1/2 raw 1/2 kibble

[BullyLady]

I know there are a few people here who feed half and half, and I have a question.
I switched Shelby off raw in July (I couldn't do the meat packaging anymore!) and
she has been horribly unhealthy since. She has diarrhea all the time, she keeps
getting ear yeast infections and belly staph infections, she has lost alot of muscle
mass, etc... etc.... I was considering feeding her kibble in the morning and raw at
night, but I have questions.....

If I do this can I ignore organ feeding? Meaning, do they get all vitamins and nutrients
that the organs would normally provide from the half ration kibble they are eating?

Does anyone think that this will help cut down on her obvious food allergy problems?

[3 PITS and a PEI]

While I have no scientific basis.......

I do feed kibble one meal and raw one meal sometimes at the same meal.

I try to feed organs also, I also throw in a multi vit a few times a week and extra fish oils.

Basically I feed what I have on hand that day and portion organ and meats except by half.

Liberty who had horrible allergic rashes doesn't get them any more, and everyone is very
healthy. The vet usually remarks on how good their bloodwork looks.

[esprinter]

Have you tried a lot of different high quality kibbles and ruled out the possibility of it simply being a matter of needing to find a better kibble??

[OrsonDogge]

i've always heard from those who do this that its still the same raw diet just feed 1/2 of what the dog would get on 100% raw, so if they get 20 oz. a day then give 10oz, same with the kibble, just cut portion in half. But you still have to do regular raw diet (organs, bones, meat).

ugg, you will still have to deal with meat bagging. is there no way to convince hubby to do that for you?? if it's best for Shelby, he should be willing. But i know how stubborn hubbys can be.

[BullyLady]

Originally Posted by OrsonDogge

ugg, you will still have to deal with meat bagging. is there no way to convince hubby to do that for you?? if it's best for Shelby, he should be willing. But i know how stubborn hubbys can be.

Absolutely no way.... He works 50 hours a week and is taking 15 credits
at school. He insists he just can't work the time in for it. My mom offered
to bag food, but I don't want her have to do too very much, so I though if
I just had eric throw her a bagged chicken quarter at night that might work.

And yea.... esprinter, we have tried different kibbles. She is on a very high
quality one as it is.

Oh, and Sara, do you mean I would have to feed half the amount of organs as well?

[OrsonDogge]

yeah, just cut your old raw diet in half. i know organs are prolly really bad for you to do. too bad pre made is so expensive cause you could just do that at nite instead of bagged raw.

[esprinter]

[quote="BullyLady"]

Originally Posted by OrsonDogge

And yea.... esprinter, we have tried different kibbles. She is on a very high
quality one as it is.

I thought you most likely have. But it never hurts to start out by asking the obvious.

[BullyLady]

Originally Posted by esprinter

I thought you most likely have. But it never hurts to start out by asking the obvious.

Totally understandable! As a matter of fact I am considering trying one more
kibble, the Kirkland's lamb and rice. Based on the ingredients I consider it a step
down as far as kibble quality but I have heard alot of people whose dogs have
allergies / belly problems have good luck on it. I don't know, I haven't decided!

[paulnzeus]

I would shoot off an email to Nature's Variety as they are the only company I can think of that has both a kibble and raw diet. They also have a feeding guide that may be useful:
http://www.naturesvariety.com/feedguide

[Bella Girl]

Kirkland cleared up Bellas yeastyness. When i switch to Merrick it came back slightly on her belly.