Natural Home Made Dog Food

Why A Raw Diet for Dogs?

I’ll start with the obvious:  Dogs are carnivores by nature.  The fact of the matter is grains are not biologically appropriate as the main staple of a dog’s diet.  In fact, they contribute to many of the degenerative diseases, as well as allergies,  common to dogs.

For thousands of years now undomesticated dogs have lived on raw meat, and fruits and vegetables in the wild.  Case in point:  When was the last time you saw a wild dog or coyote roasting their rabbit or wild turkey over a barbecue spit?  Never, you say?  There’s a reason for that – and it has nothing to do with the lack of opposable thumbs.

Dogs need meat in its most natural (and digestible) form — raw.  They need the calcium and natural healthy bacteria that comes from raw pliable bones.

And, just like you and me, they need fresh fruits and vegetables as a natural source of healthy complex carbohydrates and other nutrients their bodies and coats require for optimum health.

The pursuit of good health has become a major focus among humans today.  Current trends dictate a healthy diet and lifestyle that includes regular exercise and other healthy habits.

Humans today work hard to achieve maximum physical fitness.  Thankfully that trend toward good health is also influencing the way we care for our beloved pets.

Beth and I feel that making our own natural homemade dog food has been a good first step toward maximizing  Maestro’s health and prolonging  his life .  We have already seen very positive results from feeding him only homemade meals rather than that melamine-laced kibble or canned mystery meat we see on the grocer’s shelve these days.

Of course, there are some exceptions if you start reading labels and are willing to dish out a year’s salary for a week’s supply!  But even then, the canned varieties still have a good deal of the nutrients cooked right out of them (which then has to be “fortified” — or shall we say re-fortified — with vitamins and minerals).

So, after doing some research, Beth and I have decided to take it to the next level:  We decided upon an all raw diet for our Maestro.  We are following a program that we downloaded online. (If you’re interested, you can view it by clicking here).   Since the author of this program worked hard, and is selling her book (at a very reasonable price. I might add), it would not be fair for us to reveal all of the specifics in this blog.   Suffice it to say, it’s a well balanced regimen consisting of raw meats, including fish and liver, veggies and fruits, and eggs.

We should, however, be able to discuss the merits or disadvantages sufficiently for you to decide for yourselves.  Okay?

Now, then.  What are the advantages of a raw diet for dogs?

1.   No Allergies.

Does your dog suffer from allergies?  Is he constantly scratching at his skin or ears, or pulling out his fur?  Do you spend more time and money at the vets than you care to admit hoping to find a cure or medication or other treatment to relieve him of his itching?

Has it ever occurred to you it might be his food?

Just think about the additives that go into that kibble or can.  We’ve talked about this in previous posts.  In fact, it’s the whole point of this website/blog:  Natural Homemade Dog Food — and we still advocate that as the route to optimum health for our canine buddies.  Going raw is just another step in this quest for doggie well-being!  An experiment, if you will — but one from which we are already seeing amazing results!

As I mentioned before, the cooking process removes most of the nutrients, natural oils and good bacteria that your dog needs to be healthy.  Then the manufacturers re-fortify the nutrients to replace all the good stuff they just cooked out.

They also add dyes to make the food look more appealing (to the dog or to the human?  To tell you the truth, I don’t know which is their target on that one!).  They add artificial flavoring, and preservatives to keep the kibble “fresh” long after you and your dog have departed this earth for greener pastures.

It becomes the doggie equivalent of junk food — only infinitely less appetizing than Cheetos (my personal junk food of choice).

 

#2:  No Bad Breath or Stinky Ears

Besides the itching, your grain-based kibble causes your dog to have atrocious doggie breath.

And, no, folks.   That is not natural to a dog.

If your pup’s breath smells like a cheese factory, just try feeding him raw for a week or two.  Then take another whiff.  You’ll be amazed at the difference.

3.  A Shiny, Healthy Looking Coat

With commercial grade canned or kibble, the only creatures who will find your dog attractive will be ticks and other six and eight-legged varmints because that beef flavored, re-fortified, well preserved commercial dog food also gives your dog a dull coat.

4.  No Mystery Ingredients

The dog food manufacturers use meat by-products and other meats in their products that have failed to meet the standards for human consumption – and yet we feed them to our precious pets!  Just think of all the recalls we’ve had in recent years over the contents of our dog’s food.   Many dogs have actually died from ingesting that “healthy” dog food.

You may be thinking much of the above is the same reasoning I gave for making your own natural homemade dog food, and you would be right.  Cooked or raw, homemade is better.   We can be sure our pet is getting a well-rounded, healthy diet and we know the ingredients are safe and nutritious.

Going raw just brings additional benefits to the table (or the dog dish).  Raw is the most natural and compatible with a dog’s digestive system and makeup.

Beth and I were so excited about Maestro’s new diet that we decided to have him keep a journal of his progress.  (And this was no easy task.  Maestro hates journaling!)   A raw diet for dogs may not be for everyone.  (It may not even be for us.  Time will tell. )  But we feel the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages.  See what you think.

Raw Diet for Dogs — Day 1:   Or What Are They Trying to Do to ME??

Maestro: Mom mixed up a big batch of what appeared to be slop – veggie slop no less.  I feel like a resident of the reptile house at the zoo!  It appeared to be a hodge-podge of odds and ends from our refrigerator:  Lots of vegetables, some eggs (shells included) and fruit.  Mom even sampled the concoction before serving it to me and declared it … well, not half bad.  But I’ll be the judge of that!

