Poop is definitely worth celebrating! Yay poop! :biggrin:

 

once you go raw, poop is much of what's discussed...AND, over dinner, at breakfast...it is the hallmark of our joy....

i can see the big grin on your face....

you may have some diarrhea the first few weeks, but it will even out....

you can always take the skin off....and then add it back in...

congrats!!!

 

once you go raw, poop is much of what's discussed...!

It's that way with us Registered Nurses, too. We do LOTS of talking about poop - color, frequency, consistency, smell...You get to the point where it is as common and mundane as talking about the weather! :wink:

 

White Teeth

Today I picked up my prescriptions at the local pharmacy. One of the clerks had to come out and see Bailey. He had been making his high-pitched bark. Here's this 135 dog sounding like a little puppy barking. Bailey is a very sociable and friendly dog who just turned two.

The first thing the clerk noticed was his teeth. She couldn't believe how white they were. I told her how they got so white. Raw feeding. She was impressed. What hooked her was the cost compared to kibble. The clerk was very interested.

I told her to research raw feeding on the web.

 

I always tell people to come here :wink:

Good for you with "converting" another person to raw LOL!

 

I always tell people to come here :wink:

That's what I do. I refer Dedicated to proper carnivore nutrition - Prey Model Raw Feeding for Dogs & Cats and here. XDD They're the two places I learned everything I know! XD

 

100% Raw, ok maybe sometimes dog biscuits

We tried: Natural, Wellness and Kirkland. Always loose stools and often diarrhea, since Gus had it done in the park, we need to pick up and that is nasty. On top of that he walks really funny, maybe because he is a puppy. His front half is forward but the back half is sideways (well maybe 10% off).

Switched to raw chicken, bone and skin, uncooked.

he is more alert, walk and run with high energy, walk straight and solid stools.

We are so glad to feed him Raw.

 

We tried: Natural, Wellness and Kirkland. Always loose stools and often diarrhea, since Gus had it done in the park, we need to pick up and that is nasty. On top of that he walks really funny, maybe because he is a puppy. His front half is forward but the back half is sideways (well maybe 10% off).

Switched to raw chicken, bone and skin, uncooked.

he is more alert, walk and run with high energy, walk straight and solid stools.

We are so glad to feed him Raw.

congratulations....man, those loose stools always occurred at the worst possible times...never did get them truly firm when we fed kibble or even home cooked....

how long ago did you switch him over?

 

Before I head out I will type mine up.

Lincoln is a three year old Belgian Malinois. When he turned 1 year all these issues started. Over the course of the next 1.5 years he was itching like a maniac, slicing his skin open, scratching his ears, shaking his head constantly. On kibble even the best kibble he pooped 5-6 times a day and it was all soft. We had him tested for worms and everything in the book and all came back negative..even for mange and mites. He was on low doses of prednisone for months. It got so bad he couldnt hold in urine for more than 30 minutes and peed the Niagara River out every time he went outside. His teeth were gross and his breath. He had anal gland infections, his fur was thin, greasy, smelly and yeasty. Bald spots from where the hair fell out and moist spots from yeast. His ears were gross. In April he developed and ear hematoma from scratching his ear so much. After paying the $500 to fix that my vet wanted him on Science Diet Prescription. That is when I started researching, came across another forum (before I found this one) and posted my story there. They guided me into two types of raw..BARF (with veggies) and Prey Model. Since I believe dogs are primarily carnivores of choice and have no need for veggies to be anything other than the odd treat I read more on prey model. I leaped and started feeding it to him. He was also 10lbs overweight.

After a total of 5 months on raw, every thing has changed. His coat is nice, soft, not greasy or thin. Hes not shedding as bad. Teeth are great, breath is great. Poops twice a day and they are small and firm. No anal gland issues. Lost 10 lbs and is now a healthy 65lbs. He isnt itching anymore during off season etc. He still has seasonal allergies around this time of the year and the beginning of spring but not nearly as bad on raw now. He still gets the sniffles and sneezed with clear discharge but thats allergies. I would rather that then his scratch is brains out. Here are the pictures to prove what raw has done to him. My vet is against it, wont acknowledge the change (says its coincidence) but not one vet in my area is pro raw so I wont switch yet.

