After months/years of talking about it begining the change over to raw meat & veg. Could I ask what % of veg can be added, I've heard somewhere at most a 1/4? Do you cook/steam the veg or feed raw, & one last thing do you pulp it? Many thanks.

Feed veg and fruit raw and pulp/liquidise it.  We don't bother working out %, never have.  Different people have different opinions and ways of doing it but we just throw in a big tablespoon maybe twice a week.  Works for us. :) Some of our dogs LOVE fruit and veg so you can use it for treats too.  I could bait one of my girls in the show ring with carrot or banana!  If the dogs aren't over keen on the veg mix you can liquidise some raw mince or offal in with it.

The % you can work out yourself over time... For dogs that put weight on easily, it is great to bulk up their meals as it's an easy low calorie filler.

My lad has not been getting as much exercise as usual recently due to my elderly mother's illness, so he gets much less meat, much more veg to help him stay trim.

For other dogs who need more calories, feed less veg sludge, more meat.

PS: Yes I pulp it in a food processor. Nice variety of different veg - if anything it has upped the veg content of the humans' diet in this household as I always have something on hand!

Yeah I think a lot of people who are thinking about feeding raw or are just starting out get pretty hung up on % and ratios and amount to begin with.  We've never fussed too much.  You just work out what works for your dogs.  You just need to understand the basic principals and feel confident about what constitutes a balanced diet (NOT a balanced meal) and then play around with different meals and routines.  You can add things like salmon oil, keepers mix and kelp etc that supplement the main food items.  Amount wise you just need to watch what happens when you feed more or less and different ingredients.  It's always good to poo-watch as well.  I like to be able to see a more instant effect on the poo.  You can see the immediate change in colour and texture!    there's nothing that BARFERS like to talk about more than POO!! lol

> there's nothing that BARFERS like to talk about more than POO!! lol

Oh yes... and there is nothing like a raw-fed dog's poo... it is so easy to pick up and there is almost no smell. I picked up a poo from a friend's dog last week - kibble fed - and I gagged.

Raw feeding is not for everyone, or every dog... Let's be accepting of those who can't or won't. I know it's easy to evangelise when you have seen positive changes in your own dogs but it isn't fair to push it on people who don't want to do it. [Disclaimer: wasn't suggesting you were!]

Veg or no veg depends on who you've read to do your research, same as the question of grain or no grain.  I would advocate good research before you start :)  Have a look at books by Ian Billinghurst, Tom Lonsdale and Kymythy Schultze

The reason for steaming or pulping is that otherwise it tends to go straight through without adding much nutritional value.  I'd suggest you simply do what you have the time or the inclination for.  I blitz veg in the food processor during times of glut, freeze it in small silicone muffin trays and add it to their food when I remember.  Otherwise they all have a share of veg peelings ad hoc.  I don't actually think they need much fruit or veg but as they like it and often choose to eat grasses, herbs and hedge fruits whilst foraging I trust their judgment.

Veg can be useful fed after bone, as is liver, as both help to see the bone through smoothly :)  Some dogs can get a bit constipated if fed too much bone at one time - chicken carcasses can be a problem for this...

Thank you all for your replies.

I'm starting with Forthglade - as little freezer space,  can get it locally, deliver free once a weeks &  have asked that since I spend xxx amount a year if I spend it all with them will they give me a discount & they've said yes. In the past both have had problems with colitis so it is a case of keeping a record of what they get & keeping fingers crossed.

After years of prevaricating it is also to exclude feeding grains, so veg will the main source of roughage. If all goes well will then try and source another supplier & see if their costs compare, living on the I.O.W delivery costs are often higher.

Can I just ask if the veg has to be frozen beforehand like the meat ? I have been using frozen veg to be on the safe side.

You can use frozen veg, or cooked veg but I've been using it fresh & uncooked. Just remember to pulp or liquidise it. Good luck.

> Can I just ask if the veg has to be frozen beforehand like the meat

No it doesn't need to be frozen - vegetables do not contain harmful bacterias that require freezing or cooking to kill - veg is actually more nutritious if fed raw (for humans and dogs!).  However dogs find veg difficult to process so it's advisable to finely chop it before feeding.  Blitzing in a food processor works well...

Do remember that not all veg is safe for dogs to eat, onions for example, so do check first

Thanks for the help. I am new to the barf diet but as that's what the breeder has weaned my pup on I've decided to give it a go so no doubt I will be asking a lot more questions lol

It's a great option but doesn't suit everyone.  I'm sure your breeder can help too but do spend some time on your own research - it's important to understand what you're trying to achieve and what constitutes a balanced diet for your dog, or growing puppy.  Not everyone agrees that veg is even necessary! 

Have a look at books by Ian Billinghurst, Tom Lonsdale and Kymythy Schultze :)

and Ann Ridyard I like hers because it is easy reading and great to refer