Milly Gaines
The Raw Dog Food Nutrition course offered by Dogs Naturally Magazine University is 9 hours long and provides a lot of information on nutrition and raw diets for dogs. The course is delivered in video format, and Dana Scott, the founder of Dogs Naturally Magazine, is the lecturer. While the course provides a certification, it does not evaluate one's ability to create a balanced diet for dogs. Instead, it focuses on knowledge of raw dog food nutrition and promotes a strong bias toward alternative science and the motto, Mother Nature knows best.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Course Name | Raw Dog Food Nutrition |
| Course Provider | Dogs Naturally Magazine University |
| Course Duration | 9 hours |
| Course Format | Video |
| Course Lecturer | Dana Scott |
| Course Certification | Raw Dog Food Nutrition Specialist |
| Course Philosophy | "Mother Nature knows best" |
| Course Topics | Raw feeding for beginners, benefits of a raw diet, potential concerns, choosing the best raw dog food, transitioning to a raw food diet |
| Raw Diet Benefits | Improved dental health, smaller and firmer stools, weight management, higher nutrient absorption |
| Raw Diet Risks | Foodborne pathogens (Salmonella, Listeria, toxigenic E. coli), bacterial shedding, malnutrition |
| Raw Diet Components | Muscle meat, bones, organs, vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts |
| Calcium Sources | Bones, bone meal, eggshells, seaweed, coral calcium |
| Vitamin Sources | Liver, heart, kidney, pancreas, spleen, lung, eyes, brain, sweetbread, green tripe |
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What You'll Learn
Course length and certification
The "Raw Dog Food Nutrition" course offered by Dogs Naturally Magazine University is 9 hours long. The course is delivered in video format, with Dana Scott, the founder of Dogs Naturally Magazine, as the lecturer. The course provides a lot of information on nutrition and raw diets for dogs. Upon completion, students receive a certification as a "Raw Dog Food Nutrition Specialist".
It is important to note that Dogs Naturally Magazine University is not an accredited university, and the certification does not evaluate your ability to create a balanced diet for dogs. Instead, it focuses on knowledge acquisition, and it is impossible to fail the course.
For those seeking a more comprehensive understanding of animal nutrition, additional courses are available, such as the one provided by Raw Fed and Nerdy, or the Feline and Canine Nutrition course at Southern Illinois University. These courses may offer a deeper insight into the complexities of canine nutrition and provide a more rigorous evaluation process.
While the Dogs Naturally Magazine course is a good starting point for those interested in raw feeding for dogs, it may not be sufficient to qualify as a pet nutritionist. Therefore, further education and practical experience are recommended to gain a well-rounded understanding of the field.
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Pros and cons of raw diets
The "Dogs Naturally Raw Diet Course" likely refers to the Raw Dog Food Nutrition course offered by Dogs Naturally Magazine University. The course is delivered in video format and is 9 hours long.
Now, here is an overview of the pros and cons of raw diets for dogs.
Pros of Raw Diets
Raw diets for dogs have gained popularity in recent years, with many owners reporting improvements in their dog's health. A raw diet can help your dog maintain a healthy weight, as it is free of processed ingredients and starches that can lead to unhealthy weight gain. Raw food is also easier for dogs to digest, resulting in smaller and firmer stools.
A raw diet can also improve your dog's dental health. Raw meat contains naturally occurring enzymes that help protect gums and teeth, and chewing on raw bones can provide mental stimulation and help keep teeth clean.
Additionally, raw diets can lead to improvements in your dog's coat and muscle mass. The higher fat content in raw food promotes healthy skin and a shiny coat, while the high protein content helps build stronger muscles.
Cons of Raw Diets
One of the main concerns with raw diets is the risk of bacterial contamination. Studies by the FDA and other sources have found that raw pet food is more likely to contain disease-causing bacteria such as salmonella, listeria, and E. coli, which can lead to food-borne illnesses in dogs and humans.
