The raw diet, often championed for its health benefits, is what we feed here at the Steadfast household. It mirrors what canines would naturally consume in the wild, promoting healthier coats, improved digestion, and enhanced energy levels. It may also be a significant part of the reproductive success we’ve had! Research suggests that pets consuming a balanced raw diet rich in essential nutrients experience improved fertility and larger litter sizes. Does that not take the mystery out of our Fab 14 and Baker’s Dozen litter sizes? If this diet is so effective for our females producing large litters of puppies, imagine the health benefits to your dog!
I’m truly passionate about the raw diet, and I want to share some compelling reasons why you should consider it for your puppy. While the expense of a raw diet may initially seem daunting—especially when comparing it to mass-produced kibble—the long-term health benefits often outweigh these costs. Investing in high-quality ingredients could lead to fewer vet visits down the line due to potential health issues linked with poor nutrition, and I’m going to show you an example of how I shop smartly to keep expenses manageable—after all, feeding a whole pack of dogs fresh meat requires some savvy budgeting! Just a quick note: while I’m sharing my experience, I’m not a veterinarian or trained nutritionist. So be sure to do your own research too!
Health benefits: Iron guts
Raw meat, which is abundant in vital nutrients and vitamins, helps maintain an ideal pH balance in their digestive systems, thus promoting overall gut health. In their natural environment, dogs consume dead animals and other gross substances that would be harmful to humans. Two factors contribute to their ability to handle such diets: first, their digestive systems operate more quickly than those of humans, reducing the time for harmful bacteria to cause illness; second, a natural diet results in a highly acidic internal environment in dogs, which effectively neutralizes many harmful bacteria. In contrast, kibble contains ingredients that are difficult for dogs to digest and shifts their gut environment to an alkaline state, increasing their vulnerability to health issues and skin conditions.
Let me share a real-life experience with Zoey’s first litter in 2018. We had been feeding her a raw diet, which seemed to be working well for her, but then a breeder-friend persuaded me to switch her to a well-known kibble brand. That decision turned out to be a mistake. Just weeks after giving birth, Zoey slipped into a state of depression; she was perpetually exhausted. It was heartbreaking to see her wanting to engage with her puppies but lacking the energy to do so. Her change in demeanor was such a painful contrast to what we had known before! Initially, we attributed it to the demands of pregnancy and nursing. When she finally regained some energy around the time the puppies were weaned, we felt such relief that we even recorded a video celebrating her comeback. However, looking back now, it’s clear that it was the kibble diet that left her struggling all along. Since then, I’ve made it a point to include a vet visit for a complete blood panel and nutrition analysis in our pre-breeding protocol for my girls. I’m so happy to report that their nutrition levels are always perfectly aligned for motherhood!
Poop worth bragging about:
As a breeder, I talk to a lot of people about their history with dogs, and often hear stories about the raw diet transforming the lives of their dogs. The journey towards a raw diet can feel daunting at first; however, it’s well worth the immense benefits beyond mere nutrition. Imagine ditching the daily chore of handling messy, soft “muck” deposits in your yard! Switching to a raw diet doesn’t just transform your dog’s overall health and energy levels; it can turn their poop routine into something you’ll brag about! Not only will you be elated seeing more manageable Tootsie Roll stools on your morning walks, but you’ll also find yourself chuckling at how something as simple as diet can revolutionize this aspect of dog ownership. With kibble, countless un-digestible ingredients go in and an unhygienic mess comes out; with raw feeding, most gets utilized for growth, energy—and yes—even poop aesthetics.
Shopping and chopping:
Finding high-quality fresh meat for your dog doesn’t have to break the bank. Start by taking advantage of weekly sales and promotions at local grocery stores or butcher shops. Many places offer discounts on various meats nearing their sell-by date, which can be an excellent opportunity to stock up without overspending. I’ve even seen people ask on neighborhood apps for freezer clean-outs. Think of it as a treasure hunt where you can discover premium cuts at a fraction of their usual price!
