Monday, October 28, 2013

Feeling Like a New Dog: Four Months on a Raw Diet

If your food is right for you and feel great, that's pawesome!  I think every dog needs to eat the diet that is right for their needs. 

Four months ago, Ma bravely switched me to a prepared raw diet by Primal Pet Foods and since then, we have not looked back.  I am feeling like a new dog and I swear it is due to finding the food that is right for me!


The Convenience of Prepared Raw
That's right...I said convenience.  I've been asked several times "how difficult" it must be to feed raw...even prepared raw...and many have said that it must be so inconvenient when I travel and camp with my family.  But it's not at all.

At home, I eat mostly the Primal Frozen Formulas.  The Formulas are a well-balanced meal and Ma finds it very easy to prepare - just defrost, break up and serve.  When we travel (like when we went to BarkWorld) and/or go camping, I eat the Primal Freeze-Dried Formulas.  The Freeze-Dried Formulas are well-balanced too and they store well in their packaging in either the camp kitchen or my carry bag.  They are easy to serve - break up, add water and serve.


How Much Prepared Raw is Enough?
I get asked this a LOT.  Primal makes it really easy to figure out; we used their Feeding Calculator to determine how much food I should get a day.  Most dogs that eat a raw diet get anywhere from 2.5 - 3 % of their body weight in food a day.  For me, that is half a pound or eight Primal nuggets.

At home, Ma gives me 7 nuggets a day...I am a treat hound so she leaves some wiggle room for treats by serving me one less nugget.  However, when we are camping or hiking, I get 8 or 9 nuggets a day plus a few treats to fuel my extra activities.


Ma says it is a balancing act and she adjusts my food according to my activity level all the time.

Like a New Dog
No More Extra Weight
Within the first month, I lost 3 pounds...and yes, I needed to lose those extra pounds.  Those pounds have stayed gone so with my weight "in check" now, I have reduced my chance of getting weight-related disorders like diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. 

No More Food Allergies
My food allergies no longer bother me.  I credit that to the Primal Foods as they are single-protein foods (which allows me to avoid chicken completely) and contain no corn or wheat, known triggers of food allergies in dogs.  With my food allergies gone, I no longer scratch and chew my skin raw.  My fur is growing back in places - like on my paws - where it hasn't grown well for ages.

New fur coming in on my paw
No More Big, Stinky Poop
Obviously, I still do my "business" twice a day - what goes in, must come out.  But Ma says my "business" is smaller, more firm and less odorous which makes it very easy for her to #ScoopThatPoop.

A Lot More Energy
Like I said...I feel like a new dog.  I have so much more energy now.  I am enjoying longer walks, hunting lizards with vigor and digging holes in the back garden like when I was a puppy (and by "puppy" I mean until I was about 4 or 5 years old).  Ma says I am even playing like I was a puppy again...especially when my good friend Bentley is around.  The other day when he came over for a few hours, we played like this the whole time (but for a few cat naps that lasted maybe 5 minutes each):



Summing it Up
At four months into this new diet, Ma finally has been able to find an average of what she spends on my new food.  She says it is roughly $100 per month so about $1200 a year.  That's a lot of money but Ma figures that is about what she has spent on me each year buying my old kibble, all the fixings she had to put on it to get me to eat it plus all the money she spent at the vet's office on visits, medicines and shampoos to help alleviate my allergies.

I hope being on a food that is right for me will make vet visits a "thing of the past" except for my annual check-up and maybe one visit during my pollen allergy season (which we had to do a few months ago).  Then the cost of the food won't seem so bad.  I guess only time will tell.

How did you find the food that's right for you?  Did you find it on the first try or did you have to switch?






62 comments:

  1. We started feeding raw back when Tynan was fighting his first cancer diagnosis. We stand firmly by our feeling that it saved his life!

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  2. You sure do make it sound tempting Oz! But that's a pretty hefty price tag for our budget, maybe one day!

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    1. It is a bit pricey, Duke...but it has been the only food that has worked for me. We switched so many times before switching to the Primal raw. Everyone needs to find what's right for them...and for their budget.

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  3. Oz, that's very interesting. Thanks for this post. I think we will read more about feeding raw, I think it's good for me too.

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    1. You are welcome, Easy. I hope you are feeling better.

