Do I need to cook the meat?

[Sandy Paws]

We just started our pup on the raw diet 2 days ago and he absolutely loves it!! Plus, it cleared up his hives and helped with his itchy ears. It has been a true miracle for us!! Could we give him a whole raw organic chicken/turkey or does it need to be cooked? Also, I always read that you shouldn't give your dog chicken bones because they can choke..is that not true? Once we feed Desmo his daily portion of the Bravo raw diet, he still seems hungry. How do we know if he is still hungry or if he just wants more because it is yummy?

[kathysboxer]

Just give it to him raw. He will be able to digest most if not all the chicken/turkey bone. If he does have small bits of bone in his poo, don't be alarmed. It may take a week or so for his body to adjust. Tyson had small bits of bone in his poo for about a week. Now, none at all. Do not mix raw with cooked meat. They have different digestive rates. Raw digests faster than cooked. It is ok to give one at one meal, the other at the other meal. Just start with chicken or turkey quarters for about 1-2 weeks. If no problems after that, slowly add in a little offal (liver, kidney etc). Stick with chicken or turkey offal for a week or so. Only give about 10% of his meal in offal. Too much will cause loose poop. You don't have to give it at every meal too. Also, more bone, stiff poop. Less bone, runnier poop. So if his poop is too hard, more meat, less bone. Check out the raw forum, tons of info there. Any questions, just let us know. Your baby will love it, and you will too. Less gas, tiny poop (turns white in a day or two so I never have to pick it up), great coat I could go on and on. Don't forget and egg or two (shells too) once a week.

[Sandy Paws]

Kathy, thank you so much for replying. I will definitely check out the rest of the raw forums. I was hoping you could help me with one more quick question. I went to Costco the other day and I noticed they have Zacky Farm antibiotic-free and hormone-free whole chickens for sale. Is it safe to give this to my Boxer?

[Jan]

Yes, it should be fine.