Are you confused about putting your dog on a raw food diet? Have concerns about how it will impact their health and if they can even eat raw meals? Buckle up! In this beginner’s guide to raw dog food for beginners, I will answer all your questions about a raw diet and ideal portion sizes.
What is a Raw Diet for Dogs?
Recent years have seen a growing trend of raw food diets for animals among pet parents. As humans become more aware of the atrocious side of packaged foods, they are shifting their animal friends towards healthier, natural, and organic alternatives.
A raw food dog diet is all about feeding your dog what their ancestors would have naturally eaten in the wild. Raw dog foods are fresh, natural, and unprocessed meals containing raw meat, organs, bones, and vegetables.
Why Should You Put Your Dog on Raw Food?
Choosing a raw diet for dogs can offer several potential health benefits like:
Improved Digestion
Dogs digest raw food far more easily than processed foods, leading to better digestive health.
Healthier Coat & Skin
According to a research study published in the Polish Journal of Veterinary Sciences, feeding dogs raw meat promotes the development of their coats and skins, making them softer, shinier, and smoother.
Better Dental Health
The enzymes found in raw food combat bacteria that cause plaque buildup, smelly breath, and gum inflammation. It keeps the dog’s dental health in check.
Weight Management
The unprocessed nature of raw food will eventually lead to a healthier weight for your dog.
Less Smelly Stool
Dog raw diet often result in less odor and Improved stool consistency, which leads to less mess while cleaning up.
How to Start Your Dog on a Raw Diet?
To ensure a smooth transition from processed foods to a raw diet, as a vet, I recommend starting with commercially available raw meals while you learn how to DIY if you want to.Ideally, transitioning over a 5 to 7-day period with rotating meals is recommended, but keep in mind that every dog is different depending on the diversity of gut microbiome. Some might get used to it in 3-4 days, but some might take more than a week. All in all, it all comes down to giving ample time for your pet to transition smoothly.
Younger adult dogs can be fed a raw food diet once a day. But as they get older, twice a day is recommended.
What Kind of Raw Meats Are Good for Dogs?
While devouring raw meat comes naturally to most dogs and goes back to their ancestral roots, it’s advised to still consult your veterinarian about what raw foods your specific dog can eat before you completely shift your pet to a raw diet.
Based on my experience as a clinical veterinarian for over 5 years, I can tell you that ideal raw meats for dogs consist of chicken, beef, and turkey. However, your dog may have certain health conditions that would require you to make a personalized raw diet plan.
Meats low in sodium are preferable for dogs with heart issues, while meats with low amounts of calcium and magnesium are Ideal for dogs suffering from bladder stones.
Beef and Pork contain the lowest amount of sodium, while Pork and chicken have the highest and lowest amount of potassium, respectively. Meats low in calcium and magnesium are beef, lamb, and chicken. A diet of duck liver is also a feasible option.
How to Choose the Best Raw Food Diet for Dogs?
Choosing the best possible raw food diet for your pet can be tricky. There are tens of different combinations available out there, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by them.
You have to be extremely considerate of your dog’s specific needs and health conditions while curating a meal plan for him. Here are some opinions that’ll guide you in the right direction:
Consulting Your Veterinarian
A thorough health assessment to ensure your dog is healthy, fit, and ready to accommodate a raw diet is crucial for its safety and well-being.
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of the Dog
Getting professional advice on the specific nutritional requirements of your dog is important for making a balanced diet that takes care of your pet’s needs. A well-balanced diet should include the right amount of protein, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins in every serving.
Choosing High-Quality Ingredients
Choosing high-quality ingredients for your pet’s raw diet is a very important step in maintaining its health.
Since meat is the largest part of a dog’s diet, you have to ensure that the meat is of the highest grade possible. The amount of lean muscle meat should be significantly higher in dog meals. As a veterinarian, I can tell you that the fat percentage in a dog’s meat shouldn’t be more than 13%.You should check the nutritional analysis of raw meals purchased from commercial raw food companies.
How to Make Raw Dog Food at Home?
Do you also get this intriguing question: “Can I make raw food for my dog on my own?” The answer is a clear yes; you can! As an experienced clinical veterinarian, I’ll teach you about the basics of homemade raw meals for dogs and things you need to keep in mind to make a completely healthy and pet-friendly raw diet at the ease of your home!
On average, a dog’s Ideal and balanced raw diet contains 70-80% muscle meat, 10-15% organs, 10% bones, and a light quantity of fruit and vegetables, between 5 to 10%.
Ingredients in these quantities will result in a meal that satisfies your pet’s cravings and makes up for its nutritional needs.
Conclusion
I hope this raw feeding guide for dogs answered all your questions about raw diet and dogs. Due to its potential health benefits and affordability, the trend of feeding dogs raw food has increased significantly over the years.
Dogs have been living on raw diets for centuries and digest them more easily than packaged foods. While there are no potential downsides to introducing a raw diet to your pet, a consultation and health assessment of the dog is still advised to be completely sure about any specific allergies or conditions that your dog holds.
Giving time to your pet to smoothly transition to a raw diet is necessary for their well-being. More importantly, giving them a raw diet based on high-quality meats and Ingredients is also key to easy adaptability.
FAQs
Raw Diet or Cooked Diet: Which is Better for My Dog?
Although dogs are carnivorous animals living consistently on both cooked and raw diets for centuries, dogs digest raw meals better than cooked ones.
Raw meals help them maintain healthier coats and skin, better preserve their teeth, and assist in healthy weight management.
What Type of Raw Meat Can I Give My Dog?
Dogs can eat raw meats like chicken or turkey and healthy organs like liver and kidneys. You can also feed your dog duck and raw meaty bones.
How Do I Start My Dog on a Raw Diet?
To start your dog on a raw diet, slowly transitioning over a 5 to 7-day period with rotating meals is recommended, but remember that every dog is different and may take more time to adjust to it.
