06/09/2024
💊 Supplements/added extras for raw fed dogs.
Something I get asked about often, so here's my spin on some info that should help ...
If you want to feed them, you can. That goes for any dogs diet! Supplements and natural added extras can help with a whole host of health & wellness benefits and provide a boost of additional nutrients.
But they're not essential in raw feeding to achieve a balanced diet, so long as you're feeding it correctly. There are a couple of rules to follow, but it's much more straightforward than you may think.
Most people feed 'completes' or '80:10:10' diets. This pretty much fast tracks you to ensuring your dog is getting the recommended guideline ratio of meat:bone:offal per day, that is needed to formulate a balanced raw diet.
Variety - providing your dog with as much variety in proteins (flavours) on rotation as possible, ensures a diverse range of fats and nutrients.
Red meats, poultry & fish all have differing levels of nutrients to offer.
Fish especially, is great for balancing omegas and have the most processable Omega-3's for dogs. Providing your dog has no seafood allergies, regularly adding in oily fish/kelp/blue & green lipped mussels, is a great way to balance and boost your dogs nutritional needs.
Raw or soft boiled eggs (including the shell if your dog will eat it!) are also recommended to add in a few times a week as they provide valuable fats, protein, vitamins and minerals.
So in summary, a variety of proteins rotating daily where possible, fed as close to the guideline as you can of 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% offal (inc. 5% liver) per day (or for DIY feeders the balance over time). Plus a few eggs and some added oily fish each week will help achieve a well balanced, species appropriate & nutrient dense diet for your dog.
