The Primal Eating Plan for Dogs
We imagine many of our readers are strict adherents to the Primal Blueprint. You’re downing almonds by the bushel, guzzling fish oil, and avoiding grains like the plague, but what are you feeding Fido? Our bodies have had over ten thousand years to get used to agrarianism – and the stuff is still killing us! Commercial kibble has only been around for fifty years. Imagine how dogs feel.
Consider the wolf, a dog’s closest relative. Wolves are hunters and scavengers, relying primarily on animal protein. They are not, however, accomplished chefs. Check out a wolf’s den. No pots, no pans, no range stove. Not even a salt shaker. They were on the raw diet before it became hip. You won’t see wolves feasting on Purina; they eat raw meat, and lots of it.
Genetically, dogs are virtually still wolves. They weren’t even domesticated until 15,000 years ago. So, for some 5,000 years the furry guys were tagging along with hunter-gatherers, munching on the leftovers: meaty bones, organ meat, maybe a bit of mammoth rib-eye (if they were lucky). They were scavengers – like their wolf ancestors – and they flourished as our utilitarian companions. Why else did we keep ‘em around for so long? Sure, eating our leftovers may not have been the optimum doggy diet, but it was certainly better than the dry, over-processed sawdust that passes for dog food today. Modern dogs are pampered softies. Store-bought dog “food” works for them because they don’t do much more than sit around and sleep.
And does commercial dog food really work? Well, it certainly keeps them fat and alive. On the same token, the Western grain-based diet keeps us fat and alive, too, but we all know how we feel about that. Just as Big Pharma’s tendency to prescribe expensive band-aids masks the insidious nature of modern nutrition, so too does the veterinary community give the impression that cancer, bone disorders, and other canine illnesses just happen to man’s best friend. Nutrition, according to them, has little to do with it. But just in case it does, they just so happen to sell an expensive kibble – Science Diet, Nutra-Max, or whatever garbage their corporate sponsors have paid them to promote – that will fulfill all of your dog’s dietary needs. What luck!
Before you listen to the vet, check out the ingredients on the package. For you Primal Blueprinters, the results will shock you. You’ll see stuff like lamb meal, ground rice, wheat, corn, sorghum – and that’s for the premium brands! Why would you feed a carnivore grains? Somehow, we doubt wolves were out there shucking corn and harvesting rice. And just what is lamb meal? From Wikipedia, it is “the dry rendered part from mammal tissues, prepared for feeding purposes by tanking under live steam or dry rendering.” After all that processing, what little remaining nutritional value of the “meat” cannot possibly counterbalance the filler ingredients. The dog gets full, and even happy (hey, we all know that dogs will eat anything with a stupid smile on their faces), but the nutritional deficit adds up. You can stick with the kibble, but prepare yourself for a lifetime of vet bills, doggie dental bills (the most preventable expense ever), and vast amounts of smelly stool.
The truth is following a Primal Blueprint for dogs is the best way to ensure happy, healthy dogs. Best of all, you’re already used to preparing your own Primal-friendly meals, so the transition to a specialized dog diet shouldn’t be a huge leap. It’s easy, too: no cooking, no seasoning, no prepping. Just look at what wolves eat (read: any meat they can get their paws on) and go from there.
The Chow
A Primal eating plan for dogs should consist mainly of organ meat, raw meaty bones (like chicken carcasses or turkey necks), and muscle meat, naturally and humanely-raised if you can swing it – just like us! Really, any animal product is acceptable. Wolves ate a wide range of animals, but it’s probably unrealistic to feed your dog antelope, elk, and deer on a regular basis. Some pretty affordable options include:
• Turkey: necks, backs, wings, drumsticks, gizzards, hearts
• Chicken: carcasses, backs, necks, legs, wings, organs, eggs
• Whole, oily fish: sardines, herring, anchovies, mackerel
• Beef: stew meat, ground chuck, organs, marrow bones
Dogs don’t need filet mignon to lead happy, healthy lives. The first things wolves go for are the organs of a fresh kill. They prefer the cheaper, fattier, more nutrient-dense meats, and sticking to them makes it possible to feed your dogs grass and range-fed animal products.
