When can I start my puppy on raw meat?

jsmueles · #1 06-26-2008, 08:34 AM

I have been reading a lot on how dogs should have raw meat mixed in with there dog food. Fremont is 7 months old today and I am not sure when I can start to add raw meat, and what kind to give him? Do I cook it first or just let him eat it raw and how often should he get it? I don’t feed him “people food” at all but after our last dog died from cancer (RIP Creighton, a beautiful Samoyed) we started looking into the fact that we as humans have taken the natural diet from the dog that is a carnivore by instinct and they don’t get the protein they need in the kibble, this maybe leading to unwanted health problems.
Also I am thinking of changing his food to Canidae. Is this a good food? I really have no problems with his food now. He on Purina ProPlan puppy food for large breeds and I am happy with it but people seem to like Canidae so I was not sure if I should change or not?

rich_h · #2 06-26-2008, 10:32 AM

Any age is fine, so long as they have teeth to chew! lol

Kaybie's Mom · #3 06-26-2008, 10:33 AM

Honestly, I'd skip the kibble all together and just feed him raw full time. Mixing kibble and raw can cause some digestive issues for some dogs. I feed raw to both my dogs and they've never been healthier. Mine get meat, bones, and organs. I feed a prey model diet. I do not feed veggies of any sort because I don't believe dogs need them as they are carnivores, not omnivores. The only supplement I give them is fish oil capsules because I don't feed fish (only because it disgusts me).

If you are going to stick with kibble and raw, I'd do the two meals separately, not mixed together......kibble in the AM and raw in the PM or vice versa. And if you do keep kibble in the mix, Canidae is a MUCH better choice than the Purina. Purina is a pretty crappy food. I had Kaybie on that exact food when I brought her home as a pup before I knew better.