Chowing down on raw chicken for dinner

Last blog we shared several different variations of raw diets. In this final blog on raw feeding, we will answer two of the most commonly asked questions by those newly committed to feeding raw: how do you switch to a raw diet, and where do you get your meat?

Transitioning to Raw

John and Ron: Here at German Shepherd Watchdogs, we have successfully transitioned many, many dogs to a raw diet. We have developed a method that works well for most dogs and typically does not create digestive upset in the dog. Our method is as follows:

1. Stop feeding the kibble.
2. Feed one chicken leg quarter in the evening for two days. If the dog does well with this, then proceed to step 3. If not, continue step 2 until stools are firm.
3. Feed one chicken leg quarter twice a day (morning and evening) for four days. If the dog does well with this, then proceed to step 4. If not, continue until stools are firm.
4. Eventually transition to feeding two chicken leg quarters in the evening only. Depending on the size of your dog and its metabolic needs, you many need to alternate feeding one leg quarter one night and two leg quarters the next, or your dog may only need one each day.
5. When the dog has settled into eating raw, then you may add in any extras (veggies,  etc.).

Carissa (Schutzhund club member): If your goal is to feed a varied raw diet with other types of raw meaty bones, then you can still transition the dog in the manner that John and Ron detailed above. You can also use bone-in chicken breasts instead of leg quarters, as they also provide a good amount of meat, only a little fat, and easy-to-chew bone.  My method is as follows:

1. Get rid of the kibble.
2. Choose one protein source (chicken is usually easiest), and feed that for several days in the way John and Ron outlined above for steps 2 and 3.
3. After a week of normal stools, SLOWLY introduce a little organ meat like a chicken heart or a little chicken liver into one of the meals (either morning or evening).
4. If your dog handles a little organ meat well, then begin rotating in a little organ meat every other day or every couple days. You can also start rotating the type of raw meaty bone within a protein source (chicken leg quarters, bone-in breasts, half a chicken, etc.)
5. When adding a new protein source (beef, lamb, etc.), feed only a small amount by itself at one meal for a few days (so, a little beef in the morning, and a bone-in chicken breast in the evening, then repeat.).
6. If the dog tolerates the new protein source, then begin to rotate it into the normal feeding schedule. Repeat this with any new protein source or organ meat, and if the dog ever has loose stools, back off a little bit and move back to something that is well-tolerated. Eventually you will have a dog that can eat just about any meat at any time with no problems at all.

Where To Find Meat

1. Supermarkets
   Chicken leg quarters can be obtained very cheaply from places like Walmart for prices as low as 49 cents per pound. Stores like Safeway, Raley’s, Nugget Market, FoodMaxx, etc. regularly run sales on whole chickens and bone-in chicken breasts for 69 to 99 cents per pound. Sales on beef and other meats can also be found here. If the chicken leg quarters or other meat are ‘enhanced’ (has sodium or sodium lactate added to it), then soak the meat in water for about 20 minutes prior to feeding in order to remove some of the sodium. Too much sodium can cause the dog’s skin to dry out and become itchy.
2.  Butchers and meat markets
   You may be able to find good deals on various raw meaty bones and meats from local butchers and local meat markets. Some may even sell their meaty scraps or organ meats for pet food, so these are always a good place to check out.
3. Raw food cooperatives
   Many areas have a local email list or group that works as a raw food cooperative. They order in bulk and are thus able to reduce the price on many raw meaty bones, organ meats, meat scraps and meat blends, and more.  These cooperatives are particularly useful if you must feed a large number of dogs.  A list of Raw Dog Food Cooperatives in various states can be found here.
4.  Local Pet Food Stores/Suppliers for Commercial Raw Food
   Many boutique local pet stores and feed stores are carrying various raw food diets. They may even stock a freezer of raw meaty bones like meaty turkey necks, and can carry some hard-to-find foods like green tripe. If you decide to feed Stella and Chewy’s, Small Batch Raw Pet Food, Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw, or Honest Kitchen, you can visit their websites and find a list of stores in your area that distribute their products.

For more information on switching to a raw diet and sourcing meat, please visit the following links:

• Switching to a Raw Diet
• Finding Good Meat, Good Treats, and More

Happy Feeding,
CK

Carissa's dog Ferox v Tehillah SchH1 HCT-s eating his dinner of half a raw chicken on his plastic tablecloth (keeps the floor clean!).