The Transition
Going from traditional kibble to raw feed can be a little unnerving for newbies. Try to resist the impulse to do a half-kibble/half-raw dietary transition. This will only confuse the dog’s digestive system and lead to explosive diarrhea. Remember – you’re not switching kibble, you’re replacing poison with real food! Go cold turkey (pun intended). Puppies are blank slates and will take to the diet immediately, but older dogs may need a couple days to get used to the new food. Prepare for detox if your dog’s been on kibble for awhile. Vomiting, diarrhea, bad breath, and itchy skin are all par for the course. Don’t worry… ride it out!
Stick to fairly basic foods at first, like turkey and chicken necks. Dogs love to gnaw and chew bones, so this will come natural to them. If your dog’s a gulper (and most reformed kibble eaters are), hold the bones for them while they eat to promote proper chewing. Once they’ve figured out how to chew, you can start adding different meats.
The Benefits
To truly see the benefits, you have to try the diet out for yourself. Results tell the tale, but some common benefits include:
• Shiny, soft coats: the Primal eating plan for dogs will imbue your pal with a beautiful luster. Heads will turn at the dog park; you better get yours spayed unless you want a promiscuous, irresponsible single mother on your hands. Fish oil supplementation makes this even more noticeable.
• Pearly whites: eating clean food and chewing raw bones will clear up any plaque deposits and leave your dog’s teeth gleaming.
• Lower vet bills: eating food the dog is evolutionarily designed to eat will take care of the allergies and minor illnesses that account for most vet visits.
• Lower costs: buying wholesale and shopping for bones and organ meats are actually considerably less expensive than purchasing “premium” commercial dog food.
• A happy, long-living best friend: the oldest dog on record was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey who dined exclusively on kangaroo and emu. Your dog will live a healthier, fuller life on a Primal eating plan.
• Firm, odorless poop: on a raw, Primal eating plan, dogs waste little of what they eat. That means stool is small, hard, and without much odor. It also turns into white powder after a day or so, making cleanup effortless. Also, the added strain of passing hard stool will naturally express your dog’s anal glands, rendering another expensive vet trip obsolete.
Common Concerns
Don’t dogs choke on bones?
Not on raw ones. Cooked bones splinter, and they can get lodged in a dog’s throat. Raw bones are pliable, and the calcium content is absolutely integral to a dog’s health. Plus, chewing bones keeps the teeth clean. No more astronomical dental bills!
What about food-borne bacteria? Isn’t raw meat dangerous?
Wolves seem to do just fine eating days-old carrion. Dogs’ stomachs are equipped to handle bacteria in much the same fashion, so don’t worry about contamination. Still, humans are vulnerable, so wash up!
What if my dog is constipated?
Again, the straining is actually good for your dog. But if it absolutely refuses to come out, a little raw canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) will do the trick. Raw pumpkin also firms loose stools.
How much should I feed?
Let’s use a sixty-pound retriever mix as an example. Assuming it gets plenty of exercise, feeding about a pound and a half to two pounds of assorted meats and bones is plenty. Everything varies from dog to dog, of course. If you can’t feel its ribs, reduce the food. If its ribs are a little too prominent, feed more.
Just meat?
Vegetables can be added to your dog’s diet. In fact it is recommended. Carrots are fun to crunch, and broccoli, spinach, and celery can be ground up and added to a mixture of ground meat. Supplementing with fish oil is also recommended for a shiny, healthy coat.
Have Fun
Have fun with it. Your dog is an incredibly eager eater, and watching the transformation is a true joy to behold. Go slowly and listen to your instincts as a Primal eater yourself.
Do you have dogs you feed Primal food? If not, are you thinking about making the switch? Hit us up with a comment and share your stories!
Kamia The Wolf, storm gal, This Year’s Love, Crocodillicus, tanakawho, NiteLynx Flickr Photos (CC)
Further Reading:
The Definitive Guide to Primal Eating (for Humans)
The Primal Eating Plan for Cats
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Posted By: Worker Bee
“I haven’t went raw because of the difficulty traveling while feeding it however I have switched to high protein, grain free Orijen and my dogs are doing great on it!”
