I’ve been cooking Hoshi’s chicken since December and lately he’s losing interest in it. The other day I gave him his chicken raw and he went crazy over it. I’m glad he still likes it and I think it’s healthier for him. I need to find some doggie vitamins for him too.
Tag: raw diet
Raw Chicken 1 year later
Lately, I’ve been thinking Hoshi wasn’t liking his chicken. He would turn his head away when I offered it to him or spit it out. I found out what was wrong. I wasn’t cutting the pieces small enough and he was having problems swallowing them. I cut the pieces smaller and no problems eating.
Here’s a picture of the chicken pieces I’m giving him now. About 1/2 the size they used to be. These are pruners I use to cut the bone. Hoshi could eat the bone whole but it takes too long. I also cut the bone into lengths I think are safe.
Hoshi’s eating raw pork
I started Hoshi on raw pork! Freezing x 3 days is supposed to kill parasites just so you know. Yesterday was the first day. I gave him pork loin with his chicken. He smelled it at first like “What’s this?” Then he gobbled it up. He must have really liked it because he was a brat last night begging to be fed again. I’m giving him a little at a time to make sure he tolerates it. Poops looking good so far.
I think he did have a fungal infection. This is day two and he’s hardly scratching. He’s been sleeping real soundly lately so I think he’s more comfortable.
Raw diet so far
Hoshi definitely can’t tolerate his dry food (Royal Canin Cocker Spaniel). A few days ago we ran out of unthawed chicken. I decided to give him some of his dry food. Also, Hoshi’s poos had been extremely dry lately. I kid you not, Hoshi’s stool a few days ago was so dry it crumbled as it hit the side walk. So, I figured giving him some dry food would act like a stool softener. Well, it acted more like a laxative. He had loose stools for three days. Now I’m sure Hoshi would have tolerated it better if it was slowly introduced in his diet although he’s never done exceptionally well on any dog food he’s tried.
Anyways, he’s doing well on the raw diet. I just need to add something to keep his stools from getting too dry and hard.
Raw Diet: Week 3
Things have been going okay so far. I still feed him chicken thighs but without the skin and fat. There were several mornings when Hoshi was throwing up bile. I’m not sure why but I suspect it was the fatty skin. I’m not very handy in the kitchen but I’ve learned how to remove the skin and fat pretty well. They do sell skinless thighs in the grocery store but they’re a $1.00 more and don’t looked completely skinned to me. So far, Hoshi hasn’t thrown up with the skinless thighs.
I still hand feed him. Do any of you give whole portions like I’m doing? He’s gotten pretty good at pulling the meat off the bone. He also likes the bone now too. I did try drumsticks but stopped because there seemed to be more sharp pieces of bone. It also had more gristle and Hoshi’s poops were too soft. Overall, Hoshi’s poops are slightly firmer. I will mention, I am still giving him kibble. That may be affecting his stool.
I give Hoshi about two meals day (one thigh per meal). Sometimes if he’s really hungry he’ll eat two thighs. I have noticed some improvements in his appearance. His nose looks wetter. Before it was looking dry. Gabby had the same problem. Gabby’s nose was dry and scaly–maybe that was due to diet. Hoshi’s eye’s also have more of a twinkle. He’s eye’s must be moister. Hoshi’s breath is also better. It must be because of the bones. To be honest, I haven’t been brushing his teeth like I should.