Fresh, Raw and Whole Food For Your Dog's Health - What to Select, Preparation, Mistakes to Avoid

 

 

In this article: whole, fresh, raw foods are good for your dog;
How to prepare and feed these foods to your dog;
Mistakes to avoid making.

Fresh whole foods including muscle meat and organs, eggs, dairy, leafy green, vegetables, fruit, healthy oils, herbs and spices offer our dogs digestible, nutrient rich food without the dangerous ingredients, additives, toxins and carcinogens in highly processed pet food.

A fresh whole food diet (raw or gently cooked), is the primary foundation of support for a dog's overall health and longevity.

Protein

Animal protein, muscle meat and organ is the primary component of a dog's and cat's species appropriate diet. My dogs and cats, are on a raw diet. I have the majority of my client dogs on raw diets. I have some of my client dogs on a gently cooked and fresh food diet. For most dogs the best diet is a raw diet. A gently cooked diet is necessary for some specific health issues and conditions (temporary or long-term).

 

 

Appropriate and Safe Animal Protein and Raw Meaty Bones for Dogs

Ruminant and Small Prey muscle meat and organ such as:
Beef
Bison
Lamb

Rabbit
Venison
And other ruminant meats. 
Don't use carnivore meats.

For best nutritional value choose grass fed, pasture raised or organic sourced animal protein.

Poultry such as:
Chicken
Duck
Emu
Turkey, etc.
- free range, antibiotic-free, hormone-free, GMO-free, pastured or organic preferred.

Fish (wild-caught) in particular fatty fish such as:

Anchovies

Salmon

Sardines

Shad

Smelt

Mackerel
For more information on appropriate fish, and how to select the best options you can go here.

 

Shellfish (wild-caught):

Crab

Green Lipped Mussels

Lobster

Prawns

Shrimp
Note that shellfish must be cooked/steamed for 8 to 10 minutes before served to your dog or cat. Never give your dog or cat raw shellfish. Shellfish is a supplemental food, it is not a main dietary component.

 

Eggs - free-range, non-GMO or organic

Raw - make sure you wash the eggshell before cracking open
Cooked

Dairy - sourced from pastured, grass-fed or organic source dairy

Cottage Cheese or Quark

Hard Cheese such as cheddar cheese, mozzarella for example

Goats milk
Kefir
Yogurt

Non Load-bearing Raw Meaty Bones (RMB):

For example:

Poultry - backs, frames, heads, feet, necks 

Ribs - lamb, goat, pork

Raw meaty bone type and size must be selected to suit the individual dog's size and requirements. Always be present when your dog is consuming ram meaty bones.

More here on raw meaty bones.

 

 

 

Appropriate and Safe Seeds and Tree Nuts  - a source of fats, essential minerals and vitamins:

 

Seeds - raw, organic

Chia or saba chia seeds - whole or ground
Flax Seeds (brown or golden, use ground flax seed as opposed to whole flax seed)
Hemp seed
Sesame seed

Pumpkin Seeds (best if pulverized or ground)
You can find out more here.

Tree Nuts - raw, organic, only, fresh not stale in small amounts.

Almond

Cashew

Coconut (fresh or dry non sweetened, shredded)

Note, don't give your dog peanuts or peanut butter.
 

For information on seeds and nuts that pose serious danger to a dog's health read here.

There are some facts that you need to be aware of when it comes to whole food protein...

Animal Protein

The primary component in a dog's species appropriate diet IS animal protein. Read more about that here.

 

Dairy products 

Just like with people, some dogs are lactose intolerant Yogurt is a good source of protein and also a source of acidophilus which helps to prevent the overgrowth of bad bacteria in the digestive track. Plain yogurt or yogurt with natural fruit sweetened with honey is best. Yogurt sweetened with sugar is alright but your dog does not require sugar. Yogurt sweetened with artificial sweeteners should be avoided. Xylitol is especially dangerous for dogs and can result in liver damage.

Raw eggs 

My dogs get raw organic free-range pasture sourced raw eggs. Learn more about adding eggs to your dog's diet in this article. It's important to note that eggs contain avidin, an enzyme that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). Biotin deficiency can lead to hair and coat problems. Avoiding biotin deficiency is simple - make sure you always  give your dog the egg white, and egg yolk, find out more in this article.

Fruits and Vegetables

 

Many people think that vegetables, dark leafy greens and fruit will cause a dog to experience diarrhea. In actual fact high quality soluble fiber helps prevent diarrhea and constipation. 
 

Soluble fibers attract water and form a gel, which slows down digestion thereby delaying the emptying of the stomach and makes a dog feel full, which helps control hunger and weight. Slower stomach emptying can also have a beneficial affect on controlling blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity, which helps control diabetes. Apples, oranges, pears, berries, cucumbers, celery, and carrots are examples of fruits and vegetables that provide soluble fibers.