I had mine on Orijen for a few weeks while I was away to make it easier on the dogsitter… her poop STINKED and she was thirsty all the time, peed all the time!
So happy to have her back on raw!
I made the switch to feeding my dog a completely raw diet about 6 years ago, after reading the compelling evidence.
She’s a bit sensitive to lamb and salmon, but she does fine with chicken, turkey, bison, venison, rabbit. Loves it mixed with kale, spinach, apples, carrots, berries – all mixed together in the food processor. Oh and she loves tripe. It’s a ‘treat’ about once a week. I still gag everytime I open the package, the smell is so bad!
I used to prepare everything myself, but now have an excellent pet food store in the neighbourhood that specializes in 100% organic raw food and the farm it comes from is less than 50 miles from home.
Hi, i have a 10 month old APBT, and his stools are HORRENDOUS!! Even the gas he passes is deadly. I feed him Nature’s Choice puppy food and i dont like the soft feces he passes. Its also very light colored. He about 70 lbs and i am extremely anxious to start him on a raw diet. I just need a few tips on how to start him on it!
my shih-tzu pup is on raw diet and loving it! question: grains or no grains.What do you suggest for morning meal? she gets turkey, beef, chicken for dinner and we are going to try bison, buffalo and veal. We have very good supplier in our area.
Another web site suggested oatmeal with either banana, raw honey and bee pollen, kelp. She doesn’t like the oatmeal Coco loves blueberries, carrots, non fat yogurt. Will try broccoli and just purchased beef bones as snack. I want the best for her and would like to know if you recommend supplements and if so which ones. The confusing aspect is Coco is only 19 lbs and the amoumt to feed her is hard for me to figure.
Thanks for any help you can give.
Stella
Your shih-tzu has no need for grains. Despite what the blowhard above said, dogs are carnivores and not omnivores. They also don’t need fruits and vegetables, but you’re not going to hurt them by giving them some produce. The grains however are a complete waste of time and counter-productive. If you’re going to feed grains then you could just use the junk kibble.
As far as figuring out how much to feed you can generally go by feel as the article says. If your dog starts to lose weight, feed a little more. If he starts to get heavy, feed less. If you’d like something a bit more scientific though feed him 2-3% of his ideal body weight every day. So if 19 pounds is what he should be at then you’re looking at a third to a bit more than a half pound of food per day.
Good luck and keep it up! Your dog will thank you even if a few humans won’t get it.
Hi I have done sooooooo much research on the raw food diet sussed out the pro’s and cons and realise all the con’s come from miss-informed individuals who have tried this diet. ALL the pro’s have been made by well informed people who have fist hand experience in the fantastic effects of this diet,many of these are veterinarians and dog trainers who recommend this diet over any other. Some reading that I have had the pleasure of are the books from Dr Ian Billinghurst, there are also tons of websites!
Hello everyone, could someone please tell me why the first sustenance wolves and lions eat from their kills are partially digested vegetation contained in the stomachs’ of their kills, and then of course they eat the meat. Is it also true that wolfs and lions don’t produce enough digestive enzymes naturally to break down vegetation. Perhaps this could be why dogs don’t digest vegetables well and by lightly cooking them we help the dog digest it better. I noticed my dogs will eat grass and its roots, and they will also eat clay from time to time.
” Is it also true that wolfs and lions don’t produce enough digestive enzymes naturally to break down vegetation”
Um, I think you’ve answered your own question!
I bring home whole geese (with feathers and everything) and they dig the stomach out and toss it aside.
Even after they eat the bits and pieces off skin off the feathers they still ignore the stomach completely.
All 4 of my dogs ignore stomachs.
The head is always the first thing to go.
