Raw feeders, where do you buy your meat?

[Mirzam]

I am feeding my Mastiff puppy raw and he eats a lot, around 3lbs plus of meat a day, so I am looking for ideas for cheap but good meats. Unfortunately we don't have a large freezer, so I can't buy large quantities at a time. I do go once a week to a meat supplier for buffalo meat: tongue, heart, kidney, liver and tail, and chicken gizzards, heart, feet, liver but the rest of my meat comes from a natural supermarket. I do get the cheapest meat I can, usually whole chicken (of which he isn't overly fond) and especially if anything is on sale. He is costing quite a bit to feed. I would love to find rabbit and green tripe somewhere, but where would I look locally for such items?

[Alyantavid]

I don't feed raw, yet, but I'd check butcher shops. Especially now that hunting season is starting (if you live in an area with hunters). There's lots of scraps you could get. In our area, there's only one processor who does deer, there's only one that does birds of any kind, so you might have to look or ask around, but that's where I plan to get most of my stuff.

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by Alyantavid

I don't feed raw, yet, but I'd check butcher shops. Especially now that hunting season is starting (if you live in an area with hunters). There's lots of scraps you could get. In our area, there's only one processor who does deer, there's only one that does birds of any kind, so you might have to look or ask around, but that's where I plan to get most of my stuff.

Thanks, I am just going to have to call around. I didn't find anything in our town, but there are several processors within a 30 mile range. When are you planning on starting on raw? I have been feeding our puppy raw for a month, since we got him, and he is doing really well. So let me know if you need some newbie advice!! I was pretty overwhelmed at first, especially with the transition from kibble (runny poo), but things are now going well. I just wish I could get the cost down a bit.

[Alyantavid]

I will need some advice, thank you! Right now I'm trying to get as much information as I can and work on dh. Our vet told him she needs to be on puppy food for at least 18 months so he's adamant that we don't switch her until then. But either way, I want to have it all figured out before I start. Or at least a really good idea.

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by Alyantavid

I will need some advice, thank you! Right now I'm trying to get as much information as I can and work on dh. Our vet told him she needs to be on puppy food for at least 18 months so he's adamant that we don't switch her until then. But either way, I want to have it all figured out before I start. Or at least a really good idea.

From what I have learned about raw feeding, your vet is totally wrong. Have you read the website Jane Anderson's Raw Learning Site, it is by the owner of the rawfeeding yahoo list (very high volume but well worth joining)? It is really interesting reading her rebuttals to various articles written by vets condemning raw food. The bias and misinformation is mind blowing. I also recommend reading the book, Raw Meaty Bones, by Tom Londsdale for the background on the misinformation spouted by vets.

[Alyantavid]

I don't know that the vet would have any problem with raw, I think he was meaning for us to feed puppy food instead of adult dog food. I still haven't convinced him totally on it, but he seems to be whatever about it, just not right now.

I'll check that site!

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by Alyantavid

I don't know that the vet would have any problem with raw, I think he was meaning for us to feed puppy food instead of adult dog food. I still haven't convinced him totally on it, but he seems to be whatever about it, just not right now.

I'll check that site!

I wouldn't be surprised if the vet does have issues with raw food, most are totally ignorant about it; their couple of hours nutrition instruction in vet school is likely to be sponsored by pet food manufacturers. I guess I would want to know why the vet thinks raw food is okay for an adult dog but not for a puppy. FWIW, many feel that puppy food is too high in calcium and fat, especially for large breeds. I realize my dog is a giant breed, but Mastiffs should never be fed puppy food because of potential growth disorders. I understand that puppies fed raw meat and bones grow more slowly than puppies fed kibble and for large dogs this is likely to protect from growth issues.

[Ola_]

Does your pup have any food allergies? If so, I'd probably not look too hard for exotic meats like rabbit and keep that in case you need it later for allergy reasons. How about pork and beef? Especially pork you can get fairly inexpensive pieces at regular grocery stores. And since you're feeding chicken how about turkey? That would be a good way to add some variety to his diet and often around holiday time you can get them on sale.

Can you ask your meat supplier if he knows of anyone that deals with similar things that he does but for beef (i.e. heart, tongue, etc.)? Often those are not in very high demand as far as people food goes. I'd definitely invest in a freezer if you can - either shop for sales or check craigslist and the like. It can be a big money saver if you find a place to buy in bulk.

