The
German Shepherd is considered a Deep chested breed of dog.
These dogs are prone to stomach twisting called "Bloat". Some dry
food, kibble, increases the potential for bloat. Kibble is
digested slower-up to 12 hours, therefore can cause increased gases
in the gut, and once the stomach has twisted over on itself these
gasses become deadly. Here at Kridler's we feed our dogs a Raw
Diet. Where I do NOT profess to being an expert, I do feel I
am feeding my dogs correctly and many people ask what and how I
feed. This web page is to explain how I feed, and can be
printed and used as a recommendation only. Unfortunately,
there are no 100% guarantees.
For
Professional guidance, we recommend the site; http://www.aplaceforpaws.com , and speak to Dani.
Another Great site for Raw Diet is www.threecheersrawrawraw.com , which I use,
too.
WE DO NOT
FEED RAW DIET to our Puppies. We feel the need in pups
for special vitamins and growth is a bit too difficult to
monitor with Raw Diet. We feed Eukanuba Large Breed
Puppy up to 6 mths then Gradually ad Raw Diet by the time the pup is
12 mths old.
Many
people want to know how I switched my dogs over from Kibble to
Raw. Here is how I did it.
Day 1-
1/2 regular kibble and 2 raw chicken backs- yes, bone and all.
Add Fastrack, a beneficial digestive bacteria similar to acidopholis
in yogurt. Chicken Backs are best, as they have proper amounts
of fat, bone, and meat. Each dog should be regulated on
feeding amount depending on their metabolizm and size. Feeling
their sides, chest, and belly daily will help you to know who needs
more or less. Our 10 yr. old Nala spayed house dog only needs
2 chicken backs daily now.
Day 2-
1/4th regular feed and 2 chicken backs. Fastrack again.
This seems like a small amount even for the big boys here, but
changing them over day 2 should be your most difficult
adjustment day. Couple of my dogs did get diarrhea, a soupy
yellow , but most were fine. Dani from A Place for
Paws helped me thru this time. She said hang in there as
some have a harder time with the raw chicken. The extra
Fastrack helped these dogs.
Day 3- 3
-4 chicken backs. The dogs with normal stools, which expected
small round very firm, about 1/4th the size stool with kibble fed
and can even turn powdery white in minutes, is normal. Almost
all the dogs here had normal stools by this
day.
Day 4 on,
we do use either Veges or 1 cup kibble. Kibble I am currently
using, which by the way, all pups are given Beef n' Bone purchased
from A place for paws, along with kibble of Canidae. They do
not start on solely raw feedings until 6 mths old. Veges
include- Carrots, zucchini, green beans, peas, broccoli, yams,
garlic, apples, blueberries, parsley, romaine lettuce and
spinach. You can use any combo of these veges. It all
goes into the food processor until ground small. I will add
Tripe or Beef n' Bone, to these meals. Tripe adds alot of
wonderful digestive enzymes. Our dogs are healthier, happier,
and more energetic since feeding the Raw Way. Quno is 10
1/2 and sired a litter thru his 10th year. Angie whelped 6
pups easily and quickly at 9 yrs old. My pregnant girls do get
alot extra food along with alot of Tripe.
We really do not use much or any
Vitamins. Occasionally I give Kelp, and salmon oil. I
also use Dogzymes CCM+ which is purchased from www.naturesfarmacy.com , a
supplement given 2-3 times a week for the showdogs(coat improvement)
and for the
elderly/or pregnant dogs(Glucosamine/condroitin) as
vitamins this time is necessary. Apple Cider vinegar and whole
fresh eggs can be added,too.
Don't make a fuss over exacting amounts.
Their digestive system does better with occ. changes. We give
raw beef bones when I can get to the butcher. Those are given
on a "Fasting" day. We also use Turkey Necks, Fish, and
Venison. My dogs don't do well with Pork, but yours may.
I would say my feed bill has dropped in half since changing to
raw. The kibble we do feed is Canidae. I
will occasionally feed 1 cup kibble 2 x a week along with
Veges days, ...tho it is Reccommended by most Raw Professionals to
feed only Raw and do not combine the Raw &
Kibble.
*** This website is to be used as a
recommendation only. Permission to print and use after
discussed with Tari Kridler - email chsweetsun@aol.com
*** The pictures from this website are
owned by Kridler's German Shepherds. NO photo may be copied or
reused without permission from Kridler's ***

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