To answer Susan:
Sounds like you’ve been reading more of industry initiated misinformation
) I’m currently trying to write a book about canine natural care, so I’ve accumulated loads of research. Too much to include here, but as to your initial mistaken point you might try reading “Wolves: Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation” by L. David Mech et al. In chapter 4 “The Wolf as a Carnivore” on pages 123 and 124 you will find the following quotes (along with many many unbiased scientific references):
“Wolves usually tear into the body cavity of large prey and…consume the larger internal organs, such as lungs, heart, and liver. The large rumen [, which is one of the main stomach chambers in large ruminant herbivores,]…is usually punctured during removal and its contents spilled. The vegetation in the intestinal tract is of no interest to the wolves, but the stomach lining and intestinal wall are consumed, and their contents further strewn about the kill site.”
“To grow and maintain their own bodies, wolves need to ingest all the major parts of their herbivorous prey, except the plants in the digestive system.”
The mucus membranes in the stomach lining are important sources of fatty acids in the wolf diet. The stomach lining, known as “green” tripe is an item that natural feeders try to get a little of into their domestic wolves’ diet.
Hope this answers your question,
Lee C
I completely agree with this post, Mark! You’ve got it.
An interesting story, though; my mother has problems keeping her Golden Retriever out of the garden. She picks Mom’s sweet corn, shucks it and eats the corn right off the cob. She loves it! She should still have raw meat only, but because she’s kept outside, where she belongs, she can get her own veggie intake if she wants it.
I have a toy poodle that loves tomatoes. She will test the ripeness by smell and by bumping it with her nose. She will wait to eat them until they are ripe. She guards the plants and will chase the other dogs away when they get near.
Does anyone have any experience with their dogs urine concentration on a raw diet? I have quite a few dogs and most have low sediment/concentration of their urine. Some vets have told me that it is NOT normal for a dog to have low concentration but Im wondering if thats cuz they have very little experience with Raw diet.
Any info on this topic?
thanks!
I noted some time back that a book was in the works. That book is now published as “Ol’ Shep’s Well-being: A Natural Perspective”
)
The author Euan Fingal has offered up a free ebook (pdf) to try to help us understand how we might improve our well-being and that of our domestic animals in general, but especially that of our canine companions. The book brings together ample unbiased natural sciences evidence, and the experiences of many naturally oriented caregivers, to clear a convincing swath through the propaganda surrounding well-being, and the misguided understandings it fosters.
To learn more about the book, and to download it, see the journal entry:
http://www.achinook.com/journal/2009/6/18/ol-sheps-well-being-a-natural-perspective.html
Incidentally, the previous Ol’ Shep articles have been superseded by the book, which is much more comprehensive, and more thoroughly researched, referenced, and reviewed.
Relative to the topic of this blog (diet, which is only part of all the book addresses): What it all comes down to is that to deny that a natural species appropriate diet is a necessary component for natural, optimal well-being, is to deny nature—i.e. the evolution of a species, and its optimal, natural diet [in the true scientific sense].
My best to you and yours,
Lee C
Lee, this is a great link, and I’m so happy to have found it (and thank you for posting!). I read extensively as a ‘hobbyist’ about the topics covered in this document, and it’s great to find such a condensed piece covering all it does.
Thanks for this, Mark (I know I’m coming in really late!)…I’ve fed a carnivore-appropriate diet to my five dogs and one cat for nearly 9 years now.
FWIW, chicken is not one of the better protein sources for dogs….low in a lot of essential nutrients. Turkey is a much better choice in the fowl department, and overall red meats (beef, pork, deer, moose, elk, some lamb) are much better choices for dogs.
All my puppy buyers are required to feed a raw diet, and they all do so with interest, understanding and enthusiasm!
Great article. I am feeding our 2 dogs a species appropriate raw food diet. They love it and so do we. It does seem strange at first- seeing them cruch bones, but it does work. TexasOrganicHome is my GREEN blog.
