Raw Meaty Bones Diet For Dogs
Feed your dog a raw meaty bones diet for improved health and wellbeing.
Feed Your Dog Raw Meaty Bones Diet
Your faithful companion is a direct descendant of the wild wolves roaming the forests of North America, Asia and Europe. It’s a tough life out there and only the best food (and medicine) supports survival and the opportunity to breed. A regular supply of whole carcasses of other animals, birds and fish provide that essential sustenance for a healthy pack of wolves.
Your pet may have an easier lifestyle and breeding may not be on the agenda. Nonetheless he or she deserves the best food (with medicinal properties) available. Fortunately, the pragmatic, available, affordable option – raw meaty bones – comes to the rescue
Of Dogs have some form of periodontal disease.
Of Dogs are considered to be overweight or obese.
Obesity is a prevalent health issue in dogs, and it’s estimated that over 50% of dogs in the United States are considered to be overweight or obese. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), in 2020, about 56% of dogs in the US were considered overweight or obese. Obesity in dogs can lead to a number of health problems, such as diabetes, joint issues, and decreased life expectancy. A junk food diet is the main culprit. Raw meaty bones fed dogs tend not to overeat and consequently don’t get fat.
Starting Your Dog On A Raw Food Diet
Dogs are natural survivors, and they have no trouble identifying what’s good to eat in the wild. From creepy crawlies to winged creatures, they’ll eat anything that moves. But in our modern world, we need to look for alternative food sources for our furry friends. That’s where a raw meaty bones and table scraps diet comes in!
As with any new change, the more informed we are, the easier the task becomes. And when we’re well informed, our fears tend to fade away. But don’t worry, dogs are usually fearless when it comes to chomping down on a raw meaty bone. The Diet Guide (PDF) provides lists of suitable raw meaty bones and offal, and table scraps can be almost anything from your own plate, with a few exceptions such as cooked bones, onion, garlic, and raisins.
It’s important to keep in mind that every dog is different, and their dietary needs vary depending on age, size, and activity level, but some general guidelines apply:
The closer you follow the natural diet, the better. Feed whole carcasses whenever possible, and otherwise base your feeding regime on raw meaty bones from a variety of animals. For quantity, aim for 70% or more of the diet to be raw meaty bones, and the remaining percentage can be made up of offal, table scraps, and large lumps of meat.
Daily food intake varies, with giant breeds needing less and small breeds needing more food. Working dogs, breeding and lactating females, and growing puppies need more food than less active dogs. As a guide, healthy adult dogs usually require between 2% and 3% of their body weight in food daily. Over the course of a week, that amounts to 15% to 20% of their body weight. For example, if your dog weighs 10 kilos, they’ll likely need between 1.5 and 2 kilos of raw meaty bones each week.
When it comes to feeding frequency, wild dogs don’t have regular meal times and are used to gorging when food is available. Sometimes they go days between meals. In a domestic setting, once-a-day feeding works best for most pets and their owners. It’s a good idea to feed your dog when you’re at home to watch over and see them enjoy their meal. And always strive to feed the raw meaty bones in one large lump, which maximizes the time spent gnawing and chewing, which is great for dental cleaning.
Getting started is easy, just keep it simple. In the first couple of weeks, stick with one source of food, such as chicken. Tiny dogs do well on chicken wings and thighs, larger dogs may need a whole chicken, and for economy, chicken frames are a good source of food.
When it comes to preparation, you may need a bowl for table scraps. For the main food items, just hand them to your dog. If you have a grassy lawn, they can dine in comfort. If they need to eat indoors, feed them in the kitchen, laundry, or even the shower cubicle, and spread some newspaper, towel or mat to make cleanup easier.
Remember, raw meaty bones act as nature’s toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss combined. Many dogs affected by bad breath and sore gums gain a return to good oral health after a couple of weeks on a natural diet. However, dogs suffering more severe dental problems may need dental treatment before commencing a natural diet.