Insoluble fibers are gastrointestinal tract (GI Tract) friendly as they have a laxative effect, add bulk to the diet and help prevent constipation. Insoluble fibers do not dissolve in water, so they pass through the GI tract primarily intact speeding up the passage of food and waste. Insoluble fibers are mainly found in whole grains and vegetables zucchini, celery, broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, green beans, dark leafy vegetables, fruit, and root vegetable skins are examples of fruits and vegetables that provide insoluble fibers. 

As noted above, fruit and veggies contain a lot of good soluble and insoluble fiber, but they are also rich in vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and are naturally low in fat while being filling.  

Eating fresh fruit and vegetables also plays an important role in:

• Helping to boost the immune system
• Helping the body eliminate toxins
• Keeping organs, eyes, teeth etc. healthy
• Support joint health;
  
• Preventing colon cancer
• Reducing the risk of developing heart and vascular problems, stroke and cancer
• Reducing the risk of inflamed anal glands (which result in ‘scudding’, burst glands and discharge)
• Aiding in good oral health

If your dog is overweight support metabolic health with a species appropriate diet. Include plant materials to suit your dog's individual requirements to support overall health and reduce risk of:

• Diabetes
• Stress on joints
• Inflammation of joints is another contributing factor to the onset of cancer

In the wild, dogs eat pre-digested fruits and vegetables when the consume the digestive organs of herbaceous prey, as well they also consume some plants, fruits, vegetables to self-heal and boost their immune systems. Grass is one such example.

  

The fruits and vegetables that I give to me dogs on a daily basis vary a little depending on the season, for instance watermelon in the summer and oranges in the winter. The following provides a partial list of fruits and vegetables that are good for dogs. You can use fresh, or frozen fruit. I do not recommend using canned fruit or vegetable unless you have an emergency. If you are going to give your dog canned fruit, make sure it is packed in juice not syrup - sugar is not good for dogs. You can use fresh, of fresh-frozen and/or cooked veggies.

Fruit that is Safe & Beneficial for Dogs to Consume
The following is a partial list:
Acai berry

Apples (remove the seeds)
Apricots
Avocado
Bananas
Blackberries
Black current

Blueberries
Cactus fruit (prickly pear)

Cantaloupe
Canary Melon
Cherries (remove the pit)
Clementines
Cranberries
Dragon fruit

Grapefruit
Golden berry

Goji Berry (if your dog is on medications check for drug interactions)
Guava

Honeydew Melon
Kiwi

Korean melon
Loquat

Longan

Lychee

Mango (remove the pit)
Mangosteen

Mulberry

Nectarines (remove the pit)
Oranges
Papaya

Passion fruit
Peaches (remove the pit)
Pears (remove the seeds)
Persimmons
Pineapple
Plums

Pomegranate
Quince

Raspberries

Red current

Santa claus melon
Strawberries
Tamarillo

Thimbleberry
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Yuzu fruit

Vegetables that are Safe & Beneficial for Dogs to Consume
The following is a partial list:
Asparagus
Broccoli 
Broccoli Sprouts
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery
Clover sprouts
Chicory
Cucumber
Fennel
Green beans

Kelp, Chlorella, Marine Phytoplankton, Spirulina
Kohlrabi
Leafy greens - beet greens, green or red leaf lettuce, frizzy lettuce, kale, radicchio, romaine, spinach, cilantro, dandelion, parsley
Tomatoes
Squash - various types of winter squash.
Sweet Peppers - green, yellow, orange and red, purple, etc.
Mushrooms - Chaga, Maitake, Shiitake, Reishi and other dog-safe mushrooms. Please note many other types of mushrooms are toxic to dogs, just as they are to people.
Pumpkin
Okra
Zucchini

Roots Vegetables 
The following is a partial list:
Beets 
Carrots
Fennel (bulb and greens)
Parsnips
Rutabaga
Turnip

How To Feed Your Dog Fruits and Veggies

Preparation to Ensure Maximum Absorption of Nutrients from Fresh Fruit and 
Vegetables

In order to make sure your dog gets the full benefit of nutrients from fresh fruit and vegetables you need to understand a little about the difference between a dog's and a human's GI Tract.

Optimizing The Absorption of Nutrients

• Dogs have a shorter intestine than humans, this means that food moves through the dogs GI  tract faster than it moves through a humans GI Tract; To ensure that your dog's digestive system has the opportunity to absorb the maximum amount of nutrients from vegetables and fruit it is important (especially with vegetables which have a tougher cell wall structure) to help the dog's GI tract by breaking down the vegetable's (or fruit's) cell-walls before you feed it to your dog.

• You can breakdown the cell walls by choosing one of the following methods:
  1. Finely chop fruit and vegetables - either by hand or with a food processor
  2. Lightly steam vegetables 
  3. Freeze the vegetables or fruit first, thaw and then give them to your dog
• Make a smoothie as per the example further below.
  

• By choosing one of these four methods to breakdown the food's cell-wall you:

• Perform the first stage of digestion, so your dog's GI tract has the opportunity to absorb nutrients properly
  

• You greatly reduce the chance of your dog choking on a hard piece of vegetable

The photo above is a freshly pureed batch of fruits and vegetables for my own dogs. I make a large batch to last about 20 days. I package and freeze the puree into daily portions. 

