Raw Dog Food for Beginners: The Ultimate Raw Guide | Pretty Fluffy (2023)

FAQs

What is the best raw food to start dog on? ›

Laurie Coger, DVM, CVCP, dogs “thrive on chicken, turkey, and beef,” which make them ideal options for raw food diets. But choosing the best protein for your dog may be dictated by your dog's overall health. “Beef and pork are the lowest in sodium. Pork has the highest potassium, and chicken has the lowest,” says Dr.

So, while it's true that feeding raw meat is good for your dog, your dog's diet should contain other minerals, vitamins, amino and fatty acids, and sources of fiber to aid with digestion. This can be done by introducing eggs, vegetables, and supplements to their predominantly raw meat diet.

What Do I Feed? To feed a balanced raw diet we suggest following the 80/10/10 approach – this means feeding a mix of 80% muscle meat, 10% bone and 10% offal / organ meat (5% liver with 5% other offal).

Raw meat is likely to contain harmful bacterial like Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli and more. Cooking meat to a safe temperature kills off those harmful bacteria. By feeding uncooked meat, there's a higher risk your dog could develop a foodborne illness or other type of bacterial infection.

Although research is still in its infancy, there is promising evidence that a raw diet can drastically improve canine cognitive and mental health, leading to improved behavior and an overall higher quality of life.

According to most raw feeders, dogs should eat muscle meat (hamburger, chicken, turkey), as well as a healthy array of organ meat (heart, liver, kidneys), whole fish, and raw meaty bones (aka, RMBs).

One portion can be kept a maximum of 3 days in the refrigerator once they are thawed. Put the portion out of the fridge and leave it at room temperature for about 5 minutes before serving so it is not too cold. If your pet has not eaten his whole portion, you may put it back in the refrigerator after 10 minutes.

There is no evidence that this pre-freezing has any impact on bacterial pathogens in raw diets. Regular worm treatment — cats and dogs fed raw meat or offal that has not been pre-frozen should be treated for Toxocara infection monthly with a licensed product to minimise zoonotic risk.

The “95 Percent” rule: At least 95% of the product (by weight) must be the named ingredient; for example, the ingredients of “Salmon Cat Food” must include at least 95% salmon (not including water). When including water, the named ingredient still must comprise at least 70% of the product.

What is the 100% rule for dog food? ›

The 100 percent rule for dog food

If, for example, you're getting 100 percent beef treats, they are only beef. This rule allows the manufacturers to add water for processing, and trace amounts of condiments and preservatives.

Making your own raw dog food has the advantage of giving you complete control over what your dog eats. This makes homemade a great option for dogs with food sensitivities or health concerns. It's also more cost effective to make your own than to buy pre-made raw food from a store.

Common meats to avoid are any processed meats like sausage, bologna, hot dogs etc. Also avoid giving your dog any rib bones as they are extremely brittle and can damage your dog's stomach and throat.

Reconsider Feeding Raw Meat To Sick Dogs, Puppies And Senior Dogs. These dogs have weaker immune systems, and their nutritional needs are more complex. Putting them on a raw meat diet takes careful preparation. Be sure to research their needs before embarking on feeding these dogs a raw food diet.

Bacon, Ham and Fat Trimmings

Bacon, bacon grease, ham, and fat trimmed off meat or bones contains a lot of salt and/or fat and at the least can cause indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea in both dogs and cats. These foods can also cause pancreatitis, a serious, potentially deadly inflammation of the pancreas.

The American Kennel Club (AKC), American Veterinary Medical Association and other groups discourage pet owners from feeding dogs raw or unprocessed meat, eggs and milk. Raw meat and dairy can carry pathogens, like E. coli, listeria and salmonella, which can make pets and people sick or even cause death.

One of the first things pet parents notice after transitioning dogs and cats to a raw food diet is a decreased water intake – that's because our furry friends are getting the natural hydration they need right from their meals!

Raw Burgers

Raw steak or hamburger patties can contain bacteria, such as salmonella and E. coli, that can be harmful to dogs and people. Keep a careful eye on the meat as you prepare the grill because the aroma will definitely get your dog's attention, and they may try to sneak a tasty morsel of the uncooked meat.

The two common vitamins often lacking in raw diets include Vitamin D and Vitamin E. These nutrients can be supplied through whole foods. However, there are instances where the whole food ingredient for these nutrients cannot be fed and supplements prove beneficial in these scenarios.

Are eggs good for dogs? ›

Are Eggs Good for Dogs? Eggs are perfectly safe for dogs, Eggs are a great source of nutrition for your canine companion. They are high in protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and fatty acids that help support your dog inside and out. Remember that eggs are only as good as the chicken they come from.

Thorough cooking kills Salmonella, L. monocytogenes, and other harmful foodborne bacteria. Don't kiss your pet around its mouth, and don't let your pet lick your face. This is especially important after your pet has just finished eating raw food.

If your pet is a grazer we recommend the maximum time for leaving out a bowl of food is 1 hour (or 30 minutes on a warm day). If they do not eat the food straight away, you can also put it back in the fridge and offer it to them later (throw away any uneaten raw food 24 hours after it's been in the bowl).

Raw dog food that has been thawed completely in the fridge should be consumed by your dogs within 3-5 days. If it's been thawed completely on the counter, the food should be fed within 2-3 days. To protect the nutrient integrity of the food, we do not recommend thawing in the microwave.

Your dog or cat can contract a worm infestation through raw meat, but this only happens when the food isn't inspected, handled or prepared properly. In fact, pet parents that are deeply invested in their pets' health, safety, and longevity, are more likely to choose companies that prioritize food safety and handling.

