Raw Diet for Large Breed Dogs Starter Guide - Top 10 Tips + BONUS [Raw Dog Food PREP & FEED With Me]

If you are interested in transitioning your large or giant breed dog to a raw food diet and need some help getting started, this is the video for you.
In this video, I share my top 10 tips for successful raw feeding for large breed dogs. I answer some of the most common questions I get such as, "Can dogs eat bones?" and "How do I balance a raw diet for dogs?"
I walk you through how I weigh out my Mastiffs' meat, bones, and organs and share with you some sample meal plans - what goes into a balanced raw meal for dogs and how to put it all together.
Lastly, I share with you my top tips for which supplements I recommend, what tools you will need to get started, and how to prevent bacterial infection when handling raw dog food.
➡️ Full Blog Post: Balance, Bones, & Barf, OH MY! Raw Diet for Dogs Made Simple [10 Tips]
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➡️ Homemade Dog Food: Is Balance Possible (or a Pipe Dream)?
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➡️Organic Sea Kelp for Dogs: An Immune System Booster (That Works!)
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➡️ Feeding Giant Breed Puppies for Dummies - The Protein Myth & More
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ADDITIONAL RAW FEEDING VIDEOS:
▶️ Raw Food Diet For Dogs | 5 Undeniable Truths "Experts" Won't Tell You | Raw Dog Food For BEGINNERS
• Raw Food Diet For Dogs...
▶️ Raw Food Diet for Dogs | Starter Guide for Beginners [ LARGE DOGS]
• Raw Food Diet for Dogs...
▶️ Organic Sea Kelp for Dogs: An Immune System Booster (That Works!)
• Organic Sea Kelp for D...
🗺️ FIND A LOCAL RAW DOG FOOD CO-OP NEAR YOU
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✅ SEA KELP: Raw Paws Organic Sea Kelp: shrsl.com/31h4c
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✅ Food SCALE: amzn.to/2SKm5s1
✅ Meat Grinder by STX (as recommended by other raw feeders): amzn.to/3qirF0J
✅ Wipes: amzn.to/3qo7O0s
✅ Apple Cider Vinegar: amzn.to/3xAmT12
ALTERNATIVES TO HOMEMADE RAW DIET:
🔹Raw Paws Pet Food: shrsl.com/31h55
🔹Darwin's Pet Food: shrsl.com/31h59
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🔹Dr. Harvey's: amzn.to/3wOhNhZ
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[@SawBladeXDX]

that what always confused me, people saying it bad to feed raw because of getting sick. but I prep raw meat for me to cook all the time and don't get sick. so I don't see a difference. just founds your videos. very insightful.

[@redsgarden5821]

i have a rotti and i looked up how long they live and it made me cry I don't want to lose my friend anytime soon so I decided to put him on raw food.... great video

[@BigDogMom]

Oh gosh, I hear you. These big dogs don't live near long enough. A natural, species-appropriate diet will help, I believe, but sadly, the reality is a shorter life than our smaller dog companions. 😞

[@redsgarden5821]

@@BigDogMom so true this is why I'm going to give him the best life possible

[@MayAlejaK]

I don't have a large breed dog, heck! I don't even have a dog but this video is so informative I'm using many of the tips on transitioning my cats to a raw diet.

[@BigDogMom]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you!

[@Carlie_flower]

Just remember cats are obligatory carnivores and can't process veg and fruit the way dogs do 😁

[@veeDubbinit2]

Tuna. My cats eat about 3 cans of Costco tuna daily, plus whatever mice they catch. Healthy as could be and easy. Don’t need to get crazy. No veggies for animals FFS 😂

[@ABCdogtraining802]

@@veeDubbinit2 small amounts of steamed, lightly cooked safe veggies are vital for a dog, packed with nutrients/anti's our dogs need and require for optimal overall health....veggies/herbs/roots are in the stomachs of K9 prey animals and they have consumed them for 1 million years. Add a bit of safe veggies, gently boil for a few minutes to give 90-99% biaovailability and break down the exterior layer....facts.

[@Thedailydog]

​@@Carlie_flowerraw is excellent

[@marthasanchez4711]

I have a large dog and mainly adding raw to her kibble. I’m looking to switch her to fully raw diet and your videos are extremely helpful!! Can you do a video on how to calculate the dietary intake? On your previous video - it went too fast for me!

[@pittie9friendz]

I really like that u explained the stool difference. I have two large dogs and we had them on raw for a few weeks but it started to get expensive so we couldn't do it. But now I realized that I was feeding them more calcium than needed. Im trying to see if I can start raw again or at least one of their meals

[@aprilr4228]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge. I was wondering if you had any recommendations for other raw food apps. It seems as though then you use is no longer available. =( Thanks again for your time.

