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One of the questions we often hear is "How do I know my dog is getting a balanced diet with all of the necessary nutrients on a raw diet?"
Ensuring your dog receives a balanced diet on a raw food diet requires careful planning and consideration. Here are some tips to get started and help you ensure your dog is getting all the necessary nutrients:
1. Follow the 80/10/10/5 Rule
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80% Muscle Meat: This is the primary source of protein. It includes meats like chicken, beef, turkey, or lamb.
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10% Raw Meaty Bones: Bones provide essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Ensure they are raw and appropriately sized to prevent choking.
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10% Organs: Organs like liver and kidney are rich in vitamins and minerals. Liver should make up about 5% of the total diet.
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5% Fruits and Vegetables (Optional): Some owners include fruits and vegetables for added vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.
2. Include Variety
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Rotate proteins regularly to ensure your dog is getting a range of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. For example, alternate between chicken, beef, lamb, and fish.
3. Add Supplements if Necessary
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Fish Oil: Provides essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for skin, coat, and joint health.
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Probiotics: Support gut health and digestion.
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Multivitamins: Ensure all essential vitamins and minerals are covered, especially if your dog is on a limited protein source.
4. Monitor Health and Behavior
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Keep an eye on your dog’s weight, energy levels, coat condition, stool consistency, and overall behavior. Any drastic changes could indicate a nutritional imbalance.
5. Consult with a Veterinarian or Canine Nutritionist
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Regular check-ups with your vet, or better yet, consultations with a canine nutritionist can help ensure your dog’s diet is balanced. They can suggest blood tests or other assessments to check for nutrient deficiencies. It's important to monitor your pet's health especially as you begin a new diet.
6. Use Pre-Made Commercial Raw Diets (Optional)
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If you're unsure about formulating a balanced raw diet yourself, you can opt for pre-made raw food brands that are nutritionally balanced. All of our brands we carry have been formulated to meet AAFCO standards and many have been through feeding trials as well.
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We always recommend that you rotate between three different proteins, if your pet can and will eat different proteins and three different brands to enusre your pet is getting a lot of variety in their diet. Of course, if your pet has an intolerance to a specific protein, don't feed that protein. We carry complete and balanced diets with minimal ingredients so you're able to reallly customize the diet for your pet.