Mom/Beth: And “judge” he did.  I could almost read his mind as he walked over to his doggie dish and sniffed.  “Highly irregular,” he thought, as he so often does.  “Highly, highly irregular.”

Then, with one last sniff, he turned tail and walked out of the kitchen.  Later, I tried to persuade him to just sniff the container.  You’d think I was offering him hemlock!

He literally did turn tail and run — skittering out of the kitchen and keeping a watchful eye on me from behind the dining room table!  Not only did he dislike it;she was afraid of it!

Maestro: No doubt about it; I was going to have to nip this “raw food” business in the bud.  The only way I could think of to do that was a good old-fashioned hunger strike.  Works every time.  One day without eating and they’re at my mercy, begging and cajoling me to eat.  But I hold out for the good stuff — table scraps and doggie treats.  (I have even been known to eat doggie biscuits for dinner on occasion.)

So began the royal stand-off.  I can’t tell you how many times Mom pointed to my dish and said, “Maestro, eat.  Eat.”  Then to Dad, “He’s a dog, for God’s sake.  Dogs eat anything.”  To which I say, “Anything  but that slop!”

Mom/Beth: I can’t believe it.  He went the whole day refusing to eat!   Finally, I caved and offered him a meaty beef bone (still raw, so I was still technically legal).  He rather smugly accepted this (clearly thinking he had won Round 1!),  and trotted off to the living room to devour it on my light beige carpet.  I didn’t argue.  I was too relieved to see him eating!  I think that makes it a draw.

There is a chapter in the e-book I’m using regarding how to handle a finicky eater.  Thankfully, it does allow for a little  fudging at first, so I finally gave in and doctored his veggie slop with some chicken broth, a tad of kibble (just this once), and a little ground beef.   It worked.  We all slept well that night.

Raw Diet for Dogs — Day #2:  Fish Day!

Maestro: Fish day.  I LOVE tuna!  This diet’s not so bad after all.

Mom/Beth: I think Maestro likes fish day.  Just gotta watch out for that doggie (fish) breath!  We went with tuna because – well, have you seen the price of fish these days?!!  I can get a small can of tuna (water-packed) at Shop and Save for $.56; probably even less at Aldi’s.  Add a little yogurt and VOILA!!!

Maestro: There is nothing like the taste of yogurt to transport me back to my days as a pup back on the farm, romping with my brothers and sisters.  Tuna and yogurt – what could be better!  Today was a great day.  We’ll all sleep good.

Here is a great video of a fellow-fish loving dog — a Golden Lab named Nikki.  This video is a tribute to her memory.  (If an ad pops up at the bottom of the screen, just click it off — we have no control over these YouTube ads.  It’s nothing we’re trying to sell; I assure you.)

 

Raw Diet for Dogs — Day #3:  Ah – Dem Bones, Dem Bones!!!

Maestro: Now Dad’s joined in the conspiracy.   What are they trying to do to me?  He gave me a marrow bone surrounded by a mass of raw beef.  “Highly irregular.”  Of course, I just sniffed it and walked away.  Never saw meat that looked like that before!

Besides, you’ve gotta be consistent with these humans if you want to get them properly trained.  When Dad finally got smart and cut the meat off the bone, I agreed to accept his offering – altho’  even then, I feigned reluctance.

Dad/Jaime: Maestro even accepted the smidgeon of produce I mixed with his meat.  After eating, he took his meaty bone and trotted off to – you guessed it – the living room again.  I think I’d rather replace the carpet than interrupt his meal at this point!

Raw Diet for Dogs — Day #4:   Parts Is Parts

Maestro:  “What the …?   Where the heck is my kibble?”  Suddenly their idea of dinner is raw ground poultry? And mixed with some sort of fruity soup with eggs.  What are they trying to do – kill me?  Dad actually called Mom at work to give her a progress report after I ate it.  Who knows when I’ll see my next meal.  Better take it while I can, I say.

Dad/Jaime:   Had to call Beth to brag about how willingly Maestro gobbled up his meal today – even the veggies.  I think we’ve rounded a corner. This raw food idea just may work yet!  It’s even more economical than that expensive dry dog food we were giving him between table scraps. We’re all gonna sleep good tonight!

Raw Diet for Dogs — Day 5

Maestro: Mom’s at work and Dad’s mixing my meals.  I’m practically inhaling it now!  I’m either adjusting to this new diet or . . . Dad’s cheating!

Hm-m.  I am tasting a hint of honey in my veggie mix these days.  Maybe that’s why I’m finding it so tasty.  But I’m not about to tattle on him!

Dad: In my defense, honey is one of the ingredients. I think he’s just become accepting of his new diet.  He actually seems to be enjoying it!

Mom: I need to pick up come organ meats.  So far, that’s an ingredient that’s been lacking in this new diet.  Maestro is definitely showing a lot more enthusiasm for his meals than I’ve seen in a long time.  I guess we were stuck in a rut before – even though we were making it homemade.  We had fallen too much into the habit of just feeding him leftovers.  Now we’re focusing on a well-balanced eating plan.

After just a little short of a week, Maestro seems to have more energy and looks forward to mealtime.  He is getting more liquids which means a lot more getting up and down for us to let him outside, but, then, we could use the  exercise.  And, most importantly … we’re all sleeping well.

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