Instructions
Make sure that you understand the basics of nutrition before putting your dog on a raw diet. Each meal needs to have an even balance of proteins, vegetables and starches -- just as a human's diet should.
Use protein as the base of each meal. You can feed your dog beef, chicken, duck, turkey, rabbit or pork. Try to periodically switch the type of meat being fed to your dog, both for variety's sake and so that the dog doesn't develop any sensitivities from being fed the same food constantly. For a 20- to 35-pound dog, each day's food should consist of approximately one-third of a pound of meat. Adjust this amount accordingly, depending on the size and weight of your dog.
Add about 2 cups of vegetables such as carrots, spinach and peppers for every 1/3 pound of meat. You can also feed your dog beans, cabbage, broccoli or brussels sprouts, but be aware that these vegetables may cause gas. Vegetables can be fed in their intact form or pureed in a blender to make them easier for the dog to digest.
Include a source of starch in the meal. Macaroni, potatoes, oats and rice are all excellent starches to add to your dog's food. You should include 1 to 2 cups of the starch source for every 1/3 pound of meat.
Make substitutions occasionally to give your dog some extra nutrition. You can replace half of the dog's regular meat source with liver once a week, and also add in cheese, yogurt and fresh fruits periodically. Additionally, the meat in a meal can sometimes be substituted with vegetarian proteins such as tofu, soybeans and lentils.
How to Balance a Raw Diet for Dogs
Feeding your dog a diet comprised entirely of raw food can have many health benefits, including better digestion and a healthier coat and skin. It's also a nice variety for the dog to enjoy rather than the same bland kibble every day. However, when feeding a raw diet to your dog, you have to be vigilant about nutritional balance so that the dog doesn't end up with a vitamin deficiency or worse.