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  4. I feed a prepared raw as well. I could make my own, but I don't want to worry about getting the balance of nutrients right. I agree it is rather pricey especially with 2 dogs, but the health benefits are so worth it. Not only does it help with allergies, but it also keeps the teeth clean! No need for a vet to knock out my dog and clean his teeth.

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    1. Oh yes! I forgot about clean, pearly whites! I really like how easy the prepared raw diets are!

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  5. Looking good Oz! Wooohooowooooo! Ku and pack

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  6. Go for you Oz! Raw sounds so interesting, but I probably shouldn't make any changes to anything right away.

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    1. Let's get you better first, pal. Besides, I hear that cats are more difficult to switch...you tend to be picky eaters so the amount of time for switching takes longer. But raw has so much more liquid in it...it is probably better for cats, especially if they are prone to UTIs and such.

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  7. That's great that it has helped so much, Oz! Rita doesn't have allergy problems but we do a mix of grain free kibble and rehydrated raw. She loves it! If she developed any issues, we'd definitely consider going w/ the prepared raw food so thanks for the info!

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    1. Oh so Rita gets the best of both worlds of food. That is pawesome, Miss Jackie!

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  8. Super, Oz. I'm so glad you found something that works for you. Sometimes that's hard to do...

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    1. You're right...sometimes it is hard to find what works.

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  9. Ring Ring Ring Ring ~ Hellooo Oz that you buddy. You were still the wrong caller at the Howl 469.5 today! SORRY
    That raw food is terrific, but Lee had to take me off of it. I started to get snappy around my food bowl, not at all like me. We talked to our vet and a dog trainer and OSU and they said some dogs get primal urges on raw. Yep that was me all primal. Lee took me off of it and now I am my sweet self.
    Thanks for being a friend
    Sweet William The Scot


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    1. Sweet William, I am shocked that you would become UN-sweetened over some raw food. I do not want to believe it. I am never snappy over my food bowl...I'm not allowed to be...house rules or something like that. And gee willy whiskers...I am never the right caller at the Howl 469.5!

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    2. Oh wow! I love the Primal raw formula! I am not food aggressive to humans, but I have always been food aggressive with other animals. I am more impatient for my food now though. BOL! I don't approach my bowl until Mom leaves it, and goes to wash her hands. When she comes back in the room, my bowl is licked clean! :) When Baron is here, I hover around Mom until I get my dish and he gets his - in a separate area. I don't want him to get my food!
      Hugs,
      Pepper

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  10. I'm really glad the Primal is working so well for you oz...It's great to find a product you love that does so many good things

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  11. That is awesome that it is working out so well for you. As you say, every dog needs to eat what suits him best!

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    1. They sure do, Emma and I am so happy I found something that works for me.

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  12. Yummy! It's great you figured out what works for you. As for the price tag, $1200 a year is way less than what it would cost to feed a human child, so... no worries! We're cuter, we don't grow into teenagers (in the human sense), and we don't need to go to college (unless they need us to teach).

    I have to stick to my Dr Hill's Science Diet as per my vet's directives. (I've had lots of trouble in the past.)

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    1. Oh dear...you had troubles with food too? I am so glad you found a food that works for you! And hey...when you put the money that way, it doesn't sound too bad! Thanks.

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  13. so glad that the raw diet is working for you. Daddy keeps talking about trying it with me but hasn't got organised yet lol

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    1. Oh tell that daddy to get organized already, Misaki. I know you would LOVE a raw diet!

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  14. Interesting. I have problems finding a food all my dogs like that won't make me bankrupt, LOL. A lot of people have told me to feed them raw, but I'm a vegetarian, and I'm not handling all that meat. Icky! I might have to try this. =)

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    1. Primal is easy-peasy. Sure, it is raw meat so your vegetarian self may get a case of the "Ickies" but it's in nugget form, whicch makes it a whole lot better. If you give it a try, let me know!

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  15. Heck fire...dat is sumptin my mum surely couldn't screw up...if all her does is defrost it.
    I rememebrs your switch and wondered how it was goin'. I has heard of lots of dogs goin' to dis diet. I am so happies you found sumptin perfect fur you.
    I is laughin' at Sw, William nows after readin' his comment...I bet dat would happen to me...hehehehe.

