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It appears that the vast majority of people believe that dogs should be fed in accordance with different life stages, one nutritional profile for feeding puppies, one for adults, and another for seniors. This concept has been popularized by commercial pet food companies, who provide these specialized foods in the form of dry kibble or canned concoctions. The reasons behind this concept are based on varying nutritional levels of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins at differing life stages. This concept is a complete mystery, and appears to be based on marketing, rather than on the nutritional needs of the canine.
Once 3 or 4 weeks old, a balanced meat diet can be introduced even while still nursing. Once the puppy has been weaned it can enjoy a full balanced meal plan.
When feeding newborn puppies, it is important to transition them to solid food gradually for healthy development. How long they nurse depends on when they feel that they have had enough! It is also important to ensure that the puppies are all getting an equal chance to have access to milk.
You can start changing to solid puppy food once your puppy is around 3 or 4 weeks old to a balanced meat solid food diet. This can also be introduced even while still nursing. Once the puppy has been weaned it can enjoy a full balanced meal plan.
Since muscle meats are important ingredients in the puppies diet, special care should be taken when selecting meat for your dog. Meats must be fresh and should be no greater than 15-20% fat content. Although most puppies appear to have a preference for beef*, the following meats are equally well suited in the preparation of your dog's food:
Beef - lean pre-ground stewing meat, heart boneless steak or roast
Lamb - pre-ground boneless stewing meat shank, leg or butt
Poultry - pre-ground boneless, skinless breast fillet or thigh
Venison - pre-ground stewing meat neck, shank, or shoulder
Or use more exotic meats such as buffalo, caribou, elk, moose, muskox, duck or rabbit.Try your local butcher or meat processor when purchasing your dog's meats. Supermarkets often cannot supply in bulk quantities and its pre-packaged meats may make it more difficult to obtain the correct amount for the recipe. A butcher will be glad to weigh out your meat and grind the meat for you on the spot.
Meat ground with bone-in is not recommended.
Although our products contain all of the essential vitamin and mineral needs of dogs, the addition of optional vegetables, lightly steamed, in a dog's diet is an excellent source of carbohydrates, particularly for larger, or highly active breeds. According to Veterinary sources, dogs do not require carbohydrates unless a female is lactating.
Vegetables to add: Squash, pumpkin, cucumber, zucchini, carrots, parsnips, beets, yams, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts.
Vegetables to avoid: Beans (raw), peas, kale (every day), spinach, beet greens, chard, onions, garlic, leek, tomato, potato, bell peppers.
The use of onions, shallots, and chives in dog food are not advised. Ingestion of these plants in a raw, cooked, or dried form can lead to damage of the red blood cells, which are rejected by the body from the bloodstream, and continued use of garlic or onions can eventually result in homolytic anemia. If the anemia is not controlled by discontinuing the use of the plants, it can potentially lead to death. Dogs should never be given raw, un-aged garlic because it is very irritating to the mouth, esophagus, and stomach and can cause or exacerbate ulcers." The nightshade family of plants such as tomatoes, potatoes, and bell peppers contain a bitter poisonous alkaloid called "Solanine". Solanine is toxic to humans as well, but it requires a much more concentrated amount, like that found in green potatoes and potato sprouts, to induce sickness.
Raw green beans should not be fed as they contain a toxic alkaloid similar to arsenic. Cooking green beans will destroy these toxins.
Puppies are fed the same meat-based diet as adult dogs, with the distinction that they are allowed to eat as much as they wish. To establish approximate daily food intake of your growing puppy, consult your veterinarian.
Puppies 8 - 16 weeks of age
Pup's weight in lbs: x 0.8 = daily amount of food in oz.
Pup's weight in Kgs: x 50 = daily amount of food in grams
Divide and feed as 4 meals
Puppies 17 - 28 weeks of age
Pup's weight in lbs: x 0.64 = daily amount of food in oz.
Pup's weight in Kgs: x 40 = daily amount of food in grams
Divide and feed as 3 meals
Puppies 7 - 12 months of age
Pup's weight in lbs: x 0.48 = daily amount of food in oz.
Pup's weight in Kgs: x 30 = daily amount of food in grams
Divide and feed as 3 meals
Make it a habit to feed your puppy friend in a quiet space, away from the kitchen or dining room. This will help to avoid future problems with begging for food, as they should not identify with human eating areas as their own dining territory! Also, living on a diet of table scraps is not healthy for your dogs! It is a good idea to make a habit of feeding at about the same times every day. Puppies and dogs love a routine! So it is also best to try to stick to a puppy routine by feeding at certain times of the day.
Do not leave the raw meat mix out at room temperature for longer than ½ hour or so, to avoid bacterial growth. Always make fresh, clean water available. Filtered water is preferable to chlorinated tap water.
Some good meat choices for introducing your puppy to this optimum diet are fresh, ground chicken or turkey, rabbit or game. Beef and lamb tend to have a strong odor and should be left to a future time. Leaner meats are preferable, however, some fat in the diet is essential. Fat should not exceed 20% of the total diet (10-15% is ideal). It is best to avoid the temptation of cooking the meat, as many essential nutrients will be destroyed, and this can lead to nutritional deficiencies and health challenges in the future.
There are many benefits that come with feeding a balanced raw meat diet to dogs and cats.
Some of the benefits you may observe:
Healthier skin & coat
Healthy growth rate
Develop strong bones
No more ‘doggy’ smell
Weight control
Relief from ear infections, arthritis, and allergies
Struvite crystals & urinary tract infections can be avoided
Diabetes and thyroid conditions can be avoided
Increased energy and activity levels
Cleaner teeth and gums
Less backyard clean up
Fewer veterinary bills
A happier best friend
A balanced raw meat diet can provide our beloved pets with ultimate nutrition for a lifetime. Let`s go into more detail as to why:
Raw pet food diets are controversial. Handling raw meat can be a messy job and your preference may be to feed your companion something closer to what you would eat, but your needs and those of your dog or cat are completely different. Raw meat is the natural source of protein for both carnivorous and omnivorous animals. Protein is an amino acid, and an amino acid is a molecule.
Once a puppy reaches maturity, typically around one year of age, it is considered a dog. However, the age at which dogs reach maturity can vary depending on their breed. For instance, larger breeds may take longer to mature and may still display puppy-like behaviors until they are approximately two years old. It's worth noting that dogs, like humans, continue to age and develop throughout their lives.
Know Better for Dogs is designed to provide your dog with its nutritional requirements and protein for health and longevity. It makes balancing a homemade meat diet at home, easy and convenient. Prescribed most often by Holistic Veterinarians. Easy to use, just add raw or cooked meat and water. Our range will help give your puppy the best start to healthy adult life.
For more information about food and pet health, why not check out our range of blogs, covering an array of important topics?
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