Comments on Feed Pets Food Like Their Ancestors Ate

Dear dr. Falconer,
I've a 5 years old chihuahua girl that I tried to feed what I thought was a better dog food - ziwipeak wet food, about 2 years ago. I thought I introduced it slowly enough but she ended up being very sick ( vomiting, diarrhea, wouldn't eat, even had some fresh blood in her poos few times ) after about a month when I was still mixing it with the horrible Royal canine she used to have before. It continued for about 2 months on and off, then it finally settled after I cooked her turkey with sweet potato. She's now on Simpson's wet food- organic turkey, duck and vegetables and doing fine but has a lot of gas and I can often hear her tummy making noises. I'd like to start her on raw food diet but don't know how to start introducing it and also a bit afraid that I'll upset her digestive system again. I'd be very greatful for your kind advice.
Kind regards Magda.

This is a great article, Dr. Falconer!
I really appreciate Tricia's post with the Danes as well. I am interested that you balance grain-containing Dr. Pitcairn recipes with this type of feeding. This looks like a good option that would defray some cost with large dogs, in a world full of extremists on this topic.
In an effort to do the best for my wolves, and stop spending $220/month on a pre-made dehydrated processed formula, I was ready to LEAP!
Daring to find out what this raw diet would cost as a DIY project made me hold my breath and do some math. Calculating for two, 50 pound active dogs, Finn and Loma was pretty enlightening. It is utterly amazing what math one can do if your wolves are depending on you to get it right!
If anyone needs help figuring out their dog's math, let me know!
Taking the plunge, I bought a small 5 cubic foot chest freezer at Lowe's for my apartment. Mentally, it was alot for me to realize how many pounds or animal products I needed to purchase, given that I eat very little meat.
SOURCING has been an eye-opening adventure into the world of all sorts of farming and meat production. I am tired! This adventure has taken me through options from Craigslist to conventional grocery stores to Whole Foods to local farmers with humanely raised animals to my own brothers who hunt. I am *still working on this part.
I could do this diet for much cheaper with factory farmed animals. The majority of people feeding raw do use conventionally raised meat, due to sheer volume needed to feed and cost.
I was getting suck in the muck given my budget and my strong beliefs about factory farming.
Ethically, I do not want to support that industry by voting with my dollar. After working in the "sick pen" in a conventional dairy as a vet tech about 5 years ago, I learned about those downer cows and all the things they do to factory cows. I already knew too much about feedlot beef and factory poultry.
I calculated totals per month between both dogs using a perfect-world standard (free range, grass fed/finished, locally farmed meats/organs/bones) with three approaches.
1.) "Prey-Model" most commonly consisting of 80% meat, 10% RMB, 10% organs
Per month I would need: 60# meat, 8# bones, 8# organ.
Total cost/month= $ 220-350.
2.) Dogs Naturally Magazine has a guideline of 50% RMB, 35% muscle, 15% organs.
Per month I would need: 25# meat, 37# bones, 11# organs
Total cost/month= $180-240.
3.) Dr. Dobias (Vancouver, BC holistic vet) had a free webinar on raw feeding and his formula was somewhere in the middle of these spectrums. He includes veggies at 25% of the diet for antioxidant value and pH effects. They can eat the same veggies I eat so they are not included below.
Per month I would need: 56# meat, 21# bones, 4# organs.
Total cost/month= $220-340
Right now, I am going with the DNM option and adding veggies. This is one of the most fascinating adventures and I'd love any feedback others might have. I hope this is helpful for those starting out, it has been worthwhile to learn.
Lizzy

Hi, Dr Will!
I've read, many times, on your website, feeding RAW eggs to dogs (and cats!), but I have read on the internet, in many locations (and I also heard this from my former employer, who has a Masters in Holistic Nutrition), that RAW egg white has an antimicrobial protein called Avidin bound to its Biotin, which prevents mammals from utilizing the Biotin. And that cooking inactivates the Avidin. I've been feeding my three Whippets a boiled egg/day for about 7+ months, and their skins and coats have improved, though they were good before. What do you think about the link between Biotin and Avidin?

Hi Dr.
I've done both kibble and raw for my 2 great danes and looking at it from just a logistical and financial perspective (I'm a business analyst by trade) I continually find that the raw is both easier and less expensive. The health benefits are the best reason to go raw but most folks get hung up on how to incorporate it into their lives.
I open a package and hand each dog a couple chicken quarters or slab of beef ribs . Done. No cleaning dishes, no brushing teeth. I alternate with Dr. Pitcairn recipes. For us, 1 recipe equals 1 day (4meals) so I'll make 3 batches on a Saturday and freeze. The only cooking is the grains. 1 large pot - 40min and Done. For Travel - we find a grocery store meat counter, use my restaurant leftovers or they fast for 1 meal. Easy. The part I like the best is that each week I clean out the fridge of leftovers, wimpy carrots and that 1/2 eaten apple, nothing is wasted. It all goes to the dog recipes. My food dollar doesn't end up in the trash can or compost pile. Once you know the 'rules' of balancing the diet you'll see meals for your animals everywhere you look.
Financially its comprable to the "premium" kibble and even less expensive if you are able to buy meat in bulk at the store or co-op. This is where a chest freezer comes in handy. Admittedly my dogs rarely get organic meat due to cost. But sometimes I do find organic or hormone free on sale and I stock up like mad for both myself and the dogs. Even grocery store meat (human grade), is better than meat by-products.
A long post but what I wanted to get across is that its not difficult to feed fresh for the average pet owner. For the time it takes you to walk the dog, you could have a weeks worth of fresh made meals ready in the freezer. And I promise it won't break the bank.

Fleas, I use natural products such as diamatatious earth outside and 20 power mule team borax inside and there are no fleas here. I adopted a great dane once from a breeder and the agreement we made together is never to give it heartworm preventative. If the dane was to ever have heartworms that I would take it to a holistic vet for treatment and she gave me his name. I have never had a dog with heartworm but I often wondered what was added to the affected dogs water to cure it of heartworms. I at that point never gave heartworm treatment to my dogs and luckily have never had a problem. I am so glad that your information was shared on f/b....
I wish all vets would adopt homeopathic approaches to our beloved pets, knock on wood all of mine are healthy.
Kathleen in Central Florida
Our closest holistic vet is in Summerfield his last name begins with a "W"....

Vets convinced me to feed Hill's Science Diet to my little corgi. I've never agreed, but they were convincing...recently I put her on raw foods. In two weeks her coat has totally chanaged..it's soft and shiny. She's not biting and chewing her body and making hot spots. She's a new dog!! I'm sorry I was so stupid.

Hi Dr. Falconer - I was wondering if you might address High Pressure Pasteurization in raw pets foods. I get my meat from the farmers market, but I think most people who buy their raw foods already prepared from pet stores may not be aware that some of those "raw" products are now doing the HPP. Plus they may not be aware of whether the HPP process has a detrimental or beneficial impact on the food and subsequently the health of their animal.
Thanks