Raw Meat Diets for Puppies

Years before commercial dog food came into the picture, dogs and puppies lived off of what the hunters and scavengers could find in the wild. A new trend has pet owners reverting back to a raw food diet for their puppies. Owners often like this type of diet because it gives them the control of knowing what their puppy is consuming on a daily basis.

  1. Bones And Raw Food

    • For a bones and raw food diet, a puppy's meals would be similar to those their wild ancestors ate, including muscle meat, bone, fat and organ meat. You can use hamburger, chicken, pork or any other kind of meat. Vegetables are also important to add into a raw food diet but you must be wary of certain kinds of foods. For example, puppies should not be fed onions because they can be toxic to dogs. For a complete list of other foods that are toxic to dogs, see the resources section.

    Portion Size

    • Keep a close eye on how much you are feeding your puppy. Puppies should always be kept a little bit hungry to avoid overeating. How much to give depends on how much your puppy weighs. According to Dr. Goodpet, a 50 pound dog will need to eat approximately one pound of raw food per day. Pet owners should adjust accordingly. For example, if the puppy weighs 10 pounds, then give it one-fifth of a pound of food each day.

    Home Preparation

    • When you prepare the food, one of the best rules to follow is to mimic nature as much as possible. Mother dogs in the wild semi-digest the food in her own stomach before vomiting the food for her little ones to consume. This is a natural instinct for nearly all carnivores in the wild. This preparation can be achieved by a food processor that can grind turkey thighs and other foods to the proper mush state. You can also purchase ground meats from the grocery store. For commercially prepared raw food for dogs, see the resources. Each puppy should be fed in separate bowls to avoid competition.

    Introducing the Food

    • According to Natural Rearing.com, the best time to begin weaning puppies to a raw meat diet is the fourth week. You can begin by using goat's milk as a base for your mix. The milk will thicken if you add about a tablespoon of raw honey per quart. This additive is for extra nutrition and it should be warmed to a tepid degree. After several days of goat's milk, thicken with ground barley that has been pulverized. Then, during the puppy's fifth week of life, you can mix fresh meat as a separate meal. At this age, the puppy's digestive system is ready to break down the different components of these meals. Any earlier may present future digestive problems.

    Consult a Veterinarian

    • Before you make any changes to your puppy's diet, consult your veterinarian. The vet can also check to see if your new addition has any food allergies or other health problems. Keep in contact with your veterinarian and let the doctor know if you notice any drastic changes in the puppy's behavior or eating and toiletry habits.