Questions on Desi's new diet

[LoMax]

So I switched Desi to a combo homecooked/raw diet and want to make sure she is getting everything she needs. It is really hard with her limitations, but so far she is eating well and licking her chops after each meal. So far I have given her chicken thighs, beef, turkey neck, plain yogart, cottage cheese, egg and oatmeal. I want her to have a well-balanced diet, but she can't have soooo many things... http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=53

I worry that she is not getting many veggies. What should I be adding to her diet? I plan on getting some vitamin E, but what else? I find loads of sites on copper dogs, but copper human sites seem to be more helpful. What we won't do for our kids. I am not much of a meat eater, so this meat shopping is kind of new for me ... where do you get chicken backs and other good raw feeding cuts of meat?

[CarolB]

So I switched Desi to a combo homecooked/raw diet and want to make sure she is getting everything she needs. It is really hard with her limitations, but so far she is eating well and licking her chops after each meal. So far I have given her chicken thighs, beef, turkey neck, plain yogart, cottage cheese, egg and oatmeal. I want her to have a well-balanced diet, but she can't have soooo many things... http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=53

I worry that she is not getting many veggies. What should I be adding to her diet? I plan on getting some vitamin E, but what else? I find loads of sites on copper dogs, but copper human sites seem to be more helpful. What we won't do for our kids. I am not much of a meat eater, so this meat shopping is kind of new for me ... where do you get chicken backs and other good raw feeding cuts of meat?

You don't need to feed her oatmeal. Dogs don't need grains. I save the tough parts of asparagas, pieces of lettuce, cabbage and whatever else we are eating and run it thru a food processor so they can digest it. They don't need alot of veggies. I also feed bananas or other kinds of fruits that are too ripe for us. Same thing, run them thru the food processor. The butcher in a grocery store I shop at orders the chicken backs for me. I get them by the case. Chicken quarters you can get at Walmart in 10 lb bags. Watch for them to be on sale at other grocery stores and stock up. I get turkey necks,wings,drumsticks and pork neck bones from a restaurant supplier. You can find them in the yellow pages under wholesale meats. I get other meat from a raw dog food supplier. Be sure you are feeding some organ meat weekly. Liver, kidney's are good. Feed some kind of heart once or twice a week.

[LoMax]

She can't have calf's liver, is that the same as liver/liver? Many veggies, berries and fruits are out as well. I know of a wholesale place in town, so I will check it out. Thanks! Do I need to add supplements or anything? I was planning on adding a little salmon oil. I am just having nightmares that all of her fur will fall out and my vet will say... I told you so! He is more into the prescription kibble DPoop thing. I knew that icon would come in handy.

[faust]

I dont know if you have a big Asian population there, but we have an Asian market. It is a huge grocery store but they sell all the ... by products of chickens and beef. You can get large quantities of chicken livers, hearts, gizzards. Same with beef tongue, heart and livers. They also sell all the other parts as well but I dont remember exactly what all they had.

[CarolB]

She can't have calf's liver, is that the same as liver/liver? Many veggies, berries and fruits are out as well. I know of a wholesale place in town, so I will check it out. Thanks! Do I need to add supplements or anything? I was planning on adding a little salmon oil. I am just having nightmares that all of her fur will fall out and my vet will say... I told you so! He is more into the prescription kibble DPoop thing. I knew that icon would come in handy.

Then feed chicken livers or pork livers or lamb liver if you can find it. Either feed canned mackeral several times a week or give salmon oil supplement. Your dog will be just fine. If I sold prescription kibble I'd be into it too.