International Parti Poodle Gazette

Puppies begin with softer bones

WHY I FEED MY POODLES A RAW DIET

In October of 2006, I began feeding my dogs an all raw diet.  It has been a learning adventure!  After visiting a breeder who fed her dogs a raw diet and seeing their condition, I began reading about the benefits of feeding a raw diet.  Subsequently, I stopped all kibble and grain-based treats and jumped in cold turkey to feeding raw food: My Poodles have reaped the benefits!

I had two Poodles scheduled for teeth cleaning in December 2006, but canceled the appointments as both dogs’ teeth looked as though they had already been cleaned.  Poodles that were too heavy, lost fat and gained muscle; those that were thin, filled out.  And, my picky eaters?  Now they can’t wait for the dinner bell!  My neutered male Cash is healthy and robust.  Previously, the poor guy would only eat enough kibble to keep himself alive, and I had tried just about everything I could think of to get him to eat. 

I began by feeding chicken leg quarters with added breast meat.  All the dogs tolerated this very well and ate as though they were starving.  I read books by Tom Lonsdale, researched canine nutrition, and joined a hand-holding raw feeding group on the Internet.  All this research convinced me that I was feeding my dogs in the most natural way possible, and I felt confident in my decision.  Slowly I began adding more variety to the Poodles' diet.

You can grind meat for babies

My dogs’ diet now consists of 80 percent meat, 10 percent bone and 10 percent organ meats with liver being the bulk of the organ meat I feed.  Green tripe is a smelly experience, but the dogs love it.  I use chicken feet and dried liver as treats.  Chicken feet contain high levels of glucosamine, as do all ligaments and tendons of grass-fed meats.  I also feed eggs from free-range chickens for added Omega 3 Oils. 

I feed each dog two-to-three percent of ideal adult body weight.  Young puppies are fed three times a day, going to twice daily at six-months-old and one time a day, depending on the dog, at a year old.  Some of my Poodles over a year old are still eating a small meal at mid-morning and a larger meal in the evening.

Below is an example of a weekly menu:

Monday:  Pork picnic roast, ¼ cup green tripe with ground kidneys

Tuesday:  Chicken leg quarters with a hunk of beef brisket.  Most leg quarters have a small chunk of liver attached.  (A leg quarter is 27% bone.)

Wednesday:  Whole tilapia, egg, beef heart, and beef ribs

Thursday:  Half a rabbit, hunk of boneless pork

Friday:  Beef liver, course ground green tripe with kidney, chicken necks, and raw egg with shell (Some dogs will eat a whole unbroken egg; mine prefer them cracked open.)

Saturday:  Chicken leg quarters, deer trim (Most hunters are happy to give this to you.)

Sunday:  Beef brisket, lamb neck bones, chicken livers, hearts, and gizzards, small amount of canned salmon

Since feeding my dogs an all raw diet, the amount of poop I scoop has dropped dramatically!  Not only is there less waste, but it is not smelly.  I realize that this diet is a bit more work than dipping it out of a bag of kibble, but the benefits are truly amazing.  My cost has been about the same per dog as feeding a premium kibble. 

Youngsters eating chicken necks.

Neighbors give me their freezer burnt meats which may not be good for humans, but dogs don’t care if the meat is a little dry.  I have made friends with all the local butchers (baking them cookies helps!).  Most chain groceries can order large quantities of organ meats at a reasonable price.  I watch weekly sales and buy whatever meat is on sale in large quantities.  I now travel with a cooler full of meat and can always find a grocery store wherever my travels take me.  I feed the Poodles in crates and, when they have finished, simply wipe the crate with a vinegar/water spray. 

Listed below are several Internet learning groups and links to sites with raw feeding information to help you make your own decision about feeding raw. 

Happy and healthy raw feeding!!

FOR THE LOVE OF PARTI POODLES AROUND THE WORLD

~International Parti Poodle Gazette
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