Help - Barf?

Hi,

I am just about to get my new puppy this week and want to have a go at feeding raw. I have been reading a lot of your topics and am totally confused. My puppy is 16 weeks old, can you tell me if I feed meat chunks mixed with offal, or feed separately? Or feed meat chunks one meal and offal for another meal. Should he have meat chunks one day and offal another day? Also would chicken/turkey necks be suitable for his age.

Thanks

Panther

Hiya and welcome from me and Moo

I don't feed raw but there are plenty here that do and can help. Xx

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I don't feed raw, meat disgusts me (im a veg lol) and bird necks....oh barf.

Good luck though, i'm sure youll get some good answers here. Hope you enjoy your pup i can't wait to see pics!

Lol Hayley, I won't post any video of Monte inhaling flesh...

I actually use a modified prey model instead of the barf version. It is mostly raw meaty bones. You can certainly start with necks, but you will need to make sure that they get enough meat as that part tends to be a bit low on meat intake. You can also do wings and leg quarters. A puppy under 4 months is pretty good at self regulating but you should expect to feed 2-3 times a day similar to your meals and try not to do it within 1 hr of exercise. Offal is not supposed to be a huge % of the diet no more than 10% and liver should be about half that (start slowly and you will know if you get too much in there - gas and other bad things will happen - poo). Watch out that you don't give too much at once ( the runs can happen ) and spread it out for best results. Target 2-3% of adult weight for the pup. Frozen necks can be good for teething too.

To give you an idea of what it progresses to: I feed Monte about 1 chicken quarter (it is a very good mix of meat and bones and skin/fat) with offal spread throughout the week in small doses (it is more for the vitamins etc than actual full meal). I throw in small pieces of raw sardine occasionally as a treat. He also likes chicken feet, beef feet, beef heart, turkey, etc. I do give him some freeze dried roughage mixture (carrots, apples, alfalfa, and other goodies) a few times a week as it seems to keep him from getting backed up and he really likes it but I have to do it in very small amounts.

This may need to be adjusted if Caryll sees anything wrong with what I have suggested. Each dog is a little different so you have to keep an eye on it. Also, be aware that not all dogs will take to the raw model. Mine thrives on it, but some here have had bad experiences with it. Most important is that you find what works best for you and your dog and go with it.

Welcome to the forum!

hello and welcome

Welcome to the forum!

Can't add anything to Ben's post!

We feed BARF here too and we all love it lol! We converted when Milo was about 5 1/2 months old I think it was and he's fast approaching a year. We feed chicken wings, legs and quarters with added fruit and veg extra's depending on we're eating! We also use our local butchers who is great and offers us more variety on the meaty bones front, lamb necks, spines, ribs and we occasionally get raw tripe but it's smell is revolting even straight from defrosting and uncooked!! Offal in the form of hearts, livers, kidneys etc is offered here and there with less chicken than normal and that's that.

We personally found too much protein made him hyper-we bought the frozen beef chunks and minces to try, never again! Good luck experimenting and enjoy your new pup