nutrition

If you are interested in starting your puppy/dog on a raw food diet, click the tab button above to take you to a raw food feeding schedule.  You may download and print this at anytime.  All new puppy families will receive a copy in their puppy folder.

Nutrition is critically important to maintain optimal health and ensure optimal performance, as well as to manage the symptoms and progression of specific diseases. 

Just some of the physical benefits of a raw food diet:
  • Cleaner teeth and fresh breath.
  • Better weight control.
  • Improved digestion.
  • Shinier, healthier skin and coat.
  • Reduction of allergy symptoms.
  • Harder, smaller, less smelly stools.
  • Increased mobility in older animals.
  • More energy and stamina.​
There are many articles that discuss the problem with feeding a dry kibble dog food.  Here are a few you can check out by clicking on the following tabs:
​

Our Journey to a raw diet


When we only had Scarlett and Bane, our groomer noticed they both had red ears and red in between their toes.  She suggested they may have food allergies.  We decided to switch them to a different dry dog food than the one they currently were on.  Fast forward a few more months and the same redness still appeared.  An all raw diet was presented to us by one of our dane family and we immediately researched the differences between a dry kibble based food diet and an all natural raw diet.  We decided we wanted to try the all natural raw diet.  It has been nearly 4 years since we've made the switch and have seen first hand impressive results with the raw diet in our danes.  We can honestly say, we will never go back to a dry kibble food diet for our danes.  

We have researched and read many articles and books (which we will share on our "Resources" tab)  about the raw diet and have listed the nutritional findings below.  Please note that these nutritional findings are based on different key nutrients that are found in much of the meat and organs fed to dogs on a raw diet.  Much of this information goes back to basic biology and can be found simply by researching basic nutrients in specific foods, such as chicken (different cuts of chicken), beef, pork, turkey, deer, and fish.  The bulk of this information is about chicken because this seems to be the staple to most raw fed dogs.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ORGANS
We strive for 10% organ meet but being honest, many dogs struggle with digesting organs. Episodes of loose stool can be common, especially when feeding a new organ to a dog for the first time.
Liver is one of the best organs to feed because it contains a wide array of nutrients. Loaded with vitamin A, D, E, K and containing Omega 3 & 6, B vitamins 1, 2, 3, 5 & 12. Liver holds minerals like iron, manganese, zinc and selenium and is a source of vitamin C to boot.  At a minimum, try to incorporate Liver into your dog's daily meal in an amount of at least 5% of what's fed.
Kidney is another awesome iron rich organ containing quality protein, Omega 3 & 6, vitamins A, B, D, E and K.  Kidneys are also a source of zinc and known to be easily digestible.
Additional organs to consider: 
Heart (Actually muscle meat) - Source of taurine & good protein, iron, A & B vitamins. 
Brain, Spleen, Pancreas & Lung.
TIP: You can use the USDA Food Composition Database search tool to dig raw dog food nutrition on just about any meat.
 Note, you'll need to pick out the part from search results and listings and do not include data for bone content.

TRACE MINERALS
Trace minerals work hand in hand with macrominerals like calcium and phosphorus. Without the proper balance of trace minerals, macrominerals can’t do what they need to.
Here are just a few of the benefits of trace minerals:
  • Iron: vital for bodily function and helps provide oxygen to organs and muscles
  • Selenium: an antioxidant that helps prevent oxidative damage that can cause premature aging, cancer and inflammatory diseases
  • Zinc: boosts the immune system and the quality of your dog’s skin and fur
  • Copper: helps absorb iron, which participates in the synthesis of melanin and helps to stop anemia
  • Manganese: needed for bone growth and thyroid hormone production. It ensures the quality of bone and cartilage, while playing a significant role in the mitochondria function

TRACE MINERAL DEFICENCIES IN DOGS
If minerals are lacking, what can that do to your dog? Here are just a few examples:
  • Copper deficiency
    • Bone and joint disease
    • Poor coat color
    • Ligament and tendon issues
  • Manganese deficiency
    • Reproductive issues
    • Skin and hair abnormalities
    • Bond and joint development issues
  • Selenium deficiency
    • Low immunity
    • Muscle cramping
    • Low stress tolerance
  • Iron deficiency
    • Poor growth
    • Anemia
  • Zinc deficiency
    • Fertility issues
    • Bone and joint problems
    • Decreased healing of wounds
Trace minerals are critical to your dog’s health, but where do they come from?

