An appropriate raw diet provides all of the protein required for proper growth and replacement during metabolism, in addition to B-complex vitamins, Vitamins C and D and essential fatty acids such as Eicosapentaenic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenic acid (DHA).
Feeding raw meaty bones at an appropriate ratio is vital. Doing so provides your dog with essential calcium and phosphorous intake as well as helping create bulk for firm stool formation.
Contents
Vegetables
Puppies on raw diets should consume at least 10-25% vegetables as these provide important sources of vitamins, minerals, and fibre that support digestion and gut health.
Vegetables add an array of flavors to meals. Some vegetables can be enjoyed raw while others require cooking or steaming for optimal nutrition. An easy way to incorporate veggies is through pureeing; you can do this easily in a blender or food processor and it allows for creating smaller puppy-sized portions.
Freezing raw vegetables in ice cube trays makes them easy to store and thaw later, and adding whole fruits and veggies is even simpler; just ensure any produce undergoes high-pressure processing (HPP) to eliminate pathogens.
Bones
Puppies on raw diets enjoy chewing bones, not only helping keep their teeth clean but also exercising their necks, backs and legs, which helps build muscle tone according to Dr. Billinghurst.
Bones are an abundant source of fresh bone marrow, calcium, magnesium and zinc in addition to natural form amino acids and contain glucosamine and chondroitin that promote joint health.
The RSPCA advises giving puppies one raw meaty bone each week under supervision to help protect against tooth decay and gum disease.
Eggs
Puppies require an abundance of protein for tissue formation and to replenish what they naturally lose each day from their bodies, with raw feeding providing an easy source of this vital nutrient.
Eggs offer a healthy blend of amino acids, B-complex vitamins, vitamin D and omega-3 fats such as eicosapentaenic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid.
While some raw feeders choose a “Whole Prey” diet – where each meal consists of muscle meat, organs and raw meaty bones from one specific animal/bird – most BARF feeders employ a recipe-based approach in order to ensure each meal contains adequate nutrition. Homemade raw diets may lack balanced ratios of calcium and phosphorous essential for optimal bone development.
Fish
Raw feeders enjoy providing their animals with fish as a source of omega 3s and other essential fatty acids. You can choose from fresh, frozen and canned options including trout, mackerel, salmon, sardines herring and tuna for optimal results.
Ground bone is another essential ingredient found in BARF and PMR diets, providing essential calcium and phosphorus essential for supporting puppy bones and teeth while adding bulk to stool. Unfortunately, many commercial pet food companies ignore this important element when formulating their commercial dog foods.
As soon as you transition Rascal onto a raw diet, select one protein source and feed him all of its meat and bones from one animal for 7 – 10 days, before gradually introducing other proteins as long as he doesn’t experience loose stools or digestive issues.
Other Ingredients
Raw muscle meats provide easily digestible protein to supply essential nutrition to your pup. Achieving this through offering fresh and biologically suitable proteins reduces food intolerances or allergies.
By feeding your puppy a variety of meat proteins, she’ll gain access to important micronutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and enzymes which will support overall health and reduce energy fluctuations that might arise from consuming too many carbohydrates (kibble).
As a natural source of calcium, consider including ground bone in your pup’s diet on an ongoing basis. Or try supplementing with herbal/green blends containing wheat grass, kelp and nettles which have been treated using high-pressure processing (HPP) technology in order to remove harmful bacteria.