Great article. I began researching raw when the pet food recalls started a few years back. Both my 15lb minpin as well as my 110lb presa canario are thriving on raw. On a typical day at my house they eat raw chicken necks, some organ meat, a little yogurt or cottage cheese, a small amount of veggies (usually carrots, broccolli, kale, or green beans) as well as fish oil and solid gold seameal. They LOVE bananas as a treat. My favorite thing about this diet is that I can feed them something different daily if I choose and they NEVER have bowel issues. One day I can feed beef, the next, turkey, the next fish, and so on. Variety is certainly not something you can get away with when feeding dry dog food without some serious tummy upset. The health aspect is priceless. Their teeth are cleaner than ever, no more tarter or bad breath, shiny coats, solid stools, not to mention I no longer use any flea or tick preventative and I strongly beleive that their immune systems are stronger than ever which is why they stay parasite free. A raw diet is absolutly the most healthy thing you can do for your dog. The benefits are endless. I will NEVER feed my animals anything sold in the pet isle of the supermarket ever again. I wish more people would educate themselves and give thier pets a longer, happier, healthier life with a raw diet.
I have a 20lb chihuahua terrier mix who suffers from seizures, her vet did find she has low thyroid function. Ive never put her on meds and am really looking into transitioning her to a raw diet as a way to control/prevent these seizures. Im hoping this will be a better way for to get the vitamins and minerals that she might not be getting from her current diet, any suggestions or info on raw diets for dogs with seizures?
Is your dog on a raw foo diet now? My 20 lb Boston terrier has been having seizures for a few months. He’s 9. Has been on medication that is not working so I threw it in the trash last night. Starting the transition into real food today.
I have a 13 year old cattle dog mix. He developed seizures at age 3 1/2 (when my first child was born). I believe the seizures are emotional but also related to rawhide chews. We had him on phenobarbitol but I took him off it a few year later when read it would damage his liver. I switched him to a raw meat diet over 6 years ago. I purchase an oat mix from Sojourner’s dog food. We buy hamburger in bulk from the warehouse store and freeze it in serving-size lumps. The meat and oats get mixed with water. He immediately had better breath. Now he only gets seizures during thunderstorms and July 4th. His health isn’t perfect. I have considered easing back on the oats and upping the meat percentages.
My vet didn’t understand why I feed him raw meat. I tried to enlighten her and she was polite, at least. Whenever anyone asks, I always answer: “dogs don’t cook in the wild”.
There is a dog nutrition guideline called BARF, which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food. When I read about it many years ago, you had to do all the shopping and preparation. Now it seems there are companies willing to sell you BARF packages.
Just wondering if someone could give me a good example of a starter meal for a puppy and adult cats on the raw diet. My husband and I are considering putting our newly adopted Goldendoodle and 2 cats on the diet, since we follow the Blueprint already, but honestly don’t know where to start. Thanks again for any info!
Erin,
We just started transitioning our new puppy to raw food. I want it to be a relatively slow transition for both of us. She’s 7 mos old. We got her at 5 mos and she was on dry food already, so we kept her on that for the time being. Just this week I started by mixing an egg into her breakfast and giving her some meat trimmings at night. For example, last night I gave her the tips off the chicken wings I was making. She also got some dry food at that time, too. I have also given her a cup of hamburger or an extra raw pork chop.
And she has a real bone that she chews on all the time.
I didn’t research transitioning at all, I just started including in her diet a raw version of the proteins we were eating at the time (eggs for breakfast every morning). I plan to do more research on exactly how much meat she needs and how much variety she needs and have her switched over fully in the next month.
I’ve already noticed a difference in her behavior. She’s very excited all night when she gets some raw meat for dinner, and she behaves better during the day. Less sniffing around looking for food, too (even though she rarely eats all her dry food this is something she’s done from the start).
Let us know how it goes!
By far the best and most informative resource for feeding dogs raw food:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/rawfeeding/
You need a yahoo account to view this forum.
Use the search function!
I switched my 10 yr old golden retriever to a raw diet (mainly chicken w/bones, turkey necks, Raw Meaty Bones, and organs) and in 6 days she ended up so sick she was in pain and distress, refused all food, had pale gums, and had to stay at the vet’s for a day to receive subQ fluids, pain meds, and GI meds to try and turn things around. I was beside myself with worry and grief.
My vet told me she sees lots of problems from feeding raw meat and bones in her practice and those ‘soft’ bones that people say can’t splinter…CAN splinter, CAN perforate the intestines, and bacteria in the raw meats CAN cause issues for dogs.
