Leena Watts
There are many purported benefits to feeding your dog a raw diet, including healthier skin, increased energy, and improved dental health. Dogs may also be more excited by the taste and scent of raw food compared to highly processed kibble or canned food. However, there are some risks associated with raw diets, such as salmonella and E. coli, which can be dangerous for both dogs and humans. It is important to take food safety precautions when handling and storing raw food for your dog. Transitioning your dog to a raw diet should be done slowly and with guidance from your veterinarian, who can help you determine which type of raw food is most beneficial for your dog's health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Once or twice a day |
| Fasting | Fast the dog for half to a full day before the first raw meal |
| Transitioning | Transition over a week, slowly replacing the original diet with the raw diet |
| Quantity | 2-4% of the dog's body weight, split between morning and night |
| Puppies | Feed 3-4 times a day for very young puppies, twice a day for older puppies |
| Ingredients | Meat, offal, bones, vegetables, and fruits |
| Micronutrients | Vitamin D, zinc, manganese, iodine, vitamin E, omega-3 fats |
| Food Safety | Wash hands, disinfect surfaces, and utensils after handling raw meat |
| Food Safety for Humans | High-pressure processing (HPP) to inactivate pathogens |
| Cost | More expensive than kibble |
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What You'll Learn
Transitioning your dog to a raw diet
The first step is to decide on the type of raw food that is most beneficial for your dog's health. It is recommended to consult your veterinarian for advice on this. You can then decide whether to prepare the raw meals yourself or purchase pre-made raw food. Preparing raw meals yourself can be time-consuming, as you will need to source the ingredients and ensure your dog receives the right proportions of everything it needs. Pre-made raw food is a good option if you want to save time, but it can be more expensive.
Once you have decided on the type of raw food, the transition process can begin. It is generally recommended to fast your dog for half to a full day before introducing the first raw meal. This will ensure your dog has a good appetite and can help with the transition. Start by feeding a small amount of raw food to see how your dog handles it. If all goes well, you can gradually replace more of their original diet with the raw diet. Monitor your dog closely during this time and adjust the quantity of food as needed. If your dog experiences loose stools, wait until their stool is firm before continuing to increase the amount of raw food.
The transition process should be done slowly, especially for older dogs, as they may have a more sensitive digestive system. Puppies, on the other hand, can typically transition over a few days. It is also important to note that a pregnant or lactating dog will have increased dietary needs, especially during the third trimester when milk production increases.
Some general safety precautions to keep in mind when feeding your dog a raw diet include washing your hands and disinfecting surfaces after handling raw meat. It is also important to keep raw meat separate from other foods and to wash your dog's bowl with hot, soapy water after each meal.
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How to handle and store raw food
Handling and storing raw dog food safely is essential to prevent bacterial contamination and ensure your dog's health. Here are some detailed guidelines on how to handle and store raw food for your dog's raw diet:
Defrosting and Preparing Raw Food
When preparing raw meals, always start by washing your hands with soap and water before and after handling any raw meat. Defrost frozen meat in the refrigerator overnight or in a sealed container in a water bath. Never leave raw meat at room temperature to thaw, as this can lead to bacterial growth.
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The benefits of a raw diet
A raw diet can bring many benefits to your dog's health and well-being. Firstly, it can aid in weight management. Kibble, a common type of dog food, is often highly processed and contains high levels of starches and sugars that can lead to unhealthy weight gain. In contrast, a raw diet can help your dog maintain a healthy weight by eliminating these carbohydrates and providing a more natural and balanced source of nutrition.
Another advantage of a raw diet is improved dental health. Raw dog food contains naturally occurring enzymes that help protect gums and teeth, whereas kibble may not be as effective in promoting dental hygiene. Additionally, a raw diet can lead to increased energy levels and a shinier, healthier coat for your dog.
One of the most significant benefits of a raw diet is its potential to reduce health issues. Studies have shown that puppies fed a raw diet from a young age, along with their mothers during pregnancy, are less likely to suffer from chronic ear infections as adults. A raw diet can also help prevent and manage other health conditions such as obesity, arthritis, allergies, and diabetes.
Furthermore, a raw diet can provide your dog with better nutrition overall. It allows you to include a variety of fresh and organic ingredients, such as fruits and vegetables, and high-quality meats. By rotating protein sources and including organs like liver and kidney, you can ensure your dog gets all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. For example, whole raw fish, egg yolks, and green-lipped mussels are excellent sources of vitamin D, which is essential for your dog's health.
