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Do you know why you should feed your dog a raw diet? I know you most likely feed your dog kibble. It’s a convenient, low-cost way to give your dog the nutrition he or she needs, right? But personally, the convenience is not worth risking my dog’s overall health. And Laila was never a fan of kibble when she was young.
I hope that talking about the benefits of raw feeding for dogs will change your view on the importance of your dog’s nutrition. I did try to shed a little light on how kibble is made and why it is not the best choice for your pup in my last post ‘The Truth About Kibble’. From sub-par ingredients to artificial colors and preservatives, believe me, there is a better way.
Commercial pet foods contain as much as 60% carbohydrate which is way more than any dog needs. Carbohydrates are cheaper than proteins and fats so pet food companies can get more bang for their buck by loading pet food with cheap carbs.
A raw diet is centered around protein which your dog needs and craves. Your dog’s raw diet would consist of muscle meat, organ meats, dog-friendly fruits and vegetables, raw meaty bones, and possibly dairy.
Some raw feeders do not believe dogs need veggies or dairy of any kind. So it comes down to your preference. Take advantage of all of the benefits of raw feeding for dogs by rotating the proteins, fruits, and veggies to give your dog a healthy and fun to eat variety.
You Should Feed Your Dog a Raw Diet Because It’s REAL Food.
Muscle meat is your dog’s primary source of protein. It is nutritious in any form but chunks that your dog can chew and tear through are an excellent way to exercise the jaws and naturally clean teeth. Whole chicken legs are a great addition because they include teeth-cleaning bones. Many dogs have reactions to chicken so just use what’s best for your dog. I like to switch up the protein source not just for variety but for different nutrients as well.
For instance, red meat provides more protein, fats, and necessary vitamins and minerals than a chicken breast does. But that doesn’t mean chicken isn’t a good option. Aim for 50% of the muscle meat to be red meat if that’s affordable. Here are a few examples of muscle meats to feed your dog…
- Whole pieces of chicken, turkey, lamb, quail, rabbit, duck, and wild game.
- Stew meat and cuts of beef.
- Fatty fish like salmon and sardines.
- Ground beef, chicken, turkey, or lamb.
- Tongue
- Connective tissues and organs such as heart and lungs are considered muscle meat.
Organ meats are the most nutrient dense meats you can feed. Liver is popular with raw feeders because it is easy to obtain and has high levels of vitamin A, the B vitamins, and iron.
Kidneys are also high in these vitamins and contain a beneficial amount of zinc.
Heart is another healthy option for your dog. The heart is packed with CoQ10 and other valuable amino acids.
Green tripe comes from the stomach of ruminant (grazing) animals. Green tripe contains a whole array of probiotics. It hasn’t been cleaned and still contains some stomach contents (grasses) of the animal. Be aware it is STINKY!! But your dog will love it.
To enjoy all of the benefits of raw feeding for dogs you need to feed a few things that you might find… well, gross. But dogs love gross things.
You Should Feed Your Dog Raw Meaty Bones as Part of the Raw Diet
Raw meaty bones are essential in a raw diet for dogs. Consider bones to be nature’s toothbrush for your pup. The best bones are hollow, soft, and still have connective tissues. Poultry bones, pig feet, and lamb ribs make excellent choices. These bones are fully digestible in your dog’s highly acidic stomach
Beware of weight-bearing beef or buffalo bones. They are too dense and may fracture teeth if your dog is a strong chewer. If it can hold up a two-thousand-pound animal, it may be hard on your pup’s teeth!
My dog is 10 years old and has never had dental issues. She has daily access to raw bones or raw chicken feet. The tartar build-up on many dogs’ teeth is caused by a lifetime of starchy, processed kibble. Kibble is crunchy but it does not clean a dog’s teeth any more than those potato chips clean your teeth! Try some of these raw bones for your dog:
- Poultry bones such as necks, backs, and wings. (Fully digestible)
- Beef ribs.
- Beef knuckle bones.
- Buffalo knuckle bones.
- Pork ribs and feet
- Lamb shanks, necks and ribs.
Dog Friendly Fruits and Veggies
You should feed your dog a raw diet because it provides variety. No one wants to eat the same thing EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Please don’t do that to your dog. Healthy variety also works wonders for gut health!
Fruits and veggies are not essential to a dog’s raw diet but I feed them to Laila. Mostly because she actually loves them. Plants are rich in phytonutrients and fiber that are not found in meats. Many plants also have enzymes that aid in digestion.
Fruits and vegetables have a high water content, which is nice for extra hydration. Lightly cooking or steaming the vegetables makes them easier for your dog to digest. Dogs do not produce the same digestive enzymes as we do to aid in breaking down vegetation. Here are some plant-based foods your dog can eat and may just love:
- Cucumbers have very high water content and Laila loves the crunch.
- Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage.
- Asparagus
- Zucchini
- Leafy greens
- Pumpkin
- Sweet potatoes
- Beets
- Berries like blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries
- Bananas
- Mangoes
- Apples
- DO NOT feed grapes or raisins as they are toxic to dogs.
What About Dairy for Dogs?
Dairy additions can have their place in raw feeding. Raw goat’s milk is one of Laila’s favorite treats. It is loaded with natural probiotics to help with healthy digestion. It is also often used to bottle feed young puppies.
Goat’s milk is higher in protein and calcium than cow’s milk. It also has higher levels of potassium and niacin as well. With this also comes higher calories, so depending on your dog’s size, a small amount is all that’s needed. Laila weighs 50 pounds and gets about 1/4 cup a day.
I’ve also added plain greek yogurt and cottage cheese in small amounts. Like other dairy it has probiotics and vitamins and minerals. It is not a necessity but a nice treat once in a while.
Just think about raw feeding as the best way to keep your dog healthy. You are what you eat so why not feed your dog real food instead of processed kibble? The benefits of raw feeding will be obvious once you see your dog maintain a healthy weight, and have fresher breath and a shinier coat. Just give it a try, you won’t regret giving your dog a better life.
Wag on my friends.
