Raw Feeding a Multiple Dog Household

Raw feeding can be a volatile subject in any circle. There are firm believers in the benefits and there are those who are equally firm about its drawbacks. I am in the benefits firm believer camp. What if you are in the middle? Maybe you are interested but terrified at what the cost or the logistics would be with a multiple dog household?

Two of the Author's dogs eating a raw breakfast

I am here to tell you that not only can it be done on a budget; it can be done with little challenge, provided you are a person who is willing to do a bit more than toss kibble in a bowl.

The pros are fewer vet visits, better coats, far less smelly poops, less doggy smell to the crew’s coats, whiter teeth, I could go on and on! The cons are more time to set aside at meal times, more stores to go to for a balanced diet and a supplement shelf that solely belongs to the dogs!

If you currently feed a premium kibble, then a raw diet is typically more affordable if you do not go the pre-made raw route. What does that mean exactly, you are wondering, right?

Well, I purchase whole meat parts in bulk and feed those for dinners. I feed pre-made ground raw for breakfasts. Typically, breakfast is when we are all more strapped for time so this is my solution and compromise. Of course, some raw feeders grind their own. That lowers the cost but increases the time commitment.

It does take some planning in the time department to get into a routine for this kind of feeding method in a multiple dog home. But once you get into a routine, it becomes second nature. It will never be as easy as tossing kibble into a bowl. But the rewards are well worth it.

If you have any resource guarding among your crew, you will need to separate their feeding areas a bit more than with kibble. But the drawbacks are such a small price to pay for the benefits.

Even if you choose to feed only pre-made raw, the benefits are sill so notable that you will never be sorry you went this route.

With my own crew, in the morning, they get pre-made raw fed in bowls in four different areas of my large kitchen. At dinner time, they eat from towels placed in the same four areas. Breakfast prep includes additions such as various dairy products such as yogurt, cottage cheese or kefir. This is also when I add any supplements that each dog gets. Dinner time seems like it would be easier because there are no supplements or dairy add ins but that is when the whole meat pieces sometimes need trimmed. My crew gets a low fat diet and I remove all obvious fat. So I allow for trimming time when I meal plan. It depends on what is on the menu that evening as far as how long it may take..

I would be lying if I said that it was always easy. Dinner time trimming can be a pain at times but I would never go back to kibble. As I said, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

If this is s lifestyle you are interested in, please do your research. Make sure that you understand the finer points of raw feeding before you take the plunge. It’s important that you learn why variety is important and how to achieve nutrient balance. There are a number of websites that can be of assistance to you. One of the best sources of information for al things dog is www.dogaware.com Avail yourself of it’s information. Seek out like minded people and accept support. You won’t be sorry that you made the change.