While a raw diet offers these benefits, it is important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the specific nutritional needs of your dog and to ensure a safe and balanced raw food plan. Additionally, proper food safety precautions and handling practices are crucial to prevent the spread of bacteria and to keep both your dog and your family safe.
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What to feed your dog
A raw food diet for dogs can be beneficial in many ways. It can help your dog maintain a healthy weight, improve dental health, and provide better nutrition. It can also be expensive and time-consuming, and there are some safety concerns to be aware of.
To start your dog on a raw diet, it is recommended to fast your dog for half to a full day before introducing raw food to ensure a good appetite. Then, start by feeding a small amount of raw food and gradually increase the proportion of raw food in their diet over time. Monitor your dog's stool, and if it becomes loose, wait until it firms up before continuing to increase the amount of raw food. The daily portion should be split between morning and night.
When feeding a raw diet, it is important to include a variety of proteins such as liver, kidney, beef, chicken, and fish. Organ meat is particularly important for the nutrients it provides. Some sources recommend including vegetables and fruits, especially organic and non-GMO produce, to add nutritional value.
It is important to handle raw meat safely to prevent the spread of disease. This includes washing hands and disinfecting surfaces after handling raw meat, as well as washing your dog's bowl with hot soapy water after each meal.
It is always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian before making any significant changes to your dog's diet to ensure it meets your dog's specific nutritional needs.
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How much to feed your dog
The amount of raw food to feed your dog depends on several factors, including age, weight, breed, and anticipated adult weight. For instance, small breeds, sometimes called toy dogs, are dogs that are 15 lbs or less. Common examples of small/toy dog breeds are Chihuahuas, Pugs, and Maltese dogs.
One rule of thumb is to feed 2-5% of the pet's body weight. Smaller dogs will require a higher percentage of their body weight, while larger dogs will require a smaller percentage of their body weight. For example, a 10-pound dog will eat about 2 to 2.5 pounds per week or about 10 pounds per month, while a 50-pound dog will eat about 8 pounds per week or about 32 pounds per month. The daily portion should be split between morning and night.
If you are trying to put your dog on a diet and help them lose weight, you should lean towards the 2% side and increase their exercise. If you want your dog to gain weight, then lean towards 5% and bulk the raw food with extra fat and protein.
Additionally, very young puppies should be fed three to four times per day, while older puppies and adult dogs can be fed twice a day. Puppies can generally transition to a raw diet over the course of a few days as they typically have a healthier digestive system than older dogs. The older the dog, the longer you should take to transition to the new diet.
It is important to note that an unbalanced raw pet food diet can harm your dog. Therefore, it is recommended to rotate proteins and include a variety of meat, organs, vegetables, and fruits to ensure the diet has enough variety to provide all the necessary nutrients. For example, dogs need liver and kidney, which provide nutrients that are not found in muscle meat or bone. Additionally, it is important to trim the skin off poultry as it can contain 30 times more omega-6 fat than omega-3.
To boost the vitamin D content, feed your dog whole raw fish, egg yolks, vitamin D-rich mushrooms, or green-lipped mussels. You can also add vitamin supplements to your dog's diet, but be cautious as too much vitamin D can damage your dog's kidneys.
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Frequently asked questions
A raw diet can help your dog maintain a healthy weight, improve dental health, and lead to shinier coats, healthier skin, and increased energy. It can also help to prevent chronic ear infections.
It's recommended to fast your dog for half to a full day before their first raw meal to ensure a good appetite. After that, you can start to replace their original diet with raw food, monitoring your dog's stool as you do so. If it becomes loose, wait until it firms up again before continuing the transition.
The amount of food will depend on factors such as your dog's age, weight, breed, and anticipated adult weight. A good rule of thumb is to feed 2-4% of the dog's body weight, with smaller dogs requiring a higher percentage and larger dogs requiring a smaller percentage.
Dogs can eat one meal a day and live longer, healthier lives. Intermittent fasting is beneficial for dogs, as they never knew when their next meal was coming.
It's important to include a variety of protein sources, such as red meats and white meats like chicken, and organs like liver and kidney. You should also feed your dog fruits and vegetables, aiming for 10% of their diet. Choose organic, non-GMO produce to minimise their exposure to pesticides and glyphosate.
