I have read through many pages of the Nature's Variety Raw thread, but am still hesitant to go raw. I have listed a number of raw dehydrated alternatives and wondered if anyone has tried these or successfully feeds these? I'm presently leaning towards Addiction Dehydrated and ZiwiPeak. I'm currently feeding Boone a rotation that includes Orijen and Wellness.

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I've heard good things about the Ziwipeak. Teresa, on here, TLI, is using it right now and really likes it. She'll probably comment when she sees this. Good Luck!!!

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Don't forget about Wysong Archetype. It's one of the top rated raw foods out there.

I think these are a great way to ease into raw. Or just to give them variety and something different that is healthy for them.

Brodysmom

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"Having heard all of this, you may choose to look the other way.....
but you can never say again that you did not know." William Wilberforce 1759-1833

Brodysmom, I had never heard of Wysong Archetype, I'll be sure to take a look! Thanks!

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http://www.wysong.net/products/arche...g-cat-food.php

They also have a learning tab that has a ton of articles on dog nutrition with interesting info.

Brodysmom

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"Having heard all of this, you may choose to look the other way.....
but you can never say again that you did not know." William Wilberforce 1759-1833

I personally like Ziwipeak best out of these choices. It more closely mimics raw feeding IMO. There are no potatoes and other veggies in it as opposed to the others mentioned. Those things aren't going to hurt, but if you were feeding raw you wouldn't be feeding those things unless you give them as a treat. It is however expensive. For a 2.2 lb. bag it costs me $24.00. I mix that with a bit of EVO 95% canned Venison. My guys have allergies, so this seems to be the best way for us to go because the ingredients are very limited. So far they love it, and I do too. Lexie's eyes already don't water as bad, her scratching is down to 20%, and I'm quite sure it will completely disappear soon. They all seem more energetic, and they only poop once a day, and it's a very small amount. I don't mean to sound gross, but the size of the stool is even smaller. No more straining for any of them.

Oh, and as far as the cost of it, they eat so little of it. A 2.2 lb. bag will last me a month with 4 pups. Jade is now eating it as well, just not as her sole diet. Since she is still young I feed her puppy food too with the extra carbs and fat for growth.

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Teresa, it's great to hear your positive feedback on Ziwipeak. Both my dogs were doing great on raw for the first week but then Pebbles started to get dirrhea and a little bleeding (probably from straining) and she started turning away when i had raw food (not Shadow though, she LOVES her raw and is doing great on it). I've been feeding her boiled chicken etc to help get her stools back on track and she's a lot better now but i was reading up on Ziwipeak and thought maybe it is gentler on the stomach then plain raw meat but still as good for them. Since your guys have allergies and are doing great on it i may just give Pebbles a try!

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T- are you feeding the venison ziwipeak? I looked at the website and there were a lot of choices. I wonder if Brody would like it?

Brodysmom

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"Having heard all of this, you may choose to look the other way.....
but you can never say again that you did not know." William Wilberforce 1759-1833