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Nutrition

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We here feed all our dogs including the puppies a nutritious balanced raw dog food diet.

Not only have I researched the heck out of it, I promote it! Please do some research of your own.

If you want to chat with me about continuing on this diet I am happily available to coach you

through your journey. 

 

If you choose not to feed your new puppy a raw dog food diet then I have easy steps to transition

your puppy using probiotics and canned pumpkin for digestion in just few days. I recommend

Artisan Raw as a great place to begin your raw dog food journey.

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​Here is a sample of what I feed my dogs.

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• Artisan Raw pucks.

• I recommend Innate Choice. "Ask me where to buy"

• Nu Vet Multi-vitamin

• three eggs weekly

• coconut oil daily

• organic kelp

• organs (liver)

• cheese, yogurt

• pumpkin

• Green tripe

 

This is my go to diet!  I still mindfully feed variety and always browse the local markets for whatever is on sale. (chicken feet, meat, fish, cheap turkey or ground beef etc).

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Raw Feeding Basics for Dogs

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(An Educational Guide – Not Veterinary Advice)

When you feed a raw diet, the goal is to mimic how a dog would naturally eat in the wild: meat, bone, organs, plus small amounts of plant matter (partially digested in the stomach of their prey).

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1. How Dogs Eat in the Wild

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In nature, dogs/wolves will eat:

• Meat, fat, skin, and bones

• Organs (liver, heart, kidneys, tripe)

• Stomach and intestines of prey (partially digested plant matter)

• Eggs and fish when they find them

• Occasional fruits and berries

Whole raw veggies often pass through a dog mostly undigested. In the wild, the prey animal’s digestive system “pre-processes” the plants first. We copy that by pureeing vegetables so dogs can actually use the nutrients.

2. What to Feed in a Raw Diet

A commonly used guideline (from Dr. Ian Billinghurst / BARF model):

About 60% raw meaty bones (RMB)
About 40% “other” – organs, pureed veggies, eggs, etc.

Raw Meaty Bones (RMB)

These are bones with at least 50% meat attached, for example:

• Chicken (necks, backs, wings, quarters)

• Turkey

• Beef (meaty ribs, necks)

• Lamb

• Pork

• Whole raw fish (with bones)

• Rabbit, squirrel, venison

• Other poultry

❌ Do not feed bear meat (risk of parasites).
❌ Never feed cooked bones – they can splinter and cause serious injury.

Organ Meat

Feed several times a week in small amounts – it’s very rich:

• Liver

• Kidney

• Heart

• Tripe (stomach lining)

Vegetables

Dogs can’t break down cellulose on their own. To make veggies useful:

• Use a blender, food processor, or juicer

• Think: leafy greens, squash, carrots, broccoli, etc.

• These go in the “other 40%” portion with organs, eggs, etc.

Eggs

• Raw eggs are an excellent, nutrient-dense food.

• You can dry and grind eggshells for extra calcium.

• Feed occasionally, not necessarily every day.

Probiotics (Yogurt)

• Add plain, whole yogurt (no sugar or flavors).

• Supports healthy gut bacteria and digestion.

• Whole milk yogurt usually has more calcium than low-fat options.

Omega-3 (Fish Oil)

If your dog doesn’t eat oily fish regularly, add:

• Fish oil or fish oil capsules (EPA & DHA)

• This supports skin, coat, brain, and joint health.

• Fish oil is preferred over flax for dogs.

Supplements (Optional but Helpful)

Many raw feeders also add:

• Organic kelp powder – trace minerals

• Coconut oil (not coconut milk)

  • Skin and coat health

  • May help with allergies, digestion, and metabolic support

• Occasional berries (blueberries, cranberries) for antioxidants

• Fruits like apples, bananas, pears, etc. can be small treats. They’re more of a “nice extra” than a core nutrient source.

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3. How Much to Feed

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These are starting guidelines – always adjust based on your dog’s body condition.

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Adult Dogs

• About 2% of body weight per day

 

Example:

• 50 lb dog → about 1 lb (0.45 kg) of food per day

• Split into two meals → ~8 oz (½ lb) each meal

Puppies

• About 10% of body weight per day, divided into 3 meals

• Adjust as they grow and monitor their weight and energy

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Every dog is different. Watch:

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• Ribs: you should be able to feel them, not see all of them

• Waist: visible tuck from the side and above

• Energy, coat, stool quality

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4. Practical Raw Feeding Tips

Freshness & Storage

• Always use fresh, good-quality ingredients

• You can pre-mix meals (RMB + pureed veggies + eggs + yogurt)

• Store in the fridge for short term, or freeze in portions

• Buying in bulk (40 lb chicken cases, etc.) can be much more affordable

Variety Matters

Over the course of a week, try to rotate:

• Different meats (chicken, turkey, pork, beef, lamb, fish, etc.)

