Raw Dog Food Diet
A raw dog food diet consists of the following ingredients:
Raw meat and bones
About 75% of the dogs diet should be made up of raw meat and bones. They supply your dog with fats, protein, minerals and cartilage. Offal should also be fed as its rich in protein, fatty acids and enzymes and has been linked to anti-degeneration. If preparing homemade dog food purchase all meat and bones from butchers or supermarkets in order that they are fit for human consumption.
Vegetables and fruit
About 15% of the raw dog food diet should consist of vegetables and fruit. They offer a wide range of essential nutrients including fibre, vitamins and minerals. Most vegetables and fruit are ok except onions, grapes and raw potato, sweet potato and pumpkin which are all toxic to dogs. If you’re preparing homemade dog food simply use all the scraps from the family dinner preparation – ends and skin of carrots, broccoli stalks, outer leaves of lettuce and cabbage etc.
Other healthy ingredients
About 10%. Includes eggs (including shells), cottage cheese, yoghurt, garlic, kelp, flax seed, oil, apple cider vinegar. Garlic repels fleas and worms however it can be harmful in large doses as its part of the onion family.
The benefits
The benefits of providing a raw dog food diet can include a healthier coat, nails and skin, cleaner teeth and breath, an increase in energy levels, a reduction in allergies, leaner body mass, and better overall health, including a reduction in the chance of degenerative disease. Arthritic dogs often improve in mobility and activity. Stool volume and odour both often reduce when dogs are fed a raw or homemade dog food diet which indicates poor digestibility of the dogs previous diet. The abrasion between bone and teeth when chewing scrapes off dental plaque. Cartilage, ligaments, and tendons act as a natural dental floss. The chewing and tearing action strengthens the jaw, neck and shoulder muscles, keeps the digestive juice flowing and boosts the neurological and immune system.
Raw dog food may be purchased (for example Doctor B’s BARF), or you can prepare homemade dog food yourself. Homemade dog food will work out cheaper and does not take too long to prepare, especially if you’re using some of the same ingredients to cook your own dinner.
Homemade dog food recipes
Raw dog food recipe - from healthierdogs.com
Homemade dog food (plus a recipe for cats) - by Professor David Fraser of Sydney University. From choice.com.au
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