I work with many pet owners who’s dogs often have issues with kibble. The processing of dry commercial food starts with long hours of cooking slaughtered carcasses at the plant. The rendered carcasses are ground into a “meal” and mixed with other ingredients. Not all those ingredients are tolerated by dog’s digestive systems so alternatives are often necessary.
Without question, one of the most fundamental ways to maintain your dog’s good health is to provide them with a diet that offers balanced nutrition from the best quality ingredients.
A raw food diet is often recommended in the holistic world for dogs, but not all dogs like it or tolerate it.
If you choose to try and cook for your pup, here are some guidelines to help.
Foods to Avoid (mainly because they are common food sensitivities for most dogs) –
Dairy products, Gluten , Peanuts, Eggs, Cooked Bones – (raw bones are fine to serve)
30-60% Protein
If your dog eats 1 cup of food at each meal, 1/3 to 2/3 of that should be protein. (chicken, turkey, beef, wild fish etc.). Also, remember to include some organ meats (heart, chicken livers, gizzards, tripe etc.) Eggs are a commo food sensitivity among dogs, so best avoided or only given occasionally.
10-30% Veggies
Serve raw or cooked – Avoid Onions
Alternate vegetables regularly.
• Green leafy vegetables
• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower)
• Medicinal mushrooms (reishi, shiitake, maitake)
• Green beans, zucchini, carrots, celery, pumpkin
10% Carbohydrates
High glycemic starches such as corn, wheat, rice and potato are leading cause of obesity and inflammation in dogs. If you are going to include carbs, I would recommend:
• Legumes contain both carbohydrate and protein. A small amount can be added to your pets food. (Lentils, mung beans, chickpeas etc.)
• Gluten free grains (quinoa, millet, oats)
• Starchy vegetables ( sweet potato, squash, beets, turnips, carrots, etc.)
Supplements
Digestive Enzymes – to help with gas/bloating / digestion
Probiotics – for good bacteria
Omega 3 – fish oils are necessary for healthy coat and for fighting inflammation.
Calcium -(unless feeding raw bones or egg shells) Add 30mg per pound of body weight. Eg. 50lb dog needs 150mg
Spirulina – a true super food and source of minerals
Missing Link Senior Formula – superfood supplement powder providing support for age-related stiffness, supports optimal bone health, promotes skin, coat, and digestion and enhances cardiovascular function.
How much to feed ?
The amount of food needed by each dog is of course different, depending on the dog’s age, lifestyle, activity level, and metabolism, etc.
As a general rule, dogs will eat around 2-3% of their body weight. Large dogs tend to eat a lower percentage while small dogs a higher percentage of their body weights. Toy breeds may need more – as much as 4-5%
Eg. A 50lb dog may eat up to 1lb to 1 1/2 lbs. of food a day
Eg. A 25 lb. dog may eat 1/2 lb to 3/4 lb. of food a day
Doggie Stew
3 lbs. chicken, beef, chicken or fish
1/4 cup of cup chicken livers, gizzards or hearts
2-3 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, peas etc.)
1/2 sweet potato, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup quinoa, rinsed thoroughly (optional)
2 to 3 cups of water
spices of your choice (optional)
Add all ingredients to a slow cooker. Cover the pot and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours.
Once everything is cooked, let it cool off completely. After that, it’s ready to serve or be put in the freezer in individual portion sizes.
Serve with additional supplements as needed.
references
The complete holistic dog book – Jan Allegretti