How to start raw feeding
What should I give my dog?
All raw food contains roughly 80% meat, 10% bone and 10% offal (unless they contain supplements or vegetables then the percentages will differ slightly).
This is exactly what your dog needs in their diet and you are not required to add anything else into it, but, there are some healthy things we may recommend adding.
How much should I give?
When it comes to working out how much to feed your dog, we use this table to work out what percentage of their bodyweight you should be feeding at.
If you have a puppy and are wanting to start them on raw then we usually advise to research the average weight of an adult of their breed and work out the amount from that. This is because we find that puppy guides tend to work out as feeding them far too much.
If you come into the shop for advice this will all be worked out for you and wrote down!
How do I switch?
There are two general methods of making the switch to better nutrition, "Rapid " and "Slow."
Rapid:
This is the simplest way to make the switch. You simply go ahead and do it! Yesterday you fed your dog dried food or canned food and today you begin to feed raw.
(note: if your pet is older or has digestive problems or an impaired immune system it may not be suitable to do the rapid switch).
Slow method:
Gradually transition to raw over 7 days.
Days 1-7 divide daily ration into 50% raw and 50% previous food
Feed in alternating separate meals, avoid mixing if possible for easier digestion.
Ideally meals are about 12 hours apart.
From day 8 feed 100% raw ration.
POOS:
Once you have made the switch it is important to monitor their poos!
Their poo is the easiest way to work out if they need their diet altering.
If their poo is loose and runny then this is indicating that they are not getting enough bone in their diet and there is too much offal and meat. To fix this issue, you simply up the bone content in their food. You can do this by adding things like necks, ribs or wings into their meals or by feeding a meat that naturally has a higher bone content like poultry.
If their poo is white and chalky then this shows you that they are getting too much bone in their diet and they need more offal and meat. To fix this you just need to add anything that is meat on its own or any form of organ. We stock lots of options to help these issues.
What else can I add to the food that will benefit my dog?
Vegetables
Veg is optional when it comes to adding it to your dogs food. A lot of people believe it is compulsory but it isn't! Your dog does not have to eat veg but if they enjoy it and you eat a lot of it yourself then it is a great additive to their diet. Some raw brands do tend to include fruit and vegetables to make themselves different from other brands, it doesn't make them better but it does have benefits for your dog. Adding vegetables can help them build energy and provides additional minerals and nutrients.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
If we were to recommend adding anything to your dogs food it would be apple cider vinegar. It has endless benefits! If you use at least three capfuls a week in your dogs food or water can help prevent fleas and worms! By diluting it in water and applying it to your dog it can also soothe itchy and flaky skin and helps brighten dull coats. It helps relieve overheated skin and you can use it to clean your dogs ears as it kills bacteria and prevents infections. It is also good for removing tear stains on dogs faces. These are just what we would summarise as the main benefits, there are so many more benefits and you can check them out on our instagram pages!
garlic
In small amounts, garlic is amazing at helping your dog keep clear of fleas and ticks! When ingested, the smell comes out through skin just like the apple cider vinegar does. They both work how tea tree oil works with head lice, it deters them from wanting to be on your pet. We advice to use a very small amount, no bigger than the finger nail on your little finger.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is amazing for improving your dog skin and coat condition. Use a teaspoon in their food daily for it to become effective. If your dog tends to have skin issues or any sore areas then apply the coconut oil directly to the problem area to help soothe the pain or irritation and encourage healing.
raw eggs
Raw eggs are full of amino acids and fatty acids so adding them to your dogs food encourages healthy skin and a smooth, healthy coat. We advise that you don't include it more than three times a week to prevent upset tummies. 3 eggs a week are fine for dogs around 25kg.
Golden tumeric paste
Golden turmeric paste is one of the most popular supplement products we stock at the moment. The paste includes coconut oil and apple cider vinegar as well as turmeric, black pepper and Ceylon cinnamon. It's super healthy and beneficial for your dog as it is antibacterial, an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, it is rich in cancer fighting antioxidants, it helps to reduce blood clots and helps to modulate the immune system and improves digestion.