A BARF Diary.

[DennyK]

I know working cockers are more slender but she doesn't look at all fat or barrel-like - there's a definite waist visible.  She looks lovely.

With the free-flow mince products from AMP, what is the quality/provenance of the contents?  I'm still feeding Paddy using Tesco frozen lamb mince plus lamb organs and breast of lamb from the butcher.  It would be great to find a cheaper way of doing it, but only if there's no meaningful compromise on quality.  He's fully stabilised from his colitis now, thanks to raw feeding and treatment from the homeopathic vet.

I've just tried free-flow tripe for the first time, as I worry that I don't give Pads enough bone.  Holy Moly, jam roly poly.  It smells bl**dy grim when it's frozen, let alone thawed.  Eeyeuchhhh!

Denise

[happydog]

Thanks for the compliments about my gorgeous Fern everyone 
I have asked AMP about the origins of their mince. They are supplied only by Defra approved sites. I understand that to be human grade processing plants. The chicken carcasses etc are frozen before transportation to A.M.P. and are minced/cut/packaged on site in a frozen state. If any batch is defrosted at any stage it is rejected. The mince contains approx 4% is bone and the rest is pure meat, there are no additives, colours, flavourings or fillers. I like the idea of bone content as like you I think sometimes Fern may not be having enough in other ways. I expect the fat content will be higher than human grade mince, but can't say I have found it obviously so. Fats are a dogs source of energy just as carbohydrates are to humans, so they can tolerate it better than we can, (although a surfeit could give them the runs  ). As there is no way I could afford organic, which would be my ideal, this is my compromise. The quality seems good enough to me.
I note the lamb mince contains chicken too. I asked them and they said the ratio is 60% lamb 40% chicken. Can Paddy tolerate chicken?

Here is a link to their Nutritional page for Prize choice freeflow. http://www.prizechoice.co.uk/natural-pet-feeding-guide/nutritional-information.php
If you have a look round their site there is quite a lot of info about their company and their hygiene standards. There is a price list there too if you go to the ordering for home delivery page.

You're right about the tripe mince phewwwww !!! Fern loves it though.

[DennyK]

Damn: I was getting all "save some money excited" and then got to the 60/40 bit. Pads doesn't "do" chicken, has to be just lamb mince.  Fiddlesticks....I'll take a look at the site anyway, as there may be alternatives to be found.

Thanks.

Denise

[Cob-Web]

They are supplied only by Defra approved sites. I understand that to be human grade processing plants.

The meat used in DEFRA Approved Pet Food processing plants has to be category 3 (from carcasses fit for human consumption), but these Processing Plants are not the same as the ones where meat for human consumption is actually processed; and so the way in which the meat is handled, and processed, is totally different 

(added purely for information, I'm not contradicting anyone's choices  )

[bexx07]

YES!! ... please?

[happydog]

They are supplied only by Defra approved sites. I understand that to be human grade processing plants.

The meat used in DEFRA Approved Pet Food processing plants has to be category 3 (from carcasses fit for human consumption), but these Processing Plants are not the same as the ones where meat for human consumption is actually processed; and so the way in which the meat is handled, and processed, is totally different 

(added purely for information, I'm not contradicting anyone's choices  )

How does it differ Rachel? This is what they say on their site:

Prize choice is manufactured to very high standards of processing and hygiene with manufacturing facilities that in line with those used to produce minced meats for human consumption.

Raw meat diets for dogs either fed raw or used as part of a natural BARF feeding regime have excelled with dog breeders and owners throughout the UK.

Established in 1981 as Anglian Meat Products  Ltd, Anglian Meat Products Ltd has been improving its range of quality petfoods for over 24 years.
Manufacturing Facilities are registered by DEFRA registered plant No. 28/726/9200PF.

The manufacturing plant in Norfolk has been specifically built in line with all current EU legislation for the manufacturing and distribution of real meat products.

With facilities linked to human food production standards we lead the market by continued quality handling methods, the use of good HACCP controls, micro-biological testing, raw material traceability and good in house practices. Separate temperature controlled departments for raw material, production, packing, despatch and finished goods to maintain the highest standards.

[Nicola]

I've just tried free-flow tripe for the first time, as I worry that I don't give Pads enough bone.  Holy Moly, jam roly poly.  It smells bl**dy grim when it's frozen, let alone thawed.  Eeyeuchhhh!

Denise

You should try the fresh stuff! 

[Penel]

Damn: I was getting all "save some money excited" and then got to the 60/40 bit. Pads doesn't "do" chicken, has to be just lamb mince.  Fiddlesticks....I'll take a look at the site anyway, as there may be alternatives to be found.

Thanks.

Denise

Albion do just lamb mince Denise.
Very very pleased to hear Paddy is doing so well 

[Jan/Billy]

I've just tried free-flow tripe for the first time, as I worry that I don't give Pads enough bone.  Holy Moly, jam roly poly.  It smells bl**dy grim when it's frozen, let alone thawed.  Eeyeuchhhh!

Denise

You should try the fresh stuff! 

I bought Billy some frozen tripe, YUK, it stinks  He's only had it once, it's still in the freezer, I daren't get anymore out 

[Cob-Web]

How does it differ Rachel? This is what they say on their site:

Not ignoring you - honest!

I think the fact that they use terms such as "...in line with...." and ".....distribution of real meat products....." rather than less ambiguous statements such as "....the same as......" is a clear indication that they do not process this meat in the same way as if it was for human consumption.......that's not necessarily a bad thing, but the wording has obviously been very carefully selected to imply that they are the same 
I've written similar things myself in the past, designed to suggest to the reader what they want to hear 

[Penel]

re tripe - for heaven's sakes you lot - mine eat it every day for breakfast - defrost it in a tupperware type container, then you don't smell it, ad honestly you get used to it - I don't even notice it anymore...

[happydog]

  It's never around for very long once Fern's bowl hits the floor anyway.

[Joules]

re tripe - for heaven's sakes you lot - mine eat it every day for breakfast - defrost it in a tupperware type container, then you don't smell it, ad honestly you get used to it - I don't even notice it anymore...

Agree with this.    I never thought I would be able to deal with tripe but once defrosted I keep it in an airtight box in the fridge.  Coco has her food outside as there are invariably bits she drags around the floor - it is never there for very long anyway! 

[Annette]

I bag it up while it's frozed (then give Buddy the opened plastic bag to lick out - he loves that!), then defrost it in the bag and tip it into the bowl, feed immediately and stand back!

He has stonky breath for a while, so no kisses, but I can't say the smell upsets any of us (ah, I DO feed it out in the utility room though!)

[happydog]

He has stonky breath for a while, so no kisses, but I can't say the smell upsets any of us (ah, I DO feed it out in the utility room though!)

Personally I find cocker breath no worse after eating tripe than I do after feeding her sardines