Biologically appropriate raw food for dogs
Biologically appropriate raw food means feeding a biologically, species-appropriate raw diet.
Many dog owners have the impression that the composition and declaration of many processed pet foods is very non-transparent.
Food scandals and the unbelievably grandiose pictures of the ingredients on colorful packaging make more and more dog owners doubt despite the promising prices on the quality of the commercial dog food.
Many dog owners also have a personal desire for a healthy diet.
Health problems of the beloved dog, such as skin and gastrointestinal problems, allergies, kidney and urinary tract disorders or food allergies should be alleviated or prevented from the outset by raw feeding.
Dietary change to raw food
Raw food is the most “natural” diet of dogs modeled on the wolf. This means that the dog eats (almost) all the parts that make up the prey, as well as the vegetables and herbs that are found in the stomach contents of the prey.
The meat is fed completely raw.
It is easily possible to feed dogs with home-made food in a balanced way. However, this must fit the composition of the ingredients, so that a nutrient supply is prevented.
Fresh meat, organ meats and vegetables, and also herbs and berries fed with the raw food diet, are rich in these nutrients.
Oil adds healthy, valuable fatty acids to the raw food meal and you always have to add some to the raw food diet. Fresh vegetables contain vital vitamins, eggs (especially egg yolks) are very healthy for the skin and coat of the dog.
Raw food diet menus are also supplemented with seaweed or shell limestone.
The conversion from commercial pet food to a raw food diet should be approached carefully. First, feed only small pieces of raw meat and gradually increase the amount.
If you put down a whole bowl full of raw meat, it may upset your dogs stomach.
If your dog has so far only received processed, commercial food, his digestive system must get used to the new raw food.
Feeding bones to the dog
The wolf eats its killed prey including the bones. Raw feeding means that the dogs diet consists of a proportion of bones.
The bones contain much important calcium and magnesium and are responsible for natural teeth cleaning.
Your dog may only eat raw bones, never cooked! These can splinter more easily and are therefore dangerous.
When the dog eats bones, there should always be someone in the room, so that the dog is not left unattended.
For raw feeding beginners, cartilage and sand bones are well suited to provide the dog with calcium. In addition, chewing is a great fun for the dog.
If, because of the danger of splintering, you do not want to feed your dog with any bones, you can also buy bone powder or mineral supplements.
Vegetables and fruits in the raw food diet
Fresh fruits and vegetables are important and healthy for the dog and should always be added to the dog meals.
It should be fed more vegetables than fruits, because vegetables do not contain as much fructose.
The vegetables we cook for ourselves (such as cauliflower or Brussels sprouts) should be cooked or steamed.
Potatoes, beans and even tomatoes should be cooked, as they can be poisonous for the dog, if raw.
For raw feeding are particularly well, e.g. apples, carrots, cucumber or fresh spinach. Green vegetables are especially healthy as they contain many important plant nutrients.
It is best to mix a red, yellow and green fruit and vegetable every day (for example a handful of raspberries, two carrots and 1/2 broccoli for a medium sized dog). So you can remember it well.
Sometimes dogs do not like pieces of fruits or vegetables in their feed. Then you can puree the vegetables with a little water and pour over the dog food as a kind of vegetable-fruit mix.
Pureeing makes fruit and vegetables easier to digest for the dog because the plant fibers are split.
That would happen with the plant parts also in the stomach of the killed prey animal.
Raw food diet – risks
Incorrect raw feeding can cause the dog to have gastrointestinal problems such as constipation or diarrhea. Bones can splinter or cause tooth fractures.
In the case of raw feeding, there is also the possibility of germs being transmitted through the raw meat. However, this risk is rather small if you work clean with the raw meat and always keep it well chilled.
Avoid the feeding of throat meat with thyroid tissue. This can cause thyroid problems in the dog.
Nutrients in raw feeding diet
In the raw feeding diet should be kept in mind the supply of particularly calcium, zinc, iodine, copper, vitamin A and vitamin D.
Especially puppies and young dogs can develop problems due to nutrient deficiency or oversupply. If you are unsure, you can have your rations checked by a specialized veterinarian.
In addition, there are also completely prepared, frozen raw food menus that you can buy in your local pet store. These contain almost all important ingredients and you just have to add oil.
Of course, a self-made menu for the dog can not contain all the necessary nutrients at the same time like commercial pet foods, so raw feeding needs a little more variety.
Trying out new creations and ingredients regularly also helps prevent nutrient deficiencies.
Some dog owners do not want to give up completely on the commercial products, because they are easier and more practical to use.
On holiday or when traveling with the dog, you can definitely feed ready-made food for a while. Surely it is much better to transport than a frozen raw food menu.
But at home there is also raw food diet in good portionable pieces to buy. Some also mix raw food and commercial pet food or divide the servings.
Many dogs love raw dog food. After they may have hesitated to try it at the beginning, most like their fresh, compiled menu very much and do not want to eat anything else.
There are almost no studies on raw feeding, but a lot of testimonials that suggest that its the healthier way to feed our dogs with fresh raw food.
Since raw food diet consists mostly of meat products, you should buy raw meat in organic quality for the dog if possible. Meat from conventional factory farming may be contaminated with pesticides, antibiotic residues and even resistant bakteria.
In addition, there is also an interest in the public not to support such unhealthy, sad conditions of farm animals.
All dog owners who love their dog want the best for their four-legged friend and that it is healthy with us as long as possible.
Of course cats can get the raw food diet too. As a predator, the raw feeding corresponds approximately to their natural prey. The raw food products are also available to buy in servings for small dogs and cats.
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