 

Some fruit has a softer cell wall than vegetables;

• You don't have to chop berries such as blackberries and raspberries
• But you should cut most other fruit up in smaller pieces
• Harder fruit like apples and pineapples are best if chopped finely 

 

Make a Smoothie for Your Dog
  
Green Leafy Smoothie
If you want to give your dog fresh leafy greens - such as romaine, kale, spinach, beet greens, etc:

• Chop the greens either by hand or in a food processor and mix a little into your dog's food
  
• You can toss the greens into a blender with some homemade chicken stock and make a smoothie - store in the refrigerator for up to three days and just add to your dog's food once a day
• General Guideline:
• X-Small Dogs and Cats - 1 tbs
• Small Dogs and Cats – 1/8 cup
• Medium size dogs – ¼ cup
• Large dogs – 1/3 to ½ cup
• Every dog has his / her own metabolic rate, and unique needs, so keep in-mind that above is a general guideline - some dogs may thrive with less and others with more

Fruit Smoothie 
If you want to give your dog fresh or frozen fruit in a nutrient rich smoothie:

• Toss the fruit into a blender with some kefir or yogurt or use homemade chicken stock to make a smoothie - store in the refrigerator for up to three days and just add to your dog's food once a day:
• X-Small Dogs and Cats - 1 tbs
• Small Dogs and Cats – 1/8 cup
• Medium size dogs – ¼ cup
• Large dogs – 1/3 to ½ cup

Do's and Don't s:
 
Don't

1. Don’t give your dog produce that is going bad - moldy, rotting, slimy, you can make your dog very ill
2. Don't mix fresh whole or coarsely cut fruit and veggies with a main protein meal
1. You CAN add fruit and vegetables to a main protein meal if you do one or a combination of the following:
1. Finely chop, mince the fruit or veggies before adding to the meal
2. Steam the fruit or veggies before adding to the meal
3. Use thawed frozen fruit or veggies

Do:

1. Wash the food item to remove dirt, contaminates, and as much pesticide/herbicide as can be removed if the produce is not organic
2. As mentioned above do cut/chop/shred fresh vegetables into small pieces - a food processor is great for finely chopping fruits and veggies
3. Finely chopped or minced fruit and vegetables::
1.  Can be properly digested
1.  As explained further above a dog cannot properly digest uncut, whole fruit and vegetables
2. Larger pieces of vegetables and hard fruit pose a choking hazard
1. An example:
1.  Zoey my 12 lb Pomeranian once got a piece of cauliflower caught in his airway - completely blocked
2. Zoey quickly became unconscious and if I had not known how to and did not administer the Heimlich maneuver and mouth to mouth resuscitation he would have died in front of my eyes
4. When you introduce new fruits and veggies to your dog's diet it is best to introduce each new food one at a time. If there is any kind of negative reaction, such as stomach upset or allergies you will be able to pinpoint the culprit. 

Herbs

People have used herbs and spices to add flavor to food and to treat ailments for thousands of years. So it should not be surprising that there are many herbs and spices that are good for our dog's health. Herbs and spices can boost the  immune system and are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants to name just a few benefits. If you would like to find out more about herbs and spices you can add to your dog's diet click here. Herbs such as Turmeric and/or Curcumin can also help your dog lose and maintain a healthy weight.

Grains, Starchy Seeds, Starchy Root Vegetables

Grains and other starchy carbohydrates are not part of a dog's natural diet. I recommend removing all starchy carbohydrates for the diet, these include:

• Amaranth
• Barley 
• Corn 
• Millet
  
• Oatmeal 
• Quinoa
  
• Rice 
• Potato
• Sweet potato
• Yams
• etc.
  

Grains and other starchy carbohydrates should be completely replaced by (for example) substituting with appropriate plant materials from the list further below, as demonstrated in this recipe for homemade dog food.

Fats

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are very important for the overall health of a dog. However the intake of Omega-3 and Omega-6 must be balanced correctly. The ratio should be in the range of 2:1 for Omega-3 to Omega-6. An out-of-balance ratio can disrupt the balance of pro and anti-inflammatory agents in the body and brain resulting in chronic inflammation and elevation of the risk of health issues such allergies, arthritis and diabetes and can adversely effect behavior.  To read more about the importance of Omega Fatty Acids, what is a balanced intake and what are good as opposed to poor or dangerous sources of these vital nutrients you can read this article.
 

Holistic Wellness Services and Holistic Behaviorist Services 

Holistic Wellness and Behaviorist Services

Do you need holistic advice to support your companion animal's health and well being? Become a client. Book your consultation. My professional holistic nutrition, wellness and behavioral services are available to you:
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Menu of Holistic Wellness Services for Dogs and Cats 🐕🐈
For more information go here. 
✅  Maintain Health, and;
✅  Address Health Issues and Conditions:
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✓ Pre-Surgery holistic support protocols
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✅  Custom Designed Whole Food Diets - raw or gently cooked, and;
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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld