grinder

[jadeguppy]

I'm thinking about getting a grinder so I can portion out my meals and grind up everything together. Basically, make my own commercial style food. I'm thinking this will also make it much easier to store the food in the proper portions. So, what are the pros and cons of grinding up the meat, bones, and organs together? Also, does anyone have an inexpensive grinder they can suggest?

[Sherry]

No idea about a grinder since I generally feed RMB's. But two drawbacks I know of with feeding all grinds is lack of dental benefits and the stimulation of chewing.

[darlene]

This is the one I use www.amazon.com/Waring-MG-800-Professional-Grinder-Stainless/dp/B0000CEURE I use it to make my soup for the ferts. I only grind bones from chicken and smaller fowl. Smashing the bones helps. If you get a grinder make sure everything is metal,no plastic and at least 400w. Plus I use it to make my own chicken or turkey burgers.......much cheaper than buying it already ground at the grocers.

[jadeguppy]

Sherry, how much of a difference do you think munching on the bones in grind vs. whole bones makes for their teeth?

[Jaclynn]

northcoastpets.com/barf_hardware.htm

This site has quite a few and lists the types of bone they grind. The cheapest is $135 and does chicken, duck and rabbit bones.

[Sherry]

It really does make a difference. With larger bone they are crunching THROUGH it which in turn scrapes against the teeth up to the gum line.

[Yurei Avalon]

I feed mine grind, but I offer them chunks and bones like every other day to help their teeth and stimulate them a little. Some of them clearly prefer the chunks over the grind now. If you can get them to acknowledge the bones and chunks as food and chew on them, it's not hard to supplement some bone in treats along with the grinds. Grinds make it so I can make sure they are getting bone and organ with no fuss, but I can lower my grocery bill a bit on the grinds by tossing in thighs, cornish game hens and pork bones now and then.

[mustelidmusk]

If you feed ground food, you will need to clean your ferrets' teeth periodically. The frequency of cleaning will depend upon the individual ferret - like people, some ferrets can get away with very little "flossing" while others will require more frequent cleaning.

-jennifer

[jadeguppy]

I was planning to go with course grind, whichever blade gives the biggest pieces. I want to ensure that they get a balanced meal as often as possible. Mice and chicken wings should stay on the menu, so I don't plan every meal to be grinds. It has to be cheaper to make my own mix than keep buying commercial...

[allenya]

I am still trying to decide on a grinder. I want electric for sure and something that can take bone, the heavier the better. But I can't afford $500+.

[Sherry]

Okay, if they are getting whole bone a couple times a week, their dental benefits are taken care of

[quixoticwhit]

There's one that's highly recommended for raw diets. I don't remember which--I googled some thing like meat grinder for bones, or something. It's highly recommended by people that feed barf diets to their cats and dogs.

It was a couple hundred, I think.

[quixoticwhit]

Ah ha! That last post was no help, I know. I'm tried. Anyway, I found it again: Tasin TS-108 Electric Meat Grinder for $150

www.onestopjerkyshop.com/tasin-ts-108-electric-meat-grinder-1/

The reviews seemed good, not in my price range right now, but if it was and when it will be I think I'll try it.

[Sherry]

That's actually a really good price if it will handle bone!

[Jaclynn]

I'm thinking of maybe investing in the $135 one I posted earlier since it says it handles chicken, duck and rabbit bone. That's not a bad price at all.