[@davidpaul3821]

Example of our Newfoundland dogs all raw breakfast; Duck neck. Kangaroo meat. Green lamb tripe. Sardines for Omega 3 fatty acids. Lamb offal blend of lung, liver kidney, spleen with some heart added for CO Q 10, taurine & zinc. Raw pastured egg with shell. Grass fed water Buffalo keffir for the gut mirobiome. Bone broth with apple cider vinegar, turmeric & ginger. Depending on what I have, I do a mixture of different organic ingredients like, cranberries, blueberries green beans, zucchini, carrots, kale, celery, spinach, Broccoli, butternut squash, pumpkin, sprouted chia seeds, coconut oil, cilantro, parsley, shitake & maitake mushrooms, Atlantic sea kelp, Hawaiian spirulina etc. Main protein source (muscle meat) is changed every meal between Kangaroo, Venison, Beaver, Bison, Elk, Quail, rabbit, beef, lamb, goat, duck, pork and pheasant. Offal source is changed every meal as well. Wild caught, sardines, mackeral or salmon with most meals for Omega 3's. I avoid chicken and turkey for Cooper as it causes his skin to break out a little bit. I alternate goat, sheep and water Buffalo keffir. Raw meaty bones like Duck, lamb, beef & pork necks, Kangaroo tails, Beaver tails, briskets duck feet etc.

[@BigDogMom]

Wow!! You do what I do - change things up often based on what I have on hand. I'm impressed with the sheer variety of protein sources you have access to: kangaroo, beaver, buffalo... Do you follow an app or calculator for weighing out everything?

[@davidpaul3821]

@BigDogMom I've been raw feeding for about 20 years now, so there has been a lot of trial and error. I just use percentages of body weight and a scale, no apps. 21 years ago, I bought a book by Kymythy R. Schultze called Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats The Ultimate Diet, and that got me started. Every dog is different. With my male, I find that 2% of his body weight split up into 2 meals works to keep him at a healthy weight of 140 to 145 lbs. My female has had a little trouble with her weight since her spay at 3 years old, so she only gets 1.5 % of her body weight. Going forward with females, I would only do an ovary sparing spay, but that's another topic. Like you, I just monitor their stool and adjust the bone content accordingly, and make sure they are getting 10 to 15 % offal with every meal. I am fortunate to have an amazing source of raw food within a 1 hour drive of my house. They are a raw pet food specific store where you can purchase by the pound. They carry just about every protein, offal, raw meaty bone, and natural supplement source you can think of. I have a huge chest freezer and top the contents up about every 6 weeks. These days, there is a lot of great information online from people like yourself, Perfectly Rawsome etc.

[@TwoPartyIllusion]

It's been about 15 years since I've fed raw... LOLI forgot how much there is to it! It's crazy to think my kids were never fed as healthy as my pets... I'm transitioning a 2 yearold BRT with allergies.

[@deem.4527]

Getting a German Shepherd in 8 weeks! This was so helpful

[@SuaveCityGear]

BEST VIDEO EVER ON RAW DIET🙌🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@BigDogMom]

Aww, thank you so much!!

[@praveenarokiyaraj7057]

How many day's we need to freeze the meat before feeding...

[@Global6500Driver]

Sulley is one of my favorite Mastiff's. Jun is cool too but love swimming Sulley and his look. Such a character

[@BigDogMom]

Aww, thank you! Poor Sulley doesn't get as much air time since he doesn't has as many issues. Haha! But he's an absolute character!

[@Shananana99]

Thank you so much! great info. Tip 10 was best. I am kinda new so I always tell myself it will all come together eventually. I do my best. My Mastiff pups daily raw intake is so high right now. Plus I have another adult dog. Im having to also use a bit of kibble. Due to cost But way less. He’s doing great, seems to have cooled him down. No more big stinky poops. And I just realized hes not chugging water consistently like he was on straight kibble. I was refilling his water bowl several times a day.

[@BigDogMom]

Yes, these are all things that are common when switching from kibble to a raw diet. Great job! Thank you. I just published this as well which may help as you progress on your raw feeding journey: bigdogmom.com/raw-food-diet-for-dogs-transition/

[@Magickfae]

Very grateful to find this info. I have 4 month old Bull Mastiff and just transitioned him today. Had conflicting information but your video has helped so much.. especially for large breeds. Thank you

[@RealDogBox]

Fantastic Video!!! Fellow giant breed owner here and love all the information you shared.

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you so much!!! ❤️

[@karlagutierrez5141]

Thank you so much. I learn a whole lot as a new boxer puppy. Thank you for all tips and supplements.

[@BigDogMom]

Wonderful! Congratulations on your new puppy! Boxers are adorable!!

[@karlagutierrez5141]

@@BigDogMom yes they are!

[@marvona3531]

Thanks for sharing - great information👍🌺👍🌺👍🌺 My 3 big Old German Shepherds are fed raw too👍🌺👍

[@BigDogMom]

Fantastic! I adore German Shepherds.. Keep up the great work!

[@user-bp2sl4ik6s]

Thank you I love the information you give. I'm in UK with a Bull Mastiff female two years old. I feed raw and have found a company which supplies meat in chunks which she loves I found that texture was all important and the heavily minced almost pate style foods she disliked. I do also use freeze dried raw in the morning after her walk and full raw for her second meal. Do you think supplementation should also be used? Many thanks you have given me a lot of confidence and help. Kevin

[@skunkape9357]

My co op has pre ground and mixed with 10% bone, 10% organ meat and 80% protein meat. In nice clean 1 or 5 lb🎉 packages.

[@vivianvo7014]

Thanks for all your tips, I like to learn about raw feeding for our new puppy, Doberman, and so happy come across your channel :)

[@Scarlet_Starlet]

Great info!