WHAT ARE THE BEST SOURCES OF TRACE MINERALS?
Food, and dog owners that have the knowledge and time to feed a balanced raw diet can create and feed a very complete nutritional plan.
Adding a variety of these foods to your dog’s diet is the best way to get those trace minerals into his system:
  • Nutrient rich proteins. Chicken, turkey and spinach are high in zinc. Halibut, sardines and beef are great sources of selenium. Broccoli and kale are rich in iron. Flax seeds, kale and spinach are great sources of copper. You can find manganese in rabbit, egg and pumpkin seeds.
  • Greens like spirulina, chlorella, alfalfa and kelp also provide concentrated sources of a range of minerals.
  • Organs are literally the multi-vitamins for carnivores – this is where you’ll find most of the vitamins, minerals and trace minerals. Add 10% to 15% organ meats into the diet. Try not to use just one organ though. Find as many of the organs as possible and get them into the diet – liver, lungs, brain, tripe, skin, eyes …
  • Herbs can also boost the trace minerals in your dog’s diet. Alfalfa, burdock root, catnip and chamomile are good for Manganese, Selenium and Zinc. Sheep sorrel is good for copper and use parsley or fennel seed for iron.

TYPES OF MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS
You can add different types of minerals to your dog’s food BUT not all minerals are equal!  Some are literally like tossing your money down the drain.
  • Chelated minerals, chelate and chelation are popular buzzwords in the supplement industry. The term sounds awfully scientific, but it isn’t that complex. The truth is chelated minerals are essentially minerals that makers bind to a living component or amino acid. Manufacturers design them in laboratories to trick an organism into accepting the amino acid along with the attached mineral. While it’s possible that some chelates are more easily absorbed, in most instances chelates and non-chelated minerals have the same rate of absorption.
  • Colloidal minerals are mineral particles suspended in a solution. Some say that colloidal minerals are so small they require very little effort to be absorbed, but there’s currently no research to prove that. Colloidal minerals have a relatively large particle size, are suspended (not dissolved) in liquid and lack an electrical charge necessary to be easily absorbed.
  • Ionic minerals differ from both chelated and colloidal minerals. Ionic minerals are not designed in a lab and don’t need to be chelated to be effective. These minerals carry an electrical charge, and in this form the body can immediately absorb them without intermediate processing. Ionic minerals are dissolved in a liquid, rather than just suspended in liquid. This makes it easier for the body to absorb ionized minerals. Research shows that a body is able to selectively absorb and use ionized minerals. This means pets given these types of minerals are able to use the minerals they need, when they need them.

ALL ABOUT CHICKEN
  •  The nutrient content of chicken breast differs only slightly compared to dark meat; breast has more niacin (vitamin B3) and       less fat, including saturated fat, than dark meat, but dark meat also contains higher amounts of zinc. Dark meat also contains more vitamin B12 than white; almost three fold more or about 47% of the DV. The content of the other vitamins and minerals analyzed didn’t differ in a meaningful way between breast and dark meat.
  • When comparing regular & organic cuts with skin, the primary difference is the fat content; the skins of regular cuts have more fat than organic. However, once the skin is removed, the fat content of meat only is similar across most cuts for both organic and regular cut.
  • Like chicken breasts, there are only minor differences in the micronutrient content of chicken legs whether or not they have skin on. The most notable difference in micronutrient content between chicken breasts and chicken legs is their respective zinc content; chicken legs have between 224% and 263% more zinc than chicken breasts.
  • The caloric difference between chicken legs with skin on and skinless chicken legs is greater than what was seen in chicken breasts; about 63 kcal per 100 g portion. Also, as with chicken breasts, the main nutritional difference between chicken legs with skin compared to skinless chicken is the fat and calorie content; the former having more of both.
  • There is about 14 g of fat per reference amount of chicken legs with skin on compared to 7 g fat per reference amount in skinless chicken legs. Therefore, skinless chicken legs have 50% less fat than chicken legs with skin and can carry a “lower in fat” claim. Also, skinless chicken legs are “lower in saturated fat” compared to chicken legs with skin, and as a cut, is “low in saturated fat.”
CHICKEN THIGHS
  • Like chicken breasts and chicken legs, there are only minor differences in the micronutrient content of chicken thighs with, or without skin on. While the difference in the zinc content between chicken breasts and chicken thighs is not as great as it is with chicken breasts and legs, chicken thighs still have more zinc than breasts; 170% to 218% more.
  • When comparing skinless chicken thighs and chicken thighs with skin, the greatest difference is in the amount of calories. There are 79 more calories per reference amount in chicken thighs with skin than skinless chicken thighs. The largest contributor to this caloric difference is the greater fat content in chicken thighs with skin; 19 g of fat per reference amount in chicken thighs with skin on compared to 8 g in a similar amount of skinless chicken thighs. Therefore, skinless chicken thighs are 58% lower fat than chicken thighs with skin and can carry a “lower in fat” health claim. Also, skinless chicken thighs are “lower in saturated fat” compared to chicken thighs with skin, and like skinless chicken legs, are “low in saturated fat”.
 