This week, I found pork loin chops on sale at Costco. The regular price was $2.79 per pound, but there was a $5.00 off the package price given at the register, so I bought 5.5 pounds of chops at the sale price of $1.88 per pound. Then, at the grocery stores, frozen turkeys were on sale for $0.88 per pound, so I bought a 15-pound turkey not intended for our Thanksgiving meal, but as dog food. Finally, a good inexpensive staple is chicken leg quarters. The 10-pound bag was on sale for just $0.57 per pound.
Once I thawed the turkey, I spent an hour preparing all my bargain finds by cutting the meats and bones into perfect, crunchy portions. It’s all about finding that sweet spot—if the chunks are too big, the dogs might try to bury it in the yard, but if they’re too small, they won’t enjoy the satisfying crunch of those hearty bones. By storing these portions in gallon-sized freezer bags, I’m not only making the most of our dog food budget. Go ahead and envy me for the 30 pounds of meat and bone for just $30! But just wait, there’s more!
Additionally, I took advantage of every part of the turkey and chicken by boiling the larger bones and leftover carcass to create a nutrient-rich bone broth. Not only is this broth beneficial for my own meals, but it also provides essential nutrients as a soup for my beloved dogs. Similarly, when we have puppies, I always make nutrient-dense liver water for them, which provides ample liver treats for the whole pack. These little efforts are truly labors of love that keep my pack healthy and happy at every stage of their growth, and keeps our dog food budget somewhat manageable.
Crunchy delight:
Remember always, always, ALWAYS, that cooked bones are dangerous for dogs to ingest. If they’re already accustomed to a raw diet, their acidic gut will easily digest raw bone into a very bioavailable source of calcium and essential nutrients. However, it’s crucial to introduce bones that are appropriate for their size and chewing ability. Start with meaty bones, like chicken necks, wings or backs, which provide both nutrition and a satisfying chewing experience.
In addition to proteins and bones, don’t forget to incorporate organ meats into your dog’s diet. Organs like liver are rich in vitamins A, D, E, K as well as B vitamins that are critical for maintaining overall health. Aim for about 10% of the total meal composition to be made up of organ meats for optimal nutritional balance. Vegetables can also be incorporated in a raw diet—think about adding pureed leafy greens or carrots occasionally for extra fiber and antioxidants. Just make sure they’re finely chopped or blended; dogs digest whole vegetables less effectively than we do!
Finally, always keep in mind that handling raw food requires stringent hygiene practices: wash hands thoroughly after preparing food options; sanitize surfaces used during preparation; avoid cross-contamination with human food; and store raw ingredients properly in the refrigerator or freezer until it’s time for meal prep.
Ready-made convenience:
Another option is to buy ready-made raw dog food. You’ll have to spend more, but it offers significant convenience. We buy ready-made raw dog food from Texas Tripe. It’s very reasonably priced, but a little tricky to keep track of our freezer supply so we run out just in time for the next delivery. One drawback if you decide to buy ready-made raw dog food is that you must scrutinize the brand/source because as the popularity of feeding raw increases, marketing can successfully mislead you into believing you’re buying balanced nutrition when you may not be. Additionally, fully ground food may lack the satisfying crunch that dogs enjoy, which can also result in less effective dental cleaning. To ensure their teeth stay clean and healthy, just include some occasional raw meaty bones (RMBs) in their diet.
I hope you’ll embrace the challenge of feeding a raw diet to your dog; it’s not just about feeding your pet economically but enhancing their long-term health with nutrition they’ll love! If you’re getting a new puppy from us, now is the time to plan so you have at least the first few weeks of food ready to be served.
If you’re not going to feed raw, just know that the first week or more with your new puppy could be problematic. Often, they’ll eat the first one or two bowls of kibble thinking it’s a treat, but then reject it entirely, choosing to skip a few meals. The transition to kibble can also be rough on their digestion, and you’ll likely have to deal with some diarrhea until their system adjusts. We’ve had pretty good success with Orijen brand, so that’s what we recommend now. You can read about how to choose good kibble in this blog I wrote previously, or in this article by Ed Frawley of Leerburg.
There’s an abundance of amazing resources out there, and plenty of scientific research around the health benefits of the raw diet. Take a look at this most recent analysis done for our Gracie. Everything is perfectly balanced! I hope that helps give you confidence to make the commitment to feeding a healthy raw diet to your dog. And, as always, we’re here to help answer question if you have them!
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