Dogs With a Healthy Appetite

Before the age of commercially bought pet food, dog have always thrived on a raw food diet. Dogs and cats alike have always been on a raw diet since time immemorial, so it is only logical to bring the naturalness back into their system.

Some people may see raw feeding as a diet fad, but really, it’s actually just bringing back what they and their ancestors have been doing all along – letting them eat the food that their bodies are natural made for - raw food. Some may think that it is demanding or that it takes up a lot of time – that mixing takes time and a whole lot of thought and preparation. It sometimes is, actually, especially if you’re into mixing his foods. The best thing about it is that you can prepare this in advance and freeze it. Unlike cooking, freezing does not take away whatever nutritional value it has. Just make sure you have lots of fridge space for easy access.

Pack the raw food containers according to how much your pet can consume. If you are working, then disposable plastic bags will be quite useful for you as all you need to do would just be open, squish out and put on your dog’s dish.

The actual raw food diet contains a lot of the essential protein and other nutrients, which would actually come from the following foods:

  • Whole raw chicken, fish, lamb, rabbit, pork, beef, tripe, turkey, quail and other meats.

  • Raw, unprocessed bones (NOT pet store bones, as these have been cooked and boiled, therefore having a higher risk of bone splintering) or ground bones.

  • Liver, kidneys and hearts.

  • Either shredded or ground vegetables such as carrots, spinach, broccoli and peppers.

  • Whole fruits such as apples, oranges and pears.

  • Whole raw eggs.

  • Yoghurt, cottage cheese or shredded cheese.

It would also be wonderful if you could give supplements too (although the food in itself is sometimes actually more than enough already). But should you decide to give some to him, these are some of the vitamins and minerals you can give him:

  • Vitamin E.

  • Fish oils for Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

  • Garlic.

  • Probiotics.

  • Digestive enzymes.

  • Multivitamins.

And what better way to know what to feed your dog than to talk to the only person who may know him more than you do – your vet. Remember to visit a veterinarian so you can discuss your pet’s diet – what he needs and what he really doesn’t.