Starting Soon With A Few Questions

[SaharaNight Boxers]

I have a 70 pound male Boxer so two percent would be about two pounds. The way I've calculated it he needs about 1,740 kcals a day to keep weight. He eats as much as a 130-140 pound dog on his kibble so will 2 pounds be enough?

Also, he is a Boxer and has a more cramped mouth with less room to chew and since we are pretty busy we were thinking of cutting his food a but to help speed things up with the chewing and tearing part. We'd leave them large enough obviously, maybe like the size of half a fist or so and still have bones but was wondering what your idea is in that. I know some dogs can tear through but he is more of a laid back chewer on his bone like toys so I don't think he's going to go extremely fast.

Last, I was thinking about feeding kelp as a supplement if needed. A lot of people use this with Boxers for bringing out their red color. It helps with coat and skin a lot along with thyroid support and was wondering if anyone had ever fed this along with raw. The kind we would get has no iodine in it and is pure Norweigian kelp.

Thanks,
Maya
SaharaNight Boxers

[Scarlett_O']

Starting out yes, I would HIGHLY suggest just doing 2%.
However for 70 pounds 2% is 22.4ounces not 32ounces.

You will be able to add to that if he needs....but starting out with too much meat can cause a LOT of issues with stool.

As far as him taking too long to eat....well my 13 week old Border Collie can get thru an entire 1.5 pounds in less then 10 minuets...so I highly doubt he will take all that long. Remember, dogs dont chew like we do...they crunch, crunch and swallow. Some dogs WILL take longer, but generally for us raw feeders "longer" means like 10 or so minutes, not a hour!!

I would keep away from any and all supplements until he is at least a couple/few months in to raw(just like with treats)....that way if there are any issues you will know it is only from what you are feeding and will be able to adjust accordingly!

[xellil]

The rule of thumb is to start on the lower end and go up, but I think alot of people here with boxers have to feed way more than the guideline. Two percent is actually 1.4 pounds.

Give him a chance with the bones. Dogs will often take a few tries to get the hang of it. My dachshund has four teeth gummed her first bone for over two hours (well, her FIRST bone she swallowed whole, this would be her second bone) - within a week she was getting through them in about 15 minutes. Don't underestimate a dog's ability to chew a bone. if it takes him a long time, that's more of a good workout his teeth and jaws and neck muscles are getting.

I think several folks here feed kelp.

[Liz]

Be careful not to overfeed. Adding more slowly is the key and he will do well, too much too fast can lead to tummy problems. I would give him a chance with some adequate bone like chicken backs or quarters and see how he does, he has a short mouth but it is still a mouthful of teeth, he may surprise you. My boys are more to 80-90 pounds and the older eats 1 3/4 and the pup closer to two pounds but they are well transitioned and can handle it.