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Raw Food Diet
Why Feed Raw ?
A raw diet provides a range of benefits that commercial dog food diets can never hope to even closely match. Some of the benefits that we have personally experienced include:
·Less Stool - first of all, there will be a lot less stool and the odour factor is dramatically decreased. And if that isn’t enough, after a couple of days it turns chalky and just crumbles to nothing!
·Decreased or Non-Existent Vet Bills - your dogs are much healthier
·Increased energy
·Better weight control
·Less shedding
·More lustrous coat
·Naturally cleans teeth - no need for toothbrushes, teeth cleanings, or gum disease
·Decreased or Non-Existent Vet Bills - your dogs are much healthier
·Less parasites - we still recommend regular de-worming, however, we have personally found minimal (if any) trace of parasites in our dogs when they are on a 100% raw food diet
·Puppies develop at a more appropriate rate and quick growth spurts are avoided.
·The ripping and chewing involved in eating raw meaty bones develops the jaw, neck and shoulder muscles of the dog which is especially beneficial in breeds with erect ears. The increased jaw action will help strength the ear cartilage during the puppy’s growth stages.
A raw diet provides a range of benefits that commercial dog food diets can never hope to even closely match. Some of the benefits that we have personally experienced include:
·Less Stool - first of all, there will be a lot less stool and the odour factor is dramatically decreased. And if that isn’t enough, after a couple of days it turns chalky and just crumbles to nothing!
·Decreased or Non-Existent Vet Bills - your dogs are much healthier
·Increased energy
·Better weight control
·Less shedding
·More lustrous coat
·Naturally cleans teeth - no need for toothbrushes, teeth cleanings, or gum disease
·Decreased or Non-Existent Vet Bills - your dogs are much healthier
·Less parasites - we still recommend regular de-worming, however, we have personally found minimal (if any) trace of parasites in our dogs when they are on a 100% raw food diet
·Puppies develop at a more appropriate rate and quick growth spurts are avoided.
·The ripping and chewing involved in eating raw meaty bones develops the jaw, neck and shoulder muscles of the dog which is especially beneficial in breeds with erect ears. The increased jaw action will help strength the ear cartilage during the puppy’s growth stages.
Vitamin D - The Wintertime Dilemma
For most of us, and our pets, vitamin D is produced in large enough quantities by a process of conversion within our bodies, using sustained levels of certain wavelengths of UV light. This process is an evolutionary trait found in virtually all mammals. However in certain conditions a lack of vitamin D can be produced. This occurs typically in northern latitudes during the winter when our pets are indoors all day while we work and then let out for brief periods in the evening or morning. The lack of available sunlight lowers vitamin D production and can produce ailments to varying degrees.
Given that vitamin D has direct influence over the absorption of calcium and phosphorus it has significant impact on development and maintenance of our pet's skeletal structures. Not as well known or understood is its effects on production of various enzymes that work with collagen structures in the body. These two issues lead us to consider that many of skin irritations and scratching that our pets endure starting about mid-November (in the North) may be the result of lowered vitamin D concentrations in the body. We now know that vitamin D is one treatment for psoriasis so it is not inconceivable that a sustained lowering of the vitamin's concentration could cause similar effects to a lesser degree.
The addition of vitamin D is achieved primarily through the introduction of cod liver oil into the diet. Although other marine based oils may provide higher concentrations of vitamin D in general terms the cod liver oil should be adequate. A typical dosage would be 5ml (1 tsp) for each 25 Kg (55 lbs.) of body weight per day. One caution though do not over supplement as this can cause negative reactions due to excess amounts of the vitamin.
For most of us, and our pets, vitamin D is produced in large enough quantities by a process of conversion within our bodies, using sustained levels of certain wavelengths of UV light. This process is an evolutionary trait found in virtually all mammals. However in certain conditions a lack of vitamin D can be produced. This occurs typically in northern latitudes during the winter when our pets are indoors all day while we work and then let out for brief periods in the evening or morning. The lack of available sunlight lowers vitamin D production and can produce ailments to varying degrees.
Given that vitamin D has direct influence over the absorption of calcium and phosphorus it has significant impact on development and maintenance of our pet's skeletal structures. Not as well known or understood is its effects on production of various enzymes that work with collagen structures in the body. These two issues lead us to consider that many of skin irritations and scratching that our pets endure starting about mid-November (in the North) may be the result of lowered vitamin D concentrations in the body. We now know that vitamin D is one treatment for psoriasis so it is not inconceivable that a sustained lowering of the vitamin's concentration could cause similar effects to a lesser degree.
