Dog Diet - Feeding Naturally
•Posted on November 10 2023
Providing dogs with a natural diet consisting of raw, natural food is recommended for optimum health and longevity. For Optimum Health, we do not recommend feeding processed rolls, canned or dry foods with added fillers, sodium and preservatives.
How much to feed: Approx. 2 to 5% of your dogs bodyweight daily depending on breed, size and activity level.
Raw Bones - Preferably bones with some meat still left on. Soft bones such as free-range chicken, rabbit, duck or turkey or rib bones. Large marrow bones should be fed in moderation due to the high fat content. Avoid cooked bones which can be dangerous.
Organ meats - Free-range organic chicken livers, heart or other offal once or twice fortnightly.
The following foods are a great addition to the diet:
Berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, mulberries, cranberries). Pomegranate is a powerful superfood, if you dog likes them. Green or ripe bananas (the green banana is lower in sugars and small pieces of green bananas are good to help support gut health). Kiwi fruit, papaya, apple, pineapple, rockmelon, watermelon and other fruits may be fed in moderation. Avoid grapes and raisins.
Sprouted grains and seeds are a rich source of nutrients. Broccoli sprouts are excellent and have 10x higher nutritional value than broccoli. Microgreens are a rich source of nutrients.
Fermented veggies (onion free) are good for healthy gut microbiome. Add 1/4 teaspoon per 5kg bodyweight daily to meals.
Fresh or dried organic herbs may be added to meals for added nutrients if you pet likes them. Rosemary & basil are heart tonics, parsley, arugula (rocket), ginger is a digestive tonic, rosemary & turmeric are anti-inflammatory, dandelion for liver & digestion, oregano, thyme have anti-microbial properties, cilantro (coriander) for detoxification of heavy metals and toxins. Start slowly and build up as your dog gets used to the flavour. Add 1/4 teaspoon of fresh herbs per 10kg bodyweight. Use a very small sprinkle only if feeding dried herbs. Avoid chives.
Seafood - Fresh or lightly steamed fish with bones removed. Cooked wild salmon is good but avoid farmed salmon.
Eggs - Free-range eggs, including the ground up shell if the dog likes them. No more than 2 or 3 per week.
Sardines (fresh) are a good source of healthy fats. Or canned sardines in water. (Heat destroys Omega 3 so fresh is preferable to canned due to the high temperate during processing). Give one sardine per 10kg bodyweight two or three times a week. Avoid sardines for pets on a low purine diet.
Raw nuts and seeds are usually enjoyed by dogs as occasional treats but restrict macadamia nuts which are very high in fat (can cause nausea or vomiting). Pumpkin seeds contain zinc and brazil nuts are a good source of selenium (1 brazil nut daily for large breeds or cut a smaller piece for smaller breeds). Linseed (flaxseed) may be ground and added to meals as a good source of omega 3. Feed nuts and seeds very sparingly at the rate of 1/4 teaspoon per 5kg bodyweight daily.
Seaweed, nori strips, dulse, etc are rich in minerals.
Coconut (ideally the fresh coconut meat from the kernel) is often a favourite treat for both dogs and cats. Or use coconut flakes in moderation.
Spices contain a range of benefits from being highly nutritious to having medicinal properties. Some popular spices you can add to your dogs food include - Cumin (anti-microbial & digestive tonic), Cinnamon (heart tonic) - ensure this is mixed well into food to avoid breathing in powder. Use very sparingly mixed into moist food. Avoid nutmeg.
Raw goat’s milk may be fed to puppies if required, but is not necessary for healthy dogs. A small amount of natural yoghurt or cottage cheese is okay occasionally, but is not essential and most dogs do better without any dairy in their diet.
Grains are not necessary; they can be very hard to digest and are not required for optimum health. You may feed some cooked wholegrains to underweight dogs or those living in extremely cold climates to help maintain weight.
If you do not have a juicer or food processor, then lightly steam and mash veggies.
You can make food up fresh each day or prepare a week’s supply and freeze in daily portions. Remove the following days serve and allow to defrost in the fridge for 24 hours.
Vary the types of meat used and also the vegetables, to provide variety and ensure a balance with foods eaten. You would never consider eating the same food day-in-day-out, and neither should your dog.
It is not necessary to balance or measure out each meal exactly. A dog in the wild would eat plenty at times and other times sparingly, and their stomach is fully equipped to deal with this variation.
Most healthy dogs can safely have one ‘fast’ day each week or at least a ‘meat-free’ day.
Start introducing raw bones gradually if your dog has not eaten them in the past. Chicken necks and duck/chicken wings are good to start with.
Do not leave food out all day. Feed only once or twice daily, unless otherwise recommended.
Feed 5 % Of Current Bodyweight (Weigh Weekly)Preferably Spread Between 3 Meals Per Day
Puppies (Over 4 Months Of Age)
2-3% Of Breeds Expected Average Adult Bodyweight. Preferably Spread Between 2 Meals Per Day.
Adults
2-3 % Of Current Bodyweight, Providing Dog Is Currently In Peak Condition. (Not Overweight/Underweight)(Eg) 250 X Grams Per 10kg Bodyweight = 2.5% OR 25 x Grams per 1kg Bodyweight = 2.5%
How much to feed: Approx. 2 to 5% of your dogs bodyweight daily depending on breed, size and activity level.
RAW MEAT & BONES should make up approximately 60 - 70% of the DAILY RATION:
Raw meats - Free-range chicken, rabbit, mutton, duck, kangaroo, lamb, turkey, pork and beef. It is good to vary the types of meats fed including some fat. Avoid bacon, sausages, ham & other cured meats, smoked or pickled meats.Raw Bones - Preferably bones with some meat still left on. Soft bones such as free-range chicken, rabbit, duck or turkey or rib bones. Large marrow bones should be fed in moderation due to the high fat content. Avoid cooked bones which can be dangerous.