MICRONUTRIENTS
  • Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals. Chicken is very nutritious food as it contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, and with a couple of exceptions, are found fairly equally in both white and dark meat. Chicken wings, legs and thighs are richer in zinc and vitamin B12, and legs and thighs contain more of the B vitamin biotin.
  • Some notable mentions include: 
  • B vitamins – Chicken contains all of the B vitamins analyzed for: thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenate (B5), pyridoxine (B6), folate, and biotin and can carry a “source of”, “good source of”, or “high in” nutrient content claim depending on the B vitamin. While whole grains are rightfully promoted as good sources of B vitamins, foods like chicken are an important source as well.
  • Vitamin B12 – Animal foods are well known to be the best source of vitamin B12 and chicken is no exception. Chicken legs and thighs, both skinless and with skin on, as well as chicken wings can all carry the claims “excellent source”, or “very high in” vitamin B12. Chicken breast with skin on can claim to be “high in”, or “a good source of” vitamin B12; skinless chicken breast is “a source of”, or “contains” vitamin B12.
  • Sodium – Unprocessed foods are naturally low in sodium including fresh poultry. With less than 140 mg of sodium per 100 g serving, all cuts of chicken are able to carry a “low in sodium” claim.
  • Potassium – Potassium is best associated with foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and pulses but most consumers would be surprised to learn that meats, fish and poultry are also good sources of this important mineral.
  • Both skinless and skin on, chicken legs, thighs and wings are a “source of” potassium with amounts ranging from 240 mg to 323 mg per 100 g portion. Both skinless chicken breasts and chicken breasts with skin on are a “good source of”, or “high in” potassium with skinless chicken breasts having the most potassium; 430 mg per 100 g serving. This is as much as a medium banana, probably best known for its potassium content.
  • Magnesium – Magnesium is an important mineral that many are not meeting the recommended intake of and is involved in numerous metabolic reactions vital to health. With the exception of skinless breasts which are a “good source of”, or “high in” magnesium, all other cuts of chicken, both skinless and with skin on, can carry the nutrient content claim of “source of”, or “contains” magnesium.
  • Iron – Iron is an important mineral that some segments of the population, growing children and women, are often not getting enough of. The iron in animal foods is absorbed more efficiently than the iron from plant foods making animal foods that initially appear to be low in iron, actually good sources.
  • Zinc – Like iron, zinc in animal foods is absorbed better than zinc in plant foods. Chicken legs without skin is an “excellent source of”, or “very high in zinc” and legs with skin on, chicken thighs and wings are a “good source of”, or “high in” zinc. Both cuts of chicken breasts can carry the “source of” nutrient claim for zinc.
 
PROTEIN
Protein provides the body with the building blocks needed for growth, maintenance and repair of almost everything: skin, muscles, bone, blood cells, antibodies, hair, nails, hormones, blood vessels and more.
Protein is found in all foods but those from animal sources tend to have more on a per serving basis.  Animal based proteins provide all of the essential amino acids in amounts needed for health; this kind of protein is sometimes referred to as ‘complete’ protein.
Chicken is an excellent source of complete protein, ranging from about 21 g for chicken legs to about 31 g for skinless chicken breasts per 100 g portion.
 