The addition of vitamin D is achieved primarily through the introduction of cod liver oil into the diet. Although other marine based oils may provide higher concentrations of vitamin D in general terms the cod liver oil should be adequate. A typical dosage would be 5ml (1 tsp) for each 25 Kg (55 lbs.) of body weight per day. One caution though do not over supplement as this can cause negative reactions due to excess amounts of the vitamin.
How much do I feed ?
Active Animals: 3% of animals ideal body weight.
Non-Active Animals: 2% of animals ideal body weight.
Puppies: 4% - 5% of their body weight. Weigh them every 2 weeks and adjust food accordingly.
Active Animals: 3% of animals ideal body weight.
Non-Active Animals: 2% of animals ideal body weight.
Puppies: 4% - 5% of their body weight. Weigh them every 2 weeks and adjust food accordingly.
Do I need to add anything to the food (or Supplement) ?
We recommend alternating through a combination of the following:
Kelp - daily
Fish Oils - daily
Raw Eggs - every few days
Raw Bones - every few days
Turkey or Chicken Necks - couple of times a week
Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Cheese - twice a week
Ascension Formula - twice a week in lieu of other supplements
Organ meats - once a week
Green Tripe - once a week
Raw Fish - once a week in lieu of fish oils
We recommend alternating through a combination of the following:
Kelp - daily
Fish Oils - daily
Raw Eggs - every few days
Raw Bones - every few days
Turkey or Chicken Necks - couple of times a week
Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Cheese - twice a week
Ascension Formula - twice a week in lieu of other supplements
Organ meats - once a week
Green Tripe - once a week
Raw Fish - once a week in lieu of fish oils
Do's and Don'ts ?
Do - Fast your Dog: Experts agree that fasting your healthy Adult dog for a day, once every week or two is important.
Do - Offer your dog a variety of foods: Would you like to eat the same food everyday of your life?
Do - Provide your dog with a fresh supply of water at all times. (even though they will drink considerably less water due to the fact there is naturally occurring water in fresh meat)
Don't - Over Feed your dog: it is better to under feed. Always weigh the food to ensure that proper amounts are being fed.
Don't - Feed Cereals, Grains, or other Starchy foods.
Don't - Never Feed Kibble while feeding raw diet !!!
Do - Fast your Dog: Experts agree that fasting your healthy Adult dog for a day, once every week or two is important.
Do - Offer your dog a variety of foods: Would you like to eat the same food everyday of your life?
Do - Provide your dog with a fresh supply of water at all times. (even though they will drink considerably less water due to the fact there is naturally occurring water in fresh meat)
Don't - Over Feed your dog: it is better to under feed. Always weigh the food to ensure that proper amounts are being fed.
Don't - Feed Cereals, Grains, or other Starchy foods.
Don't - Never Feed Kibble while feeding raw diet !!!
Can I Feed Kibble at the same time as Raw Food ?
Feeding kibble at the same time as a raw diet can cause endless problems.
There are a couple of reasons Cats and Dogs can eat raw meat and not become sick. They both have a very short intestinal tract. This allows any food that is ingested, to pass through their system very quickly. The speed of this process does not allow time for bacteria to setup and get a foot hold in the animal. Feeding Kibble can slow digestion down by as much as four times. This delay could conceivably allow bacteria enough time to bring on illness.
The stomach ph level of both cats and dogs should be low. We want a very acidic level to aid in digestion and to kill off as much bacteria as possible. Feeding Kibble has a tendency to neutralize the ph level, again resulting in an opportunity for bacteria making the animal ill.
Feeding kibble at the same time as a raw diet can cause endless problems.
There are a couple of reasons Cats and Dogs can eat raw meat and not become sick. They both have a very short intestinal tract. This allows any food that is ingested, to pass through their system very quickly. The speed of this process does not allow time for bacteria to setup and get a foot hold in the animal. Feeding Kibble can slow digestion down by as much as four times. This delay could conceivably allow bacteria enough time to bring on illness.
The stomach ph level of both cats and dogs should be low. We want a very acidic level to aid in digestion and to kill off as much bacteria as possible. Feeding Kibble has a tendency to neutralize the ph level, again resulting in an opportunity for bacteria making the animal ill.
