Merry Christmas!

We Like It Raw, Baby!

I've been feeding the pups 100% raw since October and they're all loving it. We're using the Whole Prey Model, which is 80% meat, 10% bone, and 10% organ, with half of that being liver. Between the 3 of them, they go through 6lbs of food a day - 3lbs for Duncan, 2lbs for Reyna, and 1lb for Kodiak. This is why I keep stalking the deer processor.

Its been interesting to see how different their tastes are regarding what they like and don't like. Kodiak likes anything and everything (and I do mean everything) and as much of it as he can get. Duncan likes most things, but he has a few items he just won't eat. For some reason, he's boycotting turkey hearts right now, although he was fine eating them a month ago. Reyna seems to be good with most meats, but there have been a couple of things she's refused. Her biggest issue is bones - she doesn't like the bones to be too big. We've found a few work-arounds with that, so its no real problem.

Some of the benefits I've seen with the new diet - Reyna's regained the weight she lost, everyone's fur is gorgeous and feels softer and cleaner than ever, their teeth are whiter, and their poops are smaller. Whats not to like?

Here's Reyna enjoying a turkey neck. This is one of the few boney items that she likes and there's the added benefit of glucosamine in all those jointy pieces. Duncan doesn't seem to care for turkey necks much, although he'll occasionally eat half a neck. Kodiak can't have them because he likes to gulp and I'm worried he'll choke on them.

Duncan likes the big turkey legs. He doesn't get them often because of the high bone content. He also doesn't get them when I have to leave for work - he's slow enough eating meaty meals, never mind when he has to take his time and work through the bones.

Kodiak gets turkey legs on very rare occasions. One leg is about his daily allotment and the bone is enough to cover him for a couple of days. He's great with large food, though, because it makes him slow down and really work it, rather than gulp and go.

There are a few of us in the area that feed raw and we've tracked down some wholesale suppliers that will sell to us by the case, as well as a couple of farms that will give us good deals on spare parts. My deer guy is great, but I only have a few more weeks when I can get meat and bones from him. Thank goodness for extra freezers!

Gotcha!

12/3/2010, Kodiak came into our home as a foster puppy. He never left. I'm so glad he's a part of our family (even when he won't put his ears up for pictures). Happy Gotcha Day, Kodiak!