NIACIN (B3)
Niacin (vitamin B1) is a very important nutrient to help the body use the energy that comes from carbohydrates, fats, and protein in our food. It is also important for the digestive system, nervous system and skin health. Niacin, like all of the B vitamins, is water-soluble meaning that it cannot be stored in the body.  Because of this, it’s important to eat foods rich in B vitamins throughout the day; everyday which includes chicken.
 
VITAMIN B12
All cuts of chicken, especially dark meat from chicken legs and thighs contain vitamin B12 (also known as cobalamin); a critically important nutrient that supports the nervous system and production of healthy red blood cells. Vitamin B12 helps to make DNA, the genetic material in all cells and is therefore essential for healthy cell reproduction; a vital role in fertility and reproduction. Vitamin B12 is probably best known for its role in preventing pernicious or megaloblastic anemia.  Animal foods are the best source of this important vitamin.
 
PYRIDOXINE (B6)
All cuts of chicken contain an important B-vitamin called pyridoxine or vitamin B6, with chicken breasts containing the most compared to legs and thighs. Vitamin B6 is involved in over 100 metabolic pathways, or processes, making this a versatile nutrient. It is extremely important for healthy red blood cell production, helping the immune system function by aiding in antibody production and promoting normal nerve function. Vitamin B6 is also involved in brain development during pregnancy and infancy.
Another important function of Vitamin B6 is protein metabolism. Vitamin B6 helps the body use amino acids to build bodily proteins muscle, skin, blood cells, bone and more; it is also involved in neurotransmitter synthesis; molecules that the body uses to communicate from one part to another and which are involved in mood regulation.
 
PHOSPHORUS
Phosphorus is extremely important for the health of bones and teeth.  Also, it is important for energy metabolism and helps the body use carbohydrates and make protein.
Like all protein-rich foods, chicken contains phosphorus.  With the exception of chicken wings, which are a ‘source’ of phosphorus, all other cuts are ‘high’ in this mineral.
 
ZINC
The dark meat in chicken is where you will find zinc in high amounts. This nutrient is very important for normal growth and development, enzyme function, immune health, reproduction and DNA synthesis.  Because of its role in growth and development, zinc needs increase during pregnancy, puppyhood and adolescence.
 
THIAMIN (B1)
Thiamin (vitamin B1) helps the body's cells change carbohydrates into energy.  The main role of carbohydrates is to provide energy for the body, especially the brain and nervous system. Thiamin also plays a role in muscle contraction and conduction of nerve signals allowing your brain to communicate to all parts of your body.  All cuts of chicken have thiamin but legs and thighs have the most.
 
RIBOFLAVIN (B2)
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) also is needed for body growth, red blood cell production and is involved in energy production from carbohydrates, fats and proteins.  Riboflavin works with vitamin A to maintain healthy mucous membranes in the nasal passage, lungs and digestive track.
Vitamin B2 helps to maintain healthy eyes, nerves, muscles and skin and is needed to convert iron, folic acid and vitamins B1, B3 and B6 into their active forms.  Riboflavin is found in all cuts of chicken with dark meat having the most compared to breasts and wings.
 
MAGNESIUM
Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and it wears many hats being involved in over 300 different metabolic pathways, or processes including protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood sugar control, blood pressure regulation, energy production, maintaining heart rhythm and muscle contractions.
Magnesium is found in all cuts of chicken with chicken breasts having the most.
 
IRON
Iron is probably best well known for being part of hemoglobin; a special protein that transports oxygen throughout the body. Iron is also needed for cell growth and cellular differentiation; the process by which cells become what they’re destined to be such a bone cells, muscle cells, skin cells etc. Iron helps direct the cells genes for normal human development.
Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia.  When the body’s iron stores are low, there isn’t enough hemoglobin to carry enough oxygen resulting in fatigue, poor work performance and decreased immunity.

