Raw feeders - high calorie suggestions please

16 years ago

I've been feeding raw for 9 or 10 years, no problems. Maggie is 13. I took her to the vet today for bloodwork (nothing wrong, just because she is old and I want to see how she's doing.)

Well, she has lost quite a bit of weight :( She acts perfectly normal, and eats and drinks the same as she always has. Unfortunately, I haven't weighed her for quite awhile, so I have no idea if the loss has been gradual. She has thick collie type hair, so it's hard to tell her weight, although I think I would have noticed had it been sudden. Her normal weight is 45 or so, and she weighs 36.5.

I am not sure if I will get the bloodwork results tomorrow or Monday. Anyway, I want to add things to her diet that are high in calories. The only thing I can think of is more fat from the chicken necks that I give her, and more ground beef with higher fat content. Any other ideas?

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Comments (12)

weed30 St. Louis
Original Author
16 years ago
Forgot -- the additional food does not have to be raw :)
Gina_W
16 years ago
Hi Weed. My suggestions are to feed her chicken parts with a higher meat-to-bone ratio than necks - legs have the best ratio. If she can't break the leg bones, you can place them in a plastic bag and break the bones with a mallet.

You can also add whole eggs and rich organ meats like liver to her ground beef, along with some cooked yam. Some folks add oatmeal too.

These changes may give her the runs in the beginning - as all changes are apt to, so maybe adjust her diet a little each day.

Let us know how she does!
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cynthia_gw
16 years ago
When Monty was ill this spring he went down to 51 pounds (usually a thin 63 pound boy.) Because I could take zero risk I switched him from raw to high quality manufactured food. First was canned Verus and dry (Menhaden Fish & Potato) as well. I was giving him 2,400(!) calories a day in 4 or 5 meals to get his weight back on. Fortunately he processed the food well and meds made him hungry. Currently he is on EVO with raw egg and cottage cheese which means if I can get him to eat 2 little cups a day, he maintains his weight. If you want to stick with raw, I'd add extra muscle meat as Gina suggested. If one of my other dogs looks a little too boney (easy to tell since their fur is practically painted on), I add more muscle meat and fat to their RMB meal. I trim the fat off of Katie's chicken most of the time and give it to Dannie :)
spiritual_gardner
16 years ago
Since I'm not familiar with a raw diet, I think I would ask your vet.

Aside from that, the blood work should tell you what is going on. I assume it will include a thyroid test?

SG
Rose_Qld
16 years ago
Weed, it seems that chicken necks have been the main source of animal protein in the past? Don't be afraid to slowly introduce more flesh, more variety of sources. One at a time, portions as small as a 1" cube of a new meat. Heart is a rich but excellent muscle meat, not effectively an organ. Try lamb/ grassfed beef heart. The bone:muscle ratio of necks is high, you can increase the muscle proportion as the others said by feeding different parts of the chicken. I would and do supplement chicken with fish oil.

Raw animal fat a whole different thing from cooked fat. Again, go easy, see what her bowel tolerance is.
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
16 years ago
SG, vets are the worst for recommending raw fed.
dobesrule
16 years ago
Be careful adding strictly fats. Could possibly cause panceatitis. Do a web search for "satin balls" I think it's fed cooked but it is made from fresh ingredients and I could be wrong about cooking it. Mostly I've seen them
used for picky or reluctant eaters but I'm sure it would add some good quality calories to you dogs diet.

Lisa
weed30 St. Louis
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, everyone. I was definitely thinking adding more meat. Will need to figure out some calcium supplements to balance the extra meat though, don't you think?
I already give fish oil caps, might add a bit more, and her beef/veg mix always has chix hearts, livers, and gizzards.

She doesn't really have problems eating anything, bowels rarely have issues. LOL...tonight I gave her leftover beef stew and as an experiment, gave her some dry dog food that I am feeding my new rescue dog. She ate the whole darned bowl, about one cup.

She doesn't act hungry, so I think she's just an opportunist ;)
weed30 St. Louis
Original Author
16 years ago
I keep wanting to get her a milkshake :)
weed30 St. Louis
Original Author
16 years ago
Lisa,
I Googled satin balls - these sound like just the ticket! I'm going to make some today.
Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
16 years ago
I thought about posting that several times! It's just so apropos.
Gina_W
16 years ago
The egg shells will add calcium, and maybe get her a high-quality supplement. I'm sure she'd love a milkshake, LOL!

Raw feeders - high calorie suggestions please

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weed30 St. Louis
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Raw feeders - high calorie suggestions please

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