While there are lots of stories about dogs doing well on raw diets, MY dog was in distress and pain from switching (cold turkey, no less) to a raw food/raw meaty bone diet.
I feel it’s important to present all info, including the fact that a raw diet may NOT be the right thing for one’s dog.
Many dogs are very sensitive to changes in diet and will get diarrhea very easily.
The ideal way to transition a dog into raw is to introduce one new food at a time. So start with bland chicken legs or wings, then a couple of weeks later add some chicken liver, wait a couple more weeks and feed some ground beef, etc.
This way you will find definitively what bothers your dog. Mine finds liver to be bothersome, and too much beef is too rich for him, so I adjusted accordingly.
You are right. the raw diet is not for all dogs. Mine have been on it for 3 years now and are doing just GREAT!
You did make SEVERAL mistakes however, so don’t blame the diet completely.
1-Cold Turkey is Not a good idea. Any change in food should be done in stages.
2-your dog is probably too old to change -especially cold turkey.
3-you probably bought her raw meat and bones at the local grocery – not Organic Grass Fed. You bought bacteria.
4-Too many bones!!! How about some plain old ground beef? Organic Grass Fed of Course! Bones are treats – to be fed once in a while – not every day. Mine are still chewing on the ones I gave them last month!
I pray that your Golden will live many more years on whatever food you choose to feed. Goldens are a beautiful breed and I’m sure yours is VERY special.
Then why does the blog say above,
“Remember – you’re not switching kibble, you’re replacing poison with real food! Go cold turkey (pun intended).”
“Stick to fairly basic foods at first, like turkey and chicken necks.” (–> yes, that’s what I fed, in addition to chicken thighs).
You said, “you probably bought her raw meat and bones at the local grocery”
–> and you would be incorrect in your assumption. I purchased from a new local butcher shop with fresh, high quality meats, fowl, and fish.
You said, “your dog is probably too old to change -especially cold turkey.”
—> How would you advise one to transition to this type of diet? If a 10 yr old golden retriever is ‘too old’ for this diet, then what would you feed such a dog?
BTW, my golden’s diet consists of non-grain kibble, fresh broccoli, fresh carrots, fresh cauliflower. NO wheat, corn, soy, or other fillers. No grain, no dog treats. Her ‘treats’ are fresh veggies and occasional fresh fruit like strawberries.
What you write contradicts what’s posted in this and other raw food blogs. No wonder I (and I’m sure many others) are confused.
Bones are a very important part of raw-feeding a dog. Feed the type of bones depending on the size of the dog and his/her teeth. You want the dog to be able to break the bone into swallow-able pieces. Bones too large or hard for the individual dog to eat are good for “recreational chewing/chawing” – these recreational bones are the ones that will keep your dogs’ teeth clean.
Throw recreational bones away after a few days – they get harder and harder and your dog may chip a tooth.
Sorry if I offended you! That was NOT my intent.
Where does your new local butcher buy his meat??? From the Cattle Farms or from an Organic Range Fed Farm? There’s a HUGE difference.
I transitioned my Pom at age 8 gradually. At first just snacks of the new food, then combined old & new and finally in about a week just organic range fed. Worked for my dog.
Your dogs diet sounds extremely good. Where do you find non-grain kibble? I’ve looked all over for it and cannot find any. What brand do you use?
Every individual will have contradicting ideas. We are, after all, individuals! Every person is different and every animal is different. What is great for one may not work for another. We all have to find our “thumb print”.
Please don’t take offense – I don’t when you slam me.
You didn’t offend me as much as confuse me. And I didn’t ‘slam’ you! I asked for clarification on your advice.
What you wrote makes sense, but it also differs from what is written in Mark’s blog (above) as well as what is proposed by other raw food advocates (who say to not feed ground meats and bone). I’m trying to figure out what will work with my dog to give her the best nutrition but not cause her any stomach/GI distress, which is what happened last week.
