I feed my dogs (and growing pups) a balanced raw diet, as I believe a species-appropriate diet that reflects their evolution and biology provides the best nutrition.
Commercial kibble is convenient, but primarily exists to utilise excess crops and byproduct to make profit for large multinationals. Kibble is highly processed, with high levels of carbohydrate, extruded at high temperatures and generally reinforced with synthetic nutrients to enable the claim of 'balanced'. It is not readily digested (hence the large stinky poos from kibble-fed dogs), and the increase in the feeding of kibble is matched by increases in rates of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
For those of you who would like to continue raising your Addenhund puppy on a raw diet I am happy to support you with advice as you go.
A raw diet does require some effort, and it is really important to get a good balance of muscle meat, soft edible bones and organs; and also a good balance of different sources of meat (eg sheep, goat, venison, beef, poultry, etc). There's a great 1-page summary chart I include with the puppy info packs for reference.
I recommend the Vizslas, Raw and Natural facebook group. The creator of this group is a very experienced raw feeder, and there are excellent information files and helpful support. If you are looking for information on what to feed your puppy, and on getting started with raw, I suggest you go to their files and scroll right to the end. Alternatively, the Raw Essentials website also has lots of great information in their articles and FAQs: http://www.rawessentials.co.nz/articles-1https://perfectlyrawsome.com/raw-feeding-puppy-guides/
To source meat, you can always put your vizsla to work in finding wild animals for meat. Or, those of you on lifestyle blocks may have homekill beasts. if you need to buy it in, many areas have great suppliers, and there are more popping up all the time. Some suppliers include:
- Nosloc: http://www.nosloc.com/products/PetFood (they deliver in the Waikato fortnightly, and to Tauranga, Northland, Rotorua and Taranaki every 6 weeks
- Hyde's: http://www.hydespetfood.co.nz/ (they deliver Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Waikato, New Plymouth)
- Raw Essentials - in various cities within NZ
- Maranui: https://www.nzpetfoods.co.nz/view-our-factory-shop-range/category/maranui-raw-meat-frozen-pet-food for those of you lucky enough to live in the South Island
And many more....Do a google search on raw pet food nz to find suppliers in your area.