Tips for Raw Feeding Puppies
  • Puppies should start with a single meat protein source for the first few weeks, seems everyone uses chicken.
  • Very young puppies can be fed a minced raw diet of ground up chicken & bone or whatever meat protein you choose.
  • Once things progress you can add a second protein in small amounts.
  • If you go raw stick with it, don't skip a day and feed kibble, you'll throw off the PH balance as the gut will sway more acidic with raw fed dogs.
  • Feed young puppies two or three small meals per day totalling about 2 to 3% of their projected adult weight or 10% of their current body weight.
  • Weights fed are just a starting point, adjust up or down if your dog becomes overweight or skinny.
  • As your puppy grows and strong adult teeth come in, begin feeding whole parts, raw meaty bones like chicken drumsticks, thighs, turkey necks, beef, pork, goat, rabbit and game, etc.
  • Add organ meet, small quantities at first, to provide essential enzymes, vitamins and nutrients.
  • Things like chicken and beef liver, lung, kidney. (Note heart is muscle meat)
  • Add good fish or krill oil for omega 3 & 6 fatty acids. 
RAW FEEDING SCHEDULE
AGE 8 weeks to 12 weeks
MORNING: 2 thawed chicken breast cut up (NO BONE)
AFTERNOON: 1 thawed chicken breast cut up (NO BONE)
DINNER: 2 thawed chicken breast cut up and 1 Raw Egg (NO BONE)
*If s/he acts as if he’s still hungry, add an additional chicken breast in the afternoon, or increase to 3 chicken breast at Morning and at Dinner.*
 
AGE 12-18 weeks
MORNING: 1 chicken leg quarter thawed, cut up in chunks 1 Raw Egg
AFTERNOON: ½ to 1 chicken leg quarter thawed and cut into chunks
DINNER: 1 chicken leg quarter thawed and cut into chunks and 1 Raw Egg
*You can eliminate the afternoon ½ chicken leg quarter and give him/her a little more in his/her morning meal or dinner meal if 3 feedings is not doable for your schedule.  
**Watch for knuckling because of the calcium from the bone.  If s/he shows signs of knuckling, just go back to raw chicken breast for 2 weeks and give 250 mg of Vitamin C a day.  This may cause some diarrhea.
 
AGE 18 weeks- 24 weeks
MORNING: 2 Chicken leg quarters thawed or frozen, (can be cut or not) and 1 Raw Egg.
DINNER: 1-Chicken leg quarter thawed or frozen, (can be cut or not), 1 Raw Egg, and a Baseball size beef ball (ground beef ball)
**Watch for loose stools when introducing another type of meat.
If s/he seems to adjust well to the beef, you can then try to add some pork into his/her food as well.
You can also add to his/her food (ONLY ONCE PER DAY) 2 probiotic capsules, and 1 Large TBS of coconut oil.  As s/he gets bigger, around 18 weeks, you can add 2 Large TBS of coconut oil.  This will be good for his/her coat.
You can let him/her chew on any frozen beef bones or smoked beef bones but I would stay away from rawhide bones.  These contain glue substances not digestible to him.  
You can always give him/her snack foods, but think about foods that are fit for humans, which are the very best for him/her, such as cooked liver, peanut butter, cooked chicken or beef, bacon, sausage, cheese and sweet potatoes.  These always work well for our Danes.  
Please don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions or concerns.  We are here for you and we want your new family member to be with you for a long time! 
These are the items we use for our Danes, where to find them and how much they cost.

Gold Leaf Chicken Leg Quarters, found at Walmart in a 10lb bag for $5.90.  Can get 4 bags in a box.
Ground Beef in a 10lb roll, found at Walmart for $19.95.
Butcher Boy Coconut Oil, found at Big Lots  or Amazon for $12.99.
VetriScience Probiotics for Dogs, found on Amazon for $21.99/120 capsules (Will last 4 months per dog and give 2 per day)
Krill Capsules, found on Amazon for $30.95 for 300 count (Will last 5 months per dog (2 per day)
Dr. Mercola Eye Support Powder at Chewy for $19.96 (1-2 scoops)
Dr. Mercola Digestive Enzyme Powder at Chewy for $14.21 (2-4 scoops)
Puppy Power Gold K9 at Chewy for $19.99
Native Refined Coconut Oil on Amazon (1 Gallon) for $27.72 (2 TBS)
Life Stage Select Multi-vitamin and Mineral Supplement/ found online at Petco, $18.99 for 180 chew tabs (Will last 3 months and give 2 per day) or $26.99 for 300 chew tabs (Will last 5 months and give 2 per day)
Proudly powered by Weebly