Go Back   Pet forum for dogs cats and humans - Pets.ca > Discussion Groups - mainly cats and dogs > Dog food forum > Feeding raw food to dogs & cats - B.A.R.F - RMB - Homecooked diet

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old November 25th, 2006, 07:17 PM
meb999's Avatar
meb999 meb999 is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: montreal
Posts: 2,673
supplements and vitamins

ok, so I know all about supplementing with digestive enzymes (wide-spectrum) and probiotics when you feed raw. But is that just to start them off (do the healthy bacteria just start a colony in the intestines) or do you have to give them those all the time? Also, Do you supplement with vitamins? How do you know if your dog is getting enough vitamins and minerals?

Sorry if these are stupid questions
__________________
Marie-Eve and Buster (5 year old-ish rescued Boxer)

Deep thought, by Jack Handey : "I think my new thing will be to try to be a real happy guy. I'll just walk around being real happy until some jerk says something stupid to me."
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old November 26th, 2006, 06:15 AM
Scott_B's Avatar
Scott_B Scott_B is offline
Rosco, Raw Fed & LOVES IT
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 1,268
The digestive enzymes I usually only give every so often. Once or twice a week or so. Some people give a multi vitamin, some give nothing. Personally, I feed a varity of foods. The reading I've done, makes me feel comfortable in knowing that hes getting everything he needs from what hes eating. One thing you could do, have some blood work done on them. Then they would be able to tell you if the pup is lacking in anything. A lot of raw feeders get this done every 6 months or yearly to just stay on top of things so they feel comfortable that the pup is getting what they need.
__________________
Please please please give Maggie the steak! Its not too big for her little mouth!

Their impression of power is remarkable. They give one the feeling of immense reserves of energy, of great reservoirs of knowledge, of tolerance of disposition, obstinacy of purpose, and tenacity of principle. They are responsive, and they have a lot of quiet, good sense.

-J. Wentworth Day, from The Dog in Sport, 1938
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old November 26th, 2006, 09:33 AM
springermom0406's Avatar
springermom0406 springermom0406 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York, USA
Posts: 152
When I was feeding raw I never supplemented with anything except Salmon Oil. They each got a pump once a day. Usually they enjoyed licking it right off the spoon!!
__________________
http://ashleyspets.com
"A dog is not almost human, and I know of no greater insult to the canine race than to describe it as such."
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old November 26th, 2006, 11:55 AM
technodoll's Avatar
technodoll technodoll is offline
Honest Contributor
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Montreal, QC
Posts: 5,900
i have in the past given powdered alfalfa, kelp, garlic... but have trimed it down to Fish Body Oil, Ester-C and Vit E about 3 to 4 times per week (all capsules). for easing into raw yes i would recommend probiotics and digestive enzymes since buster's system is quite touchy but once a dog is doing good on the diet, no more need for the additions

marie-eve are you considering making a serious attempt at switching buster to raw? even if the first few days or weeks are difficult?
__________________
"Let Thy Food Be Thy Medicine"

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.

:love: ~Akitas Are Love~ :love:
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old November 26th, 2006, 12:04 PM
Lissa's Avatar
Lissa Lissa is offline
Agility Addict
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Posts: 1,402
I do supplement Dodger's diet - he gets oil, kefir, garlic, rosemary, kelp, parsley, apple cider vinegar, vitamin E and vitamin C DAILY. He gets a whole egg at least 3 times a week. Cottage cheese once a week (fasting day) and yogurt on occasion (which he doesn't need since Kefir is better but he likes it).
He was getting brewers yeast daily but now only sparingly (it seemed to be stopping his ear from getting better).

I give vitamin E because it helps them process the oils (when I have raw wheat germ he gets that instead of the capsule). He gets vitamin C because he will excrete it if its too much (runny poops) which doesn't happen so he seems to need it.
He get kefir because it has the highest level of digestive enzymes.
He gets apple cider vinegar for its mineral content and to kill bacteria.

I was going to supplement with vitamin B but instead, use Kefir, eggs, liver, wheat germ and kelp to make sure he's getting what he needs (especially when its time for vaccines).

I am also looking to add egg shell powder (haven't found it yet) to ensure he's getting the correct balance of calcium/phosphorous!
__________________
"Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to."
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old November 26th, 2006, 12:07 PM
meb999's Avatar
meb999 meb999 is offline
Senior Contributor
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: montreal
Posts: 2,673
right now I'm just working on getting more info (I had already read a zillion books and articles), and trying to convince the man!!
I think my next step (since RM still isn't working out) will be to try Solid Gold BATM because even if we do switch to raw I wanna have a kibble that Buster can digest on hand....

I think the disasterous results I had with raw were probablydue to a chicken intolerance. Plus, I know it'll take a few weeks to get him adjusted to the diet, so it'll have to wait until this summer (when I can come home at lunch time), so if he has wicked reactions, he won't have to hold it in all day...
__________________
Marie-Eve and Buster (5 year old-ish rescued Boxer)

Deep thought, by Jack Handey : "I think my new thing will be to try to be a real happy guy. I'll just walk around being real happy until some jerk says something stupid to me."
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Forum Terms of Use

  • All Bulletin Board Posts are for personal/non-commercial use only.
  • Self-promotion and/or promotion in general is prohibited.
  • Debate is healthy but profane and deliberately rude posts will be deleted.
  • Posters not following the rules will be banned at the Admins' discretion.
  • Read the Full Forum Rules

Forum Details

  • Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
    Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
    vBulletin Optimisation by vB Optimise (Reduced on this page: MySQL 0%).
  • All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:12 PM.