Doing the switch

weim2mom · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:08 am Post subject: Doing the switch

So, after months of being on the fence... I am going to slowly switch my two over to raw. I've heard all the benefits, and I want my two to have the best. Plus, Chevy keeps picking up weight.

In the beginning, I am going to switch their kibble. They are on Eukanuba now, and I am going to mix in something new. I am leaning to either Solid Gold Wolfking Adult or Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb).

After adjusted to this, I am going to start working in raw, in the evenings only. I have been reading around - should I start with chicken wings/backs first?

I am looking for all the tips can get. Those of you who have switched, how did you do it?

Weimwayz · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:27 am Post subject:

with any food change yo want it to be gradual. I know some weims have have a very sensitive stomach. Do you have a nutritionist helping you design the right diet for your weim?? I would HIGHLY recommend that if you are going RAW. It can be very risky and you must feed and suppliment properly.

The best way to change over food is over a 7 day period. For the first 2 days mix 1/4 of the new food in wit their regular kibble, days 3-4 50% of he new diet mixed in and day 5-6 75% mix in of the new diet and by day 7 they should be totally on their new food

Good luck with the RAW!

2kids2weims · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject:

I found a commercial ground whole chicken patty & started giving that in the evening. It went really well so I just substituted more & more food each day. Chicken necks are also good . I'd also say get on the yogurt & if you can get some type of probiotic to add it can go easier. Eagle pack makes one.

2kids2weims · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject:

I forgot to say chicken necks can be not so great for a dog that gulps food quickly because they not chew & will throw up little bones on your bed at 4 am. Rolling Eyes

greydogs · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:46 pm Post subject:

i went with the commercial patties as well.
vishnu has a sensitive stomach, and he did great! started with just a little piece added in, to 1/4 patty, to 1/2, and then all the way over. it took almost 2 weeks.
he is doing excellent now!

lakshmi has the easy stomach, and it took her a little longer, but she is doing great as well.

weim2mom · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject:

So... Today I bought Evo @ a local store. She was out of solid gold, so this was also highly recommended by you guys and her.

I mixed it in with the old stuff, they LOVED it! I also added a smidge of raw chicken breast. They looked at me like "Is that all we get? We want MORE!" And Chevy is not that big of food generally.

I think this will be a GREAT switch.

Thanks for all the advice, and I will keep updating!

versatilek9s · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 11:12 pm Post subject:

We made "the switch" about 10 days ago. Even though they ate innova, I've been shocked with the difference!

I just did it--one day kibble, the next day raw. Maya was a bit unsure about whether she should really put that nasty chicken thigh in her mouth. The Sage swallowed hers, and still hasn't really gotten that chewing thing down.

We did chicken mostly for about a week. They had loose poos for about a day, then tiny normal ones. I then added in turkey necks, eggs, salmon, and beef as the second meal. So they eat chicken usually in the am and whatever I can find in the pm. I know it's not necessary, but for the sake of cheapness they get cottage cheese, some veggies, and yogurt a few times a week.

In the fall they're gonna get duck, geese and deer added!

Other things I noticed were that they were a bit sluggish for a few days--someone told me it was b/c they had to get used to digesting the food that's lower in carbs. Also they seemed hungrier--like maybe they thought they got a treat but their kibble was still due.

Good luck! They love it!

meredith

anne · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:06 pm Post subject:

Hey M -

I guess we got a bit side tracked in our discussion... and so you did finally switch! Hooray! Glad to hear you are seeing such positive results.

Some raw feeders might say that the sluggishness is due to detox.

Many people just switch cold turkey. For healthy dogs I think this is fine. Mine stay with so many different people and such that they can go back and forth from kibble (and all different brands from supermarket to premium) to raw with no problem. However I do think they thrive best on raw.

When I switched my first dog, I did it slowly and used chicken, then I slowly added other things and I was also supplementing like crazy, it was a lot of (unnecessary) work and in retrospect I would have just cold turkey switched. Second dog was weaned to raw, third dog was cold turkey switch, fourth (coowned dog) was also cold turkey. My litter was weaned to raw and all are on raw or homecooked, but the one that is with a pro right now is eating kibble and goes back and forth without issue. I personally feel that a dog that eats raw most of the time and is peak health can do fine on almost any feed, however, being on raw most of the time IMO is a dog that is healthy from the inside out.

BTW there is a book called "Switching to Raw" which I hear great things bout but have not read myself.

weim2mom · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:09 am Post subject:

Thanks again for all the advice and pointers. They are loving the new food!
I really like the EVO. We do that in the am, then raw in the pm.

I can't get them to sit still! I always place my hand in their bowl when they eat, so they don't scarf it down.

iris · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:13 am Post subject:

iris · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:38 am Post subject:

weim2mom · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 2:29 pm Post subject:

I do -

Kibble in the morning.
Raw in the evening.

I got A LOT of things today @ Walmart! Very Happy

Chicken livers, thighs and wings. And turkey necks! Yay for perdue!

weim2mom · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:09 am Post subject:

I have a question about bones..?

I gave my two chicken thighs last night, but I am supposed to leave the bones in? I took it out, just to be safe. If I remember right, it all stay in. Is there a way that I can smash it up?

anne · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject:

You can use a mallet to smash them.
I don't like giving weight-bearing bones because they are so brittle and hard.

weim2mom · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:01 pm Post subject:

But they can eat them??

AAH! I am so nervous about that. I am so used to Chevy getting things stuck, I am a little paranoid.