BTW, the dry grain-free food I speak of is “Taste of the Wild.” There are other non-grain foods out there as well. These are premium foods made of human quality meats and protein sources, NO by products, NO soy, NO wheat, NO corn, NO grains. Some holistic vets recommend that food as one part of a diet (note I said ‘one part’, not the entire diet). I’ve been supplementing with fresh chopped broccoli, raw carrots, plain boiled chicken, and vitamins/supplements like Omega 3s, etc. Meat/protein comprises the highest % of my dog’s diet.
Your dog’s diet sounds pretty good to me! I wouldn’t change anything except maybe boiling that chicken.
I will look for your brand of kibble here in AZ.
Currently I am using Buffalo Blue. It’s supposed to be all natural human grade as well. I hope we can trust the companies that write these labels!!
Virginia – Grain Free kibbles are now found in abundance but you will (usually) have to find an independent retailer to source appropriately high quality diets. Some of the many brands available include EVO, Wellness Core, Orijen, the above mentioned Taste of the Wild, Canidae, Nature’s Variety “Instinct” I think Blue Buffalo may have one now too? There are several others available as well and some are still better products than others and certain dogs will do better on a one grain free kibble than another and it can be a matter of testing for your individual dog. I would recommend going to the websites for the listed brands and doing a store search for your area, you should be able to find something close, I hope.
Nat – that’s really unfortunate that your poor golden had such a poor response to the raw food. It’s very true that some dogs will do better on it than others and certain formats of raw will work better for some dogs than others. As a long time raw feeder with a degree in animal nutrition I have had to switch my youngest dog to a home cooked diet (far more labour intensive for me and heavily researched to be a perfectly balanced diet including supplementation with individual vitamins and minerals) due to a copper/zinc deficiency that manifested on the raw diet she was eating. That said, I will continue this until she has returned to an ideal state of health and then carefully return her to a more balanced raw food diet. Quite frankly, I spend more time prepping her food for a week than I do for myself, yes, she is spoiled. Personally I have a problem with bone heavy diets being considered a raw food diet as it can very easily lead to similar imbalances in many dogs, this was the actual problem with my dog as I found out the ground chicken I was using was actually ground chicken backs, so much lower in meat content than I had originally understood. Knowing that now I would feed a more meat heavy product along with the ground backs or eliminate the backs and stick with whole backs and necks in the future for the chewing benefits. Its a live and learn item.
One question for you, you said you were using whole chicken thighs, were you using the drumstick as well? I have found that bones of that size are a high risk item because they can be broken and swallowed in large chunks vs necks which are much small, softer bones pieces to begin with.
As for confusion, no kidding! I get people every day asking me to clear the air between what they’ve seen on tv, read on the web, been told at other pet stores and by their vets and sometimes it is the craziest, nuttiest, most nonsensical things imaginable. My personal favorite is dental kibble, the carbs cause build-up in the first place! I’m just waiting for cracker companies to come out with things like “dental triscuits”
Oh wow – sorry about the novel guys, this is just my favorite subject in the whole wide world
Not a problem! Lots of good information. Thanks!!
Yes, I *was* including the drumstick on those chicken thighs, though I was cutting everything with a cleaver.
There’s another important piece to the puzzle here. My dog was just diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma and had her spleen removed almost 3 weeks ago. I have my 1st oncology consult tomorrow morning. I was switching her to a raw diet because I’m (of course) desperate to do anything to help her. Even though she was on a healthy diet already, considering, I wanted to do more.
I also have her on lots of supplements…some, like Omega 3s and Glucosamine and Cranberry she’s been on a very long time. Others, like Milk Thistle, CoQ10, Turmeric, Cat’s Claw, etc. I just started this week.
Our time is thus limited together and of course I’m heartbroken. My goal is to give her the best quality of life for as long as possible. My plan is to use a combo of whatever I can (chemo + healthy food + supplements & herbs) and prayer.
I’ve been where you are several times in my 72 years and my prayers are most certainly with you. May she live a long and healthy life!!! My Pom is 11 now and we are doing the supplements too. I am hoping she will stay as healthy as she is now for another 10 years!!! Not asking much, am I??