jerry said
Oh wow that's so wonderful she enjoys the treat! You're such a good dog parent!

Have you seen the Tripawds Nutrition Blog ? It's got lots of bones, raw, and homecooked food throughout it. We stopped updating the blog a while back, but want to keep the food & supplements conversation going here so thank you for starting one!

Our Wyatt Ray LOVED meaty bones but he tended to get way too possessive about them so we had to stop. Jerry, on the other paw, loved raw meat too, and did really well eating them for practically his whole life.

Would love to see what else you feed the pack that isn't out of a bag from the store. Recent studies show that dogs who eat fresh or raw foods tend to have better weights and less health issues! 

  

 I did surf Tripawds including the nutrition forums but obviously could not get through all articles and posts just yet! I am trying to learn as much as I can and as fast as I can for Trixie. I'm glad others are giving raw bones, I was worried there was something I didn't know. I'm cautious with the bones as a very large breed dog I knew and loved died from a small bone becoming an intestinal block. That was a terrible time.

Possessiveness is an important factor to consider. That's why I usually supervise the meaty bone time and have usually restricted raw hide chews as well. I then usually collect everything before I leave the area. So far with this new little rescue pack it is not proving an issue - but I stay close.

These photos are a good example of my "emergency" home cooked meal for the doggo's. I ran out of items before the next supermarket/vege market run so I used what was on hand, in this case mince, pasta and frozen vege's. One of my adorable cats, Soots, is having a snack as I try to take a photo!

I prefer lean mince 50%, 5 colours of veges +25% and brown rice max 25% of the final mix. I use far more organic turmeric and ground black pepper than most recommend. I premix my oil/vitamin/etc supplements and add them to the cooled mix later. I only keep the batches for 3 days and do not freeze. I vary the vege's, for example my older dog who had cancer and other ailments responded really well to beetroot. I just had to learn how to cut the chunks small enough and not over cook them.

I am adding a little warm water now to the mix to help "diet" a couple of the doggo's while sending them to bed with a full and warm tummy (it's winter here).

I also vary the meat from time to time. So the next batch will be white fish based (max 2 days in the fridge) and another batch might have chicken. To be honest this helps to prevent me from becoming lazy and relying on my "emergency" meals which I consider fast-food. I am grateful that I witnessed the dramatic results in my older dog once I took control of her diet - fresh is best and not that inconvenient. Also, I've found their poops end up smaller and less stinky. I just wish my cats would believe me!!!

jerry said
Lucky lucky pups! You really do go above and beyond with their food. It looks great. And yes I do recall that when we did feed raw/home cooked, poop patrol was a lot easier.

It's good that you are aware of the potential issues of raw bones, although I'm just so sorry about what happened to your dog. My heart goes out to you, that must have been awful.

And yeah we have lots of info here, it'll keep you occupied for a while 😉

What are the vitamins & supplements you use?

  

Thanks for the encouragement Jerry.

My supplement cocktail is evolving as I understand Trixie's injuries as well as the special needs for my other rescue dogs with skin and/or joint problems, etc. It also depends what I can buy at the time.

We typically have items available for a period and then not available for months on end. I often have to use 'human' supplements or livestock (cattle) supplements. I also vary brands to minimize potential toxicity, because I don't trust the transportation methods - especially in our long hot humid summer months - as being adequate.

At the moment I am using human Red Krill Oil, a pet Vitamin C supplement, a human UC-II joint formula and a dog/cat vitamin mix that adds Omega-6, Vit A, E, zinc. When the UC-II runs out I have Glucosamine HCI human 'Bio-flex' supplements. I also add a bit of organic Moringa powder, in summer I'll just add the fresh leaves and flowers from my tree.

It's a learning curve, I'm trying to avoid resorting to medicines that harm kidney's etc in the longer run. 

I welcome all advice including cautions and warnings.

I just have a few more limitations in what I can buy because of where I live, but it really is a wonderful place to live!