Could I ask you a question about how to do this? I'd like to start incorporating raw into my dog's diet, and snacks seem like a great starting point. So, as a snack, I can just give my dog a small drumstick or wing? Do I need to wash it? Trim the fat? Hit it with a hammer (as I've read in other raw posts). Can it be frozen?? What would be the right size to give him (he's a 60lb retriever) for a snack??
I guess I'm just not sure exactly what to do so that the dog doesn't choke or get sick. Maybe this is better discussed in the raw forum, but I thought I'd ask here.
Thanks!
I wouldn't advise giving a 60 pound dog a drumstick or wing. They are too small and could be a choking hazard for a greedy gus type of dog that gulps their food. I'd go with a chicken quarter. Feed in place of a kibble meal.
You don't need to wash it. I'd probably suggest taking the skin off the first few times you feed and then gradually start leaving it on, a small bit at first progressing until you are feeding it like it comes with the skin attached.
I don't think you need to hammer it unless your dog just has no idea what to do. Most of them catch on real quick.
Sure, you can feed it frozen. Especially if he likes to inhale his food. That will slow him down some.
Supervise, but don't intervene. You might watch some dogs on youtube eating raw in order to familiarize yourself with normal eating. Some dogs are careful chewers and some not so much.
I think that once you see how much your dog enjoys raw foods, you may branch out into feeding it more often. And yes, we will help you.
Here's a few sites for learning more ....
This one is a great place to start and you can spend a lot of time going through the many pages here. The "myths of raw feeding" pages are invaluable and answers most, if not all, the questions a newbie to raw will have. Invaluable site!
Practical Answers to Practical Questions About Raw
THE MANY MYTHS ABOUT RAW FEEDING
Raw Feeding FAQ
The raw feeders yahoo group is a great place to learn also. There are over 16,000 raw feeders on the list from all over the world.
rawfeeding : Raw Feeding for dogs and cats!
Another site I like that has a lot of good history, anatomy of the dog and why it's made to eat raw, and lots of good links on the link page ....
Raw Fed Dogs
A raw feeders blog with lots of interesting info …
Krisannrio's Raw feeding site - Home
More info and lots of links!
My Pet Carnivore - Rawfeeding Basics