Hi all, I'm new here and here's my dillema

So I'm thinking about the time when the new pup comes, beginning of April and I just have no clue what to be feeding him. I've been looking through the threads, doing searches but nothing can really satisfy me. I'm scared of kibble and not knowing what I'm feeding, scared I'll mess up feeding raw. I'm really interested in feeding raw from all the good things and improvement in dogs, just the going at it part... wow. confusion.

-First, what is essential in a dog's nutrition. From 8wks [think BC, so active which agility/frisbee in the future] onwards, and when/how do I change feed for a growing pup? [like vitamins or whatnot that may be needed as he grows and more so at certain point.

-Bones? I've always been told don't feed this type of bone or that type they aren't safe and most information clashes. Is this only more valid when it comes to cooked bones like say from family leftover, or does it apply to none cooked foods as well? Do I leave out the bones or give them to the dog? What about puppies and bones? bones scare me frankly even though I know they are natural.

-Quantity? I have no clue about this at all. I'm assuming I'll have to get a scale and weight everything. I've also heard about people feeding straight from the freezer in the summer time. This might sound dumb, but do I unfreeze everything first like I would before I'd cooked my own food and feed them raw...I've read 2-3% of their body weight, that means about 1.25 lbs for a 50 lbs dog or so? What about in a growing puppy? Do I account the bone mass into the weight equation?

-Variety? Dogs system aren't like ours and i heard change affects them a lot more in food than us, like switching kibbles or going from kibble to raw. So does meat count in this variety, or is meat just meat and you can feed dif types without affecting?

-Veggies? Quantity and how many?

-Can I feed any meat? Fish? Chicken? How about hamburger meat

I'm a student on a student's budget. I'm working part time, and will be switching full time in the summer. My education if covered through my parents/loan so I don't have to worry about that side of things. Is it possible to feed raw on a budget? I mean if I can afford my own meet and veggies shouldn't I be able to afford my dogs?

I live in Newfoundland and all my relatives hunt, moose, patridges, rabbits. Everyone fishes. I could even go home myself and learn to set snares for rabbits and learn some things from my uncle cause we have atleast 20 acres of our own [family] just 45 mins from where I go to school. So hunted meat shouldn't be a problem. But I may also, atleast in the beginning rely on grocery store meat and if I eat it myself I'm assuming it's safe for the dogs...

My biggest questions is this though when I get a pup at 8 weeks old whose been fed kibble how to I start him on this diet. I've heard more good stuff about cold turkey from the kibble and slowly introducing variety, over then weaning him off of kibble and onto the barf diet. Is this the same with a puppy? And what's the best food for a puppy and how long until I add variety, and then veg/fruit puree, and how about eggs?

So many questions and I just don't know where the reliable info is. I can't order a book/dvd online as I don't have a credit card, and our pet/book stores are pretty limited here imo.

Some care to help a lost newbie?

Hello and welcome!!

Try not to get to 'technical' about feeding a raw diet (I know as I made that mistake and made it so complicated....)

BritBarf : A UK List about feeding dogs a raw diet - Barf or whatever - For the experienced, beginners and those who just want info. is a site where I found loads of info on amounts, what ect...

I changed my two cavaliers (one with pancreatitis) over in one go without any problems to mainly chicken at first. The veggies I give to them a couple of times a week minced to a 'smoothie' with some meat as they won't eat it on it's own!

As far as the bones are concerned they are perfect unless they are cooked. That's the golden rule - NO COOKED BONES. It's a bit weird hearing you dog crunching his way though a chicken thigh/wing bone but they enjoy it and they do chew it properly. I had to give our greedy one his frozen to start with to slow him down. Our 'lady' dog eats quite slowly. Haven't noticed any bones in poo so it must be getting digested. Also poos are tiny and hard.

Another sites are:

RawFed.com Home Page

Raw Meaty Bones

Good luck - I personally believe you are doing the kindest best thing for your puppy! The difference in our previously very sick girl is amazing.

Good post and I couldn't agree more with this statement. I drove myself into a right old paddy trying to get it exactly right. I've now adapted and use my own method of feeding, all my dogs are fit and healthy and just as importantly they LOVE their food!! I don't stress over a specfic menu each day and just ensure they get a good combination of meats, bones and veg and fruit (not all Raw feeds give vegs & fruits but mine like them so they can have them).

what about the 80% meat, 10% bone, 10% organ ratio guideline thing? Is this per day, or week? I know it's not strict but i don't understand how it applies.

I feed my dogs twice a day so generally mine get bones twice a week, either in chicken wing form or bones from the butcher. They get tripe twice a week and then the rest of the meals are split between fish (which some raw feeders don't give but mine like it so they get it) minced beef, lamb, turkey (if I can get it) and minced chicken. They also have raw carrots (no nutritional value but they enjoy them) and some mushed vegi's (I mix carrots, parsnips and peas, cook them , liquidise and then re-freeze in bags). Again not all raw feeders give veg. Mine also get apples, melon and whatever fruit I have in, they just get that as and when they show an interest in what I'm having!!

I've recently started giving the rabbit from the local game keeper, he chops them into quarters for me and they eat them whole. That's definately an outside meal!!! He did offer me the crows they've been shooting but I declinded...not sure that they should be eating that!!!!!!!!!

I buy my minced meat from Anglian Meat Products so it comes in easy frozen packets which have all the bones etc minced in with them. The rest of my meat comes from my butcher or the supermarkets (fish is Tesco value).

thanks for all the good info JSR