? 9/9 Carter PMBG 77 - Anyone used "Better In The Raw" premix before? Questions about that & Alnutrin!

[Erica & Carter]

Last condo - hurray for not posting on my phone! Long post ahead, as usual! I mean who else am I going to tell all this stuff to that would actually appreciate it??

Happy Friday everyone! I will be enjoying it from the comforts of my couch, but I'm in good spirits about it. I do feel bad for my drooler though, I know she's bored and wants to play but right now the only time we can take her to the dog park is on weekends. So Lily will take her tomorrow!

Carter was 77 today at about +5 after a meal. Bean fell asleep, oops, but still a nice 70s number!

Carter had some Wild Calling Buffalo mixed into his BFF fuds today. Seemed to enjoy it, ate about 90%. I'm still going to feed the BFF with the more novel proteins until it's used up, don't want to waste it and he has has not vomited recently. @Woodsywife was so kind as to mail us some NV and Ziwipeak! I also ordered a case of the Wild Calling Rabbit, but hopefully by the time I'm finished that and the civies finish Darwin's - it will be time to start my own premade raw with the EZ Complete Premix. Since I've been out for surgery, I've joined a ton of raw feeding groups of Facebook, and have been reading up on it. Makes me happy that 2/3 of my boys are currently eating the raw. I will definitely be switching my dog as well, but probably not until next Month. I've found a premix I can use for her as well with muscle meat, adding eggs or extra organs as necessary. Possibly long term, or possibly until I'm more comfortable with the ratios. In about a week or two Lily and I will go out "meat scoping" on a Saturday, and try to find the best deals - ah yes, two vegans going meat shopping - the irony! I'm sure @Tara & Ivana can appreciate the irony of that.

I think I finally have all my supplements all figured out for all of the pets:

Kya:
Plaque Off SID
Nordic Naturals Omega 3s SID
Cranberry Capsule SID

Carter:
Plaque Off SID
Nordic Naturals Omega 3s SID
Probitoic BID
SEB SID??

Odin:
Plaque Off SID
Nordic Naturals Omega 3s SID
Probiotic BID

Simon:
Plaque Off SID
Nordic Naturals Omega 3s SID
Probiotic BID
Cosequin SID?? I'm not 100% sure if Simon has arthritis, but he does seem a little stiff when he walks and gets up sometimes. Just want to see if this could help.

Ordered everything but it won't be here till after the weekend.

OK back to my original question finally:

Anyone used "Better In the Raw" premix by Know Better Pet Food? Someone in the IBD Raw Feeders Facebook group brought it up as a more affordable alternative to the EZ Complete Premix. I contacted the company and they gave me the same info listed on the link I provided.

Carbs: 1.2%
Phosphorus: 224mg - is that low/high? Not sure how to determine phosphorus in percentages. Simon doesn't have kidney issues yet, but I'd prefer to keep the phosphorus down.

@Marje and Gracie would you be able to tell me more about your experiences with Alnutrin? I read that it is usually used in additon to bone and organ, but there is an option to not add bone because it has the calcium - but you'd still add organ?

I'm feeling really sentimental today so I just want to say I love being part of FDMB and other groups who care about the health of their pet to the greatest extent. I love my friends but they are not huge animal lovers or don't really go the extra mile in terms of care and nutrition for their animals. I never want children and these animals are my children and want to provide the best care I can.

Vines to all those in need! Cheering on any OTJ trials.

 

[Erica & Carter]

I also forgot to mention Carter is just full of energy these days. Running around the house like a loon, and harassing poor old Simon.

Still a little aggressive with Kya but it's managable.

 

[Marje and Gracie]

Last condo - hurray for not posting on my phone! Long post ahead, as usual! I mean who else am I going to tell all this stuff to that would actually appreciate it??

Happy Friday everyone! I will be enjoying it from the comforts of my couch, but I'm in good spirits about it. I do feel bad for my drooler though, I know she's bored and wants to play but right now the only time we can take her to the dog park is on weekends. So Lily will take her tomorrow!

