Homemade Raw Dog Food: A Comprehensive Guide

Feeding your dog a homemade raw diet can enhance their health and energy by providing whole, nutrient-dense ingredients tailored to their biological needs. Here's an adaptable recipe and practical guidance for a balanced raw diet based on principles of quality, variety, and species-appropriate nutrition.
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Disclaimer: While raw feeding has many benefits, it’s crucial to work with a veterinarian or canine nutritionist to ensure a balanced diet tailored to your dog's needs.

Health Benefits of a Raw Diet

1. Improved Digestion: Raw diets are easier for many dogs to digest, thanks to their natural enzymes and the absence of artificial fillers commonly found in kibble. These enzymes can reduce gastrointestinal upset and improve stool quality.
2. Enhanced Nutrient Absorption: Raw foods retain their full spectrum of nutrients, which can degrade during high-heat processing (as seen in kibble). This ensures dogs receive optimal amounts of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
3. Healthier Skin and Coat: The high omega-3 fatty acid content in raw diets (especially with fish or fish oil supplementation) promotes a glossy coat and reduces skin irritations.
4. Stronger Immune System: Antioxidants from raw vegetables and fruits help combat oxidative stress, while unprocessed proteins support robust immune functions.
5. Improved Dental Health: Chewing raw meaty bones naturally cleans teeth and strengthens gums, reducing plaque and tartar buildup.
6. Weight Management: A raw diet’s high protein and fat content, combined with low carbohydrates, supports lean muscle mass and a healthy weight.
7. Increased Energy Levels: Dogs fed a raw diet often exhibit higher energy and vitality, likely due to balanced blood sugar levels and superior nutrition.

The benefits of raw feeding stem from supporting the body’s innate ability to heal and maintain balance. By providing biologically appropriate food:

• Inflammation is Reduced: Processed diets with fillers, grains, and synthetic additives can trigger chronic inflammation.
• Gut Microbiome is Balanced: Raw diets promote beneficial gut bacteria, essential for immunity and nutrient absorption.
• Toxin Load is Minimized: Avoiding artificial preservatives and additives reduces the strain on detoxification organs like the liver.

While raw feeding has many benefits, safety and balance are crucial:

1. Food Safety: Use high-quality, human-grade ingredients to minimize the risk of pathogens. Practice safe handling and proper storage.
2. Balance Over Time: Ensure your dog’s diet includes appropriate proportions of muscle meat, bones, and organs, along with plant-based nutrients.
3. Veterinary Guidance: Consult a holistic or integrative veterinarian to tailor the diet to your dog’s specific needs, especially for puppies or dogs with health conditions.

The Foundation of Raw Dog Food

Core Ingredients

1. Meat (60-75% of the diet): Muscle meat, organ meat, and raw edible bones form the bulk of a dog’s diet..

• Protein sources should be wild-caught or pasture-raised meeting true regenerative practice standards for the health of your pet and Earth.

Chicken	Turkey	Beef	Lamb
Venison	Rabbit	Eggs (Raw yolk)	Sardines
Tripe	Buffalo	Venison	Grouse
Elk	Quail	Bison	Salmon
Emu	Perna Mussels	Pheasant	Cod

2. Vegetables (10-20% of the diet): A variety of properly prepared (e.g., lightly steamed) vegetables and plant parts ensures fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Green beans	Broccoli	Zucchini	Peas
Carrots (steamed)	Bell Peppers	Spinach	Pumpkin (unsweetened, baked)
Squashes (baked)	Sweet Potato (baked)	Red or Yellow ​Bell Peppers	Chard
Endive	Eggplant	Kelp	Endive
Cucumber	Celery	Cabbage (saute)	Escarole
Radicchio	Parsnips	Fennel	Cilantro
Parsley	Brussel Sprouts	Broccoli Sprouts	Arugula
Dandelion	Okra	Asparagus	Jicama
Jerusalem Artichoke	Cherry Tomatoes	Sunflower Seeds	Pumpkin Seeds
Brazil Nut	Beetroot	Nori	Cauliflower

How to prepare each vegetable

Learn more about cruciferous vegetables

3. Fruits (5-10% of the diet): Natural sweetness and antioxidants come from fruits in small amounts.

Blueberry	Apple	Papaya	Plum
Raspberry	Pear	Watermelon	Cantaloupe
Avocado	Green Bananas	Blackberry	Mulberry
Strawberry	Pomegranate	Pineapple	Cranberry
Coconut	Kiwi	Mango	Peach

4. Fat (10-30% of the diet): Sourced from meat and supplemented seasonally if needed. Most of the fat is from the meat. In nature, this would vary by season - more in the fall, less in the spring.

Sample Recipe: For a 45-Pound Dog

Daily Portion: Approx. 1.25-1.5 pounds (2.5-3% of body weight)
Split into two meals.

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​Ingredients (Daily Portion)​
1. Muscle Meat, Organ Meat, and Bone Meal (80% of meal):

• Example: Ground chicken, ground beef, ground turkey, raw eggs
• Amount: 12-16 ounces

2. Vegetables (10% of meal): Canned or homecooked pumpkin, lightly steamed carrots and broccoli.

• Amount: ½ cup or 1-1.5 ounces

3. Fruits (5% of meal): Finely chopped or pureed apple or blueberries.

• Amount: ⅛ cup.

4. Cod Liver Oil: For omega-3s and vitamin D.

• Amount: 500 mg.