Generally speaking, a healthy dog with a short, smooth coat and no skin problems doesn't need to be bathed often. In most cases, dog baths are more for the benefit of their pet parents than for the dogs themselves. Even so, it's a good idea to bathe your pooch at least once every two to three months.

Limit Meal Time

Leaving your dog's food out all day can cause them to ignore it altogether. To break this habit, leave their food down at meal times for 10 minutes and even if they don't touch it, take the bowl away until the next meal. This will teach your pup to eat when the bowl is on the ground.

80:20 is the term used for kibbles that include an approximate proportion of 80% meat and 20% fruit and veg additions. They use no carb filler whatsoever. From a quality point of view, at least in terms of kibbles, they are assumed to be of the highest quality.

If you've noticed some of the food labels at the pet store saying “chicken dinner for dogs” or “tuna entree for cats,” these diets are using the 25% rule. This rule implies that the named protein makes up at least 25% of the product listed, but is less than 95%.

What happens if you give a dog unlimited food? ›

The vast majority of dogs, however, will stop eating once they've had enough. They might eat to the point of nausea, or until they throw up, but rarely, if ever, until they die. Dogs, cats, horses, and goats have all been known to eat themselves to death.

Take any meat (chicken, beef, lamb, pork, whatever) minced or diced. Grate raw vegetables into it (anything but potato) so that it is roughly 2⁄3 meat and 1⁄3 vegetable (if you prefer, you can put the vegetable through a food processor). Get some meaty bones from the butcher and give your dog one every day or two.

As a general rule, you can use the following as a start to determine the dry dog food bag size you need: 4-6 pound bag = small dog, under 20 lbs. 12-18 pound bag = medium dog, 20-50 lbs (or two small dogs) 24-30 pound bag = large dog, 50 lbs and over (or 2-3 medium dogs)

Dry diets are by far the most economical and healthy way of feeding your doggo and saving some coin.

It is not a good idea to keep your dog on a daily diet of chicken and rice for long. While this dish is extremely healthy for dogs, it does not contain all of the nutrients they need, which they get from other sources such as red meats and vegetables. Also, dogs tend to develop allergies to the foods they eat the most.

In fact, it's a good source of protein, and cooked chicken can even be substituted for or added to his regular meal. Most sources recommend against raw chicken, due to the risk of salmonella or bacterial infections, although the movement toward raw food, including raw chicken and raw chicken bones, is growing.

Eating raw or undercooked pork is not safe for dogs or humans due to the parasite trichinella spiralis larvae, which can cause a parasite infection known as trichinosis. An infection transmitted by pork meat, it can occur when a dog eats the muscles of animals infected with the trichinella parasites.

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They're high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fiber, and copper. They are low in cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should be given as a treat, not part of your dog's main diet.

​ Yes, dogs can eat cheese. In fact, cheese is often a great training tool, especially for puppies.

How often should dogs eat raw meat? If you're wondering how often you should feed your dog raw meat, we recommend feeding pups 2 - 4 times per day and older dogs 1 - 2 times per day, as part of a fully balanced meal. Feeding your canine twice a day may assist with begging tendencies.

Why can't dogs have mashed potatoes? ›

The main problem with mashed potatoes and why they are “bad” for dogs, is that they are very starchy and packed full of carbohydrates and calories. That means it can be easy for your dog to eat too much, and all those extra carbs will quickly add up and lead to your pooch piling on the pounds.

One egg a day for your dog is all that is recommended. If you want to introduce eggs to your dog's diet, add a cooked egg to their diet. Make sure it doesn't cause stomach issues like vomiting or diarrhea. If there are no problems, you can start giving them eggs more often.

Puppies should be moved to real food from weaning, which is 3 to 4 weeks of age. The best meats to start with are plain, raw, boneless, white minces such as chicken, fish or turkey. Feel free to leave out a large meaty beef bone for them to gnaw at but make sure it is not small enough to chew.

Is raw meat good for dogs? The American Veterinary Medical Association cautions against feeding your dog raw meat because it doesn't provide the balanced nutrition your canine companion needs in their diet. Eating raw meat regularly can increase risk of nutritional deficiencies.

Eggs - Most pet owners who opt to feed a raw dog food diet focus on raw meat as a protein source, but eggs are also an excellent option for adding nutrients and protein to your dog's meals. Eggs have the highest biological value of any animal protein, which means it's highly digestible.

It's recommended to feed your puppy three small meals a day on a raw diet. You should portion 2-3% of your puppy's ideal adult weight.

We recommend feeding a small raw minced meal in the morning, followed by a meal of your pet's old food later in the day. Gradually increase the amount of raw food being fed compared to the old food each day. After around 3 days you will be ready to feed 100% raw.

Dog Poop on Raw Diet

First things first, raw pet food can actually make your dog poop less! This is because your pet is now ingesting food that is being digested and properly utilized by the body, resulting in less waste. Plus, another of the benefits of feeding raw is your dog's poop may be less smelly.

Why is raw dog food so expensive? ›

Why Is Raw Dog Food So Expensive? The cost of raw dog food can vary by the pound, with a significant factor for price difference being the quality of what you're buying. When you purchase high-quality products, the price is expected to rise to accommodate the high-quality ingredients used.

Common meats to avoid are any processed meats like sausage, bologna, hot dogs etc. Also avoid giving your dog any rib bones as they are extremely brittle and can damage your dog's stomach and throat.