Carter was 77 today at about +5 after a meal. Bean fell asleep, oops, but still a nice 70s number!

Carter had some Wild Calling Buffalo mixed into his BFF fuds today. Seemed to enjoy it, ate about 90%. I'm still going to feed the BFF with the more novel proteins until it's used up, don't want to waste it and he has has not vomited recently. @Woodsywife was so kind as to mail us some NV and Ziwipeak! I also ordered a case of the Wild Calling Rabbit, but hopefully by the time I'm finished that and the civies finish Darwin's - it will be time to start my own premade raw with the EZ Complete Premix. Since I've been out for surgery, I've joined a ton of raw feeding groups of Facebook, and have been reading up on it. Makes me happy that 2/3 of my boys are currently eating the raw. I will definitely be switching my dog as well, but probably not until next Month. I've found a premix I can use for her as well with muscle meat, adding eggs or extra organs as necessary. Possibly long term, or possibly until I'm more comfortable with the ratios. In about a week or two Lily and I will go out "meat scoping" on a Saturday, and try to find the best deals - ah yes, two vegans going meat shopping - the irony! I'm sure @Tara & Ivana can appreciate the irony of that.

I think I finally have all my supplements all figured out for all of the pets:

Kya:
Plaque Off SID
Nordic Naturals Omega 3s SID
Cranberry Capsule SID

Carter:
Plaque Off SID
Nordic Naturals Omega 3s SID
Probitoic BID
SEB SID??

Odin:
Plaque Off SID
Nordic Naturals Omega 3s SID
Probiotic BID

Simon:
Plaque Off SID
Nordic Naturals Omega 3s SID
Probiotic BID
Cosequin SID?? I'm not 100% sure if Simon has arthritis, but he does seem a little stiff when he walks and gets up sometimes. Just want to see if this could help.

Ordered everything but it won't be here till after the weekend.

OK back to my original question finally:

Anyone used "Better In the Raw" premix by Know Better Pet Food? Someone in the IBD Raw Feeders Facebook group brought it up as a more affordable alternative to the EZ Complete Premix. I contacted the company and they gave me the same info listed on the link I provided.

Carbs: 1.2%
Phosphorus: 224mg - is that low/high? Not sure how to determine phosphorus in percentages. Simon doesn't have kidney issues yet, but I'd prefer to keep the phosphorus down.

@Marje and Gracie would you be able to tell me more about your experiences with Alnutrin? I read that it is usually used in additon to bone and organ, but there is an option to not add bone because it has the calcium - but you'd still add organ?

I'm feeling really sentimental today so I just want to say I love being part of FDMB and other groups who care about the health of their pet to the greatest extent. I love my friends but they are not huge animal lovers or don't really go the extra mile in terms of care and nutrition for their animals. I never want children and these animals are my children and want to provide the best care I can.

Vines to all those in need! Cheering on any OTJ trials.

Alnutrin was formulated by a member of this forum; her husband is a nutritionist and they did it for their diabetic cst to offer a better diet. Yes, you can buy either with calcium or without but both formulas require that you add liver. You can sub some other organs like heart for the meat so, for example, you could do 1 lb of chicken breast and 0.8oz liver or you could do 3/4 lb chicken breast, 1/4 lb chicken hearts, and 0.8 oz liver. Tobey took to it much faster than the EZC but I just found dealing with the liver got to be a pain. I'd buy the meat ground but the liver was whole and so it was an extra step to put it in the food processor to thoroughly mix. I can make the EZC in half the time. Ive stopped using alnutrin now that I have the kitten because it is not formulated for kittens and EZC is.

I looked at the Better in the Raw and there are several things that I, personally don't like about it like the whey protein concentrate and the psyllium husks for fiber. I would also suggest that you find out where all the ingredients are sourced. Even though it might say "made in the USA" many of these companies have to source at least some of their ingredients outside of the USA which means China in many cases.

