Ravenwood Ranch

Ravenwood Ranch

Where Quality Counts

Ravenwood Ranch
Basics of the Raw Diet for Dogs

Reported Benefits of the Raw Diet

		Smaller stools that turn white and disintegrate in a few days.
		Clean, white teeth without brushing or a trip to the vet.
		Reduced doggy odour.
		Improved health and vitality = lower vet bills.
		Better weight control.
		You have more control over the quality and ingredients of your dog's diet.
		Puppies grow at an appropriate rate
		Improved longevity.
		Reduction in the chemicals your dog is exposed to that are commonly
		included in commercial pet foods.
		Improved energy in previously lethargic dogs.
		Many allergies and skin conditions improve when switched to the raw diet.
		Easy to make at home with readily available and inexpensive ingredients.
		Less expensive than premium kibble.

Option 1 - Do It Yourself

A sample diet includes (but is not strictly limited to) the following ingredients:
70% of the Diet Includes:

		Whole Ground Chicken (including offal)
		Whole Ground Turkey (including offal)
		Whole Chicken Backs
		Whole Mutton with Bones
		Whole Beef with Bones
		Whole Sardines in Spring water
		Whole Pork with Bones
		Elk, Antelope and other Wild Meats
		Heart, Kidney, Liver from a Variety of Species. Different species provide
		different combinations of amino acids in their offal.
		Whole Beef Tongue
		Whole Fresh or Frozen Fish
		Green Tripe

The Remaining 30% of the Diet is Comprised of:

A WIDE variety of whole fruits and veggies.

When mixing a batch of veggie mush I tend to stick to the "Rule of Six". I use AT LEAST six different veggies and fruits (including at least two 'green leafies') in each
batch. I ensure that the following batch is made up of six different veggies and
fruits. This is an easy way for me to remember to keep variety in the diet.

Whole Eggs With Shell
Sugarless Plain Yogurt

Don't forget about big recreational bones to maintain tooth and gum health and the
dog's mental wellbeing of being able to chew like nature intended him to.

Supplements
Supplements are a personal choice. Some people choose not to supplement while
others choose to supplement a lot. I tend to supplement based on the individual
dog's needs. My healthy dogs are supplemented for the essential fatty acids while
my immune suppressed dog tends to get a wider range of vitamins and minerals.
Again, each dog is different and it is important to assess their needs when
determining the level of supplementation you are comfortable with.

Fatty Acid Oil Mixture - add 1 teaspoon per 25 lb body weight daily
2 Parts Corn Oil
1 Part Cod Liver Oil
1 Part Salmon or Flaxseed Oil
1200 IU Vit E per 16 oz Liquid

This recipe was given to me by my holistic veterinarian. The mixture leaves the
coats soft and shiny. Again, there is lots of flexibility with this recipe. I opt to use
Salmon Oil rather than Flaxseed since one of my dog gets the itchies from flax. You
can also reduce the amount of Cod Liver Oil during summer when your dog may be
outside more than usual and is therefore synthesizing adequate Vitamin D on his
own.

We are currently supplementing with a wonderful product called Synflex which
gives the dogs great joint support as well as a wide variety of other key nutrients
and essential fatty acids.

Depending on the individual dog's level of health/stress I may also add Zinc
Gluconate, Echinacea (not for long term use), Garlic, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Apple
Cider Vinegar, Kelp, Alfalfa, probiotics and digestive enzyme from a human health
food store.

Option 2 - Pre-Made

Pre-made raw patties, ground meats and supplements are now readily available to
purchase in most areas. If you are short on time or don't want the trouble of
preparing your own diet these can be a great option. Alternatively, you can use the
ground meats and patties in combination with your own ground veggies, or add a
pre-mixed supplement. The wonderful thing about raw is that it is very flexible and
you can tailor it to fit in with your lifestyle. Two of our favourite pre-made raw
product lines are:

		Urban Carnivore
		Mountain Dog Food

How Much Do I Feed?

General Guidelines
Feed:
2% of body weight to lose weight
2.5 to 3% of body weight to maintain current condition
Increase % to put weight on an underweight dog
Puppies may require up to 10% of their body weight
Adjust according to body condition. This link may help determine your pet's
condition:
Recognizing an Overweight Pet

It is my opinion that the raw diet is the best choice for my dogs and I. The
raw diet may not be right for every dog and owner. It is essential that every
new raw feeder take the time to do their own research. Take the time to do
your research. Knowledge will give you the confidence and background to
pursue the raw diet.
If possible try to find a raw mentor - someone familiar with the diet that can
guide you through the switch and answer any questions you may have. Even
if it is just someone to reassure you that you are following the correct steps,
they are invaluable and worth their weight in gold!
Variety is KEY to achieving balance over time. Be careful not to fall in the rut
of relying on the same foods day after day after day. For example, relying on
one protein source for an extended period of time can result in your dog
developing a sensitivity to that particular protein source.
Hygiene, hygiene, hygiene. Dogs are biologically equipped with a shorter
digestive tract enabling them to digest raw foods. It is still essential,
however, to practice safe food handling practices when dealing with your
dog's raw food. Handle it the same way you would handle your own raw
meat. Keep meat frozen or refrigerated when not feeding it. I like to thaw
my meat in a sink of ~HOT~ water prior to feeding rather than leaving it
overnight on the counter. Keep surfaces, utensils and dishes clean.
We use stainless steel dishes and bowls for both food and water. They are
easier to clean as steel will not harbour microorganisms as plastic dishes
will. Plastic water bowls also deteriorate over time. We made the switch to
stainless steel after one of my dogs developed a hair follicle infection from a
plastic dish.
This diet is not difficult, time consuming or expensive to prepare. It just
takes some research, planning and organization. Once you have your routine
and sources of supplies established it will be easy! Best of luck on your
journey to whole health for your pet. Please email me if you have any further
questions.
If you wish to feed the raw diet but life circumstances are currently not
conducive to the raw diet, don't beat yourself up over it! Select a premium
kibble, such as Innova Evo, and know that you are providing for your pet to
the very best of your abilities at this time. I've "been there, done that" where
illness, job situation, moving or a new baby is your priority. Don't sweat the
small stuff...take care of life and know that you will get your pets on track
when things in your life settle down.

Important Considerations

The information on this page is
provided for your own
personal use and is not
intended to replace the advice
or guidance of a veterinarian.