[@Being_Joe]

Good overview. I transitioned my dog to RAW diet years ago and he loves it. I will say make sure you get chicken cutr with pleanty of bone unless you want to clean up dog pood from your floor, they need that calcium. If you are starting with a puppy break it down with a hammer if you need to as they will need extra calcium and may have a hard time chewing bone. A bag of chicken quarters is cheap at walmart (10lbs). I butcher up the quarters and break them up into portions that go into the freezer. It is actually cheaper to feed my dog raw than to buy kibble.

[@sophiabaroudos5858]

This was the most informative video to date! Thank you!!!

[@trinisuprazee]

look forward to these every week! very informative

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you so much!!! I am trying hard to stay on a schedule. :)

[@mouhitorinoboku9655]

we feed both of ours in separate rooms in crates because they are both food aggressive guarding breed mixes, we've had to learn very quickly because they are our first dogs.

[@alicementreau2764]

I'm french so I apologize in advance for my english. I would like to say thank you, too much videos talking about Raw Diet when it's actually talking about vegetables and cooked meat. I don't put as much complements in my dog's food but everything you said is great for the people who'll see your video. Maybe you could talk how to organize for a week or a month. I prepare 30 meals in advance which I put then in a freezer. It's easier then to not buy too much food which will turn bad or not enough food and then have to run to the supermarket

[@blaschalas]

Thank you

[@BigDogMom]

You're welcome!

[@tamiatwork8148]

Cost way is the grinder!! I don’t have a meat co op so I have to grind to keep costs down. I have had 2 others and this is best. I meal prep 2 weeks at a time.

[@sarahb3989]

So many people I see feeding raw feed outside. I have a large dog in an apartment without private outdoor space. Would to hear more about making indoor feeding accessible

[@user-po5fs6vf8w]

Where do you get all the different ingredient? Like the tripe and the bag of frozen sardines?

[@user-po5fs6vf8w]

Great video. What would you give to a dog with cushings disease. I'm feeding a raw dinner at nite and 1cup kibble in the morning. All raw for 2nd meal.She is 65 lb and 11 yrs old. Thanks

[@uwu7164]

I dont own a dog or cat or but I'd like to own a big dog in the future maybe in the next few years but still love your videos!

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you so much!

[@RESTESSMYSTIC]

Great video thanx 4 sharing. Very handsome dogs. What do you think about rice and Carbs?

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you so much! Well, I don't feed much of either when I'm feeding raw. I do try to include some fruits and vegetables for prebiotics, but I don't calculate those into their diet necessarily. Rice I rarely feed unless we just happen to have some leftover from dinner and I give a scoop to the dogs in their food. My boys rarely have diarrhea, but that would be one time when I would feed rice and pumpkin after fasting them to help with GI upset.

[@alejandra4me]

New to your channel!! I looked for the app and it does not come up…. Do you know if it’s changed? Thank you 😊

[@MaximillianandRubyGrace]

Starting this again after giving up! My 15 month old newf.. here we go. I thank you for doing this for the giant breeds!

[@BigDogMom]

You can totally do this! Best of luck! Keep me posted on your progress. 😊

[@MaximillianandRubyGrace]

@@BigDogMom btw what are your feeding times? Do you ever sway or feed them once a day?

[@MaximillianandRubyGrace]

@@BigDogMom well I’m still searing his food.. I’m totally enabling! And gave in to his bone addiction. Rock poops!😑 This big dog mom gotta be stronger 😬

[@MaximillianandRubyGrace]

I’m on a full week and here we go again. Freezing and or searing meat.. he’s being a pain. All he ate yesterday was 4 ribs, 2 eggs(frozen) and some coconut oil. He just ate one chicken back and maybe 1lb of seared meat. He never gets to the 4lbs! No matter how long I make him wait

[@Magickfae]

My question- if your still taking them ! Lol is for large breed puppies .. I hear that EVERY meal needs to be balanced and I am just so afraid of this period of time rather than feeding a dog raw as an adult

[@lindseyjackson8381]

The app on here I can’t find, is there another you recommend

[@TJsHealthyShorts]

In your opinion would it be wise to feed your dog 1 type of protein every day such as ground beef? Ground beef is the most nutrient dense proteins I believe..

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you so much for the great question! Just to clarify, do you mean feed your dog just one protein every day for many days instead of feeding multiple proteins? No, I would not recommend this. I agree that beef is wonderful for dogs, but I wouldn't just feed that. While as a single source of protein beef is better than, say chicken in terms of overall nutrition, I don't like to limit my dogs to just one protein for a few reasons: 1. Nutrition - I believe several sources of protein provide the most well-rounded foundation for a raw fed dog. 2. Cost - beef is a bit more expensive than other protein sources, so I like to mix in other sources to keep my overall raw food budget in line, and 3. Sourcing can be limited for certain items that are essential for a balanced diet. Now, if you are feeding beef for a couple weeks, then switching to turkey, then to pork, and so on... I suppose that could work as you strive toward a balance over time approach. But I still think it's better to have a mixture of different protein sources to the best of your ability. Does that answer your question?

[@Nikki92307]

Great info, thanks! We had a deal with a local processing facility. They would bag up the bone "saw dust" from under their saw blade and sell it to us at a ridiculously low fee. They normally toss that out. Ask your local butcher shop or game processor about it if you are unsure about whole bones for your dog. Best of luck!

[@shanecynova2424]

Where can you get bone? My dog is allergic to everything other than Venison, Chicken & turkey.

[@BigDogMom]

Are you asking about raw meaty bone or something like ground bone or bone meal? Let me know and I'm happy to provide some tips and links.

[@elenadejesus7489]

Loved your video.

[@naturessunshineindependent9580]

What app are you using now? They say the one you suggested is no longer available.

[@BigDogMom]

I actually did a full review of several raw feeding apps in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJXQhqSal7KWh6Mfeature=shared

[@derekhall378]

Can I ask you what you do when your dog gets tired of their raw food? I burnt my dog out in about 6 months 😢 I am now cooking everything and it's work. TIA

[@BigDogMom]

This is a great question. Honestly, I just keep the rotation of different ingredients coming and going each month. Most meals are different from day to day, as I add different things I have on hand. So one day I may add a handful of blueberries, the next a scoop of coconut oil, the next some pumpkin, etc. They don't get sardines every day, so when I serve those, that's a fun surprise. I just try to mix it up. My boys aren't too picky with raw food, so I haven't had any issues. I hope this helps. I would definitely not start cooking for my dogs as that is a TON of work. Maybe try some of these suggestions. Depending on the age of your dog, you may also try to move to one meal a day versus two. That way they are being fed in a more fasted state. Don't do this with a puppy, but if you have a healthy adult dog, this may help as well.

[@carolbierman2910]

When you get a chance will you tell us where you get your frozen sardines ? Also with your full grown mastiffs, how many times per day do you feed them? Thank you for sharing.

[@BigDogMom]

Absolutely! I get my frozen sardines through my raw food co-op. In the two places we've lived, I've been able to get them, so my guess is sardines are pretty easily accessible. I prefer to buy them whole and keep them frozen for feeding. I tried in the beginning to feed other types of fish as well as thawed out sardines, and my dogs didn't want anything to do with them. The frozen sardines, though, are a delicacy to them. 🤷‍♀️ I feed Junior and Sulley twice a day most days. About twice per week I will fast them - once for the whole day and another time we will do just one meal. I determine the fasting based on my schedule. I have found with raw feeding keeping their guts guessing is better than sticking to a very regular schedule. If you'd like me to expand more on that, I can make a video about fasting and why I do that. Let me know. :)

[@carolbierman2910]

@@BigDogMom thank you so much for the information. Im going to try the frozen sardines. Max loves fish.. so funny because our last doggie (mastidane), didn't like fish at all. Only if you get extra time to do a video on fasting, that would be awesome. But no pressure. Life is busy. On your recent video you mentioned skipping a meal, or not always feed on schedule so that as an animal can have anticipation of when their next meal might be. Perfectly true, after all they are animals. Recently instead of feeding always right on time,, if Max is sleeping or just not showing interest in eating right then, I will wait awhile. He's going to let me know when he's hungry. He'll walk up to me nose to nose, with that look in his eyes, head cocked sideways hanging onto every word, when I ask, " you want some dinner?" We had a great 1 yr check up last week and the vet says his weight is perfect. Was happy to hear that. Although vet says he's not done growing according to his growth chart over the past year, I personally think he's going to take after his mom, which is smaller and that's perfectly fine. Oops didn't mean to get carried away 😬 I can talk about my pup for hours. I love him so much. Thank you again. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience & knowledge, with your big boys. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Know you are really busy with kiddos homeschooling. 🐕 take care.

[@yolandacates6232]

@@BigDogMom Please make that video on the fasting and schedule

[@JohnTheOne-nd7vn]

I did not see that app in the store. Is there a suitable replacement?

[@shanecynova2424]

My wife & I have 2 English mastiff 1 is 3 &.the other is 2. They have never really been big eaters, which has been a concern for us. Lately, they both have even started eating less. Can you please help me get my boys looking as healthy as your pups?

[@BigDogMom]

You are so sweet... both of my boys could stand to lose a few lbs. We are working on that. That said, a raw diet will definitely help! One thing you often notice beyond a healthier coat is better muscular development and tone. Similar to human diets, when we get enough protein our bodies respond by increasing our muscle mass (when combined with exercise of course). Protein is absolutely critical for so many of our body processes and it's often overlooked, unfortunately even for our dogs. My recommendation would be to consider moving to a whole raw or commercial raw diet (not raw kibble... that's not raw). Start there and see what happens. From there you can always tweak the diet and add supplements that can also help, but I would start with the diet. Check my feeding playlist for my other raw videos - several of them walk you through the process step-by-step. Let me know if I can help further! Best of luck!

[@jourdonleymon3361]

Where do you source the beef? And how much do you pay per month to feed these dogs? Close to $1000 a month?

[@timothywright4562]

I missed the app you stated you used???

[@BigDogMom]

Well, when I did this video I was using Raw Pet, but it's unavailable now unfortunately. I did a subsequent video here (kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJXQhqSal7KWh6M) to review the other options on the market. I hope this helps!