• Different organs

• Different veggies

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This helps cover a full spectrum of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

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5. Bones: Why They Matter (and How to Use Them Safely)

Bones provide:

• Calcium and phosphorus

• Dental cleaning (scraping tartar)

• Mental enrichment and chewing satisfaction

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Guidelines:

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• Feed raw, not cooked

• Size-appropriate: bones should be large enough to chew, not swallow whole

• Supervise your dog when they’re working on bones

• If your dog has dental issues or can’t chew well, some people grind bones with a meat grinder.

 

Rare risks include cracked teeth or gastrointestinal perforation, but these are more common with cooked bones. Raw bones are generally softer and safer.

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6. Switching from Kibble to Raw

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With kibble changes, we usually switch slowly. With raw, it’s different.

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Why “Cold Turkey”?

Raw and kibble digest very differently. Feeding both together:

• Can confuse the digestive system

• May increase gas, upset stomach, or diarrhea

 

So most raw feeders recommend:

Stop kibble and switch fully to raw all at once.

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What to Expect

There is often a “detox” or adjustment period”, especially for long-term kibble dogs:

• Possible diarrhea, constipation, or occasional vomiting

• Some dogs may refuse food for a few days (even 5–7) – most healthy adult dogs will not starve themselves

• Stools usually become smaller and less smelly once they adjust

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Starting Bland

In the first couple of weeks:

• Use simple RMBs (like chicken wings, necks, or quarters)

• Pair with mild pureed veggies (squash, carrot, etc.)

• Hold off on richer items (organ meats, lots of eggs) until digestion is settled

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Many people also add:

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• Plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) – 1 spoonful per meal for stool regulation

• A canine probiotic daily

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7. Raw vs Kibble: Big Picture

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Why Some People Prefer Raw

• More control over ingredients

• Avoid certain additives, preservatives, and fillers

• Dogs often show:

  • Better skin and coat

  • Smaller, less smelly stool

  • Cleaner teeth and fresher breath

  • Good muscle tone and body condition

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But Raw Isn’t “Magic”

• It won’t cure everything

• Dogs can still have allergies, health issues, or genetics you can’t change

• Some dogs do very well on high-quality kibble, too

• There’s no perfect, one-size-fits-all diet. The “best” diet is:

• Safe

• Balanced over time

• Well-tolerated by your dog

• Realistic for your lifestyle and budget

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8. Kibble Quality Checklist (If You Use Kibble at All)

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If you still use kibble (or need it during travel), reading the label is crucial.

Look for:

• Named meat as the first ingredient (e.g., “fresh deboned lamb,” “chicken meal”)

• 2–3 meat proteins in the first several ingredients

• Named fat source (e.g., “chicken fat”), not vague “animal fat”

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Try to avoid or limit:

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• “Meat by-product,” “meat and bone meal,” “animal digest”

• Artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, etc.)

• Artificial preservatives like BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin

• Vague ingredients (e.g., “animal fat” with no species)

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Grains, soy, and corn are not automatically evil, but you don’t want them to dominate the formula or replace meat as the primary protein source.

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9. Safety & Hygiene with Raw

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The biggest risk is usually to humans, not the dog.

• Handle raw meat with the same care as your own food

• Wash hands, bowls, surfaces, and utensils immediately

• Consider feeding:

  • Outside

  • On a washable tarp

  • In a crate to contain mess

  • You can gently wipe your dog’s muzzle after meals

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Dogs have:

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• Short, acidic digestive tracts

• High stomach acidity (pH around 1)

• Saliva and enzymes that help handle bacteria better than humans do but proper handling is still essential to protect your family.

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10. Final Thoughts

• Dogs are carnivores that still benefit from a varied, balanced raw diet: meat, bone, organs, and some processed plant matter.

• Raw feeding can be incredibly rewarding and can support great health, but it’s not a miracle cure.

• Watch your individual dog: energy, coat, stool, weight, and overall condition tell you more than any marketing claim - beneficial for many dogs but it is not a guarantee of anything.

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