    Puddles

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    1. Heck fire, sure fire Puddles! You would love this food and there is NO WAY your mum could screw it up. BOL I was laughing at Sweet William too. Imagine him un-sweetened?!? I just can't!

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  16. Sounds like you are doing really well on the raw diet. Awesome
    Lily

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  17. We have heard so much about raw, we are on a good food now though. I am so glad you feel better with the food you are eating now.

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    1. Excellent Roxy! I am glad you are on a good food that makes you feel good. And thank you...it is great to feel good again.

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  18. Great post Oz, I think more and more people are switching to raw with all the food recalls there's been lately. It might be more expensive but I think you get it back on less visits to the vet.

    Sheba.

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    1. That is what we are hoping for, Sheba!

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  19. This is an excellent review Oz. Glad to hear this diet has really worked out for you! Sounds like it's excellent. I think I may have found a good food for Shiner recently that fits our lifestyle and budget.

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    1. That's great Miss Ann! I'm so glad Shiner has a food that is right for her and your pocketbook!

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  20. I am so glad you are doing so well on your new diet. It's nice when you feel good and don't have any problems.

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    1. Oh my dog, Miss JoAnn you have no idea! I am so happy to be itch free and feeling young again.

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  21. Hey Oz

    That's so cool you new food is working out for you dude!!

    I'm still working on getting the right one, but I'm getting there :)

    It's also great to hear how little prep your food involves!

    Wags to all

    Your pal Snoopy :)

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    1. Hi Snoopy. Thank you. I sure hope you find the right food soon. It took us a while too so hang in there, pal!

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  22. OH WOW - we switched so many times and raw is definitely the food for our family and I'm so happy that I can give this to our dogs. I love how healthy and gorgeous they are :)

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    1. We switched many times too, Miss Kimberly. We credit you with giving us the courage to switch to raw, so thank you!

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  23. This is awesome Oz! Kayo has been on raw food for a couple years and we LOVE it! She had all the same health benefits and, like you, we saved so much money on medical bills that it makes every single penny worth it! Glad the raw diet has helped!

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    1. Oh I sure hope it works out that we will save on medical bills too, Boingy. Thanks!

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  24. Love to hear that this diet is working for you, Oz. Granny had to change my food too, because I threw up a lot on the old food. Pawkiss :)

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    1. Oh you poor dear...I hope your new food doesn't make you sick.

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  25. Brilliant Oz that it is working for you and great news that you are not suffering from any allergies. That has to be a win/win. Have a terrific Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  26. I've been having the scritches a lot so Mummy was talking about changing my food. pawhaps she will go raw xxooxxx

    Mollie and Alfie

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    1. Maybe she should give raw a try, Mollie. I'm sorry you have the scritches too. They are miserable.

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  27. Pawsome news Oz my chum....is grate to see yoo lookin so elffy....I ope dat extra nugget be com in yore way every day tho an mum not skimping

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    1. Ma's not skimping, Marley. Just trying to keep me fit and trim!

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  28. Glad you found a food that worked for you. I looked into some freeze dried foods because we are switching Freighter's food, but the amount I would have to feed him made it very expensive.

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    1. Yes, I can imagine for big dogs raw can be expensive. Though some places have raw food co-ops to help make it more affordable. You should check out Keep the Tail Wagging...she may know about them.

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  29. Hey I did not see this post on Tasty Tuesday. So glad to hear your Poop is GOOD :-) It is very important, mine too. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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    1. You are all about the POOP Sugar! BOL

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  30. Pawesome!!!! Way to go Oz...so glad this new food is doing great for you!!!! Getting rid of the allergies speaks such multitudes...Thanks for the great informative post!!!! Happy day my friend!!!!

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  31. That is great that you are going so well with the raw diet! I have plans on changing Joker to a raw diet, but I don't know yet. I have been having so many diffrent opinions from vets, and people. Some says it is great idea others don't...it gets pretty confusing! I'm glad that there is pre made raw dog food out there! That is a great way of making the transition to raw much easier!

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    1. Believe me, we know it can get confusing. You cannot listen to everybody else...you need to decide what is best for you and your dog. The prepared raw makes it so much easier...everything is measured out for you. Primal gets the highest rating of 5 stars on Dog Food Advisor.

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving a pawprint. I enjoy reading each and every one!
Cairn cuddles,
Oz the Terrier