Another concern is the potential for bone fragments in the meat to injure your dog. Bones can pose a choking hazard, break teeth, or cause internal punctures. Cooked bones, in particular, are more prone to splintering and should be avoided.
Raw diets may also lack certain essential nutrients, such as calcium and phosphorus, which are necessary for bone health. Organ meats are important to include in a raw diet, as they provide vitamins and minerals that may otherwise be lacking.
In conclusion, while a raw diet can have benefits for dogs, it is important to carefully consider the potential risks and ensure that the diet is properly balanced and safe for your pet. It is always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian before making any significant changes to your dog's diet.
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Nutritional requirements
The nutritional requirements of dogs on a raw diet are complex and multifaceted. The raw diet for dogs typically consists of uncooked animal parts, including meat, organs, and bones. This type of diet aims to replicate the natural feeding habits of wild canines and offers several health benefits. However, it is essential to ensure that the raw diet is nutritionally balanced to meet the dog's nutritional requirements.
One of the key nutritional requirements for dogs on a raw diet is protein. While adult dogs can synthesise new proteins and do not have a specific protein requirement, puppies need a sufficient amount of protein for growth and development. Raw diets often include fresh meat, which provides a biologically appropriate nutrient profile, including essential proteins.
Another important nutritional consideration is the inclusion of organs in the raw diet. Organ meats, such as the heart, kidney, pancreas, and spleen, provide various health benefits and support the corresponding organs in the dog's body. For example, feeding the pancreas to a dog with pancreas disease can help supply the necessary enzymes. Additionally, brain meat is rich in DHA, supporting healthy brains and nervous systems, which is especially important for puppies.
Macronutrients, including lipids (fats), are also crucial for optimal health. Fat serves as the primary energy source for dogs and facilitates nutrient absorption. The Nutritional Research Council (NRC) provides specific fat recommendations for adult dogs to ensure adequate intake. Carbohydrates, although not a nutritional requirement for adult dogs, can be beneficial and provide glucose for energy. Vegetables and fruits are sources of carbohydrates and also contain vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that contribute to overall health.
It is worth noting that puppies have different nutritional requirements compared to adult dogs. Puppies require more calories and nutrition to support their growth, including higher calcium intake and lower fat content. The amount of food fed to puppies should be adjusted according to their age and expected adult weight.
While a raw diet can provide numerous benefits, it is important to ensure that it is properly balanced to meet the dog's nutritional needs. The Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) model and the Prey Model Raw (PMR) diets offer guidelines on including essential nutrients and recommended calories for optimal health. Consulting with a qualified veterinarian or nutritionist can help determine the specific nutritional requirements for individual dogs and ensure a safe and beneficial raw diet.
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Raw diet recipes
The "Raw Dog Food Nutrition" course from Dogs Naturally Magazine University is a video-based course that takes 9 hours to complete. The course provides a lot of information on nutrition and raw diets for dogs.
Now, here are some raw diet recipes for your dog:
Recipe 1: Raw Rabbit, Chicken & Beef
This recipe includes rabbit, which is a lean meat with high protein content. Rabbits reproduce quickly and need less food and water compared to other animals, making them a sustainable source of meat. You can feed rabbit pieces to your dog or chop it up with a cleaver. You can also feed the rabbit whole, and your dog will figure it out. To add texture, grind the rabbit and add chopped organs.
Recipe 2: Raw Pork & Fish
Pork is a great addition to your dog's raw diet as it is very digestible, especially if it is pasture-raised. Pasture-raised pork is also higher in omega-3 fatty acids and contains more vitamins, especially vitamin E. However, pork diets can be challenging to formulate due to their high omega-6 fatty acid content. To balance this out, add fish to the recipe, which is high in omega-3 fats and provides essential nutrients like protein, calcium, selenium, and niacin. Sardines and mackerel are good options, and you can add them fresh, frozen, or canned.