Other than that I've had good luck at ethnic grocery stores. Around here it's asian ones but check out whatever is common in your area. I frequently find items that you wouldn't see at a normal store and the prices are much better too.

[Mirzam]

Originally Posted by Ola_

Does your pup have any food allergies? If so, I'd probably not look too hard for exotic meats like rabbit and keep that in case you need it later for allergy reasons. How about pork and beef? Especially pork you can get fairly inexpensive pieces at regular grocery stores. And since you're feeding chicken how about turkey? That would be a good way to add some variety to his diet and often around holiday time you can get them on sale.

No food allergies and don't anticipate any. So far he gets pork, chicken, turkey, beef (usually ground with an egg or in his Kong), as well as the buffalo.

Can you ask your meat supplier if he knows of anyone that deals with similar things that he does but for beef (i.e. heart, tongue, liver and kidney etc.)? Often those are not in very high demand as far as people food goes. I'd definitely invest in a freezer if you can - either shop for sales or check craigslist and the like. It can be a big money saver if you find a place to buy in bulk.

The meat supplier is rather high end, he does have Elk, Venison and Beef (pastured), but I haven't seen any of the off cuts/organs, but I will ask if he can get them for me. I would love a large freezer, but I don't see it happening in the near future.



Other than that I've had good luck at ethnic grocery stores. Around here it's asian ones but check out whatever is common in your area. I frequently find items that you wouldn't see at a normal store and the prices are much better too.

I will check out the Asian stores thanks for the idea.

[Alyantavid]

Originally Posted by Mirzam

I wouldn't be surprised if the vet does have issues with raw food, most are totally ignorant about it; their couple of hours nutrition instruction in vet school is likely to be sponsored by pet food manufacturers. I guess I would want to know why the vet thinks raw food is okay for an adult dog but not for a puppy. FWIW, many feel that puppy food is too high in calcium and fat, especially for large breeds. I realize my dog is a giant breed, but Mastiffs should never be fed puppy food because of potential growth disorders. I understand that puppies fed raw meat and bones grow more slowly than puppies fed kibble and for large dogs this is likely to protect from growth issues.

The vet has never mentioned raw. As far as I know, dh has never talked to him about raw. He recommends that we feed her dry puppy food until 18ish months instead of switching her to an adult formula. Dh isn't excited about raw so he hasn't discussed it with the vet. I haven't seen him recently and don't think it warrants a call at this point. I really have no idea what his views are on raw feeding, but if I had to guess, I don't think he'd have any problem with it.

[Arduinna]

Originally Posted by Alyantavid

I will need some advice, thank you! Right now I'm trying to get as much information as I can and work on dh. Our vet told him she needs to be on puppy food for at least 18 months so he's adamant that we don't switch her until then. But either way, I want to have it all figured out before I start. Or at least a really good idea.

Ask your vet and your dh for that matter what dogs ate prior to processed packaged dog food becoming available?

I'm astounded at some of the things vets will say.

We buy meat where ever we can, butcher shop, grocery store ect.

[Alyantavid]

Originally Posted by Arduinna

Ask your vet and your dh for that matter what dogs ate prior to processed packaged dog food becoming available?

I'm astounded at some of the things vets will say.

We buy meat where ever we can, butcher shop, grocery store ect.

Oh my gosh. I'm really regretting posting in this thread at all.

To sum up what I've been saying in every post: my dh isn't excited about raw feeding simply because he doesn't know anything about it. The vet hasn't said a word against raw feeding, he recommends we don't switch her to dry adult dog food earlier than 18 months. No one has said 1 word against me feeding her raw, at this point, we are choosing to feed her a puppy food.

Ok?

[greenmulberry]

I buy food from grocery stores, meat packing plants, and online retailers like mypetcarnivore.com. Walmart, if you "do" WalMart, has ten pound bags of chicken leg quarters, for 5.90, here they have no added solutions or broths!

Meat packing plants/processors are the cheapest! They are also abundant here in Iowa.

PS, feed your dog whatever you are comfortable with, if you feel better feeding puppy food now and he is doing well on it, that is what you should do.