Raw Feeding Again: and I'm not sorry!

[DennyK]

Annette

Thanks so much - and the thread hasn't been hijacked, it's been hugely interesting - I had the same "Is that it?" debate about the sardines - as did Paddy who got the hump big time.  It was only when I read on here that there's 40g weight added to the 125g tins from the sauce that I realised I'd been short-changing him!

Out of interest - does anyone feed raw fish and if so, what?  I know that salmon is a no-no (although before I realised this, I'd given him smoked salmon as a treat - hope the smoking kills the parasite!) and he really ran a mile from rainbow trout fillet that I got cheap at Tesco.  Any other suggestions?  Do any BARF'ers feed cooked fish at all??

Denise

[Claire]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear Paddy's poorly again.  I hope he gets better soon and it does clear up quickly.

Re. the fish question, I've probably mentioned before that Ruby's not a fan of raw fish so it's either sardines or tinned tuna, both of which she loves.

Incidentally, I fed Ruby sardines this morning and I noticed that there were only 2 in the tin...having said that, she always gets them with 2 raw eggs and some tomato.

[Penel]

Saffy could tolerate raw fish no problem - but Tilly can't and tbh I haven't bothered trying it with the others - they just get pilchards or sardines from a tin about once a week.
Don't worry about smoked salmon I am sure if people eat it, it ain't gonna harm your dog.
Get Paddy to see Mark as soon as you can - Dill is like a different dog since Mark has sorted him out.  Stress is a major cause of colitis.  I would keep on with the slippery elm powder but don't too much Aloe vera - it can cause diarrhoea as well as helping colitis.  Don't give him any biscuits - just stick to a very simple raw diet ...

[silkstocking]

I have just laughed out loud at SarahP and Penel!     
Gawd ladies............. I was getting worried, I thought I was a terrible BARFER for not weighing everything when I saw all the talk of weight measurements of meat and bones, thanks for putting my mind at rest!!! I totally agree if your dog is getting skinny feed more, if they are turning into a barrel feed less..........so much less stressful to work that way than weighing everything out!

I do feed some raw fish, but I also feed cooked fish too, sardines, pilchards and the occasional tin of tuna.

Sorry to hear Paddy is unwell again, poor little sausage. As Penel mentioned some dogs seem to tolerate things others can't and in random ways for example Nance can eat minced chicken NO PROBLEM, but give it to Milo and expect a runny bott where as he can eat chicken wings with no ill effects at all...........I guess what I'm saying is that it could be one thing that has triggered off Paddys tum again as opposed to the whole diet.

[clairep4]

poor Paddy -  I hope he's soon feeling better.

On the weight thing, I used to weigh stuff out religiously for Bella but after a while you get to know what 150g of chicken or whatever looks like so for the last couple of months I haven't weighed anything. She was very prone to weight gain when she was on kibble but has been fine on the raw diet - she has actually put on half a kilo since March but that seems to be muscle, I think she's building it up from the agility classes, she's definitely got much more muscly shoulders these days. But she feels nice and firm, you can feel her ribs and she's got a good little waist and sometimes I think that's a better way to gauge it than weight alone.

I've never bothered worrying about the weight of sardines, she only gets them once or twice a week at the most and I just give an amount that looks similar to the amount she'd get if it was chicken or whatever.

It is really hard at the start as you worry and worry but it does get easier, and once you start to relax about it you wonder what you were so panicky about at the start! 

[silkstocking]

It is really hard at the start as you worry and worry but it does get easier, and once you start to relax about it you wonder what you were so panicky about at the start! 

I think that may be the thing you know. Both my pooches came to me weaned on a BARF diet so I have done it from the beginning, never weighing anything and using the size of the bowl, or my fist ( hee hee!) to keep meal sizes appropriate.

[sarahp]

Sorry to hear that Paddy is not well again 

Get Paddy to see Mark as soon as you can - Dill is like a different dog since Mark has sorted him out. 

Please please please please get Paddy to Mark asap    I wish I could show the difference in Dilbert - people who know him and see him regularly are gob-smacked at how he has changed.  His coat is shiney, he has put on weight, he's only ever sick if he's scavenged something from the park    we rarely have runny bum, he is happy, contented and full of life - just how a spaniel should be and I swear its all thanks to Mark    So in the words of Wallace and Grommit "stop prevaricating around the bush" 

I have just laughed out loud at SarahP and Penel!     