[@ItzK.K.J]

I'm getting a dog so it will just have raw food for its life so when I have one should i feed raw as soon as I get it

[@petesims]

Wow loving how the wild dog to pet dog diet has changed so drastically.🤣

[@vincentr2381]

Analysis paralysis. 3% of body weight per day. Meats have to have some bone, add a good multi, fish oil, and you should be fine.

[@BigDogMom]

I agree generally with this, however 3% for most dogs will be too much. I feed closer to 1.5%-2.0% for my boys, but they are fairly sedentary adults. Age will factor in as well with how much you feed.

[@mariacallas9962]

Hi,dummy writing from Germany here…how do you dispatch,unfroze on weekly basis? Gat an industrial circular saw or something to cut into bags of the kilos of meat? Thks for your time and clarity.take care.

[@melaniesunshine1951]

I adopted a 7 year old pit. She has no back teeth, only front teeth. And her fur is a bit thin. I have been considering this raw food for her. I'd definitely need a grinder or powdered bones.

[@Thedailydog]

Hi

[@samples3030]

What app are you using now since Raw Pet isn't out there?

[@raymondsimentel2166]

Hi Big dog mom, there’s a product that number #1 in sanitation for animals, it’s actually what kennels and people in use at home, it’s so good it’s recommended by kennel inspectors for the renewal of licensing. It’s called WASI WASH, you can get get this at the higher end pet supplies on line. It’s a simple wash sprayer that attached to garden hose, you unscrew capsule holder insert capsule, and spray down all areas, safe for pets, grass, flower beds, etc, the sanitizing even kills bacteria causing parvoviruses, it disinfects all surfaces, this would be perfect for anyone feeding raw diets outside, it’ll disinfect everything, no germs deep in concrete, grass, etc Best of all it’s so effective at sanitizing, no flies or bugs of any kind attractive to ares of raw feeds, or where dogs use rest room areas, etc A must product for any dog owner in my opinion Ray from Indiana

[@BigDogMom]

I have never heard of this! Thank you so much for sharing.... I'm looking it up now!

[@leysasallie-hall6566]

How do you trim your dogs nails, my dog sees me coming with the nail clippers in my hand she goes absolutely crazy and wont let me near her!! 😮

[@BigDogMom]

Oh boy, I hear you. I have an entire course helping dog owners like you. I feel your pain and was where you are years ago. If you want to join my waitlist for when I open the doors again, here is the link: bigdogmom.com/online-courses/

[@yasminvrios]

How do you clean the meat before feeding your dog?

[@pilarlara5136]

For Supplements, I use the brand Youngevity, an Organic plant base. Arthydex (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc), EFA Plus (Omega 3,6,9 from plants and fish), Glucogel (Glucosamon, relating and magnese), MSM (msms and vitamin C). For Detox I use two Brands, Petwellbeing (Dandelion root, Milk thistlle) and Essiac (Essiac for pets andTrue Pine for pets).

[@brittanyfrost7472]

@pilarlara5136 all this is overwhelming

[@empeters71]

I think that probiotic is the same type that they use as “medical food” in people with IBD - Crohns & Ulcerative Colitis. My daughter was prescribed it. Human version is VSL #3. Doesn’t get destroyed in the gut like other probiotics.

[@sharonsmith1203]

So I've got my dog on human grade food right now that I cook in a crock pot. There's like 60% meat and 40% veggies with little bit of brown rice but no bone is in there. I do give a spoon of yogurt for a probiotic, but Do you think I should put bone meal in their food after it's been prepped?

[@BigDogMom]

This is a great question and one you may want to ask a certified canine nutritionist. My initial thought is yes, because the meat and veggies aren't likely to supply enough calcium for a balanced diet. Also, since you are cooking all of it, that will affect the nutrient balance as well. I'm sorry I can't give you a more definitive answer. I hope this helps though.

[@cathynycgirl329]

i cannot find that app

[@Gregari0us1]

Keeping things clean and sanitize is harder when your dog doesn't finish the meal quickly. What advice do you have for a dog who isn't completely focused on eating during meal time? My dog will constantly go back and forth between eating and "investigating" different areas, getting bacteria in more places than I would like.

[@Carlie_flower]

I would set a time limit. Do not give your dog the ability to do that. I personally feed in their kennel and they get 15 mins to eat all of it then I take the bowl away. If they haven't eaten all of it then I put it away and give the rest to them in a few hours. Eventually your dog will realize if they don't eat their food quick enough then it goes away. This is something that trainers tell you to do with all food. Never give your dog an unlimited amount of time to eat. Not sure what your routine is but that would be my tip if you aren't already doing this. You can also do just one feeding a day if you aren't already so your dog is very excited to eat and actually hungry. Only if it's an adult though, puppies need multiple meals a day. If you raw feed and preprep into freezer containers you can just put the food away in that container for later, wipe down outside of container really well though before you put it in the fridge

[@Gregari0us1]

@@Carlie_flower I used to hand feed and train with kibble every meal 2 times a day, but had to go to the bowl when I try to transition to raw. When he's eating now he's more interested in what I'm doing so I have to sit and watch him finish the meal. I'll start letting him get hungrier. Thanks.

[@Carlie_flower]

@@Gregari0us1 no problem! That's exactly what I had to do with my little old doggie to get her to actually eat instead of just get mad at the other dogs for eating 😅 let her tummy grumble a little and get her to just ignore the other dogs and eat. Not too much since she's old just a few more hours between feeding and limited bowl on floor time. Has helped a lot with her food aggression.