5. Supplements (1-2x weekly):​​​

• Probiotics or digestive enzymes.
• Mushroom Blend: For immune support.
• Pinch of Sea Salt or Himalayan Salt.
• Kelp Powder
• Ubiquinol
• Olive Leaf Extract
• Chlorella
• ​Glutathione

• SAMe
• Milk Thistle
• L-theanine.
• Ashwagandha
• Bacopa
• Rhodiola
• Carnosine

Cod Liver Oil

Mushroom Blend

Probiotics/Enzymes

Pet MatRx Bundle: Thrive

6. Optional Add-Ins:

• Egg: 1 whole raw egg (including shell for calcium, crushed).
• Fish: 1-2 ounces of raw, oily fish (e.g., sardines) 2-3 times weekly for omega-3s.​

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​Preparation Instructions:

1. Grind and Combine: Process a whole chicken (including skin, bones, and organs). Ensure the chicken is ground twice to achieve a fine, safe bone meal.  Mix with vegetables, fruits, and supplements evenly.
2. Portion and Store: Divide into daily servings in airtight Pyrex containers. Freeze quickly and thaw before use.

Purchase Pyrex: amazon

Tips for Success

1. Rotate Proteins Regularly: To maintain a balanced diet and prevent nutrient deficiencies, vary the protein source weekly. Options include beef, lamb, turkey, venison, sardines, and eggs. Rotation also keeps meals more appealing to your dog.
   
2. Prioritize High-Quality Ingredients: Select meat that is pasture-raised, organic, or wild-caught whenever possible. This ensures optimal nutrition and minimizes exposure to harmful chemicals.
   
3. Store Properly for Freshness: Prepare large batches and freeze the food in small, airtight portions, like Pyrex containers, with minimal air exposure. This preserves nutrients and freshness. Ensure the food is frozen quickly and evenly.
   
4. Avoid Cooking Bones: Cooking bones makes them brittle, which can lead to splintering and pose a choking or internal injury hazard. For vegetables, light steaming enhances digestibility without significant nutrient loss.
   
5. Adjust Portions Based on Your Dog’s Needs: Monitor your dog’s weight and stool consistency to determine the correct portion size. Active dogs or growing puppies may require more food. Puppies, for example, often need up to twice the amount an adult dog would eat. An adult dog's daily portion can vary widely depending on the activity level, metabolism, and epigenetics. It can range between 2 and 5 cups of homemade food per day. It is normal for a puppy to have 4-6 bowel movements per day until six months old. 
   
6. Incorporate Supplements as Indicated: Add a pinch of Himalayan or sea salt weekly for flavor and minerals. Use probiotics, digestive enzymes, and a mushroom blend for additional health benefits. Cod liver oil provides essential omega-3 fatty acids.
   
7. Be Mindful with Fruits and Vegetables: Frozen produce is a convenient and nutrient-rich option. Limit raw cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli, cabbage) unless steamed, as they can interfere with thyroid function when consumed in excess, particularly with an iodine deficiency.
   
8. Transition Gradually: Introduce raw food over 7-10 days to avoid digestive upset. Start with small portions mixed into the current diet, increasing the ratio daily.
   
9. Avoid Dangerous Foods: Never include cooked bones, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, or chocolate. These can be toxic or harmful to dogs.
   
10. Observe and Adapt: Watch for signs of imbalance such as loose stools, lethargy, or coat changes. Adjust the diet or consult a veterinarian familiar with raw feeding if issues arise.

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This holistic approach to raw feeding supports your dog's overall health, from improved digestion to shinier coats. For tailored advice, work with a veterinarian or animal nutritionist specializing in raw diets.

The Ideal Meat Grinder for Raw Dog Food Prep: Weston Meat Grinder

When preparing high-quality raw dog food at home, having the right tools ensures efficiency, safety, and precision. The Weston Meat Grinder is an excellent choice for anyone dedicated to creating nutritious meals for their pets. Here's why it stands out:

​Unmatched Power and Efficiency

• Powerful Motor: The 3/4 HP, 560-watt air-cooled motor is permanently lubricated, making it capable of continuous grinding without overheating. This feature is perfect for grinding bulk quantities, ensuring you can process enough meat for weeks of meals in one session.
• Speed: With a rifled-head design and offset throat, the grinder processes 6-9 pounds of meat per minute, saving you time while maintaining consistent results.

Durable and User-Friendly Design

• Quiet and Robust: Designed for quiet operation, the Weston Meat Grinder is built with rugged durability to handle hundreds of pounds of meat with ease.
• Precision Accessories: Includes coarse and fine stainless steel plates and a grinder knife, giving you flexibility in texture for ground meat, organs, and bone meal.

Versatility for All Your Needs

• Sausage Making: The included sausage stuffer kit with four funnel sizes makes it easy to create custom snacks like pepperoni sticks.
• Auger-Grabbing Stomper: Ensures safety and efficiency by helping to process meat through the grinder effortlessly.

Purchase: Amazon

Why It’s Perfect for Raw Dog Food Preparation
Grinding a whole chicken—including bones and organs—can be daunting with less powerful equipment. The Weston Meat Grinder prevents jams, while its speed minimizes prep time. Bones are ground efficiently into fine, digestible meal suitable for dogs, ensuring you meet their nutritional needs with ease.
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For pet owners who prioritize their pets' health, the Weston Meat Grinder delivers unmatched reliability, convenience, and durability.

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references

Royal, Barbara, and Anastasia Royal. The Royal Treatment. Simon and Schuster, 25 June 2013.

Habib, Rodney, and Karen Shaw Becker. The Forever Dog. Harper Paperbacks, 12 Oct. 2021.