The raw has many different success routes. Below are some general answers to questions that you may have so we can help get you onto the raw food diet. People have many different ideas about feeding a raw diet and what the “proper” way is, but my biggest suggestion is, to not to give up and simply go back to a commercial diet, but start thinking about what works best for you and your dog.
Start with the basics, raw chicken bones- necks, wings, etc. For the majority of raw feeders, this is the basic ingredient in a raw diet. But if it is not available, you can use most other available products such as rabbit, lamb, beef, venison, kangaroo, pig or raw whole fish.
Please note: Many dogs do not have the ability to cope with grains. Grains make up the largest amount of ingredients in a commercial diet. Many dogs have allergies from these products and when switched to a raw diet, many owners find these allergies gone.
Not only is a raw food diet cheaper if done properly, but it will also save thousands of dollars in vet visits. If you ask yourself, “Why hasn’t my vet told me about a raw diet if it’s so good?” Well unfortunately most vets receive little to no education on canine nutrition at the universities other than what the pet food company reps tell them. Ever notice how many are funded and backed by the “BIG” pet food companies….? This is NOT to say that there aren’t great vets out here who have realized and recommend a raw food diet. So many people today are not only choosing a healthier lifestyle for themselves, but for their pets.
Benefits of a raw food diet:
- No doggy odor
- Naturally cleans teeth
- The time it takes for a dog to chew a raw meaty bone give their stomach adequate time to get the acids moving
- Much less stools produced – they are firm and even chalky
- Decreased or non-existent vet bills
- Less cost for dog food
- Mirrors what the dog would be getting in the wild and even the modern day dog has the same digestive system as the wild wolf
- Puppies develop at a more appropriate rate and quick growth spurts are avoided. A GOOD breeder wants to stop fast growth in a pup
- The ripping and tearing involved in eating raw develops the neck, jaw and shoulder muscles of the dog. Commercial foods will never assist in this important muscle development
What have other reported?
- Dogs previously un-energetic become completely new dogs on a raw diet
- Allergies disappearing
- Arthritis has improved or disappeared
- Better weight control
- Live longer lives
- Bitches managed their pregnancies better
- Better weight gain and survival rate in puppies
How Will I Know How Much to Feed my Dog?
Feed your dog based on it’s energy requirement and watch your dog. If he is looking thin, add more or if he is gaining to much, cut him back. Dogs should get approximately 40% vegis and 60% meat. Organ meats are good on occasion as well as a whole raw fish or whole chicken if your dog is large enough to eat it. A dog should be fasted for a day on occasion, how often is up to you. A puppy can fast up to 12 hours every 1-2 weeks. Offer broths and water while fasting.
Aren’t Chicken Bones Dangerous?
This is one of the biggest myths of all time. Raw chicken bones are perfect for your dog. They are soft enough that they will bend easily and break down well for the dog to digest.
COOKED chicken bones are the problem and WILL splinter and hurt your dog. NEVER COOK YOUR DOGS BONES.
Can your dog die from eating a chicken bone- yes. But it is about as likely as a dog choking to death on dry dog food.
What If My Dog Seems to Swallow it Whole?
You should supervise your dog at all meal times. If your dog is scarfing down his food, try feeding it to him one piece at a time until he learns to slow down. In the past I have herald the food in my hand and fed one piece at a time to slow my dog, as well as make her more comfortable with my handling of her bowl & food. Most puppies who are brought up on raw food never have this problem.
What About Bacteria?
There is bacteria everywhere. Dogs have an amazing immunity system specifically designed to eat all manner of bacteria. A healthy raw fed dog manages bacteria without a problem.
E-coli, salmonella, etc are found on raw chicken, but those nasties are also in your fridge, in the sink, on your countertops, in the park, everywhere. Interestingly, the only dogs I have heard of dying from these where commercial fed dogs.
The most important thing is to wash your hands thoroughly after preparing your dogs meal. Our digestive systems can not handle them the same way dogs can. You can easily set up a spray bottle with grapeseed extract, apple cider vinegar or plain vinegar on your kitchen counter for easy clean ups (these products kill bacteria naturally).
Can I Feed my Pregnant Bitch Raw? And What About My Puppies?
Of course you can – and you should! This is the best thing you could do for your dog and her puppies! A pregnant bitch may eat a lot though! But trust her- she will know what she needs.
And for your puppy- raw food is for all ages. Of course you won’t want to give your puppy huge marrow bones, but use common sense. In the past I have enjoyed watching tiny min pin puppies fight and tear and rip at chicken necks that are as large as their bodies!
What About My Puppy?
A puppy can eat most of the same things a full size dog can eat- in smaller portions. A small puppy may not be comfortable eating a chicken wing, but crushing it a bit will help. A good rule of thumb on amounts is:
- Up to 3 months – 3-4 times a day
- 3-6 months – 2-3 times a day
- 6-12 months – 1 time a day
What Do We Feed Our Dogs?
Between my mother, my sister and I, we have 20 +/- dogs, plus puppies at times. Most of our dogs eat differently because of their different needs.
In the morning my one dog gets 2 oz. of Oma’s mix (ground meat, bone and vegetables) with a squirt of Salmon Oil and some Missing Link for Dogs. I had previously adding each vitamin separately but since my dog is so small and so picky- it became easier to feed the Missing Link everyday and add other vitamins or minerals when it seemed she needed them. A fresh raw diet is incredible for your pet but dogs need additional supplements for optimum health.
At night she gets either a pork neck bone, a whole raw fish or half a chicken wing. Remember that my dog is only 7.5 pounds so most other dogs will eat more than this. My mother’s dogs, most of which are larger than mine, get chicken backs for dinner as they can be bought in bulk very cheaply.
My larger dog can eat 3-4 chicken backs in one sitting. I have also recently found an amazing product that I have been adding to my whole chicken parts…. Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health. It is just an amazing product, filled with organic grains, 9 vegetables, and 13 different herbs, combined with multi-vitamin and mineral supplements. It cook sup in about 8 minutes and can be added to your dogs meal. Mine LOVE it!
VARIETY IS KEY! You wouldn’t want to eat the same thing for dinner every night of every week, neither does your dog. Be sure to change his meal everyday, just as you would yours. Some people choose to feed a full grown dog one time a day, others feed two.