 

Last two pics

 

I switched my Great Dane, Ghosty to raw about 6 weeks ago. It has been so much easier than I anticipated. I did a lot of research before I did it, because I wanted to make sure it was right for me and that I would not switch to raw, dislike it, and switch back. He has done WONDERFULLY, and it has been really easy. He has had skin issues since I got him, and his coat was always really thin. But after just 6 weeks, it looks SO much better. The thin spots are filling in, and he is shiny and healthy looking. The biggest struggle for me has been finding reasonably priced stuff. I live in a small town and don't have a lot of resources. But I think it will get easier over time as I learn where to look!

 

I don't have any before and after pictures of Chelsy, but I have to talk about the difference in little Chelsy in only 7 days of eating raw chicken. She also has been eating Primal premade raw for 2 weeks prior but she refuses to eat that now that she has raw plain chicken....I put the two of them on the plate today for her mixed togther and she just stared at it. I ended up hand feeding her the raw chicken first and then sneaking the primal to her after the REAL chicken was gone! Once we've used up the Primal bag we won't buy it anymore.

Anyway, Chelsy has degerative disc disease in her back and severe colitis and skin allergies. She is 13 years old and was completely paralyzed at age 3. She had back surgery and had her disc's fused and recovered but in the last year had lost a lot of feeling in her back legs and was knuckling under significantly. She no longer could do steps, fell over backwards when she tried, and would fall over just trying to pee. She spent most of her days sleeping and we would carry her outside where she would just sit in one spot. We were actually looking at doggie wheelchairs for her and had her on daily Rimadyl. The vets has said she might have Cushings because of her hair loss, and inflamed red skin, and she'd have severe bloody diarhhea if she ate the wrong thing. The poor little dog was a mess.

Fast forward after 7 days of raw chicken and amost 3 weeks total of raw food combined. Last night she RAN across the back yard after our last evening trip out!! Yesterday afternoon I was working in the yard and instead of sitting on the deck, she followed me all over the yard, sniffing like a dog and checking things out. She hops up and down the deck stairs, follows me all over the house from room to room all day long, squats like a dog to go to the bathroom, and sleeps like a rock at night. She also really loves her breakfast and dinner now! Her hair has grown back on her tail for the first time in over a year and my husband has even commented on how active the dog has suddenly become. He has become a complete convert to the diet after being a skeptic at first.

Just wanted to post this for anyone who is hesitant about changing an older dog. Chelsy is 13 years and 7 months old and has very few teeth and a severe jaw malformation so right now we are grinding her food. We are going to make the pieces bigger and bigger as she builds up her jaw muscles. If she can switch at her age and with her problems and have such a drastic improvement so quickly, then any dog can. I never thought this would happen but she is living proof of a dramatic change that diet can make. If I can, I will post a video of her running across the yard.

 

Chowder...I'm truly moved by your story. Thank you for sharing!!!! It makes me so happy to know that she has a new lease on life!!!

I'd be really interested in knowing your vets reaction to her condition and WHY she's doing so much better. Maybe plant a hidden camera and get it on tape! I want to see the look of amazement on their face!!!

I think it's stories like this one (and many more on here) about dogs "coming back to life" when switched to a real diet that will eventually change the views in the dog world we know today. Even if it takes 50 years I won't stop spreading the word and supporting the raw movement!!!!

 

I have been reading your website constantly and doing so much research that I literally have to put my computer down at night because I can't see any more. (Chelsy and I share the same eye problems!). I really appreciate all the information and time that everyone on the site devotes to educating everyone who asks. I know Rocky and Chelsy appreciate it! Rocky was going to town on his beef rib last night and when he had eaten half of it, he finally got tired and just rolled around on top of it with a big old grin on his face and his feet in the air! He never did that with a bully stick!

