Raw food (question for those that already feed raw) (poop, black, diet)

[MAK802]

We just switched PC to raw 3 days ago, and he is doing wonderfully. His poops are completely solid and he is excited to eat each meal! The only thing I noticed is that his poop now has a black tinge to it. Is that a normal side effect of the raw diet?

[Woof Woof Woof!]

Black tinge usually means he's getting more iron. It just depends on the food. If you feed spinach, for example, his poop will be black.

In my experience, the dogs like the natural diet much better than kibble or canned.

[MAK802]

Oh, he loves it! I didn't think he would handle it so well, but his stools are not loose at all. From some reasearch, I've learned that the blood in raw food can make poop black.

We're using Stella and Chewy's products, because I just don't trust that any of the supermarkets have meat that is quality enough to be eaten raw. I thought his kibble was expensive!

[steelstress]

Originally Posted by MAK802

We're using Stella and Chewy's products, because I just don't trust that any of the supermarkets have meat that is quality enough to be eaten raw. I thought his kibble was expensive!

Don't be afraid to feed the meat you buy for yourself. You just have to make sure the meat is unenhanced. No broth, seasonings, etc. If it's meat you'd eat yourself, it's good for your dog raw.

I buy meat for the dogs from the market, no special products. Whatever they eat, I eat. Only I cook mine. I guess you can say I now eat dog food.

[Woof Woof Woof!]

Originally Posted by MAK802

We're using Stella and Chewy's products, because I just don't trust that any of the supermarkets have meat that is quality enough to be eaten raw. I thought his kibble was expensive!

I think the meat from the market is okay. I always sniff it first and rinse it off in the sink to remove any germs on the outside. I also tend to buy from Whole Foods.

I'd be more concerned about buying meat and bones that is pre-ground because the larger the surface area, the more chance for bacteria. With my old dog, I always ground the food myself. Never a problem.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by MAK802

We just switched PC to raw 3 days ago, and he is doing wonderfully. His poops are completely solid and he is excited to eat each meal! The only thing I noticed is that his poop now has a black tinge to it. Is that a normal side effect of the raw diet?

Blood in the diet tends to darken the dogs stools. That's totally normal. The same result can be observed if YOU eat a rare steak.

The interesting thing will be when you notice that you don't have to pick up stool in your yard anymore. Something eats it at night.

[Woof Woof Woof!]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

Something eats it at night.

OMG!

[steelstress]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

The interesting thing will be when you notice that you don't have to pick up stool in your yard anymore. Something eats it at night.

Yeah, sometimes it's your other dog.

[Woof Woof Woof!]

BTW, your poop turns black even if you take iron supplements.

[Woof Woof Woof!]

This woman raises and kills her own rabbits, which she feeds to her dogs whole:


YouTube - Rabbit for lunch