I prefer the EZC for many reasons. One, I think green killed mussel is a better source of omega 3s than EFA from fish. Again...what fish? And fish are more subject to higher mercury levels. Second, I think digestive enzymes and glandulars are important for every cat regardless of intestinal health.....just like I think probiotics are. No ingredients of EZC are sourced in China....the mussels are sourced in New Zealand. I think EZC comes closer to offering more like prey than any of the other supplements I've seen. IMHO.

 

[Erica & Carter]

Alnutrin was formulated by a member of this forum; her husband is a nutritionist and they did it for their diabetic cst to offer a better diet. Yes, you can buy either with calcium or without but both formulas require that you add liver. You can sub some other organs like heart for the meat so, for example, you could do 1 lb of chicken breast and 0.8oz liver or you could do 3/4 lb chicken breast, 1/4 lb chicken hearts, and 0.8 oz liver. Tobey took to it much faster than the EZC but I just found dealing with the liver got to be a pain. I'd buy the meat ground but the liver was whole and so it was an extra step to put it in the food processor to thoroughly mix. I can make the EZC in half the time. Ive stopped using alnutrin now that I have the kitten because it is not formulated for kittens and EZC is.

I looked at the Better in the Raw and there are several things that I, personally don't like about it like the whey protein concentrate and the psyllium husks for fiber. I would also suggest that you find out where all the ingredients are sourced. Even though it might say "made in the USA" many of these companies have to source at least some of their ingredients outside of the USA which means China in many cases.

I prefer the EZC for many reasons. One, I think green killed mussel is a better source of omega 3s than EFA from fish. Again...what fish? And fish are more subject to higher mercury levels. Second, I think digestive enzymes and glandulars are important for every cat regardless of intestinal health.....just like I think probiotics are. No ingredients of EZC are sourced in China....the mussels are sourced in New Zealand. I think EZC comes closer to offering more like prey than any of the other supplements I've seen. IMHO.

Thank you for the helpful information. I will message them and see what the company says, out of curioisity. I was more so looking at additonal premixes to switch it up a bit, but not at the risk of lower quality ingredients.

 

[Tara & Ivana (GA)]

two vegans going meat shopping - the irony! I'm sure @Tara & Ivana can appreciate the irony of that.

I wish you luck! I was trying not to heave in the meat section of the supermarket, the smell nearly did me in. And I had to leave the cutting up of the meat to hubby (also vegan, but stronger willed!) because I just couldn't do it. In a way I'm kinda glad Ivana didn't really go for the raw

 

[Madrona and Leda (GA)]

I was more so looking at additonal premixes to switch it up a bit, but not at the risk of lower quality ingredients.

I looked around for the same reason, and basically ended up sticking with FFL since the ingredients make the most sense to me (and I didn't want to mess with bones and organs yet)
TCFeline has another premix that you might check out (I still like the ingredients in FFL best, but if you wanted to diversify a bit).

Best of luck.

 

[Erica & Carter]

I wish you luck! I was trying not to heave in the meat section of the supermarket, the smell nearly did me in. And I had to leave the cutting up of the meat to hubby (also vegan, but stronger willed!) because I just couldn't do it. In a way I'm kinda glad Ivana didn't really go for the raw

Yeah in a way I'm looking forward to it, because I want all my pets on a raw diet - but I'm not actually looking forward to it. Mostly because it's all so confusing to me, there's so many different parts of animal, where can I get the best deals, how much can I prep, etc. Yeesh!

 

[Erica & Carter]

I looked around for the same reason, and basically ended up sticking with FFL since the ingredients make the most sense to me (and I didn't want to mess with bones and organs yet)
TCFeline has another premix that you might check out (I still like the ingredients in FFL best, but if you wanted to diversify a bit).

Best of luck.

Thank you! Taking note of all of these different options in case the cats get bored of one.