 

oh, chowder...i'm grinning from ear to ear....you must be so happy to see chelsy behave so...

i know it was a huge step for you to take and it was very courageous.....no matter what happens now.....you will have improved her life and made an old girl happy...not me, the dog LOL

 

What a truly heartfelt story, the more people read about changes like these the more apt they are to switch, so thank you for posting your story.

 

I'm glad the website and this forum have been so helpful!!!

Does anyone who's posted a success story mind if we use it for our website as well?

 

if it helps convert someone to raw, use away with my blessing.

 

I don't mind. Heck, at this point I am so happy that Ghosty could be the poster dog for RAW!!

 

Deb, do you have before and after shots of Ghosty? We'd love to post those!!!

 

Yes, I am pretty sure I do. Let me do a little digging!!

 

I gave Chelsy a bath tonight and tomorrow I will try and get a little video of her running around posted ( I wanted her to look good in the video :biggrin . She actually ran up to Rocky and nipped him on the nose tonight and started to play with him. She was acting so goofy and running all over the family room and doing this little 'dance' she does when she wants attention. Rocky was in shock and did a big jumping play bow at her and poked her a few times. It's the funniest thing to see all of a sudden, like I have a new dog in the house. You'd think the dog was on drugs when actually she hasn't had a Rimadyl in over a week. That alone is going to save me big money!

 

i am new here, but i thought i would add my success story too... hope thats ok.

My boy, Jake, was a happy healthy pup until he reached the age of 7 months. then, back in November 2009, he started to lose the fur around his eyes, and he developed a really bad ear infection. he was given ear drops which helped, but his eyes just got worse. he lost more fur, and started losing it around his muzzle too. he also developed sores around his eyes and muzzle, that would bleed and cause him loads of pain. this was what his eyes looked like...

we spent 6 months going back and forth to the vets, achieving nothing. the vet was adamant it was a mite of some sort, but even after using stronghold it was still here! so she eventually admitted it was an allergy (i said thats what i thought it was back in November!). he went on an elimination diet, and we soon discovered he is allergic to wheat and grain. he was put on a hypoallergenic food, but i didnt want him to be on that one kind of food for the rest of his life, so i researched feeding him raw (i did back in December but it seemed so daunting so i didnt take the plunge). it seemed so great, so i decided to just go for it. and boy am i glad it did! he is doing great, his teeth are amazing, his coat is shiny and people are always commenting on how great he looks... and the best bit? this is how his eyes now look...

he couldnt be happier with his diet, and gets excited when its dinner time (something he never did when he was on dry food)! and i love the benefits! i also thought it would be really expensive, but it isnt at all!

so we are happy raw feeders :biggrin:

 

I'm so glad to hear that Jake is doing so much better! Thanks for sharing your story!!!!

 

thanks :smile: its great to see my boy free from pain, and looking so happy! i love raw feeding now, and im not planning on going back to kibble any time in the future.

 

now, THAT is a success story.....i'm so glad for both of you....he looks gaw-jus....

 

Gosh his eyes looked terrible, poor pup! Man that must have been so painful for him. You must have been beside yourself not being able to help him. Thank goodness you had the brains to do the research and find the cure.

 

do any of you include any raw vegies or fruit with the raw meat? also do you feed your dogs chicken?

 

i don't include fruits and veggies. in my opinion, they are not useful to a dog who is a carnivore....

they are indigestible, unless pre masticated (food processed) or cooked, and they contribute sugar to a dog's diet which is harmful for their teeth and the balancing act of their digestive pH and flora.

my 2c

i do use chicken, mostly for the bones.

 

No veggies here. You can look to a dogs mouth and digestive tract and see that they simply cannot digest vegetables without some sort of "processing"

If we feed our dogs carrots as a treat they poop out carrots the next day. Dogs simply cannot digest veggies in their natural state

We feed lots of chicken.

 

My dogs haven't eaten any fruits or veggies in over 8 years.