Raw foods provide dogs with nutrients they can easily absorb. These include more bioavailable versions of vitamins to combat common health issues like bad breath, inflammation of gums, and arthritis.
Raw diets consist of meats and fats as the foundation, supplemented with vegetables, berries and eggs for complete nourishment.
Contents
Protein
Protein is one of the essential nutrients your dog requires, so when selecting raw food for him/her it is crucial that it contains an appropriate amount. Excess or deficiency could result in health complications for both of you.
High-quality raw food should contain around 13-14% crude protein – this amount is comparable to what wild dogs would ingest.
An effective raw diet includes not only protein, but also fatty acids derived from chia seeds and salmon oil that provide extra lipid support for skin and coat health. Sweet potatoes also offer potassium, B vitamins, beta carotene and phytochemicals – as does providing lots of energy! For best results it’s essential that bowls, utensils, surfaces etc. be properly cleaned after feeding raw foods to avoid bacteria build up.
Fat
Fat is essential in providing energy to keep dogs going strong, helping their body absorb protein more effectively while producing enzymes to drive important metabolic processes.
When dogs eat raw diets, their protein is broken down to amino acids – the body’s building blocks. Their digestive systems then ensures the right proteins reach the body at just the right times.
As we consume raw food, phosphorus is released from bones into our bodies, where it plays an essential role in building bone and teeth as well as breaking down carbohydrates and fat, repairing tissues and more. Most raw feeders aim for a 1/1 ratio between calcium and phosphorus in their diets – easily measured using home phosphate test kits.
Fiber
Dogs are instinctual carnivores, so their diet should include very few grains or vegetables. Therefore, supplementation of raw foods may provide necessary vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
The Advisor suggests rotating between different animal protein sources to provide your pup with optimal nutrition. Bison meat, for instance, can be an ideal choice if they are sensitive to other forms of meat as it’s rich in CoQ10 as well as zinc and iron content.
Finding a local butcher or farmer to provide you with organs like kidneys and hearts as well as novel proteins like turkey or lamb is also essential, and should always be frozen to reduce any risk of food-borne harmful bacteria that could make your dog sick.
Minerals
Your dog needs minerals for growth, maintenance and repair of his/her organs and tissues. They can be obtained from raw muscle meats and organ meats as well as plant sources in raw food; additionally chelated (organic) vitamins may also provide essential nutrition that is more easily absorbed than synthetic vitamins.
A high-quality kibble diet should contain sufficient amounts of essential minerals, while raw diets provide higher concentrations and may contain less sodium (salt) which has been linked to hypertension, heart disease and stroke.
Raw foods are made with healthy ingredients that are easy to digest and packed with vital nutrients, making them a good source of water. Furthermore, they’re free from fillers that could contribute to weight gain, allergies, digestive issues or poor dental health – plus they make for delicious snacks!
pH
When dogs eat kibble, their stomach releases hydrochloric acid to breakdown proteins and lower its pH to approximately 2, making it similar to vinegar in terms of acidity.
Raw foods contain more natural enzymes to aid in digesting nutrition more easily and contain more vitamins and minerals compared to kibble, making them healthier alternatives.
Integrating raw food into their regular kibble diet is an easy and efficient way to enrich their nutrition. Try mixing in freeze-dried raw food as an addition or switch over to a raw kibble formula containing more animal proteins and antioxidants than traditional raw diets would offer.
Use a topper filled with meaty proteins like lamb, duck and beef; exotic proteins such as rabbit and kangaroo can even help support digestive health in your dog!
