Raw Feeding
Why Raw?
Cats and dogs have biologically evolved to eat meat - specifically raw meat. We feed our dogs an appropriate, balanced raw food diet for optimal health and well-being. We aim to feed a biologically accurate diet that is something that your dog would have consumed in the wild, think whole prey rabbits/chickens/lambs, etc.
The benefits of raw that we have noticed.
Better food digestion - this results in smaller, odorless poops (great for us!).
Better body composition - we have noticed our dogs have more muscle and hold less fat
Healthier teeth and skin, and less shedding
Improved immune system - see gut biome below
How do we ensure a balanced, healthy diet?
By ensuring we are feeding a wide variety of protein sources (chicken, lamb, salmon or other fish, veal, venison, possum, wallaby, etc), organs, importantly secreting organs like kidneys and liver, tripe for digestion, and size- and age-appropriate raw meaty bones like brisket, chicken necks/frames.
Weaning puppies onto raw
We begin the weaning process at about 3 weeks of age; by this time, the puppies can waddle around and lap up liquids. We mix raw goat’s milk with defrosted minced meat into a delicious (for puppies!) and loose, sloppy mixture. We start with the Lamb Mix from Raw Essentials, and when all goes well we also mix in the Chicken and Wild Mix, a fan favourite of our adult collies!
Mums still freely feed their pups and usually top them up after meals. By the time they are 5 weeks old, puppies are eating 4 meals a day of a mix of minces, raw meaty bones, tripe and delicious dried treats.
Gut health and improved immune system - we introduce additional foods to build our puppy’s gut biome for immunity.
Probiotics - ripened cheeses, dried meats, brine from cheese like feta, double fermented kefir, dried uncured sausage/salami, fermented cabbage.
Prebiotics - pumpkin, squash, banana, sweet potato.
Meat Minces and Mixes
Some of our favourite meat minces and mixes from Raw Essentials are:
“Chicken and Wild Mix”, “Lamb Mix”, “Venison, Veal, Salmon, and Tripe”, “Goat Mix”, and Salmon Mince
No Bones about it!
Our favourite bone recommendations for young puppies include:
chicken wings, lamb brisket, veal brisket, and venison/goat brisket
