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RAW FOOD 101

How To Feed Your Dog Raw

Nine Raw Dog Food Diet Benefits

1. Improved Digestion

With a raw food diet, your dog's dinner plate is free from those pesky, species-inappropriate grains and fillers – the usual suspects in the processed pet food lineup, which cause a plethora of digestions disruptions.  When switching to raw, you pet will have smaller, firmer 'business meetings' during your daily walks. With more nutrients being absorbed, there's less 'output' to deal with. Embrace the raw dog food diet and prepare for more enjoyable, hassle-free strolls with your four-legged friend!

How To Make The Leap To Raw Food

Now you're ready to take the plunge into the world of raw dog food, but how do you transition from kibble or a homemade diet to the nutritional world of raw feeding?

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After years of exploration and discovery, the answer shines clear: a 'cold turkey' approach. It's time to bid farewell to the old kibble and processed meals. Let's whisk your pup away on a culinary adventure that echoes the call of the wild. Begin with a 12-hour culinary pause – think of it as a mini-holiday for their digestive system. Serve them their usual breakfast, skip dinner, and then... unleash the raw magic!

 

Next morning, present a bowl brimming with raw deliciousness. It’s more than a meal; it’s a doorway to a lifestyle that embraces the essence of a species-appropriate diet, setting the stage for a transformation in animal wellness.

 

Embrace this change and prepare to be amazed. Watch as your pet blossoms, fueled by the nutrients and vitality that only nature's pantry can provide. This isn't just a diet switch; it's a leap into a realm where pet health reigns supreme, powered by the wholesome goodness of raw dog food.

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Dietary Sensitivities & Protein Rotation

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In the dynamic world of pet health, a key finding has emerged from the realms of research: the risk of dietary sensitivities skyrockets when our pets dine on the same meal day after day. Imagine a dog chowing down on chicken every single day, only to one day find itself itching, developing hot spots, or battling an upset stomach. It’s a scenario that’s all too real, with studies revealing that such prolonged, unvaried diets can lead to sensitivities, even to foods they once loved.

 

This is where the magic of protein rotation in a raw dog food diet comes into play. By introducing a carousel of proteins, rather than sticking to a monotonous menu, you significantly dial down the chances of your dog developing intolerances. This isn’t just about mixing up meals; it’s a proactive strategy to safeguard your pet's wellness, keeping those unwelcome health issues at bay. So, let's embrace variety in our pets' diets and watch them thrive in the glow of robust health and happiness!

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A Cure For Picky Eaters

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Picture having the same meal, day in and day out – even your favorite dish would lose its charm! Our furry companions are no different. The secret to keeping mealtime exciting and combating picky eaters lies in protein rotation. This isn't just a culinary twist; it's a crucial element in fostering animal wellness and pet health. By introducing a spectrum of proteins into your dog’s raw dog food diet, you're not just offering them a variety of flavors but also preventing mealtime monotony.

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Dogs, on the other hand, might seem like they'd happily wolf down anything in their bowl – day in, day out, forever and ever. But even our canine friends appreciate a change in their dining routine. Rotating proteins keeps them intrigued by their meals and wards off that all-too-familiar 'not this again' look. Some dogs crave variety in their diet.

 

So, let's turn your pet's bowl into a carousel of nutritious and delicious options, ensuring every meal is an adventure and a step towards optimal health and happiness.

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Introducing New Proteins

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Embarking on a journey to diversify your pet's diet with new proteins can be an exciting chapter in their story of animal wellness and pet health. For the majority of our furry friends who are hearty eaters and in good health, embracing a new protein in their raw dog food diet is typically a walk in the park. They can often switch directly to a new protein without missing a beat.

 

However, for the more discerning diners or those with sensitive stomachs, a gradual introduction is the way to go. Start by playing culinary matchmaker: mix a small amount of the new protein with their current favorite. This gentle approach allows your pet to get acquainted with the new flavor in a familiar context. Over the course of a few meals, gradually turn up the dial on the new protein, transitioning it from a guest star to the main act in their bowl.

 

This methodical approach not only caters to their taste preferences but also eases their digestive system into accepting the new protein. It's a thoughtful way to expand their dietary horizons, ensuring that each meal is both a delight and a step towards robust health.

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Rotating Raw Food Proteins

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A key ingredient to long-term pet health is a diversity in proteins. We're not just talking one or two, but at least three different proteins in their diet (and more is better). This isn't a random choice; there's a wealth of both obvious and subtle reasons behind it. Read here to learn more about why rotating proteins is a crucial component of your pet's raw dog food plan, and how each differing protein can be a game-changer in promoting robust animal wellness.

Ruminent Animal Proteins

Ruminant animals are fascinating creatures with a unique approach to dining! Imagine you're at a buffet with all your favorite foods. You take a little bit of everything, enjoy a few bites, and then, instead of finishing it all at once, you save some for later. That's similar to how ruminants eat!

 

These creatures, including cows, sheep, lamb, goats, and deer (venison), possess a four-chambered stomach, a marvel of nature's design. The first chamber, the rumen, is essentially a massive fermentation tank. When a ruminant snacks on grass or leaves, it's not immediately digested. Instead, it lands in the rumen, where a lively crew of microorganisms (think of them as tiny gourmet chefs) begin to break down the tough plant fibers.

 

Here comes the twist: ruminants regurgitate this partially digested food back into their mouths in a process known as "chewing the cud." It’s as if they're ensuring each bite is perfectly prepped for digestion. After this meticulous re-chewing, the food then ventures through the other three stomach chambers, undergoing further digestion and absorption.

 

This extraordinary digestive system lets ruminants efficiently extract nutrients from plant materials, which are often challenging for other animals (like your dog) to process. It's almost like having a superpower for munching on greens!

 

Prioritizing ruminant protein into your dog's raw food diet is a smart move. Why? Because ruminant meats are packed with high-quality nutrients, essential for your furry friend's health. These meats contain a balanced profile of amino acids, vital for muscle development and overall well being. Plus, the unique fatty acids in ruminant fats support healthy skin and coat, promoting optimal pet health.

 

The essence of this nutritional concert? If your pet's diet is a one or two-protein show, they might be missing out on a spectrum of vital nutrients essential for a thriving, long, and healthy life. In the realm of animal wellness, the richness of diversity can't be overstated. So, let's mix up those proteins (even in the same meal) and watch your pet bask in the glow of complete, balanced nourishment!

Food Allergies & Novel Animal Proteins

A novel protein, in the context of pet nutrition, refers to a source of protein that an animal has not been previously exposed to. The concept is primarily used in the management of food allergies or sensitivities in pets.

 

When pets develop allergies or sensitivities to certain foods, these issues are often related to proteins that they have been regularly consuming. Common proteins in pet diets, such as beef, chicken, and lamb, are more likely to cause allergic reactions simply because they are more commonly used.

 

Introducing a novel protein means providing a new and different protein source that the pet's immune system has not encountered before. This could be meats like kangaroo, venison, rabbit, duck, or fish varieties that are not commonly found in standard pet foods. The idea is that because the pet's body hasn't been exposed to this protein, it is less likely to trigger an allergic response.

 

Veterinarians often recommend a diet with a novel protein for an elimination diet trial, where the goal is to identify food allergies by removing common allergens and observing if symptoms improve. If the symptoms do improve, the novel protein diet may become a long-term feeding strategy for that pet. 

 

In summary, a novel protein is a dietary strategy used to avoid common allergens in pets' diets by introducing them to a protein source they have not previously consumed.

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