Before dogs were socialized, they spent their days roaming the plains and forests, killing wild animals and gorging themselves on raw meat. Now, most dogs spend their days relaxing at home and eating kibble from a bowl. While kibble is traditionally seen as an unhealthy form of dog food, an increasing number of brands have started using raw, natural ingredients in their products.
But for some pet owners, raw-based kibble doesn't take it far enough. They've decided that it's time to cut out the middleman and start feeding their dogs the same diet they would've enjoyed in the wild hundreds of years ago. Raw pork, lamb, chicken, duck and more are on the menu, as well as hearts, livers, brains and tongues. To supplement their pet's diet, they add extra ingredients like vegetables and raw eggs.
The result is a diet that closely mimics the food that their ancestors enjoyed while roaming through the wild. Proponents of the raw diet argue that it helps their dogs maintain a healthier weight, keeps their teeth clean, eases the symptoms of food allergies, gives their dogs more energy, and has a whole host of other health benefits.
However, it's not as simple as just throwing some raw beef in your dog's bowl and calling it a day. How can you make sure your dog is getting a healthy diet? Here's some of the various raw meats you can consider when planning a balanced diet for your dog.
For this reason, you'll have to be prepared to take the extra step and provide your dog with a variety of meat products. Simply giving your dog raw ground beef every day isn't going to cut it. You'll need to supply your dog with a steady diet of beef, pork, chicken, turkey, lamb and whatever else they need to get a completely balanced diet.
Raw meats like bison might not be readily available in your local grocery store, but they can offer a wide range of health benefits that you might not find with "traditional" meats. Some owners have fed their dogs bison, duck, rabbit, emu, and venison, just to name a few. If you're a hunter or have hunters in your area, you might be able to get your hands on some unique meat products for your dog.
If you're feeding your dog a lot of lean meats, try adding a hunk of raw animal fat into their diet. You can get fat from the local butcher or carve it up yourself if you raise your own animals. It might not look particularly appetizing, but fat is a vital part of keeping your dog's diet healthy and balanced. Without it, they wouldn't have the energy to run around and play in the backyard.
Feeding your dog animal fat won't make them overweight unless they're getting too many fats and carbohydrates. Just make sure that the fat is always 100% raw, as feeding your dog cooked fat can lead to health issues.
The term "organ meats" encompasses a wide range of products, including hearts, livers, kidneys, gizzards, brains, tongues, stomachs, spleens and even eyeballs. Due to their nutrient-rich nature, organ meats should be part of every dog's diet. Different organs offer different nutrients, so you'll need to offer a variety to make sure that your dog is getting all the vitamins and minerals that they need.
Popular raw seafood products for dogs include mackerel, salmon, herring and sardines. Some raw fish does have the risk of containing bacteria or parasites, so some pet owners recommend freezing the fish for several days before thawing it out and serving it to your dog.
In addition to the meat, you can also supplement your dog's diet with extras like raw eggs and vegetables. Some owners even include products like coconut oil in their dog's bowl. Whatever it is, your dog's sure to love it. After years of eating kibble, a varied raw diet will make them feel like a king or a queen.
For more infomation about why you should start feeding a raw diet to your dog you can read more; here.
But for some pet owners, raw-based kibble doesn't take it far enough. They've decided that it's time to cut out the middleman and start feeding their dogs the same diet they would've enjoyed in the wild hundreds of years ago. Raw pork, lamb, chicken, duck and more are on the menu, as well as hearts, livers, brains and tongues. To supplement their pet's diet, they add extra ingredients like vegetables and raw eggs.
The result is a diet that closely mimics the food that their ancestors enjoyed while roaming through the wild. Proponents of the raw diet argue that it helps their dogs maintain a healthier weight, keeps their teeth clean, eases the symptoms of food allergies, gives their dogs more energy, and has a whole host of other health benefits.
However, it's not as simple as just throwing some raw beef in your dog's bowl and calling it a day. How can you make sure your dog is getting a healthy diet? Here's some of the various raw meats you can consider when planning a balanced diet for your dog.
