Spice, Bandit, Blue & HarleyQuinn
Tell us a little about you and your four-legged friend/s.
We have 4 English Setters: Spice (12) is mom to Bandit (6) from her first litter, Blue and HarleyQuinn are brother and sister from her second litter (4). We love our setters. We work with them and hunt them in the fall. Their energy and drive in the field is amazing to watch but when we come home, they like to lay low and relax. The raw diet gives them the energy and to perform at their best.
What made you decide to switch to raw feeding?
One of our Setters (Chutney 1994-2010) was experiencing lick granulomas on her front leg in 1999. Since we had moved that year, we were looking for a new vet and on our first visit the vet suggested that there were some good neurologic drugs to address the desire to keep opening up the granulomas. Needless to say, we didn’t return to that vet. We continued to struggle with Chutney’s issue for 9 months. She was fed a couple of the premium commercial dog foods over the years. On the suggestion of my wife’s sister, we considered raw. So, we gave it a try and Chutney left her leg alone and it was healed, never to return in 30 days. We have fed all our dogs raw ever since. All our current dogs have been on raw since birth.
What’s been the biggest difference you’ve seen in their health and happiness since feeding raw?
Aside from the resolved health issue previously mentioned, we have had dogs who were picky eaters but since converting to raw they are eager to eat and have great energy. Our vet always comments on how she never gets to see us because the only time they go to the vet is their annual. On the old commercial dry food when a dog eats first thing in the morning and then throws up visible dry kibble 4-5 hours later, that is a clear sign that the dog is struggling to digest the food. We have none of that with raw.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting their raw feeding journey?
Do your research. We spent a lot of time researching the dietary needs to provide a balanced diet for our dogs. It takes a bit more time to prepare, but the results in your dog’s health and happiness far outweigh this.
What do you love most about being a Top Dog customer?
We love Top Dog because they provide the variety of 80/10/10 mixes that we need to feed our dogs. We started out buying meat and organs and bone meal but struggled to get reliable sources. Top Dog has it premixed and in a variety of chub sizes that fit our needs.
What is your pups favorite Top Dog food/treat?
Well, that’s pretty tough to say. There isn’t anything that our dogs haven’t loved from Top Dog.