Organ meats - Free-range organic chicken livers, heart or other offal once or twice fortnightly.
VEGETABLES, FRUIT & SPROUTS should make up approximately 30 - 40% of the DAILY RATION:
Vegetables finely minced or pureed or steamed if you can't mince them. Include kale, fennel, carrot, celery, beetroot, sweet potato, okra, asparagus, cucumber, endive, radicchio, cauliflower, zucchini, capsicum, peas, tomato, steamed brussels sprouts, pumpkin and broccoli (including stems and leaves), mushrooms or other vegetables. Avoid starchy (high carb) vegetables for dogs with fungal/yeast issues. Avoid feeding any onions or chives.
Non-Essential Extras
The following foods are a great addition to the diet:Berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, mulberries, cranberries). Pomegranate is a powerful superfood, if you dog likes them. Green or ripe bananas (the green banana is lower in sugars and small pieces of green bananas are good to help support gut health). Kiwi fruit, papaya, apple, pineapple, rockmelon, watermelon and other fruits may be fed in moderation. Avoid grapes and raisins.
Sprouted grains and seeds are a rich source of nutrients. Broccoli sprouts are excellent and have 10x higher nutritional value than broccoli. Microgreens are a rich source of nutrients.
Fermented veggies (onion free) are good for healthy gut microbiome. Add 1/4 teaspoon per 5kg bodyweight daily to meals.
Fresh or dried organic herbs may be added to meals for added nutrients if you pet likes them. Rosemary & basil are heart tonics, parsley, arugula (rocket), ginger is a digestive tonic, rosemary & turmeric are anti-inflammatory, dandelion for liver & digestion, oregano, thyme have anti-microbial properties, cilantro (coriander) for detoxification of heavy metals and toxins. Start slowly and build up as your dog gets used to the flavour. Add 1/4 teaspoon of fresh herbs per 10kg bodyweight. Use a very small sprinkle only if feeding dried herbs. Avoid chives.
Seafood - Fresh or lightly steamed fish with bones removed. Cooked wild salmon is good but avoid farmed salmon.
Eggs - Free-range eggs, including the ground up shell if the dog likes them. No more than 2 or 3 per week.
Sardines (fresh) are a good source of healthy fats. Or canned sardines in water. (Heat destroys Omega 3 so fresh is preferable to canned due to the high temperate during processing). Give one sardine per 10kg bodyweight two or three times a week. Avoid sardines for pets on a low purine diet.
Raw nuts and seeds are usually enjoyed by dogs as occasional treats but restrict macadamia nuts which are very high in fat (can cause nausea or vomiting). Pumpkin seeds contain zinc and brazil nuts are a good source of selenium (1 brazil nut daily for large breeds or cut a smaller piece for smaller breeds). Linseed (flaxseed) may be ground and added to meals as a good source of omega 3. Feed nuts and seeds very sparingly at the rate of 1/4 teaspoon per 5kg bodyweight daily.
Seaweed, nori strips, dulse, etc are rich in minerals.
Coconut (ideally the fresh coconut meat from the kernel) is often a favourite treat for both dogs and cats. Or use coconut flakes in moderation.
Spices contain a range of benefits from being highly nutritious to having medicinal properties. Some popular spices you can add to your dogs food include - Cumin (anti-microbial & digestive tonic), Cinnamon (heart tonic) - ensure this is mixed well into food to avoid breathing in powder. Use very sparingly mixed into moist food. Avoid nutmeg.
Raw goat’s milk may be fed to puppies if required, but is not necessary for healthy dogs. A small amount of natural yoghurt or cottage cheese is okay occasionally, but is not essential and most dogs do better without any dairy in their diet.
Grains are not necessary; they can be very hard to digest and are not required for optimum health. You may feed some cooked wholegrains to underweight dogs or those living in extremely cold climates to help maintain weight.
How to prepare natural food for your dog:
Place veggies, sprouts, etc in a food processor and blend until finely minced (or use the pulp from vegetable juicer). Mix this with a little meat and process until well combined. Serve with meaty bone.If you do not have a juicer or food processor, then lightly steam and mash veggies.
You can make food up fresh each day or prepare a week’s supply and freeze in daily portions. Remove the following days serve and allow to defrost in the fridge for 24 hours.
Vary the types of meat used and also the vegetables, to provide variety and ensure a balance with foods eaten. You would never consider eating the same food day-in-day-out, and neither should your dog.
It is not necessary to balance or measure out each meal exactly. A dog in the wild would eat plenty at times and other times sparingly, and their stomach is fully equipped to deal with this variation.
Most healthy dogs can safely have one ‘fast’ day each week or at least a ‘meat-free’ day.
Start introducing raw bones gradually if your dog has not eaten them in the past. Chicken necks and duck/chicken wings are good to start with.
Do not leave food out all day. Feed only once or twice daily, unless otherwise recommended.
RAW DIET Feeding Guide:
Puppies (Under 4 Months Of Age)Feed 5 % Of Current Bodyweight (Weigh Weekly)Preferably Spread Between 3 Meals Per Day
Puppies (Over 4 Months Of Age)
2-3% Of Breeds Expected Average Adult Bodyweight. Preferably Spread Between 2 Meals Per Day.
Adults
2-3 % Of Current Bodyweight, Providing Dog Is Currently In Peak Condition. (Not Overweight/Underweight)(Eg) 250 X Grams Per 10kg Bodyweight = 2.5% OR 25 x Grams per 1kg Bodyweight = 2.5%
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