[@elenadejesus7489]

@@Carlie_flower great advice! I would also keep them in the one room so they don't travel. I feed my boy in the kitchen and he's not aloud to walk around and come back. If he's not interested, stop feeding and put the food in the fridge and feed that later.

[@Carlie_flower]

@@elenadejesus7489 oh yes that's a good point! I had to do that for my chunky cat hahaha

[@rachelldoriottgrounds8140]

I am jealous of your co-op and the price you paid in your last video. We have 2 medium size dogs and it has been costing us around $280-$300 per month. I am in NC and really wish I could find one. Any tips for us who don’t have co-ops? Thank you!!

[@BigDogMom]

Are you sure you don't have a co-op in your area? Here's a link to how to find someone local: keepthetailwagging.com/raw-dog-food-co-op-near-me/. If you genuinely don't have anyone, I would reach out to butcher shops in your area. I know my brother in law has a shop where they live and they are willing to give things like heart, liver, and tongue for free since they just throw it away. When they process cows and other animals, there is a good bit that is edible and great for dogs, but thrown away. You could negotiate with them pretty easily if they don't already have a process for getting rid of it or selling it. Another option some raw feeders use is meat markets or asian markets. I've never used either, so can't really provide more detail. I think the butcher shop is the best option if you don't have a co-op. Let me know if this helps!

[@MaximillianandRubyGrace]

Uh my one newf costs that much! I’m jealous of those prices

[@randycole5276]

I used the site and found someone fairly close to me. Great videos

[@pilarlara5136]

i do grind a mix of flax seeds and punking seeds before I feed my dogs, The Flaxseeds will lose their properties after 1.5 hours, I am not sure about the punking seeds

[@memyself2247]

I have a 7 month old frenchie, i've been trying to transition her to raw but I am terrified of transitioning her, do you have a how to transition her to raw food. I live in PR and there is no raw food company here. I took a class via zoom but still afraid to do it. I would like someone to just facetime me as I do it and tell me how exactly to do it. lol Anyhow I just purchased a book on amazon with complete recipes so once it arrives I will start her because that would be easier.

[@TtheBaronesss]

Hi! Great video and thank you for your insight on feeding raw. Do you ever meal prep for the dogs? If so, what type of containers do you use to store in the freezer? Thanks in advance!

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you so much! Yes, I have done more extensive meal prep in the past using containers. Depending on how much food you need to store per meal, something like this (amzn.to/3CqQ6id) or this (amzn.to/3isjZa8) would work. If you are feeding whole bone, you may consider prepping everything but the whole bone and simply adding those as you feed if storing in a container is difficult. Turkey necks, for example, would be hard to prep in containers like this. All you would need to do is factor in the RMB as you prep then make a note of what you need to add as you feed with a sticker or something on the container. If you are grinding everything, then all can go in the container. Super easy. I prefer this method actually because it makes the day to day of raw feeding so much easier and less time consuming.

[@TtheBaronesss]

Wow those were all great advice! Thank you so much for your recommendations. We are pre-grinding so those containers you recommended will work perfect. Thanks again!!

[@lauralevasseur2205]

I cannot find the “raw pet” app…??? Any suggestions?

[@michaelwashington7996]

I have a question, I was always told chicken bones were bad for dogs because they splinter and can cause the dog to choke, is that the same when it is raw or just when it is cooked? Or is it different with chicken backs?

[@pilarlara5136]

where did you buy the fresh/frozen sardines and anchovies? I used to get them at Wholefoods by they are not carrying these anymore.

[@mikewest9086]

It looks like that app is gone now. Is there another you suggest as a replacement?

[@akhiker01]

Tell us the brand of those while bag of sardines please .

[@BigDogMom]

The brand the co-op I buy from get is called Nigel. That said, my previous co-op just got them as huge 30# boxes of sardines - not packaged in nice bags like this. So it depends on where you get them, how they are packaged. I love the way the Nigel are packaged, but they are twice the cost unfortunately. I haven't found a better supplier here locally.

[@tengrachel9548]

I have 20 months labrador. I feed her raw since she was 3 months. I buy the raw foods from reputable local food company. They sell varity of meat and bones, veal,lamb, vesion, wallaby, possum, rabit, duck, hare, turkey and pilchard. These meat sold in cubes (minced) with ground bone, organs and green tripes. I feed her this along with eggs, vege and fruit puree. The daily supplements I use is fish oil, kelp, flaxseed, raw goat milk kefir, bone broth. I also add green lipped mussel power and coconut oil very 2 to 3 time a week. I give her a bone to chew on (veal neck, duck neck, possum piece and turkey drumstick) every 3 to 4 days. Is there anything else you can suggest me to add on for her? Thanks!

[@BigDogMom]

Wow! How cool you have access to all of that! I think my only recommendation is to just make sure you are watching her weight. With all that goodness, a labrador can easily put on weight which would counteract all the good you are doing for her health. Labradors are notorious for being good eaters. Just watch her weight and back her down if you see her putting on too much. Other than that, I think what you are doing sounds amazing! Keep up the great work!!

