I have thought a lot about switching Kota to a raw diet lately, so tonight I started doing my research. Everything I've read affirms my decision that switching to a raw diet is the way to go but even after the million websites and advise topics I've read I really have no idea where to start. Other than feeding chicken for about a week. I guess it's just a whole new concept for me, being as ive always just fed the high dollar grain free dog food. Of course that being said, I've also never had a husky, particularly one who seems to be a picky eater.

So basically from what I've read I just need to go to the grocery store, buy Kota a whole chicken and pretty much just give it to her? That sounds so simple and so hard all at the same time. 80% meat, 10% bone, 10% organ 5% being liver, correct. I've calculated that my girl needs about 1 1/2 lbs a day for her weight and with her age being fed twice a day. Does this mean feed her .75lbs twice a day or the full 1.5lbs twice a day? How do make sure I'm keeping the 80,10,10 balance.

I guess it just throws me off a bit going from feeding a cup an a half of dog food twice a day to measuring out 1.2lbs of meat, .15lbs of bone, and .15lbs of organ. Is there a good rule of thumb with buying thing to feed her. I've pretty well got that just being a whole chicken quarter if probably a fine ratio of meat to bone but throwing in the organ just throws me off a bit.

I may be over thinking this, which is a good possibility, but I just don't want to accidentally do anything to harm my girl since his will be a huge change from the typical dry food she has been eating.

You feed approximately 2% of their body weight per day whether you feed once or split that is up to you. But that means that you'll feed 1.5 lbs of meat per day (not 1.5 lbs twice a day), if you choose to feed twice a day then split that 1.5 lbs up however you wish. It doesn't have to be an even split of 0.75 lbs per meal either, you can do a 1/2 lb feed in the morning and 1 lb at night...it's whatever works for you. Unless Koda is a puppy you don't need to feed twice a day, it is really up to you. And don't freak out if one day you feed 2 lbs and the next you feed 1.25 lbs, remember it is balance over time.

The 80/10/10 rule is a good guide/starting off point but individuals will vary and it really is not an exact science. Some dogs require more than 10% bone and others require less, you'll get a feel for your dogs needs as you venture into it. You do not need to get exactly 80/10/10 in every day or even every meal. Raw diets are all about balance over time. The same holds true for us too if you think about it. Us humans eat a variety of different foods to achieve a healthy balanced diet over time. If you have less bone one day and more bone another you will be fine. Likewise, you can choose to feed a little bit of organ every day or just a larger portion one day a week...it really is up to you. As long as you provide plenty of variety and don't neglect to feed organ you shouldn't need to worry all that much. Wild wolves to not measure how much meat, bone, and organ they are eating.

I suppose your right about that. See, I have a problem with reading way to much into things. Do you recommend certain meat part/organ to feed her at first other than the chicken? An is it a good idea to actually measure out the portions at first?

I only started with chicken as often suggested (I started with chicken quarters and chicken breast along with some ground beef), but everything else I just gave whatever I had available to me at the best price.

I wasn't suggesting that you don't measure out portions, even I still do that. I merely was trying to convey that it doesn't have to be exact, that's all. I measure to get within a certain range but am not worried about exacts.

Ahh okay. See there I go again reading way to into things.

I appreciate all your help! Ill probably have a million more question once I actually get started with the raw diet but I am pretty positive that raw is the best idea for my girl. So I guess tonight, its a trip to the grocery store to stock up on some chicken... and organs?

Which by the way I hope our grocery store sells! Ive never really tried to buy organs so I guess if they don't have then its back to the drawing board. Wish us luck!

Try your butchers/wholesalers, can often be cheaper than supermarkets.

If youw ant to save money, find a Co-op -

http://www.dogaware.com/diet/rawgroups.html