Really ??!!!???!!!   Cant imagine why 

I guess what I'm saying is that it could be one thing that has triggered off Paddys tum again as opposed to the whole diet.

Thats VERY true.  when I went to see Mark I discovered that I'd been goiong along the right-ish lines but just not quite so although I was seeing some tiny improvements in Dill it wasn't great.  By talking to me and asking loads of questions Mark was able to really fine-tune Dills diet and medication and as I say we haven't looked back 

[Helen]

Sorry to hear that Paddy is not well again 

Get Paddy to see Mark as soon as you can - Dill is like a different dog since Mark has sorted him out. 

Please please please please get Paddy to Mark asap    I wish I could show the difference in Dilbert - people who know him and see him regularly are gob-smacked at how he has changed.  His coat is shiney, he has put on weight, he's only ever sick if he's scavenged something from the park    we rarely have runny bum, he is happy, contented and full of life - just how a spaniel should be and I swear its all thanks to Mark    So in the words of Wallace and Grommit "stop prevaricating around the bush" 

I have just laughed out loud at SarahP and Penel!     

Really ??!!!???!!!   Cant imagine why 

I guess what I'm saying is that it could be one thing that has triggered off Paddys tum again as opposed to the whole diet.

Thats VERY true.  when I went to see Mark I discovered that I'd been goiong along the right-ish lines but just not quite so although I was seeing some tiny improvements in Dill it wasn't great.  By talking to me and asking loads of questions Mark was able to really fine-tune Dills diet and medication and as I say we haven't looked back 

denny - i have seen dillbert and the change in him since sarahp took him to mark is astonishing.  he is one changed and happy dog.

please please give him a call

sarah had to be really strict with his diet and homeopathic rem's after seeing mark (and i must admit i was sceptical...) but it is incredible - temperament, skin, digestion EVERYTHING

it is so worth considering as paddy has taken this turn for the worse. 

as lisa (silkstocking) says, some dogs can tolerate some things but not all - jarvis is terrible on chicken wings and raw chicken carcasses (runny bot) but on chicken mince he's fine, and he's ok on lamb and pork.

mark will be able to check his tolerances and sort him out - i'm convinced

[Densil]

erm that kneecap would last my dogs about half an hour 

Dibbley is still chewing.  Penel, you will have to try and get a kneecap and take the half hour challenge.  (My rotty could make one last a week!)   

[DennyK]

Booked to see Mark at noon next Monday!

The really odd thing about Paddy's "turn for the worse" is that he still looks amazing - glossy, silky coat - except for the runny eyes.  However, his energy levels have plummeted - he slept ten hours solidly the other night and has been asleep all evening after his walk unless I disturb him to play or do a little training.

Anyway, he's on plain raw till Monday!

Denise

[Petra]

Oh Denise, so sorry I missed this yesterday...
I am so sorry Paddy has had a set back...   For what it is worth it does seem to be caused by the hectic week and treats, rather than Barf as a whole...

Good luck on Monday, please keep us posted!!

Hugs to both you and Paddy, and a doggy lick from Dill
xx

[Penel]

Booked to see Mark at noon next Monday!

yipee well done.  Give Mark my regards  he's probably sick of me 

[Rhona W]

OK I know I'm being way too anal about it all but....   
I've bought some mince and I've whizzed up the veg. Now what ratio should I mix it to? 100g of mince to ??g veg. 
Please be gentle with me - it is my first time. 

[Abby]

Denny - so sorry that little Pads is suffering agiain, but I agree with the others that it sounds like a blip due to stress and too much 'extras'. I really hope that Mark can help you out and that he stabilises again.

Your example in trying this has really helped us out - Clive seems to be doing really well so far (still early days) and absolutely loves his food.

I asked the butchers yuesterday for some bones and he pulled one that was bigger than me! Luckily, they sawed it up and Clive spent the night sucking out the marrowbone from one small bit. The whole thing will last him for weeks 

[Penel]

OK I know I'm being way too anal about it all but....   
I've bought some mince and I've whizzed up the veg. Now what ratio should I mix it to? 100g of mince to ??g veg. 
Please be gentle with me - it is my first time. 

a dollop ?