Diet & Nutrition
My dogs are fed a home prepared raw diet consisting of raw meat, bones, fat, eggs, and organs. I source all diet components locally, from within Manitoba, and supplement with fish oil, Vitamin E, kelp, alfalfa, spirulina, coconut oil, kefir, and tumeric paste. My elderly dogs get joint supplements as required, including Glucosamine HCI and green lipped mussels. Feeding a home prepared diet allows me to customize diets to meet the individual needs of my dogs and give them the best nutrition possible.
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My younger, more active dogs consume a higher fat diet consisting of:
Approx 40% ground chicken backs from Perfectly Raw Approx 50% boneless meat and fat (ground beef, ground pork, eggs) Approx 10% organ (liver/kidney/spleen) Pureed mixed vegetables and fruit Occasionally, they will get bone broth, bone-in raw pork, or fish added to their meals. Supplements: Fish oil - 100 mg of EPA + DHA per 10 lbs of body weight per day Vitamin E - 200 IU per day Kelp/Alfalfa mix (50/50) - 1/2 tsp per day Spirulina - 1/4 tsp per day Tumeric Paste - 1 tsp twice per day Coconut oil - 1/4 oz per 30 lbs of body weight twice per day Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) - 1 tbsp per day Kefir My elderly, less active dogs consume a low fat diet consisting of: Approx 40% ground lean chicken frames from Perfectly Raw Approx 50% lean boneless meat (ground beef, ground pork, eggs) Approx 10% organ (liver/kidney/spleen) Pureed mixed vegetables and fruit They are supplemented the same way, with the addition of: Glucosamine HCI Green Lipped Mussels |
Knowing what not to feed your dog is just as important. Many of the foods and beverages that we enjoy are not safe for our pets. Likewise, there are several common household and garden plants that can also be harmful.
Dangerous foods for dogs include: alcohol, avocado, caffeine, chocolate, cooked bones, grapes, mushrooms, onion, garlic, raisins, nuts, and xylitol.
A home prepared diet may not be a practical choice for you. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of commercial diets available. You may need to try different brands and formulas to find a product that works best for your dog.
Dangerous foods for dogs include: alcohol, avocado, caffeine, chocolate, cooked bones, grapes, mushrooms, onion, garlic, raisins, nuts, and xylitol.
A home prepared diet may not be a practical choice for you. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of commercial diets available. You may need to try different brands and formulas to find a product that works best for your dog.
Commercial Diets
Manufacturers of commercial diets are required to list ingredients and basic nutritional analysis on the package. Regardless of diet type, ingredients are listed in order of their weight before processing, with the heaviest listed first.
Manufacturers of commercial diets are required to list ingredients and basic nutritional analysis on the package. Regardless of diet type, ingredients are listed in order of their weight before processing, with the heaviest listed first.
Commercial Raw Diets
Commercially prepared raw diet are now readily available from most per stores. They offer high quality nutrition with pre-made convenience. Frozen varieties simply need to be thawed and portioned out prior to feeding. Dehydrated varieties offer scoop and serve convenience. They are great for busy lifestyles and traveling. Both options have a variety of protein choices to choose from, making it easy to change up your dog's diet periodically.
When choosing a commercial raw diet, consider the fat content and your dogs age and energy level. Active dogs may require a higher fat diet and puppies, older, or less active dogs may require a lower fat diet. Fruit and vegetables should make up only a small portion of the diet (no more than 5%). You may want to consider additional supplements as listed above.
Commercially prepared raw diet are now readily available from most per stores. They offer high quality nutrition with pre-made convenience. Frozen varieties simply need to be thawed and portioned out prior to feeding. Dehydrated varieties offer scoop and serve convenience. They are great for busy lifestyles and traveling. Both options have a variety of protein choices to choose from, making it easy to change up your dog's diet periodically.
When choosing a commercial raw diet, consider the fat content and your dogs age and energy level. Active dogs may require a higher fat diet and puppies, older, or less active dogs may require a lower fat diet. Fruit and vegetables should make up only a small portion of the diet (no more than 5%). You may want to consider additional supplements as listed above.
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Commercial Dry Diets
The ingredients listed before the preservative make up the majority of the diet. The first few ingredients should always be meat or meat meal.
For example, a high-quality diet may include “Deboned Beef, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Whitefish Meal, Oatmeal, Barley, Salmon Meal, Dried Egg Product, Chicken Fat”. A low-quality diet may include “Beef, Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Poultry By-Product Meal, Soybean Meal, Whole Grain Corn”.
Ingredients with vague names or a “by-product” of a whole food are typically lower quality.
The ingredients listed before the preservative make up the majority of the diet. The first few ingredients should always be meat or meat meal.
For example, a high-quality diet may include “Deboned Beef, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Whitefish Meal, Oatmeal, Barley, Salmon Meal, Dried Egg Product, Chicken Fat”. A low-quality diet may include “Beef, Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Poultry By-Product Meal, Soybean Meal, Whole Grain Corn”.
Ingredients with vague names or a “by-product” of a whole food are typically lower quality.
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Examples of high-quality ingredients:
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Examples of low-quality ingredients:
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Food ingredients listed after the preservative (typically fat or oil) are present in small amounts and do not make a significant contribution to the quality of the diet. Fruits and vegetables often fall into this category. Some formulas include proteins in this category. Organs; however, are required in smaller proportions and do contribute to the quality of the diet. Liver is the most common organ added to commercial dry diets.
Nutritional supplements are typically listed last. With these ingredients, a small amount goes a long way. Common supplements include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbs.
Nutritional analysis is typically displayed on a dry matter basis. Higher protein diets are generally better quality and contain more meat ingredients. Look for formulas with a minimum of 25% protein. +30% protein is ideal for adult maintenance. 26-28% protein is ideal for growing puppies.
Improving the Quality of a Commercial Dry Diet
Carbohydrates make up over 50% of the dietary nutrition in most commercial dry diets. That's 10x the amount of carbohydrates your dog needs! The result is a higher volume of smelly waste - poop. You can improve the quality of your dog's diet by adding fresh, highly-digestible ingredients on a regular basis. Healthy additions to your dog's bowl include unseasoned cooked meat, raw or cooked eggs (including the shell), sardines or mackerel packed in water, cottage cheese, and plain yogurt. Quality supplements such as fish oil, Vitamin E, coconut oil, and ACV can also be added on a daily basis.
Nutritional supplements are typically listed last. With these ingredients, a small amount goes a long way. Common supplements include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbs.
Nutritional analysis is typically displayed on a dry matter basis. Higher protein diets are generally better quality and contain more meat ingredients. Look for formulas with a minimum of 25% protein. +30% protein is ideal for adult maintenance. 26-28% protein is ideal for growing puppies.
Improving the Quality of a Commercial Dry Diet
Carbohydrates make up over 50% of the dietary nutrition in most commercial dry diets. That's 10x the amount of carbohydrates your dog needs! The result is a higher volume of smelly waste - poop. You can improve the quality of your dog's diet by adding fresh, highly-digestible ingredients on a regular basis. Healthy additions to your dog's bowl include unseasoned cooked meat, raw or cooked eggs (including the shell), sardines or mackerel packed in water, cottage cheese, and plain yogurt. Quality supplements such as fish oil, Vitamin E, coconut oil, and ACV can also be added on a daily basis.