Leena Watts
There are many options for dog owners who want to feed their pets a natural diet. The term natural is often used interchangeably with organic, but they have different regulatory meanings. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) states that food can be labelled natural as long as the raw ingredients are not subjected to chemically synthetic processes or blended with synthetic additives. Natural diets for dogs are usually raw and include human-grade ingredients such as meat, bones, vegetables, and organ meats. The BARF diet, which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, is a popular example of a raw food diet. It is designed to closely mimic what a dog's diet would be in the wild. Dogs are biologically designed to eat raw food, but it is important to note that raw meat can carry viruses and pathogens that can make your dog sick. It is also important to consult with a veterinarian to determine what a balanced, real-food diet looks like for your dog, as their nutritional requirements depend on their age, size, health, and breed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Consult | Before changing your dog's diet, consult a veterinarian and/or a veterinary nutritionist. |
| Diet type | Natural diets can include raw food, BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), or home-cooked meals. |
| Ingredients | Meat, organs, bones, vegetables, grains, and supplements like vitamins and fatty acids. |
| Proportions | 2/3 meat and 1/3 vegetables, with bones given every day or two. |
| Variety | Provide a variety of ingredients to ensure your dog gets all the necessary nutrition. |
| Preparation | Raw food should be handled carefully to avoid viruses and pathogens. Home-cooked meals should be prepared according to recipes to ensure nutritional balance. |
| Transition | Introduce natural snacks into your dog's diet to help them acclimate before making a complete switch. |
| Energy | The amount of energy required depends on age, exercise, pregnancy, temperature, and other factors. |
| Additives | Natural diets may still contain additives to provide a well-rounded diet with necessary vitamins and minerals. |
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What You'll Learn
Raw food diets
Dogs are biologically designed to eat raw food, and their strong stomach acids can kill bacteria that may be harmful to humans. However, raw meat can carry viruses and pathogens that can make your dog sick, and some illnesses, like salmonella, can be passed on to humans. Therefore, it is important to handle raw pet food with care and thoroughly wash your hands, surfaces, and utensils after use. Some companies use a flash pasteurization process to make raw food safer.
When feeding a raw food diet, it is important to ensure that your dog's nutritional needs are being met. Dogs require protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fat in their diets, as well as vitamins and minerals. The exact proportions may vary depending on the dog's age, size, health, breed, and activity level. For example, growing dogs need more energy than elderly dogs, and dogs in hot climates may need more energy due to increased panting. It is recommended to consult with a veterinarian to determine the specific needs of your dog and ensure that their diet is balanced.
A basic raw food recipe for dogs includes raw meat (such as chicken, beef, lamb, or pork) that is minced or diced, mixed with grated vegetables (excluding potato) in a ratio of approximately 2/3 meat to 1/3 vegetables. Meaty bones can also be included, given to the dog every day or two. It is important to provide variety in the types of meat and vegetables used to ensure a range of nutrients. Some sources also suggest adding supplements, such as vitamins, enzymes, essential fatty acids, probiotics, and herbs, to meet the dog's nutritional requirements.
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Homemade recipes
One popular natural dog food model is the BARF diet, which stands for "Biologically Appropriate Raw Food". This diet was created by a veterinarian and includes a mixture of muscle meat, bones, vegetables, and organ meats, similar to what dogs' wild ancestors ate. It is typically more balanced than a straight raw food diet, offering muscle meat, meaty bones, fruits, and vegetables.
If you choose to feed your dog a raw food diet, it is important to do so carefully. Raw meat can carry viruses and pathogens that can make your dog sick, and some of these illnesses can be passed on to humans. It is recommended to freeze raw food before using it and to wash your hands and all surfaces that come into contact with the raw food.
When preparing a homemade diet for your dog, it is essential to follow a recipe that is complete and balanced. You will need a food scale, a food processor, pots and pans, and containers or bags for portioning the food. It is also important to use fresh, high-quality ingredients that are not canned, seasoned, or heavily processed.
A basic recipe for a raw dog food diet includes minced or diced meat (chicken, beef, lamb, or pork), grated vegetables (2/3 meat to 1/3 vegetable), and meaty bones from the butcher (given every day or two). It is important to vary the types of meat and vegetables used to ensure your dog is getting all the nutrition it needs.
Another example of a vet-approved homemade dog food recipe includes at least 10% protein (such as chicken, turkey, fish, or lean beef), up to 50% carbohydrates (such as rice, pasta, and potatoes), and about 2.5-4.5% fiber (from vegetables like peas, green beans, and carrots). Vitamins and minerals must be added to ensure the diet is complete and balanced.
