Raw Feeding Questions
Why feed raw?
A raw dog food diet is species specific and contains meat, organ and bone, ingredients that a carnivore like your dog would naturally eat. In contrast, a kibble dog food diet is highly processed and contains many filler ingredients which a dog would never naturally eat.
Whether you’re a dog or a human being, fresh whole ingredients that your species specifically eats is going to be the most healthy option.
What is a raw food diet?
A raw food diet is based on the diet of wild canine carnivores. It consists of combining fresh meat and other animals products to mimic the nutrient profile of a whole prey animal.
The Prey Model Raw (PMR) concept is to feed an entire prey animal, from head to tail, to a dog. But this method also provides feeding guidelines for those who agree conceptually with PMR feeding but do not feed whole prey animals.
The basic guidelines for a PMR diet is: 80% muscle meat, 10% bone and 10% organ. Using this method a dog’s raw meal can consist of multiple protein sources and various ingredients in a single bowl.
What are the benefits of feeding a raw food diet?
- Dogs are carnivores and therefore require fresh meat for adequate nutrition and optimal health. Feeding dogs a diet of highly processed grains and starchy carbs (kibble) is a recipe for illness. A carnivore is supposed to eat meat. Dogs eating food that their systems were designed to process experience a high level of health.
- Dogs fed a raw diet are often in great physical shape. I have never encountered an obese dog on a raw diet.
- The animal-based ingredients in a raw food diet are fully used up by your dog’s carnivore digestive system. This means your dog’s poops are so small that it almost feels like a waste of a poo bag to pick it up. (But please, still pick it up!)
- Can a dog’s breath smell good? Well on a raw dog food diet their teeth and gums aren’t attacked by the highly processed carbohydrates which make up the majority of kibble. Dogs on a raw diet tend to have great dental health and bright white teeth into their old age.
- Getting fresh fatty acids like Omega-3 from the source means more bioavailability of essential nutrients to be used by the body. This is great for skin and coat health.
- A raw dog food diet has limited ingredients. Switching a dog from kibble to a raw diet is a version of an elimination diet. Doing this can alleviate a dog’s allergies, food sensitivities and ailments that otherwise would go unhelped or unnoticed.
How much should I feed my dog?
The amount of food you feed your dog will vary based on factors such as your dog's age and activity level, for example.
Typically 2% - 3% per pound of their ideal bodyweight is a good starting point. Ideally, you are monitoring your dog's physical condition and health and adjusting from there as needed.
How do I switch my dog to raw food from kibble?
Every dog is going to be different but assuming your dog is healthy, switching cold turkey (no pun intended) is acceptable. Essentially you just start feeding your dog raw food and stop feeding your dog kibble.
If you’d rather slowly transition your dog over to raw food, you could feed them one meal of their regular diet and then the other meal raw. Do this for as long or as short a time period as needed.
Can I feed my dog both raw food and kibble?
Adding fresh food ingredients to your dog’s processed food drastically improves the nutrient profile of your dog’s meals.
Adding fresh food ingredients even just one day per week is a good start but fresh food can be added to your dog’s processed meals daily.
Some great options are:
- Beef Liver
- Eggs (without shell)
- Sardines
- Beef Heart
- Beef Muscle Meat
If your dog will eat raw food and kibble when offered without issues, even just adding one or more full raw days a week is very beneficial to your dog’s health and longevity.