[@tengrachel9548]

@@BigDogMom My lab is on perfect weight. She is 20 months now. weight about 27kg

[@Carlie_flower]

I like to over ferment my milk kefir for my dogs, then scoop off the curd and pour the whey over their food then top it with the curd. They love having a little "cheese" in their bowl 🤣 it's one of their favorite additions

[@BigDogMom]

Kefir is one of those things I have had on my list of things to try. I even have some kefir grains that I purchased a couple years ago... worried they are bad now. Do you have a favorite brand you recommend? This is such a fantastic idea! Let me know what brand you use and I'll give it a try. Do you use an instant pot for your kefir?

[@janp7660]

​@@BigDogMomI just found your channel and I see no one answered your question. By now you probably have it figured out, but just in case, I'll answer. Kefir is fermented at room temperature, usually for around 48 hours. yogurt is fermented at low temp. Instant pot with yogurt setting is great for yogurt.

[@garyrideumup5443]

Can you feed smelt

[@BigDogMom]

Absolutely! I feed smelt frozen usually. They love it!

[@jameswalton9299]

Hello my question to you is how soon should you start to feed a puppy Mastiff a raw food diet

[@BigDogMom]

There are some breeders I know who wean their puppies on raw, so you can basically do it at any time. That said, I do recommend doing some research ahead of time, getting a mentor who has raised a large/giant breed puppy on raw, and being prepared for balance from day 1 (i.e. you can't just start with chicken then slowly add more variety).

[@kimberlyspurling-morales9605]

I am getting a mastiff puppy in a few weeks. Did you feed yours raw? How did you start out?

[@LIGHTOFTHEWORLD777]

Where in Arizona or near Mesa can I get raw food?

[@jmahoney9561]

Their bowls should be elevated so that their heads aren’t in a down position while eating. I feed raw but I don’t feed all the different animal parts from different animals. I keep per animal parts like all turkey parts only. Beef and other beef parts and lamb, and fish Friday, etc. My dog eats variety throughout the week and gets fruit and vegetables too along with fermented foods and mushrooms.

[@gang4357]

thanks for the informative video, I learned a lot from your videos. One thing I am curious is should we freeze the raw food for a certain period like 1 or 2 weeks before feeding dog? I heard from some people that it is necessary to keep it freezing for a few days to avoid bacteria.

[@elizabethperezmolina4176]

How many times a day do they eat

[@zachproctor3534]

do you have to 5% other or can all 10% be liver?

[@cmoore6354]

Grinders are great just put the tripe ,meat and organs in there

[@lorim2440]

The raw food app isn’t available, I tried twice & it isn’t there. Is there another one you’re currently using?

[@sharonsmith1203]

Great job on the video. One questions: you can give the sardines raw as well? Do you ever give the dogs salmon?

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you so much! Yes, I always feed sardines raw. And my boys love salmon, but again, I would feed it canned or raw due to the bones. 😊

[@sharonsmith1203]

@@BigDogMom thank you. I started feeding my three Aussie puppies parts of raw meats like lamb and beef into their home prepped meals. I am finding that they don't want the cooked meats like chicken and turkey and salmon mixed with their veggies and starch anymore but are craving the raw meats instead. Lol. I feel like I'm turning them into wolves!

[@simoneb4177]

I noticed in Dr Harvey's supplements that garlic is in many of them, and often listed in the top 3rd - 6th ingredient. I thought garlic was toxic for dogs?

[@BigDogMom]

This is a great question! Thank you for asking. Garlic can be toxic at high amounts. In low amounts, it's actually quite beneficial for dogs. My guess is if it is listed at 3 or lower on the list of ingredients, the actual amount is very small and certainly within the amount safe for dogs.

[@farmgirl8145]

What are your thoughts on feeding dogs nutrition yeast?

[@BigDogMom]

I think it's a great idea! Check out my video with Full Bucket Health on this exact topic! kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6TVm3iZhc6Lhq8

[@bryanvanwart4690]

Pumpkin is too high in sugar for a gog better choice is squash

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you for the information. I tend to shoot for variety instead of avoiding certain foods.

[@kiim_chi]

so if you don’t have big dogs do you do calcium supplements or bones but not as big and do you like take the bones away after they’ve been chewing on it since it would be small and they could choke?

[@hopecarmickle3374]

See this is where I am just so confused I want to feed both of my large breed dogs raw food because I think kibble is horrible for them but I just don’t know where to start in the whole measurement part really throws me for a loop I suck at math and I just can’t seem to get this down so I haven’t transition them yet because I’m terrified I’m not gonna feed them right

[@BigDogMom]

I get it. Thank you for being so honest. I'm sure many dog owners feel just like you. Have you considered trying a pre-made raw? Or a foundation for a raw diet like Dr. Harvey's? Either one of these options will solve for your fear of getting it perfect the first time in terms of nutrients and balance. Here is my review of Dr. Harvey's - be sure to watch the video as well so you can see what the diet looks like - bigdogmom.com/drharveys-review/. I've also done a review on Darwin's which I really love. Darwin's would be an all-in-one diet - meaning you wouldn't add anything to it necessarily. Here is that review: bigdogmom.com/darwins-raw-dog-food-review/

[@lindasokol4885]

I have a mastiff puppy 16 weeks old when should I start a raw diet and they can have chicken bones I was always taught not to give them chicken bones. I have a boxer also which needs to lose weight is raw diet good for her too?