Five Types of Raw Meat You Can Feed Your Dog
1. Basic Muscle Meats
The basic muscle meats are what you typically think of when you think of raw meat: chicken, pork, lamb, turkey, etc. Muscle meats are rich in protein, as well as other important nutrients like zinc, iron, vitamin B12, and more. But not all cuts of meat are alike--each one offers a different set of nutrients, depending on the animal used and the particular body part. While one cut of meat might be rich in omega-3 fatty acids, another might be loaded with magnesium.For this reason, you'll have to be prepared to take the extra step and provide your dog with a variety of meat products. Simply giving your dog raw ground beef every day isn't going to cut it. You'll need to supply your dog with a steady diet of beef, pork, chicken, turkey, lamb and whatever else they need to get a completely balanced diet.
2. Advanced Muscle Meats
These meats can be a little harder to come by, but if you can get your hands on more eclectic meats like bison, duck and emu, you'll be able to add even more nutrition and variety to your dog's diet. For example, raw bison meat offers some of the highest protein concentrations you can find in the wild. It's also full of vitamins and minerals like zinc, vitamin B12 and niacin. Plus, bison meat is 100% free of artificial chemicals and hormones.Raw meats like bison might not be readily available in your local grocery store, but they can offer a wide range of health benefits that you might not find with "traditional" meats. Some owners have fed their dogs bison, duck, rabbit, emu, and venison, just to name a few. If you're a hunter or have hunters in your area, you might be able to get your hands on some unique meat products for your dog.
3. Raw Animal Fat
It might not be a strictly "meat" product, but raw animal fat is actually classified as meat for dogs. And contrary to popular belief, raw fat isn't bad for dogs. It's actually loaded with protein, as well as fats and carbohydrates that dogs need to stay active.If you're feeding your dog a lot of lean meats, try adding a hunk of raw animal fat into their diet. You can get fat from the local butcher or carve it up yourself if you raise your own animals. It might not look particularly appetizing, but fat is a vital part of keeping your dog's diet healthy and balanced. Without it, they wouldn't have the energy to run around and play in the backyard.
Feeding your dog animal fat won't make them overweight unless they're getting too many fats and carbohydrates. Just make sure that the fat is always 100% raw, as feeding your dog cooked fat can lead to health issues.
4. Organ Meats
Organ meats might have a bad reputation among humans, but they're actually some of the most nutrient-dense foods that you and your dog can possibly eat. Organ meats are crammed with nutrients like protein, iron, copper, zinc, phosphorus, selenium and various vitamins. They're also a great source of fat, which your dog needs to maintain a high energy level.The term "organ meats" encompasses a wide range of products, including hearts, livers, kidneys, gizzards, brains, tongues, stomachs, spleens and even eyeballs. Due to their nutrient-rich nature, organ meats should be part of every dog's diet. Different organs offer different nutrients, so you'll need to offer a variety to make sure that your dog is getting all the vitamins and minerals that they need.
5. Seafood
When you think of giving your dog raw meat, you probably didn't imagine dropping a raw mackerel into their bowl. But raw seafood can be just as nutritious for dogs as red meats like chicken and pork. Fish is a rich source of protein and other nutrients, and contains a healthy dose of fat to help your dog stay active. However, you'll want to make sure you skin and prepare the fish before serving it, so you dog doesn't choke on the tiny fish bones.Popular raw seafood products for dogs include mackerel, salmon, herring and sardines. Some raw fish does have the risk of containing bacteria or parasites, so some pet owners recommend freezing the fish for several days before thawing it out and serving it to your dog.
Conclusion
Overall, feeding your dog a raw diet is like limiting yourself to a vegan diet. It's a great way to stay healthy and get more energy, but it requires a lot of research to make sure your dog's getting all the nutrients that you need. Do some research on the different types of meat available in your area and figure out which combination of meat and organs you need to give your dog a balanced diet.In addition to the meat, you can also supplement your dog's diet with extras like raw eggs and vegetables. Some owners even include products like coconut oil in their dog's bowl. Whatever it is, your dog's sure to love it. After years of eating kibble, a varied raw diet will make them feel like a king or a queen.
For more infomation about why you should start feeding a raw diet to your dog you can read more; here.
Lämna ett svar