Recipe 3: Raw Boneless Turkey & Egg
This recipe combines turkey, organs, and eggs. You can source the turkey from your local butcher, and don't be surprised by the size of the organs, as they come from large animals. When sourcing organs for recipes, buy enough to make several batches.
Recipe 4: Raw Beef & Chicken Neck
This recipe gives you the option to grind chicken necks into the meat mixture or feed them whole. Chicken necks can be a crunchy treat for larger dogs, and most puppies can easily chew through them. If you are concerned about giving your puppy bones, you can replace chicken necks with bone meal, which provides the necessary calcium for your dog's diet.
General Tips for Raw Diets:
- It is important to provide a nutritionally balanced diet that includes organs and bones to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
- Raw diets can help dogs maintain a healthy weight and improve dental health.
- It is recommended to feed recreational raw bones a few times a week to naturally clean plaque and tartar, provide jaw exercise, and offer mental stimulation.
- Organ meats are essential for providing vitamins and minerals. Liver should make up about 10% of your dog's diet, and heart about 5%.
- You can add crushed raw garlic for parasite control and oils like cod liver oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, pumpkin seed oil, or wild salmon oil.
- Always freeze fresh fish for two days before feeding to your dog, as fish can have worms.
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Safety and health considerations
The Raw Feeding Course from Dogs Naturally Magazine provides a good introduction to the science of nutrition, covering topics such as the digestive system, micro and macronutrients, and the standards for a balanced diet. However, it is important to approach the decision of adopting a raw food diet for your dog with caution, considering the health and safety implications for both your dog and your family.
Firstly, it is crucial to consult with a veterinary nutritionist to ensure that the raw food diet provides balanced nutrition for your dog's specific needs. Dogs have different vitamin and mineral requirements than humans, so supplements may be necessary to balance their diet. For instance, vitamins and minerals typically need to be added to a raw diet of meat and vegetables, and the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio should be approximately 1:1.
Secondly, raw diets for dogs may pose health risks to both the pets and their owners. The raw meat used in these diets can be contaminated with bacteria and parasites, which can cause foodborne illnesses such as Salmonella, Listeria, or toxigenic E. coli. According to the FDA, raw pet food is more likely to contain disease-causing bacteria than other types of pet food. This poses a risk not only to the dogs consuming the raw meat but also to their human companions, especially those in high-risk groups such as the young, old, immunocompromised, or pregnant. Therefore, it is essential to practice good hygiene and food safety precautions when handling raw pet food, including thoroughly washing hands and disinfecting surfaces.
Additionally, there are concerns about the completeness and balance of raw diets according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards. It can be challenging to include all the necessary vitamins and minerals in a raw meat-based diet, and most raw pet food manufacturers have not conducted feeding trials to achieve AAFCO certification. Furthermore, some raw diets may contain too much vitamin A or fat, leading to potential health issues like vitamin A toxicity or mild anemia.
Moreover, raw diets are not suitable for all dogs. For instance, dogs with pancreatitis, digestive issues, cancer, or other immunosuppressive diseases should not be fed a raw diet. Puppies are also not good candidates for a raw food diet. It is important to consider your dog's health conditions, nutritional history, and individual needs before making any dietary changes.
Lastly, it is worth noting that the Raw Feeding Course from Dogs Naturally Magazine is not an accredited certification. While it provides valuable information, it does not evaluate your ability to create a balanced diet for dogs, and anyone who pays for the course will receive the certification. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with veterinary professionals and seek additional educational resources to make a well-informed decision about your dog's diet.
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Frequently asked questions
The course is 9 hours long.
The course covers how to make a raw food diet for dogs from scratch. It includes information on the benefits of a raw diet, potential concerns, and how to transition your dog to raw food. It also covers how to balance calcium in a raw food diet.
A raw diet can help your dog maintain a healthy weight and improve their dental health. It can also lead to smaller, firmer poops as your dog is able to digest and absorb more of their food.
