is there anyone who has been feeding raw for numerous years, as many as poss who can give me some encouragment? pleeeeeeasssssse, the longer you've been feeding the better :-)

I only started feeding raw about 4 months ago but I have a friend who has fed raw for years and years and I get most of my advice from her, I also know loads of others who have fed raw for years with no problems.  However I only follow the raw meaty bones diet, my dogs don't have veg or fruit.  Have you looked up Tom Lonsdale on the internet??  He has a great website and afew books that should help put your mind at rest and also give you ideas about what to feed.

Well, I've only been raw feeding for just over 3 years but we've had no problems at all.  Both dogs are in great condition and really enjoy their food.  try not to get too hung up on balancing the diet at every meal as, as long as you're feeding an appropriate combination and variety of meat/bones/offal, it'll balance out over time.

I have discussed raw feeding with 2 vets at our practice and they both agree that raw feeding is fine, done correctly. 

FWIW, I feed lamb meat & bones, beef mince, pork mince & ribs, heart, liver, kidney, chicken legs & wings, turkey legs, whole fish (usually mackeral but any oily fish I can get my hands on such as trout, salmon, sardines etc), tinned sardines...any anythnig I can get from the 'reduced to clear' fridge in Tesco (the raw feeders treasure trove ;-)).  They get most of the above over the course of a week or so.  One dog gets pulped fruit and veg mixed in to bulk up his meals as he piles on weight easily but the other hates fruit and veg but does just fine without them.

Hope this helps a bit :-)

Thanks :-)  Ive spent the eve researching AGAIN!!!  feeling better about it again now.

I've been feeding raw for six and a half years. No tummy upsets, no vet visits, dogs enjoy their meals and clear their dishes

HTH

It does! Thanks!! 

Just thought this link might be useful:

[/url]http://www.krisannriorawfeeding.com/pashasfooddiary.htm

Hi
Have been feeding BARF for four years - no problems at all. So long as the diet is balanced over a 2-4 week period you will be fine.  Why not join the BritBarf group on Yahoo?  They are a mine of information and managed to answer all my panicky questions!

BritBarf is a wealth of information from really friendly people who go out of their way to help without judging.

Did I see you on BritBarf this morning Angelz?

Yes, Ive joined it :-)  Im feeling much better again now, just got a bit nervy!!  Its the right thing for me and Marley and thats what matters...right? :-)

Thought it was you :-) I was nervy for about 18 months on and off but wouldn't change as dogs love it

I have been feeding raw on and off for about 8 years..I say on and off because like you I got cold feet and got scared ever so often..I suddenly get concerned that I'm not doing it right,or am I too lazy about the whole thing. I hear of people that give their dogs all sort of wonderful things whereas I buy most of my stuff from people like AMP,Albion,Forthglade...all ready prepared. I am not lucky enough to have a butcher that can supply stuff at reasonable prices ,and the butcher I did find already has quite a few dog clients so can't supply anymore to me apart from the odd marrow bones.

So my dogs get the prepared stuff and look really good on it.My vet often comments on how good they look and what great teeth they have. I don't feed chicken wings very much,but at least one if their meals a day is a mince that has bone in it. Then their other meal is a complete raw food (has the offal and Veg in) or a tripe based meal where I may add my own Liver/heart/veg etc.

I have a friend that has fed her dogs raw for the last 9 years and the bulk of her dogs diet is mainly chicken & tripe, she has also bred several fantastic litters. Whereas when she fed complete processed food in the past she had some terribly bad experiences with her litters. I don't think I would be happy to give just chicken & tripe all the time, but it seems to work for her..I know she does give them a some of the raw complete about 3  times a week and adds some household scraps and leftovers so maybe that's why it works.
i also know several people that just feed a diet of tripe and mixer,The dogs look great.
So don't get too hung up about it.

Rosie

Myself - 37 years in a family environment (20 of which my own dogs and resposibilty)
My father - 57 yrs
Mother - 37 yrs
Grandfather - 89 yrs
G.Grandfather - 90 (odd) yrs.
And so on (Family from N.Norway)

In my lifetime 24 dogs, of which 1 lost to hunting accident. 1 to cancer aged 9 yrs. 1 pts after sledding accident. The rest all old age to ages expected.

1 instance of choking I witnessed as a child but this was a dog that stole a dale chick from my Fathers Lanner Falcon. :)

HTH.