Raw feeding large breed puppy?

Question

I will soon be weaning my mastiff puppy.  I believe in natural diets for dogs, but the more I read, the more I don't know what to do!  

I have read up on prey model diet, BARF, commercially prepared raw meat diets, commercial 'bases' to which raw meat is added, etc.  For every choice there is a very convincing article out there both for and against a particular method of natural feeding.  

Economically, I have access to commercially prepared raw meat diets at a better price than most other raw choices(most of the time).  So that is the method of feeding I am leaning toward, using such brands as Bravo! and Northwest Naturals.  I would supplement with RMB, and use a prey model during times when it is more economical for me.  This is how his mother is fed.  In the long run, I want to do what is best for my puppy, even if it costs a little more.  

If you have personal experience with this, I would love to hear it.  If you have any links to scientific research done on raw fed large breed puppies, I would love those as well. 

Thanks for all the input!

JenVT · Accepted Answer

I have 6 dogues de bordeaux ranging in age from 7 months to 3 1/2 years old and they are on prey model raw.  It was very easy to convert them over and it is much cheaper than high quality kibble.  I can feed them on less than $1/lb with meat from my local grocer.

? · Answer

I'd recommend going to yahoogroups and joining the group called "rawfeeding"
There are people there who have raised generations of dogs on the raw/prey model, weaning the pups straight from milk to meat.  They are very friendly and someone will answer any questions you have.

I've been feeding my shelter dog on prey model for almost three years and she's the picture of health... much our vet's bemusement.

I would personally never use a commercially-prepared raw meal:  grinding the food up destroys one of the major bonuses of prey model:  when you feed the dog raw meaty and edible bones, the bones both satisfy the animal's inborn need to chew, and they brush the dog's teeth clean.  Ground or powdered bone can't do that.

. · Answer

There is very little scientific research done on raw diets. 

I think a mix of rmbs and premade would be fine. I personally just feed pmr (prey model raw).

Anonymous · Answer

Did you already tried using Eating for Energy (120 raw food diet recipes) mechanism? Proceed to this site : http://www.StayEatingRaw.com/Support . This might definitely help you!

Anonymous · Answer

raw feeding is a difficult task, and very expensive. how about start feeding holistic commercial dog food and then once you've done your research go raw! http://bluebuffalo.com/ this is what i feed my dog and i wouldn't change it for the world, plus he loves it! he is half german shepard half pitbull so he is a large breed as well.

Trending News

Raw feeding large breed puppy?

5 Answers