You’ve probably heard of the statement ‘You are what you eat’ and if you ever thought it applies to dogs too then you are correct! As advocates of ‘Raw’ feeding we wanted to take some time and go over 4 Common mistakes we see when it comes to feeding raw.
Mistake No. 1 : Fear
There are a number of companies and veterinary organizations that have taken a stance against raw feeding and have branded it unsafe and dangerous. Some have even said it can cause a dog to become aggressive and develop behavioural issues. There is absolutely no evidence that this is true and as long as your dog is consuming healthy in date meat then there will be no safety issues.
Mistake No. 2: Not Feeding All The Essential Nutrients
Feeding raw is not just a case of throwing your dog some chicken legs. In order for your dog to receive all the vital nutrients for health and performance their raw diet must include four main components; 75-85% Animal matter (muscle meat, bone, organs) and around 15-25% plant matter (fruits and veggies). This makes sure they receive all their vital fiber and antioxidants.
Mistake No. 3: Not Feeding the correct amount
Every dog is an individual and their needs are not the same. Feeding the correct amount of food is crucial in order to make sure your dog is receiving optimal amount of energy. The amount you feed is dependent on your dogs age, activity level, health and medical conditions if any. A general rule of thumb is 3% body weight. For example if you have a dog 4 year old dog that’s 90lbs you would feed one meal that is 3% of their body weight which in this case is 1.8lb’s of feed.
Mistake No. 4: Failing to plan
Feeding raw is hands down the most superior form of canine nutrition when it’s done properly however many comment that ‘it takes too much time’ or ‘too much money’
This doesn’t have to be the case. You can very easily find a local whole sale supplier of meat in your local area who will be happy to provide you with cost efficient meat. You can then bulk buy monthly at a discounted price and spend one day of the month bagging it all up. If that does not suit you then you can very conveniently locate a number of specialist raw food companies who will deliver your food for you.
Final thoughts
No matter what just make sure you monitor your dog and remember all dogs are individuals based on their breed, disease susceptibility, age, weight, activity level, sterilization status, chronic health conditions and more. It’s important to work with your veterinarian to determine what will be best for your dog. If you want a more tailored approach to your dogs diet you must check out our Conditioning Programs
P.S.
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