Freezer cleanout?

vidadog

New Member
Sep 6, 2016
5
0
Hi guys! I'm new to the forum, and brand new to Colorado. I've only been in the state for about a month. The purpose of this post is thus: I feed my 2 year old German Shepherd a raw diet. I've been looking to add more wild game to her meals. I was wondering if anyone here is trying to clean out their freezers in anticipation of the upcoming seasons. I'll take anything, as long as it's raw and unseasoned. Bones, organs, scraps, freezer burnt meat, you name it, I want it. And if you want to throw your fresh organs like liver, brains, testicles, hearts, and kidneys at me when you get your fresh kill, name your time and place and I'll pick it up. Thank you!!

(here's a picture of her to sweeten the deal)
0527152309.jpg
 

ivorytip

Veteran member
Mar 24, 2012
3,769
50
44
SE Idaho
killed mine. or so the vet said. dog was healthy then stopped eating and the morning I was taking it to vet, it was in kennel dead. vet couldn't figure out why then asked me if I hunted and if the dog had eaten wild game that was killed in an area where wolves are. sure enough it was. he said there was something going around that was killing domestic dogs when they ate raw meat from an animal that was feeding in an area around wolf scat.
 

graybird

Active Member
Feb 22, 2011
388
119
Colorado
If dogs are now dying of eating a raw meat, it's a wonder they survived for 1,000s of years. just saying
 

vidadog

New Member
Sep 6, 2016
5
0
I took his word for it, is this not true? now I am very interested.
With raw wild meat, as long as it has been frozen for 3-4 weeks, it's completely safe. I know people who have been feeding Prey Model Raw and BARF diets for over 30+ years, so it's not just a fad. It's also more biologically appropriate and nutrient dense than commercial foods. Raw fed dogs are also at a much lower risk for diseases such as cancer, kidney failure, pancreatitis, and diabetes. It also promotes slow maturation, which keeps strain off joints and helps prevent things like dysplasia. Dogs who are fed raw versus their kibble fed counterparts also have better, cleaner teeth from the bones, fewer skin and environmental allergies, healthier coats, and better energy levels.
 

vidadog

New Member
Sep 6, 2016
5
0
In fact, her dinner tonight was raw wild boar, duck, and raw eggs. I've had her on a raw diet since I got her at 6 weeks old, and every vet who's seen her has said they've never seen a healthier dog.
 

ivorytip

Veteran member
Mar 24, 2012
3,769
50
44
SE Idaho
If dogs are now dying of eating a raw meat, it's a wonder they survived for 1,000s of years. just saying
for a domesticated dog that comes from a long line of no raw meat I can very easily see how it could kill a dog. wild animals are naturally resistant and immune to certain parasites. domesticated dogs are not.
 

ivorytip

Veteran member
Mar 24, 2012
3,769
50
44
SE Idaho
With raw wild meat, as long as it has been frozen for 3-4 weeks, it's completely safe. I know people who have been feeding Prey Model Raw and BARF diets for over 30+ years, so it's not just a fad. It's also more biologically appropriate and nutrient dense than commercial foods. Raw fed dogs are also at a much lower risk for diseases such as cancer, kidney failure, pancreatitis, and diabetes. It also promotes slow maturation, which keeps strain off joints and helps prevent things like dysplasia. Dogs who are fed raw versus their kibble fed counterparts also have better, cleaner teeth from the bones, fewer skin and environmental allergies, healthier coats, and better energy levels.
I, have to dig into some more research on this. ive always fed my dogs scraps from deer and elk over the years up until one died and vet told me why. she must've just had a weak immune system.
 

gonhunting247

Veteran member
Jan 21, 2014
1,221
801
We grew up feeding the dogs raw meat and bone scraps from deer and elk. Never had much issue. Both of mine were German Shepard and a German Shepard/Siberian Husky cross. Both lived to be 15 years old, which I thinks pretty good for a large breed. For what ever reason, we had to limit my sons Golden Retriever's intake, because it seemed to upset her system or cause hot spots if she had too much.
 
Last edited:

gonhunting247

Veteran member
Jan 21, 2014
1,221
801
I should mention we didn't feed them raw fish or bear. We did once it was cooked though! We also fed them plenty of table scraps too.
 

vidadog

New Member
Sep 6, 2016
5
0
I should mention we didn't feed them raw fish or bear. We did once it was cooked though! We also fed them plenty of table scraps too.
You can feed them raw fish, but once again, it has to be frozen for 3-4 weeks. You should also never feed carnivore like bear, mountain lion, snake, alligator, etc, because it can cause biomagnification of toxins which can be lethal to your dog. In the case of the elk that was grazing in areas with wolf scat, they probably picked up some toxins from the wolf scat which in turn killed the dog due to the biomagnification effect. Carnivores shouldn't be fed to other carnivores, only herbivores or omnivores.
I know some people who raise and breed feeder rats and Rex rabbits to feed to their dogs.
 

joemf1985

New Member
Feb 27, 2012
43
0
SW Oklahoma
I am not a big fan of the bone and raw food diets. Dogs can get by with them but generally its only a matter of time until it catches up with you in the form of a bone removal from the abdomen, a GI tract infection which can go zoonotic (give you or someone in your home a nasty infection), or worse cause the death of the animal. Just my experience from my veterinary practice, there is no perfect food or method of feeding for every dog but a safer option is to go with a prepared and balanced diet from a reputable company that has been around long term (not one of the new "fad" diets from companies that spend more on the bag imaging than they do on research of the food). Good luck with finding meat, just be ultra careful with the bone and raw food diet.
 

Colorado Cowboy

Super Moderator
Jun 8, 2011
8,377
4,780
83
Dolores, Colorado
I only feed my dog dry commercial food. For me, I buy the food with the highest protein value, must have over 30%. My last lab lasted 14 years and my Springer before that 15 years. I don't put water on the dry food as I believe the dry food helps keep their teeth in better condition. I do supplement my dogs diet during hunting season with cooked fish and game meat. I especially like to use goose thighs & legs that have been pressure cooked and deboned. I measure 1/2 cup of the cooked meat and freeze it in small sandwich bags. I take a weeks worth out of the freezer and put in the refer & feed every day. I also feed my dog twice a day.

My Lab Jenny is 2 1/2 years old and weighs 70#, She is in great shape as I work her 1/2 hour+ every day, which includes water work in my 2 acre pond.

Jenny 005.jpgJenny 4 and one half months.jpg

As you can see in the pictures, she is a house dog too.
 
Last edited: