Lesley Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Thanks again Jayne - I'm stuck into reading the book at the moment - and horrified about what I'm feeding our puppy using a 'decent' dried food I'll contact the butcher we were using and see what they have - and I know what to do with chicken wings now - chop them off before cooking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I'm going to do that too and give them to the cats. Milly goes mad for raw anything, so she should eat them. There's never enough meat on them anyway to warrant leaving them on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted July 31, 2006 Author Share Posted July 31, 2006 Yes Lesley my investigations for BHWT caused me real concern. I suddenly realised things weren't quite as they appeared. Bbx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I'm not sure that I can afford to switch over to a new diet though - I can only just afford meat for us, let alone the puss cats too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I realise it's not organic and definately animal feed not human, but you can buy frozen minced meat at Pets at Home, about 60p for a 400g block. They do beef, chicken, lamb, rabbit, tripe, fish, and a few mixes, no pork. It says it is just raw minced meat and may contain small peices of bone. As I said not what I'd serve the kids but given the cats eat mice etc I feed my cats with some of the varieties, mixed with soaked oatbran and grated veggies. Seems to work fine for them. When I wil the lottery, which I don't do, then they can have organic rabbit/chicken etc till then this works out okay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted July 31, 2006 Author Share Posted July 31, 2006 I'm not sure that I can afford to switch over to a new diet though - I can only just afford meat for us, let alone the puss cats too No pressure Clare you do a great job cats wouldn't need much so a deal with a local butcher could end up cheaper. beef and lamb are less of a problem but a good local source of chicken is a good idea (traceable rather an organic is fine) as they have the most antibiotics etc. tripe (green) is a great cheap staple. We've decided to go the organic routeand cut back elsewhere if need be. We haven't got children so that makes a difference. Burns is better than most dried foods. Meat and animal derivatives are questionable in many foods and dogs don't need carbs so the cereals and rice are actually a cheap filler. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Our local butcher is ok, but I don't buy my meat there because it's not traceable and they look at you like you're mad when you ask about organic or freerange I might try asking one of the farmers at the market next time I go though - they must have 'oddments'. But then there's the question of storage My freezer is tiny. Much as I'd like to change, I think I'll stick to their current diet with treats of raw chicken when I can get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted July 31, 2006 Author Share Posted July 31, 2006 That's fine Clare, my mum and dad have done that for Dora. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 Have been reading this with interest: Feel horribly guilty that we feed our two doggies dried food: Simply can't bear the thought of bones being mauled and all the dribble around the place and not an inch of space to spare in my freezer. They do love vegetables and fruit though! Anyway, have investigated Jool's allusion to "Burns pet food" and am very impressed: Its all free range, with no additives, colours etc. the website is http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk . I have ordered my first large bag of doggy food today and its free delivery within 2-3 working days! Great! Thanks Jools! Will report on what my two think once it arrives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 The manager of the petstore where we bought the Burns Puppy food says that if your dog doesn't seem to like it, then just moisten the dry food with water. Jazz just woofs hers down but I'm still reading the book on bones and raw food - I can't change her over until I've read what to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 Is she getting bigger Lesley? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxhen Posted August 2, 2006 Share Posted August 2, 2006 The manager of the petstore where we bought the Burns Puppy food says that if your dog doesn't seem to like it, then just moisten the dry food with water. Jazz just woofs hers down but I'm still reading the book on bones and raw food - I can't change her over until I've read what to do. Hi Lesley You are right to be careful and read everything first. Change gradually too - but don;t mix dry with raw. Have one meal dry at start of day and the other in evening raw and move across gradually that way. To be honest that is where I ended up staying (one dry, one raw) but that's just me! One of the things I found strange was the idea of balancing nutritional needs over a 3 week period for the dogs. Burns IS really good quality meanwhile - your wee hound won;t be coming to any harm on it. Mine love it at breakfast (and their raw meal!) But (I can;t remember who wrote this somewhere on this thread) definitely carbs like cereal and rice are fillers in dry feed. Dogs get their energy from fats. Though like us they can suffer from cholestrol and associated high fat diet deseases and conditions.......So balance is very important. There has been a bit of debate on this on an agility forum. Dog nutrition is not the same as for humans in some ways and yet is very similar in others. Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 Thanks Helen. My auntie sent me one book and I'd ordered one from Amazon, I want to read them both and assess what I want to do. I have a feeling I will be doing the same as you! Mornings are a bit hectic, with all the animals to feed. Yes Clare, Jazz is getting bigger. We didn't notice but suddenly she didn't fit through the safety gate we put across the kitchen door Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted August 3, 2006 Author Share Posted August 3, 2006 I bet jazz is growing and on burns it's not too high in protein so protects the joints. Helen I think I mentioned the carbs and I was amazed to learn they didn't need the 'fillers'. I am finding the feeding vey easy. Just cook a bit extra veg and I hope I am getting it right, I am working on the basis of understanding a balanced diet. Must get daisie some meat out for tonight BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxhen Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 Have you thought about herbs? A good way to give minerals and other trace nutrients. I use 'Keepers Mix' and 'Easigreens' (very useful!) form Dorwest Herbs www.dorwest.com Very high quality supplements and a big pot lasts a good while! The company are based in West Dorset and actively support BARF principles. Don;t forget they can also have fish - pilchards, sardines, salmon and tuna all go down well - as long as it is not everyday. Nuts and seeds - if ground up -can be mixed in. Must get daisie some meat out for tonight Sometimes it slips my mind and their supper mince and bones are still in the freezer long after they should be - I have to explain that they are going to have to wait an incy-wincy bit longer for their supper - and scuttle off to avoid the accusing stares They can have frozen bones i read somewhere but I have never wanted to try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted August 3, 2006 Author Share Posted August 3, 2006 Yes helen thnaks for that. I am giving chlorella at the moment and will look at the link. I do give them all fish. Tuna is the kitties favourite. I also give porridge, soaked, to daisie and probiotics occasionally. I make her biscuits. Actually just finished my 'work' for clients so I may go and start them now. It's a really interesting subject this. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxhen Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 It certainly is! My lot seem to enjoy the Yeo valley full fat live natural yoghurt! Er in fact we all - human, dog and chook - are rather partial to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted August 3, 2006 Author Share Posted August 3, 2006 Yep we are too! Just looked at site really good. Now I am going to get out the meat and make those biccies BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 It certainly is! My lot seem to enjoy the Yeo valley full fat live natural yoghurt! Er in fact we all - human, dog and chook - are rather partial to it! I've been giving Migsy tuna + Yeo Valley once a week, as a supplement to her new-style mash, to help build her up - been a bit paranoid after I saw how thin Morag was when she died Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted August 3, 2006 Author Share Posted August 3, 2006 Might give Charlie some later when I make a tuna pasta bake, she needs all the energy she can get while she is moulting. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted August 3, 2006 Author Share Posted August 3, 2006 Any idea where I can get a cheapish cleaver from . I want something to hack through bones Not eating meat I just don't have anything. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 An axe from a DIY store? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted August 3, 2006 Author Share Posted August 3, 2006 I may frighten the neighbours ...will look like something from the shining. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 Any idea where I can get a cheapish cleaver from . I want something to hack through bones Not eating meat I just don't have anything. BBx Buffie do you have a chinese quarter near to you? You can get really good machettes from the ones near me. I presume you are coming to the Omlet do so if you want me to bring one just let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 Machetes? Blimey!: note to self: "Don't cross Buff or Emma at the Omlet do" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
