Hello!

Just stopping in to say hi! My name is Samantha, I am engaged to a trucker, and we have a 7 month old chihuahua named Venus. Just started Venus on Natures Variety Raw Chicken almost a week ago. She is currently on 1 meal of raw food and 1 meal of dry food a day. I am really looking forward to learning more about the benefits of the raw diet.

Welcome to the forum! We have a lot of Chi owners on here so far, I'd love to see some pictures of Venus. Are you planning on trying to make your own raw? If you are willing to, it's much better and less expensive than pre-made, just something to think about.

Hope you stick around and find everything you are looking for here!

Siam wrote:Welcome to the forum! We have a lot of Chi owners on here so far, I'd love to see some pictures of Venus. Are you planning on trying to make your own raw? If you are willing to, it's much better and less expensive than pre-made, just something to think about.

Hope you stick around and find everything you are looking for here!

I would like to because I do think it would be A LOT cheaper, but until I can learn how to balance her nutrition on my own I think it'd be in her best interest if I just buy pre-made. If I feel confident enough someday I would like to switch her to a 100% raw diet, instead of 50% raw/50% kibble diet.

That's a great plan, basically what I've been doing, half raw and half kibble until I'm sure Willie will consume enough of everything to be safe on all raw. Believe me, making your own raw is not half as hard as some websites and people make it out to be. You don't need supplements (except fish oil if you don't feed much fish) or veggies, or grains or fruit. Just meat, bones and organs (with liver being mandatory once a week). Follow the (very loose) rule of 80% meat, 10% bone, 5% liver and 5% other organ (not heart) within the week. you don't have to be exact it's just a good starting place and gives you an idea of the proportions. Meat everyday, bony meal every third day, liver once a week and the other organ once or twice a week. Hopefully we can help you make the transition!!

WELCOME!

(Sorry, been busy at work all week, otherwise would have responded sooner)

Glad you and your pup want to learn about a healthier (CHEAPER!) way to feed! I hope Venus takes well to the meats, but don't be scared if she vomits a few times/has the runs during the first few weeks. Those things are totally a normal response for newbie critters. Premade is a good transition food too, so feel free to stick a few of your own raw meals in there as well. Ask us anything you like, we're here to help you learn and love giving advice (and luring you to the dark side! Muahaha!).

Please post pictures! We love chi's here.