The raw food diet is becoming more popular among pet owners wanting to provide a balanced, nutritional diet for their dog. It's important that you discuss this diet with your vet and do extensive research about proper handling and preparation of raw dog food. If you think that it is an appropriate diet for you dog, this basic homemade raw dog food recipe is a good place to start.
The raw diet is also quite controversial, with opinions mixed on whether or not raw food is safe or if it can lead to diseases caused by the bacteria in the raw food. It is based on the natural diet of our dogs’ ancestors, which consisted of the prey they caught and the stomach contents of those animals.
Our dogs come from the same family as coyotes and wolves, so some experts believe a raw, natural diet is best for them. I can't tell you if the raw diet is going to be beneficial for your dog, and neither can anyone else on the internet. It's very important that you schedule an appointment to speak with your veterinarian about this switch if it is something that you're contemplating.
Better yet, meeting with a trained canine nutritionist to discuss this change in diet would ensure you make the right choice for your dog.
If the expert that you consult recommends the raw dog food diet for your pet, they will also help you to create a customized dietary plan that will meet your dog's specific nutritional needs. They will be able to explain the best protein choices for your pup and tell you how to create the best recipes on your own.
Working with an expert that is trained in canine nutrition is imperative, because they will evaluate your pet and discuss the proper amounts of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and other important nutrients that your dog's diet should include. This information is different for every dog depending on his breed, age, weight, overall state of health, activity level and other variables.
As I mentioned, this homemade raw dog food diet is just a starting point. This is a very basic recipe, and it's likely that your vet will recommend adding additional supplements or possibly a multi-vitamin supplement to incorporate all of the nutrients that your dog needs. They may also recommend feeding a variety of different recipes that include different nutrients to balance your pet's diet.
MORE: READ NEXT: Raw Diet for Dogs 101 – The Ultimate Guide
Homemade Raw Dog Food Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds ground turkey (or other low-fat ground protein)
- 1 can sardines packed in water
- 4 eggs WITH shells
- 1/2 cup chopped spinach, kale, parsley or a mix of all three
Directions
As with all raw dog food recipes, this is extremely simple to make. Because it requires no cooking, all you have to do is chop the spinach and combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
The most difficult thing about feeding this homemade raw dog food recipe is figuring out the proper serving size for your pet. This is where the help of a canine nutritionist or veterinarian will prove to be very helpful.
The general guideline for serving size of this recipe is about 1/3-1/2 cup of food for every 10 pounds of body weight. Because raw dog food is so high in nutrient content and does not include any fillers or unnecessary additives, you don't need to feed as large of a quantity as you do with commercial dog food products.
Just be sure to talk to a professional before deciding on the right serving size. Dogs with a higher metabolism and dogs that are very active will need more food per serving than older and less active pets.
READ NEXT: 7 Best Raw Dog Food Recipes