[@annharmer68]

What is your perspective on grain fed vs. grass fed/pasture raised meats for your dogs?

[@elenadejesus7489]

Hi, gee, hope you don't mind an answer from just an observer of this channel... You are what you eat. The same goes for dogs. The healthy option would of course be the grass fed, pasture raised meats. Grain fed meat is not as good for them or as healthy for them. If absolutely nessasary, it still is better than kibble.

[@Smuvbee74]

I’m getting a Rottweiler puppy in a few weeks and I want to feed her a raw diet. Can you tell me at what age to start? She will be 9 weeks when we pick her up and I’m sure she will probably be on some kind of kibble. Thank you for your videos.

[@BigDogMom]

Congratulations!! So exciting! You can start feeding a raw diet immediately. There are many breeders I know who wean their puppies on raw, so starting at 9-10 weeks is not a problem. Keep in mind what I said though, you want to make sure you are balancing with multiple proteins and organ from the beginning and being careful with the bone. You may consider a pre-made raw blend that contains everything as you start just to make sure your puppy is getting what she needs during her fast growth period. This will allow you time to learn and slowly build your own meals over time.

[@brandonhollander8633]

Do you have any tips on getting my dog to eat more bones like a chicken back or neck? Ive tried smaller bones first but he seems to just chew once and leave on the floor. Whats the best way to transition because I plan on grinding my bones down into a mince with meat but it would be nice to feed whole bones not grinded once in a while since its easier

[@MaximillianandRubyGrace]

Pork ribs?? Baby back? He’s 150lbs Do you always feed them outside? The heat here in VA is sooo hot

[@BigDogMom]

I don’t give ribs to my boys. I am not necessarily against them, but I’ve always worried that they are a little too small and would pose a potential choking hazard. That could just be me being overly cautious. I do always feed my boys outside. Even when we lived in AZ I did. They are only out there for a few minutes unless the bone is a lengthy one to chew. If your dog has access to shade, and you bring him/her in right after eating, I think you will be fine even on hot days.

[@MaximillianandRubyGrace]

@@BigDogMom so turnkey necks, chicken legs, backs etc?

[@brittanysnow5512]

My question is my dogs have been on kibble for 2 years and I want to transition them to raw food. But they say to only introduce one meat source at a time to see if they have any allergies when introducing this meat source saying chicken do I just do all chicken meat or can I do everything that is in a chicken organ and bone? And do I still feed them kibble when I'm introducing just one meat?

[@wandamingo5735]

I have been reading so much on feeding raw and one article or video said they take the back bone out of the sardine. I notice you don't do that. So I wonder should I or shouldn't I. I have access to smelts here but I asked a local raw food provider and they said that smelts weren't that great as they were drier and didn't have enough fats, etc. So you see I'm confused. I don't have access to sardines here.

[@Willie3]

Can you list the supplements and suppliers below?

[@lulatorres8694]

Hello , How can a get contact with the raw food co-op?? I want to buy some raw meat for mi German Shepard dog , thank you .

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you for the question! It will depend a little on where you live, but there are raw food co-ops all over the US. I put some links in the description that should help you narrow down your search, but my suggestion is to do a search on the internet for "raw dog food co-op near ___" Another option would be to find a raw feeding Facebook group for GSD where you could ask for a co-op referral near you. I hope this helps!

[@deannaszopinski7501]

I am a beginner, just tried to download raw pet app and can't find it, do you have any advice. I have an android. Just lost our Golden Retriever, I gave a suspicion it may be food-related, even we stuck to vet recommended foods but at this point not trusting of vets. Want to get my other dogs taken care of for the long term, thank you for your assistance!

[@BigDogMom]

Oh no, I'm so sorry! I am not sure they have the Raw Pet App for android phones... It looks like there is another one called Prey Model Raw on the Google Play Store that may be a decent alternative. I hope that helps!

[@jenpalubicki3179]

@@BigDogMom I just tried to find the app also and I couldn’t find it either n I have an iPhone 🙁. I love ur videos n am now trying to transition my 7yr old lab to an all raw diet n I truly appreciate all ur info 💜

[@abhi7in]

I have a 9 month old Mastiff Puppy,At what age can I transition her to Raw diet. Right now she eats a mix of Large breed adult kibble and Puppy Large breed kibble(4:1) ratio from FROMM company.Please suggest.

[@BigDogMom]

That is a great question! I started Sulley on raw when he was 10 weeks and Junior at 12. As long as you balance from the start, your older puppy will be just fine. Many people will say to start puppies slowly with just, say, chicken for a few weeks, then add beef, and so on. This may work for small breed dogs, but I DO NOT recommend it for giant breeds. Start off like I showed in this video - with multiple protein sources, meat, bone and organ - full balance from the beginning. If you are on Facebook, there is a Raw Fed Mastiff group that is fantastic. Tons of resources and expert help in there.

[@abhi7in]

@@BigDogMom Thank you! So much!

[@CarnivoreMike434]

Hello, I’ve just found you channel. I’m from the uk and I have a 8 week old English Mastiff I want to give raw diet but the breeder told me raw wasn’t good for a puppy mastiff as there to much protein?