It is important to note that completely changing your dog's diet can be shocking for them, and their body might respond negatively. Instead, you can introduce natural snacks into their diet to acclimate them, such as carrots, pumpkin, apples, and dark leafy greens.
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Natural snacks
Natural diets for dogs typically consist of raw, human-grade ingredients that are species-appropriate. The Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) diet, for example, includes a mixture of muscle meat, bones, vegetables, and organ meats that mimic what dogs' wild ancestors ate. This diet offers a more balanced approach than a straight raw food diet, providing muscle meat, meaty bones, fruits, and vegetables.
When feeding your dog natural snacks, it is important to ensure that the ingredients are fresh and free from harmful pathogens. Raw meat, for instance, can carry viruses and pathogens that can make your dog sick, so it is important to handle it with care. Freezing raw food can help to keep it fresh and safe for consumption.
Some examples of natural snacks that you can feed your dog include:
- Chicken leg quarters
- Raw eggs
- Mackerel
- Sardines
- Salmon oil
- Vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, apples, dark leafy greens, and green beans
- Fruits
- Rice, pasta, and potatoes
- Liver
- Fish
- Beef
- Plant-based oils like corn, soybean, canola, and flaxseed oil
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Carbohydrates and fibre
Carbohydrates are a good source of energy for dogs. They can come in the form of sugars, starches, and dietary fibres. Good sources of carbohydrates include rice, pasta, oatmeal, and quinoa. However, dogs do not need a lot of carbohydrates or simple sugars for energy, as they cannot easily digest them. A small amount of complex carbohydrates can be included to provide useful fibre.
Fibre is essential in a dog's diet. It helps keep their gastrointestinal (GI) system functioning and prevents them from becoming overweight. Good sources of fibre for dogs include carrots, pumpkin, apples, dark leafy greens, brown rice, and flaxseed.
The amount of carbohydrates and fibre in a dog's diet may vary depending on their life stage and activity level. Growing dogs need more carbohydrates and fibre than elderly dogs. Active dogs that exercise a lot will also require more carbohydrates as a source of energy.
When feeding a natural diet to a dog, it is important to remember that not all human foods are safe for dogs to eat. Some foods that are toxic to dogs include grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, avocado, chocolate, and caffeine. It is always best to consult with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate amount and type of carbohydrates and fibre for a dog's specific needs.
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Vitamins and minerals
Vitamin deficiencies can lead to health problems, but it is also important to note that too much of certain vitamins can be harmful. For example, vitamin D toxicity can occur if a dog consumes too much liver or fish. It is important to carefully research and plan a dog's diet to ensure they are receiving the correct amount of vitamins and minerals.
Minerals are also an important part of a dog's diet. Dogs require a range of minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, and sodium. These minerals can be found in various foods such as bones, dairy products, and meat. For example, beef and lamb are good sources of both protein and minerals for dogs.
It is worth noting that dogs' nutritional needs differ from those of humans, so it is not appropriate to simply share your dinner with your dog. It is important to feed dogs a complete and balanced diet that meets their unique nutritional requirements. This may involve adding supplements to their diet, but it is important to consult with a veterinarian before doing so.
Some dog owners choose to feed their dogs a raw diet, which can be a natural way to ensure they are receiving the necessary vitamins and minerals. A raw diet typically includes raw meat, bones, and vegetables. However, it is important to carefully select the ingredients to ensure harmful pathogens are not transmitted to your dog. Raw meat can carry viruses and pathogens that can make your dog sick, so it is important to handle it safely and store it properly.
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Frequently asked questions
A natural diet for dogs is one that is made with real, minimally processed ingredients such as raw meat, vegetables, and grains. It is designed to mimic the nutrients of what a dog would eat in the wild.
Natural alternatives can enrich your dog's diet and promote their overall well-being. A natural diet can improve your dog's heart health, increase their energy levels, make their coats shiny, improve their eyesight, and even positively impact their stool.
Dogs require a variety of foods in their diet, including protein, fats, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and fiber. Sources of protein include chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, pork, and fish. Dogs can get carbohydrates from sources such as rice, pasta, oatmeal, and quinoa. Good sources of fiber for dogs include carrots, pumpkin, apples, and dark leafy greens.
Before transitioning your dog to a natural diet, it is recommended that you consult a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist. You should gradually introduce natural foods into your dog's diet to acclimate them. Over time, you can increase the amount of natural food while decreasing the amount of their previous diet.
It is important to note that completely changing your dog's diet can be shocking to their body, and their digestive tract may not handle the transition well. It is also crucial to carefully select the ingredients in a raw food diet to ensure harmful pathogens are not transmitted to your dog. Additionally, some veterinarians warn that raw diets may not be appropriate for dogs living with young children or individuals with compromised immune systems.
