How to Make Raw Dog Food With Complete Nutrition

Feeding your puppy fresh, raw meats and vegetables can greatly enhance their immune system. However, it’s important to ensure they have a well-rounded diet that includes other essential nutrients.

Making bone part of your dog’s raw food diet is an excellent way to ensure they receive enough calcium and other essential minerals. Aim for 10%- 15% bone content in their total diet.

Meat

Your dog’s primary raw diet should consist of lean cuts of meat from a local farmer, abattoir or butcher – at least 10% fat, including any oils you add. A lean cut with at least 10% fat should form the basis of their food for maximum nutritional benefit.

Meat is an excellent source of protein for building and repairing tissues, strengthening immunity, and providing vitamins A, B12 and D as well as amino acids like arginine, selenium, iron and zinc. Plus it supplies calcium, phosphorous and other essential nutrients.

However, only use premium quality meat and avoid cheaper cuts or fatty pieces. Doing this helps minimize the risk of bacterial contamination from processing plants.

In addition to meat, your raw diet should include a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and other ‘greens’ for an optimal nutritional profile. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of anti-inflammatory polyphenols that support the immune system and prevent disease.

Vegetables are also an excellent source of vitamin D and manganese for dogs. A diet rich in these nutrients can lower your dog’s risk for cancer and other health issues and improve skin and coat condition.

Meat-based raw foods can also be purchased from commercial producers like Instinct, who utilizes cold-pressure processing to eliminate pathogenic bacteria. Their base proteins come in various variations and can be delivered right to your door via subscription. Plus, the company works closely with veterinary nutritionists to craft a personalized recipe tailored for each dog based on their age, breed, weight and other health indicators.

Vegetables

Vegetables are an integral part of a raw diet for dogs, providing them with essential vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fiber.

Vegetables can also provide an excellent source of protein, particularly dark green vegetables like kale, broccoli and collard greens.

A balanced ratio of meat, offal, and vegetable should be provided for your dog’s complete nutrition. We suggest no more than two thirds meat or offal and at least 1/3 vegetables for optimal results.

Your homemade raw diet can be tailored to fit any dietary need – beef, lamb, chicken, rabbit, venison or fish are all popular choices. For a more varied meal experience, mix and match different meats together for an exciting combination.

When creating a recipe, always use fresh ingredients and avoid processed or dried foods as these may be contaminated with bacteria and viruses.

Vegetables can be an excellent addition to your dog’s diet and should be included in each meal. They should come in a range of colors, flavors and textures to provide essential nutrients that promote good health in your pup.

A balanced diet is essential for your dog’s well-being, and veterinary nutritionists can assist you in getting the correct amount of nutrients in your homemade raw dog food recipe. Furthermore, they will advise you on which nutritional aids can be added to ensure that all your pup’s essential needs are being met.

Fruits

Raw pet owners often incorporate fresh fruit and vegetables into their dogs’ meals to provide additional vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients for overall wellness. These essential nutrients can especially benefit dogs with skin allergies or digestive issues.

Fruits and vegetables, for instance, have powerful anti-inflammatory properties which may reduce chronic inflammation. Furthermore, they support immune function as well as digestive health by providing the right kinds of bacteria.

However, you should be aware that certain carbohydrates in these foods may be difficult for some dogs to digest and may lead to excessive weight gain.

Another disadvantage of these foods is their often high sugar content. To counteract this, try substituting them with nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits with less sweetness.

Adding more meat is one option for increasing protein in your dog’s diet. You can incorporate additional meat into raw dog food recipes or mix in a commercial pre-mix, which is an easy and secure way to introduce raw food diet into your pup’s daily regimen.

You can also incorporate more vegetables and fruits into your homemade raw dog food recipes to give the meals a varied nutritional content. For instance, adding kale, broccoli, dandelion greens and berries to a recipe will provide an extra healthy snack or meal option.

Meat contains essential fatty acids like Omega 3s and 6s that benefit your dog’s health. To provide them with these beneficial fats, add fish or fish oils into homemade raw dog food recipes a few times each week.

Bones

Bones can be essential to a raw dog food diet as they contain essential nutrients and are easy for dogs to chew. Not only that, but bone consumption also helps keep stools firm and supports dental health.

Bones must be thoroughly washed and purchased from reliable grocery stores or butchers with high sanitation standards. Avoid cooked bones as these become softer after cooking and more likely to splinter when chewed.

When selecting a bone for your pup, the type of edible bone should be considered. While many edible bones exist, opt for softer options like chicken necks, backs, feet or wingtips rather than harder weight management-bearing bones which may be difficult to digest for your canine companion.

Furthermore, poultry bones contain more calcium than red meat bones and are easier for your dog to chew and digest. You can incorporate these types of bones into their regular meals or give them as treats periodically.

When crafting a raw dog food recipe, it’s essential to incorporate various fruits and vegetables. Not only does this meet your pup’s nutritional needs, but it also adds visual interest!

Grains

Raw dog food recipes should contain meats and bones along with fruits, vegetables and a variety of other nutrients. They must also be balanced in terms of protein content, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals.

If you’re creating your own raw dog food, adhere to the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines for creating a balanced meal that promotes your pup’s life and wellbeing. A raw diet should contain six essential nutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water.

You can incorporate any protein into your recipes, but chicken livers, turkey, beef and fish tend to be the most popular options. Experimenting with different animal proteins can be fun for your pup and add an exciting layer to their meals.

Vegetables and fruits are integral to a raw diet, as they contain various phytonutrients that support immune function. Studies have even found that they may reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes in dogs by providing them with polyphenols which fight chronic inflammation.

To maximize the nutritional benefits of your vegetables, chop them finely and soak in water for several hours prior to adding them to your recipe. Doing so helps remove phytic acid that could hinder absorption by your pup’s digestive system.

Other Ingredients

You can supplement your dog’s raw diet with other ingredients to give them complete nutrition. Examples include fish, eggs (with the shells), vegetables and fruits.

Some can be bought at a grocery store, while others should be obtained from your local butcher or farmer. Doing so makes locating organ meats not readily available in supermarkets is easier.

Aside from meat, you can also add eggs and bones for additional calcium. This is an effective way to keep your dog’s teeth clean and strong.

You can vary your dog’s diet to provide different nutrients daily or twice a week. This will give them more variety in their meals and guarantee they receive all the essential vitamins and minerals.

Chicken and beef are the two main proteins in raw dog food recipes. You could also try lamb, pork, rabbit or venison as these sources of high-protein content may benefit dogs with sensitive digestive systems or those prone to allergies.

When purchasing raw ingredients for your dog’s meals, the most important factor to consider is free-range and grass-fed meat. This guarantees your pup receives only the highest quality, most nourishing meat possible.